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Came here for the yuzu matcha tonic since it's my new obsession. Very cute coffee shop but the yuzu syrup wasn't the best in my opinion. It was very sweet and didn't mix well. The matcha was high quality but with the yuzu it wasn't the best taste. I definitely will come back to try different drinks before setting my final star recommendation.
My new fav cafe! Cafe refuge was 10/10. It's beautiful and clean inside. They play music but it's also extremely quiet which makes it a great place to do work. Everyone in the cafe was doing work or school work when we arrived. The service was excellent. Everyone was soooo sweet and helpful. They were so welcoming and really made the experience special. We ordered the honey matcha latte which was really good! It was the perfect amount of sweetness with the honey. They made it beautifully and it tasted great! You can tell they use quality matcha too! This is definitely my new cafe!! Extras - the bathrooms are super nice and clean! There's a good amount of parking too which is nice :) There are also wheelchair accessible tables
Super excited to try Cafe Refuge. Vietnamese beans. Roasted in house. Got myself a honey latte. Only syrup that they make in house. Wasn't a fan Too much hickory in the beans. Not balanced at all Used the midnight beans fyi They also have vanilla latte which is monin syrup. Was hoping they at least offer a Vietnamese coffee to try also but they didn't. Overall. I love the selection of beans. Love how they roast there. But my drink just didn't do it. Wanted more options
Another awesome find! Thank you for steering me here Yelp. When I arrived, the whole team was warm and welcoming. I mentioned it was my first time here and they said usually customers smell the beans to pick their coffee. How fun and different! I did and picked one and then asked for help on what to do next. I opted for a honey latte. I also ordered a jalapeño bacon croissant. The drink was really good! The flavors were balanced and enjoyable. I also liked the croissant. The bacon wasn't mushy and the croissant was soft and flaky. The environment is lovely. A few tables to sit at and everything is really clean. I'd definitely return! There are lots of matcha drinks that also sound fun!
Cafe Refuge for a pre-work try Across from the golf course, easy to spy Ordered the honey matcha latte, ice Very well-lit and simple aesthetic, nice The matcha was hand whisked smooth and great I don't think I was a fan of the honey syrup (a bottom of the glass pending stir fate) Possibly too sweet for my taste I still drank it as $8.25 not to waste Overall, I would come again for a regular matcha to sip Or a croissant if in the mood for a treat trip xoxo -Op
This is a very cozy cafe with a simple and clean aesthetic - although there isn't a large amount of seating inside the cafe so it may be difficult to sit down during peak hours. This place has a large parking lot for easy parking. I went to their grand opening - all the staff were welcoming, very friendly and provided very good recommendations. I got the Strawberry Matcha Latte which was very refreshing and well-balanced with the matcha and the strawberry. The strawberry was light and slightly sweet which complemented the earthy matcha but did not overpower it. I really liked the drink! My friend got the Orange Expresso Tonic. Overall a super cute spot, definitely would want to come back and try their other drinks.
GRAND OPENING DAY Cafe Refuge is Costa Mesa's newest standout. Owned by Noi & Tiffany, this shop is rooted in a powerful story of resilience, honoring Noi's journey as a Lao war refugee and celebrates Asian culture through specialty‑grade beans sourced directly from Asia. What began as a local coffee cart has grown into a beautiful space that highlights Asian coffee culture with intention and heart. They're currently brewing incredible beans from Lao and Vietnam, with Philippines coming soon and future plans to source from Taiwan and beyond. Asian coffee doesn't get enough love, and Cafe Refuge showcases it beautifully, deep, grounding, and unforgettable. Their drink menu is stacked: excellent matcha, excellent espresso, and my personal favorite is the Coconut Matcha, which is refreshing, vibrant, and generously matcha‑forward. They also offer Oat, Almond and Whole Milk for alternative‑milk lovers. Don't forget the fresh croissants and pastries. Ask to have them warmed, it's the perfect treat alongside any drink. TODAY'S ORDER: 01. Coconut Matcha -- $7.50 -- 5 Stars - One word: REFRESHING. Perfect sweetness, deep green color, and clearly high‑quality matcha -- unlike the pale green you see at many OC/LA shops. 02. Honey Latte w/ Oat Milk -- $6.25 -- 5 Stars - Perfect ratio of espresso to milk, with just the right touch of honey. Smooth, balanced, and honestly addictive. PARKING: Plenty of parking in the plaza on the corner facing Harbor Blvd (next to the AYCE Sushi spot, Sherwin‑Williams Painting Store, and Big 5 Sporting Goods). DECOR & MERCH: Clean, modern aesthetics with beautiful emerald green seating. Can we talk about the bathroom, you don't often find or see one that is clean and smells good! Adorable merch too - tote bags, sweatshirts, tees, hats, and of course, their coffee beans. CUSTOMER SERVICE: The baristas are friendly, warm, and helpful...a refreshing change from shops where smiles are hard to find. DRINKS: I love that their coffee isn't overly acidic, and their sweetness levels are spot‑on for both drinks I tried. VERDICT: A meaningful story + exceptional coffee = an easy 5 stars. Thank you for a warm visit. I wish you nothing but SUCCESS. I will be stopping by often. NOTE: The Laotian Vendor serving authentic Laotian desserts was only for their Grand Opening Day. The items will not be available post-Grand Opening.
