Acme Coffee Roasting Co — Restaurant in Seaside

There are plenty of places to grab coffee along the Monterey Peninsula, but few compare to Acme Coffee Roasting Company in Seaside. For me, this spot isn’t just about caffeine it’s about how I like to start my day, set my tone, and plug into a community that feels like home. Whenever I’m in town, Acme is my go-to stop, and it has easily become my favorite coffee shop in the area.

My mornings at Acme usually begin with one thing: a Vietnamese iced coffee. Strong, sweet, and perfectly balanced, it’s exactly the pick-me-up I need to jumpstart the day. There’s something about the way they prepare it that just hits different the smoothness of the coffee combined with the richness of the condensed milk, poured over ice so it’s cold and refreshing without losing any boldness. It’s a drink that wakes you up but also feels indulgent, like a small reward to start the morning right. After trying Vietnamese iced coffees elsewhere, I can say Acme’s version is one of the best I’ve had. It has quickly become my ritual, the thing I look forward to when I know I’ve got a busy day ahead.

But what makes Acme more than just a coffee stop is the service and the people. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by staff who genuinely care about the product they’re serving and the customers they’re serving it to. They know their regulars, they’re quick with a smile or a friendly hello, and they move with a kind of efficiency that makes the line go quickly without ever making you feel rushed. It’s clear they love what they do, and that energy carries over into how you feel as a customer.

The vibe inside Acme is another thing that keeps me coming back. It’s casual, unpretentious, and filled with the aroma of freshly roasted beans that makes you want to linger just a little longer than you planned. The décor is simple and functional, but that’s what makes it feel authentic this isn’t a place that needs to dress itself up with gimmicks. The coffee speaks for itself, and the environment invites you to slow down and enjoy it. Whether you’re grabbing a cup to go or sitting down for a while, it feels comfortable and real.

And then there’s the community. Acme is more than a coffee shop; it’s a gathering spot. On any given morning, you’ll see locals catching up with friends, students working on assignments, and travelers discovering the place for the first time. There’s an energy in the air that reminds you why small businesses matter so much. Acme doesn’t just sell coffee it builds connections. It’s a place where you feel a part of something bigger than yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes before you head off to work or school.

What I love most is that Acme has managed to balance being a neighborhood staple while also being welcoming to newcomers. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, you feel the same sense of inclusion. That’s a rare thing, and it’s what makes Acme stand out in a crowded coffee scene.

At the end of the day, Acme Coffee Roasting Company isn’t just my favorite coffee spot in Seaside it’s part of my daily rhythm. The Vietnamese iced coffee fuels me, the service lifts me, the vibe calms me, and the community connects me. It’s everything I want in a coffee shop rolled into one. If you’re ever in Seaside, do yourself a favor and stop by. For me, it’s not just coffee it’s how I start my day on...

At Acme they truly customize your coffee.

Which is very different than just offering "specialty" coffees like a Latte or Americano.

The usually have a short line in the morning of maybe 5 - 7 people but it moves quickly.

So it's perfect if you're in a slight hurry.....but please be kind to them and let them do their job. They're actually pretty good at it and it feels like they add a little love to every cup.

That's what makes them superior.

They have dark, medium and light roasts, about 10 choices total, with names like "Power Glide" (a medium roast) and "Motor City" (a light roast).

I'd say, definitely get a pour over. The baristas are friendly so go ahead and ask a few questions, if you like.

But, I'd recommend NOT mixing the levels (like dark mixed with light) unless you actually like extremely powerful body in your cup. I definitely enjoyed my mix tho!

Finally, my friend Emily says this place is "Mountain coffee that'll put hair on your elbows".

Haha! I definitely agree.

Try them, you just might come back for a...

If James Bond and Ernest Hemingway adopted John Rambo and raised him to open a coffee shop, it would be the Acme Coffee Roasting Co. This authentic coffee lover's experience would deceptively be categorized as a covert dive off the beaten path as per the Bond reference but holds the artist's fervor and passionate romanticism embodied in the late American writer. The best service I've ever experienced at a coffee shop reminiscent of a pizza shop tucked away in Cuzco I visited in 2002 where the staff prayed and commuted to the great coffee God before serving night coffee after a long day of pizza baking. The coffee is rich, bold, fresh, and questions the likihood of a secret network of underground tunnels leading to international fincas providing polished beans in exchange for offering cups of unadulterated happiness for under 5 dollars. I'm so thankful for that chain of burnt coffee brewers because it will keep the conformist as far as possible from this humble oasis of heaven in this modest...