Element Coffee
2364 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA, 93010
Element Coffee Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Camarillo for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2364 Ventura Blvd
Camarillo, CA, 93010 - Phone (805) 482-0036
- Website https://www.elementcoffeelounge.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Chuck H.
My only gripe about this place is that it isn't open late. Other than that, it's great. They serve a solid bean. The pastry selection is a little desultory, but they offer cereal -- several kinds. If they ever stay open late, I'm renting a couch there. EDIT: Now it's open late. My life is complete.
(4)S S.
I wish Ventura had a place like this in downtown! These guys know their coffee, and have some great super-premium small roaster coffees by the bag. I'll be back when I'm in town.
(4)Curtis L.
Great espresso and coffee. Element carries their coffee from Intelligensia, which I have always liked. The people behind the bar are always nice and they know how to pour the perfect foam for your cappuccino. This place is set apart from the rest in Camarillo. If you appreciate excellent coffee, Element is light years ahead of anything you'll ever get from Coffee Bean or Starbucks.
(5)Ignacio V.
Thanks Yelp for telling me about this coffee place!! Finally, after a year of coffee searching I came to Element in Camarillo! Hands down the best coffee place in all of West Ventura County (I can't speak for East County). Foam was actual foam, a macchiato was an actual macchiato! I forgive Element for its cheesy, fresh and easy looking logo, go here for the coffee and espresso. Extra points for free wifi, and I actually give it credit for it's location at Old Town Camarillo, a block away from a housing development! This is truly a local coffee shop! Artisan coffee, let me make sure I say that. Now I live in Oxnard, so it's a long distance from my house! Whenever I have to go to Camarillo High School to do presentations, I will make sure to stop by here and order a drink.
(5)Lemonjelly L.
I'd been coming to this location when it was Palermo, and I enjoyed the cozy friendly atmosphere, so when I heard it'd changed and it seemed more "industrial" looking, my fear of change got the better of me. But I finally made it to Element and can say I'm happy with the direction this new ownership has taken. The coffee is all natural, organic and fairly traded. They sell coffee and tea accountrements that support reducing and reusing, and recycling. The kitsch is gone, replaced with sleek and clean lines, lots of table space to work or read the paper, and the coffee is good. There isn't any hippie aesthetic either, cuz you know being more globally conscious is all mainstream now. Sure, I'm bummed that the pastries and gelato and chocolates are gone. But isn't it time I stop saying, "Who cares. What's in it for ME?!" and start thinking more about what's best for whole communities? Can coffee really do that? Maybe! ps. they proudly display their yelp sticker on the front door.
(5)Alexis R.
While I realize that Camarillo is probably an unsung coffee mecca... I don't really need to be sneeringly schooled on whether or not my drink order will taste good. Either you will make it, or you won't. Pros: Free internet; comfy seating; amiable patrons; low-key atmosphere Cons: Sanctimonious staff (well every coffeehouse has a prerequisite one, right?); music too loud + acoustics. Meh: product [espresso: marginal; scone: an interesting blend of salty body plus sugar sprinkles in a blueberry scone (nice & fluffy though)]
(2)Jeff L.
Loved this place when they served Intellegencia coffee beans (Really awesome add for Camarillo, really, such good stuff), but one guy made me an espresso with the Verve beans they now carry and I gagged, and dumped it out. Haven't been back in over a year. Cool idea, I know the owner wants to cut costs, but man up and serve good espresso.
(1)Cameron C.
was drawn in by the giraffe out front. it's an eclectic coffee place where you can get a bowl of cereal out of a box like home. GF said best chai tea she has found since we moved to Oxnard. so, definitely worth the 15 mile drive, driving past all those chain places. I had the mocha (half chocolate) and it was very good. we definitely will be back. we went in the morning, definitely has regulars. The guitar & amp makes it look like a kind of cool place to hang out in the evenings a couple times a week. the place reminded me of those coffee shops that you find in an out of the way place in working man (or woman's) Australia.
(4)Dave P.
Continuing my sojourn scouring Coastal CA, in search of the very best non-corporate coffee houses, I stopped at elementcoffee in Camarillo, CA. Of course, legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker wrote "Relaxin' in Camarillo" inspired by the six months spent at Camarillo State Mental Hospital (where he was sentenced, after setting fire to a hotel bed: apparently traveling rock stars don't face the same penalties nowadays, being thrown in a mental Hospital after trashing THEIR hotel rooms!). I dare say Charlie would've claimed he was still a threat to society at his parole hearing, if his "vacation" in Camarillo allowed visits to this place! Anyway, the atmosphere is cozy, artsy, down-home (at least, if you live in a Bauhaus museum); the coffee is crafted, and more importantly, tastes quite excellent! Wi-fi is free, and absolutely BLAZING FAST, winning the speedtest.net Gold Medal (35mbps down/25mbps up)! Only buzz-kill is the wi-fi is OPEN, not CLOSED (secured): of course, MOST coffee house proprietors who offer free wi-fi already have secured their networks to protect users from exploits (e.g. FireSheep), adopting use of an easy password (most use the name of the coffee house, e.g. "element", or even use the name of the wi-fi network: the point is not to block people from getting on, but to make the connection with each OTA). On that point, It's no coincidence that the BIGGEST violator of unsecured open wi-fi is Starbucks: they REFUSE to lock down their 'open' wi-fi, despite the risks it presents to customers, assuming it's too much of a hassle. M-kay, then.... Because there's nothing less conducive to relaxing on Camarillo than having to look at all the other laptop users (or someone who's sitting in a nearby car), and wonder who's trying to intercept your cookies, or steal your Facebook/Amazon credentials, etc. That point aside, highly recommended! A crave-worthy cup of coffee/espresso drink!
(4)Shawn D.
A nice little coffee shope/lounge. Great relaxing environment without the busy noise of your traditional coffee shop (no blenders or little children crying or running around). In the evening it's livened up with occasional local guitarists playing from their heart, not from their wallet. This is my new favorite coffee shop. Recommended! Try the Iced Agave Latte
(5)Ams C.
Awesome shop! You can actually enjoy the Taste of the coffee! Awesome staff :)
(5)Reecie Z.
The owners and employees of this place are really friendly and cool! The decor is casual and comfortable; you can come in, have some coffee, and plop down on some comfy, casual furniture or sit at the bar and just hang out. They even have neat photos and paintings on the walls to look at. The coffee is delicious, and by request they'll use Silk in the drinks for those who prefer soy to dairy. Cool, local, yummy.
(4)ashley a.
We did not plan on coming here but while our tires were being installed next door it was convenient. I just figured it would be like any other coffee shop but I felt so at home that we will be back. My kids, ages 10 and 8 were as pleased as I was. The chia tea is superb but the fact that my kids did not tell me they were bored is huge. They had butcher paper on the tables with crayons, a chess set, a complimentary desk top computer, Velcro dart board on the wall, etc. not to mention the comfy couch. Great kid friendly relaxing environment.
(5)Joel S.
Based on the cappuccino, this place is a 6 STAR. I review the coffee and only the coffee in my reviews, not if the place made me happy or if the guy hurt my feelings. The coffee alone is why this place is a SIX star. The only place that compares is the Black Sheep Coffee shop. In fact this one's better. This is a must stop for all coffee lovers big and small minded. I think they would call this cappuccino a "God Cappuccino" I'll never find coffee like this again, I might as well stop trying.
(5)Mari K.
It's like having someone sit on your face and wriggle around...while someone else plays great music in the background and serves up a perfect latte for you. Element coffee *IS* that good. *lots of fluffy space to sit on. *chairs, tables, and outlets for laptops *a selection of cereals *pastries *organic free-trade coffee and tea *if you're getting a drink that involves foam, it's going to have a pretty heart swirled into the foam =) I believe they have open mike on Sunday nights. Great place to stop and study, or just a great little in-and-out on your way through Camarillo.
(5)Christine P.
Disclaimer: I am not a huge coffee drinker as I've probably mentioned in my review of Philz. The Fiance is a huge coffee snob and has probably tried all of the best coffee places in SF and some in Seattle (we were there for a few hours and he dragged me across town on a coffee pilgrimage). Therefore, the last paragraph is really his. We were in Camarillo visiting potential wedding locations and ended up on Ventura Blvd.. The Fiance was thirsty and I Yelped for a good coffee place. Enter Element Coffee. The atmosphere is great - it's pretty quiet (not too much whirring of machines like in Starbucks) with lots of chairs, Wi-Fi and hipster-y looking folks drinking their coffee. The menu is barebones in a good way. You have all of your essentials like americano, latte, capp, etc.. The Fiance ordered what sounded terribly complicated to me: a double shot americano with half the usual amount of water. Mike (the genial fellow behind the counter) and the Fiance engaged in coffee talk, going over the merits or demerits of various locations in SF and in Seattle. He (Mike, not the Fiance) seems to know his stuff (this coming from a non-coffee drinker. The coffee-drinking Fiance agrees). Tastewise, the Fiance gives Element five stars. Mike pulled a great espresso shot - no hint of bitterness, nice aroma, great flavor and smooth. The beans were from Intelligentsia, according to Mike. There was good amount of acidity and brightness, a little less than beans the Fiance is used to from some SF and Seattle locales. Element was a nice and welcome surprise in the middle of Camarillo.
(5)Nathan G.
It's hard not to like this place. I don't like "independent coffee shops." I don't really like the obnoxious hipsters who frequent these places. And I certainly don't like the obnoxious baristas who staff these places and would seem to look down on me for my order. But I still like this place. First ample room and adequate spacing between tables means that I can ignore the older couple who thing that Mooslim Obama is going to destroys this country, or the young hipsters that just think the world would be a better place if we all read a little more continental philosophy. But it is close enough that when a friend does drop in, we can have a nice chat. Second is the feel doesn't try to say that it is independent, it just is. The tasteful wall decorations, lack of too much obnoxious art, a soundtrack just loud enough to break the silence, but not loud enough to make it feel like those who aren't enjoying the music are heathens. There are couches for sitting and reading, tables for laptoping and some of those chairs that are rally tall with a really tall table for whoever is into that sort of thing. (Also free internet that doesn't need additional codes from around the room, or a splash page brought to you by McDonalds, or a bump off every two hours or so). Third is the barista. Most of the times I have gone the proprietor has been the man behind the counter and you just can't not like the guy. He looks/sounds like Penn Gillette with the extra hair moved from the pony tail to a well kept beard. He seems genuinely happy to create your drink and that makes you genuinely happy to give him your 5 dollars for the latest mix of water and boiled leaves/beans. I mean, if there is something wrong with this place I haven't seen it yet.
(5)Jonathan K.
This place is amazing. If you are a true coffee lover in Ventura County, you absolutely have to try this place! They are as good as it gets. They make each cup individually for you with a pour-over method, but also have chemex systems and french presses if you'd prefer. They have a variety of blends for you to choose from, and grind the beans for you on a cup-by-cup basis, so it doesn't get any more fresh than that. Their espresso is absolutely fabulous, and although I am pretty much a straight coffee (or occasional latte - no sugar) guy myself, my girlfriend swears that their vanilla latte's are the best you can find anywhere. I would absolutely recommend Element coffee (and I do) to everybody I know.
(5)Douglas K.
I like Element Coffee. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable. . I like the individual drippers for coffee. The cafe mocha is great..The baristas are all great. They have Yerba Matte too. There is live music some evenings. There is good WiFi. The funky, hanging, sort of pig looking things are not my favorite type of decor, but overall its got a cool coffee house vibe. You can get a bowl of sweetened sugar type cereal (mostly P.H. corn oil brands) But the coffee, the selection of background music and the ambiance are always good. I will choose a local coffee house to a chain any day.
(5)Kyle F.
When I started working remotely, we had a babysitter at home which made it awkward to work from home so coffee shops were the natural solution for me as I love coffee. After trying dozens of coffee shops in ventura county, from a variety of starbucks' to local shops galore, i found element to be the perfect blend of GREAT coffee, comfy seating, cereal (seriously, how awesome is that? :D ), friendly staff and great music. THE GOODS From the top - the coffee is amazing. Their drip coffee is made to order from individually weighed beans with several Intelligentsia varieties to choose from. I occasionally splurge and go for a foo-foo variety with extra body or unique regional flavors. I have tried their mochas which are delicious and always come with the perfect texture of foam on top, awesome rose's and of course, taste phenomenal. Their tea is fine - but not being a tea person, didnt stand out to me. If I'm there all day, i'll typically get a coffee in the morning, cereal for lunch and afternoon snack and some tea in the late afternoon to keep me going...perfect :) ATMOSPHERE They always have plenty of seating, both tables w/chairs, couches, indoor & outdoor options with a great mix of acoustic jams streaming all the time. To top it off, they also regularly have live music shows. Free wifi is always great - it's stable, not glitchy and fast. SUMMARY A great place to chill with great coffee and fun snackables. The only coffee shop I go to where i dont have to put on my own music w/headphones and a great, friendly staff to top it off.
(5)Sara L.
Simply put, the baristas know how to make good coffee. I think that it's a nice touch that they do latte art too, since virtually nowhere in Ventura County does anything like it. There's also free wi-fi, and there's always a ton of (hipster) people on their Macbooks inside.
(5)Roach D.
A perfect place to listen to break-up music while consulting Yelp for all your relationship problems using their free WiFi. On Element's play list: Elliott Smith Coldplay The Most Serene Republic Brett Dennen Postal Service Sparklehorse Jeff Buckley etc, etc... I guess they figure you'll buy more coffee after all that depressing music sucks the life out of you. Good thing the coffee and agave lattes are delicious.
(4)R N.
DOG WALKERS BEWARE!!! We walk our dog by this establishment on a regular basis. Tonight a patron of this business was out front drinking coffee and had his dog off leash. The white German Shepard charged and attacked my Corgi Mix. The owner came out to see what was going on. My husband was quick to react and got the dog off of our dog before it could seriously injure her. Two ladies were walking up to their business to get coffee, they turned around and left. I went back later to find out who the owner of the establishment was, it was the guy that came out front to see what was going on. He played like he didn't know what happened. What kind of business man lies about something like that? So patrons beware! I would not do business with this company if I were paid all the money in the world. This company get ZERO stars (there is a rule I have to give a star) the owner doesn't deserve even a star.
(1)Kate M.