Starting off on a positive note: incredibly nice and friendly staff and owner. Small space with limited seatings but the interior is chic and well decorated with plenty of parking. They also have a giant coffee grinder and grind it fresh so the store smells like aromatic coffee beans. It's cool that they source their beans from southeast asia for their coffee. For dining in, they make your drinks in cute little glasses, very environmentally friendly! They also have some pastries options if you're feeling peckish. Brown Sugar Hojicha 2/5: run of the mill, brown sugar is overpowering but you still get a bit of the nutty aroma of the hojicha, on par with a homemade hojicha Strawberry Matcha Latte 1/5: the strawberry flavor was pronounced and not synthetic at all. I like the bits of crunchy dried strawberries. However, the matcha itself was practically nonexistent. Honey Matcha Latte 0/5: the honey was overwhelming, and combined with the fact I couldn't taste the matcha at all, it was the worst drink I remember ever having. I noticed that the ice in this one was completely melted, so the assumption is that they whisked the matcha with very hot water, and when poured over the ice melted it, making the drink watery and bland. In my opinion, this is a fundamental mistake in matcha making that can't be overlooked. The matcha here is objectively subpar and arguably bottom of the barrel. I understand that they are trying to cover all the bases when it comes to menu variety, but this is definitely backfiring. This is clearly a specialty coffee store but because of my bad experience with these three non-coffee drinks, I'm deterred from possibly coming back to find out they have the best coffee I would've ever had. With how competitive it has gotten in the matcha/hojicha market in OC, I would sincerely suggest removing the hojicha and matcha menu altogether so the customers would try their coffee. Tldr: excellent customer service, cute decor, do not order matcha or hojicha and try the coffee if you're already here.
What a cute spot with a simple, straightforward menu! Today is their grand opening so they had a 20% off drinks promotion. Parking is easy with a shared lot and very accessible off of Harbor. Upon entry, you see this open and clean space that is both welcoming and minimal. Love the matcha green booth seats! Now the drinks: we got the Honey Matcha Latte and Lan Xang Pourover. The matcha is tasty and refreshing with the sweetness of honey. Didn't make any adjustments because when asked how sweet, they said it's made to the asian palette of sweetness, which means "not too sweet" (aka the perfect level!). The pourover is also refreshing and it definitely packs more of a caffeine punch if that's what you're looking for. Lastly, the merch! Love the design and simplicity of their logo on the items. We won a tote from their social media contest and can't wait to use it. It even has extra pockets on the outside, perfect for water bottles or anything you need quick access to. The owner Noi is also super friendly. Definitely worth checking out and grabbing a drink if you're in the area.
Really excited to have an Asian owned and operated coffee and matcha cafe, with an exclusive focus on beans grown and sourced from southeast Asia, in central Costa Mesa! What I love about the experience here is that you can select which type of coffee bean you want in your drink. We went during grand opening and they had three to choose from - I chose the Lan Xang from Laos - which had a more chocolate-forward aroma - as a pour over on ice. You can sniff test the aromas of the three beans from their sniff bottles, which is a very unique experience compared to other cafes where it might not be clear what beans they're serving. The space is minimal, yet beautiful, highlighted by their beautiful jade green booth seating that lines the length of the cafe. Walking towards the back of the cafe, you see their roaster and knowing they roast their beans fresh on site makes me love them even more. Staff is super friendly and owner-operator Noi is a great guy. Looking forward to returning soon and trying their espresso / matcha tonics!
