Following the debut of the world’s first Live Más Café in Chula Vista last December, Taco Bell has announced the opening of its second San Diego County location at a longtime Taco Bell store location on Carmel Mountain Road. The Live Más Café concept marks a major expansion of Taco Bell’s focus on beverages, with more than 20 specialty options ranging from agua frescas and chillers to flavored coffees and seasonal creations.
Customers can still order the chain’s classic tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but the spotlight is squarely on the drinks, crafted by “Bellristas” trained to deliver a more personalized and café-style service. Among the menu highlights are frozen Churro Chillers, Refrescas, and a fall-inspired Caramel Apple Empanada Chiller.
The new Carmel Mountain shop will be open daily from 7am to 2am, making it a late-night option in a busy North County corridor. At the same time, Taco Bell is also opening another Live Más Café across from UC Irvine, part of the company’s broader strategy to generate $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030. Both new openings follow the success of the Chula Vista pilot location, which tested the waters of the specialty beverage market by blending Taco Bell’s familiar menu with an upscale café experience.
With competition heating up in the specialty drink world, Taco Bell hopes its unique spin will carve out a place alongside coffee giants and juice chains. For San Diego, the launch of a second Live Más Café shows that the company sees strong potential to expand this hybrid fast food–café concept locally.
Originally published on September 10, 2025.
The new Carmel Mountain shop will be open daily from 7am to 2am, making it a late-night option in a busy North County corridor. At the same time, Taco Bell is also opening another Live Más Café across from UC Irvine, part of the company’s broader strategy to generate $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030. Both new openings follow the success of the Chula Vista pilot location, which tested the waters of the specialty beverage market by blending Taco Bell’s familiar menu with an upscale café experience.
With competition heating up in the specialty drink world, Taco Bell hopes its unique spin will carve out a place alongside coffee giants and juice chains. For San Diego, the launch of a second Live Más Café shows that the company sees strong potential to expand this hybrid fast food–café concept locally.
Live Más Café officially opens on Tuesday, September 16, at 11688 Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego's Carmel Valley, with a grand opening celebration featuring a DJ, games, giveaways, and exclusive drink samples from 3 to 5pm.
Originally published on September 10, 2025.