I asked for no ice and this is how much they gave me.. they did tell me that if I asked for no ice, it won't be filled all the way to the top, but this is really disappointing. Also the sea salt coffee that I ordered tasted very watered down read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Rarely will you find me in the depths of Irvine, CA. In my eyes, theres nothing to do and everything you could want to do can be done in Los Angeles. Putting obsession with my city to the side, I have to give big props to the owners of BLKdot Coffee. You get culture, good coffee, and good vibes all in one visit. I have never had Vietnamese coffee before and I was enthused to try it. Ordered my usual, Almond Milk Latte and spent a whopping $4.80 on a 12 oz. Considering the location is not in Los Angeles I was a tad surprised the price was still that high. I thought maybe it would be $3.50 or $4.00 max with tax. The coffee itself was really good. Everyone always asks me "how do you know if coffee is good or not". You'll know if the acidity, bitterness, and sweetness are fairly balanced. Basically BLKdot's coffee was pleasantly balanced. In terms of service, the staff was great! I waited maybe 5 minutes for my drink and there were a ton of people. The cashier was friendly and kind. Now....why does BLKdot coffee get 4 stars instead of 5. They get 4 because I am a fan of their coffee BUT the way the inside of the shop is set up...I'm not for it. I love, love, love the decor. The natural woods, touches of greenery, subway tiles, the old school lights, I mean they hit the nail on the head with decor and ensuring the place is inviting and chill. However, I need them to move that couch in the middle of the place and put in some more tables!!!! They have 2 tables outside, 2 tables inside, and a bar for two people. What does this mean? It means if you like to get work done in coffee shops you have to show up to this place earlllllyyyy as hell if you want a table otherwise you'll be breaking your neck sitting on the couch using the little coffee tables on the side. Final thought? I'll pop into this cute lil shop if I am in Irvine again...keyword being IF. read more

See all

I like the Vietnamese coffee variants, so I've been going here for a while. However, while some employees are diligent and customer-focused, I went in today (Sunday) and they got my drink wrong at the register, and so they printed out the label with the wrong item. I told them VTMatcha and they typed in Iced Uji Matcha Latte. So by the time I got it and noticed I was out of the store already. There are a lot of coffee places in the Spectrum so I'll try the others. read more

Love BLK they have the best coffee ever. My favorite right now is the Spanish Latte ICED with boat and my hubs fav it the VT matcha ICED. Love the people, so friendly always! read more

The staff here are cool, hip, and courteous. Space is small but chic and comfortable. The latte is rich and dark, but extremely creamy. This location tends to get pretty packed on the weekends, and moderately packed during the weekdays. What makes this coffee shop stick out among the rest are their house specialties. I haven't tried it yet but the BLK mojito looks refreshing and delicious. I did some work here too. All seating fits a laptop and maybe a small notebook. Bring headphones because you're likely going to be able to hear the conversations of your coffee neighbors. Highly recommended read more

See all

I went to this location while shopping at the Irvine Spectrum. I always like trying new coffee spots that aren't the typical chains. This spot did not disappoint. It fits in with the rest of the upscale shops and dining in the Spectrum, but I would love to see if their other locations provide a different atmosphere. Today, I got the Iced Light Vietnamese Coffee with non-fat milk. I loved that they provided a light option because I am a "skinny" coffee drinker at Starbucks. The drink was not too sweet, and the taste of the coffee was excellent. There is some seating directly outside the coffee shop, but only enough for 2 or 3 groups of people. I was able to rest and relax in some lounge chairs nearby (between h&m and the Apple store) with my baby. Then, we walked and shopped. A perfect relaxing afternoon with my little one! read more

