Miriam’s Cafe

FINAL UPDATE: OOB (Out Of Business).
I’m not thrilled. The coffee was fine; haven’t tried the bagels. Miriam has never been anything other than businesslike with me – not a complaint, but it’s just weird when I see the other reviewers raving about her. Perhaps I’m too square for her.
UPDATE: The consensus is that I am too square for her. Good for me! Good for Miriam! (I guess it’s OK for her to be «intolerant» of me, but not OK for me to be «intolerant» of her. No double standards here!)
This is a fine place to go if you’re into indie/​alt/​artsy stuff. Family oriented it is NOT. Personally, I prefer not to see tattoos, especially not in association with food, and Miriam has tattoos and displays them. Just so you know.
UPDATE: Somehow it’s «offensive» or «racist» or something to make this factual observation and to state my personal preference in my subjective review of an establishment.
P. S.: I’m a bad, bad person because I don’t like seeing tattoos. Go ahead, everyone, castigate me some more for it. Maybe I’ll learn to love tats and get a few myself!
P.P.S: Oh, and you Starbucks haters? I know that every single one of you would have gone to the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market back when it was just one store – so why is it so bad now? «Gee, that awful Starbucks! They provide employment for tens of thousands of people, increase the success of their numerous suppliers, and improve the standard of living for their coffee producers around the world. I hate them for that!»
I’d be happy as TWO clams if Miriam’s not only stayed in business but thrived. I love capitalism, and I love to see local businesses succeed. However, I just won’t be helping her along her way, that’s all.

RIP Miriam’s Café, it was good while it lasted.

If you’re lucky enough to get a chance to treat yourself to a great cuppa joe one of these mornings and you believe in supporting small business, Miriam’s is where it’s at.
Depending in your vibe that particular day, you may find yourself in anything from deep conversation to lighthearted & humorous to a totally private experience. It’s your choice.
I’m still smiling and shaking my head at the Unilocaler who commented on how he didn’t receive warm service then went on to critisize the co-​existence of (beautiful body art) tattoos and food. Uh… yeah. You’re not an overweight meat eating white male republican visiting from Texas or anything are you? Hehe… anyway. It’s completely kid friendly. Kids know the deal with good folks and these are good folks!
Leave your cares behind and snuggle up in the caccoon that is Miriam’s.

Love her coffee! Very small but comfy! Good company and Miriam is very sweet.

Miriam’s is great! It’s nice to find a great little non-​corporate spot to get my morning dose of caffeine and read the mornings news. The bagels are amazing! Miriam is so nice too! It’s kinda hard not to love Miriam and her café. I am hooked for the next 6 days in town for sure! I wish I could bring Miriam and her café home with me, or to wherever I travel to next ha ha!

This place is awesome. Stopped by here during our road trip.
Got some cappucinos which were delicious.
Also got some bagles which were very good as well. If you want a quick breakfast this place is where you should go.

We were visiting from Seattle and the Unilocal reviews directed us to this little gem. We were immediately greeted with a smile and some of the friendliest service we’ve received in a long time. Miriam makes a great mocha, and honestly, seriously, without a doubt the best sandwich we’d tasted in long time (maybe ever?). Oh. my. dog. If I lived in Monterey, those bagel sandwiches would need a restraining order against me. Now that I’m home, I have no choice but to try to replicate the sandwich myself, even though I doubt I’ll even come close. I also loved the artwork in there. However, attempting to replicate that is out of the question.
And to the guy who has a problem seeing tattoos on the person making his coffee/​food, yes you are too square for this joint. I’m sure there’s a Starfucks (or five) somewhere in Monterey with plenty of lifeless, unadorned drones who will be ecstatic to take your order and pass the majority of the money you hand over on to some colossal blowhard who probably also talks shit about «indie/​alt/​artsy stuff.»
Miriam, you rock. I wish you were in Seattle.

Call me weird, but when I travel I don’t like to go to places that are advertised in my hotel room or offer coupons at the airport. Was craving a local spot for coffee and breakfast and Unilocal led me and the hubby to Miriam’s, where we were greeted cheerfully by Miriam herself.
This place is welcoming and warm, and it just feels comfortable. Loved the vibe, loved my latte, loved my bagel with cream cheese and tomato, and loved Miriam (AND her tattoos). Will def go back next time I’m in Monterey.
:)

Visiting from out of town and wanted a good chai for my wife. Unilocal!points to Miriam’s. My wife makes her own chai at home because she’s picky, er, an aficionado of chai. Well, she loved the chai and complimented Miriam on it. I am not picky, put I know a good breakfast tea and my Chinese breakfast tea (real leaves, served in piping hot water) was superb. I will go to Miriam’s before we leave Pacific Grove tomorrow or I will throw a big tantrum. Why would I ever go to a corporate coffee shop with a lovely jewel like this in town? Miriam was visited by many locals during the 25 minutes we were there. Obviously a well-​loved local spot.
Follow-​up: Next day, I didn’t throw a tantrum, but my heart sank when I saw the sign that said «Closed» with a hand-​written note «Couldn’t make it today.» :(Had to go elsewhere and it was NOT nearly as good. :(

This place is so good I would routinely be late for work just to eat and drink here ;-)

Miriam still remembers my drinks, and still makes the best bagel. Keep of the good work !!!

