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    Contra Coffee & Tea

    4.6 (981 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Contra Coffee & Tea Photos

    Business Info

    CONTRA COFFEE & TEA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for working
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Contra Coffee & Tea

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    Mango Coconut Matcha - creamy and refreshing!
    Charline M.

    This was a great find! They have so many new and creative drinks while not compromising the taste of the matcha or coffee. There's plenty of seating inside and they have a good music playlist for ambiance. Service is very friendly and welcoming too. I got the Mango No. 5 which was a matcha latte with mango puree and sweetened oat milk with a coconut foam and it was surprisingly so good!! I've never seen these flavor combinations for a matcha but they work. The drink was not overly sweet and it still tasted like matcha. Highly recommend this spot for a quirky, laid back coffee shop with delicious drinks.

    Coffee & oolong | Lovebirds (one size, L)
    Andrea A.

    My favorite iced coffee in the Orange Circle! I've been coming here for years, and it always hits the same. It's a block away from the main downtown area. Street parking and the nearby used to fill up quickly, but now that the area charges for parking, it's even more of a commitment when I'm already picking up a $6.50 coffee. I honestly wish they had a 10 minute pickup spot in front of the shop to make things a little easier. The shop is bright, cute, and very aesthetic, with a great collection of records lining the back. Finding a table can be tricky, especially when Chapman is in session since the seating fills up quickly. I also like that they have their coffee ready on tap and add specific customizations depending on what you order. I always get the Lovebirds, which only comes in large. It's a coffee oolong milk tea, which is a pretty unique combination. I like how it's strong, more coffee-forward, and less sweet than what you'd typically get at a boba shop. I do like coming here, but I have to have a good reason to spend time in the Circle when I know I'll be paying for parking. Otherwise, it can be a little hard to justify for just a coffee run.

    Andrew N.

    I've alway really enjoyed this place and had to come here when I was visiting Orange Circle. Hazelnut Milktini (5/5): This was by far the best drink I've had here and my group all wished they got this drink instead of what they ordered. It is a horchata latte with hazelnut espresso. The sweet cinnamon added great flavor to the drink and the hazelnut added great flavor. This was such an amazing drink. Will definitely be back!

    Ube Thai Tea (seasonal)
    Michelle E.

    Another "not my first time here but first time reviewing." Contra is one of my other rituals when I visit Old Town Orange at least once a year, it's one of the funnest coffee shops in Southern CA. They have a lot of unique draft coffee and tea drinks. This time I opted for the Ube Thai Tea for just the right hit of caffeine - it wasn't bad, but i think i prefer their pandan drinks. Wish I had more time in the area, it looks like a cool place to get work done - but it can get crowded!

    Buko kape
    Gabriel T.

    Dope spot with some seriously good coffee. The vibe was chill with tons of seating although it gets really busy with students so seating can get tough. Had the buko pandan. Both the colors and flavors of the drink were wonderful. There's also a record store inside if you're looking for a side quest with your coffee.

    Paula H.

    Contra is one of my favorites! It's probably my favorite at the orange circle. There are so many different options to try out and they even have a flight if you want to try multiple drinks at a time. I tried one of their seasonal drinks: Buko Kape, which was coconut vietnamese coffee topped with pandan foam. The coffee was strong and delicious. The pandan foam was the perfect addition. My other favorites are the Lovebirds and Foxy Cleopatra. I really love the flavors of their drinks. As always, their service is superb and I love interacting with the baristas. They're so sweet! Lots of space to do work and reliable wifi. There's a bathroom in the back as well. I love the songs that they play. Parking can be a little hard to find if it's later in the day. Most of the parking around there is 2 or 3 hour paid parking.

    "Kuya Ate" latte
    Nar D.

    I lucked out and found a parking spot right in front of the shop. Not sure if it was a pay to park spot, but I wasn't planning on staying. Upon entering, the vibe was very cool/chill. Lots of people hanging out, studying, reading, chatting, etc. There's cool art around and the music in the background set the vibe. I ordered the "Kuya Ate" a latte with an ube foam. Sigh... I love ube and as a Filipina, maybe my expectations of ube in anything are high because for me, this fell short. The flavor is so faint that I think it's more like I'm feeling it only because it's purple... not necessarily because it's what I'm tasting. The espresso is very prominent and had a Smokey essence.. which then masks a lot of the "ube" flavoring.