See all

I was on a business trip with a co-worker and the closest shop from our hotel and client site was Blk Dot Coffee. It's located right next to the Target in the Irvine Spectrum Center. Tip - park in the back! Plenty of spaces and not too many people coming in and out . Blk Dot does an organic spin on their brews ranging from hot and iced regular coffees to lattes and even Vietnamese iced coffees. They use organic dairy and dairy free milks and have a house roast. The coffee has a nutty flavor that doesn't leave a bitter after-taste. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but found this particular roast to be very smooth and palatable. During the entire week, I tried different variations of their iced VTM coffee. Their take on Vietnamese iced coffee isn't exactly what I'm used to, but it was a good change from the typical Starbucks cold brew. Be sure to ask for a stamp card!! Would definitely return for their drinks and eco friendly and organic vibe. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Iced VTM with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

I was coming home from a very long day at work. I was in a terrible mood and very stressed because of the holidays coming up. I decided to stop by my favorite coffee shop to cheer me up. I was pleasantly surprised to see my favorite barista working. Ryan not only calmed me down and talked me through my day, but he also put me in an extremely good mood! Not to mention the coffee was amazing!! I got home and was in such a good mood that I was able to finish up a long term project I have been working on for weeks! Thank you Ryan and Blk Dot for constantly cheering up not only my days but my life! read more

Blk Dot Coffee - My favorite worker Ryan making my drink! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

I have been in many different coffee shop and I love coffee. But this place is something different, they service is the best. I don't know the name of guy was making coffee but he is the best and they coffee it taste great. Also they design is very relaxing inside and outside. I highly recommended this place to go with your friends and have a chat. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Any one who has tried this coffee knows it's "crack in a cup." The legal sort, of course. And for those who want to venture the legal route, just come to BLK's to drink their Vietnamese coffee. It'll keep you awake. It'll give you energy. But most importantly, it'll give you the stamina to deal with all the psychotic Christmas shoppers at the Spectrum this holiday season. The coffee is amazingly strong, not overly thick/sugary, and can definitely wake the dead. I've nursed the same cup two days in a row and its potency is still strong the second day. Forget Lee's. BLK's is the way to go. Hopefully one day, they can start selling their VTM's at the local grocery stores 'cause Spectrum parking can be a headache. There are other drinks such as lychee tea, matcha lattes, your typical Americano's and cappuccinos -latte art possible. Food items such as the the beloved avocado toast and banh mi. You really can't go wrong with anything at BLK's. Notes: -Located on the left of Target/kid's playground -Outdoor seating -Get a stamp card read more

This place is located in the irvine spectrum. It's interior is aesthetic and cute! My sister and I got the Thai Tea and Vietnamese coffee. The Thai Tea needs a stronger taste of the tea and is a bit too sweet for my taste. On the other hand, the Vietnamese coffee has a strong coffee taste which I liked! read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Hands down, the best Vietnamese coffee drink in Irvine! Honestly, they brew better viet iced coffee than the original places in Westminster. Is it pricey? Yes, compared to a Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks but it's SO WORTH. I would rate this as highly as Philz coffee. The drink is extremely refreshing and strong, with a prevalent taste of sweet/condensed milk. It's the perfect blend of bitter and sweet (but if you don't like sweet then run away). Honestly, this drink is so strong that I can drink it over a period a 3 days and it still wouldn't lose the effect. Customer service is always friendly here! Not much space or sitting areas inside the coffee shop; And I wouldn't recommend to use this as a "studying or group meeting" type of cafe since space is pretty limited. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

If you're a fan of the bitter so much so that you suspect it might be piercing your soul (IPAs, black coffee, green tea, etc), you will not go wrong with a signature VTM beverage from here. Just as the wonderful Emily previously stated in her recent review, the VTMatcha changes lives. You CAN in fact enjoy the distinct Vietnamese coffee and matcha green tea flavors in this tasty drink (I opted for hot, but I'm sure iced would be just as lovely). The Spectrum location is quaint, and an overcast Sunday morning is perfect pre-crowds if you're willing to roll with the built in toddler factory parked right outside its doors. The employees are friendly and efficient; I just need to enunciate a bit more through the mask ('Monia,' really? Lol). The big let down of all let downs was the hot honey avocado toast. Just don't get it haha-- as the highest priced food item up on that board, it's beautifully toasted, thick country bread :) covered in a thin layer of sliced avocado :/ and three measly pieces of meh bacon :/ drizzled in honey that maaaybe saw an echo of what was once a flavored heat of some source :((( who knows? My drink arrived in my hands almost 15 mins before my food did, but only after it was sitting on the pick up counter almost 5 mins before someone called out for "Monia" to pick her box up..... Long story short: be prepared to pay a pretty penny for unique and tasty coffee drinks. Skip on the food. read more

