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Headlands Coffeehouse
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Nightlife Coffee & Tea, Restaurants, Nightlife [Edit]
120 E Laurel StFort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 964-1987
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Music:
- Live
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Headlands Coffeehouse
Review Highlights
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"...Bragg institution, with live music every night and a really..." In 3 reviews -
"...liked my latte and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie I got." In 3 reviews -
"The Belgian waffles make a great breakfast for two." In 3 reviews
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Hans H.
Sacramento, CA
Hometown comfort. This place is just what I needed after having to drink the nasty hotel coffee. My brother and I got Lattes and chatted it up on a Sunday morning. There is pleanty of seating and the place is bright from all the windows.
I collect coffee mugs so I asked the barista make my latte in the coffee mug, which she did with a smile.
Headlands has about 20 different brews available to drink and purchase. I took my friend, who stayed back at the hotel, a large organanic roast. He said it was the best black coffee he's had in a long time, maybe ever.
It'd be cool to come here at night cause they have live music.
One recommendation: the hours. They open @ 7, but it'd be nice if they opened @ 6-- which might be difficult being in the small town of Fort Bragg.
Headlands Coffehouse is a must stop for anyone staying/ driving through Fort Bragg! -
Review from Ed U.
If you can avoid the big tour groups that tend to come here in herds, this place is a really pleasant hang-out for the rest of us just looking to nurse a cup of joe on a breezy-chill afternoon (see photo). It's like any coffeehouse in Anywhere, U.S.A., but it really fits perfectly in Downtown Ft. Bragg, or at least I assume we were in Downtown Ft. Bragg since there were cafes, a combo fiddles & camera store, and even a Sears appliance center nearby. To me, that's a downtown, and the staff at the Headlands even present an edgier faux-urban attitude that truly does make you want to take a Valium. Jamie W. and I had some time to kill between exhuming Glass Beach and thinking about what our dinner options were back in Mendocino.
Their coffee is only $1.35 with one free refill, but we decided to share a small pot of Earl Grey tea for just $2.70. You can definitely have the full array of caffeine options, and what's more, they serve quite a menu of sandwiches and salads, as well as hot food like enchiladas, Belgian waffles, paninis with focaccia baked in Healdsburg, pizza, burritos (including Juan's Special Burrito with carnitas or chicken), and even barbecued tofu for plant-based aficionados. They even offer live music every evening at 7PM and Sunday afternoons at 4PM, so basically you can spend your whole vacation within the confines of this place. But please don't. Some of us want to stop by to sit a spell and have a little nosh.
TEA - 4 stars...hard to screw up a teabag
AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a casual stop in a casual hamlet
SERVICE - 3 stars...there to do a job, probably nicer to regulars
TOTAL - 4 stars...where else are you going to go between meals up there?Listed in: Talk to Me of Mendocino
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Review from Richard H.
Manteca, CA
4/11/2012 2 photos
We were in Fort Bragg for a week. We stopped here at Headlands one afternoon basically to rest and get out of the weather. We were pleasantly surprised with this place. My wife and I are not coffee drinkers.
I tried their Greek Salad and had some of their iced tea. I know, who goes to a coffee house and has tea? Next time you're there and if you don't feel like drinking coffee, try their tea. It was pretty good.
The Greek salad also was pretty good. Not great, but good none the less. I'm kind of spoiled by the local Greek restaurant and their Greek salad.
I cannot, for the life of me, remember what my wife tried.
They weren't busy when we were there. We found it comfortable and relaxing. We sat next to where the musicians play in the evenings. I can only imagine how crowded it gets with a full house listening to music. The place is pretty small. -
Review from Sofia K.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2012
Came here for coffee/breakfast on our first morning in Fort Bragg. We stayed just down a little ways away at Lodging and Llamas. Headlands is a great place to get some coffee (yummy cappuccino!), some food (I had a scone, boyfriend had a breakfast burrito, both really good). Very laid back atmosphere, extremely friendly and accommodating staff. Can't wait to come back to this area...
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Review from Amy L.
