Coffee and Community with an Ocean View

February 15, 2023July 14, 2023 Jared Mackie - Writer 10 Comments

Nestled near the bottom of the Torrey Pines State Reserve in Del Mar, CA, and just a stone’s throw away from Carmel Valley, sits a local favorite – Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. Whether you’re in the mood for a drip coffee, latte, tea, or something sweet to eat, Bird Rock Coffee has something for everyone – even the dogs!

Walking up, we immediately felt one with nature. The palm tree fronds rustled in the slight sea breeze. The estuary directly across the street was teeming with birds and greenery, giving way to the ocean directly behind it. The expansive patio screams coastal comfort, with oversized cushioned chairs positioned perfectly for a prime view of the marsh, Torrey Pines, and the ocean. High-top tables provide additional seating with unobstructed views. Truly, there is no bad seat in this house. Dogs are very much welcome – there are water bowls throughout the patio and even the fencing is clear glass so they can take in the view, too.

Stepping inside, the interior is small but very warm and cozy. The baristas are all very friendly, and greeted us upon entry. As we read the expansive menu, the chatter of friends and regulars could be heard all around us. The baristas knew many customers by name – and even their orders – yet another signal that this is a community hangout for nearby neighbors.

So much on the menu looked good, and we settled on a Left Coast Latte, a Spicy Mocha, and a gluten free blueberry coffee cake. Special shout out for having gluten free pastry options, which is always a plus for those with allergies or even just preferences.

The coffee was delicious, and beautiful. The milk froth designs were almost too pretty to disturb for a sip – almost that is. The Left Coast Latte uses their homemade salted caramel syrup, which is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. They are not too heavy handed with the syrup, letting the fresh flavors of the coffee beans claim their place as the star of the show. The Spicy Mocha was also perfectly balanced – just sweet enough with a final note of spice after each sip. While the coffee was definitely the main attraction, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how good the blueberry coffee cake was. The texture was soft and fluffy, the crumble on top was crunchy, and there were plenty of fresh blueberries inside!