Fantastic coffee and fabulous baristas in the same coffee house seem impossible to find in this fast paced transactional world but not at High Ground Coffee House. The baristas make a point of getting to know their customers by offering more than just small talk. If you are regular customer they seem to just know your order and I have even heard them comment "we have missed you" when you haven't come in for a while. It truly feels like you are part of an extended family whenever you stop in. Three baristas that stand out for me, that I look forward to seeing each time I come in are: Anthony, Sami, and Sophia. Anyone who works there is wonderful, but these three have a special place in my heart! Their smile, their kindness and the goodness they put out into the world has left an impact on me. I'm an iced coffee girlie myself and have tried quite a few of their different options. I like their cold brew, iced Spanish Latte, and their June drink of the month was a Roasted Toasted Iced Coffee with a toasted Coconut cold foam. I made mine half sweet. Currently I'm into their ice latte with espresso and oat milk and a little brown sugar syrup, shaken, after a recommendation from Sami. It's been my go to drink for a few weeks now. That first sip is so satisfying. I highly recommend if you aren't sure what to get that you ask them. They know their coffee! There are plenty of places both inside and outside where you can slow down and enjoy your beverage and/or food item by yourself or with friends. They don't rush you off. Inside has cozy chairs, a couch, and various coffee tables. If you are eating there, they bring the food to you and typically grab your empty dishes later on. Their menu options are quite varied and should easily satisfy most groups of friends. Dogs are also welcome on the patio space outside. If you are looking for more than just a place to "grab coffee" then you need to come in and sit down and hang out at High Ground Coffee House! You will be happy you did. read more

High Ground Coffee House - Just some of the pastry items available - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

See all

I hadn't been to High Ground Coffee in years, but unfortunately my recent visit wasn't a great experience. I ordered a tall iced latte with almond milk. When the employee asked what size I wanted, I repeated "tall" three times and even spelled it out, but there still seemed to be confusion. She then pointed to the cup sizes on the counter, so I clarified that I wanted the large iced latte instead. While I was paying by card, the employee walked away and returned in just a few seconds before I had finished the payment screen, which prevented me from completing the option to have my receipt sent to me. When I asked for my receipt, the interaction felt abrupt and unnecessarily reactive. At that point, I decided to skip it, waiting for my iced latte and then leave. I'm not sure whether the background music was too loud, the employee was having a difficult day, or there was simply a communication breakdown. Regardless of the reason, the overall customer service felt rushed and unwelcoming. In fact, there were not many customers in the shop at noon. I hope management provides additional training and support to help create a more positive customer experience. read more

High Ground Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

High Ground Coffee is a small neighborhood coffee shop that has a lot of comfy seating. It's a really good place to do work or catch up with friends. The Honey Vanilla Latte was delicious and the staff were very friendly. I saw that they have a small conference room in the back one can rent out. It's pretty neat if someone needs a small space for a gathering. read more

See all

A cozy shop with a farm house style design. Plenty of seating for those wanting to sit and enjoy their cup of coffee. The staff is nice and fast with their service. I ordered the Eggnog latte, which was not too sweet, and flavorful. I also got the Coffee Cake donut that was warmed up and tasted pretty good. read more

See all

High Ground is a great spot to study or sit awhile with friends as they have an array of seating both with tables or a more comfortable, living-room style spot with a couch. The maple, salted latte was very strong and the cold brew did not disappoint. Good coffee overall and a nice vibe. read more

Our drinks took quite a while, despite there being not too many people when we got there. It got quite busy quickly though. The matcha had good flavor, but was a bit sweet for my liking. The hot coffee was warm. It was on the loud side for a coffee shop, due to the fact there were a lot of children. We have had great experiences previously, so this was a bit of a letdown. I will definitely come back and give it another try! read more

High Ground Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

The vibe here is very chill very laid back. The cashier and barista were wonderful--polite, patient, and friendly. I ordered a matcha, a parfait and a breakfast sandwich. The only downside was that the food didn't seem fresh. The coffee shop itself could have been cleaner. The tras was overflowing the merch wasn't folded in the shelves. read more

