I honestly had a little bit of a cultural shock--in the best way!…read more As someone who absolutely loves matcha and coffee, I was surprised that I had never heard of this place before. It has such a unique vibe. It's located around Downtown Santa Ana, and the sign isn't very big, so it can be a little hard to find. Honestly, I'm glad I came with my friends because if I had come by myself, I probably would have missed it and gone home. The atmosphere is definitely different from your typical Orange County coffee shop. I heard the owners are from New York, and I think you can feel that influence. It has a very urban, sophisticated feel, but at the same time, there's something warm yet slightly cool and edgy about the space. It's hard to explain, but it has a personality of its own. The coffee bar is completely open, so you can watch the baristas make your drink and see every little movement they make. I wanted to try so many things on the menu, but I had already had two cups of coffee that day, so I decided to go with matcha instead. What really impressed me was how detailed they were when taking my order. They asked about the sweetness level, syrup options, type of milk, and even the type of cup I wanted. Since I was staying to enjoy my drink there, they served my matcha in a beautiful glass. And watching them make the matcha right in front of me was such a treat. It wasn't just some sweet matcha powder mixed with milk. You could really taste the quality of the matcha, and the drink was clean, smooth, and delicious. Santa Ana is a little far from my home, so I don't come here very often. But this place made me want to come back someday, take my time, and just enjoy a cup of matcha without rushing. Definitely a place with its own character. Would I come back? 100% YES.

Hopper & Burr is definitely a staple in the Downtown Santa Ana area-- a clean, minimalist (hipster)…read morespace with genuinely good coffee and some creative offerings, making for a solid specialty coffee shop. I believe their espresso leans toward a lighter roast, coming through bright and expressive, while the milk drinks are dialed in with that smooth, silky texture that makes you want to savor. That said, the drinks don't always scratch the itch for me in the way I might expect but it might just be that their speciality drinks aren't quite what I typically look for. Nonetheless I do still think they have a strong coffee program and a team that clearly cares about craft.

HHC Coffee was a wonderful stop and a great way to start our day! I enjoyed the Strawberry Matcha,…read morewhich was refreshing, smooth, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. My husband ordered the Brown Sugar Maple Latte and absolutely loved the rich, warm flavors. We also shared the Ham and Cheese Pesto Croissant, and it was delicious--light, buttery, flaky, and filled with great flavor. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. One of our favorite parts was the outdoor seating area. We loved dining outside and enjoying the beautiful weather while sipping our drinks and relaxing. It created the perfect atmosphere to slow down and enjoy the experience. The atmosphere was welcoming, the drinks were excellent, and the food was just as impressive. We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Highly recommend stopping by if you're looking for quality coffee, delicious pastries, and a great outdoor dining experience!

We love this place and have been coming here for years now but today was a shitty experience from…read morethe lady behind the counter. I couldn't find a way to contact them through email so this is my only option. I went in to get coffee beans and a cold brew per my usual monthly visit with my pup. There was a tall woman behind the counter this time. We went through the typical spiel of what can I get you? Comes with a cold brew, etc etc. But after I walked away, 3 of her colleagues came up to chat and show pictures. As they were chatting I heard her say "I ain't got time for cold brew" and look directly at me. Then they split up and she went to stand at the other end of the counter while the 2 people she was chatting with came behind the counter and started sharing pictures or whatever. It just came off rude. I love this place and these are our favourite beans but just really crappy feeling as a local customer.

Love this place so much!…read more I've been to the Cerritos location many times so I figured I'd try the Santa Ana location. There's more seating at this location which is nice! Three tables and a bench. I ordered the Roasted Oolong Latte with Grass Jelly for 7.25, and I finished it in literally 10 minutes. The prices are really good if you don't get toppings too! 50% sweetness was perfect for me, and I like how they have descriptions under each of the teas on the menu. Next time I definitely want to try one of their frappes with purple rice. They also have many season drinks including an Earl Grey Cheesecake Latte! Parking is in a small plaza and it's a 30 minute maximum, so definitely plan to grab and go! Quite close to OCMA and South Coast as well.

