Tatiana's Coffee & Tea — Restaurant in Ventura

This is my favorite coffee shop in Ventura. Outstanding espresso drinks, truly great customer service, very very reasonable prices, this is my kind of coffee shop!

The espresso drinks here automatically come with two shots. No extra charge. That, right there, tells you how cool this place is. Almost everywhere else they'd be charging you for that extra shot. And that extra charge is so bogus.

Because when you pull a shot on a commercial espresso machine you get two shots. If they can't get you to pay, places that charge for the second shot would rather throw away the extra shot instead of offering it to you.

Yeah, they don't do that bogus extra charge for the second shot here at Tatiana's. More bang for your buck here!

But it's not just the stellar espresso drinks that make this my favorite coffee shop. This is a great place to have lunch.

They have these locally made empanadas ($3.50) that are absolutely delicious. They have several different varieties to choose from including Spinach & Feta, Potato & Cheese, and Chicken. My favorites are the Beef and the Potato & Beef. They are served warmed up with a little chimichurri on the side.

Even more than the empanadas, I love their sandwiches. Made in house and with the highest quality ingredients, they are a stone cold bargain at $5.25. (Actually the price might be $6.25 now, but a bargain nonetheless). They have a variety of sandwiches (Ham, Turkey, Veggie and my favorite, the Italian) pre-made in the cold case. Saves a lot of time if you are tryna get a quick lunch. Doesn't take long at all to toast those sandwiches to perfection.

Chips, cookies, and etc are available for purchase if you like a little something to keep your sandwich company.

I've tried the scones and they're very good. They have bagels too! There are still so many things on the menu I want to try. Like the ice-blended coffee drinks. I bet those are excellent here!

I mean,...

By far the best cup of coffee I've had since I worked a job in Vermont a few years back. I got the dark chocolate lavendar mocha iced, and it was the perfect marriage between the floral notes of the beans and the light earthiness of the dark chocolate. The lavendar bridged the gap, making for the perfect balance of flavors to highlight the coffee itself, not cover it up. You can absolutely taste the dedication to the bean that these folks have. They know their stuff.

And the FOOD. Potato, cheese and bacon empanada was authentic, perfectly spiced and served with two different dipping sauces even though they do not need condiments. The green sauce (a jalapeño crema of some kind, again, perfectly balanced) is extremely light and flavorful. The red sauce is smokier in profile (chipotle-esque, and mild), but just as light, and compliments the smokiness of the bacon in the empanada. The Cuban guava cheese pastry also took me back to my favorite late-night fix from Florida. It was emotional (don't judge, good food does that to the best of us).

They have art from local artists for sale and viewing all over the shop, including jewelry, as well. One of the local artists seems to be a regular and was seated at the table next to us, contentedly existing without being bothered. This is an artist's dream spot.

PLEASE go support...

Stepping into Tatiana's Coffee & Tea after a decade was a truly heartwarming experience during our recent family road trip. My biggest fear was that this beloved spot might have closed during COVID, but I was so incredibly relieved (though not entirely surprised, given its quality) to find it not only surviving but thriving, continuing to offer the best empanadas and coffee in Ventura!

What made the visit truly special was the incredible service, especially from Diego. Despite my ten-year absence, he greeted me warmly and even said I looked familiar – a true testament to his genuine care for customers and his amazing memory. That level of personal connection immediately made us feel right at home.

And speaking of amazing, the empanadas at Tatiana's are simply unparalleled. Despite the name emphasizing coffee, these savory pastries are, without a doubt, the best I have ever had. Since I no longer live in the area, we practically ordered ten of them to savor every moment!

Tatiana's Coffee & Tea is more than just a coffee shop; it's a testament to quality, resilience, and exceptional customer service. I will absolutely make it a point to come back again whenever I'm...