High Ground Coffee House - Turkey Club and hot matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

Stopped by here for a quick coffee! And everything was really yummy and fresh. It's a really nice place to hang out or do some work. Prices are super reasonable! Would definitely be coming back! read more

See all

I stopped by High Ground Coffee today while out walking Kai. It's right down the street from my house, and I'm not sure why I don't come in more often. After today, I think I figured out why. The food is okay. The coffee is okay. But honestly, what separates one coffee shop from another isn't just the menu -- it's the feeling you get when you walk in. Today, I didn't feel particularly welcomed. The person behind the counter seemed like she didn't want to be there, or maybe was annoyed I was there. And that makes a difference. A great coffee shop feels warm and inviting. An okay one just feels transactional. I'd love to see this place lean into a more welcoming vibe, because location-wise it's fantastic. For me, the experience matters just as much as the coffee. read more

After a Trader Joe's flower run, I needed a boost and saw this on the corner and I'm so glad I tried it. I was greeted by a gorgeous young lady who recommended the honey cinnamon iced latte-- it was bomb. I also ordered a breakfast burrito which was nothing crazy but hit the spot and I would definitely order again. It was so cozy in there, not like so many of these cringe coffee shops popping up that feel cold and soulless. This one was authentic and sweet, like one you'd find in a small town on vacation. I can't wait to go back to this hidden gem! read more

I saw this driving and I thought I'd stop and give a whirl... super cute and cozy inside... the barista was super sweet. I watched him make my latte and he put so much care into it.. you can pour a drip anyway you like but if you're making a specialty drink it's nice to see you care ... The latte was awesome and I'll be back.. peaceful atmosphere. The young lady who took my order was a doll as well. She makes and serves the breakfasts as well ... read more

Cozy little coffee shop where it seems regulars come in to meet up with other regulars and they read the newspaper together. It's really cute. THE FOOD. - Almond Croissant | Flakey layers with almonds and a sweet glaze on top. Really nice. - Brown Sugar Poptart | Puff pastry with brown sugar filling, icing on top, and crystallized sugar sprinkled throughout. Pretty tasty. THE DRINK. - White Mocha | Espresso with white mocha flavors and steamed milk. Delightfully sweet and comforting. - Cappuccino | Espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Classic drink. THE PARKING. Parking is free and can usually park near the shop. COMING BACK? Yep, it was a positive experience and we enjoyed the homey vibe. read more

See all

Just fantastic. I just love being able to talk coffee and enjoy really great espresso shots and drinks with someone like Nick who knows the art of making espresso and their ways with the coffee beans. We first tried a double shot espresso shot with their Espresso Blend, and it has great complexity and flavor with lingering chocolate finish, but the real surprise treat was when he pulled a blonde shot with the Uganda light roast. I've never had a light roast as espresso and I was surprised at how good it was! So much so that I bought a whole bag of the Uganads Light Roast to try at home! This is a worthwhile store to go to and I'd choose this over Starbucks any day of the week! UPDATE: I finally started using the Uganda light roast for my espresso machine and wow! What an experience! This is light but not super light roasted, and the taste is superb. I especially love the chocolate after taste from it. I wish I'm a lot closer to High Ground now because this bean is worth buying again! read more

High Ground Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

Delicious lavender matcha! Comfy interior, lots of space, and really kind service. Parking not too stressful either!

Staff is amazing as always, and still the only coffee shop in the area offering MCT oil! The rewards program is awesome--I've earned multiple FREE coffees after redeeming my points. Plus, it's a local, woman-owned business, which makes it even better. read more

A very nice little coffee shop with a hip and retro feel to it. With vinyls, and songs from the 80s it felt very nice and comforting. The staff here are all very nice and friendly as well. I was looking at their specialty drink section and they had some really nice selections of drinks. I had ordered their Spanish latte and also got to try their Chai Latte. The flavor and the smooth flavors of the Spanish latte was just very satisfying to the taste buds. The cinnamon gives a very good aroma as it gets your appetite for caffeine going. Seating area is available as well, and a reservation room like a meeting room is also available for people that need it for meetings or anything. Definitely a great place for people that are in the area. read more