First let me say that Miriams wouldn’t be as good if it wasn’t for the owner Miriam. She makes that place what it is, fun, quirky, and entertaining.
Secondly you should know one thing before you come. She puts crack in the bagels. Ok not really but its the only explanation I have for why it tastes so good and I seem to have developed an addiction to them. I go back sometimes twice a day to eat them. I once had two in one sitting. I have a problem, I know. But when you are faced with a plate containing a spinach bagel toasted with avocado and tomato (and sprouts every now and then), you would do what any red-​blooded american would do. Gobble it up and ask for seconds. Foreigners from the nearby hostel seem to also enjoy this drug known as bagels from miriams. Be warned, once you try one you will keep coming back for more.
On a more professional note, she now serves acme coffee (local coffee roasters and she has a way with an espresso machine so you know you are getting a good coffee drink), and she gets all her food locally so her business is pretty much as local and independent as it gets. Also its the only completely vegetarian place in Monterey (Tilley Gorts is also all vegetarian, but its in Pacific Grove).
If you are not completely absorbed with your bagel take some time to look at the local art that hangs on the wall, but get there early to get a good seat, since space is limited and you will want to stay for a while.

I stop at Miriam’s each time I visit Monterey. Lovely lattes and bagels.
Miriam is a bundle of sunshine!

I have to say this is the epitome of the indie coffee shop, a tiny little stop on Lighthouse that’s worth its weight in gold. Local art adorns the walls and shelves. Limited seating in here, so you’re fortunate if you catch the place empty or with only one or two other folks. The morning of my visit I had an americano and a really awesome coconut pineapple muffin (the last muffin available). In speaking with Miriam (I don’t know who else it could have been), she informed me that all the baked goods are made locally as well – another win. My friend really liked his mocha, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and spread of flavor in my americano. When getting ready to hang out around Monterey, I’ll count on Miriam’s as my first stop.

Wide variety of very good tea. The Best Americano I’ve tried on the Monterey Peninsula.
Ask for a toasted bagel with hummus, avacado, tomato — OMG.
I know it sounds like so what, but Miriam’s are special — more love in them
or something.

I know this space because I had my Sr. Prom dinner here with my closest friends. It used to be called the Gallery and it was a French restaurant ran by two chefs. I don’t think they are open unless you call in advance and make reservations. the place only seated maybe 8 tops.
Anywho, was always interested to see what took over and have been meaning to stop by Miriam’s Café…
It’s a cute café with great service. Limited menu but they what they do offer is very lovely. I was picking up some coffee and breakfast for a friend and made my own bagel sando. I asked for cream cheese, avocado and hummus. I know a bit strange but like things creamy… I wanted to ask for mayo too but didn’t want to freak Miriam out. Haha. No seriously, I think mayo would have brought out the flavor of the avocado and added another level of creaminess.
I cut it up and shared it with a friend and it was delcious. Look forward to going back for more. Oh and they also had fun art on the walls and unique mostly blank gift cards too.

Fantastic place! Definitely stop by for some delicious coffee when you’re in Monterey.
The bagels were also great — so great that we took 2 to bring back to the Land O Bag Bagels (SF).
Parking is easy, so don’t let that stop you from checking this place out. I noticed that there were a lot of empty store fronts in Monterey on my last visit, so do your part to support the local economy/​Miriam! :)

This place is TINY! It looks like a veritable closet amongst the other stores around it – and a little hard to find. But… oh so good!
I didn’t really want to go here because I love me some meat, and this place just doesn’t have it. But the reviews were just so glowing, that how could we not try it?
1^st of all, Miriam is so friendly and smiley. Wifey and I had really no idea what to order, so as we were going along with our order, she would drop little hints, «spinach bagels are the best,» or «lots of people get the cream cheese and tomato on it.» No rush, no fuss, just a great big smile!
2ndly, the coffee is really good.
3^rd, the spinach bagel with cream cheese and tomato is amazing! It’s topped with freshly ground black pepper and coarse salt. I never thought something so vegetarian could taste so good!
4^th, the little decorations in the place are cute. From the art on the walls to the little details like small doors along the bar/​counter.
It’s a fun little place and literally minutes away from Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is where we went next!

I happened into Miriam’s a little over a year ago and now it’s my go-​to place for coffee and bagels. She makes the BEST coffee/​mochas in town. And I don’t know what she does to make her bagels (all-​seed bagel with cream cheese, avocado, salt and fresh pepper) taste so good but I haven’t found a place yet that can duplicate the taste. I’ve even tried to make my own at home and they just don’t stand up. Sometimes I’ll even wake up dreaming about her bagels!
Miriam is always friendly and remembers small details of my life that she’ll bring up on my visits (such as to ask about my daughter and such).
My only suggestion to new customers is that her fill in baristas (even the owner needs time off sometimes) do not make coffee as well as she does and so I avoid the days that Miriam herself is not working.

i am biased. I love Yam and want her to prosper.
She has vegan options for all you coffee goers looking for a cruelty free breakfast snack.
her coffee is kickin too. and the art is (usually) impressive. Local artists and such.
lots of regulars, good place to sit, but not for too long… theres not much seating.