I typically review places a while after I eat to fully settle in and reflect over the overall…read moreexperience. For BAKO TEA HOUSE, I have to say that in am actually so utterly devastated and disappointed at how yelp and reviews lied to me saying that this place is 4.5 stars. The service was fine. The interior looks really nice. The phoenix oolong tea latte and the roasted oolong tea latte are disgusting. Tell me why I was feeling bad when I saw the drinks come out in under a minute. In what world can you have a diluted, old, no flavor, fake tea with the most mangled boba (it was not cooked properly) and charge me $7 without batting an eye? Horrible quality tea, horrible price, horrible boba, 0 stars if I could. Nah, save yourself your $7-$10 dollars and go get yourself some Omomo, some sunright, some OTHER drink

My wife and I stopped by Coffee Muse while charging our car, and all I knew was that I needed a…read moregood cup of coffee, because we had a long drive home. I walked in with no idea what to order, but Kayla and Michael immediately made the experience exceptional. They recommended the Honey Nut Cheerios latte, and it turned out to be one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had. It tasted exactly as they described, like the sweet milk that's left in the bowl after you finish a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. Absolutely delicious. I also had the chocolate chip cookie, which was just as outstanding. Michael and Kayla were knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and genuinely kind. Their customer service was so impressive that I actually asked if they were the owners. They took the time to explain the menu, answer my questions, and made us feel genuinely welcome. I'm not sure when we'll be back in Santa Ana, but if we are, Coffee Muse will definitely be on our list of places to visit again. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. Great coffee, delicious treats, and even better people.

Located on the corner of 4th and Spurgeon. Black exterior marks the spot…read more How'd it go? I entered the double doors roughly 4pm on a Thursday and it was nice and quiet. There's a small sitting area good for about 8 people. There was one guest on laptop, so I presume they've got wi-fi to for anyone studying or working on the go. The menu hangs overhead above the register where you place your order. I was greeted, "how can I help you today?" I replied, "Dirty Vanilla Chai please, iced, w/oatmilk,16oz" As-is you're looking at $7.25 for this latte, after milk substitution and tax out the door it's $8.25. A bit steep considering the competition in DTSA. What did you order? - Dirty Vanilla Chai Latte 4/5 Stars Excellent latte, just priced a bit too high. Overall? Mid day caffeination fix compliments of Muse Coffee definitely hit the spot. Comeback kid? I would but not unless my number one recommendation is open. Interested in finding out which independently owned cafe in the area with seating, Wi-Fi and whose outstanding lattes come in under $8. Check out my reviews if you'd like to know who's got it locked in the DTSA coffee shop scene!

Great service caught me at Enchanted Coffee…read more Some coffee shops serve great coffee. Others leave you thinking about the experience long after you've left. Enchanted Coffee did exactly that. I stopped by around 12:40 p.m. on a weekday, and the café was already bustling with customers. Luckily, I found the perfect outdoor seat where I could enjoy the sunshine without sitting directly in it. Inside was clean and welcoming, with mostly high-top seating, a communal island, and a small corner with traditional tables. Being on the shorter side, I knew the patio was my best option. During my visit, I also noticed guests enjoying the café with their dogs, adding to the relaxed neighborhood feel. Whenever I visit a new restaurant or coffee shop, I'm looking for more than great food. I'm paying attention to the experience. Customer service is where I believe businesses either shine or fall flat, and it's often what determines whether I'll return. I ordered the Lox Bagel along with a lavender oat milk matcha. I asked if I could add a single shot of espresso, but Elizabeth explained they pull two shots at a time. I laughed and told her, "I don't want you to dump it," so I happily took the double shot. She also let me know the bagel would likely take 20-25 minutes because only two employees were working. I appreciated her honesty and told her to take her time. Instead, my food arrived in less than 10 minutes. The Lox Bagel came on an everything bagel which was my choice, smoked salmon, cream cheese, arugula, tomatoes, red onion, and capers. They serve it whole, allowing you to slice it yourself. The bagel had the perfect toasted crunch, while the combination of creamy cream cheese, fresh vegetables, salty capers, and rich salmon created a bite that was balanced and incredibly satisfying. The dirty lavender matcha paired beautifully with it. As more customers continued to pour in, I couldn't help but watch how the staff handled the growing crowd. People patiently waited in line, squeezed into available seats, grabbed drinks to go, and somehow everything continued flowing smoothly. Even with only two employees working, the service never lost its warmth. Enchanted Coffee captivated me with more than its coffee. It was the hospitality, the honesty, and the overall experience that won me over. Needless to say, they've earned themselves a new weekly customer. If you're in the area or simply want to be captivated by the drinks, food and service...definitely give them a try.

