Vinaka Vinaka! Translation: Thank you Vinaka! .... For you fill my belly with your spicy sweet Soy Chai Tea Lattes. You fill my eyes with pleasing to look at behind the counter coffee {& tea} makers. You fill my hardworking soul with outlets galore accompanied with wireless internet connection for my Macbook. And you fill my spirit with your daily quotes scribbled, but yet not quite scribbled, on your whiteboard. Does it get any better? No. You are perfection. Wrapped up in tree house in Carlsbad's village. Again, I say Vinaka! read more

Great coffee! The blended mocha is to die for! I am from Carlsbad and live in Seattle and crave this amazing blended drink. Went the other day and well.. The girl forgot about my order! No, big deal I let it go and she made me my blended mocha. She made me a small it looked like I ordered and paid for a large but I had my toddler with me so I didn't have time to stand there for another 10 minutes for her to make me another one. Went back yesterday and ordered two blended mocha's. Well.. fifteen minutes later I finally got my drinks, not because the place was busy but because little miss chatterbox had to talk to the guy who was getting off his lunch break and the other girl behind the counter. Very slow I watched her grab the can of whipped cream and it took at least 2 minutes because she was talking. I understand this is a laid back, go with the flow kind of coffee shop but come on! 15 fifteen minutes for two blended drinks with nobody else in line that's a great way for me to just suffer and go to Starbucks at least they can get two blended drinks out in under 4 minutes. I love this place please do not get me wrong! I just don't have all day to wait for my coffee. read more

Keep walking past the Starbucks on the corner, and you'll find Vinaka! The best coffee shop EVER!! a. because of the awesome drinks (ice blended mocha deliciousness) b. the pastries and melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies c. ice cream, sandwiches, a giant world map, post cards on the roof, personal mugs, friendly staff, games in the corner, new art work on the walls, giant plasma screen, free wifi, plenty of outlets for your computer....and the list goes on!! These are just a few of my favorite things about Vinaka! But, I mainly come here when I'm town because I've been coming here since high school (not that I studied in high school), and it just brings back memories and I like to stay true to a local spot!!! read more

Oh Vinaka, what a relief you were for a world-weary traveler. I remember our first meeting well. In the two hours before I met you, I'd locked my keys in the car, waited an hour for help to arrive, lied to AAA ("Of course this random card-holding member was riding with me!") , and had a few hundred baby-fine hairs forcibly jerked from my face by the fine individuals at Beehive Waxing Salon. Needless to say, my mood was not the most forgiving when set my GPS to find nearby coffeehouses and shortly arrived. Upon entering, an eyebrow raised at the ubiquitous black-haired individuals that resembled the offspring of Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, no doubt born wearing slouchy hoodies and side bangs. Yet on I went. No displaced counterculture would get between me and my coffee on this desperate night. Free wireless! An array of baked treats at 9 pm! Ice cream! Eclectic yet comfortable decor! Things were looking up. The prices were low, the baristas pleasant, and I heard myself order a Mexican Mocha, which was delivered to my table only moments later in a Real Mug with Real Whipped Cream on top-- none of that residue-leaving "cream" found topping so many drinks at a certain more prevalent establishment. Mmmmm... the Real Espresso and Real Whipped Cream blended into a delectable marriage of warmth and flavor, and I knew I was in love. Unfortunately, you decided to sit next to that extraordinarily loud and disruptive Coyote Bar and Grill, which makes evenings hard to relax during, due to the sound of karaoke crooners getting their Coyote on, which nearly cost you a star in my book. Don't sweat it though, Vinaka. You can't help it, and your coffee will keep me coming back for more. read more

This laid back comfy coffee shop reminds me so much of home (Portland, OR)! Who knew so many people of substance exist in Carlsbad (no offense Cbad, you've got nice weather at least!) Let me paint you picture, I am sitting here right now using the wireless internet that is free with any purchase - There are people at the coffee bar socializing and and some working on lap tops. I'm on the east wall where most of us are studying or working on lap tops. A group is playing chess, another playing cards....you get the picture All walks of life enjoy this little gem. Highly recommend - forget about Starbucks! read more

