Better Buzz Brings Killer Coffee to Encinitas

Back when I lived in San Francisco, a massive wave hit the city in the form of a concert clarinetist, who single handedly transformed the coffee industry. He believed that coffee was something to be enjoyed for its finer, more delicate qualities, as we appreciate every one of the countless dimensions of wine. That coffee company, which started as a simple pour over coffee stand at the Ferry Building farmer’s market, was Blue Bottle Coffee.

Fast forward almost 10 years, and that redefinition of our favorite morning beverage has not become popularized as coffee’s “third wave,” and has spread all over the country, including San Diego. My favorite spots: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (arguably the first third wave roaster in San Diego, started by a former school teacher, and his wife), Ironsmith (a small, but flavorful join on PCH at Encinitas Blvd.), James Coffee (started by former guitarist for Boxcar Racer, David Kennedy, and his brother Jacob), and finally Better Buzz Coffee.

Better Buzz Coffee’s newest house of the great black nectar is located on PCH in Encinitas, with little branding aside from the words “Juice and Coffee.” From the liberal use of wood, metal, and retro decor, travelers who’ve visited Four Barrel Coffee in San Francisco may be confused by its lack of skinny jeans and facial fair.

Better Buzz Coffee is a welcome new venue, with bottomless fresh air and natural light, plenty of open, inspiration-filled space, and a more refined cup of coffee, that you can enjoy black. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try their new cold brew coffee on nitro, inspired by San Diego’s brewmaking scene, for a drink that goes down like a beer, but picks you right up.