Element has become one of my favorite places to get coffee, or an amazing chai tea latte as well. Mike is a conscientious owner who will suggest various coffees to you if you are confused about what kind to get. The best part of Element's coffee is the "pour-over" technique they use, which gives you a freshly ground, pure cup of coffee every time. It is definitely a neighborhood coffee house, where all kinds of people can come and relax, or zip in, knowing that their coffee will be fantastic! I like to shop local, and bringing Mike my business is one of the best ways of doing that. Katie M. Thefoodlady
(5)Joe S.
Stopped in here while waiting for a friend and was blown away by the great tasting coffee, great service and overall look of the place. They do real "drip style" coffee and make cool designs in the foam. The wile experience was pleasant, even though I was only there for about 15 minutes. I love the selection of cereals too. A nice touch!
(5)J F.
Best cup of coffee in town, easily... I only drink regular coffee, so I can't vouch for latte's and cafe au lait and such, but if it's as good as the coffee, then it likely can't be beat. Each cup made to order. Coffee so good that I got out of the habit of putting cream in it... just seemed like a waste. Coffee that hasn't been sitting in a pot, or worse, sitting in a thermos (like at Coffee Bean) so that it comes out luke warm. Free WIFI, relaxed, chill atmosphere... and no blenders going off every few minutes like at a chain I won't mention here (is it just me, or is Starbucks officially a coffee-flavored Jamba Juice chain?).
(5)Khalid N.
I want to give the place a better rating...super cozy, friendly and conscious products, but the coffee just wasn't really good. Cappuccino was not hot and flavor was ok. Mocha not hot and too sweet.
(3)Dave W.
The lounge is at once relaxed as well as refined; while the furniture is varied and matching, including high and standard tables and chairs along with comfortable cushioned seats, the decor is made casual by white holiday lights hanging from the ceiling above the entryway. Outside seating, which is shielded from the elements by walls and ceiling while open to the street, is also available. Wall-mounted speakers surrounding the seating area play a variety of music, which has been known to change by request. The back shelves are full of product cups and all sorts of neat things. Each visit that we make to the shop has begun the same way, with a friendly greeting from whoever is behind the counter. The owner himself (Mike) is often working and is very friendly and accommodating, and the other baristas we have encountered were equally amiable. We enjoy the espresso here immensely; it has the pleasant quality of being rich without any bitterness. Additionally, the milk is steamed in small serving-appropriate batches. My first cappuccino was handed to me by the owner with a design he had created by pouring the foam and milk into the espresso appropriately, which was a pleasing bonus on top of the already perfectly steamed milk and foam with the tasty espresso. Altogether, we have tried many of the warm beverages available, all of which have been superb. The regular black coffee is also delicious, poured directly over fresh ground coffee by the cup - they serve Intelligentsia coffee ( intelligentsiacoffee.com ). This high quality black coffee is served up for 2 dollars a cup (small), and the espresso drinks range from three dollars to five dollars. Also, this coffee is never served over a week after having been ROASTED by Intelligentsia - you are drinking from beans that were green less than a week ago! Aside from the variation typical of having different baristas prepare your beverages, we have not come up with any suggestions to improve the drinks or customer service. We encourage you to go to Element Coffee and try their stuff, we promise that you will leave satisfied in every way! To respond to some other yelp comments, this shop was re-designed to emphasize coffee. It is not a bad thing that they do not offer "fun" flavors, they offer three very good home-crafted flavor syrups, low-glycemic agave, home made mocha, and home made vanilla (additionally, Intelligentsia chai is offered). These are to accommodate your sweet tooth in a refined manner, which is appropriate as this shop aims to emphasize great quality (and great tasting) coffee and espresso. This is why there are no blenders, no stacks of bottles of flavor syrups, which is to say that this shop takes a no-nonsense approach to coffee.
(5)Bob C.
Great little coffee shop in old town camarillo. They grind fresh beans for every pour over cup. Nice ambeance.
(4)Amanda B.
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(4)Danielle E.
Element... Where to begin? Lets just say, I'm a HUGE fan of their agave latte. Ive had their mocha and drip as well- all delicious. I love the fact that its in Ole Town Camarillo. The environment is really chill and just laid back. How a coffee shop should be!! I also love that they sell Intelligentsia coffee. So when I'm running low, I get my fix there! Well done Element!
(5)Brass M.
Everything about this place is great... except the atmosphere. It's like adult day-care in here. It's gotten messier and louder over the last couple years. There's music playing overhead--usually good--but always someone playing a guitar or playing competing music on a computer. There are a million employees, but no one cleans anything up or seems to know in what order to do anything, like ring up a customer or figure out who's next in line. The decor has gotten progressively more unruly with junk everywhere--like someone's basement (old VHS tapes? Really? You can't even call it 'hipster'). If you want to be a coffee shop, be one. If you want to be community center with toys and hammocks and instruments, I'll go someplace else.
(2)Tom M.
I had to update this review. I have been back here mulitple times and the while the coffee is good. The attitude of the staff (who I think is the owner of the business) is very poor. The past 2 times I went here snotty comments were made to the people I brought with me. And one time the people I was with left and went to get coffee somewhere else because of the snotty attitude.
(2)Lori L.
Owner was horrible to my friend!!! Bad day or not he was rude, condescending, impatient and asked her to leave!!! She had never been there before and asked about the bold coffees and he gave attitude. She asked to speak to a manager and he said he was the owner. She scolded him for treating a customer that way and he told her to leave???? Never going back.
(1)Tomás G.
Ordered two kinds of tea and same water temperature was used, the coffee might be good, friendly service
(3)Sean H.
Great Coffee. Friendly environment. Mike is a always serving up the goods. It's a nice place to chill and/or get work done. Ooooh, and I tried the BlackBean Coffee Ice Cream! Yuuuuummmmm!
(5)britta p.
Element is an absolutely superlative coffeehouse! if you love great, direct trade coffee, perfectly brewed; if you want a great place to do work AND a comfortable place to talk; if you want peace and quiet, or great conversation; if you want a neighborhood place, where people meet and get to know each other: THIS is the place for you! in a Southern California suburb, largely void of creative, connective space, Element Coffee is a vibrant, inviting and well-designed refuge for artists, writers, students, and local professionals alike. GO THERE!!! (and who doesn't love a bowl of Fruit Loops or Grape Nuts in the afternoon? I know I do!)
(5)Marianne S.
I absolutely love Element. The atmosphere is perfect for me to meet with my brides and have an awesome cappuccino while I am at it. You know how hard it is to find a decent cappuccino? The only other place in the area are the Peet's Coffeehouses which I can't always get to. Element is definitely my choice for a good cup and a great atmosphere to meet people. BTW, you have to try the agave latte. It will rock your world.
(5)Michael M.
Element Coffee is one of the last great coffee shops. Three Elements make this shop the best place to have Coffee on the West Coast. 1. "MAD" Mike (owner) Andrew (barista) Dave (barista)... They remember your name, your coffee and ask about family or work or life and they are honest and great people to communicate with. 2. The community. There is an artist colony 2 blocks away. On any given day you might find a guitarist flanked by a graphic designer along side a music producer working on his macbook pro editing a music video. People spend countless hours meeting at Element, from pre-med study to bible study there is always something interesting going on and everyone is always welcome to join in. 3. The Coffee... Verve, Intellegentsia, Noble they have some of these sometimes and Verve all the time. The espresso temp is dialed in daily and the product is tested before the masses arrive for the morning rush. What you get is not a cup of coffee but an experience. The drip coffee is made by the cup (give it 3 minutes to sit!) The espresso drinks are the right temprature, not burnt, and the pastries are from local vendors. I go here everyday after being weened off an addiction to Peets. If you want to know about Coffee ask any of the Baristas and you will learn that coffee is as diverse as wine. Now you have the choice ; go drink crappy table wine or a glass of something special.
(5)Eric T.
Easily the BEST coffee around!
(5)Duktruc B.
I think the guy working might just overload with his multitasking. Kinda stressed me out and I felt bad for all the folks waiting forever for their coffee.
(1)Kathryn B.
Horrible service. My daughter went in here once and no one was behind the counter and no one helped her. Then she said a man walked in and someone greeted him and he was helped. She had money to spend too! Second time on another day I went in here with both my kids and again, no one behind the counter. Waited and waited and no one ever helped us. So we left. Last time I go in there!
(1)Lindsay H.
When Element changed management a while ago, I was nervous about some of the changes the place underwent. However, I have been completely thrilled with everything about it. The atmosphere is great for studying or having mellow conversation. As others have mentioned, the music selection is superb. But most importantly, Element Coffee makes the best latte I have ever had. You don't need any sweetener or vanilla or soymilk to make it richer. Just a large latte and you're good to go.
(5)Carl H.
Best coffee in the area by far. Their cappachino is ridiculously good. Their coffee is also very good.
(5)Dan M.
Frankly I'm quite surprised at the high rating and number of positive review this place has received. I myself am not that impressed. Now, I mainly drink drip coffee and americanos, so perhaps their mochas and lattes are really good, I don't know. But I'm just not that thrilled with either their pour over drip or their americanos. And also, it's very expensive: $2 for a small drip (yikes!), and $2 for a donut (from a very very limited pastry selection) I could've gotten for $0.65 around the corner (yeesh!). The baristas are indeed coffee snobs, which I don't mind; it's just that I don't really care for their coffee. Oh well, perhaps I'm just too much of a simpleton to appreciate their fine beans.
(2)Lauren S.
Support your local coffee house! This place is awesome, and its the best coffee in Camarillo!
(5)Michelle M.
I am not a coffee drinker and I don't like hot tea, so I wish there were a few more non-coffee options on the menu. (I ended up going with my usual iced chai soy latte.) The reason I went to Element in the first place was the free wi-fi. I had a freelance project I was doing on the weekends and the husband and the toddler were too distracting at home. I spent several hours in Element. It was comfortable and suited my needs perfectly. I sat inside, but I really like the way they recessed the front entrance to create a semi-enclosed outdoor seating area. I was there on a really hot day, but that outdoor seating area looked comfortable, too.
(4)Pattie M.
Best tasting chai latte and best presentation! Delish!
(5)Olivia M.
Yummy coffee but service only ok. The guy who took our order seemed really snobby despite his casual appearance. Tables were really dirty and I had trouble connecting to the wi-fi.
(4)Cindy A.
Very nice staff. Inviting vibe. Amazing coffee.
(5)Carmen A.
This place is amazing...they have the best mocha ever!!! Really cute atmosphere...great place to hang out and drink your coffee! :)
(5)Austin A.
The best coffee in all of Ventura Country. The owner Mike is a great guy who knows what he is doing when it comes to coffee. Every drink is hand crafted with quality being held in the highest regard. Great atmosphere with free wifi and plenty of seating. If you live close or are passing through make sure you stop by to see how coffee should be crafted
(5)Mari T.
Friendly owner, good espresso, free wi-fi.
(4)Alison M.
My go-to coffee shop when I'm in Camarillo. The drinks are good, and I love that they are family friendly and have crayons and paper for kids.
(4)Wilmar D.
This place is really nice. It's clean, comfy, and their coffee is good. Also, their scones come from a local scone bakery (awesome!). I've only been here twice, and both times they weren't selling any gelato, so I don't really know what's going on there. But I'll be sure to come in again some time and check in on their gelato status. I guess the bougey coffee shop vibe isn't really my thing. And yet here I am inside Palermo sipping on a Viennese and sporting their free Wi-Fi... The table across from me is two twenty/thirty-somethings arguing about how anarchy can work or not work. One is in favor. One opposes. The anarchist sipping the drip. The non drinking a frozen blended drink with whipped cream through a straw. Let the smarty sparks fly. I guess there's absolutely nothing wrong with this place, but it doesn't earn that fifth star from me since I don't see myself inclined to be here on the regular. EDIT 4/17/08: So here I am for the third time, mainly because I need some free internet and a pick-me-up to get into my work day. But I'm having a bagel and cappuccino and I will agree with the other Yelpers here that they make a good cappuccino... even though it's not necessarily my choice of poison.
(4)Red L.
Best mocha ever.
(5)K K.
Great coffee, easy parking right out front, and when I went on Saturday night there was a jazz combo playing!
(5)Christopher W.
Element coffee is a breath of fresh air in the Ventura County. It's an independent fair trade coffee shop with free wifi and pretty good seating. It almost feels like I'm in the bay area. The drinks themselves are pretty good, they even put effort into making the coffee look fancy. They choice is limited and non-coffee drinkers were have a hard time finding something, but most of the drinks they do have are pretty good and reasonably priced. You can even get everything in a real mug if you like, which is always a nice touch. The sitting inside is comfortable and plentiful with plenty of power sockets about. They also have a nifty covered outdoor sitting area which is sort of part of the building so it's covered. Overall this is a very good coffee shop, I highly recommend it. They are sometimes slow, but they make all of their drinks by hand and the legitimate way so it's all right.
(5)socheath v.
Drip coffee filter never taste as good as this place. Personalize design on every cup; nice. I though only espresso machine make the best coffee but I was wrong. Coffee was fresh and full-body. The staff were friendly and coffee shop had a very free-spirit feeling to it. Recommend to anyone who is looking to get away from the chain coffee shops.
(4)John S.
I really used to like Palermo, but I have grown to like Element even more. I'll keep this short since the positive comments speak volumes already about how much everyone likes this place. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is good, and the coffee is made with pride. Who could ask for more. I also like the fact that I can ask for a LARGE latte and they know what I want. Try that at Starbucks and see what you get :)
(5)tony s.
I really love this place. It's funny because it says not to post a review if you know the owner. If you have been to Element Coffee or you plan on going you will know the owner. Mike makes some amazing drinks. He brings your drinks to your table if the line is not too long (try getting that anywhere else) and he remembers your name, not just your drink. The coffee house "Black and Tan" is the best drink in Ventura County. Element Coffee uses a pour over method with Intellegencia's best roasts. When he switched to Intellegincia I didn't know what to expect. I can taste the quality and appreciate the fact they roast in Silver Lake. Mike pours some amazing free pour latte art (don't even think about getting that anywhere else). Overall this place gets an A+ from me. If your looking for crazy syrups that overpower over roasted coffee this definitely isn't your spot. If you want good coffee and an amazing atmosphere this is it.
(5)N A.