OMG this place us so neat. Reminds me of my days in Santa Barbara when I use to pretend like I was studying in IV...of all places. The cool vibe here is what intrigued me the most. Lots of young Buppie and student types all relaxed with their IPADS, MAC's, and text books ready to conquer the world. I settled for a blended vanilla latte to go and it didn't disappoint. read more

Great coffee, great place to study, super friendly staff and a good location. This place is on the second floor of a little shopping center off Carlsbad Village and is pretty large considering the location. There are a ton of tables and areas to plop down for a while and either study or just hang out and catch up with friends. They also have outdoor seating, so feel free to bring your dog--we bring ours and he gets plenty of people to say hi to while we drink our coffee. The prices are decent and the staff is willing to give suggestions on what to get. They have specialty drinks advertised every time I go and I normally try those since they're so good---got their maple chai once and now I'm hooked. They also have food and ice cream, so it's a multifaceted place. It's a nice little coffee shop, you're bound to get hooked. read more

It's too bad I even had to give them a one as a rating because if there was a option to give a zero that's what they deserve for their disrespect to a customer. This isn't the first time I've encountered terrible service from the same employees or could be the owners! I have lived in Carlsbad for a few years now and each time I experience this I have said nothing!!! I am leaving a review because it long overdue and well worth the time of writing this! Now even more during Covid it would behoove them even more to go the extra mile to make all customers feel welcome and thankful we are there supporting their business! They have the worst customer service ever and have had it way before COVID!! I will never return! read more

Love the atmosphere here, so warm and friendly. I love to support local business, but I also want it to deliver quality and consistency. Vinaka delivers! Knowing about Vinaka is like telegraphing that you are a local as it's tucked away from the beaten path. Worthy of the walk past Starbucks that is just around the corner. You can hang out and catch up with a friend, play chess, work (if you must!) the Wifi is free and the coffee and food choices are truly delicious, the staff always friendly and chill. read more

This place is located in Carlsbad village area.. It's my preferred location when I need a nice coffee or ice cream. Coffee wise: I like the snow cap which is ice cream and coffee blended together. It comes out nice and frothy. Ambience wise: the coyote bar and grill normally plays music that can be heard very well. If your trying to find a place for studying, this isn't the place. But if you're looking for a place to relax at, it's pretty good. You can sit out staring at the courtyard while sipping a coffee and listening to a live band from coyotes.. Service: people there are friendly and helpful. Price wise: its you standard coffee shop prices. read more

Poor customer service... and their coffee ain't that great! Walked in and all the workers were talking behind the counter not even acknowledging me nor my husband. To make things worse, one of the guy employees takes a ice cream spoon and tries the ice cream IN FRONT of me and my husband. NO professionalism or courtesy whatsoever. I really didn't want to buy coffee from this place but since our only other choice was Starbucks..we gave in. But after what we've been through..I really wouldn't mind Starbucks. read more

My favorite independent coffee shop. I visit Vinaka frequently, usually for more than an hour multiple times a week. I actually get more work done here than in my office. I don't drink coffee that often (though theirs is great) but they have good Chai tea as well as other teas. Plus FREE wi-fi internet and lots of local Carlsbad characters coming and going at all hours of the day. For the laptop crowd they have conveniently placed a row of electrical outlets along the back benches so that you don't have to waste your battery. They also have some good food come lunchtime; try the Greek gardenburger whenever they have it on special. 3-hour parking in the parking lot. Don't stay longer because the shopping center will tow you. read more

