Viva Espresso Organics Coffee

Wish Unilocal had 0 stars. Such terrible customer service ! My 9yr old daughter had to use the restroom. Guy forced me to buy something before he would give me the code to the bathroom door. What a jerk !!!
Coffee was ok but not something I wanted at 3:00 in the afternoon.
Not recommending or not will I visit again ! What a joke !

Great fresh ground and brewed coffee! Barista is very helpful and knowledgeable. This is a definite must stop by everytime i am in the area. Thank you!

Sometimes I like to work out of a coffee shop for the day, so I thought I would choose viva espresso as my spot in salinas. Especially to support a local business selling organic.
Today a guy (who seems to be the owner) kicked me out along with the girl who was sitting next to me. He told us both that we could hangout there but we have to make a purchase… to me it seems like he was just trying to pinch pennys out of anyone and everyone. (The bathroom door is locked with a keypad and the code is on a receipt so you also have to make a purchase to use the restroom) Whats next? I have to make a purchase to breath the air thats inside the shop?
I had just came back from lunch so I asked if I can buy something later and he just interupted me and said I am only allowed to stay there 1 hour at a time and then he said thats for ‘everyone’…
I have never been to a coffe shop where they have a limit on how long you can stay there… well you can guess who will never be coming back here again… deez nuts.

Best coffee shop, excelent service. You must get the «kona mocha».
Fresh ground coffee, guatemalan is my favorite in the morning, good vibes.
Restroom is always clean, free Wi-​Fi
Fast service, there is never a big line.
Relaxing background music.
If you ever on highway 101 get off on boronda exit and you can find this hidden gem on main street.

Great local place!
I enjoy going here to study, hang out with a friend, or just to get a quick coffee.
The coffees are from Santa Cruz Roasting. I love the Oaxacan Mochas, banana chocoate oatmeal, and paninis.
There are chairs inside and outside and wifi. The artwork is changed occasionally and it’s nice to see the different pieces.

BRAVISIMO !!!
Best coffee I have had ! I have always had their cold pressed iced coffee and it’s stellar ! I usually grab a traveler of the Guatemalan to share with others. The problem is that it never lasts long. All coffees beans are roasted locally and their toast offers a perfect aroma to complement the coffee bean. All orders are ground to order and brewed to order.
I don’t usually drink coffee, nor do I consider myself a connoisseur of fine coffees, but I can recognize quality !
Keep up the good work

Great find! Very unique place. I had a perfect cappuccino! Love the logo. I will be back!

Hands down best coffee around here. Excellent staff and friendly owners. Nothing but good experiences coming here. :)

First time here, and I loved it!
Love the oaxacan mocha latte, I had a coffee cake that puts most cakes at shame! Just the right hint of cinnamon and so moist. Great ambiance, not so noisy. Smells like heaven in here.
Great to study (free wifi) and excellent spot to meet your friends to catch up.

On the way to Monterey and didn’t want the typical Starbucks coffee so we made a pit stop here. Best coffee I’ve ever had — better than Philz and Starbucks combined. I got the oaxacan mocha iced and he got an iced caramel macchiato. You can choose to get them hot if you’d like. I had no idea what the oaxacan mocha was, but the barista explained that it kinda had a chocolate-​y flavor to it. Was afraid it was gonna be too sweet or too bitter, but it was perfect. It was not too sweet and not too strong, it was just right. It was topped off with whipped cream with I think a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Would definitely stop by here again! But damn, I already got a feelin I have to take hella pee breaks from all the caffeine.

My coworker and I come here nearly every weekend to study together for almost 5 hours each day. The staff here is so friendly and don’t mind us taking up a table that length of time. We of course buy the delicious coffee! I enjoy the Nicaraguan and my friend gets the Guatemalan coffee, both are great! I highly recommend coming here and enjoy the great coffee and atmosphere!

The coffee always, always, taste the same & by that, I mean it always, always, taste delicious :) You gotta stop by & try it!

A great place for coffee snobs who turn their noses up at Starbucks or any other coffee chain. Their coffee is roasted in Santa Cruz. Fair trade and organic, it’s a happy way to caffeinate. Their espresso is on the light roast side so order a double if you favor darker roasts.