We decided to drop by on the way home from a kid's birthday party as we desperately needed some caffeine. The shop was very easy to find and parking was easy. We got the Coco Expresso, Yuzu Matcha Tonic, and Strawberry Milk. We usually ask for 1/4 sweet whenever we get drinks but we decided to try the drinks with their default sugar level because the owner explained that the drinks are not very sweet to begin with because they wanted to let the coffee and matcha flavors shine. We were glad we listened because the drinks ended up being the perfect sweetness for us. My husband likes coconut water and coffee so he loved his Coco Expresso. The Yuzu Matcha Tonic was so refreshing and yummy! I'm glad they have matcha tonics in addition to matcha lattes because I'm not really a fan of lattes. Our daughter enjoyed her strawberry milk as well. I had a sip and it was actually really good even though I'm not a milk fan. My daughter also enjoyed watching them make the matcha drinks and grind the coffee beans. The interior is very nice and spacious with lots of seating, and would be a great spot to just hang out and catch up with friends. We will definitely come back whenever we are in the area!
Grand opening weekend when we went on 5/30/26. There was a slight discount on some items, which was nice. Located at the north end of the Big 5 / Sherwin Williams / Centinela Pet shopping center. Across from the Costa Mesa golf course. Fast and friendly service in a casual atmosphere with indoor only seating. Order at the register and they call your name when your order is ready. I got a strawberry matcha. Wife got a coffee drink, and kids split a strawberry milk. Also got two croissants - plain and bacon jalapeño. Minimal food items of the croissant variety, but they heat them before serving. Everything was great! Around $30 with tax and small tip. Not bad given today's crazy world.
Walking into Cafe Refuge, everyone greeted us right away and the whole place felt super friendly and welcoming. It wasn't too busy inside, so definitely give this cute spot some love. The menu is short and simple, which I actually liked because it made ordering easy. I tried the honey matcha latte and it was really good. The honey flavor definitely stands out the most, but it made the drink taste smooth and delicious. My partner got a coffee and loved that you can choose which beans you want, which makes the drink feel more personal and unique. I also love that they roast their coffee beans in-house and focus on ethically sourced Asian coffee and teas. There's also plenty of seating, so it would be a great spot to study, work, or just hang out. Overall, Cafe Refuge is such a cute new coffee shop in Costa Mesa, and I'll definitely be back.
Cafe Refuge is a newer Asian-inspired coffee and tea shop with uniquely sourced ingredients from Asia. They are located in a plaza with a decent amount of parking spots. Inside, they have a very cozy and modern vibe with a solid amount of seating. Wifey got the Brown Sugar Hojicha Latte and I got the Matcha Coconut. We both thoroughly enjoyed our drinks and the flavor profiles that were developed. All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be back next time we are in the area! read more
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Cafe R.
Hi Vince. Thank you for your support and review! Happy to hear you…
Cafe Refuge is a relaxing spot that served really really strong coffee. The beans are from Southeast Asia. Fabulous as I really needed the caffeine boost. My latte was delicious. Well worth the trip and I'm come back to try more. Easy parking at lunch time. Please come and create your own adventure. read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you for the support Leeza! Happy to hear that you enjoyed your…
New coffee shop in Costa Mesa!! They're known for their coffee beans which are sourced from Asia, so you already know the coffee is gonna be STRONG. We loved the experience of being able to smell & select our own coffee beans. WHAT WE ORDERED: - Iced vanilla latte w/midnight blend - the coffee beans definitely added a unique taste & stronger caffeine! SO YUM! - Strawberry matcha latte - fell short of expectations, they use ippodo matcha but it was pretty watered down, strawberry jam saved the drink - Brown sugar hojicha latte - regretted mixing/stirring as the hojicha tasted stronger when I didn't, became pretty diluted AMBIANCE: Work friendly approved! Not at all busy on a Thursday afternoon, so no issues with seating despite only 5 tables. Few outlets, abundant parking, & pretty clean. As a matcha snob, their matcha is not worth it but as a coffee enthusiast, I'd definitely come back! The only reason I'm not giving them a lower rating is due to their service. Super sweet & friendly owner & staff who provided me a free drink after a small mishap. You can tell they genuinely value their customers! read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks ViV! We definitely value our customers so if there’s anything…
17 days ago
Came here for the yuzu matcha tonic since it's my new obsession. Very cute coffee shop but the yuzu syrup wasn't the best in my opinion. It was very sweet and didn't mix well. The matcha was high quality but with the yuzu it wasn't the best taste. I definitely will come back to try different drinks before setting my final star recommendation. read more
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Cafe R.
