4 Cool Cafés to Check Out in Davis, California

Nestled in Northern California and known for its small-town feel, Davis is home to a growing specialty-coffee scene and a great number of cozy cafés.

BY CLAIRE BARRETT
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Photos by Claire Barrett unless otherwise noted

Davis, California, is a city best-known for its agriculture, with University of California Davis having the highest ranking Agriculture program in the country. The city, hailed for its sustainability-minded and close-knit community, is also known for being the “Bicycle Capital of the World” and for being home to a beloved group of cows, which are housed at the university’s Dairy Teaching and Research Facility. More recently, Davis is also coming to be known to have one of the fastest growing specialty-coffee scenes in the Sacramento area.

UC Davis is now the only university in the United States offering a degree in coffee science, with classes teaching students everything there is to know about roasting, brewing, and tasting. The UC Davis Coffee Center officially opened in 2024: a 7,000-square-foot facility entirely dedicated to the comprehensive study of coffee. And when it comes to its café scene, Davis truly has it all—from local farmer-grown products, to cozy study environments, to delicious drinks and pastries.

I’ve spent nearly my whole life drinking coffee in Davis and studying at every table in each of the city’s cafés. That being said, I definitely have some favorites. If you happen to be a student or a family member in town for any fun yearly events—or anyone else seeking the solace of a freshly brewed cup—these are four cozy must-try cafés.

Mishka’s

Mishka’s is one of the longest-standing independent cafés in the history of Davis. Virtually every Davis local has met up with a coworker for a meeting, a friend for a chat, or studied for hours inside of this beautiful orange brick building.

 Some of my fondest memories throughout college are of studying and gossiping with my friends in Mishka’s, with a maple latte and a flavored chocolate chip cookie in hand. With its wide array of pastry options, huge tea selection, and notable seasonal drinks (including gingerbread lattes in the winter or iced tea and lemonade in the summer), Mishka’s is a go-to for any season.

Volt

One of the newer additions to Davis’ specialty-coffee scene, Volt is one of the most community-integrated coffee shops in town. They’re known for their summer Tuesday night trivia, evening food trucks, and, of course, their specialty drinks. The café has a laid back vibe reminiscent of Santa Cruz, perfect for any fans of the unique Bay Area-adjacent areas.

Volt is also super conveniently located near the very popular Davis Rocknasium, so it’s the perfect place to get your post-climbing treat. Try one of their iced orgeat (almond syrup) lattes, and get yourself a pastry or something to eat from one of the food trucks.

Temple

Another must-try in the Davis collection is Temple. A Sacramento area staple, Temple truly shines with their unique style of taking orders at the bar as they label your cup, make your drink, and have it ready for you by the time you’ve reached the register. 

One of the best parts about Temple is their large selection of beans you can take home. The flavors of the unique blends they offer really stand out in any espresso drink you can order, and a simple latte with your favorite kind of milk is the perfect way to fully appreciate those flavors.

Standout offerings from the coffee company include their Wonderblend: a combination of coffees from Yemen and Java, Indonesia, with notes of gooseberry, cherry candy, and strawberry wine. Their Capital Cold Brew blend is also a notable offering, bringing together coffees from Latin America and Africa for a rich, full-bodied profile with notes of hazelnut, milk chocolate, and raisin.

Like Mishka’s, Temple is another great place to meet up with a friend, hunker down while studying, or grab a drink on your way through downtown.

Pachamama

I’m not usually a fan of drip coffee—but the coffee from Pachamama, located at UC Davis’ Memorial Union hub, is particularly exceptional. The farmer-owned coffee company’s collaboration with the university really shows their support for students, and the staff is always very warm and inviting, with laughter from customers at the register a constant throughout the day.

I spoke to barista Maya Kor about her favorite thing about the café. “The aesthetic inside the café is so friendly, and I just love the regulars,” she shared. Though specialty drinks—like the dulce de leche or peaches and cream lattes—are a favorite amongst Pachamama’s customers, their drip coffee is what I find to be their crowning glory.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claire Barrett is a former barista who finds cafés and the sense of community they create to be one of the most integral parts of a city. Her main passions include collecting records, journaling, working on her book, and posting on her book-themed instagram. 

Subscribe and More!

As always, you can enjoy your own copy of Barista Magazine by subscribing or ordering an issue. Long live physical media!

Support Barista Magazine and show your love with a Membership.

Signup for our weekly newsletter.

Join us at Camp Coffee Shop Aug. 10-13 in Napa, California.

Read the June + July 2026 Issue for free with our digital edition.