Stellar Brew offers delicious coffee, juices, smoothies, and healthy kitchen creations. (StellarBrewNaturalCafe.com)
Stellar Brew, located in the distinctive blue building on Main Street of Mammoth Lakes (next to the Chevron station), has a delightful bohemian vibe and one of the best sundecks in town. Enjoy a latte or one of the kitchen’s healthy creations (the Basin Bowl is to die for) while watching the beautiful people of the Eastern Sierra bustle in and out of this little coffee shop, waving to one another, petting dogs and grabbing breakfast burritos to go, off on their next adventure.
This joint sells smoothies, fresh juices, and, if you’re feeling frisky, mimosas and locally-made beers (also the ubiquitous Pabst Blue Ribbon for $1.50).
There’s always hip music playing and a friendly barista ready to help you navigate through all the protein powder and spirulina options on the menu. The Green Smoothie will make you feel like you’re winning at life, and the “Unbelievable,” made with dark chocolate, almond butter and bananas, truly lives up to its name. There’s also fresh-baked pastries every day. The carrot cake muffin is a go-to.
Stellar Brew (or just “Stellar,” if you’re hip to the local slang) is owned by Mammoth born-and-bred entrepreneur Andrea Walker, and you might catch her on Mondays in the summertime, when the coffee shop becomes a pick-up location for a local Community Supported Agriculture box, Sierra Bounty. Non-subscribers can purchase extra fruit or local eggs beginning at 4 p.m. every Monday to bring back to their kitchen or campsite. Walker makes great efforts to be a green business owner, and in keeping with Stellar’s philosophies, she’ll offer you a discount on your coffee for bringing your own cup.
Stellar Brew also features a rotating selection of art and photographs adorning its walls, most of which are available for purchase, as well as locally-made jewelry, crafts, t-shirts and hats featuring High Sierra scenes.
Stellar Brew is a hip, friendly place to see and be seen, and a great pit stop to fuel up for your Eastside ramblings.
Sarah Rea is a freelance dirtbag-turned-journalist who has been living in the Sierra on and off for twenty years, with eight spent in Yosemite National Park and five in Mammoth Lakes. She likes dogs, rocks, good food and jumping into cold water.