Start Your Morning With a Cup of Joe at These Locally Owned OC Coffee Shops
The coffee shop has long been romanticized, and rightfully so. It’s been the subject of songs and the backgrounds for first dates and daydreams. Anyone who’s had a go-to spot understands that it’s more than a place to get your daily caffeine fix—it’s an experience. Looking to scope out a new joint for joe? Here are 15 of our favorite coffee shops in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach for you to try the next time you java minute. best coffee in newport
Costa Mesa
Milligram Coffee and Kitchen
Must Try: Piccolo
The perfect addition to 17th St in Costa Mesa, Milligram Coffee and Kitchen offers a Euro-style cafe in one of the most bustling streets in Orange County. Sleek, minimalistic and comforting all at once, it’s designed with the Australian cafe culture in mind. Milligram Coffee and Kitchen was created with the intention of bringing coffee, food and community together. Whether you’re enjoying a morning cup of joe with a coworker or grabbing a bite to eat and hanging out after a workout class, you’re going to want to stay awhile. “We’re blurring the lines between restaurant and cafe. You’re not just coming in to eat and drink, but you’re coming in for an experience,” says owner Ed Moffatt.
Neat Coffee
Must Try: Esp Tonic
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With a menu focusing on simple things done exceptionally well, Neat Coffee is a multi-roaster shop built on the idea of bringing the community together. Owned by Ally Garvin, Neat’s menu features classic coffee shop finds and seasonal drinks and bites made with relationally sourced goods. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your friends, kids or fur baby. Neat frequently hosts special events too, such as cupping classes and charcuterie tutorials!
Hola Adios Coffeeshop
Must Try: Drip Coffee
Come for the freshly brewed coffee; stay for one of the best breakfasts this side of the 55. Hola Adios Coffeeshop creates drinks that celebrate the bouquet of aromas and flavors of the ingredients they use. And with their full kitchen, patrons can expect nothing short of magical. We recommend saying hi to co-owners Ryan and Tara Jimenez, then ordering a drip coffee, a Kidccino for the niño and a pair of pacos (pancake tacos) to start your day off right.
Coffee Dose
Must Try: The Thicky Thick
Boasting bold, fancy, flavorful lattes and hilariously profane cups, Coffee Dose is perfect for anyone but the faint of heart. Owned by couple Jeni and Oscar Castro, Coffee Dose has become a place that’s put a smile on locals’ faces since 2018. And they’re not just doing that with their signature Anti-Bitch blend—they’re doing it with ingredients like MCT oil, turmeric, MUD\WTR, collagen, grass-fed butter and more. Their flagship Costa Mesa location just underwent a major transformation that we’re totally obsessing over (think checkered floors and neon pink signs). BRB—going to browse some of the cutest merch we’ve ever seen!
2/13
Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee
Must Try: Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Could we spend all day exalting the masterpiece that is the Sidecar Doughnut? Yes, a thousand times yes. But today, we’re going to swing the spotlight over to Sidecar’s signature blend coffee. Trust us–co-owners Chi-Lin and Sumter Pendergrast made sure that you won’t find boring coffee here. Sidecar offers a beautiful menu of classic coffee drinks that’ll keep you coming back for more, especially the ultra-strong Vietnamese Iced Coffee. What we’re trying to say is, go for the coffee, and pick up a doughnut or two while you’re there.
Grounded Coffee House
Must Try: OC’s Biggest Iced Latte
When Brittany Rowley opened up Cookie Lab OC, she wanted to focus on offering patrons pure decadence, and she’s continued that trend through Grounded Coffee House! Grounded Coffee House focuses on creating all the classics beautifully and true to tradition. But don’t be fooled by the clean and simple menu: this is home to OC’s biggest iced latte, weighing in at a whopping 32 ounces!
MoonGoat Coffee Roasters
Must Try: Fizzy Americano
Always bustling and always a good time, MoonGoat Coffee Roasters’ flagship location in Costa Mesa is a must-visit for any coffee connoisseur. When Mark Evans and David Longridge founded the shop in 2018, the duo wanted to focus on simplifying the process by making sure that anyone who walked in could enjoy a cup of truly great coffee. Sourcing from over 15 countries, MoonGoat proudly roasts their beans in their roastery in nearby Santa Ana. Bring your laptop and stay awhile!