Great menu, delicious food and drink, tasteful decor and friendly staff - worth spending a little more for a great experience. Ps you won't regret the Vietnamese Iced Coffee! read more

Located in the new section of spectrum next to the 85c and Falasophy. I ordered a basic latte here and decided to try it with oat milk. It was delicious! The oat milk was so creamy, and made my latte taste decadent. I love how they have several options for alternative milks here. read more

See all

Cute little location in the Irvine spectrum. I love their lattes and I haven't been much of a coffee drinker but their latte is really good. I think their signature is the vietnamese coffee and I personally have tried it once a while back and forgot to review but it's sweet read more

Four stars for having oat milk AND boba!!!!!!! I got a matcha latte and it was okay, nothing too crazy (which is why I'm giving them a 4). BUTTTT This little coffee shop has a wide range of items , from food to different toppings, and of course drinks! read more

UPDATE...Again hehe: 12/24/2018 BLK DOT DOES IT AGAIN! Ugh man i love this spot! Unsweetened Iced Straight Black VTM YES PLZ! A NEED before i get my ass handed to me at Yoga haha SPECIAL SHOUTOUT: Owner- MAI Had the pleasure of meeting this sweet beauty & her warmth and kindness got me even more of a BLK backer! Thank you so much MAI !! read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

The drink came out great although I really hoped that the drink came out faster. I was in a little hurry and needed some fuel. So, coffee is always my go to drink. The quality was still great. Not too hot not too cold. Perfect to satisfy my exhaustion. read more

OOO I was so happy when this new location opened up at the Spectrum! BLK is definitely one of my favorite coffee shops! It's right in the new area of the Spectrum so it's really easy to find! I've tried a couple of different drinks here and they've never disappointed! This time around I got a Thai Iced Tea and the Mango Delight Tea! Oh boy, both drinks were absolutely perfect! The Thai tea was perfectly sweet, which is nice because a lot of places make the drink wayyy too sweet! I've never tried anything like the Mango Delight Tea! It was so refreshing and cooling! The drink has mango jelly and chia seeds which makes it so fun to drink also! The entire place is so cute! Very simple decor which makes it look super nice and cozy but not cluttered. They have a few tables and chairs inside and outside but every single time I've come, the place has been packed and all the spots have been taken! I'll definitely be back to try some more drinks and the avocado toast because that looks heavenly! read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Dear biz owner - fill drinks up to the top if a customer asks for easy ice. So disappointing when you order two large drinks, tip your employees 20%, spend $15 and get drinks that are 75% filled to the top. Sad to say b/c we like your drinks, but you lost a customer. read more

