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Alpina Coffee Cafe
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
822 Emerald Bay RdSouth Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-7449
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 3 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
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$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
This cozy café is a full-service coffee & espresso house, smoothie bar, and restaurant that uses natural, organic, & local ingredients in creative ways.… read more »
29 reviews for Alpina Coffee Cafe
Review Highlights
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"As others have mentioned it's got free wi-fi as well." In 5 reviews -
"Outdoor seating is beautiful and rustic." In 4 reviews -
"the photos I added were taken from their web site." In 2 reviews
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Blue R.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2009 2 photos
nothing wrong with this place that I could see (and I don't want to piss off the ghost, so it's getting 5 stars.)
yes, check out the web site and read all about the fun-loving ghost who apparently keeps the staff hopping, sweeping & wiping.
despite the extra chores doled out by the SLT spectre, you'll get your delicious mug of roasted goodness in a reasonable amount of time.
tree stumps and a few actual chairs provide outdoor seating for you and your doggie, while inside you can enjoy free wifi and even use one of the free laptops they have available for customers.
pick up your Keep Tahoe Blue stickers here (for $1 donation) or down the road a little ways at the Keep Tahoe Blue Store.
http://www.keeptahoebl...
(the photos I added were taken from their web site. just thought they'd help you find the place.) enjoy! -
Review from Joe S.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Updated - 2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
So Alpina apparently has some new owners, and I stopped in to scope it out. All I really wanted (other than to check the place out) was an espresso macchiato. The coffee experience was better than I've ever had there before...although they still use Alpen Sierra coffee (mediocre at best), the barista was well trained and made it correctly and with some skill.
That said, I was a little disappointed in that it seems like the exact same place...no new improvements or changes that I could see. Still no meaningful food choices (why not?), still kinda sleepy (as opposed to happenin'), and the computers for customer use still suck (software in need of some TLC, as always).
Where's the energy that new owners should bring? I dunno if I'll be back...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/7/2009
Meh. It's cute allright, but coffee is just OK. Granted, I'm kind of a coffee snob, but still, for… Read more »
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Review from Tara T.
Meyers, CA
Updated - 12/16/2011
One star based on the message sent to me after my previous review by Erika, who is listed as an employee of Alpina. Excerpt:
"I would ... like to apologize for your tea. We brew our tea at 190 degrees which I understand can be too hot for some types of tea leafs. If you decide to visit us again, please let the cashier know that you would like your tea made with water that doesn't come from our coffee brewer. We have a hot water pot that contains water that is cooler than 190 degrees and shouldn't burn tea."
If I go to a restaurant, I expect them to not burn my food beyond recognition. It is not my responsibility as a customer to tell them how to cook food properly. The same applies to tea. If you (Alpina / Erika / whoever) are going to carry loose leaf tea leaves (and notice the plural of "leaf" is "leaves", not "leafs"!) you need to teach your employees how to steep them and what temperature water to use. I'm not your mother (but if I were, I'd be wondering where I went wrong), I'm a paying customer.
And if you can't get your shiznit together and learn how to properly steep a damn cup of tea? Go to tea bags. There are some highly decent ones out there (Numi, Mighty Leaf...) and you won't offend the Tea Gods or the Almighty Yelping Wombat by murdering what would otherwise be a perfectly good cup of tea.Listed in: Lake Tahoe Local, Epic Fails, Wombat Drinks Tea
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2011
I wanted to like this place a lot more than I did.
We tried to get on their website to view the menu… Read more »
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Review from Andrea R.
6/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
We go camping at Camp Shelly a couple times each summer. We always make Alpina our early breakfast stop on the last day so it makes breaking down camp easier without adding breakfast prep/clean up to the mix.
The staff is friendly, the drinks are terrific, food is delish and the atmosphere is cozy. Outdoor seating is beautiful and rustic. They have Wi-Fi here and I was actually able to get 3G coverage as well.
I usually get the ham/cheese croissant which is ginormous and reasonably priced. Our daughter got one as well and she LOOOOOVES their hot apple cider! This recent visit (Monday, 6-20-11) my husband was elated that they had poppy seed bagels - his favorite.
Usually I get a vanilla latte, but this time I tried the Lucretia... a mocha with cinnamon and nutmeg. Yum-o-Rama!
Alpina takes the sting out of leaving one of earth's most splendid treasures. -
Review from Mansi A.
1/3/2011
Super cute little cafe that has the ambiance of a quaint lodge. Alpina was just a block of two from the hotel that we were staying that, so an ideal place for us to grab some coffee and breakfast.