Santa Rosa, CA
Really sweet little coffeehouse. Went there three times during recent visit to Fort Bragg. For $1.25, you get a choice of many different coffees and one refill. They ask that if you want more than one refill, you pay 50cents. Such a good deal!
The pastries on hand were just ok- or at least the ones we tried. The bagels are from Beausoleil and they were great and toasted just right! One morning I had the waffle and it was pretty dang tasty- crispy, not too doughy and substantial.
Oh! And great hot chocolates. Now that I think of it- we may have gone there four or five times. It's just very cozy and comfy and a nice place to spend a foggy or rainy afternoon. -
Review from Mark F.
Elk Grove, CA
4/12/2012
Quaint, funky surroundings and a nice selection of coffees. Quality of beverages and food is ok, but not great. Bring cash, they don't take credit.
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Review from Kellie T.
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Chai was very thin, but had good flavor. Hot tea was hot tea, but they had a good selection.
Bottom line: Independent coffee shop, but mediocre product. Maybe try the pastries? -
Review from helen t.
3/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
i would never have thought i'd find veggie samosas at a coffeeshop in fort bragg, but there you go. great, fresh oj too!
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Review from Rachel D.
Folsom, CA
8/13/2011
Really cool coffee shop! Good coffee and lots of pastries and snacks. We just stopped in, but it looked like the kind of place I would want to hang out at for long periods of time: reading, listening to music, or catching up with a friend!
Best drink: espresso milkshake -
Review from Jen M.
Cleveland, OH
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had high hopes for the Chai. Well, it disappointed. It was very thin and watery, and it tasted like someone dropped a chai tea bag in hot water. Not sure I got the milk I asked for. The eggnog latte was much better but still not great. The coconut macaroon...holy smokes. That was the redeeming item on the table.
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Review from Tracy L.
San Francisco, CA
8/24/2011
We four tourists were hanging around Fort Bragg on a Saturday night looking for a place with live music and someone suggested Headlands Coffeehouse on Laurel Street. It was great! Really awesome coffee, good wine, delicious cookies, and the salads are divine! Actually, none of us was remotely interested in salad when we went there, but we started seeing the salads people were ordering and suddenly we realized that this was some sort of Secret Salad Spot and if we didn't jump on it we'd be left out. And it IS a secret salad spot --- we each got a different one and all of them were incredible.
The man who sang and played the guitar was top notch. Various people joined him from time to time and they were great too. It was an absurdly lovely evening, and although we'd planned to stay just a while we ended up closing the place. -
Review from rb l.
San Mateo, CA
11/11/2011
I spent 5 consecutive mornings here since it had wifi. They have HUGE cinnamon twists which go well with a mug of coffee. I've got to try the waffles next time.
During the early mornings, this place has quite an authentic feel, full of real working men, not bored trust fund d-bags like in SF. -
Review from Roanna Z.
Updated - 11/21/2010
Still a great stop in Fort Bragg.
I was hungry and they prepared for me a salad with Chicken to go, and the big guy ordered a breakfast burrito. That burrito was seriously divine smelling. He raved about it.
Good coffee, good atmosphere, nice locals :)Listed in: North to South and back., Connect the dots on a coffee…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/19/2009
This was our second visit to Headlands and I would make it a third and fourth. Great espresso… Read more »
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Review from Meghan P.
5/12/2009
This coffee shop is super cute... BUT I remember their coffee being better than it was this past time. Maybe it's all about the espresso drinks but even with 16 different types of coffee, I still had trouble finding one I really loved. My bf liked his first cup alright but tried something different for his free refill and couldn't even drink it... he loves his coffee so it must have been pretty bad for him to dump it!
I haven't tried all their food items and some of them look yummy but I wish their coffee were a little bit more fresh and yummy! -
Review from David P.
