Lamppost Coffee — Restaurant in San Marcos

In my years in San Marcos, I have never known a coffee shop so welcoming, so pleasant, and so adored as Lamppost Coffee. After coming to Lamppost regularly for over a year, I can firmly say that my standard for coffee shops has been raised to an unfair height, but I am content to have a singular place that can appease me, on the corner of Stagecoach and Key. The baristas are the best part of Lamppost Coffee. If I were a silly goofy person, I might call them “bari-stars'' or “cool coffee cats” but that is corny and lame, so I won’t... The baristars are very good at giving customers time and space to decide on the right drink. Other establishments might make you feel rushed to order something you don’t want and the baristas can’t help because they can’t articulate the menu. Lamppost shines above them all because everyone on staff knows the menu and cares enough about the drinks to put them in the hands of someone who wants them. They make suggestions, offer adjustments, and ask thoughtful questions to get to the root of your desire and honor it. Where others couldn’t be bothered, they go above and beyond. Outside of making your drink, they take the time to get to know you. If you spend a morning inside, you’ll hear a dozen patrons greeted by name, their drinks memorized, and every single one of them is delighted to be there. The baristas will pull shots, steam milk, and make the best latte you’ve ever had, all the while, they’re following up on what you talked about last time you saw them, with no superficiality. That’s why you find so many people returning to San Marcos Lamppost again and again. It often feels as though people are not waiting for their turn to order, but waiting patiently for their turn to talk to the friendly face behind the counter. This I know from experience as I’ve been guilty of holding up a line once or twice getting swept up in good conversion. Thanks to the same fine fellows that make the drinks, much of the storefront has improved since the summer I first saw it. The lion image that unifies all the Lamppost locations has been elegantly painted onto the wall, giving the lobby a much needed focal point and depth. Other new additions include dark painted walls behind the menu, hexagons coloring the bar, and major improvements on furniture and art placements. Between the decor and the surprisingly well-kept plants, the store has been given direction, sturdiness, and a sense that someone really cares about the place. It is not a vacant, whitewashed, shell getting its grounding. The San Marcos Lamppost location feels established and warm. As I sit here, December barely getting its foot in the door, I’m astounded at the level of holiday cheer created and how much effort went into its execution. How easy it would be to take in the magic, the seamlessly interwoven festivity, and forget that someone got on a chair and tiptoed precariously to make it happen. Inside and out, it feels like the end of a Hallmark Christmas movie, but lucky for us all, you don’t need to be a C List actor to enjoy its charm. No matter how you slice it, it’s obvious the San Marcos Lamppost location is special. Distant from the other locations, it would be easy to assume it would be the neglected little sister to the original iterations, yet it has been thriving and developed its own character fully independently. Thanks to expert management and a whip-smart team behind the bar, the San Marcos bunch has turned the humdrum shop it once was, into a charming, lovable destination. Ashlyn, Lilly, Zuzu, Christian, and Hannah have made Lamppost a wonderful spot, whose delightful attributes I am quickly running out of synonyms for. It’s a great place to start your day, a great place to bring your family, and the best place to be a regular. Both the storefront and the customers benefit substantially from the effort, care, and attention paid by the truly amazing staff. It is a splendid place overall and I cannot...

Rude employee, some gross options.

I ordered one of their seasonal drinks that sounded really good, a graham cracker cold brew. I also got the goat cheese toast with blueberries and honey drizzle.

When I got my drink, I tried it as it was given to me and it tasted absolutely disgusting. I tried mixing it to see if it would help, and it tasted the same. I don't know exactly how they prepare the drink, but I get the feeling that the god awful sludgy, soily/muddy taste the drink had could be from the caffeine mixing with the starch from the crackers (even then, the cold brew itself was barely a cold brew, it was so diluted it just tasted like water with a splash of coffee). I assume that maybe they blend the caffeine with the crackers, but I'm not sure. Either way, it was disgusting and I sent it back which isn't something I do often unless it's actually revolting.

The girl at the counter was super rude. I was being cordial and even apologized for sending the drink back, but that didn't stop her from reacting annoyed and almost shrugging and releasing her shoulders as she said "Well, it's a cold brew so..". Yeah, I know, I've tried many cold brews before. They're delicious! This was just not good and it's okay! But I didn't fight back, I just apologized and asked if I could get something else (another seasonal drink, a latte) and offered to pay the $1 difference. She said "no it's fine" very rudely and turned around.

The other employee was very kind, she made sure I got my toast (which was absolutely delightful).

Besides that, the atmosphere of the cafe was really cool and laid back. The restrooms were clean and decorated very nicely. They even had a dog bowl outside the cafe (in the shade) filled with water and food.

Hopefully miss girl can learn to not take things to heart and just trust her customers are...

Lamppost isn't just another local gem; Recommended by locals, I decided to give it a try, and it quickly became my newest favorite spot.

The caring atmosphere is evident from the moment you step inside. Not only are the baristas incredibly kind and attentive, but they also go the extra mile by thinking about our furry companions. With pet treats and water bowls readily available, even our four-legged friends feel at home.

And for the little ones in tow, Lamppost offers activities to keep them entertained while you enjoy your coffee and become "dezombified." It's the perfect place for families to unwind and recharge.

And let's talk about the coffee – the Lamba latte is an absolute must-try. Each sip is a burst of flavor that leaves you craving more. Highly recommended for anyone seeking quality coffee and genuine...