Gotta give credit where credit is due -- my friend Murray told me about this place when I was bemoaning the demise of the Village Buzz, what I thought was the only Indy cafe in town. How wrong I was. I had forgotten about Vinaka, which I'd only been to once before years ago, and was thrilled to find out they were still around. And let me tell you, the Mexican Chocolate is dynamite. The patrons are nice and an ecclectic mix, felt right at home with a toddler at my side, and am consistently happy with the staff who are friendly and make really good coffee. Go here. read more

My friends and I have celebrated our Birthdays at Vinaka for 18 years. It's the perfect place to meet up with friends for coffee and dessert. You get one free refill with each cup of coffee and they even have flavored decaf. The desserts are A-mazing!!! I love the Island vibe too. The Customer Service is good and they work extra hard to serve everyone quickly when the line gets long. read more

Nice atmosphere - I'll be back. My wife's decaf was luke warm but my latte rocked. Good luck finding a seat though - the free wifi leachers clearly stake out a spot for all day surfing or pretend working. read more

Rude staff. Waited five minutes at the counter without even getting acknowledged by the employees walking by me.

Great Coffee. I love the new wooden tables, inside and out. Came to downtown Carlsbad to meet a friend. We didn't connect but the outdoor terrace is a nice place to sit and sip on a Saturday morning. Brought my dog so patio setting is the only option. read more

I'm a loyalist when it comes to Vinaka. Adam has created an incredible place to come to and I've been going here for more than a decade. Coffee is cheap and it ALWAYS beats "fourbucks" read more

This place is great I had great service great pastry and great ice cream. Leo took care of hooking up the tasty delights.

As a Carlsbad local that's been going to Vinaka for over ten years I really hate to leave a negative review, I feel like I'm being a traitor a bit. The food here is consistently good, fresh and generous; and the drinks are always made well also so my lack of stars isn't because of what they serve. Unfortunately the service here is as consistent as their food, but not in a good way. The people at the cashier always seem either clueless or completely disinterested, and I've had a few rude encounters from the people who work here. The last time I was there was the worst however. After ordering an ice blended chai, a guilty pleasure of mine, I waited near the counter for over five minutes thinking it would come out quick since they weren't too busy. It didn't, so I decided to join my friend at a table outside while she waited for food and I would come back in a bit to grab it. Not hearing my name called out, I just went back in maybe five minutes later to grab it. I asked the barista if the drink sitting there was the chai, so that I didn't take someone else's, and she was very clearly annoyed with that question since (I assume) she had been calling my name. She said yes but mumbled *not under her breath* "I should've just said no" right after. For some reason it really irked me, I just felt her excessive attitude was totally unnecessary and it completely ruined my experience that day. In all i'd say their food and drinks are good and menu sufficient for a cafe. But definitely don't come expecting great service. The atmosphere here is a bit more stuffy than the laid back, hip coffee shop that I think it tries to be. read more

I actually watched a female employee serve a drink with whipped cream, turn around and lick some cream off her finger. On another occasion a male employee handled money then a bagel. There did not seem to be any supervision of these sloppy teens. Not coming back. read more

Most of the Staffs are Friendly, the ones that's been here for awhile... Maybe newbies are still trying to warm up to the place , shoutout to MAGGIE! Good environment! Bring headphones during the weekends if you are going to study :) coyote ugly gets pretty loud. I come here to study a lot! Sometimes it can get pretty busy so seats are hard to find... Coffee is great, I get the cafe mexicana usually half sweetened coz it's too sweet for me. The bar tops have the best lighting!!! One suggestion, maybe more lighting towards the side where the TV is located:) read more

I like that it is a small independent coffee house (not Starbucks!) but its a little too crusty/dirty for my liking. The staff are often rude here. They either ignore you, or give you that look "your wasting my time". I call it the hipster-too-cool-to-care look. The lady who runs it is super nice though. I like the coffee and cakes here. I'm too scared to try the sandwiches. I've seen the staff serve at the counter and then go ahead and make sandwiches. Blegh. I still go back almost daily for my coffee though :) you know how it is... read more

Came here for a study session, I was excited because the reviews were pretty good. It was a really nice day out but where we happen to be sitting it was hot. The place was pretty packed the entire time. I ordered the turkey and avocado. It was ok, nothing to brag about. They left the lettuce out, I was a little bummed. I can see why people say the servers are rude, they kind of are. They didn't pick up anything from our table even after bringing multiple food items our way. It didn't seem like they acknowledge people, least that's how I felt. I may not return, but other people seem to like it. read more

They make the best Chai Tea I've ever had and I've had Chai Tea in many, many cites around the country. I highly recommend it.