Alameda, CA
5/25/2009
Fortunately for me this place was pretty much a local joint some years ago; fortunately for the owners it is a very good place and thus has become a mecca for visitors to the Mendocino Coast as well. Great coffee, very friendly staff, the owner's are friendly, good, interesting and healthy food at a reasonable price, and my favorite thing about a good REAL coffeehouse; local artist's work hanging on the walls and good free jazz/music a few nights a week by gracious and accomplished local musicians. (Put something in that hat folks; support your local musicians, whether they are YOUR local musicians or not......) - THAT's a community/neighborhood coffeehouse (like the ones EVERY neighborhood in San Francisco used to have).
Everybody from bored teenagers smoking outside to the elderly sipping some java inside. A magnet in the newly redeveloped "historic downtown."
(I would never have written this review and brought MORE attention to the place if I hadn't been loving it for years and the owners and staff are great and there were already 18 reviews anyway so it's not like I'm giving away some big secret here......hehee). -
Review from Ben P.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2006
Sitting on the sidewalk outside this coffeehouse is THE PLACE TO BE if you're a teen/pre-teen self-appointed outcast living in Fort Bragg, CA. A larger town would have multiple downtown nexi for the different genres of hormonally-excessive outcasts to congregate around, but this place is the best that a town of 6,000 can do: skater boys do tricks to impress the goth girls with their eyebrows shaved off, and nearly all of them speak in way bad imitations of British accents -- even the ones who AREN'T wearing trench coats. Seriously, faking British accents is what kids do for fun in small towns. At least, when they aren't doing meth.
Mainly, though, these kids are window-dressing. Or topiaries. Only one entered the coffeehouse the entire time we lunched there: a 14-year-old girl sporting baggy raver pants and pink plastic jewelry who bought a mocha. Inside, with the delish but overpriced paninis, dozen varieties of coffees, comfy seating, and board games, it's a less angsty environment -- one that I could imagine spending long hours in if I were for some reason forced to live in Fort Bragg.Listed in: Mendocino County
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Review from Krystal W.
Belmont, CA
7/30/2009
My ratings
Atmosphere - A
Coffee - C
This is a perfect place for getting out of the cold Fort Bragg weather and finding a warm drink. It is also a perfect place to meet up with old friends for lunch. Basically, it is the ideal local community coffee shop and is worth going to just for that.
The coffee itself isn't anything to rave about. Not great, but not bad. Like I said, this coffee shop is more about the warm, inviting, community atmosphere. I don't think I have ever seen it empty, it is always completely packed with groups talking and a few people in corners reading the newspaper or a paperback book they picked up off the shelf.
In all a good place worth multiple visits!Listed in: Favorite places in Mendo Area
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Review from Wella A.
Eugene, OR
2/8/2009
Sixteen different kinds of coffee, fresh brewed...that's a buffet! That fact alone makes this place fabulous. I've only had bagel and cream cheese for breakfast and a couple times, I've ordered specialty drinks, both on par with other cafes. But this kitschy coffeehouse with its wall covered paintings from local artists, board games and children's books availability, intellectual patrons discussing ideas or hovering over Macbooks has a very charming appeal that beckons me to keep visiting. It's got that vibe...a place to simply BE. A hangout? To chill? Whatever it is, they've got it.
The menu also lists beer, wine and lunch items, though I haven't tried any. I was too busy passing time and enjoying some kind of organic coffee from Africa.Listed in: I miss Mendo County
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Review from Ann L.
5/8/2006 1 photo
We came here (5/6/06) for the live music based on other Yelper's review since we were camping in Ft Bragg anyways. Live music can be loud if that bothers anyone.
Only thing we tried was the hot chocolate, small $1.50. It comes w/ whipped cream and chocolate chip and drizzle of chocolate syrup. Since I didn't want it I asked them to take it off. They then gave me steamed milk instead--might have been a new drink too. Nice touch.
Recommended. -
Review from Kit K.
Berkeley, CA
9/23/2007 2 photos
This coffee shop is on the short list of my favorites. The drinks are inventive, the crowd a delicious mix of locals, and the setting absolutely perfect. As for the quality of their coffee, I've always been pleased, and this tiny little coffee shop was actually one of the first places I'd ever seen foam art.