Best coffee in the county...hands down. I'm a kinda traditional drip coffee kinda guy and Ethiopian blend that they pour is smooth and delicious. I have had some of the espresso based drinks and the Vanilla Latte (my girlfriend's favorite) is off the charts good. Besides the great drinks, the owner is a great dude and makes you feel right at home there. If you want to have coffee at a nice, clean and casual environment and don't want coffee that could be used to peel paint off the walls (cough* Starbucks cough*) and don't want a drink that tastes more like chocolate syrup then a mocha latte (cough* Coffee Bean cough*) then stop by Element!
(5)Lara R.
I said 4 stars because the place is nice and comfortable to study. Wi-fi works well. Chai tea was ok (and in a real mug - too much cinnamon) and the barista was very friendly. However, I was disappointed when she almost pushed me to leave $1 tip for a $3.75 drink right after I said "I'm not from the US and I'm not used to the tip system here". I don't like being pushed for these kind of things. If you don't let that happen to you, it is indeed a nice place close to the outlets.
(4)Jojo L.
I went there with my friend around 8pm on Sunday. The place was quiet with a few people studying and surfing internet. The decor was simple but modern with all the abstract paintings hanging on walls (which are available for art lovers to make purchases). We ordered a hot chocolate and a chai latte. They were both alright. I love the fact that they offer different types of milk substitute. But the chai and chocolate were really ordinary. I definitely had better ones.
(3)Jamie O.
Looking for a coffee shop to start our day before strolling through the Saturday farmers market and this place was perfect! Add to it the unique way in which they brew their cup o' joe and that they serve a great assortment of cereal in chinese take out containers of all things and you have a winning combination. The coffee was hot, each cup freshly brewed and the portions of cereal were huge! Great breakfast find for under $5 thank you!
(5)Sarah S.
This place is literally the best coffee I have found in Southern California. We stumbled upon Elements after our honeymoon in Italy, where we tried the real deal, we were so pleased when the flavors were the same! I was even more excited when I got an office next door- quite an expensive habit, but worth every drop of that amazing coffee. Mike the owner makes a killer capp with beautiful artwork on the top, and also don't forget if your looking for something sweater to try the iced agave latte...yum!
(5)Andrew L.
I ordered the chai here.... it was full of flavor and made to order. They have live music on certain days too. If I'm in the area... I'm definitely stopping by!
(5)Gary B.
Element Coffee makes coffee the way I make it at home. For me coffee isn't just a beverage that wakes me up in the morning. I consider it a magic elixir full of complex flavors. My day doesn't begin until I peruse my collection of coffee beans( from all over the world), grind them and pour boiling water through my porcelain filter shell(Frieling No4) to make a single cup of delicious, rich tasting coffee. I take it black, unadulterated and when those distinct flavors hit my tongue; I know I can face another day. When I buy coffee at for any one of the convenient outlets, it's no longer a magical elixir, but rather a liquid conduit for the caffeine that I often desperately need. I'm not above sacrificing taste for speed. I happened to be driving by, Element Coffee when I realized that I had a craving for a cup of Joe...I was tempted to drive by...I'd never heard of them but I was Jonezen and I thought, how bad could it be? One cup was all I needed. The second that I walked in I realized that Element Coffee was different. Not in their décor; the muted brown colors evoking comfort in addition to original metal art work throughout the café is so last century. It was only after I ordered a single 12 oz cup of coffee($2.00) that I realized Element Coffee was a cut above. They didn't pour me a cup from a carafe of overcooked, burnt coffee sitting in a warmer for 2hrs. Instead, they proceeded to grind some beans, put them into a filter holder (a porcelain one just like mine) and poured hot filtered water into my cup. HMMMM, the taste of it... delicious (magical) dripped (handmade) coffee just for me... medium roast, none of it burnt in taste, a hint of cinnamon...so good, the best tasting cup of coffee; I've ever had outside of my own kitchen. It took a little longer but the results were worth the wait. If they make a single cup of plain coffee this good, I can't wait to come back to taste their mocha's and lattes. There is street parking as well as a parking lot behind the store. Lastly, similar to other cafes they have chairs, tables, internet(free) and the local paper available so that if you have time you can hang out or just relax while having your cup. If you're a coffee lover like me...every cup you don't make is a compromise. Element Coffee is the only place I've ever visited that serves coffee without compromising all the details I enjoy about drinking coffee. They make it with care and you'll taste it in every gulp.
(5)Dan L.
I was very pleased with the cappuccino. A wider selection of food items would be good. Atmosphere is good, barista was very helpful.
(4)Heather T.
Very knowledgable guy behind the counter- even insisted on steaming soy milk before allowing us to add it to the Americano so it wouldn't separate. If I lived closer, I'd def frequent this place.
(5)Alex N.
As I write this I sit on their patio soaking up the sun and delighting in their WiFi on the quiet sidewalk patio. It's hard to not love a place like this, a unique and locally owned coffee shop in a world of big box and chains and what have you. These guys truly represent the cafe and coffee culture of a bygone era. On top of all that their coffee actually tastes good. So many times your favorite little coffee haunt serves coffee that tastes as though it was strained through the hair of satan himself. Bravo fellows, keep up the good work!
(5)Claire D.
I live out in Moorpark, and finding Element Coffee was a godsend. With them being consistently open until 10PM, free wireless internet, and some of the best coffee around, this place is a gem for getting work done. Artsy pigs fly from the ceiling, a ceramic giraffe is wheeled out front, and a guitar sits in the corner of the room awaiting patrons. This place is a great community coffee house and takes care of its customers. Mike always provides great customer service, and though he'd rather serve you one of his delicious, individually-brewed drip coffees, he'll unhesitatingly whip up a sugary, frothy concoction for those making the transition over from Starbucks. Depending on the time and day of the week, you might have to wait for a table, or there could be plenty of seating available. Either way, don't miss out on this coffee shop. I feel good about spending my $3 here as opposed some huge chain - support your local businesses!
(5)Domingo R.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is the best coffee in Ventura. The proprietor is very helpful and really knows his stuff. If you're making your way from LA to SB, you really should stop off at Element. If you're adventurous and a fan of dairy, I recommend the Black & Tan.
(5)Tom G.
Best coffee in the county; and by the way I've ever had. Even out in LA, in a quest for indie coffee, I can't find coffee comparable.. You want quality coffee? Element. Element. Element.
(5)John D.
Friendly, knowledgeable barista dude when I was there. Nice pour-over of what appeared to be Intelligentsia beans. My buddy had a nice cap. Would go back for sure.
(4)Cyril A.
Came by this coffee place on a friend's recommendation. I didn't know places like this existed in Camarillo. I got an Agave Latte and sat down to read my book on one of the couches. The latte hit the spot and I enjoyed every sip. The atmosphere is pretty chill with most people on their laptops (free WiFi) or reading the paper. Definitely coming back to this place more often. Tip: Parking and additional entrance in the back.
(5)Robert B.
Great coffee, at $3 for a large it's not a daily go-to but it's 100% worth every penny. Freshly ground and brewed coffee to order and knowledgeable polity staff.
(5)Kirby A.
Not like starbucks! They have a basic menu, instead of a huge wall of choices you have to choose from. The staff was very friendly and helpful....letting me know the difference between them and starbucks! It's amazing how our world has conformed to the starbucks way. The traffic through this place was steady, which is always a good sign. Many people on their computers. Good music was playing. Great hours! Will def be back. Oh and did I mention the coffee was delicious?
(5)KK H.
Best coffee shop Ventura County, hands down. The espresso actually gets real crema on it, the drinks are always fabulous. Even the super picky coffee snob will be sated. The owner is super nice, and it is a cool, laid back and nice atmosphere. For the non coffee drinkers try their great chai. They also have cereal available by the bowl--one of the quirky fun things that makes this such a great place. The county's local donuts are also sold here, but often run out by the afternoon. Support local biz, drink your local brew, and get superior coffee to boot!
(5)Mikey A.
I like the place. Got no problem with the staff. I like that they produce one cup at a time. But.....The coffee is too 'whiny' It has that bottom whinyness or acidic quality I find distasteful. I am surprised more people have not mentioned this. I used to live in Hawaii and found Kona coffee had the same kind of whiny quality.
(2)Sophia G.
Easily the best cup of coffee (or tea!) in Camarillo, and maybe even all of Ventura County. The "pour-over" method is stellar and all of the beans are ground to order. Element has a great tea selection, served hot or iced, and the iced coffee is strong, unlike the watered-down variety from most franchises. The iced coffee is always my go-to, but try a black&tan if you're looking to splurge. Element has lots of parking in the front and back, comfortable chairs, and great outdoor space. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
(5)Joni S.
Pros: They'll still give a cup of water if you're not a paying customer. Had to get a cup for our puppy. Cons: They try to be all gourmet with their coffee making but comes out either watered down or too bitter. Tip: You're better off with a tea and using their free wifi.
(1)Joe S.
Element has fantastic lattes and the staff for the most part is pretty friendly. It's usually a great place to get a lot of work or reading done, but it frequently has the problem of being so quiet that a single conversation can be extremely distracting (as opposed to Starbucks which have a lot more ambient noise).
(4)sol da liberdade j.
Really helpful, friendly staff. Pleasant, light space.. and damn, STRONG coffee drinks!
(4)S L.
Wonderful family owned place! They know their customers and their coffee! Easy access to freeway and very comfortable atmosphere! Five stars all the way!
(5)Sabine M.
I discovered this place when it changed owner ship (it used to be Palermo before). It is a breath of fresh air. I had always gotten the cappucinos (which is made to perfection) but today I realized that they make the drip coffee in a special way. Each cup is individually made. So there is not waste of coffee, water, and your coffee is SUPER FRESH! YOu watch it drip fresh into your cup! YUMMY! The service has always been awesome and I believe they have free Wifi! Atmosphere is cool and comfortable! And yes, Coffee is from Intelligensia which is a small LA Based coffee/company. Small company unlike Starbucks that does a poor job at roasting coffee (and making coffee)....
(5)Emily Y.
Amazing! I moved from LA to Venture County about a half a year ago and have been bummed at how few coffee shops there were in the area. Thank you, Element, for drawing me away from what has become my norm: Starbucks! I had a chance to spend about three wonderful hours on a Saturday morning here, and it was so great that I had to write a review immediately. First, the coffee is amazing. I got a mocha based on the rave reviews from other yelpers and decided to throw in some agave to fancy it up. Apparently, agave is a sweetener, and it was everything the barista promised it to be. Double brownie points for the coffee pictures too. I know a bunch of coffee shops do it too, but it really does make me happy every time I take sip and get to look down into my cup at a pretty leaf! Loved the actual shop too. Really large tables, which are going to draw me back to Element (among many other things). There is outdoor seating that is still covered. Hooray for that artsy giraffe at the storefront as well. My favorite find so far in Ventura County!!
(5)Kelly P.
Camarillo's coffee shop! Wonderful selection of fine coffee and friendly service!! Agave lattes are delicious. This is not Starbucks, coffee bean or Pete's by any means.
(5)John L.
Element coffee keeps the essence of the casual excellent superb nature of coffee alive. It won't be quick...it will be great!
(5)T H.
This place is wonderful. if you're looking for a QUICK coffee shop on the go, this place isn't for you, but it's worth the wait. They're a REAL coffee shop.
(5)Erika H.
We only had coffee, so this review is strictly on that. WOOHOO! AS GOOD AS IT GETS!!! The barista was friendly and helpful. The coffee was amazing. The vibe of this little "old town" cafe was casual and mellow. There didn't seem to be a lot of food choices, though.
(5)Melissa W.
I might have just experienced the best mocha I have ever had in my life.... so far... Showed up a little early to my test so i decided to yelp a coffee house near by and glad i did! Element Coffee was my kind of place; from the people to the decor to the perfect little latte flower on top, everything i look for in a coffee shop. When you first walk in you're completely immersed in the comforting smell of coffee. So nice. I didn't know where the register was because no one was standing behind the counter so I kinda lingered. I didn't know what to do, so I took in the people around me. (love me some people watching) Two guys were having a guitar lesson of some sort, and a couple people on the laptops. I might have gotten a little annoyed because no one was there to help me right away, but that was completely dissipated when one of the guys with the guitars got up and got behind the counter. How cool is that! Definitely gave the place a really friendly, close community feeling. The guy, I'm guessing was the owner, was more than willing to help me even though I had a minor freakout; couldn't find my wallet with my ID, which I desperately need to take my test. He took my order: mocha with soy milk in a ceramic cup please! (not going to risk dairy ruining my score!) My order was perfectly frothy and so smooth. Grabbed my coffee and looked for a seat. Plenty of couches and tables inside but I opted for a table outside next to the giraffe statue (pretty cool) and enjoyed my mocha. When I brought my cup back in, the owner wished me luck on my test, (why thank you)! Kind of a perfect way to relax before a pretty important test I'd have to say. Now, to figure out how to bring this place closer....
(5)Kitty S.
BEST Coffee around...I have not stepped foot in a Starbucks in over a year thanks to Mike. Had no idea what real coffee was until Element and let me tell you, it is worth every single penny. I feel completely ashamed of myself for ever sitting in a 20 person line at Starbucks and Coffee Bean for coffee brewed from old, stale, uncultured beans! Ugh. I smh at the line of people I see waiting every time I am at the Oaks. Mike also introduced my husband to the art of pour over brewing - we now have a hand grinder and buy a fresh bag of amazing beans from some far off land every week...it is always something new and I love it. The pastries are great, the atmosphere is great and it is always clean. Bottom line...can't go wrong with this place!
(5)Carly R.
A couple years ago, when I was visiting Camarillo for the first time, my husband's family highly recommended this cafe to me. It's always a good thing to support friendly, local businesses, so my husband and I stopped by. At the time, I was not as educated in espresso as I am today, (and generally I still prefer tea anyway,) so I had some questions about their menu. I asked the barista, (who just so happened to be Mike, the owner) if the macchiato was anything similar to a caramel macchiato. Man oh man, that was the wrong question to ask. Clearly annoyed, he lectured me that, no, their macchiato "wasn't a made-up Starbucks beverage." However, if I wanted something like that, I could get an Agave Latte. On the plus side, the Agave Latte and the cafe itself were (and continue to be) great. element has a noticeable artsy, creative vibe to it. It's generally a pretty cool hang-out spot. The downside is, my first experience with element left me pretty jaded about the venue. It was a whole new level of snarkiness I somehow never experienced up North where coffee snobbery is in no short supply. Nevertheless, my husband and the in-laws are still big fans, so we continue to be customers. As a side note, the lecture I received inspired me to learn more about "authentic" espresso when I returned home from Seattle. So hey, I know what a legitimate macchiato is now. And yes, it is nothing like the Starbucks "made-up" version.