My kids were craving ice cream and we had time to kill. I remembered his ace from years ago - when it was friendly. While the coffee and ice cream were still fairly good, the service was plain old awful. In the five minutes my three kids were in the shop, the disdainful barista girl failed to say hello, crack a smile orange to fake kindness. Then she dropped ice cream on my son without an apology and neglected a simple thank you or you're welcome. Then she slapped my card and rolled her eyes. Tip for barista...want tips? Be nice! Next time we will go down stairs to Gaia Gelato where not only are the people warm and inviting, but the ice cream blows Vinaka out of the water. read more

Very comfortable place to go with good coffee and reasonable prices. The staff are young and pleasant but sometimes in short supply. BUT, this is a coffee shop where people go to socialize which is difficult if the music is so loud that you cannot converse. It isn't always this way but often enough to comment upon it. read more

I used to go to Vinaka all the time but I won't be going back after what I experienced. I love going and enjoying some food, coffee, and a game of chess. Yesterday I stopped in to pick up a sandwich and witnessed a male worker completely embarrassing an old man trying to pay for his coffee. The line was long so he got the coffee first and went to pay for it and somehow this set the man off. His treatment of this man made me feel completely uncomfortable and the woman cashier followed with the same treatment. I have never seen customer service like this. I work in the food industry and I am baffled by their behavior. I hope they take it as an opportunity to grow from it. Food is great. Customer service is 0 stars. read more

I give it a 2 only because their refill policy is ridiculous, and I am all about the refill. If you want a refill, you have to get your coffee in a tiny mug that maybe holds 8oz. of coffee. For this, you pay the price of a small coffee ($2+) and are allowed to refill the (8oz!) mug once. So you get about 16 oz of coffee total for $2. Thats kind of like breaking a cookie in half to convince a child that they're actually eating 2 cookies instead of one ... Wtf. Bad, non-existant refill policy aside, the atmosphere is pretty decent. read more

Oh Vinaka's. This place is pretty much breakfast at least 3 times a week. All I have to say....Master's Blend is my favorite brew of coffee I have ever had. It's always good and no matter what you put in it, it will always taste good. It's relaxing inside and is never too extremely busy. Best time to go is at 9:00 am on a weekday. The staff can very from really cool (shout out to Alise) to not giving a shit. But that's better than asshole. read more

Great cafe to sit and do work, and watch people go by when you stop for breaks. The coffee is great, but it's like $4.00 for ~16 oz., which for plain brewed a bit expensive. Since I use their outlet, the electricity justifies the cost :-) The coffee is good, the people friendly, and once I start working, I tune noise out. Weekends are crazier than weekdays. It would be nice to have a cafe like Vinaka in Irvine. read more

Bomb ice cream - strawberry chip. It was super thick. Mexican chocolate mocha was great too. Nice vibe.

Nice little coffee joint to hang out at while watching your kids blow bubbles on the unsuspecting folks in the courtyard below. Gluten free cookies were a big hit with our kids and the coffee was a big hit with my wife and I. Definitely worth the stop on our way home. read more

I am a sucker for good coffee and this place has it. Around that area it is semi-difficult to find a skilled baristas, but they have them. They also have free wi-fi which I love and great seating. I've also talked to a few crazy people here, including a man who basically said I should not look for a job but instead open up my own business. like him. Dude's business: ice molds shaped like penises. Thanks man, but we all can't be entrepreneurs. Who knows, maybe that man is now the John D Rockefeller of ice penises. read more

Best coffee ever Definitely the best bagel. And the not granola bar is to die for Well worth the find. Thank you read more

MY FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP. Delicious food, great coffee drinks, yummy desserts, festive atmosphere, awesome location in downtown Carlsbad near beach, great for playing cards, hanging out, studying, reading, etc. Simply the best. read more

Not too bad! I'm an experienced barista and can say that the coffee was pretty good! I had the vanilla latte and it was just the right amount of sweetness, not too sweet but I could still taste the vanilla. The staff was friendly and it was a good environment. I will stop by when i'm in Carlsbad again :) read more

Great little coffee shop. It's a super chill atmosphere. Great outside seating area. The employees are so nice, great customer service. Try any of the coffees drinks with the white chocolate, amazing! read more

Free internet, its a little too small for my taste so the noise is on the higher scale. But a lot of people seem to dig this place. And its alright. Nothing outstanding or bad. read more

This place is a great coffee shop ! It offers a great variety from ice cream to cookies. My mom's a regular here, & I'm glad she brought me along. You'll love it! read more

