Necessity Coffee stands as a beacon for coffee lovers in Encinitas, California, where quality and creativity shine through every cup. Nestled at 102 2nd St, this cafe impresses patrons with a rotating selection of single-origin coffees, including highlights like the El Mirador from Huila and a delightful La Bastilla Gesha from Nicaragua. Reviewers consistently praise their unique drink specials, particularly the Date Latte and the Bloody Good Thyme, which showcase the baristas' innovative craft and passion for coffee. Guests such as Nesrine Aroua have hailed it as one of the best coffee experiences in Southern California, emphasizing the skillful balance of flavors in their lattes. Aaron Packer appreciates the thoughtfulness behind each drink, noting the cafe's commitment to sourcing beans from niche farms that utilize experimental processing techniques. Visitors are greeted not only by exquisite beverages but by a warm, inviting atmosphere fostered by the dedicated team, including friendly baristas who are true coffee enthusiasts. The combination of exceptional drinks, knowledgeable service, and a visually appealing space makes Necessity Coffee a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an extraordinary coffee experience. As one reviewer put it, "11/10 this is always on my recommendation list." If you're in the area, a visit here is not just recommended, but essential.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Dining options
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Photos
Reviews For Necessity Coffee
Nesrine Aroua
May 1,2025
One of the best coffees I had in SoCal. I am very particular about my lattes and roasting level of my coffee. I was very satisfied by the latte I had here. I tried one of their speciality (date latte) and it was fantastic. I can’t wait to go there again! I will be driving from out of town to try their lattes and it’s worth it.
Aaron Packer
Apr 20,2025
The quality of their coffee is unsurpassed by anything I have had in Encinitas, let alone all of North County. The nicest people behind the counter and amazing owners! So much thought and care go into everything they serve. Their drink program is incredibly unique and constantly rotating, and their beans are often from niche farms that practice new and experimental processing techniques. Everything is consistently delicious. Necessity is IT!!!
Jordan Moore-Bettencourt
Apr 5,2025
Come for the coffee, stay for Jon, Curtis, & team. Not only is this shop beautiful to look at, but the folks behind the bar are true masterminds and care so deeply about the drinks they make. I love how experimental they are in their drink recipes and clearly aren’t afraid to try something new. 11/10 this is always on my recommendation list for coffee shops people need to try and love seeing more and more folks check it out. Yew!
Micah Cotton
Mar 26,2025
Down a pretty unassuming alleyway and in a pretty quiet area, the coffee was surprisingly excellent, and the service staff were quite knowledgeable. Indoor and outdoor seating (shaded), and has public restrooms. Can personally recommend their draft latte and chai latte.
Max Opferkuch
Mar 7,2025
One of the best pourovers I’ve had in the SD area — got their 96-hour anaerobic honey Geisha and immediately had to grab a bag of the beans to take home. The cortados and black tea I’ve tried there have also been awesome.
jessica sanchez
Feb 28,2025
This coffee shop is a hidden gem in Encinitas. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by friendly staff and the place smells amazing. They have a few seats indoors and lots of seating outdoors. Their pizza pies were a surprise hit! Very fluffy, not too cheesy and filled with flavor. Their matcha was also really good - not too sweet not too earthy. This place is also super dog-friendly!
Deb Fuller
Feb 20,2025
I read the Necessity Coffee story and the thing that struck me was the idea about making a connection. So from the moment I walked in I was watching and feeling for the vibe. It was 100% there, authentic community connection with such a friendly atmosphere. That’s so not true of many coffee shops I try. Kudos to Necessity for living up to your mission. I had a vanilla cold brew from the tap that was really great! I never go to the same place twice when traveling but I may break my rule tomorrow!
Jon W
Feb 6,2025
Very friendly staff, fantastic espresso with great attention to quality and consistency in pulling shots, and lots of roast and variety options. They even have co-ferments, so for those looking for a more funky flavor this is absolutely the place to go in all of SD area. This place is really about that unique coffee flavor. If you are looking for a place to drink coffee and work, they have a few seats but that probably fills up fast. But the coffee is definitely worth the stop.
Reviews For Necessity Coffee