Whether you enjoy a thick muddy cup of joe or a light fairy blonde roast, many of us enjoy our coffee every morning. Coffee is the most commonly consumed beverage, even more than tap water. According to a study done by the National Coffee Association , coffee is responsible for over a million jobs in the US and generates nearly $28 billion in yearly taxes. So in order to continue to power the economy through coffee, we’re going to share our favorite local shops to help you through a tough work day.
Top 5 Best Coffee Shops
SPECIALTY DRINK TO TRY: Dirty Horchata
TRADITIONAL DRINK TO TRY: Iced Coffee
Buenas takes Latino culture seriously and strays from gimmicky “mexican” culture. The authenticity of the brand seeps into the flavors and the vendors they support. The Horchata is made in house and is made with vegan ingredients, topped with espresso from Oakland roasters, AKA Coffee. The iced coffee is flash brewed, which makes their bright coffee a smooth experience. Stop in and take advantage of their ample outdoor seating!
SPECIALTY DRINK TO TRY: Nitro Cold Brew
TRADITIONAL DRINK TO TRY: Espresso Tonic (spiced soda)
With local roasters in Ocean Beach, Sur Coffee is more than hands-on in their roasting, their beans are curated and chosen carefully. “Our coffee is a blend of Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Mexico. It’s a delicious blend that has a unique front in and it’s kind of bright but still is rich and chocolatey on the backend” - Edwin, OB Beans Roaster. The San Clemente location is also working on doing everything in house, but for now, their Nitro is brewed in house from beans roasted by their sister company, OB Beans. Located in San Clemente, they’re treating the South OC crowd well and are worth the trip from North OC!
SPECIALTY DRINK TO TRY: Strawberry Cupcake Frappe
TRADITIONAL DRINK TO TRY: Mocha
Maz Cafe is a woman owned and operated shop in Santa Ana. This is the place to go when you not only need caffeine, but a little extra. Maz Cafe has a large selection of sweet options from the Strawberry Cupcake Frappe to the Mazapan Latte. Maz also has a really great food menu, customers rave about their bagel sandwiches. Definitely stop by for a bubbly atmosphere and flavorful experience!
SPECIALTY DRINK TO TRY: Nitro Cold Brew
TRADITIONAL DRINK TO TRY: Flat Brown
Portola was named the Roaster of the Year in 2015, and it’s well deserved. Portola is a local favorite with locations in Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. One of their favorites is the Flat Brown-- their spin on a flat white, with an in house made chocolate ganache! Being acclaimed roasters, their regular drip is also amazing. If you catch them while brewing the Alchemistic, enjoy the rich, chocolatey and nutty flavors!
SPECIALTY DRINK TO TRY: Matcha Latte
TRADITIONAL DRINK TO TRY: Chai Tea Latte
Euro Caffe is known for their delicious crepes, both savory and sweet. They do alternate caffeine the best. Euro Caffe uses Matcha from the LA coffee shop, Alfred’s, which is light and airy! Their Chai is a powder base, but it is still jam packed with flavors. With locations in Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, and Irvine, Euro Caffe is a great place to sip on a matcha and enjoy a french crepe before or after a long workday.
Whether you’re simply looking for a traditional cup of coffee or a delightful Chai tea, coffee and tea have always brought people together across cultures. Visit any one of these local shops and support small businesses as they support our economy.
