If you've been feeling a jolt of energy in the Coachella Valley lately, there's a reason for that.
Over the past year, several new coffee shops have opened all across the desert, offering classic java drinks
and unique flavor combinations. Cafes have even gone in on matcha mania, serving the bright-green Japanese tea that has taken the world by storm, including one business that specializes solely on its offerings. Not to mention, there's a growing number of home-based barista businesses that thrive on social media.
So what led to this seemingly sudden boom in the local caffeine industry? Several entrepreneurs who opened a coffee shop in the past year say they want to add new places for people to gather, and bring the types of amenities found in other major cities to the desert.
A team of Desert Sun journalists visited four recently-opened brick-and-mortar cafes throughout the valley, each with a unique story and vision, to learn more about their business and how they're contributing to the desert's caffeine rush.
Buena Matcha, Palm Desert
Address: 73-833 El Paseo, Suite 101, Palm Desert; buenamatcha.com
You never know what will lead to a business idea. For couple Nahum and Kayla Munoz, it was their own health journeys.
Both were previously avid coffee drinkers, but their doctor advised against it due to how it was impacting their anxiety levels and overall health. As they started looking into alternatives, they discovered matcha. It still has caffeine, though less than a cup of coffee, as well as added benefits, such as antioxidants and the amino acid L-theanine, which helps with concentration and stress relief.
They tried multiple coffee shops that offered matcha, both in the valley and elsewhere, but weren't impressed. That led them to making it themselves at home, and later sharing their creations with friends and family.
Both were working multiple jobs as teachers and ministers in the community, but always hoped to own a business. They first started a matcha pop-up at the All Color Growers pumpkin patch in Bermuda Dunes and Indio Farmers Market, where they began generating "matcha besties," aka what they call their patrons. Eventually, they moved to online orders and deliveries, and then opened their brick-and-mortar Buena Matcha location in May 2025, becoming the first matcha bar in the valley.
"We really feel that we raised the bar in the matcha game here in the valley," Nahum Munoz said. That starts with organic, shade-grown, ceremonial-grade matcha from Nekohama, a Japanese lifestyle brand.
The shop serves two main drinks: matcha, the vibrant green tea, and hojicha, a roasted green tea that has a brown color and less caffeine. They can be an acquired taste for many due to their earthy, sometimes bitter, flavors, but Buena Matcha's motto is to "heal matcha trauma" and get more people on board with it. Both types of tea can be served with milk (various options available) and with other flavors, such as banana cinnamon, coconut and strawberry, utilizing housemade syrups. Secret flavors are also available on the menu.
But perhaps the best part is getting to watch the staff make each cup of matcha, which is a slowed-down ritual that the Munozes have come to love. They sift scoops of matcha to get rid of any clumps, pour precise quantities of water into the same bowl and then whisk it together until a froth appears with small bubbles. The store's quaint environment — with warm, cream-colored tones on the walls and counters — also elicits a sense of calm.
"We believe that it helps us slow down," Kayla Munoz said, who feels a "calm focus" when she whisks each cup. Some patrons, used to the fast pace of life, will often chug their matcha or order a second one, but she advises people to sip slowly to center themselves. The shop also offers kits with everything customers need to make their own matcha at home.
Another rewarding aspect for the business owners has been hearing their matcha besties' stories, especially those going through their own health journeys. With more of an emphasis on eating right these days, Nahum Munoz said they "love being part of the solution" and giving people a product that is "positive for your health."
Coffeeism Co., Palm Springs
Address: 110 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; coffeeismcops.com
After getting several businesses off the ground in the Los Angeles area, Guillaume Galataud, who has lived in the desert for around 15 years, decided it was time to start his own spot. Coffeeism Co. opened its doors in August 2025.
With a lifelong passion of traveling and visiting coffee shops around the world, Galataud said it was time for Palm Springs to have something "that represented the future of coffee."
"There's a third wave of coffee, now it's time for the fourth wave, which is a lot of creative drinks," Galataud said. "We've been in love with coffee shops forever, and I really wanted to bring something to this gorgeous valley that would take the coffee industry to another level around here."
That's certainly what someone will find when at Coffeeism. The menu features staples such as espresso, Americano and cappuccino, but the seasonal menu is where Galataud gets to show his creativity. The Once Upon a Time in Oslo drink blends espresso with passion fruit, coconut water, yuzu soda and lime juice. There's also Kiss Kiss Bangkok, an elevated matcha with cardamom-lemongrass syrup, coconut cream and Thai basil. He was even inspired by his Montreal upbringing for the drink Sugar Shack, or Cabane à Sucre, which incorporates maple syrup and creamy French butter with espresso.
