Coffee—so necessary for some to start the day, and a ready excuse to get together and talk, each person clutching their own preferred drink. The foothills community has a number of spots with a wide variety of coffee (and tea) choices, many with pastry cases to entice a bit of sin, and some with breakfast and lunch menus to help us keep up the protein intake. We visited a handful of cafes in El Dorado Hills and just up the hill.
World Traveler Coffee Roasters
This EDH Town Center staple has recently undergone an ownership change but remains the same, bustling in the mornings as the cushy blue chairs fill up. The pastry case typically includes scones, muffins, cakes, and other sweet treats; avocado toast and sandwiches also are available. Go for house-roasted coffee; espresso drinks; and black, green, and herbal teas. 4364 Town Center, #110, El Dorado Hills; worldtravelercoffee.com
Double Shot Coffee Bar
Opened in 2022 by husband-and-wife team Brendan and Kat McCarthy, Double Shot coffeehouse in the Sienna Ridge shopping center serves Shingle Springs-roasted Genesis coffee, espresso drinks, house-baked goodies, and more. Local children’s artwork decorates the counterfront, and a sunshine-splashed seating area includes a bar, tables, and couches. Grab a breakfast taco, avocado toast, apple turnover, and—weekends only—one of the most decadent cinnamon rolls around. 3381 Bass Lake Road, El Dorado Hills; doubleshotcoffeebar.com
Proxy International Coffee
On the premises of Vintage Grace church, Proxy’s shiny Airstream trailer beckons with its simple lineup of fair-trade espresso drinks and coffee, tea, and a limited selection of snacks. Take it to go or sit in the serene indoor lounge. A portion of Proxy’s proceeds benefit Ugandan children who have lost their parents, helping with shelter, clothing, education, and health care. 931 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills; proxy.international
Moonraker Coffee
Tucked into a corner of the massive Moonraker Millhouse property, the coffeehouse includes a full selection of house-roasted coffee and espresso drinks, teas, as well as pastries and breakfast burritos/toasts made on site. (The peach/cream cheese muffin is a winner.) Take your drink and sit anywhere—in the coffeehouse or outdoors on the front or back patios. 3501 Robin Lane, Cameron Park; moonrakerbrewing.com
R Squared Bakery & Cafe
At R Squared, in the western-themed Burke Junction shopping center, the bakery case displays treats ranging from scratch-made baklava and breads to gargantuan cookies and thick sandwiches. The coffee, sourced from Temple, is no afterthought. Order the roast of the day, an espresso beverage, or tea. Mix it up with a dirty chai latte—with chai from foothills-based North Fork Chai. Organic, high-quality ingredients top the priority list at R Squared, which also showcases local honey and other specialties in its cheery seating area. 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park; IG@rsquaredbakery
Foxwood Coffeehouse
The coffees are sourced locally and change regularly—the Old Soul Sumatra Adsenia dark roast the day we visited was rich and earthy. Another hit: the Vietnamese iced coffee, a perfect combo of dark roast and sweet. Foxwood, a bit hidden away in a small center above Shingle Springs’ main drag, has indoor and patio seating and friendly service for coffee, espresso drinks, specialty teas, and a long list of breakfast/lunch burritos, bagels, and sandwiches. We went for a panini-pressed spicy Cajun-California breakfast burrito, perfect to split. 4068 Mother Lode Drive, Shingle Springs; facebook.com/foxwoodcoffee
Wisegal Coffee
Adjacent to a retired railcar in the old Shingle Springs depot, this coffeehouse hums with locals. Owners Brylee Lance and Rachel Bezdek mix espresso drinks and dole out baked goods from beneath countertop glass domes. You know the coffee’s good when weary firefighters straight from a nearby blaze roll up for a boost. With old West décor, the seating area includes couches, padded antique chairs, historic photos, and fun contemporary touches, like the Blind Date With a Book display (choose one and see if you like it) and a community corner for announcements. 4241 Mother Lode Drive, Shingle Springs; wisegalcoffee.com
Argonaut: Coffee + Provisions
The historic Schulze House in Coloma houses this cafe, where a half-sweet vanilla latte consumed at a sunny wooden table within a few feet of the American River tastes as good as the spicy Obsidian Mocha, downed with a decadent crème brûlée doughnut. Booths, a large banquette-style table, and several two-seaters make this a cozy place to gather for coffee, conversation, and darn good snacks. 331 Highway 49, Coloma; argonautcafe.com
Sierra Rizing Bakery & Coffeehouse
Sierra Rizing does artisan-roasted coffee, espresso, tea, sweet pastries, and savory items including house-made hand pies stuffed with meats, vegetables, and potatoes. Owner/baker Teal Triolo opened Sierra Rizing in 2002, and it remains a rafting community gathering ground for breakfast, lunch, and special events with intimate indoor space, including some long tables, and outdoor seating on the porch and beneath a vibrant blue canopy. 7308 Highway 49, Lotus; sierrarizing.com
The foothills community has a number of spots with a wide variety of coffee (and tea) choices.
The historic Schulze House in Coloma houses this cafe, where a half-sweet vanilla latte consumed at a sunny wooden table within a few feet of the American River tastes as good as the spicy Obsidian Mocha.