Why go
Lever espresso from coffee roasted here
The espresso at Coffee Cycle Roasting is pulled on a lever machine, which is a deliberate choice rather than a nostalgic one. The barista controls the pressure by hand through the shot, so the same coffee can be pushed in different directions depending on how it was roasted.
That matters more here than it would elsewhere, because the roasting happens in house. What is in the hopper is the roaster's own work, fresh rather than shipped, and the lever is the tool used to show it off.
Order the espresso first for that reason. It is the drink that carries the most information about what the roastery is doing.
Lever machines demand more of the person using them, which is part of the point. A bar that chooses one is committing to a barista's judgement on every shot rather than to a button.
Lavender latte, honey freddo and single origin drip
Single origin drip is the plainest way to taste what the roaster is doing, and it is the order for anyone who wants the coffee without a milk drink around it.
The signature drinks pull the other way. The lavender latte is the floral one, and the honey freddo is the cold, shaken order that suits a San Diego afternoon better than a hot cup does.
Between the three, the counter covers the whole range from purist to dessert without pretending the two are the same thing.
Empanadas, panini and the patio
Food is short and savoury. Empanadas and panini are what the counter turns out, enough to make the visit a meal without pulling attention away from the coffee.
The patio is where most of it gets eaten. The room is neighbourhood focused and eclectic, with a casual surf town feel and the roastery in plain view, energetic without being hurried.
Panini are the sturdier of the two savoury options and the better choice if the coffee is standing in for a meal.
For a first visit, take a lever espresso at the counter, follow it with single origin drip on the patio, and order empanadas if you are staying.
Come once for the espresso and again for the cold drinks. Coffee Cycle Roasting is set up to reward both kinds of visit.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I order at Coffee Cycle Roasting?
Start with the lever espresso, which is the house method and the clearest expression of the roast. Single origin drip is the order for tasting the coffee plainly. If you want a signature drink instead, the lavender latte and the honey freddo are the two to know, and empanadas cover the food.
Is the coffee roasted here?
Yes, this is a roaster café rather than a shop buying beans in. The roasting happens on site and the espresso bar pulls those roasts on a lever machine, so what is served is fresh and controlled end to end. Single origin drip is the best way to taste that directly.
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