The better half had some things to take care of at Irvine Spectrum Center Saturday morning and Kamena and I tagged along for the Endless Summer Series which coincided with the Grand Opening ( https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blkdot-coffee-irvine-3?select=XMONe1UTSGaRcFcm9oLPhw ) of blkdot coffee. There was a staffer walking through Spectrum with shots of the Hazelnut Cold Brewed Ice Coffee which Laina tried and actually liked it even though she abhors Hazelnut. If you download the new Retail Therapy application, you can get a BOGO coupon for a 16 ounce Iced VTM Coffee until the 24th of August. The location is kind of small with limited seating which makes it more a grab and go coffee shop and not a hangout. The line seemed to fluctuate during our visit, the line was on the shorter side when we ordered and after we left while it was longer when we were eating our food. The Drink Menu ( https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blkdot-coffee-irvine-3?select=HBCmvRGyVyXnJDqSj2CVSA ) was extensive while the Eats Menu ( https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blkdot-coffee-irvine-3?select=bJnMSDahD1gA8f12WHG6vQ ) is rather limited. The chain is known for its slow dipped Vietnamese craft coffee and their slogan is "Sleep is Overrated" which the wife should have read before ordering a drink here. There are some pastries ( https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blkdot-coffee-irvine-3?select=5MllDeGuYDINjBtfNy6s9Q ) in a display case to compliment you caffeine choice. I went inside first and selected a Cinnamon Pull Apart from the display case and went back out the patio with Kamena while Laina completed our order with a Large Café Mocha and an Avocado Boat and paid for the order. She also received a sample of the banana nut bread from the friendly staff. The prices seemed comparable to most of the coffee shops in the Irvine Spectrum Center. The items were ready in a reasonable amount of time and we found a bench outside with a cute stump table. The banana nut bread sample was soft, but the large chunks of walnut overpowered the banana flavor. The Cinnamon Pull Apart ( https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blkdot-coffee-irvine-3?select=nTPJLHyKfXt39kAm9-9m1g ) was dry on the outside, not sure if it dried out when it was reheated or if it came from the supplier that way. The cinnamon and sugar flavor was decent and the inside of the pull apart wasn't as dry as the exterior. The baked items really didn't impress me in the slightest, so they might want to consider a different supplier. My lovely wife's mocha was middle of the road in the flavor department and after it kept her up for half the night (she drank this around 10:00am and didn't go to sleep until 2:00am). The "Sleep is Overrated" slogan is well deserved and unless you are used to this kind of "jolt" to your system, I would avoid ordering any of the coffee drinks here unless you need to pull an "All-Nighter"! The one noteworthy item ( https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/blkdot-coffee-irvine-3?select=SxGi0xY24nHTlmcQtjWGGw ) from our order was the Avocado Boat. The tuna had a good flavor, the mayonnaise was a perfect ratio to the tuna and there was a half of a large haas avocado (with no detectable brown) in the boat. The cracked pepper gave the tuna a nice kick without overpowering the other flavors. My wife likes sprouts, but it reminds me of alfalfa in appearance and taste. Rohlinism: If you eat like a steer, sooner or later you will be mistaken for one! I am pretty good at predicting businesses success or failure and this place has some already established competition from Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. My suggestion would be dropping the baked items or getting them from another bakery and working on expanding the menu of items made in house which I found to be their one strong point. The drinks here are probably only going to appeal to a certain demographic and I doubt my wife will order her caffeine fix here in the future since her mocha didn't measure up to Starbucks. read more

See all

Well balanced flavors of pork, eggs and shredded vegetables that blended nicely with the sauce (Japanese mayo + soy sauce). The ciabatta is light and soft. A good proportion for the sandwich (not too much bread). I recommend it. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Love this place! My go to is the VTM- Viet Iced Coffee, which tastes just like a VTM at a pho place, but somehow seems more cool and hip coming from here. I've also had their iced teas, which are a bit more unique and yummy. Get ready to go on a shopping spree around Spectrum and/or run around the whole mall after your super strong VTM- it's really good but the caffeine kick will set you up for hours! read more

I ordered a Vietnamese coffee but I had a bad feeling about how it would taste because the store smelled like burnt coffee beans. My drink came out fast but it did taste very burnt, almost like burnt popcorn kernels. I want to give it another try. Overall though really great customer service and super popular/cute spot. read more

Super excited that it finally open at the spectrum. If you're in need of a boost go for their signature coffee VTM. But be forewarned it's strong and will definitely be needed when holiday shopping kicks in high gear. Staff has been awesome that they offer samples and explanation of what might be good to try. I love that their espresso machine is up front and center and they can make a pretty decent espresso. So if coffee isn't doing it for you why not upgrade to their VTM coffee. Added bonus and recent discovery add salted cream for even more goodness. read more

alright, here's why i like this place i think the milk tea they make here has just the right sweetness while still tasting like tea. hot or cold, the one they make here is better than the ones next door, and the line is never as long plus, they give out free puppuccino's for your dog so be kind and tip well :) thank you! read more