(3)Olivia V.
This place is a gem. My mom works right down the street from these guys and I always make sure I stop here when I'm in the area. Not just delicious lattes but a great friendly and welcoming environment. And I love the little giraffe out front. Great little coffee shop.
(5)H. J.
Hmmm...I love an independent coffee shop, but... I ordered a latte and it was decent. I am, however, giving one star based on the bag of coffee I bought. I asked the proprietor for some suggestions and he gave me a bag of whole bean Costa Rican, locally grown coffee. It was a gift for my father who is a coffee connoisseur. When he opened the bag--the beans were completely dried out. He found a date on the bag and it was over 14 months old. I bought the bag in April of 15 and the roasting date was Feb of 14. Shame on Element for having that on their shelves! Needless to say, I was embarrassed that my gift from Camarillo turned out to be terrible.
(1)Yvonne E.
Best chai latte! A very nice and comfortable coffee shop in the historic district. The barista drew a leaf picture in the foam. So pretty.
(5)Nico A.
Great customer service. The barista was friendly and gave us time to look at the menu without pressuring us to buy anything. The environment was also enjoyable due to the low tempo, laid back feel you look for in a coffee shop. For being so easy to access, there wasn't a lot of commotion and noise coming from outside sources. Furthermore, the smooth taste of the latte and latte art was a nice compliment to an overall enjoyable experience. My new favorite local coffee shop in Camarillo.
(5)Daniel W.
Mike's got a great thing going here. Excellent coffee, cute place and a great location if you're in Old Town Camarillo. I love the selection of available beans and the high quality of preparation that goes into each drink. I've never not found parking nearby and there's almost always somewhere to sit. Wish the pastries were a bit more inspired, but Rolling Pin doughnuts are always welcome. Wish I could come back more as I love supporting this independent.
(4)Nico Z.
Great staff and the place has that hipster vibe. Coffee was awesome but a little expensive. I came here for the free wifi, cozy little joint.
(5)Anna A.
This is my favorite coffee place unless I'm at Demitasse in LA. I always order a chocolate latte, which I've been informed here that its actually a mocha. Even though I was schooled I still like this place. They have these interesting marshmallow looking sculptures on the ceiling, they are really cute. They also have free wifi. I will keep ordering a chocolate latte though.
(4)Douglas P.
The antithesis of Starbucks or the Coffee Bean. A friendly little eclectic coffee house that caters to the low key, young, cool crowd. In Old Town part of Camarillo. Reminds me of a coffeehouse that I used to frequent in Berkeley. The coffee is always freshly made as each cup is individually prepared with freshly ground beans and a pour over. Takes a little time but the coffee is always hot, fresh and tasty. Small selection of pastries and muffins. Nice to see that an independent, locally-owned coffee house can still make it. A really nice change from the big coffee chains. If you're a coffee or tea drinker please give them a try. We need to support independent local businesses like this.
(5)Taylor B.
Good place for an OkCupid first date, where you grab a cup of coffee to make sure the person isn't a nut job. And then you realize their profile picture is 5 years old and that they're not nearly as witty in person as they were in their messages. So you go on your merry way, slightly more depressed about your odds of ever finding anyone to have your babies, but having enjoyed a really delicious cup of coffee. Element Coffee has AMAZING coffee and all the associated fancy drinks. They really put care and quality into each cup. What can I say that everyone else hasn't already? Great coffee, free wifi, a nice place to relax and chat with friends, comfy couches, friendly baristas, cute ambiance. Basically, if you're in Camarillo and you're still going to "Starbucks/Coffee Bean/other chain coffee shop," you should be ashamed of yourself. Support the mom-and-pop local businesses.
(5)Benjamin W.
LOVE this place. Owners are awesome people, and the staff is super friendly. As a self proclaimed coffeeholic and coffee snob, they have some amazing blends and varietals. Whenever I need to host a little get-together, I do it here. Make sure to support this amazing gem of a local business, and enjoy some fantastic coffee and tea while you're at it.
(5)Dri M.
Very good and Original coffee here. You must try their drip coffee it's where they brew it right in front of you and its fresh everytime very strong though. Great employees and loved the ambiance. Good for meeting or just want to get away and read a book somewhere.
(5)Gretchen P.
Super janky but a cute local coffee shop. Somewhere to do homework when the library is closed. Good coffee, but kinda pricey.
(4)Anthony N.
I was at the Outlets shopping and needed a caffeine boost. This place was adorably cute. I really liked the vibe and my latte was a work of art. The cups were also really pretty. The guys behind the counter seemed like chill surfer/band dudes....guys you'd want to be friends with. It was really nice, I just wished they heated the milk before adding it because my drink was a bit lukewarm. I still enjoyed it. Nice place, I'll definitely keep it in mind whenever I'm in the area...Plus sushi planet is down the street. :)
(4)Vaun H.
The best coffee shop in Camarillo bar none. I love this mom and pop joint. The staff are all very knowledgeable and passionate about their coffee and products. Everyone knows the owner Mike, and this coffee shop is definitely a local's favorite. I'd have to say that the coffee is superior to some of the coffee shops I've experienced thus far in the bay and the Sacramento area. I love that they offer pour over coffee and the cappuccino is simply devine. I'm in LOVE with their Costa Rica roast, it's the best coffee I've ever tasted/had. I normally take my coffee with milk but It's so good that I drink it black. I love this coffee so much, that I dream about it all week. For a great place to study and awesome coffee, give Element Coffee a try.
(5)Esmeralda Z.
Great tasting coffee! My favorite is the vanilla latte! Good coffee shop to go study at. Employees aren't that friendly but I give it a 4 stars for the the awesome coffee!
(4)Steve B.
Fantastic coffee at an affordable price. Wish they had a menu, but appreciate the excellent coffee drinks all the same.
(5)Gregory L.
Element Coffee is a specialty coffee shop in Camarillo - an oasis of excellence in the coffee desert north of LA's hipster hangouts. Element is warm, friendly, and a great place to relax. Element serves coffee from third wave roasters Verve, Intelligentsia, and Handsome. With a lineup like this, you know every sip is going to be fantastic. And it is! Each cup is brewed to order and ground fresh. On a budget, you can grab a "Cup of Joe" which is the house choice of the day (still freshly roasted within 2 weeks), or you can choose from the "Offerings" menu if you want a coffee from a particular origin or roaster, prepared with particular attention. If you're not sure what to get, Mike (the owner) and the rest of his staff are extremely knowledgeable. They will be sure to please anyone from the Starbucks convert to the coffee connoisseur. Located in Old Town Camarillo, Element Coffee has a super relaxed, small town vibe to it. There are tables in front on the sidewalk, and a few more in the open air entrance. Just by the front door, there's a large sculpture of a giraffe made out of tile; a colorful and playful tribute to community art. Inside, various artists have hung flying pigs from the ceiling, children's paintings, and photographs of Finland. There are crayons and drawing paper for kids and the artist in all of us. The front wall is all glass, which lets in a lot of light. Floor and walls are painted in warm ocher, tan, and chocolate tones. On weekends, there are occasional live music performances and open mike nights. Bongo drums, guitars, and a keyboard are just inside the front door, encouraging one and all to make some music. Element Coffee plays relaxing music on Pandora; recently, I heard Simon & Garfunkel, Of Monsters and Men, and Iron & Wine on the speakers. The staff at Element is led by the owner, Mike. Besides being able to pour latte art, grind espresso, and steam milk all at the same time, he is also known to jam on the guitars as well. Mike has a ga-jillion years of coffee experience and knows just about everything there is to know about making and serving coffee. The rest of the staff is also very knowledgeable and committed to coffee perfection. They're always friendly, and when the line gets a bit long, they try to take the edge off the wait by telling jokes and chatting with their customers. If you're not feeling like a plain cup of coffee, you're in luck at Element. The espresso, cappuccino, and lattes are all delicious. With summer coming, I recommend the Black & Tan, Mike's signature creation. You just have to try it! The espresso is dialed in daily by experts, and changes regularly. The "Dandy" blend from Handsome Coffee Roasters has a thick silky crema, and tastes of tangy citrus and sweet caramel. The cappuccino is the traditional 8oz. Italian size. Order a "Froth Monster" if you want a bigger one. In that case, though, you should just go with a latte. The cappuccinos are a delicious blend of sweet, densely foamed milk and rich espresso, usually topped with fancy latte art - tulips, hearts, rosettes, and the mythical phoenix. Lattes come in four flavors: plain (unsweetened) agave, vanilla, and mocha. Agave has a caramel flavor. The vanilla and mocha syrups are made from scratch regularly. All three are delicious. Element coffee also has an assortment of loose leaf teas from Bird Pick Tea, so fresh it will make your nostrils tingle, as well as Chai tea. For snacks, there are donuts, delicious muffins and scones, and breakfast cereal. There are at least 30 different kinds from Cap'N Crunch to Lucky Charms, all served in Chinese takeout boxes. Element Coffee does what few cafes are get right at the same time - serve exquisitely prepared specialty coffee and provide a relaxing, fun, neighborhood coffee shop atmosphere.
(5)Eric B.
Providing a good cup with a laid back environment this is a great place but, the service is complete crap and the guy making my vanilla latte wasn't the cleanest person in the world pouring my drink into a jar that seemed to be dirty and old and using his Ipad with no gloves on but definitely a good cup of fresh coffee and good pastry. I also ran into the problem of plug space. If you have ever been in a cafe you know one of the main reason people go there is to work so I grabbed a seat in the corner on the floor and I had a plug but would have liked to have seen more spots with plug spaces. Overall a good place for a cup of coffee and a pastry just get there and get a plug before there aren't any left.
(4)Annie H.
Go here! Very cool place. Interesting aesthetic and quality product. Support your local business!!!
(5)Shannon H.
Honestly the best cup of coffee in the entire world... As Buddy the Elf would say, "Congratulations!!!"
(5)Michelle O.
I came here strictly for the Agave latte, I can't find any other place close by (my favorite place would be Java Station in Santa Barbara, if you are close)... The decor definitely speaks coffee house! They even have tons of cereal for those who missed breakfast. They have a computer for those who need one, I can't say I have seen that in a coffee shop in some time. The staff is attentive, only two were working at the time I went, around 10 on a Saturday morning but they tried to work as fast as they could. They don't have a big menu, not really a menu at all, but they are friendly, so just ask and see if they can cook something up for you. They also have pastries that looked very good. I must say, I will be back!
(4)Ryan A.
Great store good pour over coffee technique!! Would have been a five star if they offered more breakfast options. My go to place for good coffee in Camarillo or Oxnard area
(4)John B.
Worst iced Mocha for a long long time. It tasted somehow artificial and was not even cold. Ill give it one more chance next time with a different coffee.
(1)Linh M.
Agave latte is the best thing on the menu. Strong coffee. Not too sweet. Love the art design on top. There's also a selection of cereal you can chose from and they will serve it to you in a bowl with your choice of regular milk or soy! Love!
(5)Tere L.
Slow pour... Need I say more? The ambience and atmosphere and employees at this place are great. So when you want coffee in Camarillo, and you know you will, this is the place to come!
(5)Jacob S.
Friendly guy made our coffee. Taste isn't too shabby either!! It's the only place open on a lazy Monday evening in Camarillo. Haha
(5)Trevor B.
Fantastic coffee made here for sure! Parking is easy, always can find a spot right out front. Great place to go for quality coffee here in Camarillo, and not at an unreasonable price either. They also have a great selection of teas. The ambiance here is very cool, mellow. Good place for studying. There's usually a few doughnuts and muffins for purchase as well, and from what I've tried, they're absolutely delicious.
(5)Matthew R.
If you LOVE coffee and tired of all those chain coffee shops, try Element Coffee. The atmosphere alone is worth coming in. Comfortable seats, friendly, and just a great place to relax and unwind. The menu is simple and it seems to be at a perfect temperature. Not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing. I tend to drink the coffee faster because im worried that it might get cold quicker. That does not seem to be the case. I drink the coffee quicker because its so delicious and drink every last drip. The barista takes his time making the coffee and designs the cream. Be patient if a lind builds up. Its well worth the wait. Don't take my word for it and come by and try it. You will enjoy coming here and will return time and time again.
(4)Julieanne F.
I work at a coffee shop but would rather spend my money here! Not only is the service wonderful but they have Great pour over coffee, Delicious Foam on your latte and yummy sweets! Chill atmosphere and the outdoor seating is inviting :)
(5)Eric H.
Literally some one of the best coffee I've ever experienced. Just came back from a visit to Portland and I have to say even with all the coffee places up there I really missed the mochas here at Element. They're seriously the best. Get the large one and get it for here so they serve it in a big mug. Looks and tastes amazing.
(5)Caroline K.
Stopped by here on a roadtrip up north and was glad I did. I got an iced mocha and my friend got a vanilla latte. Both were really good and not bitter. Servers that day weren't very friendly, but that was fine with me. I just wanted my coffee to go.
(4)Jessica J.
Recently moved to area from Seattle where I was a barista for the last 3 years. I don't usually write reviews either. I gave them two stars for their coffee. The customer service on the other hand was something I never experienced from any barista. Ever. I was asking questions about the menu to the dirty blonde male barista who seemed agitated that I was even asking anything. Put a smile on your face. You work in customer service.... Also almond milk isn't hard to foam, steam at the top the entire time and let the milk sit.. It will thicken.
(2)Claire W.
I was surprised to see negative comments on the service! Stopped in for the first time today, and was greeted by Mike who was friendly, conversational, and very knowledgeable. My dirty chai was delicious and artfully prepared. The place has great atmosphere and is a great place to spend an hour or two studying or working. I'm really stoked to have found an independent coffee shop in Camarillo.
(5)Lauren T.
Love Element, really good coffee, chill vibes. *Most* of the baristas are extremely nice, but sometimes some of them seem tired or like they can't be bothered no matter how nice you are to them and one time, one of the baristas even skipped over me while asking people what they wanted and didn't apologize. ): Still good coffee though. They close at 8pm now which makes me sad 'cause I could sit in there and drink coffee and get stuff done for houuuuurs. Oh well, as long as I get my vanilla or agave lattes, I'm good.
