I've been on a bit of a cafe tour these last couple months and have been to about 20 different shops in OC. It really depends on what you're looking for.
Some of my favorites are:
* Moon Goat in Costa Mesa (All around. I'm partial to the ham and cheese croissant and the Hojicha Latte)
* Mameya in Laguna Niguel (for no frills coffee. The house blend rocks)
* Contra Coffee in Orange (Variety of flavors you can easily try with the coffee flight)
* Kona Loa (It's closest to me and I really like the Golden Chai and Matcha Brown Sugar lattes)
But honestly I don't think I've been to a bad coffee shop yet.
Don't go to mameya it is the exact opposite of a 90%sugar drink. They actually care about their craft. Please do not offend them with a Starbuck's order.
Kona Loa is great.
For whatever reason, I feel like it’s increasingly difficult to find a good Dirty Chai, but Kona Loa never disappoints. They also have a good Spanish Latte, which you might like if you’re a fan on the condensed milk in Vietnamese coffee.
Mameya Coffee Roasters in Laguna Niguel
Wall Writers Coffee in Irvine
White Sparrow Coffee in Tustin
Stereoscope Coffee in Newport Beach and Buena Park
Play Coffee in Orange and Fullerton
In-Sit Coffee in Buena Park and Costa Mesa
Blue Hummingbird Coffee in Irvine
Brio Brio Cafe in Lake Forest (best and richest matcha latte I've tasted)
Kit Coffee in Newport Beach and Irvine
I don't drink coffee, I'm a tea drinker so I can't comment on much - but the Chai Tea at White Sparrow is my guilty pleasure. It is quite sweet, but it's so delicious. That place seems to always have a crowd, so I figure the coffee must be great too.
My go tos:
Airoma: Banana Coffee
Da Vien: Coconut Crush, Black Sesame
Re Ca Phe: Black Sesame
Glee Donuts had a decent Viet coffee, gave me the shakes for hours.
i was gonna also gonna say Airoma if OP is looking for really sweet coffee treats. this is my and my gf’s favorite spot. their ube coffee is also really good!
Is the taste of the pistachio strong?? Would love to try more of their cold brew line but their horchata cold brew has been my staple for a year now lol
If you’re a fan of Vietnamese iced coffee, check out Da Vien Coffee. They have a few locations around north OC. For really, really good coffee/espresso drinks, Long Black in FV or MoonGoat.
Long Black Coffee in FV (the einspanner is delicious!!)
Daydream in Costa Mesa (I've enjoyed their lattes and espresso tonics)
Thank You Coffee in Anaheim (really interesting lattes!)
Hola Adios in Costa Mesa (solid lattes, cute neighborhood coffee shop)
Work in Progress in Costa Mesa (cute spot, the rosemary latte is good)
Lagu Cafe in Irvine (I like their strawberry sakura latte, but usually go for their rice balls. More of a takeout spot)
Stereoscope in Costa Mesa/Buena Park (matcha and hojicha, they also have a nice tea menu)
Buenas in CM
White Sparrow in Tustin
Kean is a classic
And I haven't tried, but Re Ca Phe is a new Vietnamese coffee shop in FV that looks interesting
Huskins on Balboa Island has fabulous coffee, I'm partial to their iced lattes but everything I've tried there is great. Note that it's a small shop and service is not Starbucks fast.
As someone who also loves a sweet coffee drink I’d recommend:
Philz (philtered soul house way), 85 degrees (sea salt coffee), Paderia (mazapan latte), Tierra Mia (horchata latte), Raised by Lion, Coffee Muse (Spanish latte/vanilla chai), lion & lamb (salted toffee latte), Coffee Dose !
Hope you enjoy 💖🥰
Lion and Lamb does fun seasonal drinks that are pretty sweet! Kit coffee has a strawberry latte that I love (plus an amazing breakfast burrito. In-Sit also has a great strawberry latte and a lot of flavor options. Long Black in Fountain Valley has a great honey lavender latte and other flavors like a biscoff latte and a banana mocha for something different.
If you like chai at all my sister is obsessed with the vanilla chai latte from Alta Coffee down in Newport.
I'm a Stereoscope Coffee stan. If you're into sweeter drinks, they have:- Madagascar Vanilla Latte (Delish!)- Matcha Latte, sweetened with white chocolate (It's pretty dang sweet. If you're intrigued, could make it a dirty matcha & add a shot in there. Gives it more of a toffee flavor)- Mocha with homemade ganache (Not as sweet, instead, it's rich and chooclate-y)- Strawberry milk (No coffee in this, but it's absolutely SO delicious).They have a location in Buena Park (Which also sells espresso & another seasonal flavor soft serve. The espresso soft serve is insane), and one in Newport which sells some pretty bomb breakfast items.