That passion for pairing different flavors stems from Galataud's background as a bartender and wanting to push the envelope. He also gained inspiration after seeing what baristas were doing in New York City and Spain's Canary Islands.
"I think 20 years ago people didn't realize that pineapple and espresso worked well together, but it is an amazing canvas," he said. Chai lattes, a variety of teas and pastries are also offered on Coffeeism's menu, as well as international snacks.
Setting the right atmosphere was also important for the business. The shop has a Japandi style to it, Galataud said, which blends Japanese and Scandinavian minimalistic design. White, black and creme colors give a clean look to the space, and there's a bit of a mid-century modern nod with chairs from a 1950s Scandinavian designer. On the walls are photographs that capture scenes from the high desert.
Galataud's goal was to create a space "where everybody would feel comfortable." He said he's seen friends getting together for drinks and people coming in to work for a hours (he added that he tries to offer the fastest internet speed in town). With plenty of places to choose from around the downtown and uptown Palm Springs areas — nearby there's Starbucks, Cravings Coffee and Pastries, Mentosa Coffee, Koffi, Café La Jefa, Ernest Coffee and Cartel Roasting Co. — Galataud said "we've been very lucky to have locals really embrace us."
When it comes to the cafe boom the valley is experiencing, Galataud believes much of the movement stems from businesses and creativity picking back up after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among young entrepreneurs.
"We're all trying to create something awesome for the community and make a living," he said. "I think the next 20 years in the Coachella Valley, there is so much that is about to happen here."
Desert Kid Coffee, Palm Desert
Address: 44-850 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert; desertkid.coffee
Desert Kid Coffee is the brain child of Katie Reed and Joseph Eccles, two Coachella Valley natives who opened a café and roastery they wish was around when they were growing up.
As childhood friends, they loved hiking up the mountains, driving out to the sand dunes and heading out to Joshua Tree. Eventually, Reed moved to San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and New York to work for tech start-ups. When she would visit the Coachella Valley and get coffee with friends, she realized that there weren't many options available, especially ones that really showed off the area's uniqueness.
Meanwhile, Eccles went on his own journey when he was introduced to single-origin Guatemalan coffee at age 20 (single-origin means a coffee that is sourced from one specific geographic location). That opened his eyes to what coffee could be and led him to travel around the world, trying different offerings and buying single-origin products. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he, a teacher at the time, had more time available at home and decided to invest in a coffee roaster to learn more about the science behind roasting.
"I do feel like the valley often finds ourselves about 10 years behind some of the major city centers," he said. "When I think specialty coffee, it started to really reach its peak in popularity around 2014, 2015 and 2016. I always hoped and wondered and thought what would it be like for that culture to come to the desert."
The two reconnected a few years ago and opened Desert Kid Coffee in April. Their goal was to not only sell a unique product, but also create a space that showcases the vibrancy of the valley and bring people from all walks of life together.
"Cafes historically are such a low-barrier way to access connection and community," Reed said, "or even if you want to get out of the house yourself to go to work or read, cafes welcome you."
The valley's identity can be found all throughout Desert Kid Coffee, from colors and materials used in the decor (blue and purple mosaic tiles to reflect the colors of the sky and mountains) to the name of their coffee roasts (Dry Heat and Night Hike) to the creatures used for branding (hummingbirds, coyotes and wildflowers).
In case it wasn't obvious, coffee is a big deal here. The two owners have traveled to foreign countries for single-origin beans, and Eccles roasts them to different variances to pull out certain flavor notes. There are glass windows inside the shop to see into the roastery and coffee lab rooms, and there's also a pour-over station where guests can watch their coffee being made right in front of them. But for the non-coffee drinkers out there, there's also chai, matcha, baked goods made in-house and grab-and-go items.
With a goal of connecting the community, it appears Desert Kid Coffee has succeeded in its mission. Nearly every table and chair was taken up by patrons during a recent afternoon visit, which business owners know is a rarity in the middle of the summer. The space has also hosted a variety of community events, including World Cup watch parties, and collaborated with other local businesses such as Brandini Toffee and Spotlight 29 Casino.
"We built a really beautiful place that celebrates the Coachella Valley, and I think there's something really special about all of us having a lot of pride and shared meaning," Reed said.
Saguaro Coffee
Address: 45-151 Oasis St., Suite A, Indio; saguarocoffee.com
Similarly, the owners of Indio's Saguaro Coffee, La Quinta High School sweethearts Parker Wallace and Jabneh Rocha, decided to open their roastery to bring a new type of experience to the east valley.
