'The Last Of Us': Why did Ellie leave coffee beans on Joel's grave? The significance, explained  (2025)

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3 “The Path” very clearly explains what happens next to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) after the death of her one constant father figure Joel (Pedro Pascal), but fans of the HBO show are still stumped by one poignant moment. Sure, we get why Ellie and pal Dina (Isabela Merced) make a stop by Joel’s grave south of Jackson en route to Seattle. We even understand why the girls embark on their revenge plot without the blessing of Jackson’s council. But what’s really confusing some TLOU fans is the fact that Ellie leaves coffee beans at Joel’s grave.

So why did Ellie leave coffee beans on Joel’s grave in The Last of Us? What’s the significance of the gesture? Why is she wasting good ground on, well, ground? Is this a reference to the video games or something else?

Here’s everything you need to know about why Ellie leaves those mysterious coffee beans at Joel’s grave in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3 “The Path” on HBO…

The Last Of Us: Why Did Ellie Leave Coffee Beans On Joel’s Grave?

Still mystified over Ellie’s bizarre offering of coffee beans at Joel’s grave? Curious why she didn’t just opt for flowers? Worried you missed some major Easter egg in the HBO show?

The reason why Ellie leaves coffee beans on Joel’s grave is honestly pretty basic. It turns out that Joel just really, really liked coffee.

Fans of the original video games that The Last of Us is based on will probably recall that Joel would have a common, wistful complaint whenever he and Ellie found themselves somewhere where there used to be coffee readily available. Basically, he would complain about missing coffee. Evidently, after the Cordyceps virus swept the globe, the coffee trade from South America and beyond was one of the many trade routes to just evaporate into thin air.

If you’re one of the many, many people watching The Last of Us who have never played the game, Ellie’s offering still has a sweet connection to the HBO show.

In The Last of Us Season 1 Episode 4 “Please Hold to My Hand,” Joel and Ellie are making their way cross country after stocking up on supplies at good old Bill’s (Nick Offerman) compound. Ellie wakes up in the woods to a peculiar smell. Joel is boiling coffee on a makeshift camp stove. Ellie examines the kettle and is grossed out by the smell of the steaming hot liquid inside.

“What the fuck is that?” she cries out, recoiling.

A bemused Joel asks, “You don’t like coffee?”

Later, as they are driving Bill’s truck west, Ellie asks Joel if the stuff he’s slurping out of a thermos can really be what was once sold at all the vacant Starbucks storefronts she’s seen. He confirms, though admits theirs was way fresher than what prepper Bill saved up.

“Smells like burnt shit,” the teenager says. Joel just slurps his coffee louder.

Ellie’s offering to Joel’s grave is her way of honoring the love and connection they built. She might still hate coffee, but he loved it. By leaving a few pure coffee beans with Joel, she’s honoring one of his many quirks that initially caused friction in their relationship.

So basically Ellie leaves coffee beans at Joel’s grave in The Last of Us because Joel really liked coffee.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4 comes out on HBO and MAX this Sunday, May 4 at 9 PM ET.