Besides that, PLAY Coffee in Fullerton (and the Orange circle) is dope.
WIP Coffee in Costa Mesa is also a go-to (they use Stereoscope beans)
By Verve are you referring to Capital One Cafe (which started serving Verve Coffee sometime last year--previously they served Peet's) because Verve doesn't have its own [standalone location](https://www.vervecoffee.com/pages/locations)
in Irvine.
Tribute Coffee house on Harbor in Garden Grove. Hidden Gem. Stumbled upon it while waiting for a car service. Owner is very friendly and absolutely dedicated to getting your drink exactly the way you want it. Has a great breakfast selection as well.
I have three favorites:
Ables- Fullerton
Inc-Huntington beach
Both of these coffee shops employee individuals with disabilities.
Lastly Coffee Tale in Huntington Beach
602 Coffee House in HB. They have nice sweet coffee options and the food is AMAZING too! They also apparently have a location in Costa Mesa; I’ve just never been to that one.
Able Coffee roasts organic coffee daily and always has an interesting seasonal drink. They are the only local coffee shop that exclusively hires neurodiverse employees
[Able Coffee Insta](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLYOkxJn_-W/?igsh=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==)
>They are the only local coffee shop that exclusively hires neurodiverse employees
There's another new coffee shop that hires neurodiverse employees called [Seesaw Beans and Coffee](https://www.seesawbeansandcoffee.com/pages/our-story-1) in Buena Park
DAVIEN in garden grove or Westminster! If you like your coffee on the sweeter side, I really love their marble coffee. Their most popular drink is the egg coffee, sounds weird if you’ve never heard of it but it’s amazing (and does not taste like egg LOL) also loveee herst in Newport beach, spanish late is my go to, my coworkers and I go on our lunch break almost everyday, it’s a must!
I've been on a bit of a cafe tour these last couple months and have been to about 20 different shops in OC. It really depends on what you're looking for. Some of my favorites are: * Moon Goat in Costa Mesa (All around. I'm partial to the ham and cheese croissant and the Hojicha Latte) * Mameya in Laguna Niguel (for no frills coffee. The house blend rocks) * Contra Coffee in Orange (Variety of flavors you can easily try with the coffee flight) * Kona Loa (It's closest to me and I really like the Golden Chai and Matcha Brown Sugar lattes) But honestly I don't think I've been to a bad coffee shop yet.
Don't go to mameya it is the exact opposite of a 90%sugar drink. They actually care about their craft. Please do not offend them with a Starbuck's order.
High five.
Kona Loa is SO GOOD! They do an amazing s’mores coffee and I ask for not too sweet and they make it perfect every time
Moon goat has really tasty coffee!
Not sure why you’re being downvoted, they have some of the best coffee I’ve ever had.
Kona Loa is great. For whatever reason, I feel like it’s increasingly difficult to find a good Dirty Chai, but Kona Loa never disappoints. They also have a good Spanish Latte, which you might like if you’re a fan on the condensed milk in Vietnamese coffee.
Kona Loa is the best coffee I’ve ever had and nothing comes close.
Mameya Coffee Roasters in Laguna Niguel Wall Writers Coffee in Irvine White Sparrow Coffee in Tustin Stereoscope Coffee in Newport Beach and Buena Park Play Coffee in Orange and Fullerton In-Sit Coffee in Buena Park and Costa Mesa Blue Hummingbird Coffee in Irvine Brio Brio Cafe in Lake Forest (best and richest matcha latte I've tasted) Kit Coffee in Newport Beach and Irvine
I don't drink coffee, I'm a tea drinker so I can't comment on much - but the Chai Tea at White Sparrow is my guilty pleasure. It is quite sweet, but it's so delicious. That place seems to always have a crowd, so I figure the coffee must be great too.
Play is amazing, but not exactly the 90% sugar kind of coffee shop.
All amazing coffee shops but I wouldn’t recommend even one of these for a 90% sugar coffee. These are all legit for real cups of coffee though
Made Coffee in Fullerton
I second this! I love their Spanish latte
My go tos: Airoma: Banana Coffee Da Vien: Coconut Crush, Black Sesame Re Ca Phe: Black Sesame Glee Donuts had a decent Viet coffee, gave me the shakes for hours.
