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Coffee is a right, not a privilege.
Each morning (or afternoon, or evening, or all three) we line up bleary-eyed and grumpy at our favorite coffee haunts, eager for the caffeinated nectar that jump starts our brains. We greet our favorite barista, wrap our hands around a warm cup and lift the cup to our lips.
Ahhhhhhhh. Now the day can start.
Whether you’re haf-caf, extra hot, Grande Americano, vente skinny latte extra foam or plain old coffee, black, you’ve got a local coffee hangout that make waking up worth it.
So our Settle This of the week: Where do you grab your morning cuppa and what’s your poison?
The Flying Goat Coffee house in Railroad Square has got to be the best Americano in Santa Rosa. Switching back and forth between European blends of espresso they know exactly how much water to add so that my pour of half and half makes cafe bliss. Aside from the taste, the baristas are the most talented, dedicated and somewhat brew obsessed bunch in town. I’d also add Holy Roast Coffee on Mendo and 7th has an incredible Ethiopian blend.
Report comment Report commentI’ve tried a LOT of coffee shops, and Flying Goat in Railroad Square is by far the best. We like their ‘regular’ coffee, their lattes, their espresso and best of all, for a treat, the Aztec Mocha- an exceptional way to start your day.
Report comment Report commentAmericano from Hardcore!
Report comment Report commentI buy Wolf Coffee beans at CVS and brew it at home. I’m too cheap to buy coffee out most of the time. Jav’Amore in Penngrove makes a nice cup and delicious breakfast sandwiches.
Report comment Report commentGaga Cafe every Saturday morning at the SR Farmers Market @ Wells Fargo…the BEST drip coffee around!!!
Report comment Report comment1. Noto’s in Windsor 2. Holy Roast 3. Aroma’s 4. Bad Ass Coffee and my fav americano’s at Haven Cafe (where the video droid is)
Report comment Report commentHoly Roast on Mendocino Ave. You can always count on Denise and her crew to make a perfect latte.
Report comment Report commentI prefer my own home brew, as standing in line for coffee seems strange.
And that’s been Peets Coffee only, whole bean delivered to my home, ground myself & brewed.
When I’m out, it’s Peets where I can find it.
Flying Goat is a close second and is great also, when I’m in Healdsburg.
The unique roasting method that Alfred Peet developed back in the ’70′s creates an after taste & depth of flavor unmatched by any other coffee bean roaster.
Before they went public I bought some pre-IPO stock for $ 8.50/share, as of today, 6-7-2012, it’s trading at $ 60.46, that should tell you something. It’s not the money value, it’s the flavor, custom roasting method, custom blends that are offered, etc.
We are big fans of the Sunshine Coffee Co.in Forestville. Andy’s Produce Stand just outside of Sebastopol has a small java hut there which uses their coffee.
Big fans of Flying Goat as well. And a small roaster out west in Pt. Reyes called Coast Roast has some nice beans for home brew as well. In Seattle we swear by Kalani Coffee Co. organic French Roast whole beans for our machine there.
Lady J’s Coffee at Pacific Market in Santa Rosa. Janice Chaney makes the best espresso outside of Italy. Flavorful, never bitter.
Report comment Report commentI love Coffee Kaanapali in the StageCoach Shopping Center!!!
Report comment Report commentBad Ass Coffee off of River Road/Mark West exit. Great coffee!
Report comment Report commentYou’ve gotta try Bella Rosa Coffee at the Redwood Empire Farmers’ Markets on Saturday at the Veterans’ Building. They just started roasting in January and their beans make a seriously great cup of coffee!
Report comment Report commentThis morning, I had a really amazing non-fat mocha from Holy Cow Coffee & Tea. Great flavor, not sure what coffee they use, but it sure perked me up!
Report comment Report commentHoly Cow, I should have mentioned is on Main St. South, in Sebastopol.
Report comment Report commentDouble or quad espresso at Cotati Coffee in the AM; they use very good beans from Moschetti. Hardcore if I am returning from Sebastopol. Captain Davey’s Ice Cream & Espresso (tiny place next to The Dog House and the Bodega Bay post office) if I’m at Bodega.
