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    Freelance Coffee Project

    4.4 (217 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

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    FREELANCE COFFEE PROJECT ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Freelance Coffee Project

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    I guess I forgot to take pictures of the coffee drinks! I also loved the plant!
    Beatrice B.

    Outstanding roast. The late was near perfection as was the Cortado. Enjoyed the ambiance as well, although I wasn't sure we were on our way to a highly rated coffee shop given the neighborhood setting--industrial!

    Felina V.

    Freelance Coffee Project was the perfect weekend pick-me-up between shopping and exploring! Dog friendly, lots of plants, and absolutely delicious coffee. I even treated myself to a POG DONUT!!? Say less. Service was fantastic! I'll definitely be returning to try more of their specialty beverages. :)

    strawberry matcha and iced latte
    Edbert S.

    This place was pretty nice! Location wise, it was well hidden between office buildings. We came here on a friday and it was pretty busy. The parking lot was small though, so you for sure will need to do street parking in the area. The location was beautiful. A lot of green and open concept. It's a great place to hang out, work, study, etc. The drinks can be pretty pricey, but it's what you expect in Newport Beach. We ordered the strawberry matcha (in season) and a regular iced latte. Both were pretty tasty and refreshing, but both the size of the drinks were pretty small for that price - in total was $14. They do have wifi, but they kick you out after 1 hour, so it's pretty annoying if you're there for a while.

    chaggaccino
    Huevi L.

    Super cute coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. Open and spacious interior/exterior. Came on a Sunday morning around 12PM. Service was a bit slow as it seemed like there was only one worker. Drinks are a bit pricey ($7 for a small coffee). They do not have 2% milk or almond milk, but they do have oat milk and macadamia milk for $0.75 upcharge :( chaggaccino: 7/10. "mushroom powder enhancing" coffee. Tasted like a normal coffee with mocha flavoring. Nothing special

    Orange Cardamon seasonal latte with whole milk
    Zara A.

    One of the best ATMOSPHERES in the area! Very MOODY with lots of seating and a FIREPLACE. The coffee was also good. With water, bathrooms and WiFi, you can't really beat this as a study spot. The hardest part was the street parking but if you're willing to walk it's usually fine.

    interior + seating
    Amanda Z.

    I visited Freelance Project with my friend on a Wednesday afternoon to get some work done. There's a lot right next to the building so parking was no hassle. I love the interior design & how lively the plants made the space look. There was a great balance of people focused on their work or on virtual meetings & people socializing with their friends. I just got one of the pressed juice bottles while my friend got a matcha, which she didn't think was very memorable. I really liked this cafe for studying, & I'd visit again to try their drinks & food!

    Patio
    Hailey F.

    I was immediately taken by the café's ambiance. The space strikes a thoughtful balance between industrial minimalism and warmth, with lush indoor plants softening the look of metal stools and exposed elements and a cozy fireplace. There's also a small outdoor seating area that adds to its charm. We ordered the iced matcha lattes, which were excellent--smooth, well-balanced, and refreshing. However, when we visited around noon on a Saturday, there was not a single seat available. While the interior aesthetic is modern and distinctly hip, the actual seating is quite sparse. That said, we still appreciated the experience and were pleasantly surprised to discover such a stylish and thoughtfully designed café tucked into a mostly warehouse area.

    Pistachio latte
    Mabel R.

    Came here on a Saturday morning, not too busy, open and clean layout. Tried the pistachio latte and it was good! I didn't see any outlets here, and the wifi didn't work for me sadly. It was a gloomy day and I think they only rely on natural lighting, so the inside was a little dark for me to work!

    Caitlin H.

    Really cute coffee shop with a great vibe. There's a lot of space, which makes it a nice spot to work from home or study for a few hours without feeling cramped. The atmosphere is cozy but still open, and it feels very welcoming. I ordered an iced vanilla latte with oat milk. The flavor was smooth and nicely balanced -- not too sweet, not too bitter -- and the oat milk paired well with the espresso. My only small critique is the portion size. For about $8, the drink felt a bit small, especially if you plan to stay and work for a while. Overall, it's a lovely spot with good coffee and plenty of seating, just wish the portions matched the price a little more. Definitely still a nice place to check out if you're looking for a comfortable place to get work done.