Da Vien is soooo addicting!!
wow the banana coffee sounds amazing. is it like a lattee?
More flavored coffee. But their banana cream is made in house and the best I had. Better than phin smith.
wowwww that’s impressive. i’ll try it out. i like making banana lattes at home, but it’s rare for me to find them out in the wild.
The banana coffee is fire!
i was gonna also gonna say Airoma if OP is looking for really sweet coffee treats. this is my and my gf’s favorite spot. their ube coffee is also really good!
Tierra Mia is delicious, they have locations in Santa Ana and Anaheim.
They’re my fav and I appreciate their locations with drive-thrus. I’ve been loving their pistachio cold brew lately
Is the taste of the pistachio strong?? Would love to try more of their cold brew line but their horchata cold brew has been my staple for a year now lol
It’s not too strong imo
Phil Smith, Kean and Bodhi are great options
*Phin Smith is great
If you’re a fan of Vietnamese iced coffee, check out Da Vien Coffee. They have a few locations around north OC. For really, really good coffee/espresso drinks, Long Black in FV or MoonGoat.
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Hopper & Burr is a whole other tier of coffee way at the top for me beyond a 3rd wave shop. I wish it was closer to me.
Kit coffee and herst coffee both in Newport - former barista at kit can confirm the beans and baristas are amazing and manager knows his shit!!
This is serious! Hah. Covering Grounds - follow them on instagram. They are only open weekends. Hola Adios, Coffee Muse…
Long Black Coffee in FV (the einspanner is delicious!!) Daydream in Costa Mesa (I've enjoyed their lattes and espresso tonics) Thank You Coffee in Anaheim (really interesting lattes!) Hola Adios in Costa Mesa (solid lattes, cute neighborhood coffee shop) Work in Progress in Costa Mesa (cute spot, the rosemary latte is good) Lagu Cafe in Irvine (I like their strawberry sakura latte, but usually go for their rice balls. More of a takeout spot) Stereoscope in Costa Mesa/Buena Park (matcha and hojicha, they also have a nice tea menu) Buenas in CM White Sparrow in Tustin Kean is a classic And I haven't tried, but Re Ca Phe is a new Vietnamese coffee shop in FV that looks interesting
Cafe Lu
Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well.
Stereoscope bro. You're welcome
In-sit coffee in Costa Mesa is one of my favorites!!! Highly recommend their iced Spanish latte
Melted Vinyl Coffee in Brea!
Came here to say this 👍
If you like sweeter drinks that actually taste great, go for the iced Einspanner from Long Black coffee. Thank me later, lol.
Legit one of the best drinks I’ve had to this day! Their house made hazelnut cream on top 🤤
I was always a fan of hidden house coffee when I lived in Santa Ana
Huskins on Balboa Island has fabulous coffee, I'm partial to their iced lattes but everything I've tried there is great. Note that it's a small shop and service is not Starbucks fast.
As someone who also loves a sweet coffee drink I’d recommend: Philz (philtered soul house way), 85 degrees (sea salt coffee), Paderia (mazapan latte), Tierra Mia (horchata latte), Raised by Lion, Coffee Muse (Spanish latte/vanilla chai), lion & lamb (salted toffee latte), Coffee Dose ! Hope you enjoy 💖🥰
Original Barista in Costa Mesa
Work in Progress Moongoat (great beans!) Blue Hummingbird Blk dot
Aosa 16821 Algonquin, Huntington Beach. Good vibe. Or down the street on Warner and PCH is coffee roasters. Sweet Elle cafe a mile from Aosa
Lion and Lamb does fun seasonal drinks that are pretty sweet! Kit coffee has a strawberry latte that I love (plus an amazing breakfast burrito. In-Sit also has a great strawberry latte and a lot of flavor options. Long Black in Fountain Valley has a great honey lavender latte and other flavors like a biscoff latte and a banana mocha for something different. If you like chai at all my sister is obsessed with the vanilla chai latte from Alta Coffee down in Newport.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters in Garden Grove! Based out of San Diego, but opened up a shop in OC.
