A Guide to Bakersfield Coffee Shops
Cafe Smitten
Near and dear to the heart of downtown, Cafe Smitten’s 18th street storefront is an aesthetic standout among Bakersfield coffee shops, by way of its unique blue brick exterior, white accents, and overall vintage charm. A step through the front door reveals stunning patterned tiles, exposed brick walls, long wooden workbenches, the occasional touch of plant life, captivating light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, and all the necessary amenities for a productive cafe day.
The dynamic husband and wife duo that founded Cafe Smitten was inspired by cute coffee houses they fell in love with while traveling the country. Thus, each specialty cup of joe, house-made dish, scrumptious dessert, and delighted guest is part in parcel of a dream come true.
Dagny’s Coffee Company
Situated on the bustling corner of 20th and Eye Streets, Dagny’s has been a local favorite for gourmet coffee, fresh-baked pastries, and even a well-curated selection of wine and beer since opening in the mid-1990s. The atmosphere is laid back with plenty of seating, including comfy couches, exceptional WiFi, and a sunny outdoor patio that serves as the perfect destination to enjoy a reliable cup of morning joe.
Blue Oak Coffee Roasting
Blue Oak was founded on one simple principle: industrialized food sucks. Hence, they offer a fresh alternative by importing beans directly and roasting them in-house to order and baking delectable treats to boot. Don’t miss out on the sugar-free drink menu either, with delicious creations like a chocolatey raspberry mocha and coconut-infused white mocha, you will be pleasantly suspicious as to how there is no sugar added. The Latte of the Day goes for $3.00 for a 16 oz.
Cloud 9 Coffee Company
Cloud 9 overcame humble beginnings when first opening in the form of a neighborhood coffee truck, since then, they have manifested one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful Bakersfield coffee shops. Their spacious flagship location features iconic hexagon tiles, flower bouquets, trendy light fixtures, posh seating, minimalistic white walls adorned by framed portraits, and mixed textures and materials, each purposeful detail certainly wielding the potential to serve as the background for a dashing Instagram photograph.
The overall bright and bubbly ambiance, combined with modern design features, makes Cloud 9 an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues or coffee dates with friends.
Caffeine Supreme
Despite occupying a petite drive-thru or walk-up java hut, what Caffeine Supreme lacks in size, they more than make-up for in high-quality coffee. A hit among locals, they are perhaps most known for their Jumping Monkey which is a flavorful blend of caramel, chocolate, and hazelnut. Once you have one you’ll be hooked.
Milt’s Coffee Shop
On Veteran’s Day, 1964, Milt and Doris Huggs switched on their soon-to-be-famous neon sign for Milt’s Coffee Shop. The sign has been a beacon to hungry truck drivers and families alike traveling down Highway 99.
Venturing inside Milt’s teleports patrons back to a time of vintage turquoise booths, home-cooked meals, golden oldies hits, and thick ice-cold milkshakes on a sunny summer afternoon. Considering this stylish American diner still carries its original countertop, you may be tempted to forgo a table’s privacy for socializing in the same welcoming spot the surrounding community has enjoyed delightful service over for half a century now.
Bakersfield Roasting Company
A nonprofit java institution, Bakersfield Roasting Company exists for the sole purpose of delivering guests the best possible coffee experience by roasting some of the best coffee beans from around the world on-site and serving fresh brewed coffee and teas daily. They also have fresh-baked pastries, scones, and desserts, along with breakfast sandwiches, quiche, and lunch salads.
Passionate about serving the community, this roaster provides financial support and assistance to organizations seeking to eradicate homelessness and human trafficking.
Farmacy Cafe
Careful, you may need a prescription as Farmacy brews the highest octane coffee around. The cafe opens at 6:00 am sharp for those in need of a jolt on the way to the office, and we suppose breakfast may be optional, unless that is, you’re looking for the best eggs in town. A part of the Padre Hotel, Farmacy hums to life with a fascinating mix of modern art and homestead appeal.
Mossman’s Westchester Coffee Shop
The Mossman family has been serving delicious meals to Bakersfield for three generations. The family takes pride in the fact that the recipes have never been altered. Whether it’s “Grandpa’s Secret Recipe” pancakes, “Made From Scratch” home-style sweet rolls and biscuits or their Famous Fish and Chips, the cooks still use the same high-quality ingredients and measurements they did 60 years ago.
Dutch Bros
Founded in Southern Oregon in 1992 by dairy farmer brothers Dane and Travis Boersma, Dutch Bros. Coffee is the country’s largest privately held, drive-thru coffee company. For those java purists bewildered that I could include as large a chain as Dutch on this list of Bakersfield coffee shops, please remember, they’re not very common elsewhere in the United States, so for visitors or newcomers, this energy-rich oasis in the sun will undoubtedly prove a sweet treat.
From early mornings to late nights, some heavenly beverages you may spot being served out of their pull-up window include specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, freezes, teas, and Blue Rebel energy drinks that customers can infuse with their favorite flavors.
Every cup of Dutch Bros. coffee is handcrafted – roasted by hand in the Pacific Northwest, blended by hand, and then ground and pulled by hand, ristretto-style. One more observation worth noting, their employees are relentlessly kind, attentive, and cheerful, at all times, never failing to look like they’re having the moment of their lives while on shift; super fun vibes!
If you enjoyed this guide to the best Bakersfield coffee shops, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Ventura!