    Franklin C.

    Really enjoy the outdoor floral seating area where gives a peaceful vibe. Came here for a run with Newport run club and had coffee and chocolate croissant with friends. Easy to order at the front counter and they just call your name out to pick up items. Definitely returning for quick fix. Parking on the street or inside but it is limited

    Emily L.

    The cutest coffee shop! Such a good ambiance to get some work done or relax at. The coffee was pretty good, albeit the pistachio was a little bit too sweet, so make sure to adjust the sugar if you are concerned about that. It is a little pricey for the smaller sized coffees but I'd say it's worth it if you plan on staying and getting some work done! The staff is very kind and they are pretty fast.

    Inside
    Mary Anne W.

    Here I am decided to try a new coffee shop, and this place is such a unique one! The plants surrounding the area, inside felt super cozy sat at a table next to the fireplace, definitely in a hidden area surrounded by corporation plazas. Felt super earthy, warm and since I have never been here before, I asked the staff what is the most popular items on the menu. We ordered a vanilla latte and a Chagaccino. Flavors were very light and filling. They had your typical pastries did not get a chance to try them. Small menu, the only cons I had were not much parking space, and I wish the inside had more tables since it can get pretty crowded indoor. I did see some tables outside in the front, but they were wet, and it is cold outside so definitely did not want to be out there. I would come again since the ambiance was pretty neat.

    Jay W.

    Absolutely a hidden gem. The parking sucks and there's hardly seating, but overall it's nice. The window ambiance makes you feel like you're in a cabin in Lake Tahoe if you get the seating by the fireplace. The service is great and our barista helped us choose a drink as it was our first time.z The vanilla latte is generic, however not overly sweet or bland. Perfect balance. 5/5. I got the mushroom latte I think it's called chagacinno or however you spell it. I loved it. I never knew mushroom coffee can taste so good and give the same amount of energy and caffeine as regular coffee. 5/5. Overall if you're looking for a place to sit and relax, you might have to be a hawk when people get up. The fireplace was the perfect spot for the cold.

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    10 days ago

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    8 months ago

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    Sydney L.

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    1 year ago

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    Sydney L.

    Thanks for the visit Adriana! We can't wait to see you again soon :-)

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    7 months ago

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    Sydney L.

    You have very great taste in friends :-) thanks for coming in!

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    11 days ago

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    28 days ago

    Love love love this community coffee shop! Strawberry matcha is yummy as is the lavender latte

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    7 months ago

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    Sydney L.

    Thank you for your kind words, Peter!

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    Page 1 of 6

    Freelance Coffee Project Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Freelance Coffee Project

    Are your pastries baked in house?

    Hi thanks for your question! Currently all of our pastries come from Nonna Mercato in Long Beach :-)

    What Macademia nut milk do you use?

    We proudly serve Milkadamia :-)

    Do you make your own syrups in-house or are they "store-bought" pumps?

    Hi Sara! All of our syrups are made in house with our own recipes. Try out our Vanilla, Lavender, Maple, and Orange syrups in any of our drink offerings :-)

    Hi, do you guys have a lot of outlets/charging station or free wifi and parking lot?

    Hey there! Our outlets in the shop are limited however we do offer free wifi to our customers. We also do have a parking lot at the shop and street parking is available however parking is limited. Neighboring streets have many 30 minute parking… Read more

    Is there inside seating and outlets?

    Hi Gina! We do have inside and outside seating options however the outlets in our shop are limited.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    MoonGoat Coffee Roasters

    MoonGoat Coffee Roasters

    4.3
    (897 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $

    Another day, another coffee shop…read more Heard great things about MoonGoat so was excited to try today. Saw valet parking and got nervous but the guy just told me where to park. Super easy. When you enter, the location is huge! Tons of tables and seating. Nice! People are working, hanging out, and enjoying their food and drinks. I ordered a churro latte half sweet and a deluxe avocado toast. The latte was delicious. Sweetness level was just right for me. I don't like super sweet drinks. The avocado toast was also great. There was so much flavor from the egg and bacon and seasonings. It was a little hard to eat out of the to go container, but I made it work. It could easily be shared depending how hungry you are. I love that I didn't feel rushed here. It seems they expect people to come and hang out for awhile. Can't wait to return! I'm eyeing the biscuit and a matcha next time.