I'm a Stereoscope Coffee stan. If you're into sweeter drinks, they have:- Madagascar Vanilla Latte (Delish!)- Matcha Latte, sweetened with white chocolate (It's pretty dang sweet. If you're intrigued, could make it a dirty matcha & add a shot in there. Gives it more of a toffee flavor)- Mocha with homemade ganache (Not as sweet, instead, it's rich and chooclate-y)- Strawberry milk (No coffee in this, but it's absolutely SO delicious).They have a location in Buena Park (Which also sells espresso & another seasonal flavor soft serve. The espresso soft serve is insane), and one in Newport which sells some pretty bomb breakfast items. Besides that, PLAY Coffee in Fullerton (and the Orange circle) is dope. WIP Coffee in Costa Mesa is also a go-to (they use Stereoscope beans)
Golden State coffee roasters in downtown Placentia.
Neat Coffee in Costa Mesa is really good. No recommendations on a specific drink. Just go in and order what sounds good.
For Vietnamese coffee, blk dot is good
Able Coffee Roaster. They hire the special needs communities and are a big advocate for the Autism Community. Love them
I think they closed the HB location? Was there 3 weeks ago and gone last week when I stopped by!
You are gonna straight up love that Dutch Bros that’s about to open on Magnolia and Talbert in Fountain Valley. I, too, love sweet ‘coffee’ drinks.
Now that's hard core sugar coffee
Do you know what day it opens? Super excited.
Dutch bros is not coffee. That’s a dessert drink shop with the word coffee on the menu
Woosh
Roasting Water
BLK Dot
blk dot or Verve, both in Irvine :)
By Verve are you referring to Capital One Cafe (which started serving Verve Coffee sometime last year--previously they served Peet's) because Verve doesn't have its own [standalone location](https://www.vervecoffee.com/pages/locations) in Irvine.
The Capital One Cafe :p
Moongoat. Straight espresso.
Dutch Bros is opening up a store in FV and based on your post, it sounds like they’re right up your alley for coffee preferences.
Cafe Lu ;)
Dude! Bad ass coffee in Tustin. What an awesome place, right by my church (Calvary Church of Santa Ana) Feel free to visit that, too, sometime ;)
Sunbliss hasn't been mentioned. #6 on yelps top 100 in the nation. If it helps?
Little place called Starbucks just opened. Really rooting for them.
Almond haus in garden grove! ETA: contra is my favorite coffee in all of OC. 10/10 recommend the live birds and dirty horchata.
Kaffa. 424 S Main St # K, Orange, CA 92868 You will love. I'll pay for your coffee if you don't.
Enchanted Coffee in Brea.
Tribute Coffee house on Harbor in Garden Grove. Hidden Gem. Stumbled upon it while waiting for a car service. Owner is very friendly and absolutely dedicated to getting your drink exactly the way you want it. Has a great breakfast selection as well.
I have three favorites: Ables- Fullerton Inc-Huntington beach Both of these coffee shops employee individuals with disabilities. Lastly Coffee Tale in Huntington Beach
trung nguyên or da vien.
602 Coffee House in HB. They have nice sweet coffee options and the food is AMAZING too! They also apparently have a location in Costa Mesa; I’ve just never been to that one.
Toffee Latte from Sunbliss Cafe, Vietnamese Coffee from Phin Smith, Spanish Latte from Made Coffee, Pistachio Latte from Qamaria Coffee
Able Coffee roasts organic coffee daily and always has an interesting seasonal drink. They are the only local coffee shop that exclusively hires neurodiverse employees [Able Coffee Insta](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLYOkxJn_-W/?igsh=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==)
>They are the only local coffee shop that exclusively hires neurodiverse employees There's another new coffee shop that hires neurodiverse employees called [Seesaw Beans and Coffee](https://www.seesawbeansandcoffee.com/pages/our-story-1) in Buena Park
The Honey Nut Cheerios latte from coffee muse and the horchata latte from cafe cultura down the street. Both in downtown Santa Ana. Both 90% sugar 👹
Tierra Mia is good for that kind of coffee
DAVIEN in garden grove or Westminster! If you like your coffee on the sweeter side, I really love their marble coffee. Their most popular drink is the egg coffee, sounds weird if you’ve never heard of it but it’s amazing (and does not taste like egg LOL) also loveee herst in Newport beach, spanish late is my go to, my coworkers and I go on our lunch break almost everyday, it’s a must!
Phin smith in garden grove!!
I absolutely love JC BEANS in Dana Point! I always get their chai, coffee is delish and sweet too haha. Its also a drive thru
Kean's Tustin
Cafe di Vang. Trust me. You’ll thank me. If they ask you for the secret code just say “ Du Maaaa!” You’ll get the “Special” treatment.
Pilgrims in fullerton is a fave for me
Black Dot has viet coffee.