Saguaro Coffee, which started serving customers in October 2025, is the couple's second business, following KOZY Coffee in Santa Barbara. Wallace, who has a college degree in biology, worked in a lab after graduation, but quickly decided that wasn't his passion. Having previously worked at a coffee shop in Morro Bay where he took an interest in the science behind roasting, the pivot to coffee shop owner seemed like a natural fit.
After about three years, Wallace and Rocha decided they wanted to return to the Coachella Valley and do something similar for their community.
"There are a lot of coffee drinkers down here, but there wasn't a lot of specialty coffee. The chains run the desert," he said, mentioning Starbucks and Dutch Bros Coffee. "Not so much the local mom and pop shops, and we really wanted to help drive that and show people that there's other types of coffee."
Downtown Indio in particular, he said, was in need of a specialty coffee roaster. However, they were a bit apprehensive about opening in the area due to a number of businesses that have closed in recent years, Wallace admitted. But with the support of the community, their nearly first year in business has "been insane."
One of the main differences between Saguaro and KOZY is that the former is a roasting hub. Wallace's interest in coffee roasting grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. He sources coffee beans from farmers around the world, researches and develops different blends to bring out a variety of flavors, such as orange, honey, citrus and caramel. Customers can purchase Saguaro's blends or try them as traditional espresso or pour over coffees in the shop. Along with roasting their own coffee, the cafe also makes its own syrups.
The specialty beverages on the menu give customers a taste of the Coachella Valley. The Las Palmas drink incorporates a date syrup that his former high school track coach, who is also a date farmer, makes. The Cafe De Olla, which includes cinnamon, clove, orange and housemade piloncillo syrup, is rooted in Mexican heritage. Listening to what locals want has also been a big lesson. Wallace said they featured the Banancha (a banana matcha latte) on their fall menu, and when they took it away, customers demanded it back (it's now firmly placed on the menu).
Rocha mainly oversees the in-house bakery. Both of them got into sourdough bread during COVID, and they jumped at the opportunity to provide the product in the cafe. Everything utilizes sourdough as a base, including their banana bread, and they recently started making their own bagel creations that feature a local date paste, housemade whipped queso fresco and in-house cream cheeses.
With Downtown Indio continuing to grow and attract visitors and locals alike, Saguaro Coffee hopes to do the same. Wallace wants the cafe to be an inviting gathering spot for people, which is accentuated by the shop's design. Patrons can set up at tables and chairs to work or hang out with friends. Also out in the open is the coffee roaster and a U-shaped bar where people can see how baristas make their drinks.
Wallace has further plans with the cafe, including offering coffee tastings and educational programs to teach people more about roasting. He also hopes to further expand daily hours (they're currently open 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, but stay open until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) and its food and drink program so that "there's always a place for you to hang out here and enjoy something," he said.
Other cafes that opened within the last year (or will open soon) in the Coachella Valley
- The Bunny Tea: Located at 43-430 Monroe St., Suite K, Indio (second location)
- Cheers Coffee: Located at 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
- Coach Coffee Shop: Located at Desert Hills Premium Outlets at 48-650 Seminole Road, Space K100, Cabazon
- Coffee Dose: Located at 725 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs (coming fall 2026)
- The Coffee House: Located at 83-233 Indio Blvd., Indio
- Dulce Aroma Cafe: Located at 68-100 Ramon Road, Suite B8, Cathedral City
- The Dune Room: Located at 82-707 Miles Ave., Indio
- Everbloom Coffee: Located at 45-125 Smurr St., Indio (second location)
- The Grind: Located inside Augustine Casino at 84-001 Avenue 54, Coachella
- K-Fé 7: Located in the Madison Gardens at 48-575 Madison St., Indio
- Kahvée Coffee: Located inside Fantasy Springs Casino at 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
- Les Filles Café & More: Located at 67-730 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
- Mentosa Coffee: Located inside the Mojave Flea Trading Post at 383 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
- Rutina Coffee: Located at 44-855 San Pablo Ave., Suite 1, Palm Desert
- San Fernando Coffee Company: Located at 42-425 Jackson St., Indio
- Sibayan Bubble Tea & Coffee: Located at 13-313 Palm Drive, Unit K, Desert Hot Springs
- Sixth Street Coffee: Located at 79-410 Highway 111, Suite 101, La Quinta (second location coming soon)
- Yucha Donut and Boba: Located at 34-580 Monterey Ave., Suite 105, Palm Desert
- Home-based and online businesses include 2 Bros Coffeehouse, BeezBaked, Brew & Bloom, Gloomy Dayz Coffee and Matcha Bar, Leafy Sips, Matcha in the Dunes, Neen’s Qahwa and Otro Cafecito
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com, on X @ema_sasic or on Instagram @emasasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Greater Palm Springs is more caffeinated than ever. But why now?
