Whether you're looking for a local roaster or a specially curated blend; searching for espresso, lattes or even coffee cocktails, here are the 12 best coffee shops in Orange County.
BEAR COAST COFFEE
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Founded by Jeff Clinard in 2014, Bear Coast Coffee has grown from a pop-up to a beloved brew house with locations in Dana Point and San Clemente. Grab a cup of coffee at its waterfront shop in San Clemente and head across the street to walk the pier while sipping a warm beverage accented by its in-house sauces and flavorings, from lavender-infused caramel to nutmeg-accented vanilla. Dana Point and San Clemente, bearcoastcoffee.com
BLKDOT COFFEE
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With four locations sprawled across Irvine, one in Laguna Beach and another coming soon to Long Beach, BLKdot’s cult following is spread across Orange County thanks to its slow-dripped Vietnamese craft coffee. Laguna Beach and Irvine, blkdotcoffee.com
BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE
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This darling shop on Via Lido prides itself on carrying mostly organic coffees that are roasted-to-order from its own roasteries located around the world, from Guatemala to Rwanda. Try its coffee subscription to bring the magic of its beans to your mornings at home. Newport Beach, bluebottlecoffee.com
COFFEE DOSE
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Jeni and Oscar Castro—the entrepreneurs behind the Bronzed Bunny tanning, sugaring and body contouring empire—are giving their fans a caffeine kick “one anti-bitch serum at a time.” The cheeky shop features RX lattes—from The Keto Queen with express, sugar-free hazelnut syrup and half and half to The Goldie with organic turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla bean syrup, oat milk and espresso—in Instagram-worthy cups. Costa Mesa, coffeedose.cafe
DRIPP
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The brainchild of founder Rabih Sater, Dripp debuted in its first shop in downtown Fullerton in 2011 and has since opened its second locale in South Coast Plaza’s Saks Fifth Avenue wing. Expect hot pours highlighted by individually ground, locally roasted beans (of your choice) that are dripped one drop at a time. Costa Mesa and Fullerton, dripp.com
HIDDEN HOUSE COFFEE
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As its name suggests, this charming shop near the San Juan Capistrano train tracks is a hidden gem that has served roughly 4 million cups of coffee in its 10-year tenure. Globally sourced beans ensure your cup is top-notch from start to finish. San Juan Capistrano, hiddenhousecoffee.com
HOPPER & BURR
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While its approach is a simple one—its menu only highlights five drink options—the baristas at Hopper & Burr are ready to make you anything you like with its coffee sourced from around the world. Santa Ana, hopperandburr.com
KÉAN COFFEE ARTISAN ROASTERS
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The line out the door at this coffeehouse alone should tell you it’s a popular place to be from morning until the late afternoon. Its single-origin coffees from myriad coffee growing regions rotate seasonally, and its organic loose-leaf hot and iced teas, matcha beverages and turmeric lattes are equally enticing. Newport Beach and Tustin, keancoffee.com
KIT COFFEE
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This Newport Beach neighborhood outpost is a local favorite thanks to its best-selling lattes and cold brew. Try its breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, cilantro rice, mozzarella, cheddar cheese and grilled onions all wrapped in a flour tortilla and toasted on a grill press to start your morning off right. Check out its rotating pop-ups and plants for sale while you’re at it. Newport Beach, kit.coffee.com
SIDECAR DOUGHNUTS & COFFEE
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We know—you line up early for the insanely delicious doughnuts—but before the sugar rush, take a sip of Sidecar’s equally satisfying coffees, including its very own vintage blend. We’re also sweet on its lavender horchata, Vietnamese iced coffee, black onyx mocha and chai latte. As for the decadent confections, order a variety box and grab its classics—like Saigon cinnamon crumb—and seasonal flavors—like huckleberry. Costa Mesa, sidecardoughnuts.com
VACANCY COFFEE
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Quaint yet charming, Vacancy Coffee is the perfect pre-beach stop, where its tasty menu features beans from Partners Coffee Roasters that are roasted in Brooklyn, N.Y. and served fresh in Newport. Newport Beach, vacancycoffee.com
ZEBRAHOUSE COFFEE
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Since 2011, this family-owned coffee shop and cafe has kept locals coming back for more with its full-service coffee bar plus breakfast, brunch and lunch. Its coffee provides a taste true to ZebraHouse—the owner’s family small-batch roastery provides every organic bean. Pair your sip with a gluten-free or vegan muffin—baked fresh daily, of course. San Clemente, zebrahousecoffee.com
Photography by: Courtesy of Nathan Dumlao/Unspalsh