Hi Arcadia. Thank you for your support and feedback.…
My new fav cafe! Cafe refuge was 10/10. It's beautiful and clean inside. They play music but it's also extremely quiet which makes it a great place to do work. Everyone in the cafe was doing work or school work when we arrived. The service was excellent. Everyone was soooo sweet and helpful. They were so welcoming and really made the experience special. We ordered the honey matcha latte which was really good! It was the perfect amount of sweetness with the honey. They made it beautifully and it tasted great! You can tell they use quality matcha too! This is definitely my new cafe!! Extras - the bathrooms are super nice and clean! There's a good amount of parking too which is nice :) There are also wheelchair accessible tables read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you Megan! Glad you enjoyed your time with us. Hope to see you…
Super excited to try Cafe Refuge. Vietnamese beans. Roasted in house. Got myself a honey latte. Only syrup that they make in house. Wasn't a fan Too much hickory in the beans. Not balanced at all Used the midnight beans fyi They also have vanilla latte which is monin syrup. Was hoping they at least offer a Vietnamese coffee to try also but they didn't. Overall. I love the selection of beans. Love how they roast there. But my drink just didn't do it. Wanted more options read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Hi Vu, appreciate you stopping by.…
1 month ago
Another awesome find! Thank you for steering me here Yelp. When I arrived, the whole team was warm and welcoming. I mentioned it was my first time here and they said usually customers smell the beans to pick their coffee. How fun and different! I did and picked one and then asked for help on what to do next. I opted for a honey latte. I also ordered a jalapeño bacon croissant. The drink was really good! The flavors were balanced and enjoyable. I also liked the croissant. The bacon wasn't mushy and the croissant was soft and flaky. The environment is lovely. A few tables to sit at and everything is really clean. I'd definitely return! There are lots of matcha drinks that also sound fun! read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you for stopping by Allison! Your support means a lot to us.
Cafe Refuge for a pre-work try Across from the golf course, easy to spy Ordered the honey matcha latte, ice Very well-lit and simple aesthetic, nice The matcha was hand whisked smooth and great I don't think I was a fan of the honey syrup (a bottom of the glass pending stir fate) Possibly too sweet for my taste I still drank it as $8.25 not to waste Overall, I would come again for a regular matcha to sip Or a croissant if in the mood for a treat trip xoxo -Op read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thanks Opal!
This is a very cozy cafe with a simple and clean aesthetic - although there isn't a large amount of seating inside the cafe so it may be difficult to sit down during peak hours. This place has a large parking lot for easy parking. I went to their grand opening - all the staff were welcoming, very friendly and provided very good recommendations. I got the Strawberry Matcha Latte which was very refreshing and well-balanced with the matcha and the strawberry. The strawberry was light and slightly sweet which complemented the earthy matcha but did not overpower it. I really liked the drink! My friend got the Orange Expresso Tonic. Overall a super cute spot, definitely would want to come back and try their other drinks. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thanks for the review Karen!