    Jenna F.

    This matcha is really good! If you are in Orange and are looking for a cafe, please check this one out! They have Filipino-inspired flavors. The service is good and the inside is very cute and music-themed. Sometimes, there is even a DJ!

    Ate Latte, Mello, and Kuya Latte
    Marylynn M.

    To preface, we are used to coffees from Westminster and Garden Grove and tried a good amount of spots there. I wanna start by saying that this place is so unique with their decor and the vinyl records. There's so much space and that's a standout trait in comparison to many cafes. Parking next to it is paid so be sure to park on the street. We ordered 3 coffees - Melo, Ate Latte, and Kuya Latte. The presentation was nice but none of us liked our coffees. :( I know that many of the comments here are opposite of how we felt so maybe it was just an off day? I'd say give the place a try anyways!

    Sandy H.

    It's in Old Town Orange so the parking situation is not the best. Contra's interior space was much bigger than expected and had plenty of tables and seats. I really liked all the decor and there's also a small record store in the back. I ordered Mango No. 5, which was the mango coconut matcha latte. The flavors worked well together but I did not like how chalky the matcha tasted. I was disappointed by the drink given the $8 price tag.

    Melo
    Terri O.

    Super cool/cute coffee shop. My friend and I really enjoyed taking in all the signs, posters and Records that they posted up all over the shop. For coffee, I tried the Melo, which was very delicious. I actually expected the coffee to be a lot stronger, but sweetness of the caramel and cold foam balanced it out nicely. If/when I'm in the area again, I'll definitely go back to try other options!

    Hazelnut Milktini
    Annie Y.

    Parking is street parking only, and you'll need to pay through ParkMobile. The coffee shop is super cute with plenty of seating. I ordered the Hazelnut Milktini, and it was delicious with the hazelnut and horchata combo. It was the perfect sweetness combo (not overly sweet). Recommendation(s): - Hazelnut Milktini Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Street parking (pay using ParkMobile) - Plenty of indoor seating

    Outside
    Alana F.

    Stopped off at Contra in Orange after taking the train up from San Diego. I was looking for a coffee shop close by with good reviews and decided on this gem of a location! There were only a couple of people in line in front of me and several patron sitting at tables, talking with friends or working. Service was quick which is always a plus, too -- overall a great vibe inside. We ordered the Melo 2.0 (caramel latte with a cold foam top) and the Suede (mocha dusted brown sugar latte). Both were delicious, but the Melo 2.0 was the clear favorite! It was smooth and flavorful without being too sweet. Meanwhile, the Suede was strong in espresso flavor which I personally love. I'd absolutely recommend coming to this place! Side note: it is coffee on draft so there are no hot drinks. I personally prefer hot drinks; however, these were so good, I'd absolutely come back.

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    Contra Coffee & Tea Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Contra Coffee & Tea

    Are there outlets for computers :)?

    I don't think there's many, but there are a few! I've charged my phone in the corner before :) there might be more that I haven't seen

    Are we talkin' only awesome drinks, but no food items at all?

    They tend to have a small selection of baked goods such as donuts, ham/cheese croissants, etc. However, they usually run out in the morning wheras they are open all day.

    Do you allow dogs inside?

    I don't work there but they haven't had an issue so far with my 90 lb Goldendoodle. They did ask me to not put his cone on the tables but other than that they have been totally welcoming with him. The staff have even come from behind the counter… 

    Is it hard to find parking here? i heard the nearby street parking is permit-only & the parking lot across gets crowded fast.

    There is 2 hour street parking and a parking lot across the way. If you do a pass by once or twice, you're bound to find a spot.

    This place is listed as having outdoor seating. Is that still available?

    The only outdoor seating are the two small tables with 2 chairs each.

    Can you try the flight but do it to go?

    No, flights are only in-store.

    How much does a flight cost?

    A flight of four drinks is $10!

    Are any of the coffees unsweetened?

    Yes! They have a few purely cold brew options with no add-ins.