Since moving to Carlsbad, this place has become one of my regular working spots. . If I am hungry, I usually get a turkey sandwich or a salad. Sandwiches include Sun Chips and a pickle. I don't like Sun Chips, so I usually give them back. Something I want to note is that they don't have soup. Aside from that, their food is usually fresh and I eat all of it. I think it is pretty average in terms of food. I did try a pumpkin muffin, which was amazing. As for drinks, I think they have a nice selection of tea bags. I usually go for the Mango Tea or Chai Latte. This place also appears to have a nice selection of ice cream for a hot day or late night treat. As for the actual location, something to keep in mind is parking has a 3 hour limit. Usually, I set my alarm for 2.75 hours and then go move my car. The coffee shop is located on the second story of an out door mall. For a small shop, it actually seems quite big because it has 2 large doors open most of the days. It also has plenty of plugs towards the right of the counter and under the booths. This place has an artsy vibe with local art hung on the walls and music quietly playing in the background. For those of you looking to hang out, this place also has some games on hand to play with friends. Wrap up: Great work place and hang out place. Keep an eye on the time for parking. Food is fresh and average. read more

Wow. 5 stars... If I could give more stars I would! Where do I begin? For starters, the customer service and vibes are exceptional. The staff are engaging and all have wonderful personalities. I was greeted the moment I stepped in to the shop and the staff even remembered my name and favorite drink from the last time I came in. My food and coffee were prepared quickly and brought to the table I was sitting at. Everyone here goes above and beyond to provide me with an enjoyable experience. To sum it all up... the food and coffee taste amazing, the staff are incredible, and my expectations are always exceeded :) read more

The blended ice vanilla latte is amazing. Tastes almost like ice cream! This is a really cute place to study or read. I will be back! read more

A great cafe experience can be priceless and Vinaka is pretty priceless. Free wireless internet, cheap organic coffee, and a chill local vibe all make hangin out in Vinaka a nice cafe experience. It is great for people who need to do their work on a computer (people like me) because the seating is designed for lab top lovers and there are plenty of booths with electricity outlets near by. I can spend hours in this joint, in fact I'm writing this review for Vinaka right now! The crowds who visit Vinaka are pretty diverse, you got your young college kids crammin' for a test, you got your hipster kiddies gettin' together to talk about the latest deerhoof album, but you also got your group of guys who looked like they just got back from an AA meeting. Even so, a visit to Vinaka can make for a great cafe experience. read more

Easily my favorite place to get some work done. The place is so cozy and welcoming in Carlsbad village. They offer so many teas and other coffee drinks that it's hard to find something you don't want. I always order the vanilla iced latte, it's simple not too sweet and very good!! The staff is always kind and doesn't make you feel like you're not welcome if you're a local. This place is a regular for me and it's worth checking out! read more

Full disclosure: not a coffee drinker, so I can't speak to that. This place has a great vibe, and I love supporting local businesses. I wish there were more places like this in N. County or that it didn't have to close so 'early.' The people behind the counter have always been great to us. We're not on a first name basis or anything, but they are always cheery and cool. Also, the vibe is great: a range of young student types, older chess players, couples, singles. I love that diversity. Everyone is mellow and respectful of the chill atmosphere. It can't be that easy to be a coffee shop/cafe that has free wifi these days, and Vinaka has provided good food for the price and a great place to hang out. The BLT and the veggie burgers are our go-to options with ice tea and ice cream or cookies. We always make a point of ordering enough to justify sitting in seats for a while. It's not that easy for these local cafes to sustain themselves if a customer buys one drink and then camps out in a seat for six hours, so I hope this place continues to fill up with paying customers so that it will be around for a long while. read more

This place owns. The ambiance is really nice. What I like about this coffee shop is that it has a lot of outlets and is pretty much designed for people who just want to hang out which is very rare for a coffee shop nowadays. Most corporate coffee shops like coffee bean and starbucks want you to buy their shit and get out asap. Free Wi-fi which should be an absolute requirement for a coffee shop. There is always a mix of people, from the surfer types to old people playing chess. It's also by the beach so you get the cold ocean breeze. It's always packed and you're going to have to fight for a seat. The bar is a nice place to hang out too. I approve of this place, I just wish there were more of it in socal. read more

Stopped in after a dinner out looking for some ice cream to top off the evening. Cute venue. Coffee smelled wonderful. But the cashier looked put out when we placed our order. Maybe he was tired but never cracked a smile or offered up any nicety. Kind of a shame. Maybe the day crew is better? One can hope. As for the ice cream, a double scoop was a generous portion and son said it was good. So there's that. read more

