Flying Goat Coffee - Santa Rosa

Flying Goat Coffee was a pioneer of third wave coffee long before it became a trend. Located off Railroad Square, near Highway 101 and the California Visitors' Center, this café stays open late into the night, making it an excellent stop for anyone needing a caffeine boost for a long drive. It’s a clean and welcoming place—an ideal coffee shop. Historically, it served as a gathering spot for miners and ladies of the night during the Gold Rush era. Established in 1994, it predates the rise of hipsters, third wave coffee, and latte art. Healdsburg has two other cafés, but Flying Goat Coffee offers reasonable prices, with coffee starting at $2.25 and going up to $4.25—cheaper than Starbucks. The Bangkok coffee features condensed milk and is garnished with nutmeg, while the Aztec Mocha is a spicy blend infused with chili. Overall, Flying Goat Coffee is a peaceful retreat off Highway 101, perfect for enjoying a great cup of coffee, complemented by friendly service and high-quality brews.

I stopped by one morning for a light breakfast, and it was just what I needed! The location is convenient, right next to the train tracks and the Santa Rosa visitor center. There's metered parking available, but it's not enforced until 9 AM, which is a plus. I ordered the Bangkok—it's a latte with condensed milk, perfect for those of us who enjoy sweeter coffee drinks—along with a chocolate croissant. I did wish there was a way to get the croissant warmed up, but it was delicious regardless. The café has two seating areas, and we found a table right away. There's plenty of natural light, and the menu is enjoyable without being overwhelming. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

Not my favorite taste This location of Flying Goat Coffee is nicely setup in the historic Railroad Square district. The building used to be home to Western Hotel that was frequented by shady characters. The renovation work blends the old and new in a very nice way. On this visit I ordered a shot of double espresso to replace a cup of Americano that I had purchased from another coffee shop earlier down the road. I have had Flying Goat Coffee before and have enjoyed it very much, but this particular cup at an overwhelmingly sour aftertaste. This can often be the result of the grind being too course or having been tamped too lightly resulting in under-extraction. Under-extraction means the water running through the coffee too quickly and not extracting the desirable and tasty oils. Anyhow, I could not drink this particular shot and had to settle for my old and weak Americano.

Upon stepping inside, you’ll notice a modern, bright atmosphere with gleaming white décor. Seating options include a couple of outdoor tables, a few table-and-chair sets inside (some tucked away in a side area), and a few uncomfortable stools. The service follows a simple counter-order and pay system—they'll call you when your order is ready for pickup. While they don't offer traditional drip coffee, their selection of food is quite limited, mostly consisting of various croissants and pastries. They do have brewed coffee available for takeout, but the main focus here is on made-to-order beverages. The espressos are exceptional—truly outstanding—and the lattes and cappuccinos are above average. The service is surprisingly excellent, exceeding common expectations. However, be prepared for the prices, which can quickly escalate; a coffee and a pastry can easily put you in the $10 range, depending on your choices. While the shop is impeccably clean and offers fantastic specialty coffees, the costs are steep, making it less wallet-friendly. It's a great place for a little indulgence when you want to treat yourself, though!

I came here for some coffee first thing in the morning since they 're across the street from Hotel La Rose where I was staying. The name Flying Goat intrigued me so I had high hopes. I ordered a small double cappuccino, expecting something pretty similar to the typical Starbucks 12 oz cappuccino. When my drink came out, I didn 't realize it was for me at first because it was not at all what I was expecting. It turns out that their small is actually only 5 oz! Since I ordered a double shot cap, it was probably half espresso in that tiny 5 oz cup, and the other half was milk. There was no room for foam like a cappuccino should have, so it was more like a macchiato than what I had actually ordered. That being said, I 'm still giving them 4 stars because luckily I really like macchiatos so I enjoyed my drink, and not only that, but their coffee is excellent! I 'm not a coffee snob but I know coffee, and this one sure was smooth. I will be back first thing tomorrow morning for some more of that macchiato-cappuccino thing!