    Are the books on the shelves available for purchase?

    Yes, they are

    Are they dog friendly 🐶?

    Do you offer decaf options?

    Yes! There was one coffee decaf and one tea decaf on the menu.

    Are there outlets to plug in to around the outdoor seating area?

    there are a few! it's mostly alongside the walls, & those seats get filled up fast if you come on a busy day.

    Anyone know if Simplicitea is back on tap?

    It's on their menu this week. They regularly post their taplist on their Instagram.

    Will you be open 3/16 and that entire week? Just checking, since I know some places are closed for a bit due to Covid-19.

    Unfortunately they will be closed until further notice. :/ I had an event that was supposed to happen there this past weekend and it got cancelled and was informed they'd be shutdown until things calm down with COVID-19.

    How is the WiFi here? How would you rate this place for individual study or study groups?

    WiFi is good at first but throughout the day when it gets busier it starts to get choppy. Individually in the morning and then groups usually form later in the day.

    Do they have any muffins or other pastries?

    Just recently they started carrying vegan donuts from Caffeinated Kitchen.

    Can you sample the drinks?

    Yes. They limit 3 per person.

    Do they have almond milk?

    All of their "milk" bases are made with Rice milk. No dairy milk is used.

    Can I use the Konami Code for a discount?

    I wish! Haha :P

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    4.6
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    Dropped off my partner at UC Irvine early this morning, so early that we didn't have time to make…read morecoffee at home, so I ventured in unknown territory to try some local brews. A mere 1.3 miles away, I find this eight year old coffee shop that has its name origins from the German word for bread. Evidently, they have a plethora of baked foods mainly consisting of flour, water and often yeast displayed in full display next to the counter. I asked one of the staff if the shop makes their own bread and she said a local artisan bakery supplies them. They look amazing and they even have gluten-free options! This is a family-owned business that provides a more than suitable area for working on your laptop with WiFi access, or simply enjoying your favorite hot or cold caffeinated beverage, oh, and I must mention that they have premium blends as well for the coffee aficionado! Spacious indoor area that doesn't feel cramped and the exposed ceiling vents, the jazzy beats that is playing at a perfect volume and plenty of potted plants give it a balanced chill industrial vibe. There are tables outside too that's perfect for early morning or late afternoon when it's not too hot. I ordered the Vanilla Latte hot and asked that they fill up my insulated mug instead of the cardboard cup. Even with the steady stream of patrons, I received my expertly prepared brew by their hirsute barista, who gave me "beard envy" (I can only sport a goatee) :D The crew are friendly, conversing with the regulars. I can tell they enjoy working here! I don't come to Orange very often but would definitely grab coffee here again if I'm in the area and would highly recommend this place. This place is doing something right and by mere observation, I can tell they will continue to do so for years to come! Kudos!

    My friend and I both ordered the iced mocha, and unfortunately, it was just okay. It tasted a bit…read morewatered down and could have used a stronger chocolate and espresso flavor. Wasn't worth the price in my opinion. The cafe itself is spacious, with plenty of seating both indoors and out on the patio. I also noticed several tables with conveniently placed outlets, making it a nice spot for studying or getting some work done. During my visit, there were quite a few people working on their laptops, so it seems to be a popular place to settle in for a while. As for the service, it wasn't particularly warm or welcoming. One of the baristas accidentally dropped something, creating a loud noise, and she was visibly frustrated and seemed like she didn't wanna be there which affected the overall atmosphere.

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    Pumpkin Latte
    Pumpkin Latte
    Inside.
    Inside.
    The main barista and his workstation.

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    Play Coffee

    Play Coffee

    3.9
    (293 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    My daughter took us to her favorite coffee shop in Orange--Play Coffee. Here are some thoughts:…read more -This is the single coolest coffee shop I've ever seen. It's an old bank building--wide open with super high ceilings and cool Roman architecture! -I'm a sweet coffee drinker and I love a good latte. So when I looked at the lattes on the menu--the "volcano" latte caught my eye. -I asked about it and the barista's eyes lit up, "If you like sweet coffee, you'll LOVE the volcano--it's made from brown sugar and sea salt." -I ordered one and the flavor was rich and unusual. The sweet and salty really work together. Surely one of the best lattes I've ever had. Highly recommended!

