26 of The Best Coffee Shops in Orange County: The Ultimate Guide

Want to know the Best Coffee Shops to hit in Orange County?

If you know me, you know I do not mess around when it comes to coffee shops. Anywhere I travel to, my goal is to always find the best coffee shops and cafes. I am blessed to live in a place where we have some of the best. Whether you’re looking for the best specialty coffee in Orange County, a coffee shop that is open late or just somewhere super cozy to hang out at, I have you covered.

Coffee in San Clemente

1. Sur Coffee

matcha latte in a white ceramic mug with a chocolate chip cookie on a paper napkin from Sur Coffee San Clemente

Sur Coffee sources and roasts their own coffee. They work directly with farmers and have some of the best specialty coffee in OC. Their San Clemente location is a great place if you want to go with a friend or do some remote work and get a delicious coffee to drink. They have really good matcha and amazing chocolate chip cookies, too.

2. High Tide Coffee

iced matcha latte from high tide coffee San Clemente in my hand with the ocean in the background

High Tide Coffee is a family owned coffee shop in San Clemente (they also have locations in Laguna Niguel and Oceanside). They roast their beans weekly in Orange County and have one of the best matcha lattes in town. They have a decent sized breakfast menu and fun seasonal drinks. It’s one of my favorite coffee shops in OC.

3. Bluestone Lane Coffee

a piccolo in a clear cup on a blue ceramic plate in a coffee shop in Orange County.

Bluestone Lane is a fun coffee shop located right downtown in San Clemente. They have a lot of food and drink options on their menu. It’s a fun coffee shop to go to if you’re wanting options for both breakfast or lunch.

Coffee in Newport Beach

4. Humanity Coffee

a paper cup that says 'be good do good humanity coffee' with an egg English muffin in the background

If you’re looking for a spot with organic coffee in Newport, Humanity Coffee is it. It’s a cute little spot perfect to stop in and grab a coffee and breakfast sandwich if you’re on the go. They have organic teas and they make their syrups in house as well.

5. Stereoscope Coffee Co.

a cappuccino in a mug that says stereoscope of in with a chocolate croissant in the background

I went to Stereoscope one day while I was getting my car serviced. It’s a small spot located in an office building and their coffee was absolutely incredible. If you want the most beautiful looking latte art, they nailed it. I also got a chocolate croissant which was really good (and I am picky when it comes to croissants!).

6. Herst Coffee Roasters

a cappuccino on a white marble bar top with a fake Christmas tree in the background

Herst Coffee is located in Lido Marina Village. It’s a cute spot that roasts and serves their own craft coffee. It’s a super cute spot and is located near a few other shops and restaurants.

Coffee in Costa Mesa

7. Neat Coffee

an iced coffee in my hand in a clear plastic cup with a coffee bar in the background at neat coffee in Costa Mesa.

Neat Coffee is one of my favorite coffee shops in Costa Mesa. The environment is so inviting and friendly. If you’re looking for a relaxing coffee shop for studying or reading, Neat is a great option. It’s not as hustle bustle as some of the others I’ve shared on this list. If you want something cold, get the shakerato – it’s divine and dairy free. 😉

8. MoonGoat Coffee

a building with floor to ceiling glass windows with a lot of people walking and sitting around at Moongoat greenhouse

Moongoat has multiple locations across OC, but their recently opened Greenhouse location is so serene. If you’re looking for a late night coffee shop in OC, their location off Placentia in Costa Mesa is open till 9 on weekdays and 10PM on the weekends. They’ve been named on of the best coffee roasters in Orange County according to the Orange County registrar.

9. Nook (at The Lab)

an iced matcha latte in a plastic cup with a cardboard ring around it that says 'nook coffee bar'

Nook Coffee Bar is a Korean-owned coffee shop located at The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa. This specific location is so cool because you can order a drink at sit pretty much anywhere in the ‘outdoor’ mall. There are a bunch of retail shops and places to sit. They have multiple locations in SoCal. I recommend the island matcha – it’s so good. 🙂

10. Kit Coffee

a cappuccino with a heart latte art in a white ceramic mug on a white ceramic plate

Kit is such a fun coffee spot in Newport Beach. I really like this specific coffee shop for working or studying. It’s a super cute spot and they make beautiful lattes (I’m a sucker for latte art). They offer a good breakfast menu with breakfast burritos, avocado toasts, and baked goods. Oh and they have a plant shop – does it get any better?

11. Lion and Lamb Coffee Roasters

an iced matcha latte in my hand with a picture in the background that says 'love God love people'

One of my friends told me about Lion & Lamb. He mentioned how they had worship music always playing, so I had to check it out. It’s a super cute spot attached to a church building. It’s pretty big inside and a perfect coffee shop for studying, working or just hanging with some friends. It would be great for a bible study spot too!

Coffee in Dana Point

12. Maison Cafe & Market

a cappuccino in a white ceramic mug with a leaf latte art and a chocolate croissant on an iron table outside

Maison is a cafe in Dana Point, however, they serve incredible espresso drinks. It’s one of my favorite spots to go to get a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant (they have some of the best in my opinion). If you’re wanting an amazing brunch with a delicious coffee, this is the spot.

13. Bear Coast Coffee

Bear Coast Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster in South Orange County. They have multiple cafes in OC and make everything in house including their almond milk that they make daily with just almonds, water and dates. They have a really good chai latte. Their San Clemente location is my fave due to it being right by the pier, but if you’re in Dana Point, you can stop here and grab something fun!