I ordered the Mexican hot chocolate and a toasted everything bagel with lite cream cheese. You can't really god wrong with that order, but it was just a nice ambiance to enjoy it in on a cold, wintery day.
The service was very prompt, and friendly. They had a variety of other food selections including eggs, croissant sandwiches, wraps, and some pastry items.
Definitely a cafe worth visiting, if you're looking for a cute ambiance and a simple breakfast. -
Review from Matthew M.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
11/26/2011
Spacious coffee shop with plenty of seating including outdoor tables in the summer. Coffee is good and consistent. I like that they have a honesty box so I can get my coffee quick in the mornings and not have to wait.
My partner likes their iced coffee with the coffee cubes. -
Review from Jenn G.
9/16/2007
Another locally owned coffee house in a funky (some say haunted) cabin. It features Alpen Sierra coffee (and they keep a few selections on hand for you to take with you), pastries from Don the Baker, and lunch selections including wraps and quiches. As others have mentioned it's got free wi-fi as well.
That's not why I like it though. Alpina, unlike many of the coffee houses here, has an actual garden and outdoor seating area that is not in a parking lot, and is surrounded by plants and trees. That may not seem novel in an area that's so close to nature, but it is.
It's lacking the 5th star because I've learned that if I want a bagel in the morning I need to be there before 8 am because the stock is so low, and I can't imagine what's left for the folks that trickle in any later. -
Review from Jeff G.
Albany, CA
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best iced coffee around. The secret? Coffee ice cubes!! My only complaint with this place is often we try to stop by in the afternoon and can't make it in before they close. Oh well, just have to get their sooner.
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Review from Leila C.
Nashua, NH
8/28/2007
Great little gem in South Lake near Emerald Bay. Lots of vegetarian options, too (ordered the veg wrap with sprouts). Coffee is quite good and they even give you the option of coffee ice cubes (wow!).
Free wifi/computer usage which I used to do a little mapquesting. -
Review from Cara Q.
Bellingham, WA
7/8/2009
We stopped here on a way to our hike. It was perfect cause I realized with a purchase we got free use of their laptops (they have two) and internet. As I have no cell phone or laptop it was great to check my email while I was passing through. It's small, but they have indoor and outdoor seating. The people coming in and out seemed to like the place. I had a wonderful soy chai latte and my husband had a double shot of espresso. They also have free wifi. There were some yummy looking wraps and large croissant sandwiches in the deli counter and i noticed they have a large selection of loose teas as well.
My only complaint would be the teens working the counter were not really friendly, but they were not rude either. They were OK, I suppose that's all they can afford really. But the atmosphere was nice, clean and relaxing. -
Review from Nathaniel M.
Ben Lomond, CA
Updated - 3/31/2010
They get the star. The wireless and guest computers are great and handy. Somehow, their Soy Hazelnut Latte (My fave coffee bev) seems to be one of the best I have ever had. Maybe it is because it is so much colder there than Santa Cruz, no matter it is good. Note in the service: they are friendly and I think my previous review shows how busy they are and nothing more. They get in a speed mode that sacrifices small talk. No worries.
Thanks Alpina for taking my Soy Haze to a new level!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/26/2010
My experiences of Tahoe are a bit limited. I know I am not a local, however I seem to find I am a… Read more »
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Review from Kari J.
Oklahoma City, OK
9/27/2011
This is the worst most over priced coffee that I can ever recall having. I would rather get gas station coffee next time. The little building and the space have potential but the coffee was outrageously priced and quite undrinkable. I threw my latte out after trying to choke down a few sips.
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Review from Jennifer L.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Been going here off and on for years. I just went the other day and got a regular cup of coffee. I was like looking around for a while and then I had to ask where the coffee condiments were. The girl kind of made me feel dumb, but really the coffee was on the counter where you pay and then on the other side of the building was the little coffee bar area. Why oh why are the two so very far apart? I don't get it. All around, great coffee, and a lovely atmosphere. Support local business!
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Review from Lizette P.
San Diego, CA
12/22/2008
I always have high hopes for local coffee shops. When visiting S.Tahoe we went in for a cup of joe. I was totally disappointed. The prices were as high as the Starbucks down the street and their coffee was weak and not as hot as it should have been in the 30 degree weather outside. The staff was friendly, but a little pretentious for my liking. They were very vegan friendly and had tons of vegan edible items I didn't get a chance to try, but they looked yummy. We ended up leaving this very cute small victorian-home-turned- coffee-house, and grabbing a cup of coffee from Peets down the street which was wonderful.
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Review from Khalid N.