    Such a beautiful place! It's a great place to work or study! They have a lot of seating inside with…read morea lot of natural lighting, and outdoor seating as well if u want to catch up with friends! Drink are good and come in large sizes for those that are looking for something worth the money. I love that they are open early for those that need a pick me up on the way to work. They are also dog friendly! It's also located across South Coast Plaza, so you can grab a great drink and go shopping! The only downside of the place is that there's little parking options. The front parking is supposed to be "20 mins only" and then if those 6 spots are full then you have to park in the parking garage across the street. Make sure to get it validated!!

    Photos
    Pick up for Togo orders
    Pick up for Togo orders
    Brunch Avocado Toast
    Brunch Avocado Toast
    Vanilla latte with salted cold foam, delicious!

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    Vanilla latte with salted cold foam, delicious!
    Nook Coffee Bar

    Nook Coffee Bar

    4.5
    (732 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    I've now been to both The Nook in Costa Mesa and Torrance and I can confidently say... I get the…read morehype. At the Costa Mesa location, parking was a little tricky at first, but after circling we got lucky with a corner spot. The location itself is SO cute! It's right next to colorful barrel fountains, and on a sunny day it honestly felt like the perfect coffee outing. The line was pretty long and you are standing in direct sun, so just keep that in mind, but the service was quick and efficient once you order. Inside, it's small but really charming, with Sunny Angels hidden around and a very open, friendly vibe. My sister (who is basically a professional coffee drinker at this point ) got the matcha and said it was her favorite, which says a lot. I got the iced Spanish latte with oat milk, and it was SO good. Spanish lattes are my go-to, and this one had the perfect hint of cinnamon without being overly sweet. Even as the ice melted, it still tasted great, which is rare. The Torrance location was just as good! Parking was easier, the space is bigger, and the service was still super friendly and fast. My husband got the cold brew "Nook way" and finished it in like 10 minutes. He said it tasted like Golden Grahams cereal. Highly recommend both locations and especially the Spanish latte. Definitely worth the visit!

    Wide variety of beverages from coffee to matcha to even chai!…read more The atmosphere is very welcoming with friendly and quick staff support. There's a handful of different pastries available but would recommend arriving earlier if you have your eye on something specific. My wife got the strawberry matcha whereas I ordered the Spanish latte. Both were not overly sweet and would definitely recommend this to others within the area!

    Photos
    Matcha latte and Spanish latte
    Matcha latte and Spanish latte
    Island Matcha
    Island Matcha
    Spanish Latte

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    Spanish Latte
    Chailo

    Chailo

    4.5
    (112 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Established in 2025

    I decided to check this place on a whim since I was in the area! And this place didn't disappoint…read more They don't play about their coffee. Stepping in, the cafe has a lot of seating and I can see how it'd be nice to study in. I ordered Kashimiri Chai and the drink was so light and the cardonom really shines through. Their banana pudding is DIVINE, it is on the sweeter side but it's homemade and you fs tell! They also make their syrups in houseee! I tried the House chai but I ended up prefering the Kashimiri Chai! I'll def be coming back for more since the staff kept raving about their coffee. Sarah and Patrick were the sweetest! Service was top tier, so friendly! and they gave me reccomendations based on my taste. I wasn't familiar with the menu and they gently guided me through my questions.

    This place is incredibly nice and has a fantastic atmosphere for productivity. If you need to get…read moresome work or studying done, this is a prime spot--they have a ton of outlets available, which is a massive plus. The bathrooms are also exceptionally clean and well-maintained, which always makes a long study session much more comfortable. My only real complaint was the wait time and communication. I ordered a drink and went to sit outside to get some work done. After it took quite a while for my order to come out, a staff member finally came outside to inform me that they had actually run out of yuzu. It felt a little disorganized and off that it took so long just to realize they were out of an ingredient. Despite the awkward ordering delay, the overall environment is excellent. It's a great, clean space to be productive, and I'd definitely give it another chance.