The kids outside make for half the entertainment. I'm sure they all curse the day they were born in Fort Bragg and discuss how quickly they'll all be gone when they reach 18, but I love the little town and the quirky locals.
Weekend nights offer good music. Headlands really is a must every time I'm in Mendocino county. It should be for you too. -
Review from camille b.
Santa Rosa, CA
5/15/2008
Based on two visits, made on consecutive days while staying in Fort Bragg, I would say don't bother if you are serious about coffee.
However, if you can make do with mediocre espresso pulled from an espresso machine that looks like it was purchased from Target, go for it.
The twenty or so airpots of coffee (some of it flavored) should have set off alarm bells - but I like to check out the local spots.
Point is that on Saturday I was able to finish my double americano (albeit w/ a lot of cream.) On Sunday, one sip of that airpot coffee was enough to make me cringe. Boyfriend was sorely disappointed with his cap - terribly bitter espresso with stiff foam. -
Review from Vandana M.
Oakland, CA
3/28/2008
It seems that if you live in Fort Bragg, Headlands Coffeehouse is the best hangout place around, because it looked packed for most of the two days we were in town. I liked my latte and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie I got. Free wi-fi is a bonus, though it's pretty de rigeur in coffeeshops these days.
If I lived here, I'd probably spend a lot of time at Headlands myself. -
Review from Ed R.
10/9/2006 1 photo
Good bean burritos, great milkshake, nice range of paninis. It feels like a small home, with seats, tables and newspapers kicking aroung here and there.
I wanted to come to Fort Bragg because I like the sound of the name, and because Overboard, with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, was filmed here. I loved Fort Bragg, because it has an industrial, and historical feel to it. It's not there just because of tourists on Sunday. The historical centre has a lot of beautiful buildings to look at, and interesting shops. -
Review from Laurel K.
Fort Bragg, CA
4/28/2006
The Caffe Trieste of Fort Bragg. There is a huge selection of self-service, brewed house coffee in thermoses (many organic, many from lands afar, many decaf). Hot food could be better-- but the free live music in the evenings with a beverage of your choice and a nosh can't be beat.
The music is definitely THE draw for me these days...unbelieveable jazz most evenings and shall I say it again...for FREE!! -
Review from William C.
San Francisco, CA
9/3/2007
I probably came at a bad time, but this coffee shop did not impress. I was waiting in my car on Labor Day morning, 6:59ish am for this place to open. There was one nutjob senior citizen who kept fidgeting and trying to open the door every 2 seconds. He would alternate staring at me and then trying to open the door again. A little after 7am, the place opened up and I headed in to get breakfast. The only real option if you want a sizeable breakfast is the belgian waffle, so I went for that, with the fruits and yogurt on top, which I never had before. It seemed like a weird combo to me, but hey, I like fruit and I like yogurt on occasion, so how bad could it be? Well, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I love belgian waffles, but I just couldn't finish this one.
The chai tea was ok too, but doesn't compare to Coupa Cafe's tiger spice chai. I hear this coffee shop is the where all the cool kids hang out, but I didn't see any of that. Granted, it's 7am in the morning, so all the cool kids are probably still hung over from their awesome party the night before. -
Review from Kelly L.
Yuba City, CA
4/27/2011
We stopped in yesterday for a mocha and a hot cocoa. Both drinks were prepared perfectly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and you get service with a genuine smile. The price was less than that of the major coffee chain in town, and they have a much more extensive menu available. We will definitely return today and again tomorrow before we head out of town.
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Review from Lucas P.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2008
Headlands has:
. Good coffee, better food and dessert
. Veggie and organic stuff too.
. Friendly staff.
. Free wireless internet access.
. Intellectuals reading and writing and conversing inside.
. Teenagers hacky sacking and smoking weed outside.
. Live music some evenings.
. An infinitely better atmosphere and mix of people than Starbucks.
Bottom line: When you want a coffee/tea/snack in Fort Bragg, go here. -
Review from Kerri L.
