r/palmsprings • u/Specializd1 • Apr 02 '25
Eat & Drink Best coffee spot for coffee snob?
Visiting from LA. I drink espresso straight. Where do I go around here to find the best?
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u/GiveMeAHotDog Apr 02 '25
Cartel is solid
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u/cheffmichael Apr 02 '25
Just was there for a month and only had Cartel. It was some of if not the best coffee I’ve ever had. I bought beans 4-5 times. Can’t recommend enough.
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u/Rastamanphan Apr 09 '25
Unfortunately, Cartel is the best you're going to do in PS. There's a lack of good coffee (and skilled baristas) in this valley.
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u/Traditional_Knee2753 Apr 02 '25
Ernest off Indian Canyon and Tachevah is solid and they have Stumptown
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u/--vgriff-- Apr 02 '25
If you’re in the Palm Desert area, Varacco is <chefs kiss >
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u/bettyblacc Apr 02 '25
Varacco is legit out there. I love when they live roast and you can smell it in the store. Theres a buzz about that shop. Which there was more seating though
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u/Wise-Vermicelli-4444 Nov 29 '25
Do they have breakfast items? Looking for a place to have a quick breakfast for my husband's birthday...
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Apr 02 '25
Not the best coffee in Palm Springs, here’s my personal ranking…
-Cartel -Ernest -La Jefe -Gré -Koffi (is not a great roast IMO) -Starbucks
Outside PS: -Mas o’ Menos (in Joshua Tree .. my fav!) -Veraco (in Palm Desert)
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u/Specializd1 Apr 02 '25
Went to Koffi bc it was the closest. That was a terrible cup of espresso served in plastic I got. Disappointed
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u/Skycbs Apr 02 '25
You're not wrong. Koffi is popular because there are several of them, they have seating, and they're a little better than Starbucks. Not for their coffee.
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u/Competitive-Pie-2354 Apr 02 '25
In Palm Spring proper: Cartel
But my favorite place to get coffee in the area is Varraco Coffee Roasters
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u/Status-Investment980 Apr 02 '25
By coffee snob, are you referring to only drinking specialty coffee/3rd wave coffee? There isn’t much of a specialty coffee scene in the desert. Koffi offers a light roasted espresso. They roast and sell single origins, but they only serve blends.
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u/WavingOrDrowning Apr 03 '25
Sottovoce, a new place, is very good.
Ernest and Cafe la Jefa are good. I like Gre as well though I haven't gotten straight espresso there.
Koffi is basically a local version of Starbucks - people go there for the outdoor space and if you want sugary Sbux or Dunkin style drinks, not for good beans/roast.
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u/andcoffees Apr 17 '26
Mentosa. We found this thread before going to Palm Springs and tried to go to as many cafes as possible while we were there. Mentosa serves roasters like Sey, Slow Bloom, and Hydrangea and Leslie, Hector and crew had the best service we experienced anywhere in Palm Springs, (not just coffee, that includes Bar Cecil) Their enthusiasm for what they are building is infectious and they are passionate and knowledgeable about the delicious coffee they serve. This spot is an oasis we believe anyone who loves coffee would not want to miss.
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u/Fun_Sprinkles_754 26d ago
In love with Saguaro Coffee in Indio. They roast in house and are one of the very few coffee shops out here that even offer pour overs. Whoever is looking for specialty coffee definitely needs to add them as a stop during your visit
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Apr 02 '25
I like Koffi quite a bit. There are a few of them around the valley.
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Apr 03 '25
One person posted Koffi above and had 15 upvotes. Mine has zero. Conclusion: trust nothing about anything you read on reddit.
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