    I used to love this place because of its great atmosphere and friendly staff, but my experience…read moreyesterday with other staff was very disappointing. I ordered a Match Strawberry with no ice, but received a plain green drink with no strawberry flavor at all. When I asked about it, the staff gave me conflicting excuses, When I asked about it, the first staff member claimed the strawberry paste was already mixed in. When I brought it up again, the second staff member blamed the green color on my "no ice" request, even though other customers had drinks with clear pink strawberry layers. Ordering with no ice shouldn't make the strawberry ingredient completely disappear. And both of them looked pretty unfriendly too. Also that matcha drink was too sweet and ended up throwing it away. Given that this cafe charges premium prices compared to others, I expect much better and more honest customer service.

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    Ducks playoff merchandise area 2026
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    The Lost Bean Roastery

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    July 26th, 2026 10:45am Sunday…read moreOrdered: - Banana Bread Iced Latte - Oat Milk Iced Latte (Shot of Hazelnut Syrup) Atmosphere: -Two Floor, Indoor Seating -No parking lot, just street spots (we were lucky and found parking right in front!) -Lively Atmosphere, Friendly Staff -Music loud enough to offer privacy between group conversations! Final Notes: Lots of people doing their work here. Seems headphones are necessary if you need focusing, but very excited to come back during the school year to study in a comfortable environment :D

    Oh, The Lost Bean... I'm at a loss for words…read more I really wanted to love this location. I've been a customer at the Tustin location for years, so I walked in excited. Unfortunately, this visit was one disappointment after another. We arrived at 8:30 a.m. hoping for a peaceful coffee-and-breakfast morning. Instead, we accidentally wandered into what felt like a Janis Joplin tribute concert. The music was blasting at nightclub volume--not exactly the relaxing start to the day we had in mind. But surprisingly... that wasn't even the worst part. The food was incredibly disappointing. I ordered the breakfast burrito, and the potatoes were still raw--hard enough to remind me they were once part of the ground.. My husband ordered the French toast, which looked suspiciously like it took a quick detour from Trader Joe's frozen aisle before landing on our table. There's nothing wrong with frozen French toast... unless you're charging $14 and calling it brunch. Another friend ordered the granola with berries. After a few bites, he gave it a skeptical look, pushed the bowl away, and decided breakfast simply wasn't worth the gamble. The coffee was decent , but honestly wasn't worth fighting the neighbors for a parking spot!

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    Rekindle Coffee

    Rekindle Coffee

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    UPDATE! I'm thrilled to share that after my post, the owner…read moreof Rekindle, Rebecca, reached out to me and has been absolutely wonderful. It's not often today for the owner of a business to reach out directly to a customer - she did and it was a very positive engagement. There are time that even the best business has a hiccup and something goes wrong. What makes a huge difference is how the business responds, and therefore, Rekindle gets five stars. I'm certain my next visit will be fantastic - I'll be posting an update in the near future. Wow - So Disappointed! Rekindle was at the Taste of Orange this year and I enjoyed one of the Italian sandwich samples they were handing out. It was fantastic! We met the owner - she was very charismatic and charming. Today we stopped by to grab an Italian sandwich, and I just cannot believe they served me bread that was so old and dry - it would have been perfect for croutons, but definitely nothing like what we had at the Taste of Orange. The bread was so dry I had to dress it up with some olive relish to eat it - I don't expect when I pay $31 for a sandwich and chai iced tea latte to get home and have to start working on my sandwich. I accept some responsibility for this, because honestly, who goes to a coffee shop for a sandwich.

    Photos
    The inside decorated for the holidays
    The inside decorated for the holidays
    Our in-store made Pizza Twists!
    Our in-store made Pizza Twists!
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    Chaiwale & Co.

    Chaiwale & Co.

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    Such an amazing place went this morning and my Pistachio latte was so delicious and my butter…read morechicken burrito was delicious too. Your staff are so friendly and welcoming answered all my questions I had about chai. The music was great too , loved my time there thank you so much chai wale team! We'll see yoy again soon!

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    Contra Coffee & Tea - coffee - Updated August 2026

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