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Work in Progress
Must Try: Rosemary Latte
Nestled behind The Camp on Randolph St, this self-professed neighborhood bodega offers a calm, friendly respite from your busy day out shopping. Owner Jee Young Shin has done a beautiful job creating a cozy spot where you can meet up with friends or make some new ones over deliciously crafted coffee, such as the rosemary latte topped with salted cream. And if you stick around till the evening, you can raise a glass of specially selected vino.
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Newport Beach
Vacancy Coffee
Must Try: Gothic Mocha
Located on PCH, Vacancy Coffee is a chill and vibrant coffee shop, offering a menu of finely crafted drinks—just like owners Bonnie and Oliver Williams dreamed it would. Featuring beans from Brooklyn’s Partners Coffee Roasters, Vacancy’s selection of drinks celebrates the full, bold flavors of coffee with an Aussie flair. Don’t know what to do today? Sip on unique drinks like a Gothic Mocha with activated charcoal or a mushroom-powered chagaccino. Then, browse through some fun items in their shop and walk across the street to the beach!
8/27
Kit Coffee
Must Try: Strawberry Alarm Clock
Coffee, brunch and plants? Say no more! Kit Coffee offers a trendy oasis with a menu of delicious food and even more delicious coffee. The flavors are rich and decadent, great for those who want something straight and simple and for those feening for something sweet. Kit is always looking to add some color and pizazz to your day, so keep an eye out for seasonal specialties!
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Daydream Surf Shop
Must Try: Rose Cardamom Latte
Where else outside of Orange County can you find a surf shop that can whip up a mean latte? Proudly serving Manhattan Coffee Roasters and Onyx Coffee Lab beans, Daydream Surf Shop is the perfect place to spend a morning perusing artisanal goods while enjoying a velvety smooth drink like the rose cardamom latte or the macchiato. While we love the classics and specialty beverages, Daydream (and owners Becca Mantei and Kyle Kennelly) likes to keep it surprising and fresh with seasonal creations.
Alta Coffee
Must Try: Australian Coffee Shake
Featuring roasts from Costa Mesa’s Wilson Coffee Roasters and a daily rotation of origins, Alta really does keep it all in the family. The shop was originally opened by Patti Spooner and Tony Wilson, who had close family ties to what is now Wilson Coffee Roasters. Needless to say, when you’re at Alta, you also feel that familial connection because every cup tastes like home away from home.
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Kean Coffee
Must Try: The Grasshopper
If you’re from Newport Beach, chances are you’re a part of Kean Coffee’s cult-like following. Proudly roasting and serving their own coffee, Kean serves up exceptional classics for the purists as well as fun and interesting twists for those who like to experiment. This may also be one of the best places to grab a cup with eye-catching latte art—we’d say that it’s too pretty to drink, but the decadent aroma alone will lure you in for every last drop.
Blue Bottle
Must Try: Cappuccino
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Originally founded in Oakland, Blue Bottle has been a California staple since 2002. Using their own special blends, you can come to Blue Bottle and trust that the classics will be done to perfection. With a stunning view of the bay, Lido’s Blue Bottle location is always buzzing with locals, especially professionals from the shared cowork space, HanaHaus. So don’t be surprised if one cappuccino leads to a networking opportunity–or at the very least, a second cup!
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Herst Coffee
Must Try: Vanilla Latte
Chic, friendly and undeniably delicious, Herst Coffee is an intimate coffee shop that has earned its popularity among visitors and locals alike. Whether you’re in the mood for a silky smooth vanilla latte or looking to put some pep in your step with a cortado, Herst at Lido Marina Village can make any coffee break feel like a day off with its tranquil atmosphere and luxurious brews.
Stereoscope Coffee Company
Must Try: Ganache Mocha Latte
With an eyecatching stereoscopic art print by Christy Lee Rogers and a calming neutral design, CEO Leif An made sure that Stereoscope Coffee Company sets the mood from the moment you step inside. Stereoscope started as a way to explore coffee culture, and what has emerged from it are simplistic creations made with decadent ingredients, beautiful techniques and an eye for detail. Want more? Sign up for Stereoscope’s coffee subscription service to enjoy at home or in the office.
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