Hard-core local hang-out. The walls are decorated with local artwork. The staff is cordial, but not bubbly. The temperature inside is usually roasting, so if you get warm easily, prepare to layer down. My standy-by drink is a latte. The baristas nail it four out of five times. (Every fifth or so tastes a bit burnt, but I'm an espresso snob.) I love local places, and you can't get any more local than Vinaka. The only downside is its popularity. But, there in lies its charm: there's always lively conversation, friendly board-gaming and intense laptop productivity. read more

I stopped here while walking around downtown Carlsbad, and I enjoyed their food (flourless chocolate cake & chai latte) However, the place looks like it's falling apart- chairs need upolstering, carpet looks like the bottom of a dirty minivan, almost every surface has a crack or stain from god knows what. If this is the customer area I can't imagine what the kitchen looks like. Only saving grace is the food, I just wish I didn't sit inside. read more

Vinaka, as many have mentioned is one of the few independent coffee places in North County. I don't know why, but this area seems stuck years behind San Diego and Los Angeles. It reminds me of Texas where I grew up. Anyway, this is a cool little shop with fairly friendly service and decent espresso drinks. The coffee may be cheap and organic but I can't recommend it. It's made pretty weak. I would rather pay more and get nice strong coffee. If you stick to espresso based drinks, Vinaka is worth a stop. Just don't expect the greatest coffee. For that you need to head 30 miles south or 40 miles north. Around here though, it's about as good as you can expect from an independent shop. read more

Great tea, great BLT. Pretty much a chill spot. I don't recommend the pastries, looks like everything is from Costco. Not that it's a bad thing, just not a smart thing for my wallet. Yeah I'd come here again.. If I had too. read more

If you were looking for a place to buy an ice cream cone would you think to go in a cafe? Surprisingly a nice place to hang out. Let me write things in the order that I like them. Let's start with dessert. Did I mention ice cream? Apparently, the choices for the flavors will vary, depending on the shipment. It's in the corner of this cafe, and it's an old fashion ice cream bin. The day I was there, they had blackberry swirl, chocolate peanut butter, capuchino crunch, vanilla, chocolate mint and some others. Since my eyes are usually hungrier than my stomach, I suggest this: get one scoop, in three parts. 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 to get your scoop. I tried the swirl, with peanut butter and vanilla. The blackberry really tasted like the fruit, and the peanut butter? It stuck to the roof of my pie-hole. My friends tried different combinations, and they loved them. Not sure they'd let us do that again, but they did that time. This is a restaurant so they do offer a variety of sandwiches. You can also get a cup of jo and just get a bagel. There's wifi to surf the net, if you've just finished actual surfing. The place is roomy and artsy, with a huge mural of world map and pictures adorning the walls to which you can day dream while your multi-flavored scoop of ice cream drizzles down your fingers. I suggest this, eat your ice cream and don't stare too much at the pictures. The downside would be parking. Kind of a hassle in such a small mall. read more

First of all, I love anything Carlsbad. When I used to live there, I would go to Vinaka to do work and sip on a yummy cold drink. They have free unlimited internet and plugs! It doesn't get any better than that. Although I haven't eaten the food at Vinaka, I heard their food is really good. Last time I was there, I saw at least three people order the garden burger. I'm going to have to try that next time. I always order the blended Vanilla latte. Very delicious! If you are dining in, they give you your drink in a regular re-usable cup. Eco-friendly, love it! What's really cute is that they have coffee mugs hanging on the wall for their regulars. They also have ice cream! It's a great environment for meeting up friends to play chess, grab a quick bite, stay all afternoon to study/work, or find a nice getaway to read a book. Not only that, it's a close walk to the beach! This coffee shop is highly recommended. I would never think of going to Starbucks when I'm in Carlsbad. Definitely stop by when you get a chance! read more

