Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company

Coffee shop · Mobile

Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company

Coffee shop · Mobile

1

4072 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36608

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Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by Carpe Diem Coffee & Ta Co.
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company by null

Highlights

Nestled in a charming refurbished house, this cozy coffee spot has been a cherished Mobile fixture since '95, serving house-roasted brews and delectable pastries.  

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4072 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36608 Get directions

carpe-coffee.com
@carpediemcoffeeandtea

$1–10 · Menu

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4072 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36608 Get directions

+1 251 304 0448
carpe-coffee.com
@carpediemcoffeeandtea

$1–10 · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 12, 2025

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"Tucked inside a refurbished house on Old Shell Road, this quaint coffee shop has been a Mobile staple for nearly two decades. In addition to endless coffee concoctions made with house-roasted beans, the shop serves freshly baked goods for both breakfast and an afternoon pick-me-up. Arrive early to grab an egg sandwich on a fluffy, buttery homestyle biscuit (these often sell out by 9 a.m.), or pop in after lunch for a lemon Goodie bar, the Southern Alabama equivalent of St. Louis-style gooey butter cake." - Sarah Bisacca

The Best Restaurants Worth Visiting in Mobile, Alabama
View Postcard for Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company

Stephanie Turner

Google
Stopped here on our road trip for some coffee. It was around 10 AM on a Sunday and it was packed. Waited a while in line, but didn’t have to wait very long for our coffee and muffin. Coffee was strong, which is great! But the cranberry muffin was a bit dry. I think I would’ve enjoyed this more spot if it were less crowded. Overall, pretty OK pit stop for coffee.

Ajax Glaser

Google
I really wanted to love this coffee shop due to all the glowing reviews. However, I left disappointed. The atmosphere at this shop is really nice, but it's packed (that's not a huge issue). It's like being at your grandma's house for a family party - cozy with nowhere to sit. The staff was friendly despite being slammed and churning out orders kind of slowly. By far the worst sweet treats I have ever had because everything tasted stale like the inside of a refrigerator. I ordered a rice krispie treat, a key lime pie, and a tiramisu, so it's not like I tried one "off" item. They were all bad. The rice krispie treat was no longer crisp, but slightly soggy with the stale fridge taste. The key lime pie would have been fine if it didn't taste like stale fridge. The tiramisu had the same issue. I also ordered one iced and one hot drink. These were mediocre. My dine-in cappuccino came with thee foam deflated in a paper cup. The specialty latte I ordered tasted burnt even after the ice melted and mellowed everything out. Overall, I think this is a really cute shop located in a nice part of Mobile, AL perfect for studying or people-watching, but the drinks and sweets are just not good. To their credit, pricing is competitive.

Roux_504

Google
A nice local coffee shop,that gives you to service and atmosphere that you don't get at a chain coffee shop. The orders were made quick and there is plenty of space inside and outside. They roast beans on site and I grabbed a bag to take back home. The smell of fresh coffee hits you in the face as soon as you enter. Wifi was pretty stable as well. If we're in town again we know where to go to chill out

Jessica Brown

Google
Gotta admit, I was a little on the fence because of the reviews but, I went to check it out for myself. As I am pulling in the lot I see a whole crowd go in. Truth is though, they got those people in and out really quickly! I was pretty impressed I expected it to take much longer than it did! Coffee was good, girl at counter was nice, price was reasonable. Very nice experience! I will be back!!

Kelley H

Google
LOVE coming here while in town- such a cute coffee shop built inside an old Mobile house. Just short of 30 years of being in business. There's tons of tables- probably about 15 within the front and back of the house there's 2 little seating areas as well. The coffee was fresh and my king cake muffin was so yummy! The staff is super helpful.

K'Cee Ortiz

Google
Neat atmosphere, friendly staff, lots of fun options. Everything from bakery items (gluten free even), coffee and tea, to ice cream and popsicles. Great spot to study in the evenings & fun place to meet up for a coffee.

Adrienne Gates

Google
Stop by for a tea and it was really good. I've been here several times for coffee as well. Never disappointed in the quality. Staff is very friendly. Seating is limited but nice atmosphere. not much parking and always packed. This last visit I spent 15 minutes trying to find a parking spot.

