Downtown Long Beach has no shortage of places to grab a caffeine fix, but Recreational Coffee feels more like a neighborhood clubhouse that happens to have a seriously good espresso machine.
Since 2014, this spot just off the Promenade has been roasting its own beans and pouring drinks that make an ordinary Tuesday morning feel like a small celebration.
Grab a cup, cue up some punk rock in your head, and let’s find out why locals keep coming back.
How Recreational Coffee won locals’ hearts
Recreational Coffee opened its doors in 2014 with a simple, cheeky promise to serve really good coffee and eats to anyone who walked in.
The team roasts every bean in-house, so each espresso, latte, and pour-over you sip is roasted right there in Long Beach.
That obsession with freshness shows up in their Therapy Blend house espresso, a name that tells you exactly how regulars feel about their morning cup.
Rotating single-origin offerings keep things exciting for coffee nerds, including an Ethiopian roast with surprising hints of lemongrass and pineapple.
The beans are ethically sourced, which gives you one more reason to feel good about ordering that second cup.
Locals eventually voted it the Best Coffee Shop in Long Beach, and the honor seems to have only made the baristas more determined.
The Los Angeles Times took notice too, featuring the café two years running.
Longbeachize also named it an essential Long Beach coffee shop, which is high praise in a city that takes its coffee seriously.
New owners have since brought a slightly more queer and femme spirit to the place while keeping its famously welcoming attitude intact.
Plant-based milks, organic dairy, and vegan-friendly treats mean nearly everyone in your group can find something to love.
Busy offices and party planners have caught on to the 64-ounce Iced Coffee Growler and the 96-ounce Coffee Biggie, which bring the café’s brews to group events.
Visitors often mention the friendly baristas, and a lot of first-timers end up becoming regulars.
Put together great beans, playful drinks, and a big welcome at the door, and it is easy to see why Long Beach fell for this place.
Food Highlights
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Sonoratown Horchata Latte: This drink is a fan favorite that blends espresso with the cozy, cinnamon-kissed charm of horchata. It’s a creative nod to Southern California flavors, and regulars order it again and again. 🥛☕
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Sea Salt Affogato: Picture three scoops of vanilla ice cream drowned in rich espresso and finished with a chocolate sea salt topping. That topping adds flavor and a satisfying crunch, so it eats like a grown-up sundae. 🍨
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Honey Vanilla Latte: Local honey and smooth vanilla come together in a naturally sweet, aromatic cup. Customers rave about the iced version, especially when they pair it with a bite to eat. 🍯
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Zoolander: This playful orange mocha latte comes with a name every movie fan will recognize. One happy customer said it truly put the “boom boom” into their heart, and that’s a strong endorsement. 🍫
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Almond Orgeat Latte: This one gives your morning espresso a subtly sweet, nutty twist. It’s a handcrafted drink that keeps locals coming back when they want something a little different from the usual. 🌰☕
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Vegan Donuts: These donuts are fluffy, sweet, and completely plant-based, and kids in particular can’t get enough of them. One reviewer gave the Oreo donut a perfect score for its fluffy dough and delicious icing. 🍩
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Slow Coffee (Pour Over): Each cup is a hand-poured single-origin coffee brewed to order, so the unique character of every fresh-roasted bean comes through. It’s the perfect choice for slowing down and actually tasting what’s in your mug. ☕
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Bacon & Egg Sandwich: This hearty breakfast favorite sits alongside the café’s selection of pastries and sandwiches. It’s a reliable way to fuel up before a stroll along the Promenade. 🥓🍳
Atmosphere
Recreational Coffee has a quirky, friendly neighborhood energy, with slow pour-overs served to a soundtrack of punk, reggaeton, and hip hop.
Guests often describe a welcoming feeling the moment they walk in, and that warmth has only grown under the new owners.
Seating is cozy, the baristas are genuinely kind, and there’s convenient parking in the lot next door.
Bottom Line
Visit for house-roasted beans, creative lattes like the Sonoratown Horchata, a decadent Sea Salt Affogato, vegan donuts that kids adore, and a warm, music-filled vibe that makes everyone feel like a regular.
Address: 237 Long Beach Blvd Ste A, Long Beach, CA 90802
📞 (562) 436-4954
🕔 Open daily, 7 AM–5 PM