Report comment Report commentFor me it has to be Atlas coffee. It’s a newer coffee shop in Santa Rosa’s SOFA arts district behind Julliard Park in downtown. They make the best coffee and hand pour every cup. It’s one of Santa Rosa’s hidden jems.
Report comment Report commentMy husband and I love Coffee Kaanapali in fountain grove. Their espresso is phenominal. The staff is wonderful and they do their best with only one espresso machine. On hot days grab one of their yummy iced lattes(that’s my favorite). They maybe a new store, but they are on the rise!
Report comment Report commentLuLu & Hill Coffee on College Ave, next to G&G.
Report comment Report commentI would say Flying Goat but there’s way too many hipster douche-bags in that place.
Report comment Report commentHwy 101 Coffee….its a drive up just north of Fulton Road on Old Redwood Highway. Great Coffee.
Report comment Report commentJose at Aromas makes the best mocha around. Flat Peets mocha second. Food at flying goat is the bomb though.
Report comment Report commentLuLu & Hill at the G&G shopping center…. opening VERY soon, but I’v tasted the coffee… will be the best,, or at least one of the best…
Report comment Report commentLOVE Cafe Ka’anapali in Fountaingrove (next to where Traverso’s was- sniff, sob). The coffee is delicious, and it’s like a little island vacation, the atmosphere is so great!
Report comment Report commentI have been to most of the local coffee places and my favorite is Big River Coffee on Industrial Drive. The coffee is on the best and the iced coffee is great this time of year. They even make their own ice from the previous days leftovers for the iced coffee. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is comfortable.
Report comment Report commentWe love Sunshine Roasters and are partial to the Italian roast although their light roast is actually very good, we are dark roast addicts. Tasted flying goat the other day and it was good too.
Report comment Report commentHARDCORE!
Report comment Report commentHardCore at 116 and Bloomfield. Go for the coffee.
Report comment Report commentPlank Coffee in Cloverdale. Great coffee and scones baked on site!
Report comment Report commentBlue Bottle at Molino Central!
Report comment Report commentHealdsburg’s Flying Goat!!!
Report comment Report commentPeets @ home.
I agree with Eric, something about buying just a cup of coffee for anything over $1.50 AND standing in line, just seems weird. I always chuckle as I fly by STarbucks every morning watching people take 10-15 minutes and $5 for the coffee. Lemmings, the whole lot of’em.
Report comment Report commentBy far, my favorite is Holy Roast on Mendo and 7th. Sometimes I get bored with my normal drinks and will ask Denise or Dustin to surprise me… I never leave disappointed! It’s a comfy atmosphere and the employees are friendly. If you haven’t tried it yet then now is a good time to do so. (Side note, I have gotten one of my co-workers hooked on Holy Roast’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Pesto – Yummy!!!)
Report comment Report commentI agree with Sabrina. Holy Roast is great. Friendly and consistent staff. I get the mochas because they use real chocolate chips and melt them in with the milk. Soooo good. If I have time to kill I also grab a book from the book swap and relax on the sofa. Very clean too. Cleanliness matters a lot to me. Unlike Holy Roast’s drip coffee and clean shop, Hardcore in sebastopl is ok but they don’t have drip and they have bugs flying around the half and half. It just doesn’t present itself to be clean.
Report comment Report commentI just went to lulu and hill this morning and the coffee was great! Its nice to have a locally owned coffee shop close by in the G&G shoping center.
Report comment Report commentI have to agree with the women above……Bella Rosa Coffee is out of this world. I havnt had this good of a cup since my last visit to Europe. I discovered them at the Farmers Market (the new one at the Vets) and I now buy the beans and make it at home. Try it, you will be thrilled!!
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My first cuppa is at home, but if out, prefer Peets on Chanate. Non Fat latter with sugar free vanilla, or just plan joe with room for cream. Their coffee is pretty strong, just the way I like it.
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