Love coming here to study and just take in a local business/coffee shop feel. I really enjoy the coffee, the chocolate covered coffee beans on the counter and their house salad. YUM! Wi-Fi is great. Staff is friendly. Parking is relatively easy. Laid back atmosphere. Really great place! read more

I was in the Carlsbad area and wanted some coffee so I yelped for a place and this was one of the choices that came up. It's on the inside of a shopping plaza, so just park in the lot. It took us awhile to find it both driving-wise and then walking around the plaza itself. It's on the second floor! We came in not sure what to order, and the ladies working there were patient and helpful with their recommendations. I can't remember what 2 coffee drinks we ordered (one was hot and one was iced), but they were both good. They were some of the most popular drinks there. Also ordered one of their pastries, good as well! There is some seating outdoors too, which I would recommend if it's a nice day out since you can people watch and enjoy the sun! read more

OK, you may say "picky picky", but I had a mixed experience here on my first visit, mostly because one of expectations wasn't met. The atmosphere is cool, customers were nice, my drink was good, and the counter staff was helpful enough. However, I was a bit put off by their unwillingness to share their wifi password without making an order. Really, that I had to ask for the password at all is so "2008". I'm used to walking into that big Seattle coffee chain, firing up my computer, logging right on and away I go. Often I buy a drink while I'm there, sometimes I don't, but I always get Internet service without having to ask for it. As a part-time road warrior that's a huge service and competitive advantage. You may say "but they are in business". I get that. And I'm not even complaining that there was a password. But making me order to get it seems small time and somewhat petty. One man's opinion. I'll go back again probably. read more

Vinaka has good coffee and pastries. Good indoor and outdoor seating. I walked in and did not have a mask on just like a lot of other people that were sitting inside. I was told to put a mask on to order and I did not have one so I told them I can order outside instead. I was told I couldn't do that but now they had a mask for me. So I put one on to order then was told I'm getting charged on my Oder 25 cents for the mask... now we are paying to wear a mask inside?! Absurd. If you can be inside sitting without a mask why do you need to put one on to order for 5 seconds when ur more than 6ft away from the cashier? Won't be coming back until they figure it out. If the coffee wasn't good it would be a 1 star. read more

JusJust got the blended Mocha here and it was terrific! I've had it before and it's always one of my favorites when I visit carlsbad. The service is always stellar with lots of smiles and quick to get your order. Super enjoy the location as well since we can go right over to the beach afterwards. Everything they have here is fantastic! read more

Vinaka Cafe - Blended Mocha! Mmmmm - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Vinaka was my "get out of the house to access WiFi and drink coffee" location of preference when I first moved to Carlsbad and was unemployed. It's such a great local coffee shop. You just go in there and feel like you're part of the community. Their coffees are great and their blended Snowcap is addictive. read more

Was visiting northern part of San Diego for the first time and was very pleased with the service and staff. Coffee and bagel (jalapeno cheese!) were good, ample free parking around here, great layout.... and beautiful San Diego weather to further bias reviews from an out of towner:-) read more

Oh that Mexicana Mocha was so sweet and tasty and it went so perfectly with the Egg, Avocado with thinly sliced onion in a very soft, buttery Croissant. I couldn't taste the coffee in my Mocha so maybe one less tsp of chocolate and it would've been perfect. I did love the spiciness of the chocolate in my mocha:). I sampled the chai and it too was very sweet. It's a cozy little place inside you can sit at the many little tables they have spread inside and outside this place. My little ones enjoyed their ham and cheese croissant very much. The food menu is small but of the choices it all sounds good. They are very quick at getting your coffee to you and service is really friendly. read more

Vinaka Cafe - Mexicana mocha with egg crossisant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Vinaka is a cozy coffee shop located in Carlsbad Village in the Carlsbad Village Faire Center (near Coyote Bar and Greggorio's). I'm conflicted writing this review because Vinaka has SO MUCH potential. It's a popular place for people to come work or study, and their coffee drinks are pretty good (I particularly like their chai latte). The problem is the customer service and the cleanliness. I've been here many times over the years. Some of the baristas are pleasant but their customer service is by no means consistent. The other major problem is the appearance. Vinaka is in serious need of a deep clean, both where customers are sitting and eating, and behind the counter. There's also ripped chairs, rust, stains, etc. Like I said, some TLC will do a world of good. At this point there are other coffee shops nearby I'd rather hang out at. read more

