Gate-side caffeine fix in Terminal 1
Right in Terminal 1 post-security, Sheldrake Coffee Roasting & Sweet Jill's Bakery is the main spot at LGB for a real espresso before boarding. Expect airport pricing: drip coffee around $4–$5, espresso drinks closer to $6–$7, pastries in the $4–$6 range. The setup is grab-and-go with a small counter, built for quick orders between TSA and your gate.
Sheldrake handles the coffee side, roasting locally in Long Beach, so the beans don’t taste like generic concession stuff. You’ll see standard options: cold brew, lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos, plus non-dairy milks for a small upcharge, usually about $0.75. Morning lines spike between 6:00–8:00 a.m. when Southwest and Delta departures cluster, so add 10 extra minutes if you’re in that window.
Sweet Jill’s covers the sugar hit: big cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies, and bar-style desserts that feel more bakery than chain. Portions run large; one cinnamon roll can easily cover two people and comes in around $6–$7. They also usually have at least one brownie or blondie that travels well, useful for flights to Dallas, Denver, or Oakland that stretch to 2–3 hours.
Food is mostly pastries and snacks, not full meals, so don’t count on a proper lunch here before a 3-hour JetBlue run to the East Coast. You might see a few pre-made sandwiches or bagels in the case in the $8–$10 range, but the strength is still coffee and baked goods. If you want something more substantial, pair this stop with another Terminal 1 option.
Tip: Hit Sheldrake & Sweet Jill’s right after TSA, then walk your coffee to the outdoor patio near the gates; it’s usually less crowded than the seating right by the stand and still only a 2–3 minute walk back to any boarding door.