2 months ago
GRAND OPENING DAY Cafe Refuge is Costa Mesa's newest standout. Owned by Noi & Tiffany, this shop is rooted in a powerful story of resilience, honoring Noi's journey as a Lao war refugee and celebrates Asian culture through specialty‑grade beans sourced directly from Asia. What began as a local coffee cart has grown into a beautiful space that highlights Asian coffee culture with intention and heart. They're currently brewing incredible beans from Lao and Vietnam, with Philippines coming soon and future plans to source from Taiwan and beyond. Asian coffee doesn't get enough love, and Cafe Refuge showcases it beautifully, deep, grounding, and unforgettable. Their drink menu is stacked: excellent matcha, excellent espresso, and my personal favorite is the Coconut Matcha, which is refreshing, vibrant, and generously matcha‑forward. They also offer Oat, Almond and Whole Milk for alternative‑milk lovers. Don't forget the fresh croissants and pastries. Ask to have them warmed, it's the perfect treat alongside any drink. TODAY'S ORDER: 01. Coconut Matcha -- $7.50 -- 5 Stars - One word: REFRESHING. Perfect sweetness, deep green color, and clearly high‑quality matcha -- unlike the pale green you see at many OC/LA shops. 02. Honey Latte w/ Oat Milk -- $6.25 -- 5 Stars - Perfect ratio of espresso to milk, with just the right touch of honey. Smooth, balanced, and honestly addictive. PARKING: Plenty of parking in the plaza on the corner facing Harbor Blvd (next to the AYCE Sushi spot, Sherwin‑Williams Painting Store, and Big 5 Sporting Goods). DECOR & MERCH: Clean, modern aesthetics with beautiful emerald green seating. Can we talk about the bathroom, you don't often find or see one that is clean and smells good! Adorable merch too - tote bags, sweatshirts, tees, hats, and of course, their coffee beans. CUSTOMER SERVICE: The baristas are friendly, warm, and helpful...a refreshing change from shops where smiles are hard to find. DRINKS: I love that their coffee isn't overly acidic, and their sweetness levels are spot‑on for both drinks I tried. VERDICT: A meaningful story + exceptional coffee = an easy 5 stars. Thank you for a warm visit. I wish you nothing but SUCCESS. I will be stopping by often. NOTE: The Laotian Vendor serving authentic Laotian desserts was only for their Grand Opening Day. The items will not be available post-Grand Opening. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you for your kind words Christine!
2 days ago
Starting off on a positive note: incredibly nice and friendly staff and owner. Small space with limited seatings but the interior is chic and well decorated with plenty of parking. They also have a giant coffee grinder and grind it fresh so the store smells like aromatic coffee beans. It's cool that they source their beans from southeast asia for their coffee. For dining in, they make your drinks in cute little glasses, very environmentally friendly! They also have some pastries options if you're feeling peckish. Brown Sugar Hojicha 2/5: run of the mill, brown sugar is overpowering but you still get a bit of the nutty aroma of the hojicha, on par with a homemade hojicha Strawberry Matcha Latte 1/5: the strawberry flavor was pronounced and not synthetic at all. I like the bits of crunchy dried strawberries. However, the matcha itself was practically nonexistent. Honey Matcha Latte 0/5: the honey was overwhelming, and combined with the fact I couldn't taste the matcha at all, it was the worst drink I remember ever having. I noticed that the ice in this one was completely melted, so the assumption is that they whisked the matcha with very hot water, and when poured over the ice melted it, making the drink watery and bland. In my opinion, this is a fundamental mistake in matcha making that can't be overlooked. The matcha here is objectively subpar and arguably bottom of the barrel. I understand that they are trying to cover all the bases when it comes to menu variety, but this is definitely backfiring. This is clearly a specialty coffee store but because of my bad experience with these three non-coffee drinks, I'm deterred from possibly coming back to find out they have the best coffee I would've ever had. With how competitive it has gotten in the matcha/hojicha market in OC, I would sincerely suggest removing the hojicha and matcha menu altogether so the customers would try their coffee. Tldr: excellent customer service, cute decor, do not order matcha or hojicha and try the coffee if you're already here. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Hi Long. Appreciate you giving us a try.…
2 months ago
What a cute spot with a simple, straightforward menu! Today is their grand opening so they had a 20% off drinks promotion. Parking is easy with a shared lot and very accessible off of Harbor. Upon entry, you see this open and clean space that is both welcoming and minimal. Love the matcha green booth seats! Now the drinks: we got the Honey Matcha Latte and Lan Xang Pourover. The matcha is tasty and refreshing with the sweetness of honey. Didn't make any adjustments because when asked how sweet, they said it's made to the asian palette of sweetness, which means "not too sweet" (aka the perfect level!). The pourover is also refreshing and it definitely packs more of a caffeine punch if that's what you're looking for. Lastly, the merch! Love the design and simplicity of their logo on the items. We won a tote from their social media contest and can't wait to use it. It even has extra pockets on the outside, perfect for water bottles or anything you need quick access to. The owner Noi is also super friendly. Definitely worth checking out and grabbing a drink if you're in the area. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you for visiting us Tiffany!