Vinaka Cafe - Chai latte and flourless chocolate cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Holy sandwich Batman! I had been referred to this place for sandwiches by a teenage coworker, and upon arrival it just looks like your standard hole in the wall coffee shop. WRONG! I reviewed the minimalistic 'menu' on the wall with my cohort and other than the short coffee drink menu, didn't see anything that caught my eye. We conferred that our colleague was a horrible food guide and left. Jump to 3 years later, and I work within the complex... Great coffee (sorry Starbucks next door, Vinaka is way better!) Check! Great bagels...CHECK! But who knew... best sandwiches I have EVER had, serious! So maybe they need to make it more obvious that they have a full array of sandwich ingredients, but that wouldn't speak to the quality. Who is ever really drawn in to a build your own sandwich place right? Get the specials they list on the little white board next to the register... trust me. Feel free to add bacon if it is not already on it! They crisp up the bacon so it adds more than just flavor, yumyumyum. They use real sliced meats, tip top avocado, perfect tomatoes, etc. I just built my own sandwich, and was a little spendy ($7.50 after tax) but it was the Filet Mignon of sandwiches. Here is a great introductory option... Everything bagel (always get the everything bagel for EVERYTHING) with cream cheese and bacon. Not too spendy, but be careful! You will be hooked! Only con was the price of my culinary delight today... $7+ for a 'wich is spendy. I know I built my own, but there should be a cap or something. Or maybe a BYO sandwich guide or something. Was magically delicious, but I can't afford to eat there very often. read more

I am here now for the first time and for sure not the last! I was only planning on getting a cup and leaving but the place is so welcoming and makes me want to sit down and work or even just contemplate. This reminds me of the old school coffee shops, full of personality (this was before Starbucks was around) where people come to study and connect with others. The vibe is just awesome! read more

Very cool hang-out. Staff is very cool. Crowd is a mix. Young to old. Some study, some work, some socialize, and some just kick back. read more

great atmosphere, beautiful indoor and outdoor areas, baristas are always so helpful and friendly, free wifi is always amazing and if you don't know what to get the baristas are super creative with their recommendations. Their chocolate flour cake is the best i've ever had! read more

My family and I visited Carlsbad. We are from Northern CA. I'm a coffee fanatic and roast my own beans at home so getting my morning fuel from a coffee chain was out of the question. I did a search on my iphone and found Vinaka. Turns out there is a Starbucks very close by but the force was strong in this one. It was a Saturday morning so it was pretty busy with local cyclists, joggers, web surfers, surfers, families, and Seniors. Despite that there was plenty of seating, never felt crowded and service was fast. It was also nice to see how much support the local businesses get from their community! The staff was very friendly and courteous. They got a sense that we were not locals but they made us feel at home. (Just a smile from staff is really all it takes.) It is located in a small village plaza with open air and windows. My wife and I ordered two medium coffees, my kids had milk and juice and we all tried different pastries. The Organic Vinaka blend was superb. (It was mellow with a hint of cocoa and flowers and still enough caffeine to get me through my drive to L.A....(or course, like wine it's always subjective. But I could taste the nuances in the blend and wasn't just rocket fuel like SB or Peets. I wanna say Guatemalan/Costa Rican?) The pastries were fresh and really good. They also have several ice creams which is a pretty cool offering for a coffee shop. The free wifi is a plus for travelers too! I have been to ALOT of coffee shops but not really that inclined to write a review...Vinaka just stuck in my head so I'm sharing the experience. Whoever the owners are, it's not rocket science but they "get it". Overall, Vinaka was a good experience and I am sure to visit them again to try more of their other items on the menu the next time I'm in Carlsbad. read more