Vinaka is definitely a Carlsbad gem! It's got a locals coffee shop vibe without the douchiness of the hipster scene. The cute little older men playing chess everyday gets me every time. They are soOoOo darn CUTE! Everyone, both customers and staff is very friendly, although the owner could stand to smile every once in a while. Their coffees are definitely delish. My favorite go to is their Cocoa cafe with a pump of coconut, as I like to say...AMAZEBALLS! On a hot day, the blended mocha is always a favorite (also with a pump of coconut) or their smoothie, yum yum! The food is pretty good as well, I really like their quiches and the desserts are a nice treat if you're in the mood for something sweet. read more

I have been going to this place for years and years.... and it is exactly the same as it was. If you over Starbucks, this is a great one of a kind coffee shop with great coffee. They have great pastries and ice cream, and well as a large variety of teas. My only gripe is some times the people working there chit chat too much, or spend so much time doing one particular thing, while the rest of the customers are left waiting. But if you have time, and are not in a rush - definitely try it! They also have some tables outside to enjoy the Carlsbad sunshine! read more

If you like coffee, this place is for you. Where else can you pay 1.25 for a refillable mug of delicious coffee(yes its in a ceramic mug, and its refillable as long as you are not taking it to go), sit on the patio a block from the beach, surf the web on free wifi, read a book, and enjoy the ocean breeze. They normally put out 4 coffees but they are always a little different (organic, flavored, decaf, decaf flavored). I once accidentally got some decaf and was so surprised that I didnt notice because it tasted normal (I usually can smell/taste the 20+ chemical scrubbers floating in most decaf varieties). They have food and snacks too. Sandwiches are pretty good for a coffee shop sammy. The desserts are a good treat with the coffee. The staff is really friendly, everyone is always hanging around even when they arent working. I never ordered their espresso drinks, but i tried one that a friend ordered... it was good. Im seldom amazed when a drink full of chocolate, cream and sugar tastes good, with all that good stuff, it better. The beach is a quick 3 minute walk across the street, straight ahead, and down some stairs. If you want to relax and have a cup of coffee, this place could not possibly disappoint you. read more

On my daily walks with my strictly BF baby, this is where I choose to have lunch, always. The laid back atmosphere makes me feel comfortable enough if I need to BF, the food is light and GOOD, and the drinks are delicious. I also love how close it is to the beach so right after lunch we walk the beach. Staff is usually on point, only had a problem once with some new employees, but totally forgiveable* ;) read more

If you need a coffee shop other than the good old used Starbucks, I highly recommend Vinaka. Its a locals favorite with tasty coffees and breakfast sandwiches. I appreciate that they have lots of outlets for those of us wanting to use our laptops. Everyone that I've ever encountered d here is always very nice and courteous as this place fills up and its hard to find a spot. I like the combo of tables where you feel like your in a cafe and also at home. Outside seating is a plus. Bring your dog, cat or whatever pet you choose. Just a nice atmosphere and kind people with an overhead view of the fountain. read more

Went to this place a lot when we lived in Carlsbad...and finally went again for the first time in ages earlier this month. It is a great location in downtown Carlsbad although parking can be a pain if it is crowded. The coffee is always good but this time I had an iced chai and it was flawless; really smooth and delicious. Looking forward to going again sometime soon! read more

Great coffee (vanilla latte) yum!! The service is great!! Love this place to work on homework and study.

The Mocha chip ice cream is the best ice cream I have ever had. This place reminds me a lot of panikin but with some different vibes. Everything tastes amazing here read more

Best coffee spot in the village. Also a great spot to relax, grab some dessert, and hit up some WiFi. Long time Vinaka customer.

My favorite coffee shop ever! It always feels so cozy here. My favorite drink is the ice blended mocha... yumm. The art on the walls is always really fun to look at and is always changing. There are board games and newspapers and study tables for everyone to share... it's just so darn cute and I love it! You can sit inside or outside, and sometimes you can hear live music from the restaurant below. This is definitely a great place for a first date or a catch up session with an old friend! I have spent hours in this place without even realizing it... you just don't ever want to leave once you enter! So sad that i no longer live close by... but I will always visit Vinaka when I am in north county!! read more

I grew up at this place, and I think it played a big part in creating the 'cool' portion of my consciousness. The place has GREAT vibes, super cheap organic coffee, and a really bomb tea called 'Yerba Mate Latte.' The sandwiches and ice-cream are super delicious, and the staff are all enlightened. I thank God for Vinaka because I have completed major projects here that I probably would never have completed anywhere else. Something about this place just makes me get my work done. I even wrote a script here, that got me my dream job! Many thanks to an awesome place whose very name means THANK YOU! read more

Driving along scenic 101 and had the need for ice cream and coffee. Great prices. Kids got single scoops which were huge. I had the spongy delicious tiramisu bar and hubby had the pecan bar. We left happy and satisfied. read more

Vinaka Cafe - Delicious tiramisu bar and macadamia nut coffee. Great prices. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California