High Ground Coffee House - Spanish Latte and Chai Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

I am in the area and typically a lot of the coffee shops aren't too good but THIS ONE is worth the drive. It's almost tucked in. Truly a Mission Viejo hidden gem. They have a variety of syrups and I personally love the hazelnut iced latte. Their ice is superior. The place really feels like a cozy home. Perfect for this gloomy weather! Not ever too packed either. They also have a conference room that you can book for meetings in which they require a minimum purchase of $10. The bathroom text concept was pretty cool too! Plus the Spanish music?! Me encantó muchísimo!!! read more

High Ground Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

See all

They do such a great job at High Ground! Kris and her crew are polite, quick, attentive and make delicious drinks, coffee and food! You've got to try this place! You won't regret it! read more

Wonderful service! Barista Nick went out of his way to create the perfect hibiscus ice tea for me. The best I ever had! PK read more

The team working are a breath of fresh air; the coffee itself was to par with many other coffee shops around OC. One fun part of this coffee shop that stuck out was the size of their large coffee! At 32 oz, their large coffee really packs a punch. Parking is difficult in this lot with pretty limited spaces across many competing businesses in the plaza, but if you're able to snag a spot, come ready to stay a while! read more

Great little coffee house and bakery with several indoor seating areas as well as a bunch of spots outside. The staff is super friendly and sweet. They have true baristas who make great customizable espresso drinks. They have some delicious baked items as well. read more

High Ground Coffee House - Black and white Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

See all

Such a sweet and cozy place! High Ground is definitely a favorite for getting work done I'm always shocked they aren't busier. The inside is so cute and everything feels intentional and welcoming. read more

I have come here on several occasions and the coffee is always great! Even their regular roasted coffee is delicious! It's a really cute place and I love the seating area. I knocked it down 2 stars because there has been a girl who works there that I have never had a good encounter with. They don't have name tags so I can only describe her. She has curly hair, wears sweatpants and a crop top. Today when I got my drinks I asked her kindly with a smile for a drink carrier. She gave me this disgust look, turned around and asked her co worker to grab one and then handed it to me with the same look. She didn't say ONE WORD to me. I've worked at a food service place before and i always smiled and was kind to customers. I wanted to give them the best experience. Customer service is extremely important. I always make sure to be kind to the workers because kindness goes a long way...most of the times. I don't care if the food or drinks are great if I have someone looking at me the way this girl did. I don't think I'll be coming back after this. read more

See all

The croissant was perfectly crispy. I also purchased the quesadilla, it was toasty and delicious! Espresso is great; the baristas are sweet and kind. I love coming here. The dining room is cozy with plenty of table space for laptops. read more

High Ground Coffee House - Cappuccino with honey and cinnamon, and Nutella croissant. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

The door here is just what you need to start your day with the bakery items or a healthy breakfast plate. The girls in the front are so kind everytime I come in. It's a cozy environment so just my style music is not too loud. Plenty of parking read more

High Ground Coffee House - So cute and cozy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

I came to High Ground Coffee House for the first time today. It has a cute vibe, great drink selections and great parking! The staff are all really friendly too. I got a passion iced tea and it was so nice and refreshing...plus it had that good nugget ice!! The best! read more

Thank you so much to the management at high ground coffee! Since I posted my review regarding my recent experience, they reached out to me personally, which I really appreciated. This really shows that they care about their business and operations. That says a lot about the owner! Upgrading my review to a four * since we all have off days. Next time, my husband and I visit, we hope to experience the local ambience of this place. In the event that somebody thinks this udate or upgrade was due to free coffee, lol they offered, we politely declined. It was never about that. It was always just about going to a place with a certain expectation and hopefully the business living up to that expectation. Thank you ! read more

Y'all, this place has gluten free muffins. That's it, that's the review. Just kidding, I have more to say- but the gluten free treats are seriously enough to make me love this place forever. They offer a gf berry muffin and a gf chocolate banana loaf, as well as seasonal treats at certain times of the year (think pumpkin spice in the fall). So good! Their drink menu is great too. I really enjoy their chai lattes, and sometimes indulge in their drink of the month, which is often quite creative and fun. Ambiance is that of a cozy indie coffeehouse with big plush sofas and electric tables. Really welcoming. Friendly staff, too. A great place to stop for your morning pick-me-up or afternoon treat! read more

