Caffeinated in California: 3 Favorite Coffee Shops in Orange County

Words by:

Nyssa P. Chopra

It’s a sad state of affairs when it comes to gourmet coffee in Orange County. Want a Starbucks frappuccino? No problem, you’ll find one on just about corner of every block. But Starbucks coffee can hardly be considered gourmet coffee, and oh yes, I did just say that. Nothing thrills me more than finding a quaint cozy independently-owned coffee shop that brews its own coffee beans. There may not be that many great coffee shops in Orange County, but there are a few that I enjoy and happily visit time and time again. So let’s start with number 1…

1) Portola Coffee Lab:

The fact that this coffee shop is called a lab is purely intentional as it relies on the science behind coffee to perfect the craft.

  • A decor that resembles somewhat of a sophisticated chemistry lab.
  • Try the Brazilian Siphon coffee.
  • They’re open daily.
  • There is free WiFi.
  • It’s a one-of-a-kind coffee shop in the area and a must for coffee snobs.

portola coffee lab

 

2) Kéan Coffee:

Kéan Coffee is the latest brainchild of local coffee magnate Martin Diedrich and in a sea of cliched coffee shops, it’s truly a gem.

  • A Euro-inspired decor that’s both intimate and old-fashioned.
  • Try the Turkish latte with cardamom.
  • It’s open daily.
  • There’s no WiFi as they feel very strongly about being able to disconnect and thoroughly enjoy a cup of coffee without any modern-day distractions. Not an ideal spot to get work done, but it’s the perfect place to catch up with a friend and enjoy gourmet coffee and great conversation.
  • A haven for those who favor the old-school ways of indulging in a quality cup of coffee with a real book and/or actual humans.

kean coffee

3) Milk and Honey:

Nestled in the indie Lab area in Costa Mesa, Milk & Honey marries the art of tea with the science of coffee to craft quite possibly the most innovative caffeinated drinks.

  • A very cute and quaint ambiance.
  • Try the dirty lavender latte.
  • They’re open daily.
  • There is free WiFi.
  • Attention all creative minds: the open-air ivy-tangled patio is the perfect place to find inspiration.

milk and honey

Honorable mentions: The Lost Bean + Champagne’s
Are there any other fabulous *independent* coffee shops in Orange County that might have missed my radar?
 
Check out some of my favorite places to get caffeinated around the world:

 

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