Fremont, CA
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service and ambiance was great! I always loved the small town coffee shops and worked at one myself for almost two years. Though the place ran out of the house lemonade, the staff whipped up something else for me instead: apple juice and ice tea. The apple juice was organic and the ice tea was fresh made. It was delicious! We came back a second time before we left town.
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Review from Katie A.
Pleasanton, CA
6/19/2011
I don't drink coffee but I love coming here...when its not too crowded! I love their hot chocolate and their desserts (cheesecake on a stick, massive brownies!). They have sandwiches and breakfasts, but I haven't tried any yet. I want to come in and try one of their really delicious sounding sandwiches sometime soon!
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Review from s.e. s.
Fort Bragg, CA
9/2/2007
In addition to offering an astounding array of coffee drinks, for people into that kind of thing, Headlands also has lots of other stuff, including food. The staff are very friendly and always willing to answer questions and let you do things like sampling the soup if you can't decide on exactly what you want. There are also vegan and vegetarian options, making Headlands a good choice for a group with picky members.
This family-owned business is a Fort Bragg institution, with live music every night and a really comfortable, pleasant vibe that makes it easy for you to spend hours here. Depending on what time of the day you go, you might see an assortment of old men arguing about politics, kids doing their homework, and musicians resting after a busy set.
Since there isn't much night life in Fort Bragg, Headlands adds an air of vitality to a town which otherwise dies after sunset. -
Review from Gordon R.
Palo Alto, CA
10/20/2011
Great little place with a fresh full menu and daily specials.
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Review from Roger G.
Martinez, CA
10/20/2010
Small towns and late nights are often at odds with each other. Enter Headlands Coffeehouse where they have live music every night from locals -- and pretty good music at that. The food and drinks were good, reasonably priced, and the place had a great local vibe to it. Everybody seemed to know everyone (except us) but we didn't get any suspicious "you're not from around here" looks like you sometimes get in small towns, everyone was very friendly. If you're in Fort Bragg looking for a place to hang out, this is your spot.
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Review from Sarah M.
Brooklyn, NY
7/21/2009 1 photo
I have never seen so many kinds of drip coffees! 16! How do you even decide? I couldn't even get them all in my photo! http://www.yelp.com/bi... I'm not sure how fresh they are because it seems like it would take forever to brew them all, but we were there first thing in the morning, so I'm sure they were recent.
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Review from Samantha R.
Menlo Park, CA
6/28/2008
Every time I go to Mendo, I stop at this great little coffee house. It's friendly, Berkeley-ish, and they make the BEST waffles ever: just a bit crispy, substantial and not-styrofoam-like, great flavor with a lot of syrup on the side. The lattes aren't bad but the waffles are the hidden gem of this place.
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Review from Mark S.
Santa Maria, CA
8/9/2011
Great selection of coffees on the go all the time. First refill is free, 50 cents after that. A really broad selection of food, from entrees, savory snacks and the usual pastry type products. Only negative, the fridge sounds like it is using all the available electricity available in fort Bragg!
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Review from Eric P.
Sacramento, CA
9/18/2010
Just okay. For a coffee house, your coffee had better be good. They have a great selection and quality ingredients, but their coffee just doesn't taste that good. Everything else I tried was okay. Really cute place though, great atmosphere and location.
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Review from Joselita T.
San Pablo, CA
2/22/2009
Pastries are not so great but love their coffee - so many selections to choose from. They even have coffee beans quarter dispenser and chocolate-covered coffee dispenser - definitely grab a handful. This is a great place to chill with the locals. You can jot down some thoughts in their journal, play some boardgames, read some of the interesting books and magazines they have, check out the paintings on the wall, or catch a local band or some musicians play live music.
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Review from Eva R.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2009
AMAZING coffee, plenty of great food that's fairly priced, and really, really nice employees. As a visitor, this was the best place I had eaten at during my visit.
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Review from L B.
Sacramento, CA
7/16/2010
Love. Headlands. Must. Come. Back. Soon. Sigh.
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Review from Tatiana P.
Mendocino, CA
5/20/2010
Live music! Good Soy Mocha!
