Coffee Wave, a European-style cafe run by a local couple, has quietly slipped into Poway Road’s morning routine since opening earlier this year. The snug spot trades in chain-style predictability for a continental menu that leans chocolate-forward and flavor-focused, and its living-room feel seems to be resonating with regulars.
The cafe sits at 13538 Poway Road, Suite B, and keeps typical hours from about 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its listing also includes a contact number of (858) 371-8273, according to joe.coffee. The storefront is tucked into a busy shopping strip with plenty of parking, making it a convenient stop for commuters and families.
Owners Olga Trusova and Sergey Kholkin, who moved to the U.S. from Russia around 2014 and now run local small businesses, opened Coffee Wave in January 2026 and modeled it on European cafe traditions. The shop offers about 40 coffee flavors and a rotating lineup of specialty drinks, including affogatos, cortados, Belgian and Mexican hot chocolates, horchata, dragon-fruit creations and protein iced beverages. “Ours is more European and high quality. We have way more menu options and drinks than the other coffee shops,” Sergey Kholkin told The San Diego Union-Tribune. The couple says they add new drinks every two weeks, organize car meet-ups, take part in community events and are planning a mobile coffee truck and, eventually, their own roastery.
Menu, Music and a Neighborhood Vibe
Behind the bar, the team turns out espresso staples such as americanos, cappuccinos, mochas and lattes alongside a slate of signature drinks, while the small kitchen handles pastries, muffins and savory toasts. On Saturdays, live music on the patio has become a regular feature that adds to the neighborhood hangout feel, according to Atly.
Looking Ahead
Beyond the walk-in cafe, the owners say they want Coffee Wave to grow into events and pop ups, with the mobile truck already in the near-term plan and in-house roasting as a longer-range goal, per The San Diego Union-Tribune. Early customer reviews and local write-ups have highlighted the drinks and friendly service, and the shop appears to be carving out its own corner of Poway’s coffee scene.