The best way to get to this location is to park in the lot near the carousel/urban Seoul/85C and I believe Irvine Spectrum employees get discounts! There is some seating inside, but not enough for large parties. The pastries here are so-so. Personally, I would just go to the 85C next door if you're looking for baked goods or fruit teas. Had to come here because of their VTM. In Vietnam's 90F+ weather, you let the ice melt in your ca phe sua da as you talk to your friends and the VTM stays true to this concept. VTM (5/5): Very thick and strong. Would avoid if you don't like very sweet coffee. I actually find it to be less sweet than Lee's. It's as strong as Tan Hoang Huong's coffee. But, a small coffee (16oz) for $5 is a little pricey since I can make my own Viet dripped coffee at home. It's sweetened with condensed milk, has hints of vanilla flavor, and kept me awake from 9:30am to around 2pm. Lychee Peach Tea (2/5): $4.50/16oz is not worth what they give you. The tea itself is weak and peach flavored. Reminds me of tazo tea. They add chia seeds and lychee jelly. No actual lychee bits or lychee syrup. You could get the same thing at another boba place for cheaper if you ask for a peach black tea with lychee jelly add-on. Guava Cheese Croissant (3/5): It's decent. Not comparable with Porto's, but if you have a craving it gets the job done. Not much cheese, but lots of thick guava jam. The croissant part isn't so fluffy. Overall: Being neighbors with 85 degrees is a bold move. The pastries and tea can't compete for sure. But, they are called BLKDot Coffee, not BLKDot tea or bakery. They have strong coffee compared to 85's sea salt coffee. The staff are really friendly and they bring out your orders fairly quick. I find it to be a great addition to the Spectrum's new wing. read more

See all

Ordered cafe alai't and it was OK.. no milk, 1/2 and 1/2. sugar in the raw, stevia, simple syrup are the only ones they offer. Maybe they do cold drinks better? read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Cafe alai't - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

I love these guys. The coffee is amazing. Very addicting. We spend weekends in the Irvine area every summer. Not sure what I'm going to do without them. May have to come out for a weekend. Thanks for a great summer. See you next year if not sooner. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - McKenzie Loves Blk Dot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Came to the Irvine Spectrum needed my coffee and something to eat so we came to BLKdot Coffee. Great spot :) our first time and we actually came back later in the day after our movie at the theater ended. The first time around we got the Spanish Latte which was yummy, and the CaliChicken Banh Mi sandwich and the Breakfast One so that we could try each one. The breakfast one with pork and egg was so much tastier than the chicken. The chicken one tasted a bit bland, so I definitely recommend the breakfast one:) Very filling and yummy. The second time around my boyfriend and I got an iced tea. I got the Peach Lychee Iced tea and it was soo refreshing and yummy, I had wished I would've got a Large lol! We will definitely come again! read more

See all

A great spot! I was already looking forward to checking this place out since I knew the spectrum had gone through some recent renovations, and this cute coffee shop was high on my list of places to check out. I was very happy with my experience here (aside from one small part which I shall mention). blk is located right next to falasophy, 85 degree, and the new sushi place. If you see a big play structure for kids you're in the right area. I find that parking outside of nordstrom/target is ideal to reach this spot quickly! The whole set up of this shop is very cute and pretty. The tables are beautiful and they are the perfect set up to get nice pictures of your coffee. The inside is decorated very simply and the font of the writing on the "chalkboard" is easy to read. Great job to whomever designed the place! Ok so for the actual consumption experience. I know that blk is known for their vietnamese iced coffee but I've also heard that it's very strong. It's not expensive, less than $5, which is nice. I decided to take the plunge bc I wanted to try the right thing that the shop is known for! Regretted it pretty quickly OMG it's very strong and not sweet enough. I love my coffee sweet and this was bitter! It has condensed milk but honestly idk it didnt taste very creamy / tasty at all :( I was sad. I also realized that I wasn't going to be able to finish it bc it was SO strong!! I was feeling super weird internally LOL like all intense and almost like I was buzzed... a very bizarre feeling. BUT..... I knew what I was getting myself into so I have no one to blame. (I'll be trying something less intense next time lol). I also got an everything bagel and that was pretty good and standard. So overall, a great experience! Awesome ambiance, good spacious location, with many spots to sit inside and outside. I'll be back......but nowhere near the vietnamese iced coffee again LOL. read more