See all

We visited late morning on a Sunday. A few people were sitting inside but there was no line to order so we stepped right up. We ordered two coffees and some muffins and an an wrap to go. WE WAITED 20 MINUTES before our food order was ready, even though it required no heating or cooking. Unbelievable. And zero smiles to be had from ANY employees. My first time here a few years ago was an exceptionally great experience. This time? Totally lacking. Totally and completely. I will not be back. read more

From Chicago, first time at High Ground with my daughter from CA who loves coffee shops : ) The service is outstanding! Our party of four ordered some quirky drink modifications and the barista was very patient and accommodating. My iced vanilla latte was also outstanding. Very nice vibe. Highly recommended! read more

See all

We thought we'd try out a new place today for coffee and a nosh. We ordered 2 ice mochas and a veggie panini. Oof! What we received was absolutely disgusting. Coffee wasn't horrible but that panini looks as though it was pulled from the trash and reheated . I can't believe you allowed this to leave your store. (We were refunded). read more

High Ground Coffee House - Veggie Panini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mission Viejo, California

This is one of our favorite coffee places. So glad we found it. Love the ambience good coffee, good people.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Chill place popular with remote workers and students. I was in the area with some time to kill and was looking for a coffee joint to hang out in. There was a surprising dearth of coffee houses open later in the afternoon, so I could see why this place was popular. It's not a huge space, and all the tables were taken up by people busily tapping away on their laptops. It was a very warm day, which meant not as many people taking advantage of the plentiful outdoor seating. The young woman who took my order was very nice, and I had a pleasant time chilling (literally) with my iced latte at one of the bar seats by the windows. If you need an afternoon pick-me-up in the area, this is a solid choice. read more

Great vibes, sizes, pricing, and taste. So many coffee places in OC but this one was so good.

I usually love High Ground Coffee -- the food is always fresh and tasty, the coffee is excellent, and the cozy ambiance makes it one of my favorite spots in Mission Viejo. But this morning (Sunday, 8/10/25) was a different story. The three girls working behind the counter were noticeably grumpy and unfriendly to everyone. It wasn't even busy...just a negative vibe from all three of them was felt by me and several other customers. I was polite, as were the other customers I saw, yet it felt like we were all somehow inconveniencing them just by ordering. Not a smile, not a warm "hello" -- just curt interactions that made the whole experience awkward. Everyone has an off day, but when your job is in customer service, it's important to remember that the vibe you give off shapes the whole atmosphere. Hopefully next time the smiles and friendly energy are back, because that's what usually makes this place shine. read more

This coffee shop has the most cozy vibes in OC. The coffee is pretty good. Love the girls working here they've always been helpful and sweet. read more

See all

Love this place. Holds that true "coffee shop" vibe and energy. Love working from here. Easy to get work done. Staff is great and always helpful. Perfect example is that I hadn't been in for a few months and Sophie remembered my order. As a coffee lover, another big plus with this coffee shop is they actually have the additional items to add to your coffee (honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc). I feel a lot of coffee shops now have taken away these items that allow customers to customize their favorite beverage even more! Thanks for being a TRUE coffee shop read more

Got their honey vanilla latte. It was delicious, not too sweet. Would definitely order that again. Drinks came out quick, even with steady weekend traffic. We also ordered a croissant. It was pretty disappointing. Looked great, but it was stale :/ Will probably just stick with drinks... read more

5 stars for Izabela! She was friendly from the get-go and gave lots of recommendations. This coffee shop is so cute and cozy, and there's plenty of seating for customers. Since I'm rarely in the area, I tried their popular drink, the honey vanilla latte (iced) which was great! I'd definitely try their other drinks that sound interesting. If I'm ever here again, I'd definitely come to this cafe! read more

if you want a COLD cup of coffee this is your place. if you want hot fresh coffee go to McDonald's