(4)Tom W.
I discovered Element when the previous owner opened up a shop at CSUCI when we lived in U Glen. When that closed, I started coming here. I have had coffee at some of the best places in L.A., Amsterdam, Chicago and other cities, and got truly spoiled by genuine cappuccinos in Italy. Mike consistently makes the best cappuccinos in the L.A. area. I happily drive more than 20 miles on a Saturday or Sunday morning to enjoy his delicious brew. And if you are there around 9 or 10am on Saturday, you can have fresh home-baked goodies and listen to some of the best classical guitar around. Then follow that up with a drive to PCH and an hour or two at a beach. Downright heavenly. See why I love this place?
(5)Bernie T.
The only place in Ventura county where you can buy a drip coffee, individually made once you order. If coffee is your thing, this is your place to come to. The service is consistently good the folks that work there are very friendly. Once you go there, you will be hooked.
(5)Keegan P.
My favorite coffee place around town, great coffee and a good place to meet others and talk the day away
(5)Ash G.
If there were an option to give this place more stars I'd totally do it. The1st time I visited Element, I fell in love. And confused. Loved loved loveeed the interior and overall vibe, it's so unexpected in old town Camarillo. The reason why I was confused was the menu. I had no idea what I was looking at. Okay, so I'm not a coffee expert by no means, Starbucks ruined that for me. I would just order a iced coffee or a caramel macchiato. Simple. Fast forward to Element, and it was like looking at a Physics book. And I was a history major o.0 Welp I guess I had never stepped foot in a real coffeehouse before. Luckily, Rebecca was there to guide me as I sounded like a complete coffee novice. She recommended the vanilla latte. Let me tell you about this latte...I never tasted a coffee that was THAT smooth (darn you burnt Starbucks!) . That vanilla flavor??? Heaven in my cup. They make it from scratch, which is unheard of at Starbucks and almost anywhere else. I dreamt for days about that latte. I go about once a week, and the latte is still good. And yea, I still dream. I even tried the Black and Tan which is marvelous to look at and taste. The staff rocks. The music rocks. The tea selection rocks. I love that I can come down here for an open mic night and enjoy my vanilla latte with a super cute design. YAY my coffee has designs now!! its the little things that clearly excite me :D My only criticism of Element is the lack of a rewards program, which I'm not sure they have, but if they don't they need one ASAP. We spend about $10 a visit, and it would be great to have that go towards something free. SOMETHING. Even just a spoonful of vanilla syrup. I WOULD SO TAKE THAT OPTION. That's the only thing Starbucks has on here, but other than that my husband and I will continue to support our local business, it's worth the price!
(5)Carolyn S.
If you're the impatient type or in a hurry, don't go here; however, if you LOVE strong, quality coffee, prepared with great care and detail, do yourself a favor and go to Element Coffee. The folks behind the counter are incredibly nice and friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy; breathe in the tantalizing smell of coffee as you wait. (Surprised to read a review that complained it was dirty; maybe that was just a bad day. It's always been clean and neat whenever I've come here.) Curl up with a good book or bring your laptop, and enjoy the finest brew around. My only regret (I hate to say anything even slightly negative, since I love their coffee SO much) is that, at least when I've come here, the food selection is very limited - there's usually just a couple of donuts (and cereal; personally, I'm not a big cereal fan). I wish they would embrace the wonderful world of pastry a bit more; would prefer a quality croissant, muffin or bagel to a donut. That's the only reason I gave them four stars out of five. (I do see other reviews mentioning delicious muffins, etc., so perhaps I've just been there too late in the da and missed out.) Still, it is a minor complaint. Coffee fans - if you live in Camarillo, or are from out of town and heading to the outlets, please stop here and enjoy a delicious cup of java.
(4)Logan M.
If you are a big starbucks frappachino fan, i'm not sure this is the place for you. This is Coffee done right, by professionals. As a former San Franciscan who leeched off the rewards of living in a hipster filled city, I've experienced coffee made the proper way and was really worried i'd never experience that again. The coffee is pour over here and if you're in the mood for a latte or mocha, it's made proper. Not with pounds of sugar masking any flavor of coffee, and wrapped up beautifully with the little leaf or heart found in places where baristas usually know what they're doing.. The atmosphere is very hipster, with an inner city vibe, and filled with very friendly staff. Everyone here seems to know each other on a personal level and the employees are very engaging. If it's slow, you can usually see them hanging out with people that have come in or making experimental coffee concoctions that they're passing out for everyone to try. Want to lounge on a couch outside? Done. Not good enough and want a hammock to snooze in? Done. Want to browse Reddit but don't have your laptop? Done with the webpage already loaded on the computer for you. There's an arts and crafts table for children, musical instruments for what looks like music night, and free wifi. There's your typical food variety of pastries, and danishes. BUT, the desserts i believe are made by one of the ladies that works there. Doesn't get more local then that. If you're feeling healthy, theirs freshly made tuna sandwiches in the fridge and around 15 types of cereal to choose from. This is a place Camarillo, let alone Ventura County NEEDS. With all the Starbucks and Coffee Beans out there, the people living here sadly don't know any better but to assume a latte issupposed to be as sweet as a hot chocolate. It's up to the community to keep this place a float because Element is doing it right with friendly staff, good product, and a hip and fun location. Do yourself a favor and experience what coffee really is.
(5)Sait I.
Try the latte, from Camarillo with art :)
(5)Haley W.
I just visited this place for the first time last week and if we're going off of quality tasting coffee: this place is hands down the best coffee shop around the Conjeo Valley area. great taste, fun latte art, and a chill atmosphere for those of you who love studying away at coffee shops! the decorations are really creative too. I really enjoyed the music selection as well and took note that it wasn't too loud for studying (thank goodness)! They had butcher block paper across the tables like they have at Macorni Grill which I thought was super fun! I doodled away while I sipped on the best mocha I've had in a long time. Try it for yourself!
(5)Trevor R.
I am a severe coffee snob and very picky about how coffee is prepared. This place exceeded all my expectations and treated coffee with the respect and honor it deserves. This place also has a unique charm that is hard to find in coffee shops today. The environment made me feel safe and home.
(5)Tiffany S.
Fantastic coffee!!! My husband and I especially crave the mochas! Please support local businesses.
(5)Paul S.
If not for the proprietor's friendly attitude and personality, this might have been a one-star. Look, I appreciate that you're trying to do some good by giving kids internships. But that could also be interpreted as "you're getting free labor and not very good labor at that." If there were a hell, I'd go to it for saying this: I don't particularly care to have your on-the-job training happening while I'm at the counter. Also, while I was watching a kid pour boiling water like he'd never seen a pitcher or fluid before, two dudes sauntered inside and commenced selling chocolates for their church. Which wouldn't have been so bad, until they asked a middle-aged lady if they could say a prayer with her and SHE SAID YES. At which point we were all treated to a out-loud prayer triangle. When I said to the aforementioned proprietor, "What up with the cult meeting?" he shrugged and said, "They mean well." Let them mean well elsewhere, mon ami.
(2)Ben H.
I had a black coffee. Very very well brewed. Their agave almond milk latte was also unbelievably good. I definitely recommend it. Fast and friendly service as well. I chatted with the barista about what there was to do in the area The atmosphere is cozy AF. Easily a place you could spend hours. I left feeling great
(5)Dan J.
Good coffee, friendly staff, but the owner or manager is a complete douche. Manager came charging out of the back when he heard me request a solo cuban espresso. Similar to sweet tea, sugar is added in with the espresso grinds and results in a smoother sweet shot of espresso. It is one thing to be concerned that it might "damage" the your espresso machine, but don't ever tell your customer that he doesn't know what he is talking about. That's just not good business. His staff apologized profusely for his behavior and made sure I was taken care of. They are the reason I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 1. They pull a decent shot, it's a cool little shop, but if a big loud guy without a lot of hair is running the bar, don't order anything complicated.
(3)Michelle V.
I'm sorry but if I were just rating the coffee I would have given it 5 stars! I come here every year when I visit my Dad in Camarillo. Just about every time I've come here, there's been a cold vibe in server personalities. This time really took the cake and based on other reviews I've read, the owner had better find out who's being rude...hint .... He's male. Because these rude Employees are hurting your business! I've just about had it with the rudeness and think I may go find ok coffee with suitable servers elsewhere.
(3)Rachel H.
Hubby and I stopped in for espresso last weekend and WOW! So good. Latte was perfect. The staff is great - super knowledgeable and friendly. We bought some espresso beans and some coffee beans to take home, and we have since sampled them and both were terrific. Prices are good, and it's a cute little cafe.
(5)Chris O.
Still the best coffee you can get in town, and pretty much anywhere until you get to Santa Monica. They do a pour over, which I highly recommend. It's brewed right in front of you. You can't get fresher. To the person who said it isn't 'kid friendly' anymore -- kids shouldn't drink coffee. Geez. Then again, I did. Actually, go for it. Get your kid some coffee and sit around and enjoy the place. I'm sure they'll love it. Also, I don't much like mixed drinks, but their Vanilla Latte is friggen delicious.
(5)Frances L.
Had a cup of mocha at this coffee shop when we went to Old Town Camarillo for a car show in last May. This place has the best hot yummy Mocha !
(4)Benjamin B.
This unassuming space brews up the most sought-after coffee and tea drinks. From their choice of beans to their milk art (a sign that the baristas have made an investment in their craft), your drink will be second to none. Your espresso will be freshly ground and not made from beans ground earlier that day. Make sure you take the time to experience this place.
(5)Jorge N. D.
It's like having an expresso machine in your living room. Great job!
(4)Arsenio V.
Hands down the freshest, most delicious cup of coffee you will get anywhere in Ventura County! Awesome location with lots of seating, and very friendly staff that are willing to make anything your coffee heart desires! Give them a try next time your having a coffee jones, and you need a fix...
(5)Melissa T.
No longer is this place Palermo... They revamped it inside and took out the gelato and cut down on the tea. So basically all that is served is coffee. I like the new design and layout, it's much more clean and open. I'm actually disappointed in their coffee. It wasn't all that amazing and I am sad they don't offer tea here anymore. Luckily, they still have the comfortable sofas and free wi-fi!!
(3)Art C.
Great coffee house to hangout and do some work. They make a great Cappuccino, it's been awhile since I've gotten one that was done correctly and so well. The inside is nice and cozy, friendly people at the counter. Bathroom is very clean too. I sat outside at their table and there was a plug out there for my laptop. I got a lot of work done in a super comfortable setting. Not too crowded and just a nice environment. I wish there was a bit more space to sit outside, but I had plenty of room. This one is way better than the Palermo in Ventura.
(4)Ken D.
It's almost like going to your grandma's house minus the drama. Coffee is brewed to order and it's a very welcoming environment for outsiders.
(4)Sandra P.
My husband and I found Element through the discount card we bought to support the local high school football team. What a great discovery! We go out for our 7:00 AM coffe date every Sunday morning and really enjoy coming here over Starbucks or Coffee Bean. It's close, local, environmentally aware and I love the tea! (Hubby likes the coffee, but wishes the cups were bigger.) The staff is always friendly, the pastries are good, and it's very clean. Our only complaint is the music. Some of the harder rock and roll and twenty-something rock is just not condusive to a relaxing Sunday morning conversation. It seems many of the customers in the early morning have the same opinion (many being in our baby-boomer age bracket.) We just sit on at the tables by the sidewalk where we can't really hear the music, but I would love the option of sitting inside as the weather cools.
(4)Kyle B.
Great coffee, very friendly staff, and cool atmosphere. The one complaint I have is on more that one occasion my coffee order was forgotten and I ended up waiting much longer than I should have. Not a big deal, but the aforementioned experiences deter me from coming here when I'm in a rush even though I live close. Other than that Element is a really fabulous local hangout.
(4)Deborist B.
Completely addicted, unpretentious Mike being cool as the other side of your pillow with his cool wife and kids...family's good, the coffee knocked my socks off! It is worth ever penny!
(5)pineapple l.
Really cool place with great tasting coffee.
(5)Otis C.
Love it! Intelligentsia beans, every cup fresh brewed (in a Japanese style chemex), no bitter or burnt flavor, friendly service...doesn't get better than this!
(5)Samantha P.
The best coffee I have EVER had! After getting my nonfat latte here I never want to go anywhere else. Perfection is an understatement. The atmosphere coupled with the outstanding service and quality of product is something you should NOT miss out on. Best coffee in Camarillo, hands down.
(5)Veronica G.
Thanks to fellow yelpers, I suggested trying this place to a friend. She had been there earlier in the day and had a vanilla latte and said it was great! For her second round, with me, we had Iced Hibiscus Tea. It was sooo refreshing and brewed perfectly. After getting our tea, we sat outside at their bistro tables and enjoyed the beautiful day sipping our tea. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Chase J.
This is by far one of the better coffee shops in camarillo. I love it - love the barista's - love the coffee.
(5)Dudley G.
Whenever I go down to the outlets i make sure to grab some b-fast from Element. I love the cereal option and I love the coffee. The dudes back there seem a little stiff at times but maybe i just don't translate well enough for them. I did see the guy chuckle when an attractive young lady was buying coffee. All that is irrelavent anyways. the coffee and chai teas are amazing. I love the dark rich flavor and found it better than the big soup box coffee places. It's a great thing to have a local place like this and We have to insure that they remain. I'm not from the area but will continue to give them the business. It's got the cool vibe of all the so-called coffee houses of LA but without all it's pretention. So the next time your passing through Camarillo's Old Town Main Street, make sure to stop on by.
(4)Jeff K.
This is the best coffee I've found yet in Ventura County. I'd say it was the best I've had in California, which would be true, but sounds a bit presumptious. Mike pulls the best latte I've had, and the drip coffee is made fresh to order with freshly roasted coffee from a nearby roaster, and it's not ground till you order. Nobody else that I've been to yet does it this right. Free wi-fi and a cool and comfy atmosphere. What else do you need?
(5)Derek C.
Zach what did you do to this place!!!!! Palermo was awesome the way it was setup. Gelato, desserts, ice mochas etc.....this list went on. Now it is just coffee and that it. Came in a few months ago with my girlfriend who loved the ice blended white choclate mochas. GONE....No More.....No Truffels among other things. I was very dissapointed and there was nothing worthy of ordering for both of us so we ran out. Unreal how a place can change for the worse. Good luck though as Zach is a great guy but would not have taken this plain gutted approach!