Fullerton, CA
1/1/2011
Everything a coffee place should be. Young, hippies working the espresso machines. Great cider. Good prices. My cappuccino came out Luke-warm, but they brought it to a piping hot level with a smile when I asked for it. The computers for use are a nice bonus (in addition to the standard wifi in most coffee shops).
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Review from Nick P.
West Hollywood, CA
4/20/2008
Charming coffee shop in an old cabin. The employees were incredibly nice (and a little stoned I think). Good chai and quiche.
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Review from Kevvy K.
Menlo Park, CA
11/30/2007
Agree with everything else said, but minus points for storing coffee in thermoses. There is a lot of coffee turnover, but still, reduces the coffee quality too much for me. (Though of course, nowhere near as bad as airport coffee.)
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Review from Gordon I.
Richmond, CA
8/15/2011
Plenty to choose on the menu; endless wi-fi, smart attractive help, eclectic clientele, plenty of parking, near a print-shop; what's not to like abt this place?
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Review from Beach L.
San Francisco, CA
12/31/2009
best coffee in South Lake Tahoe! Coffee from all around the world. Great staff and free wifi!
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Review from Yna D.
Oakland, CA
10/13/2010
A terrific place to get coffee and croissant sandwich for breakfast. We've been coming here for years to get breakfast while on vacation at south Tahoe but no "ghost" sighting yet. The desktop computers for customers use is very helpful for those who want to check their e-mails while out on the road. On good weather days , it's good to sit out in the garden, there is a fireplace indoor on cold days.
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Review from Karen J.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
6/21/2008
I love Alpina -- yummy coffee, friendly staff, wi-fi, very nice atmosphere (as Jenn G. said, the outdoor garden is a big plus). If I were to take off any points, it would be that it lacks a comfy upholstered couch -- but I guess that only stops me from hanging out for an unneeded third cup.
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Review from Sadia J.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2009
I love this adorable little coffee shop! It's so quintessential Tahoe - cute little building, great coffee and food and tons of locals hanging out all the time talking, having book groups, typing away on their laptops, etc. People clearly feel very comfortable just hanging out and it's the type of establishment that's totally cool with that. I myself have worked from this coffee shop for many hours and it's great. F-you starbucks, yay cute mom-and-pop coffee shops!
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Review from Antone J.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2009
Great local coffeehouse. Good espresso drinks, free wi-fi (and they even have PCs if you didn't come equipped with a laptop), nice wood furniture, friendly staff -- what's not to like? Oh yeah, to top it all off, a ghost! Conveniently located right off the Y, which is great if you're staying in the Keys. Two small parking lots in back.
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Review from Andrew D.
San Francisco, CA
8/10/2009
Hmm I don't like that all their food is pre-prepared (as far as I could tell) but this makes it quick... and ICE COFFEE with COFFEE-based Ice Cubes?! yes that's impressive
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Review from Tim M.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2010
Solid little coffee shop. Mostly locals and people trying to get some work done. Plenty of outlets, free wifi, decent coffee, and a little fire. Not sure why they have a full kitchen and yet no real food. Might have stayed for lunch otherwise.
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Review from Laura J.
Agoura Hills, CA
9/15/2009
I confess that coffee is not my thing but their large variety of teas keeps me going back for more! Their baked goods & and salads are very fresh and yummy.
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Review from Liz T.
Providence, RI
12/27/2010
Great place, I have to stop here every time I'm in South Lake. The blended drinks are DELICIOUS!
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Review from Victoria M.
Walnut Creek, CA
7/19/2007
If I owned a coffee place it would be like this one. I've been going here for over 3 years now and I am never once disappointed and always happy with their consistently great coffee. I always buy a couple a pounds of something they have - usually the special of the month, and it's always smooth and full of flavor. They also offer sandwiches and breakfast snacks which I've tried a couple of times. They're tasty but definately NOT fat free - lots a cheese and heavy bread. Great if you gotta grab something hearty and go to the slopes or hiking. They have free wireless for customers, and two PC's that you can use if you didn't bring your own. And the plus for me is they offer soy milk right next to the regular milk and cream coffee condiments! Decent sized inside seating with fireplace. However it's starting to become more and more populated with wireless junkie "campers" sitting for hours and hours (according to the sociable, honest but nice staff). And as bonus the weekend after the BIG fire they had a local lady who makes t-shirts design a fundraising t-shirt "Locals for Locals" helping the fire victims. They sold out by noon on the first morning. I ordered 4 and they shipped them to me. I love this place! Oh and they allegedly have a ghost too - read it on the web site.
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Review from t b.
Columbia Falls, MT
3/1/2010
I love this place... great food, coffee and relaxed and friendly atmosphere (and locally owned and operated!!) :)