Emily Tanner

Google
5 ⭐ s across the board. I am highly impressed with the coffee quality served here. However, the cozy interior is what will keep me coming back. Parking is slightly limited during peak coffee drinking hours.

Kelsey C.

Yelp
I love this place. We come every time we visit and they have a great variety of coffee and tea choices!

Kelley H.

Yelp
Love coming here while in town- such a cute coffee shop built inside an old Mobile house. Just short of 30 years of being in business. There's tons of tables- probably about 15 within the front and back of the house there's 2 little seating areas as well. The coffee was fresh and my king cake muffin was so yummy! The staff is super helpful.

Karen L.

Yelp
Beautiful coffee shop, a home from home. Great service and ambience is amazing. I had hot latte and a breakfast croissant both were very good.

Shack D.

Yelp
Great coffee. Love it. They roast their own. Been a customer for a long time. I didn't want to write this but the Carpe service is at an all time low. Service needs improvement. It's gone down significantly in the past 6 months with a new group of employees. - Slow. The new group of staff are so slow. The morning rush is real. Can you please work on getting people coffee faster? There is no need to check your phone in between orders when there are 20 people in line. Seems like NO one wants to be there. You are losing 30% of your customers when they walk in, see a 20 minute line, and leave. Maybe an express coffee line? - Coffee availability. At least 20% of the time, I order a drip coffee and its out. How can this be? Is it really that hard to have 100% availability on coffee in a coffee shop? - Ambience. The new choice of music is dire. So moody and dark. Not a way to start your morning. I get this is really minor but why? Please work on your service. The coffee is so good - the service can be too (it once was).

Michael B.

Yelp
I wanted to give this coffee house 5 stars. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, with a nice aroma of roasted coffee. It looks like an old house that was converted, complete with patio seating. They make chicken salad from scratch, which was pretty good. But, the coffee was no bueno. My go-to order for coffee houses, is either a cappuccino or latte, with no flavor or sweeteners. That allows me to taste the quality and freshness of the espresso shots. It's hard to pinpoint what was wrong. The brew did not taste burned or stale, but a tad bitter. They lacked the richness, sweetness, acidity, smokiness, or any other characteristic that you expect from solid espresso. I suspect the beans were past their prime, paired with a bad shot pull. How does that happen in a shop that roasts in-house? It should be even better. With a great name like "Carpe Diem", it's time they seize some better beans.

Carol R.

Yelp
Came here because of the name. This coffee shop is located in what appears to be an old house which is pretty neat. We tried a mocha, and a blackberry honey latte. Both were good. The blackberry honey flavor was interesting but worked. I'd order it again. We also tried the sausage breakfast sandwich. It was just okay. Staff were friendly but we were a little confused when they brought us our food but then just left our coffee on the counter. If they called our name we didn't hear it.

Katrina S.

Yelp
We stopped here for coffee and breakfast on our road trip through. What an awesome spot! We ordered two Breakfast Sandwiches, a Latte with Oat Milk, and an Alpine Mocha Latte with Skim Milk. Absolutely delicious! The breakfast sandwiches on bagels were full fresh, fully of flavor, and very filling. The Latte with Oat Milk was a great way to taste their coffee, which was extremely smooth. The Alpine Mocha Latte was heated perfectly and full of flavor without being too sweet. Make sure to stop by coffee and their breakfast!

Donna P.

Yelp
All coffee shops should be this way. Lots of options; fresh, well- prepared coffee; lots of seating; good music but turned down low enough so that you can have a conversation; and scrumptious sweets! Perfection.

Belecia S.

Yelp
Always a treat going here with my boyfriend, great coffee shop with plenty of indoor/outdoor seating for a chill date or to study! I'm very picky about ordering the same thing whenever I go out, and I appreciate the consistency and quality they provide with the taste of both their food and drinks! They're very quick with service, in both taking orders and getting food/drinks out fast! I love this spot, would definitely recommend!

Lucy H.

Yelp
Eclectic atmosphere with great selection of hot and iced coffees. Staff is helpful and friendly. Love supporting local. Offers a variety of muffins, cookies..