2 months ago
Really excited to have an Asian owned and operated coffee and matcha cafe, with an exclusive focus on beans grown and sourced from southeast Asia, in central Costa Mesa! What I love about the experience here is that you can select which type of coffee bean you want in your drink. We went during grand opening and they had three to choose from - I chose the Lan Xang from Laos - which had a more chocolate-forward aroma - as a pour over on ice. You can sniff test the aromas of the three beans from their sniff bottles, which is a very unique experience compared to other cafes where it might not be clear what beans they're serving. The space is minimal, yet beautiful, highlighted by their beautiful jade green booth seating that lines the length of the cafe. Walking towards the back of the cafe, you see their roaster and knowing they roast their beans fresh on site makes me love them even more. Staff is super friendly and owner-operator Noi is a great guy. Looking forward to returning soon and trying their espresso / matcha tonics! read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you for coming in Jenning! We truly appreciate your support!
2 months ago
We decided to drop by on the way home from a kid's birthday party as we desperately needed some caffeine. The shop was very easy to find and parking was easy. We got the Coco Expresso, Yuzu Matcha Tonic, and Strawberry Milk. We usually ask for 1/4 sweet whenever we get drinks but we decided to try the drinks with their default sugar level because the owner explained that the drinks are not very sweet to begin with because they wanted to let the coffee and matcha flavors shine. We were glad we listened because the drinks ended up being the perfect sweetness for us. My husband likes coconut water and coffee so he loved his Coco Expresso. The Yuzu Matcha Tonic was so refreshing and yummy! I'm glad they have matcha tonics in addition to matcha lattes because I'm not really a fan of lattes. Our daughter enjoyed her strawberry milk as well. I had a sip and it was actually really good even though I'm not a milk fan. My daughter also enjoyed watching them make the matcha drinks and grind the coffee beans. The interior is very nice and spacious with lots of seating, and would be a great spot to just hang out and catch up with friends. We will definitely come back whenever we are in the area! read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you Fidelia!
2 months ago
Grand opening weekend when we went on 5/30/26. There was a slight discount on some items, which was nice. Located at the north end of the Big 5 / Sherwin Williams / Centinela Pet shopping center. Across from the Costa Mesa golf course. Fast and friendly service in a casual atmosphere with indoor only seating. Order at the register and they call your name when your order is ready. I got a strawberry matcha. Wife got a coffee drink, and kids split a strawberry milk. Also got two croissants - plain and bacon jalapeño. Minimal food items of the croissant variety, but they heat them before serving. Everything was great! Around $30 with tax and small tip. Not bad given today's crazy world. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you Spencer!
Walking into Cafe Refuge, everyone greeted us right away and the whole place felt super friendly and welcoming. It wasn't too busy inside, so definitely give this cute spot some love. The menu is short and simple, which I actually liked because it made ordering easy. I tried the honey matcha latte and it was really good. The honey flavor definitely stands out the most, but it made the drink taste smooth and delicious. My partner got a coffee and loved that you can choose which beans you want, which makes the drink feel more personal and unique. I also love that they roast their coffee beans in-house and focus on ethically sourced Asian coffee and teas. There's also plenty of seating, so it would be a great spot to study, work, or just hang out. Overall, Cafe Refuge is such a cute new coffee shop in Costa Mesa, and I'll definitely be back. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Glad you had a good experience Vivian! We hope to see you soon.
2 months ago
As soon as we walked in we were greeted! They were all friendly! We got 2 drinks: Strawberry Matcha with Oatmilk Iced Pour over Both drinks were really good! For the iced pour over they said they don't do it iced yet but still made it over ice for us The inside has a variety of seating! The place is overall beautiful and has amazing photographs on the wall! read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you Adriana!
1 month ago
Very cute cafe with very friendly staff! I would go back to try their coffee but unfortunately I did not think the matcha was amazing. Would still recommend as taste is different for everyone. The parking was easy and it was clean and comfy inside. read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks Samantha!
28 days ago
Cute cafe by our old neighborhood. Stopped by on the way from an errand. Per usual, i had the matcha latte opted for oat milk today. Good quality matcha, i enjoyed it. And hubbs got an iced americano which he also liked. Their pastries were running low, snagged the last jalapeño bacon croissant which was pretty good too. I like when it's warm so definitely a plus that they offer it to be warmed. Staff are nice, cafe is clean, very new and packed with customers. read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks Abigail!
