Del Mar’s coastal community has a special gathering spot where coffee lovers and wine enthusiasts come together at Little Joy Coffee Bar. Located just steps from the ocean on Camino Del Mar, this welcoming establishment combines exceptional beverages with genuine hospitality. Whether you’re a resident starting your morning or a beach visitor looking for refreshment, Little Joy has become a cornerstone of the neighborhood since 2019.
Little Joy Coffee Bar welcomes visitors daily from 7:30am to 2pm (closed Mondays) with carefully crafted espresso drinks, teas, and light pastries. The sunny brick patio features comfortable bench seating where guests can sip their beverages while enjoying ocean breezes and Del Mar’s beautiful weather. The coffee bar serves the fresh Hummingbird blend from local roasting partner Zumbar, ensuring quality in every cup. It’s become a natural meeting point for locals starting their day, friends connecting before beach adventures, or neighbors crossing paths during daily routines.
The coffee bar’s front patio creates the perfect setting for building community connections. Here, customers can relax with their drinks while watching the village come to life. The casual, welcoming atmosphere encourages conversation between strangers and friends alike. Baristas take care with each drink preparation, whether you’re ordering a simple drip coffee or a more complex espresso creation. The combination of quality beverages, friendly service, and a prime location has made Little Joy a beloved fixture in Del Mar’s coastal landscape for both residents and visitors seeking a moment of connection.
Behind the coffee bar lies a delightful discovery – Little Joy’s boutique wine shop and tasting room. Open Friday evenings from 4-7pm and weekends from 12-5pm, this space invites visitors through a breezeway toward the ocean to the back unit of the historic building. Inside, wine lovers find carefully selected bottles from around the world, representing diverse styles and regions. The shop creates an intimate experience where guests can browse while enjoying ocean views, making it both a retail destination and a tasting destination.
The wine shop experience centers around exploration and education. Visitors can enjoy three-wine tasting flights each week, allowing them to sample before purchasing and discover new favorites under knowledgeable guidance. The selection spans from approachable everyday options to special occasion bottles, with staff providing personalized recommendations based on customers’ preferences and needs. Whether you’re seeking something for a casual gathering, dinner party, or special gift, the Little Joy team offers expert assistance without pretension. During the week, coffee bar patrons can also purchase bottles displayed up front or request specific wines from the back shop.
Little Joy’s wine program extends far beyond bottle sales with services designed for enthusiasts at every level. Their monthly wine club subscription introduces members to two carefully selected bottles each month, creating an ongoing journey of discovery. For those seeking deeper wine knowledge, the shop hosts educational workshops on the last Sunday of each month, focusing on palate development and wine appreciation. These sessions help participants understand the nuances of different styles, grapes, and regions in an approachable format that builds confidence and enhances enjoyment.
The wine shop also offers specialized services for collectors and event planners. Private tasting parties for 8-10 guests provide personalized experiences around themes like regional explorations or varietal comparisons, with optional local cheese pairings to complement the selections. For those hosting larger gatherings, Little Joy provides event consulting to help select appropriate quantities and styles within budget constraints. Wine collection consulting rounds out their services, helping serious enthusiasts diversify their home selections for various occasions. This approach ensures that whether you’re a casual wine drinker or dedicated collector, Little Joy can enhance your wine journey with personalized guidance.
The story of Little Joy begins with owners Cat and Drew, a husband and wife team whose complementary backgrounds perfectly prepared them for their current venture. Drew’s path began in education, where he studied international relations and European history before developing a passion for craft coffee while working at Zumbar Coffee & Tea. Cat brought extensive wine industry experience, having worked in various roles, from wine bars to distribution, and earned impressive certifications, including the French Wine Scholar and Certified Specialist of Wine. Their chance meeting at Moonlight Beach in 2018 united two people with shared appreciation for quality beverages and community connection.
In 2019, the couple seized the opportunity to purchase a coffee cart in Del Mar, fulfilling Drew’s dream of owning a coffee establishment while allowing Cat to contribute her wine expertise on weekends. After five successful years operating their cart, they were invited to expand into a space across the street with two adjacent units – the perfect setup to combine both their passions. This evolution from cart to established venue allowed them to create the dual-concept business they run today, bringing together coffee and wine enthusiasts in a friendly setting with ocean views. Their mission remains consistent: to create moments of joy through high-quality beverages and genuine hospitality in a space where locals and visitors alike can connect.
Have you visited Little Joy Coffee Bar in Del Mar? Share your favorite coffee drink or wine discovery in the comments below! Follow their latest offerings and events on Instagram at @littlejoycoffee.