Bailey M.

Yelp
They roast their own beans in house and will grind them for you if you want to take them home with you. They have solid coffee options when it comes to the basics. If you have a go to drink you get everywhere you go they can nail it for you with top quality! Their seasonal menus are not super innovative but they are VERY STRONG on the basics and fundamentals of being a great coffee shop

Andrea R.

Yelp
Really tasty coffee. I also got a coffee cake on my goodness so amazing. This place is super busy but they move quick

Noelani D.

Yelp
Carpe has been my favorite Mobile coffeeshop for a while, but I'm just getting around to reviewing it. The staff are always so friendly and accommodating. The coffee is beyond amazing, and they roast the beans right there. The other morning I stopped by for breakfast and got to try their cinnamon rolls for the first time - . Delicious! For COVID, they have all the seating inside set 6 feet apart and request that you don't stay longer than 90 minutes to free up room for new customers. They also have their outdoor seating available. When it comes to Carpe Diem, my only complaint is that I wish I lived closer so I could visit more often! P. S. If you're going to become a regular, they do have a frequent visitor points system, so be sure to sign up.

Mary Claire C.

Yelp
I and my dog pretty much lived at carpe studying and drinking coffee the last couple years. All the baristas are so friendly. I love that they have flavored roasts on drip every day and dog treats. Its my favorite place in Mobile to go read and sip coffee on a Sunday afternoon after a long walk in Springhill.

Kevin M.

Yelp
I have always received great service at Carpe Diem. Their staff work hard to make great beverages! Thanks, Carpe Diem!

Penny D.

Yelp
I went for lunch. I came here years ago. My memory is there was a better selection of food. The chicken salad sandwich was very bland. Nothing was that interesting that we had, especially for the price. My son was surprised that we liked it before. The employees weren't that friendly. It did become crowded after we got there.

Jennifer C.

Yelp
Stopped here as I was leaving Mobile for coffee and a breakfast sandwich both of which were very good. Such a cute place!

Dylan W.

Yelp
Very welcoming place that feels extremely comfortable and relaxing, great coffee and many options!

Chris M.

Yelp
Probably the best peanut butter chocolate cheesecake I've ever had. Plenty of outdoor and indoor space to work remotely for a few hours. Will be back when I return to Mobile next time!

Juliet H.

Yelp
It's a local, popular spot for coffee and the likes! So popular that I do believe that they've outgrown their tiny building. I could be wrong, and if I am the building can stay but they need more help. The quaint charm and local coffee attracts the masses. On each of my visits I've either been in the rush and had a wait for a drink and/or table, OR barely missed the rush and thanked God while watching the struggle of others from the last decent table available-- while sipping a killer vanilla latte. Their drinks are great, their desserts are great also. I haven't tried the food menu yet, but at a passing glance, it looks legit. I'll be back to give it a whirl!

Charles W.

Yelp
I've been going to carpe for 15 years. I've loved this place for a long time, but there are too many rude employees. I can handle a bad cup of coffee every now and again, even higher prices are more palatable than someone who is rude to you. The management should consider who they hire a bit more carefully. Until they start treating customers better, I don't recommend Carpe Diem.

Akuu _.

Yelp
This is a great coffee shop tucked away in the Springhill area. The coffee is actually good, the service is quick, and the atmosphere is the kind of coffee shop you would expect near a college/business/suburban area. If you're studying, do know the WiFi is stable. Outdoor and indoor seating are available. Overall, it's an authentic Coffee shop experience and you should check it out.

Cori B.

Yelp
Love going here! It feels so welcoming every time I walk in! Sometimes parking can be a mess as there is not much of it, but I understand why everyone wants to be there! I definitely recommend the pumpkin muffin it's so good! Ive only had their breakfast bagel out of all of their food but that did not disappoint, worth trying out!

Elenora B.

Yelp
I tried Carpe Diem a few months ago while visiting some friends at Spring Hill. The coffee shop is very cute and it's a great place to study or just catch up with some friends. However, my latte was not the best. My go to drinks at coffee shops are lattes so I expected it to be pretty decent, but I just did not enjoy it. I did really enjoy my friend's caramel frappe, so I feel like maybe next time I go I'll have to try something else.