Stopped by here to do some work. Ordered a coconut matcha latte less sweet. The workers were very welcoming and attentive. Matcha was great quality. Clean interior with some tables to get some work done. read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you for the support Evan!
11 days ago
Excellent customer service. Clean, spacious and easily accessible. Easy parking. Good clean bathroom. Delicious shaken brown sugar espresso latte and strawberry matcha latte. Both were iced, super fairly priced even with almond milk and not too sweet. Will definitely return. What a great addition to the neighborhood. read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you for stopping by and for your support! We hope to see you…
Really authentic and yummy earthy matcha. There was no line when we walked, drinks were made quickly. It was quiet, a few people were there working on laptops. They had self serve simple syrup and vanilla to add to your liking. Great addition to the area, I will def be back read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you for visiting us Kaylee! Appreciate the support
1 month ago
As a cat lover, and having two cats myself, when I saw an ad for this place on Instagram, I immediately fell in love with the logo and had to look up the place. Upon arrival, I noticed the place was really clean, the cute merch that was on display was AMEOWZING that I had to PURR-chase one item (although I wanted everything). I went in not planning to purchase any merch, but I ended up grabbing the adorable black tote. I was very happy with my purchase. The tote was very large and roomy. The aesthetic overall was definitely pleasing to the eyes. Loved the color schemes, and the ambience when I was there was very relaxing. Staff is nice. Menu is pretty straightforward and simple. Choose your beans and choose your drink. They have 3 kinds of beans to choose from and they also have 3 sample bottles that you can smell the beans to help you decide. I chose the midnight blend and chose cappuccino for my drink. My cousin got the honey oat latte with the Lan Xang beans. Both drinks were so fresh and delicious. I love the taste of fresh coffee beans! Oh, when it came to milk substitutes, I believe they only offered whole milk and almond milk when I asked if they had soy milk. So I chose almond milk for my cappuccino. Oh yeah, and there is ample parking, so that's a plus! read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you Thallia!
1 month ago
I'm always looking for new coffee places to try and I'm glad I stumbled upon this one. It's a fairly new spot that just opened up in the plaza. They have a unique backstory and it seems like the owners are very passionate about what they do. As for the coffee, they specialize in coffee and tea from different Asian countries, currently three options of beans to choose from, all with their own unique flavor. The service is amazing, they're always so kind, even if the cafe is busy, they make sure that each drink is made correctly. The ambience inside is mellow, there's seating for studying and there's plenty of parking outside. read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks for stopping by Linda! Hope to see you soon.
2 months ago
I've been looking for newer cafes in the area that would offer something different. The drinks, service, and attention to care goes beyond here. They give 3 different coffee bean options: Lao, Midnight, Da Lat. We went with Lao for the Honey Latte, it was SO smooth. No acidity at all. Perfectly sweetened. Reminded us of coffee in Korea, Love this. I got the matcha yuzu tonic. The matcha color is insane. I think it was the perfect balance of yuzu and matcha, not too sweet or too citrusy. Will come back here! read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you Allyn! Happy to hear you enjoyed your drinks. Hope to see…
1 month ago
Overall, a very good coffee shop. I usually am pretty critical about coffee shops as they have to stand out in some way and cafe refuge stood out by having their coffee sourced from Asia and roasted locally at their shop. My wife and I got an iced americano and a strawberry matcha. The coffee was okay, very typical of any coffee shop in OC, and the strawberry matcha was definitely better than most shops as it was well balanced by not being overly sweet and tasting pretty natural to strawberry. The location is great with tons of parking so I completely recommend if you are in the mood for a dressed up coffee or matcha beverage, just don't expect their beans and black coffee to blow you out of the park. They also have a very cute logo which makes their merch look amazing. read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks for the support Paul!
2 months ago
Was exploring and searching the best matcha drink in the area and found this 5 star cafe. Came early in the morning and it seems new. There's still a grand opening signage in front of the cafe so i assume this place is new? Inside is neat and minimalist...They also selling their merchandise which is pretty cool. Got the strawberry matcha and the staff were kind and even advised me to stir it before drinking to fully enjoy it. You can really taste the quality of the matcha. It had a vibrant flavor and smooth finish with no bitterness. Definitely worth checking out if you're a matcha lover. read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you Ayz! Glad you enjoyed your dinks.