Coffee in San Juan Capistrano

14. Hidden House Coffee

a yellow house behind foliage and a tree with a sign that says 'hidden house coffee'

One of my favorite cozy coffee shops in Orange County. Hidden House is nestled right in San Juan Capistrano in a 120 year old house on Los Rios Street. The street is full of greenery and flowers and it’s so quaint and serene. They have a killer banana bread too. 😉

15. Campesino Cafe at the Ecology Center

a cappuccino with a heart latte art on a dark wooden table with a journal in the corner

One of San Juan Capistrano’s absolute gems is The Ecology Center. In the last year or so, they opened up their Campesino Cafe which offers a menu filled with foods that are made from whatever they have on the farm. You can grab a cappuccino and sit outside on the farm, stroll around and even purchase fresh fruits and veggies from their farm stand.

16. True Love Coffee

a cortado in a blush colored mug with a handle on a cherry red table outside in a courtyard

True Love Coffee is a super cute spot located in San Juan Capistrano. They source and roast their own coffee and have a quaint little patio that you can sit at. They don’t have much seating inside, but the outdoor patio is nice if you’re fine sitting outside.

Coffee in Laguna Beach

17. Rapport Coffee Roasters

a latte on a brown wooden table

Rapport has organic coffee beans and SCA certified baristas, and let me tell you, you can taste the difference. If you’re picky about the temperature of your coffee or even the level or micro-foam for your frothed milk, you’ll geek out over this place. Their original location is in San Clemente and is really small, but just as great.

18. Laguna Coffee Company

matcha latte in a dark olive colored mug on a wooden table with an ocean view

A small but busy coffee shop with an ocean view. If you’re looking for a cafe in OC with healthy breakfast options, Laguna Coffee Co. is the spot is for you. They have organic bone broth on their menu and have raw milk as an option for milk with your coffee. They offer organic pastries from Rye Goods which is a local organic bakery.

19. Coffee Dose

a coffee shop with yellow smiley face sticker all over the walls and a sign that says 'if you don't have a sense of humor, maybe try starbucks'

Coffee Dose is a coffee shop like no other. The atmosphere is so fun and inviting and full of color – their branding is so fun for a coffee spot. If you happen to be a self proclaimed coffee snob, you’ve gotta try this spot. Their flagship store is located in Costa Mesa, but they have a few locations throughout OC. They have a seed oil free menu and even have the option to add a scoop of collagen to your coffee for extra protein.

Coffee in Irvine

20. Wall Writers

an iced matcha late in a plastic cup that says 'wall writers' on it with a mural in the background of a girls face inside of a coffee shop in orange county

Wall Writers Coffee is located right in the heart of Irvine, CA. It’s a busy coffee shop with a lot of seating. If you enjoy busy coffee shops with a high energy to them, this is a great spot. I recommend going here if you want to work or be really productive.

21. Tru Bru Organic Coffee

the outside of an office building with floor to ceiling windows and a coffee shop sign on the windows that says 'Tru Bru'

True Bru Coffee in Irvine serves organic coffee and they have a breakfast and lunch menu as well. Their menu has a lot of healthy options like a grass fed burger, Mary’s chicken salad and organic acas bowls.

22. Roosevelt Coffee

a latte with beautiful feathered latte art in a white ceramic mug on a dark grey metal table

Roosevelt Coffee partners with a specialty coffee roaster based out of San Francisco. This is a great spot for working, studying or doing anything productive. Some coffee shops are great for reading and have of a more relaxing vibe. I felt that this shop had more of a hustle to it and one that is an ideal environment if you work remotely or are working on something for school.

Coffee in Ladera Ranch and Mission Viejo

23. Oslo Coffee Co.

cappuccino in a bright red mug and a chocolate chip cooke on a ceramic plate with blue, yellow orange and pink squares on it

Oslo Coffee is one of the absolute best coffee shops in Orange County and definitely makes it to my list of top favorites. They have some of the best coffee and matcha and their Scandinavian inspired menu is so delicious. They have a seed oil free kitchen and their baked goods are next level. I recommend trying one of their seasonal drinks if you go, they are all incredible.

24. Canyon Coffee

white farmhouse looking building with a black sign in the front that says 'canyon coffee'

If coffee and nature could meet, it would be at Canyon Coffee in Mission Viejo. They have a lot of outdoor covered seating which is perfect if you want to enjoy some fresh air while enjoying a coffee or tea. I got the Spanish Dark Latte and it was really good. I’d prefer it more of a cappuccino (with less milk), so will probably try that next time.

Coffee in Santa Ana

25. Avatar Coffee Roasters

the front counter of a coffee shop in Orange County with green square tiles and floor to ceiling windows

Avatar Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster in OC. The location itself is very welcoming and warm and they serve really well made coffee. I ordered a cortado and one of their amazing cookies that a local baker makes. They offer a wide range of food on their menu and are open all the way till 6:30PM.

26. Hopper & Burr

Hopper & Burr is a cute and trendy cafe in Santa Ana. They have incredible coffee and the environment is very relaxing and inviting. Their location is really well lit with natural lighting which I personally love. If I lived closer, I would definitely visit this spot more often!

Final Notes: Best Coffee Shops in Orange County

This is an ever growing list of some of the best local coffee spots in OC. There are countless spots to try, all with their own unique roasts of coffee, atmospheres and menus. I hope you can find one of your new favorite spots to enjoy a coffee, tea or matcha at.

Rachel is the owner and author of Hospitality Hot Spots, a blog that shares the best coffee shops and local spots in Southern California. She focuses primarily on coffee shops and healthy spots to eat in SoCal. She has a background in Holistic Health and loves to travel and find new spots to go to.