B H.

Yelp
Enjoyed the coffee and punkin muffin. They have a bunch of pastries. Legit stop to grab a quick bite.

Angelice F.

Yelp
Quaint little coffee house. Appears to be a local favorite by the looks of the number of bicycles and strollers in the parking lot. We had a variety of their croissant sandwiches, all of which were delicious!

Nicole E.

Yelp
Adam helped me today and I forgot a key element I wanted for my latte. He basically started over on my drink but showed absolutely no annoyance and even said that I should have it made perfectly so he didn't mind. I appreciated his kindness because I have had the busiest day and accomplished what feels like nothing. Ending it with a perfect latte made me feel so much better. Its the small things sometimes. This coffee shop has the best customer service.

Juncel A.

Yelp
We had a one night stay in Mobile while driving to Houston and needed some coffee for the drive. I put my faith in my yelpsters in my search for a good coffee shop and glad that I did! The place looks like a old house turned into a coffee shop. It has a very homey/mom and pop feel once you walk in. They have a variety of breakfast items, pastries, espresso drinks, and regular coffee drinks on the menu. I got the macchiato and my girlfriend got the cappuccino and bagel. The macchiato is your traditional Italian macchiato (as opposed to the Starbucks version) and it was nice and strong without the sour acidity that I really hate. The cappuccino was also nice with pretty coffee art by the barista. The bagel was not bad either! The service was good and everyone was nice! I guess it's just the southern hospitality in full effect. Overall I think this is a great local coffee shop and I definitely recommend coming.

Lauryl H.

Yelp
Very nice and quaint. Good place to study for college students. The beans are roasted in-store and fresh. The staff is very welcoming.

Tony S.

Yelp
The absolute best place to go get coffee, tea, sweets, or even a sandwich in Mobile! The location, the atmosphere, the employees, and even the building itself are completely incredible! I tried their strawberry lemonade the last time I went and it's by far the best one I've ever had!

Charli P.

Yelp
On one of the rare really cold days in Mobile, Hubby and I stopped at Carpe Diem to meet with a client. Let me say right now that this is NOT the best coffee spot to do business. It is crawling with teenagers and college students doing homework, etc. It is very popular with young and old alike and I can tell you the reason...the drinks are divine! I had one of the best cups of hot chocolate that I have ever had in my life. I will go back just for that! The building is an old home that has been remodeled into a coffee house. There are small nooks available to settle in and get some computer work done. The majority of the folks there had earplugs on, working. There is plenty of outdoor patio seating so you can bring your doggie with you in the warmer months. Enjoy all of the specialty offerings from coffee to mugs to trinkets! Cute little specialty shopping. I did not try any of the food but the menu was appealing. Husband really loved that there were authentic french girls working there!

Mary S.

Yelp
I almost drove right past this place. So glad I didn't! The place is like a historical house with a coffee and dessert bar added. Very good coffee and nice atmosphere! The gooey brownie was, by far, the best I've ever had in a coffee bar! Can't wait to get back here again!

Amy S.

Yelp
Cute little coffee shop. I just ran in to grab a quick latte to go. It was made to perfection. Looks like they have plenty of nice little cozy nook's to stay and hang out.

Kylie H.

Yelp
Coffee tastes like sewer water and despair. Customer service leaves a lot to be desired. This place makes Dunkin look highbrow.

Seth G.

Yelp
A Mobile institution. Go for a cup, but grab a bag on your way out; they are the premier coffee roasters in town.

Elizabeth C.

Yelp
Went to this coffee shop after seeing the reviews on yelp. Definitely an amazing find in Mobile! It is a "quaint little coffee house," and that adds to the charm of the place. I ordered one of their seasonal coffee flavors - blueberries and cream - after walking in and smelling blueberries in the air. The baked goods also looked fresh and amazing (I barely resisted ordering a ton to-go). If you're a student in Mobile, I think this place would be an amazing study spot. The building was converted from an old house into a coffee shop, so there are lots of rooms in the back with tables where you can kind of hide out and get work done (while sipping a delicious coffee!)

