LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA — The downtown Lafayette Starbucks at Fiesta Square has closed, leaving regulars looking for a new place to grab their morning coffee.
For people who liked having a coffee stop right in the middle of town, the good news is that there are plenty of alternatives nearby. Two area even in the same shopping center.
Here are five Lafayette options–with a bias towards locally owned spots!
1. Papillon Gourmet Coffee & Tea
67 Lafayette Circle
You don’t have to leave La Fiesta Square to find another coffee shop.
Papillon has been part of Lafayette since 1983, according to the shopping center’s directory. That makes it a particularly fitting option for anyone looking to turn a disrupted morning routine into a new local tradition.
The cafe offers lattes, tea, fruit smoothies and coffee beans to take home, along with free Wi-Fi. Its online ordering menu also lists cold brew, cappuccinos, mochas and bagel options.
For former Starbucks regulars who want to keep their coffee run in the same immediate neighborhood, Papillon is an easy place to start.
Website: Papillon Gourmet Coffee & Tea
2. Philz Coffee
3597 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Philz is a Bay Area icon, and our local store is an especially nice one. Another bonus? Early hours.
The Lafayette location currently lists hours of 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Its menu gives iced-coffee fans plenty to explore, including the Mint Mojito, Honey Haze with honey and oat milk, and Philtered Soul Cold Brew. You can also order ahead through the app.
Philz is a useful option for commuters or anyone whose first cup needs to happen before most breakfast restaurants open. There’s a very nice locally painted mural inside and good seating next to the fountain outdoors, too.
Website: Philz Coffee
3. Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen and Coffee Bar
3535 Plaza Way
If you frequented Stabucks, you lost a coffee spot. But maybe it’s time to add a breakfast routine!
Sideboard combines a coffee bar with a full kitchen. Its menu includes drip coffee, French press, lattes and cappuccinos, plus New Orleans-style iced coffee made with a cold-brewed espresso blend, chicory, whole milk and simple syrup.
The sample breakfast menu includes housemade granola, oatmeal and poached eggs on toast.
Sideboard’s Lafayette location lists an 8 a.m. opening daily, making this a better fit for a later coffee-and-breakfast outing, perhaps after dropping off the kids.
Website: Sideboard
4. Abe’s Cafe
3572 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
If you miss the friendliness of Starbucks’ Lafayette baristas (something that locals specifically called out about that location,) you should meet Abe. He’ll welcome you warmly to his cafe/art gallery.
The independently run downtown cafe serves coffee alongside breakfast burritos, empanadas, bagels, sandwiches, smoothies and fresh juices. Bay Area Telegraph’s previous review highlighted its cappuccinos, lattes and specialty drinks, including matcha horchata and dirty chai.
It’s a casual option for grabbing a coffee and something more substantial than a pastry. The cafe got its start in Berkeley before expanding to Lafayette, bringing its breakfast burritos and empanadas over the hills. There’s tons of local art on the walls.
For anyone looking to make a local business part of their new morning routine, Abe’s is well worth a stop.
Website: Abe’s Cafe
5. Lafayette Public House
50 Lafayette Circle
Another great option right in Fiesta Square!
The downtown spot combines specialty coffee, a kitchen and a bar, with both indoor seating and an outdoor patio. Seating is first come, first served, and the business offers an app for ordering ahead.
There are also seasonal drinks to explore. Its fall announcement highlighted Apple Chai, Brown Sugar Almond, Pumpkin Spice and a Carrot Cake Matcha topped with toasted coconut and whipped cream.
Public House’s posted spring/summer schedule lists morning coffee service beginning at 8 a.m. daily. Check the current schedule before visiting as the seasons change.
It’s an appealing option for turning a quick coffee stop into a more relaxed outing and a nice outdoor sit in downtown.
Website: Lafayette Public House
Hours and menus were checked for this article on October 2, 2026, and may change.