(1)Scotty B.
The Best, get the Black and Tan..Cmon! Mike the owner is very cool
(5)Evann G.
**EDIT June 2008 - I wrote this review back when this was a Palermo. Now it's Element, and while I definitely appreciate the fact that everything is fair trade, I must admit that I miss the variety Palermo offered. I don't miss the chairs, though. Those chairs were NOT comfortable. Element's chairs are much better.** This is my favorite place to go in the morning for a hot drink and a pastry. I was SO happy when they opened this location, having been a fan of the Ventura location for years. I've never had coffee here, but I hear it's really good from my friends and family who have had it. I always opt for the chai or the tea, both of which are available in a fabulous variety of flavors. My favorite chai is the Elephant Vanilla, which I think is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy. I like to get it iced. All of the chais that I've tried here are fabulous iced or hot, by the way. I appreciate being able to order any flavor of chai or tea over ice. The tea is really good too, and on summer days my favorite is the Sense of Peace iced. It's a mint tea that's not overpowering -- just the right flavor. I like to add sugar to mine to make it like a sweet tea from the South. Yum... but all of the teas I've tried have been great as well. The pastries are always good. Some favorites are the chocolate chip scones and the tiramisu. And if you go for breakfast, try the breakfast sandwich (sausage, egg, and cheese on an English muffin) -- it's delicious!
(5)Vivian W.
Palermo is a welcome change to the ordinary boorish coffeehouse scene! If I were to use just one word to describe Palermo Coffee, it would be "un-Starbuckish". Located smack dab in sleepy Old Town Camarillo, I'm glad there's a decent coffeehouse that gets up as early as I do. Palermo provides a variety of coffee drinks (hot and cold) and numerous teas. Other than five daily self-dispense coffees, there are a handful of yummy lattes and mochas available. I tried the sugar-free decaf Flamingo chai latte which is quite yummy. The Flamingo is a blend of spiced black tea with smooth vanilla and sweetened with Splenda. Who would ever think a sugar-free latte would be so flavorful and rich. It's a good wake-up drink that left my tummy warm and happy. Palermo also offers many flavors of gelato and many kinds of truffles but it was way too early in the morning for me to sample those! It's difficult to resist but I don't really want to roll into work.
(4)Asya R.
My knitting group has been meeting at Element since it was Palermo. I am not a coffee drinker however their Chai Latte is absolutely the best. The only downfall is the seating arrangement. Recently they rearranged the seating and it is not conducive to group seating. We may have to find a new location. Such a shame.
(4)Joseph L.
Not your typical coffee chain, which is why I like this place. As many have already said, great coffee (both hot and cold), nice friendly staff, cozy setting, and free wifi. First time there, was a little surprised at the limited menu selection, but in the end it didn't matter because my drink was really good. Just wish there were more food options to choose from.
(5)Brian S.
Sorry Element, we wanted to stop in during the Fiesta to get a bite to eat and maybe get some iced tea, but you're not as family friendly as you were before. We walked in about 3 steps and then turned around. Update: After writing this review, the owner, Zach, wrote me a nice message encouraging me to come in and try the teas again. He said that he knew the changes would throw some people off but that a lot of people like how they now concentrate on coffee and tea, taking away the distractions of gelato, sandwiches and the like. It's the gelato that got me in there (it's too bad they took that out) and I did like their teas. I will give them another try. Pretty cool that the owner is monitoring the reviews of his place on Yelp. Instead of Gelato for the kids, they will get warm milk. Just thought everyone would like to know that the owner is a cool guy intent on pleasing his customers. You won't see the owner of Barstucks writing messages to their reviewers asking them to come in and give them another try. I'll bump them up to 3 stars. More stars may come as I get to know them better. I really did like them better how they were before though.
(3)Maggie Y.
First off, I wanted to say that I came out to Palermo Coffee based on the reviews listed here on Yelp.com , and I'm going to start actively checking out other new places based on good reviews here. Palermo Coffee is getting great reviews for a reason. I was very impressed when I came in. It's got a real cozy atmosphere, and I'm looking forward to bringing a book or my laptop there while enjoying a cup of coffee on one of my days off. The staff was really friendly and seemed to enjoy working there. I got a mocha with soy milk and the girl making the drink spent a little extra time making a pretty little design in the foam of my drink. Just that extra little touch was so impressive to me. It's definitely out of my way to stop by there for a daily coffee, but I'll be giving them my business whenever I can, at least spreading the word for sure :)
(5)Michelle C.
industrial free pour french press organic green affordable free wi fi agave latte!
(5)Tya K.
Great espresso from someone who knows his coffee! There are plenty of reviews covering the tasty caffeine coming out of this place, but I just wanted to update that Element has switched from Intelligensia to Verve beans. As a former Chicagoan that was disappointing, but Verve beans are great too. If you ever end up in Santa Cruz, it's worth the time to stop by their shop.
(5)Tiffany I.
great hot chocolate, and cereal! I love kicking back with friends at Element!
(5)Kyle J.
Excellent coffee and a great atmosphere.
(5)Matt L.
Smooth Americano, great atmosphere. Guys behind the counter were super nice. Free wi-fi. I'll come back. Needs to be one up in Thousand Oaks!
(5)Peter K.
Excellent coffee. Each drip cup is manually brewed to order. Cappuccino's are done correctly, with the right amount of espresso to foam ratio and topped off with a bit of latte art. I would go out of my way to come back.
(5)Carl E.
My very favorite espresso shop. I get a cappuccino almost every day, they make them traditionally -- like you should!
(5)Jennifer W.
The coffee tastes great and the staff are very friendly. I do miss the coziness of Palermo, though. Now the store is pretty bare and not as relaxing as before. But that's just aesthetics. I do appreciate Element's concept.
(4)Jaime R.
The ambiance is nothing amazing, but the employees and the coffee make this a destination in sleepy Camarillo. All their syrups, I learned, are house-made. The Vanilla Latte was spectacular and the Cappuccino was as good as other reviewers suggested. Haven't tried the drip yet. Couldn't get the wireless to work, but Windows Vista as installed on this HP laptop seems to HATE 1/4 of Wifi networks. Prices are reasonable, but it is odd that Chai Latte (iced or hot) is the most expensive thing on the menu. Maybe another reviewer can judge whether it's worth it.
(5)Zacharias B.
A good coffee shop, comfortable and with free wifi. The coffee's good (a darn lot better than Starbucks!) but doesn't compare to some of the brews you can get at Pete's. A little bit pricey but then... that's happening everywhere.
(3)Melissa W.
Calling all coffee snobs: Go here. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Keith S.
This place deserves every star it gets. I live in L.A. and frequent Intelligentsia, Urth, etc. but Element beats them all. If you care about coffee and don't care about pretensions, Element is worth a diversion when you're traveling the 101 between LA and points north. I've stopped in here 4 or 5 times. It's never very busy, but the coffee is authentic and prepared one cup at a time at a drip station, by people who know something about coffee. And the pastries are edible. Intelligentsia may have the coffee but they don't have the knowledgeable staff with the time to talk to you.
(5)Christopher L.
They do have gelato at this location and they have truffles. You'll want to see this place because it's so cute. I like their sandwiches and the cinnamon bun muffin.
(5)shar d.
fair trade is good. i wish i really knew the specifics of it all, but regardless, it's generally a good thing. if that wasn't enough to bring you out for a cup of joe here, the guys who run the joint are some of the nicest/friendliest people i've ever experienced. asked for an americano, and then after it had already been made, regretted not getting it iced. the guy told me he doesn't like to just stick ice in the hot americano so he made me an ice americano the right way for free. then my crappy old computer wasn't connecting to their server (FREE WIFI PEOPLE), and their IT guy was doing all of these things to try to help me on. my computer sucks (i've had this problem before) so he just let me borrow his laptop which is allowing me to type this review. i prob won't be coming to camarillo too often so if you live near here or plan to go shopping at the nearby outlets, do yourself a favor and buy some coffee and chill out at this spot. one of my favorite setups in terms of coffee shops. these guys made the inside cool, but not stuffy, relaxed but clean. these guys rock, glad i discovered it.
(5)Christina M.
I had been REALLY wanting to try this place with my husband because I had heard how good it was, but once I ordered my drink and realized the gentleman making it was picking his nose I was immediately thrown off. I took my drink walked outside and threw it away. Total bummer. Maybe I'll try it again in a few years. Two stars for atmosphere love the cozy vibe.
(2)Kyndra Z.
Excellent coffee shop. Love the atmosphere and the simple menu. I usually order a latte because their espresso is so good. The mocha is the best. Ever. If you you haven't tried it, you should go right now.
(5)Katherine S.
Excellent coffee. I enjoyed the almond milk and vanilla latte. Smooth, fluffy, light, and perfectly flavored. Sweet enough, without an unpleasant aftertaste. I will certainly come here again and try something else! Well, maybe. That latte was so good, it will be hard to venture away from it. Oh! And warm up the banana/chocolate/walnut muffin before you eat it. Delicious.
(5)Rachel K.
Far and few places in Ventura county offer latte art in their coffees and I was so pleased when I found one in Camarillo that did! The prices are extremely affordable and worth every penny! Very friendly staff and very nice relaxed environment. Would definitely recommend to others!
(5)Valarie G.
I came here at 2pm today for a pick-me-up. I realize 2pm is not the prime time for a coffee shop but the customer service was seriously lacking. The behind the counter was busy playing some game when I walked in and didn't seem to thrilled to have to stop. When I asked if any single-sourced coffees were available, I just got a blank stare. So I asked if there were any shade-grown coffees available..again a blank stare. Finally I said I'd just have a dark chocolate mocha. Nope, no dark chocolate available he tells me. Nevermind..just give me a mocha. Got it, got in my car, drove off...guess what...taste like a latte - no chocolate in it. Not a mocha. It's a coffee shop, this isn't hard people. Just know coffee, that's it - I'm not asking for much. Just don't make me beat my head against the wall when I ask about the coffee. Don't make me feel like an idiot for asking questions.
(1)Itzik H.
I can't say enough about this place! I absolutely loved coming here. Element coffee is a independent coffee shop with only one or two employees. The owner is really nice & loves talking about coffee. I was so amazed watching the coffee process & he saw that. He took the time to explain the entire brewing process, where the coffee originated, etc.. The environment is very relaxing and chill. You can sit down and really enjoy the coffee. Everyone was so friendly & I sat next to a old man who raced about this place. The shop has also free wifi which is great for students. As for the coffee? It was AMAZING! So the owner always gets his coffee beans from various places, so my coffee originated from Puerto Rico. It was crazy how a simple iced coffee had so much taste & a hint of caramel flavor. One of the first times I didn't feel the need to put sugar in my coffee. Yes, it was that good! If you live around the neighborhood, you have to come and check it out!
(5)Jo M.
Their coffee is great, and I love the foam designs they do. I second the many other reviews that tell you the line is annoyingly unspecified and that the service is slow and often unfriendly. There's no hustle in the way they do things. It's very inconsistent. This is often the problem with local small businesses anywhere--inconsistency in service. Makes it easy to go to Starbucks instead because the differential in coffee quality isn't worth the annoyance. But I like to support local when it makes sense. The counter and behind it also isn't very clean or orderly. They would be wise to start offering larger pastry selection, as they often just have a small donut selection. One thing I give them major props for is the quick pay with Square. That's fast. It's real dirty inside on furniture--I wouldn't sit on any of it or outside as it's not clear if it's all thrift store stuff and when the last time was that it was cleaned. Long story short--if you want best coffee in area and can tolerate mess and chaos and waiting, go here. If speed and service are more your thing, you'll probably like a chain.
(3)Tammy W.
definitely one of the few places where you can get quality coffee in the 805. the place reminds me of a college coffee shop, random artwork on the walls, slightly mismatched furniture, one long bench along the side wall looks like a church pew... the only suburban-y thing about it are the borderline indie/mainstream tenderman jams that they play, e.g. ray la montagne, lumineers, adele, hozier, and maybe the crowd of older, regulars (mostly 40+ working/retired folks that all seem to know each other) that breeze in and out of the shop all day. it's pricier than starbucks - I paid 4$ for my cold brew but it was definitely worth it. the taller 'scruffy' guy was working and I didn't have any issues with service, although, you don't get the cheer-y "good morning" at regular chains, nor lightening fast coffee, but i think that's just good coffee...it ain't like fast food. It was a decent place to study, I like how they don't blast music like sbux, albeit a bit dirty-(read: college cafe) , the bench i sat on had a wet patch and a puddle on the floor, and wiped down the table before i sat down b/c it just looked dirty if ya catch my drift
(4)Nadia B.
Element, as a few reviews have stated before me, is a hit or miss depending on the person behind the counter. The good: I have never had a bad tasting drink at Element. The chai is delicious & the coffee is locally sourced. The bad: The customer service is rough. I have had a few, surprising, good experiences with one or two employees, but for the most part they are rather rude, slow & disinterested. (Especially the tall, slim, scruffy man. He was extremely rude to me on two separate occasions, one of which I was kindly trying to inform him that the hours for the store were wrong on Google). Also, the place is poorly decorated. All in all, element is a good choice if you want to grab some coffee to-go. If you want to sit somewhere with good vibes & good customer service, this is not the place for you.
(3)L R.
My favorite coffee shop/stop in Ventura County! I've tried them all! I live in Ventura and whenever I come in town to Camarillo or even somewhat close, I make sure I make a stop here...whether or not I have had my caffeine fix already. I always get the latte's so that's what my rave is about. I get the soy or almond milk latte and they know how to make a good one here! For the expresso (and coffee's I think), they switch off between 3 brands-Beacon, Goose, and Penny. There is no fixed schedule, just depends on what they run out of or shipment. Goose is my tops. They also do nice foamy designs on top too. The owner is very friendly and nice, which makes this place even better. The other tall man, is just okay though...he could improve his customer service quite a bit, but he knows what he's doing behind the counter so it kind of makes up for it. They also have parking in the back of the shop, just drive around into the alley if there aren't any spots in front.
(5)Jayson R.