Caleb S.

Yelp
THE BEST COFFE SHOP I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!! like, I've been to good ones all over the place, but from the atmosphere of it to the taste of the coffee this is by far the best.

Mary F.

Yelp
YOU HAVE TO GO HERE!! This was an awesome coffee shop! I went on a trip to Alabama with my boyfriend and we wanted to go to a local coffee shop and thankfully chose this one! The atmosphere was awesome (very homey and cute ) and the coffee was exceptional! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful as well! If you're thinking about going this is your sign to just go and get u a 10/10 coffee!

Kayla C.

Yelp
This place is tiny, old (in dire need of renovations) and quite slow. The Sunday we went there, only ONE guy was making drinks so the wait was about 15 minutes due to the number of people here. Dirty dishes sat on tables for a long time, and once I realized these folks had left, I asked where I could set the dirty dishes to claim the seats for a study group. The guy barely looked my way and said, "Just set them down there," and pointed. So, tiny tables cramped close to one another, long waits, and not the friendliest of staff are a few reasons I don't plan on returning. My Caramel Macchiato was decent, but the atmosphere and service were turnoffs. I hate to say it, but I'd rather spend my time and money where my business is appreciated.

Jennifer B.

Yelp
The ambience is so cute and welcoming. I had the caramel macchiato and tiramisu dessert. There are a variety of cute little items you can also purchase. This reminds me of a place you'd see a cast of tv friends hanging out lol. The ladies working the counter were nice. They offered many suggestions. I will definitely return!

L. B.

Yelp
I was in Mobile for a week, and I loved this cafe. Coffee was good. I even bought a mug as a souvenir.

Isabelle N.

Yelp
Great, quick service and yummy desserts. I ordered the London fog (it could use more vanilla). The sugar cookie is a classic and the other pastry is the Mississippi mud pie.

Angela A.

Yelp
TL;DR - coffee pretty good, food okay, dessert delicious. Service/location/atmosphere above average Tried both the pourover and nitro cold brew. Both were above average, but nothing life-changing. Service was great (was working throughout the day and each of several encounters with staff were super positive). Was disappointed by the breakfast quiche which was WAY too salty (this is coming from someone who loves salt) and the crust was a bit undercooked on the bottom in some spots. Agree with the people recommending the tiramisu. It's a riff on the traditional dessert and is more of a parfait, but is super delicious. Wifi is reasonably fast, although it's laggy if trying to use for audio during a meeting. Would suggest dialing into meetings if that's the case. Would stop by again if I were in the area, primarily because of the convenient location and friendly staff!

Haley Elaine J.

Yelp
By far the best coffee I have ever had. Carpe is a super cute quaint place to go, and their flavors are of fine quality! The workers have always been super friendly as well! If you are ever in the area I highly suggest stopping by! Cute place to chill with friends or have a book club, and study as well!

Tom G.

Yelp
THE BEST coffee in the state of Alabama and likely the entire Gulf Coast. Inviting atmosphere. Family friendly. Great staff. Owner is a very good person also. Also has delicious made from scratch food at all times of the day. The breakfast is super yummy. Been going there ever since it opened in the 1990s. We tried many other places for sure but they just aren't as good as this place. It's won awards in magazines and everything. We LOVE CARPE DIEM!!! IT IS THE BEST!!!! YOU JUST GOT TO TRY IT!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

Mark L.

Yelp
Fantastic find while traveling through Mobile. This place has an awesome charm, comfortable setting, wonderful fresh in-house roasted coffee, and amazing pastries. We will definitely be stopping by again on our next trip!

Michael A.

Yelp
Fantastic coffee! I stopped by here many times but my daughter, a recent Spring Hill College grad, absolutely loved the place! She would study there or just hang out with her friends. They roast their own coffee and have so many delicious coffees to from. Don't miss this place when you're in Mobile and want some delicious coffee!

Shannon R.

Yelp
Cute and cozy....blueberry muffin was so oooh GOOD!! Love the vibe and friendly staff!

Jonna L.

Yelp
I love this spot. It's always so fun and full of local surprises and great, friendly people and staff!