Food: - Matcha pistachio croissant: good amount of matcha…read morepistachio cream on the croissant; croissant itself decent Parking/ ambiance: - Giant parking lot - Employees were helpful in giving recommendations - Seating at the counters and tables with good Wifi and outlets

I get the hype! Airoma Cafe constantly ranks high on the list of best matcha spots in Southern…read moreCalifornia. The cafe is cute with a small number of interior tables. They are located in the same plaza as Brodard, Vox Kitchen, Rol Handbar, etc. in Fountain Valley. This location is open later than the other Airoma. They use ceremonial matcha which makes a huge difference. I ordered the strawberry matcha latte (74% sweet) after trying one previously in LA. I paid and waited for my order to be ready. After a few minutes, I received my order. I shook it up and tried it. Delicious! Even better than I remembered. My husband who doesn't usually enjoy matcha, tried it and liked it. He does not dig the earthy taste, but this drink changed his perspective. Airoma made my husband a believer in matcha. We do not usually go out too often for matcha, but when I'm in the mood next, this place will be a must visit. I'll have to try their egg coffee in the future too.

Came here upon the recommendation of a friend to try a matcha drink, because I told her I don't…read morelike them because they're too gritty. She assured me that Airoma does not serve gritty matcha. I was worried about the line, so I ordered ahead. Great choice, because I didn't have time to stand in the line that had already formed! My Double Matcha was ready when I arrived, and I am happy to report that there was no gritty sediment! I will be coming here for my future matcha fixes!

Excellent Vietnamese coffee spot, top tier! Parking is easy…read moreand free, in a strip mall. Service is friendly and efficient, you get a buzzer for your drinks/food. We tried their Hazelnut Phin Coffee which was strong and full bodied flavor- one of my favorite. I also liked their peanut butter espresso (not Phin, so a little weaker) but very good. We also tried their Chocolate croissant which was extremely flaky (and embarrassing how much of a mess we made) but delicious. Their Bahn Mi Que (southern Viet sandwich) which comes in a pack of 2 small ones, which was well flavored and delicious. Will be back when in the area. They also have water and tea for free if sitting down! WiFi and clean bathrooms- a good place to study or hang out.

Be prepared for a very long wait and the possibility of them losing your order ticket…read more Parking is also pretty difficult, as the lot is small. Ordering was quick but they were clearly making drinks out of order because several people who ordered the same drink (pandan espresso) got theirs before me, despite ordering after me. Also, after checking on the status of my drinks with the person calling out names/buzzing the buzzers, he just went to the back and... never came back? And after asking again after another 5-10 minutes, they tried to tell me if I wanted my drink now, I'd have to accept one without my sweetness adjustment? They also gave me cups with different people's order tickets on them (but the drinks themselves were right), so I'm fairly certain they lost my drink ticket and have passed the problem onto other people now. Overall, not a good experience and wouldn't come back; the pandan espresso was alright but Airoma's is still better.

Just heard a new promotion, wanted to share to everyone…read more I love their Signature coffe (littleof nutty flavor), and their Strawberries Matcha. Those are the 2 must try.

Stopped by Findi Coffee and tried their Findi Signature Phin Coffee at 25% sweetness. The coffee…read morehad a bold, strong flavor just the way I like it. I'm not exactly sure what flavors they use in their signature blend, but whatever it is, it works--it was really enjoyable. The 20 oz cup for $6.50 is a great value, especially for the quality and size. I was too full to try anything else today, but their matcha and coconut water drinks both caught my eye, so I'll definitely be back to give those a try. Overall, I'd recommend stopping by if you enjoy a strong Vietnamese-style coffee at a reasonable price.