Element is in a rather interesting place for me. Despite being a regular here, I can't give this place a 5 star rating. I normally go here after grabbing lunch at one of the numerous nearby restaurants. The drinks here are definitely better than, let's say, chain stores such as Starbucks or Coffee Bean. I hope not being biased or anything against chain stores. Seeing as how I have a Starbucks Gold Card, so..... that means I do go to chain stores haha. The drinks are in the 5 dollar range and are rather tasty. My main gripe against this place is that occasionally, the service is hit or miss. They're normally very friendly here and handle special request very well, but sometimes they'll start working on your order and then forget about it. This has caused me to be late for returning back to work on a handful of occasions. Mishaps like this haven't occurred recently (past 6 months) and I'm glad for that. Customer service appears to be improving over time which makes me glad. If you're looking for a good cup of coffee that is made by the cup, then Element is the place for you. If you're not much of a coffee connoisseur, then I don't think this place will be worth your trip, although you could go here for the ambiance since there is tons of art work that's on the walls. They tend to be pretty. Oh and Element provides paper and crayons if you want to do your own art.
(4)Thea P.
The coffee is delicious BUT there's one thing that really pisses me off about this place & that is the reason for my one star rating. You never know when you'll show up & find this place randomly closed (after going out of your way to make a special stop here, mind you) with a BS note on the door saying "Closed for repairs". So far this has happened to me three times. I honestly think this is just what they do when an employee can't cover the store or something like that. Because unless they're installing a new floor, or something equally as extravagant then why would you need to close the entire shop for "repairs". It's very unprofessional, to say the least. Business hours don't mean anything when you basically can just throw up a "closed" sign any time. This should be the exception, not the norm.
(1)Jennifer M.
Mike and his crew make this place a very special gem in Camarillo. Ohh ... and their coffee's pretty excellent to. (Bring back some live music, please!)
(3)Fong L.
Seeing how well the foam artwork in the orders before mine, I was gravely disappointed I got zippo. Still taste gave them enough for 3 stars.
(3)Chris P.
If you've never been here before, come with the right expectations. It's the best mom and pop coffee shop in town because it's the ONLY mom and pop coffee shop in town. If you see a chubby guy with the glasses behind the counter that is the owner and he is somewhat pleasant. If you see a slender taller guy with a scruffy beard behind the counter, he is a schmuck and won't acknowledge you and is quite slow making drinks - no sense of urgency nor customer service. Also, it's not clear where to form a line to place orders which is only exacerbated by the disinterested staff. I suffer this place because the only in-town alternatives are chain coffee shops. The drinks are actually good. Come here expecting the worst so that your experience can only meet or exceed expectations.
(2)Lisa I.
Awesome little spot in sleepy Camarillo that does pour overs, sells cereal like Honey Nut Cheerios, and has a funky hipster vibe in an another wise quiet city center. We stopped here on our way back up to San Francisco and really enjoyed the hot cup of coffee as we made our way back up north. The pour over was with beans from Redlands, and while it wasn't going to win any awards or stand up to some of the awesome brews of SF, this was surprisingly delicious!
(4)Sarah B.
Amazing coffee! I've never had drip coffee so I went in with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. The gentleman took the time to explain the process and even made suggestions based on what we've had at other coffee shops. He was super friendly and the atmosphere was inviting....I could have sat there all day.
(5)Melissa W.
We arrived with some high expectations from reading other Yelp reviews. The wait was really long since only two others were in line and the line wraps uncomfortably. The coffee tasted and looked good. We enjoyed the tables with the paper for drawing. Others had spoken poorly about the owner, but he was super nice and struck up a conversation with us. I wish it had some boutique items for purchase and a better layout since it was arranged very well. It clearly is designed for the University students but since it was summer, it was all local clientelle. I doubt we will make the effort to go back when in the area even though the quaint downtown Camarillo location would be enticing. I hope if we do, that it takes some tips from other cute, local coffee shops to improve the atmosphere and shopping experience.
(3)Nikr J.
Hands down the best place to get coffee in Camarillo. They brew quality fair trade coffees and make their own syrup from scratch. The vanilla iced latte is hands down the best thing on the menu. They also have a fun selection of cereals to satisfy your breakfast needs. This place is popular with the CSUCI students, and it's easy to see why, great place to get some work done or relax and read a book.
(5)Dave F.
I love the independent coffee shops. Especially when the owner is generally there and has a passion for perfect shots. He mixes this with a fun and artsy ambiance that you'd expect to find in Siverlake or Portland v Camarillo. Element Coffee remains a great source for unique whole bean small roasters whom Mike finds and brings to market. He was early to market with several which have been acquired by huge roasters making me think he has the "eye". Mike's pastries and doughnut section never fail to disappoint. The giraffe rocks!
(5)Aren A.
I now frequently go to Element. That's saying a lot.
(5)Andrew R.
Excellent coffee. However I sometimes find the staff a bit standoffish. Element has that "local coffee shop vibe" that many coffee connoisseurs really like. I'd say their espresso is one of the best in town. Try the agave latte, it made me a believer in agave that's for sure! All that said, this coffee shop has a little bit of a "snobby" vibe to it at times - not all the time, just every once in awhile. And that's the four star review: I love the coffee, but I would hang out somewhere else.
(4)Zach B.
Great service and great coffee. I was welcomed like family upon entering and had a nice chat with the Barista. Friendly environment and pretty cozy place. The barista even showed me the type of coffee that was selected for me and when they roasted, integrity and pride in their work. I really enjoyed it!
(5)Raymond R.
I think the quaint atmosphere was the only thing I enjoyed...it was like a set left over from Portlandia, complete with douchebag character as barista. Upon entry, there was a giant line and 1 barista with a cold, emotionless look about him. I thought hipsters were supposed to be happy; or at least emotional? With no "Hello" or "Please take a look at our menu, I will be right with you," my friend and I didn't even know we were actually in the line waiting for drinks...NOT the order line! And what's more? The d bag barista wasn't the one that let us know, one of the customers waiting for their order notified us. After finally stepping over to the menu side and still getting no interaction from the barista, I decided it wasn't worth the wait to give these people my money. As much as I was looking forward to supporting local business, I strongly feel they need new employees or I would not be too disappointed to see them go out of business. Customer service is everything! What's more? After handling some business in Camarillo, we ended up going back just because I was that set on being supportive and giving this place a shot. The barista still had no personality...and the coffee was terrible. I got an espresso with creme and fennel and it was awful; but I drank it all because I never waste coffee. However, even the standard latte my friend got was disgusting. This is coming from someone who drinks coffee all over, and has done tastings...not just an every day Starbucks or Coffee Bean corporate coffee fanatic. 0 for 2. I would never go back. -Rayce #TheLifestyleNotTheLabel
(1)Kay-Cee J.
Literally the worst service I've ever had from a barista. Being a barista myself from Washington state, I went in and asked if they carried white coffee (apparently Washington is the only place that knows of it), and the barista immediately started laughing at me and treating me like I was an idiot because HE didn't know white coffee was a real thing. Look it up. It's real. And being from out of state I didn't realize that they only carried 3 flavors. So, when I asked for white chocolate in my americano, the barista started belittling me again and told me he was giving me agave instead because I'd like it if I enjoyed white chocolate. Which I gave a chance, I'm always open to new things in the coffee world. When I took my first sip I nearly gagged. The flavors did not complement each other at all like the barista said they would. Super disappointing. I'm moving to Camarillo in a week and I can safely say I am never going back. Take your lack of knowledge and your stupid agave somewhere else. Ain't nobody got time for that.
(1)Daniela C.
Random find on my way to a work presentation. The soy chai latte was perfection! Highly recommend!
(5)Bikut E.
This place is great I love it. They have a lot of selections and it's a pretty cool environment to walk into. I noticed they had a lot of reviews so I had to check them out and I wasn't disappointed prices are little bit more than coffee Bean but it's a lot closer to my store and it's easy for me to get to. Check this place out spend some time there !
(5)Antoinette A.
Definitely never going back there unfortunately. I'm not sure if this coffee shop is owned by new owners but I'm honestly surprised to see how many stars are on a lot of their reviews. The coffee house itself is incredibly dirty and unsanitary. you walk in and their front and clothes entry is scattered with cobwebs, all of the tables have coffee spilled all over them and the floor looks like it has not been cleaned in years. When you walk through the doors there are couches and chairs that are also very stained and dirty. I walked up to the counter to order a regular latte and an iced latte, as I stood there and waited I noticed quite a few things that nearly made me walk out without my coffee. There was trash scattered throughout the back bar and spilled coffee underneath the espresso machine. It looked like somebody had opened a bag of coffee grounds and literally through it like confetti over the countertops. Their bakery box full of my friends had fingerprints and rings of coffee all over it, another item that was definitely not cleaned regularly. Once I got my latte I watched him make the iced latte. He resent your refrigerator to get out a pitcher of cold, stale espresso. I was honestly taken aback. Being that I was with a client, I was incredibly horrified. with the first sip you could taste the old, bitter, stale flavor of the espresso in both the warm and cold latte. Needless to say we threw them both out and went to Starbucks. I normally do not leave bad reviews and I have to say I was very unimpressed by not only the presentation of the coffee house but the staff, the cleanliness, not to mention the flavor or lack there of in their product.
(1)Amy M.
So bummed. I loved, loved, loved Element. Life had kept me away for a few months & something horrible seemed to have happened in that time. I'm guessing there was a change of ownership. The place was grimy, service was atrocious - I honestly almost walked out I waited so long to be acknowledged & my coffee was horrible. Way too fruity w/ no depth whatsoever. The daily selections were gone & I always looked forward to those. I won't be back, unfortunately. Such a shame. Element was really one of the few special & unique things about Camarillo.
(1)Andrea M.
Stopped here on the way back from Santa Barbara. They use local roasters, the Beacon espresso was great! The barista was just testing it at 25 second pull (the toaster recommendation) and asked our opinion. We actually liked it. I would be curious to try it pulled just a tad bit shorter, but I liked how it came out as is. I would be back for my con panna, and the boyfriend really liked his macchiato. Bookmarked!
(5)Kate O.
My friend called it "the perfect latte" and my Colombian coffee was so good. The barista even described the notes of the coffee. I wish I lived closer so I could come back more often but I'll make it my post-outlets spot!
(5)Erica F.
Great place for coffee! This place has some unique decorations. For example, they have a decorative giraffe at the door for attraction! The staff are friendly. I ordered latte. It tasted rich, and exactly the way I wanted!!! Also, it came with a double heart latte art!!! I have never seen a double heart latte art!!! To make it simple, I love my coffee and will stop by again if I am in the area!!!
(5)J K.
5 stars for the coffee. Amazing coffee. I really love the wet cappuccinos or lattes. Not in the over-roasted starbucks style. If this place would get some great baked goods and fresh sandwiches or breakfast sandwiches I would be here at least three times a week. Baked goods here are currently a 3.5-4 star . They currently have donuts, and a limited selection of muffins and sweets, which are actually pretty good. There is also a selection of cereal. This seems to be a pretty popular site with CSUCI crowd, and christians too, I think. I was surprised once to be sitting next to a prayer circle while reading the LA Times, but I figured hey-each to their own-and maybe some of the blessings would drift in my direction. There is usually interesting art on the walls, which I enjoy. Especially some laser carved burl woods. Also you can sketch on the paper table cloths which is pretty cool. If you are in a super hurry, this is not the place for you during the morning rush. The pour overs and espresso take a little time, so don't be surprised if you have to wait up to 5 minutes. Mike the owner, Greg and Theresa the baristas are all solid and have a good memory for preferred drinks.
(5)Gloria P.
Great customer service by the nice lady working this morning. Very friendly and made me feel welcome. I walked in she was talking with another customer but made an effort to look my way and say hello and good morning. The best customer service I have received here. My agave latte was delicious. I am always happy with my coffee drinks here. Very cute and comfy location. Lots of local friendly regulars come here for coffee.
(5)John F.
Element Coffee is a find! I travel a decent amount and I'm always searching for solid coffee places in various cities. It's a good way to make work travel a little more fun. The owner is extremely friendly and definitely a coffee connoisseur. We chatted for a bit while he did my pour over, and he knew most of my coffee spots in other cities. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a good cup.
(5)Ana L.
Good mocha. Cool atmosphere. HORRIBLY SAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. The barista had the personality of a tennis ball. We were courteous and knew what we wanted. We even thanked him and he wouldn't even answer back. People like this is what kill businesses.
(3)KERI H.
It was a little slow but it was because the owner was spending lots of time taking care of each of our orders. Coffee was great nevertheless. Will go back.
(4)Sparklee O.
You won't be disappointed. My go to place. Beats the big name companies by far. Friendly service every time and all the baristas have great memories. It may take a little longer to get your drink, but it's well worth it!!!!!
(5)Arax K.
Element's coffee is as good as it gets! Yes, that's true! Mike and Gregory are great! I discovered this place a few months ago and can't wait for that once a week I travel from Woodland Hills to have my cappuccino. Their coffees are made to go down smooth! I have tried their brewed coffees and they are just as good! My friend and I are sticking to Element! Thanks guys
(5)Ernest M.
Cool atmosphere, cool signs to look at while you are waiting for your coffee. In the front you can initial your name on the front. I remember in the bathroom where all types of coffee around the world they derive from. From Colombia, to Asia to South America. I had their ice latte with almond milk and it was eh. It was a quick stop on the way home from a church retreat. It wasn't covered in sugar or any sweeteners so it was just the coffee. I would like to give this place another shot if it wasn't so far.
(3)Jerry M.
So wanted a great americano, had high hopes, but was bitterly disappointed. Wife an I stopped in based on the high rating on Yelp. We both ordered an ameriano, but when we got it, yikes, had that 3 hour on a hot plate taste. Unfortunately just as we realized that these were un-drinkable hordes of blended drink customers flooded the the barista and there was no getting his attention. $7 down the drain and worse no afternoon caffeine fix. Late Sunday afternoon, come on, time to back flush and clean the portafilter or whatever, I'm just the fool that got un-drinkable java at a 4.5 star coffee joint. 2 stars cuz nobody will believe only one.
(2)Greg L.
I love this place. The folks are great and the coffee is outstanding. This coffee is far above the chains out there. I highly recommend the Latte....it's simple and superb. Keep these folks brewing!
(4)Jim T.
Really love this coffee shop so much! Every time I come my lattes are perfect. The vibe and atmosphere is really nice and welcoming. The only thing that I don't like so much is that they close at 8pm. I would love to stay and drink more coffee while I'm doing my homework but they close to early. Definitely get your coffee here!
(4)Sheena T.