I love a good coffee shop and more so just a good latte. However the coffee here just kind of fell flat for me. Spanish Latte, light on the condense milk This a latte with condense milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This was okay. The espresso taste a bit burnt to me and it was still really sweet. I've had coffee that had been steeped with cinnamon that had more full body flavor. Hot VTM Coffee This was just too sweet for me. Unfortunately because it was premixed the sweetness could not be adjusted. It reminded me too much of Lee's VTM Coffee, which made it crazy over priced. They do offer a lighter version that is less sweet and caffeinated, but I didn't want to give up any caffeine. AAt best I would give this place 2.5 stars read more

This coffee shop is so aesthetic! The staff is friendly and the variety of drinks they offer is unique. I appreciate the vast offering of alternative milks and the barista's are top notch. Definitely worth a visit if you're visiting the Irvine spectrum! read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

The place was absolutely slammed. I figured my drink would take 20 minutes, at least, and my name was called in a blink. Friendly staff who was hustling, ready and willing to make a recommendation, AND offered a remake if I didn't like it. Naturally, I was going to take whatever they decided to give me. The Mojito coffee is such a unique beverage, I really enjoyed it. Give this place a try if you're willing to venture out of your comfort zone just a little. With that being said, it seemed like they had something for everyone! read more

Forget the VTM or LVTM, unless you're just there for the caffeine. Dirty Chai is my go-to with soy milk, and even their lattes are usually great. The hot dirty chai is near-velvety smooth, a little on the sweeter side if you add one espresso and gives out a hint of earthiness that complements the spices in the chai. The soy milk adds a bold creaminess to the mix as a highlight, but still lets the other flavors to shine well. The only place so far that has a better dirty chai with more velvet, bodied texture would be Mantra Coffee in Azusa; but BLKdot Coffee still does this very right. read more

So good! Sometimes they don't recalibrate the espresso machine enough though. Have had a couple "off" lattes. I still really like this spot though and recommend it to all the coffee lovers! read more

This was my first time at this location at the spectrum. It was Saturday morning, and there was a few customers and no one in line in front of us. Yey! The inside is small compared to Starbucks or Coffee Bean. It is nicely done, they have a breakfast and lunch menu, along with pastries. They have have a station near the front where you can sit and charge your electronics while you eat. There is plenty of outdoor seating and you can choose chairs underneath a shady umbrella or sit in the sun.Staff are friendly and helpful. I ordered the avocado toast, which is served on thick country bread. I asked about gluten -free bread and they didn't have it. I went with the think country bread anyway and it had the right amount of crunchiness to it and the avocado was fresh and tasty. Both my drink and food were delicious! I plan on visiting again and checking out other drinks from the menu. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Cute little place. Nice spacious and can be accessible to anyone who wants to work in a coffee shop. Jazz music in the background and staff are nice. There is also lots of food here!!! From Hot/cold sandwiches to salads and breakfast goodies. read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

I've been wanting to try BLKdot Coffee for a while now, so when they opened another location at the Irvine Spectrum I was thrilled! Located next to Target, the new 85 Bakery, & Falasophy, BLKdot offers strong & delicious Vietnamese iced coffee and a variety of other caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. I tried their iced VTM, a hot latte, and one of their teas with chia seeds. Not a huge fan of the tea, but their coffee is great. I love the interior of the cafe, but I wish it were a little bigger. For its location in the Spectrum, it would have been nice to have more seating, because the decor is really nice (& photoworthy). But since foot traffic is heavy around this area, I think it will be hard to stay for long - or even if you are lucky enough to grab a spot, it would be uncomfortable with all the people around you. Great coffee, great location, but I wish the space itself were bigger! read more

Blk Dot Coffee - Lattes with adorable latte art - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California