2 months ago
Great new coffee and matcha spot! They have many options for matcha and espresso, all of which are solid options. They also have fresh croissants which they can slice open and heat for you. They have alternative milk to choose from, like coconut and oat. And I LOVE their coconut water matcha drinks. Very generous with the matcha servings as well. The owner, Noi, used to run a mobile shop and now has a brick and mortar storefront. Theyre located in a large plaza with plenty of parking, on Harbor in Costa Mesa. Will be back! Second time now. read more
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Cafe R.
We appreciate your support Christine! Hope to see you soon.
Much needed coffee with real coffee - this maybe isn't the place for you if you are a coco puff, fruity pebble, smore cookie butter latte person. You choose your bean profile and then add a milk with syrups limited to vanilla or simple syrup. The coffee really is the star of this latte and it was spectacular. I did ask to add a dried orange for a little kick and the barista obliged. 10/10 ! read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks Isabel!
2 months ago
Easily a 5 stars for us! My partner got a flat white with oat milk, and it is spectacular. The quality of the beans is amazing. The beans are roasted on site which definitely adds to the quality. The cafe is specialized in Asian beans which is super unique and rare to find here! I got a coconut matcha. They don't serve cream top drinks here but honestly, I prefer this version of coconut matcha more -- it is very refreshing and not too sweet. The owner is also great and friendly! He's passionate and knowledgeable about their work. The ambiance is great overall! Love that they have some cute cat merchs here as well! What a gems! We would definitely come back when we're in SoCal next time! read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks for visiting us Connie! Glad you like the drinks.
2 months ago
so nice to see a cafe that really values coffee! i love how simple the menu is, because it really highlights the quality of their beans (which they roast themselves!!). i had a lovely conversation with the owner and learned a lot about their mission. so cool how they're supporting farmers in asia and showing the beauty of asian coffee and teas. i'm really excited to see how they grow! will definitely come back and try their other drinks. read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks for the review Marionette!
26 days ago
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thanks Jake!
1 month ago
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Thank you for the support Chris! We hope to see you soon.
1 month ago
Cafe Refuge was a serendipitous find. We just happened to be a the pet supply store a few doors down when we spotted this brand new coffee shop just as we were about to go to another coffee place. We were happy to try Cafe Refuge, rather than the original spot we were about to try. We love how Cafe Refuge allows its customers to select the coffee beans to use in the drinks. We both selected the medium roast and were not disappointed. Hubby tried the coco espresso tonic (espresso with coconut water), and he found it refreshing. I tried the honey latte and enjoyed the bold coffee flavor, lightened by a tinge of sweetness. Cafe Refuge is small, but clean, and the owners and staff were friendly. read more
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Cafe R.
Thank you for the support Darcy! Hope to see you again.
2 months ago
Cutest concept for a coffee shop and the people in there were very friendly and helpful. I got honey latte and my bf got iced americano and we got to pick out our coffee blends. Fantastic coffee!! read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks Rylee! We’ll be introducing new coffee beans from Asian once…
13 days ago
i ordered the coconut matcha and it was so refreshing for a hot summer day! the coconut flavor is very light and i wish it was just a tad sweeter. the drink tasted very similar to pennywort (rau ma). clean peaceful interior and vibes! read more
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Cafe R.
Thanks Nicole!
20 days ago
Business owner information
Cafe R.
Hi Bryan,…
2 months ago
Soft opening review. Very nice staff and damn good coffee. Menu is somewhat limited right now but coffee drinks and matcha drinks on menu with some croissants. It's very clean and mellow inside which is perfect for a coffee shop. No internet right now but told it was coming soon. I will def be back. #supportsmallbusiness read more
Business owner information
Cafe R.
We are truly blessed to have you as a neighbor Cherie! Thank you for…
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2336 Harbor Blvd
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
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https://cafe-refuge.square.site
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Do you have cold brew?
Hi Ashley, we don’t have cold brew at the moment but it is something that we’re considering in the near future. Our menu will continue to expand based off customer feedback.…
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Cafe Refuge - coffee - Updated August 2026
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