On Orange County visits in the aughts, I drove out of my way to drink coffee at Kéan Coffee in Newport Beach. Kéan co-founder Martin Diedrich has a family connection to coffee that now extends back over a century. He founded the influential Diedrich Coffee chain in 1984 and launched Kéan Coffee with wife Karen in 2005. For four decades, the Diedrichs have been Orange County coffee beacons. Fun fact: Martin’s brother Stephan and sister-in-law Becky ran Diedrich Roasters until they retired in 2016. There’s a decent chance you’ve had coffee from the Diedrichs, one way or another. Of course Kéan Coffee and the Diedrichs haven’t shaped Orange County coffee culture on their own.

Portola Coffee Lab, which Jeff Duggan and wife Christa debuted in Costa Mesa in 2011, was another revelation. Baristas initially wore lab coats and employed state of the art brew methods. They briefly added Theorem, a coffee cocktail bar next to the roaster. Portola Coffee, which the company is now called, expanded, contracted, and was also a proving ground for other talented, ambitious coffee entrepreneurs like Truman Severson (Hopper & Burr), Jeff Clinard (Bear Coast Coffee) and Tohm Ifergan (Dayglow Coffee), whose impact has had a ripple effect beyond Orange County.

Little Saigon, home to a vibrant Vietnamese-American community, has been one of my favorite places to eat for years. Garden Grove and Westminster, the two cities that claim Little Saigon, have also developed unique coffee culture with a real sense of place. Vietnamese and Asian flavors and modern techniques have fueled destination worthy signature drinks that go way beyond “egg coffee.” Young people are flocking to shops like Airoma, Da Vien and Taty’s as a result.

Caffeinated pockets have also coalesced in other parts, which is a natural evolution considering Orange County houses 34 cities, nearly 800 square miles and over 3 million people. Cities like Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, and Newport Beach have clearly bolstered their coffee scenes. Learn about my favorite Orange County coffee stops since 2021.

Airoma Cafe – Garden Grove ↓
Must Order Drinks: Egg Coffee

Buenas Coffee – Costa Mesa ↓
Must Order Drinks: Cherry Cola, Palo Santo

Burnt Umber Coffee ft. Petals & Poison Tea Room – Garden Grove ↓
Must Order Drinks: Rococo Matcha Latte, Scarborough Fair Latte

Cortado Coffee – Garden Grove ↓
Must Order Drinks: Hibiscus Tonic Espresso, Mango Cream Cold Brew

Da Vien – Garden Grove + Westminster ↓
Must Order Drinks: DaVien Coffee, Egg Coffee, Ube Coffee

Daydream Surf Shop – Newport Beach ↓
Must Order Drinks: Iced Strawberry Matcha, Rose Cardamom Cappuccino

Huskins Coffee – Costa Mesa, Newport Beach + Santa Ana ↓
Must Order Drinks: Honey Lavender Matcha, Shaken Espresso

In-Sit Coffee – Buena Park + Costa Mesa ↓
Must Order Drinks: Cloud 9

Kit Coffee – Irvine + Newport Beach ↓
Must Order Drinks: Gibraltar, Shakerato

LUV Collective – Huntington Beach ↓
Must Order Drinks: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mocha

Nudae Coffee – Costa Mesa ↓
Must Order Drinks: Cherry Pie Tonic, Hazelnut Anise Hojicha

Taty’s Specialty Coffee & Tea – Westminster ↓
Must Order Drinks: Egg Coffee

Teofilo Coffee Company – Los Alamitos ↓
Must Order Drinks: Hi’Si, Ube Pandan Latte

Thank You Coffee – Anaheim ↓
Must Order Drinks: Five Spice Latte, Matcha Tonic, You’re Welcome Latte

White Sparrow Coffee – Tustin ↓
Must Order Drinks: Shaken Not Stirred