My favorite local spot. Every time I have company from out of town, I bring them here and they are always impressed. The flavors, atmosphere, music, art and customer service are superb!
My favorites are the Oaxacan Mocha, Power Oatmeal with banana, walnuts and chocolate and the orange-​cranberry scone. My husband loves their cold brew and my son always gets a soft bagel and a brownie. All organic.
Keep it up Vero and Fernando

Located in shopping mall on North Main Street, about 6 minutes east of 101.
Very friendly staff, bright and airy shop with healthy teas and coffee. Highly recommended

I must say, this is an excellent establishment.
I’ve visited this location 3 times and haven’t been disappointed.
Upon entering, you’re greeted with a serene atmosphere; relaxing music, aroma of coffee and tea, as well as friendly service.
Both Amy, the barista and Fernando, the owner have been very courteous.
It’s a small place with ample seating. It’s a gem located within a commercial shopping center.
Thank you, Viva Espresso.
Ps: the soy chai tea latte is amazing. Much better than competitors and corporate chain coffee shops.

Really, really delicious coffee. My first visit, and I’m very impressed– I’m a huge coffee drinker, and sample any new places I can when traveling. I live in the area but hadn’t stopped in until today.
Great atmosphere, very cozy and inviting like you’d hope a coffee shop would be. They have a baked goods selection as well as impressive drip bar, but I went straight for the espresso.
The man behind the bar was very knowledgable, and I found out he is the owner! Incredibly nice and helpful.
The menu is full of temptingly titled signature drinks along with the classic coffee place drinks, so I asked for a recommendation for a hot drink and he led me to the Oaxacan Mocha.
I have Celiacs so I asked a lot of questions and was pleasantly surprised– everything they can make themselves is made in house and organically. The chocolate for the mocha I ordered, the vanilla extract for the lattes, even the whipped cream made from the local organic Clover brand.
I got a bit too excited, so I also ordered an iced nonfat latte to try out their homemade vanilla flavoring: quality vanilla extract and natural sugar, simple and delicious.
The mocha was a beautiful blend of subtle chocolate (not the overly sweet syrupy chocolate most mochas have) taste enveloped in the delicious espresso and steamed milk. Finished with a touch of cinnamon, it was just sublime.
The iced latte was just as expected– simple, delicious, well balanced. Next time I’ll get an extra shot, but I like my lattes pretty strong.
Overall, everything and more than I hoped for. I am excited to get back in try more of their signature drinks, which to me is the mark of a great business.
If you like coffee, head to Viva next time you’re in the area.
If you love coffee, drop everything you’re doing and go now!

Love it here. Great coffee, great customer service and good atmosphere. I only recommended upgrading some of the seats ;)

Worst customer service ever. I stopped here on 5÷12÷15 at around 4pm on my way from San Jose to San Luis Obispo. I thought it would be a great new find — I liked the idea of supporting an independent business and for a change from Starbucks. I walked in with my 7 month old baby in a stroller, having to use the restroom pretty bad, and really looking forward to a coffee and snack and a chance for baby and I to stretch out a bit and enjoy the atmosphere before getting back into the car for the remaining 2+ hours.
However… the barista working here refused to allow me to use the restroom before ordering, even though I told him I’d been driving a while and couldn’t really decide on anything until I took care of myself and baby, and that it was pretty urgent. He replied that he’s had people «do that and then run out.» Um, hello, I’m so obviously needing a coffee and I have a baby in a stroller! Are you kidding? He tells me to go to Safeway next door and use the restroom. I was pretty irked so I said «I guess you don’t want my business!» He told me to have a wonderful day, and then laughed.
I have a greater appreciation now for all the wonderful Starbucks along the 101 freeway (with their reliably courteous employees) for my frequent road trips!

STOP!!! This place has the worse customer service!!! I will say that the coffee is pretty good, but not worth the horrible customer service. I have tried this place about 10 times and every time something happens. They forget my takeout order, they mess up my order, and the young staff is very rude and lacks professionalism.
You will find better service and coffee in Starbucks at the Safeway store right next to this horrible place.