Top 5 OC Coffee Shops
Whenever I am planning my travels and researching an area my first thing to look for is coffee shops. I used to be a huge coffee drinker but after identifying some allergies I mostly drink teas. When I am not traveling I am often trying to get out of the house by working at a local coffee shop. I have rounded up my top 5 favorite coffee shops in Orange County, California.
Coffee Shop Criteria
What makes a good coffee shop? For me, I’m usually looking for a cool space with a fun vibe. Since I have some food allergies I like it when coffee shops have a lot of options such as milk options and non-coffee options. Since I am often planning to work at the coffee shop I also look for working space, wifi, sound, etc.
My Top 5
Here are my favorite coffee shops to frequent in Orange County, CA . . .
#1 - High Tide Coffee
This is one of my favorites and probably most frequented coffee shop. They have a location in Laguna Niguel and San Clemente. I love the fun, friendly, beachy vibe of the space and the staff is so friendly. I also love that you can pay it forward and buy a drink for someone by putting a note on a bulletin board at the back of the coffee shop. I also love that they have a fun popup shop with products from local artists. They do have some food options and my favorite is the hummus toast! I also appreciate that they have a range of drinks with the option of coconut milk (my preferred choice). The parking is easy here and they have nice booths for working.
#2 - Wall Writers Coffee
This one is sort of hidden so you may not know about this one. It is located in Irvine within large business buildings near the Spectrum. The best thing about this spot is its outdoor space. They have a beautiful space with lounging chairs, tables, and draping greenery. The inside space is nice as well with a slight urban feeling, the only challenge is it is always crowded and hard to reserve a spot. Their drinks are great and they have some food that is pre-packaged in a refrigerated section. The main con to this location is to use the bathroom you have to use a code to enter the nearest business building and it can be a pain.
#3 - Coffee Dose
I just love this place! It’s not for everyone as it is rather sassy and their branding has some profanity but it just makes me smile! Their branding is on point and I appreciate that! They have several locations, there is an outdoor location in Irvine, their main headquarters in Newport/Costa Mesa, and a smaller one in Laguna Hills. Their drinks are unique and often include adaptogens and their food is delicious. I often crave their bagels. The only downside here is that some of them don’t have wifi which makes it challenging for working.
#6 - Work in Progress
I enjoy working in this space, it’s bright and has a fun hipstery vibe. This coffee shop is located by The Camp in Costa Mesa so it’s great if you want to do a little shopping after. It is a little hidden and is a smaller coffee shop but they have a nice inside space and patio. They have great drinks and food including sandwiches and charcuterie. I believe they also serve alcohol. The downside is it is quite small so the tables fill up fast and because of the location, parking can be a pain.
#5 - MoonGoat Coffee
This is a great place for working and I often meet my girlfriend here to work. The great thing about this space is it is big with a lot of tables and comfy chairs to sit in. It has a slight urban feel and has a great mural. The staff is friendly and they have a good amount of drink options. They also have some good food options and pastries. Since this place is pretty popular it can get crowded fast and the parking is a little strange as it is small and they usually have complimentary valet.
The Guide
There are so many other coffee shops and I am determined to check them all out! I’ve created a little guide with my favorite coffee shops for your reference. There are also some other ones listed, some honorable mentions would include: High Ground Coffee for a more traditional coffee house vibe, Requim Coffee Tea and Fantasy if you want more of an experience, and Morning Lavender for brunch with the girls.
Do you have a favorite coffee shop? I would love to hear your recommendations!