Place may be a great place to hang out with friends or study with great drinks but customer service is horrible. The man who worked there today on 5/14/15 at around 5 was not pleasant at all. There was no greeting or a smile. Just a very sour, annoyed look. Makes me not want to come back to this place.
(2)S B.
This place has excellent iced tea, but very poor service. The staff pay more attention to the people they are familiar with than the the person who was there for 10minutes prior. Unfortunately I will not return. First time, no big deal but second and third time, not okay.
(2)Lauren R.
This is really a place for experienced coffee drinkers only. The barista was kind, but completely forgot about our order. The cappuccino had a pretty design on it, and my iced coffee was decent. We had fun playing card games and listening to the music. Cool atmosphere, but it was kind of a bummer since it was empty and the barista forgot about our order.
(3)Eden A.
I'm a student at Channel Islands. Yesterday was my last final and I have gone home for the summer. The single thing that I will miss most...is your PERFECT Chai Latte! I don't know if I can wait until August for your Chai Latte! The best thing is my off campus apartment is only 2 blocks away! Until then.....I mourn....
(5)Eileen L.
We came here because of the great reviews. What a wonderful place in downtown Camarillo! Great soy latte. Wonderful vibe.
(5)Sam F.
Extremely bad experience last Saturday morning. Brought 6 retired friends who meet every Saturday morning at a coffee shop. We wanted a better place, given our historical place had changed management, and no longer provided good service. The staff at Elements was atrocious! The tall manager grilled one of our friends about having been served cold coffee - even asking to feel the cup to see if she was telling the truth! Then, one order was incorrect, which seemed to require an act of Congress to rectify. The last straw, however, was when one of the female baristas commented when my friend put change from her purchase in her purse: "Oh, that's a new place to put tip money!" Seriously?
(1)Amanda S.
Best coffee house in town. I love the ambience and chill vibe. Delicious pastries and amazing coffee drinks.
(5)Alice K.
Cozy, artsy vibe. Friendly staff. Small corner to make yourself comfortable with nice cup of joe. Of course if its not packed with students,artists etc you can enjoy peace. p.s blazing fast Wii-Fi!
(4)David C.
As the Batista there, Billy says, he tries to make each drink better than his last and he's not hesitant to toss out a bad drink....it really shows. Great latte and chai latte. The cafe also has a 40down/20up internet connection.
(5)ElizaDan M.
I spent a week in Camarillo visiting some family. I was woking on a project and needed somewhere to knock it out. This place was great for that. Very good java. Takes some time to make REAL coffee. Don't come if you're in a rush. But if you take coffee seriously like Element, this is the place for you.
(5)Ken A.
A 4 shot latte in a 12oz cup is a beautiful thing at Element Coffee. Every time I travel through Camarillo(2-3 times a year), I make the elemental stop for a 4x12. I have never been a Barista, nor have I lived in Seattle, but I have been drinking coffee for longer than some of the negative reviewers have been alive. I appreciate the fact that sometimes the server is quiet and I respect the quality of the product. I have never had anything but positive experiences there and a latte which has lately been the best part of my day. I will continue to go to Element Coffee.
(5)Jesse A.
Best coffee in Camarillo/Oxnard area. Great place to meet with plenty of tables, quiet space, wifi, good service and top notch espresso and drip coffee.
(5)Caitlin D.
LOVE this place! I stumbled upon it by accident, but keep coming back on purpose. Amazing coffee, great people, cool vibes.
(5)Tiffany C.
Love this place! Pour over coffee, latte art, homemade treats... what's not to love?
(5)Tam M.
Why haven't I been here before? Might as well turn in my coffee-lover badge. Element Coffee was recommended to me by a non-coffee drinking girl (ouch), who lives an hour from Camarillo (double ouch). -2 points to personal pride and coffee cred. The menu is focused around your standard mocha, espresso, cafe au lait, latte, macchiato, cappuccino, and just regular brew. Offered in two sizes. Unlike Starbucks, you can speak Amurikan and they'll hand you the correct cup full of living-giving goodness. + 1 for Element Coffee I got a Mocha and chocolate biscotti to get me through that awkward period around 4:30pm when you're not quite hungry enough for dinner, but definitely grumpy about low blood sugar. Biscotti was just enough to hold the wolves of hunger at bay, and surprisingly easy to chew. I'm used to a biscotti so dry you've got to dunk it in hot coffee just to weaken the outer crust enough to chew. Another + 1 for Element Coffee over Starbucks. Mocha was perfect with no need for added sugar or anything. Very smooth all the way through. That's my biggest complaint with Starbucks Mocha, they don't blend it well and you get uneven and gritty cocoa distribution. Element Coffee does it right. Standard free wi-fi, chill couches and music. Pastry selection is limited, and they don't offer a lot of juices or other stuff outside of coffee/tea. Probably a good thing, do a few things, do them well. Element Coffee does have an extensive selection of cereals however. I counted 27 unique boxes including Trix, Kashi, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Rice Crispies, and Honey Bunches of Oats. Your morning sugar and carb fix can be had here.
(5)Maxwell M.
Best coffee in Ventura County. Verve, Intelligentsia, Handsome and Ritual. All done well. My usual order is an espresso, but sometimes I'll get a cappuccino or a macchiato. Espresso is always solid. I've had one excellent shot, many good shots, and no bad ones. Milk temperature is an odd thing. Sometimes so hot it'll scald your tongue, other times just perfect. I like mine on the cooler side, since I like to be able to drink it sooner than later. I stay to drink all of my beverages. If I'm in a hurry, I just order a smaller drink and drink it faster. The aesthetics of Element are a bit disheveled. It's definitely just a coffee shop run by a super nice guy who really likes coffee- the coffee is five stars, the environment is 2. But that's cool. I'd rather have awesome coffee than a cool environment with bad coffee. Mike, the owner, is suuuuuper nice too. Most of the baristas are fantastically amazing as well. Zach and Andrew do awesome "Coffee Flight Fridays" which are fantastic. You should do one. Love Element. It's my hideaway while I'm not in Seattle. Cherish this place.
(4)Kay D.
Stopped by here on my walking cruise through old town Camarillo...such a cute town, such a cute coffee shop. I could see myself setting up shop here while sipping their latest brew. On this particular visit, I simply got iced tea...and iced tea there was! I love when coffee shops pay just as much attention to their tea drinking patrons as their coffee lovers...they do that with pizazz here. You can order any tea off their fairly expansive tea list as an iced tea...I had some herbal forest berry tea something or other; it was delicious and perfect. My husband went for an iced mocha, and this wasn't quite as perfect. I'm fairly certain they made it from real coffee, but I suspect they use a powdered mocha mix for the flavor (not confirmed), since that is what it tasted like. It was decent enough, but I wouldn't order it myself in the future. The decor and the bright orange walls make the ambiance here a win. I would love to come back and hang out on the couches or on the patio!
(4)Rich G.
Great coffee the guys was very helpful..it's a great place in Camarillo and great environment...will go again soon..
(5)Leah A.
My husband and I come here every time we come down from the OC. Always pleasantly surprised with their selection of creamy, rich and vibrant espresso. Different from those franchised cafes (Starbucks, CBTL) you see on every street corner. Coming out of this cafe, you will better appreciate the true taste of espresso, espresso w/ milk all without the unnecessary sugar and powder concoctions. If it's your first time there, they don't have a big complicated menu-- it's espresso and coffee at its simplest. Ask about their techniques and their drinks as the staff are very knowledgeable about their selection of beans. Personal fave: light agave latte on the rocks or hot. Awesome service! We love this little gem!
(5)Angelique L.
Element is an artisan coffee shop. Every cup of coffee is made with coffee ground and brewed just for that cup. It's strong but not bitter at all, just full of flavor. The espresso -- and all of the espresso drinks -- are the best. I've never added sugar because they're so good as they are. And they're always hot. The beans they use are locally roasted and are fresh. There's an expiration date on coffee just like any produce! They also serve iced drinks, tea, donuts (from Camarillo's own Rolling Pin) and every kind of cereal you can think of. It's a fun little hangout, writer and kid friendly, and if you come often, you'll see that it's full of regulars. Mike, the owner, remembers your name and/or your drink and will make it to perfection every time. He makes each drink as you order so you'll have to wait your turn. This is a small operation but well worth it. Parking out front and in the back (through the alley). Outdoor and indoor seating. Tables and couches. Get your drink on!
(5)Mike B.
One of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. Just stopped in on my way home from SB for a Cup'O'Joe and left elated by the quality of the brew. Beans ground before my eyes, hot water poured over directly into my cup. Straight to the lips. Black and delicious. Smiles all around.
(5)Carolyn P.
I have been here twice this summer, as it was introduced to me by a friend when we needed a place to study for our summer classes. Here's my opinion: Ambience- 3/5. It fits the standard formula of "indie" coffee houses, with minimalist local art and quirky posters. It's sort of intimidating as there is no distinct marker of "order here" at the counter, and you have to guess as to who is working there. Service: 5/5. That being said, both times I have gone in, I have had GREAT customer service. There's something to be said about that. No snobbery, no weird "holier than thou" coffee attitude, just pleasantness and hearty recommendations about what treat tastes the best. (Spoiler Alert: they all do.) Coffee: 4/5. Now, the dark roast is delicious. I have no idea what exactly it is or where it came from, but good lord, I want it on an IV drip. The lattes are what I'm on the fence about. I got a chai latte each time I was there, and they varied greatly in taste. The first one: heaven! The one I got last Thursday, not so much. Chai lattes are my go-to, so the fact that it has been hit-and-miss is a little bothersome. Especially when this place has great reviews and my drinks are $5. All in all, a solid 4/5. Will def go back with school mates for study sessions, or grab a quick cup when I'm heading out of town.
(4)Natasha X.
We stopped here after shopping at the outlets. It's a cute coffee shop, but the guy working was pretty unfriendly. I tried to be nice, but it didn't help. Maybe he was having a bad day?! The coffee was okay tasting, but I've had much better. The bathroom had no soap or toilet paper.
(2)Jennifer W.
This place is adorable! Oh and the coffee is good too! Definitely a unique little spot that I was excited to discover on a recent trip to Camarillo. Each of the tables inside is covered with white paper so that people can sit and draw if they'd like - neato! I was a bit confused, at first, about the ordering process and even stood in the wrong spot for 5 minutes without being re-directed but realized something was wrong when other people were getting to order before me. Its an order first, pay for your drink when you get it type of deal. So, once I got in the right line, I ordered an iced soy vanilla latte and loved it. The baristas were super friendly and even cracked a few jokes. Art studio, comedy show, coffee house, done!
(5)Bain L.
BEST Americano EVER, I'm from the bay area and have access to some great coffee but this place tops the all, what an amazing find! CSUCI parents
(5)Lorrie M.
Thank you Yelp for helping me locate this cute, quaint little coffee joint with an unusual parking lot in the rear. I was totally not expecting this place as we headed down some confusing roads in Camarillo before paying a visit to the outlets. We ended up entering through the back door and finally figured out where the front door was after we had driven up and down the street a few times. Regardless! The coffee here was phenomenal, they use Verve coffee roasters which is awesome and delicious, and they brew several other types of "not-your-average-Starbucks-bitter-roast" coffees and make a killer espresso. The location was cute, wifi was readily available and lots of areas to lounge, sit, even do work. Highly recommended for some of the best coffee I've had!
(5)Lolia S.
Laptop camper here. I really liked my latte but the food options are seriously limited (no bagels, no sandwiches). They put my cereal in a paper Chinese takeout container. The pastries didn't look that appetizing (huge muffins, donuts, scones, croissants, cake, cookies). However, they do seem to take their coffee (from Verve of Santa Cruz, CA) seriously. The parking is so easy (all day, free) and there's free wi-fi, ample power outlets and a restroom. The place is comfortable, like being at your bachelor friend's apartment. There's a keyboard in the room, photos on the wall and earthy brown colors. It's a little messy. * Latte: one of the better lattes I've had in this area, rich, clean and smooth You know you love me. X0 X0, laptop camper.
(4)Charlie L.
This place has an awesome no stress vibe and delicious beverages. Great people to chat with if you into that. It will be my go to place when I move to Camarillo in the next few weeks. I work remotely full time and 'get away from the walls' once or twice a week. Element is great place to go catch up on the tsumani of email and have a great coffee.
(4)Susan J.
I grew up in Oxnard and go up and see my dad now and then. Until I found out about this place, didn't know there was anywhere around there that knew how to really make coffee. So 3 cheers for Element. They don't roast their own, but make use of three good Roasters and know what they are selling, so that's good
(4)Jessica S.
I live right down the street and for 2 years never noticed the place... I finally went in and I love the environment and the barista is awesome, I think his name is Billy! They don't have a huge menu but seems like they are pretty good at the small menu they do have. I will be back.
(5)Mike D.
Great coffee and atmosphere! I recommend the Blue Agave which was recommended by a friend of mine! It has a comfortable sitting area in the front of the shop and the Giraffe you can't miss!!
(4)Leo G.
This place has the best coffee. They actually drip brew each cup individually. The lattes are awesome. I always stop here if I am in Camarillo.
(5)Diana W.
I like it! No chain-schmain here. Just cool people who make a mean brew. (I like mine mean, but in the best way) I don't know the brand or roast of bean they use, but it's good stuff! Thanks!
(4)Tammy H.
My first professional almond milk latte ever!! What an amazing find :) Great service and the most authentic chai for my picky brother. I will return every time I am in town!
(5)John V.
Element coffee is a great coffee house in an unlikely place in Cali. The owner Mike is super knowledeable and definitely a coffee pro...more than I can say for the other coffee shops I've visited in Ventura. Coffee -element features a pour-over bar, espresso from different spots like intelligentsia and verve, and an owner that is passionate about great coffee. Ambiance - what a cool spot to chill, get a proper coffee, and located in a seemingly nice shopping area in Camarillo. The vibe is clean and simple, cool art, and family and business friendly. There is also some music equipment there..not sure if you can just roll up and jam or they have live music..but cool. Also has some outdoor seating, and overall, I like the shop. Support local coffee shops...trust me these guys care about your coffee experience!
(5)Nancy C.
Definitely better than Starbucks. It's a quaint, hipster-friendly place in Old Town Camarillo with really good coffee. Honestly, everything there is good, and if you don't really know what you're ordering or what things are, nobody will judge you. The iced chais are perfect. If you live on that side of town or are shopping at the Outlets and need a coffee fix, go here!
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