    Photos
    Chailo
    Chailo
    Chailo

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    Coffee Nature

    Coffee Nature

    4.4
    (927 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $

    When arriving, you'll see plenty of seating and even a few comfy hanging chairs. There are tons of…read moresmiles and friendly hellos. They offer a few seasonal items and a standard menu of lattes, teas, etc. Today I ordered the morning melt and the coconut latte. The coconut latte is delish and tastes like summer. The morning melt is also really good. So many flavors from the egg, turkey, and arugula. Next time I'll opt for the sauce on the side and put a little less so it's not so drippy. Still super tasty! Thanks for providing a relaxing vibe :)

    Checked this spot out since I was staying at the hotel nearby…read more.. What a neat little spot! Can almost call it a hidden gem! Despite being relatively close to two major colleges - OCC and UCI - this place wasn't as crowded as you'd imagine it would be. They serve coffee, matcha, breakfast foods like breakfast burritos, protein bowls, avocado toasts - but I didn't pick anything to eat since I already had lunch. I shared with the barista that it was my first time here, and he asked what type of drink I was looking for. I told him something iced and caffeinated - and he mentioned his favorite was the Honey Cinnamon Latte - which I opted for - iced, with oat milk. Total was $8.50 including tip. My iced Honey Cinnamon Latte was yummy, creamy, and fantastic! With the oat milk substitute, it sorta tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch in liquid coffee form. It wasn't overly sweet, definitely had a nice kick to it - love this recommendation by the barista! I checked out the rest of the space and used their restroom to wash my hands - it's really a neat space here. Lots of seating. Lots of space. There's an adjacent room that's connected to the cafe called "Flow Space" - which is utilized for small popups and arts & crafts. Neat spot for smaller community members to showcase their wares. Some of the other reviews mentioned no a/c - which had me worried considering we were having a bit of a heatwave lately - but to my pleasant surprise, A/C was on and cold! It was a great escape from the heat. Free wifi - fast enough for a zoom call if you need to hop into one - my speedtest reported download speeds of 17.5MB/s Restroom is clean and well maintained. Plenty of parking - of course, I stopped by a little after 2pm, so already avoiding the tail end of the lunch rush. Only downside is they close kinda early - 4pm - but open up at 7am. Great spot! Will probably be my go-to considering there's ample workspace, plenty of parking, less crowded than other coffee spots in the immediate area. I'm curious to try their matcha the next time I'm here, as well as possibly their breakfast burritos, since photos for that looks delicious.

    Photos
    Coffee Nature
    Breakfast Burrito
    Breakfast Burrito
    Restroom

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    Restroom
    Neat Coffee

    Neat Coffee

    4.4
    (561 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Quaint and cozy is the word I'd use to describe this shop. It's the perfect place to just sit and…read moreget work done or relax. The drinks were great and I didn't have to wait on them too long. I got a shakerato and a matcha latte and they were both good. You also get a little discount if you're walking, biking, or boarding to the shop and getting something. The only negative I have to say is that I think a cycling club stages from here on the weekend so the parking lot does get busy inside and out. Overall, I'd recommend this place and will return again.

    I've lived in the neighborhood walking distance to Neat for 5 years now and cherish it as a…read morewonderful go-to spot for coffee. This year specifically, I've noticed a couple of things that have made my experience go severely downhill. I've visited about five times, expecting to grab my favorite toast of theirs that I've had for years (Pan Con Tomate) and they have been out consistently back to back of that item. I've literally tried 3 separate times and been told they simply ran out of tomatoes. If it's that inconsistent, I'd hope they'd take it off their menu and post it as a special. But what bothers me the most is that the service is so nonchalant that it comes off as rude. No greeting, smile, positive energy.. giving off a vibe that they'd rather be anywhere else than behind the coffee bar. Sad to see the experience decline as it's been a favorite of mine and somewhere i always have hyped up to friends. Hopefully things pick up.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Inside
    Inside
    Seating

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    Seating

    Freelance Coffee Project - coffee - Updated July 2026

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