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    Phin Smith

    4.7 (2.5k reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Phin Smith Photos

    Business Info

    PHIN SMITH ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Phin Smith

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    outside
    Amy Y.

    I had a huge "yikes" moment when I tasted my drink, because I know they'll modify your drink if you don't like it... but my issue was that I didn't like the entire thing, so I didn't want to say anything. I thought the whole thing was gross. NorCal's Phin Cafe is way better, along with the other Vietnamese egg/ube/pandan/etc coffee places that have been hype on social media lately (Phin Smith does not have some of these flavors - they're behind!). - Coconut Coffee The marbling is kind of cute, but the flavor is not potent or good enough. We've had plenty of coconut coffees pop up in NorCal and Phin Smith's coffee was meh. It was just missing creaminess, sweetness, coconut flavor, wasn't too strong on the coffee, and had a little extra water/crushed ice dilution. If rating this itself, it'd be average to below average. We had to add their self-serve simple syrup to make it taste better. We usually don't need to add anything when ordering at various places in NorCal because they actually get it right. - Peach Breeze Disgusting, one of the worst beverages that I've ever consumed in my life. It literally just tasted like someone opened canned peaches and added water to it. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING. I also asked for half ice and a majority of the thing was still large ice cubes. I don't drink coffee, but I'm not sure if I would have liked their other drinks on the menu considering their best selling coffee was barely satisfactory. Other than the subpar drinks, the inside had some sticky spots and could use some cleaning with actual cleaning product. Lots of people seemed to be enjoying themselves on their laptop, and I saw a few people buy their coffee bags. I liked how there was a cute motorbike outside and on the logo. I'll also add an extra star for having reasonable prices, so I didn't feel scammed after drinking this horrible concoction.

    Menu January 2025
    Pete A.

    Every time we're in the area I have to come by here. We don't have anything like this place in Northern California. The menu is definitely expanded but the service and quality never disappoints. You walk in it's a fun vibe everyone's enjoying their coffee and conversation. I got the traditional iced Vietnamese coffee and that's great as usual. My wife got the Phin and tonic. I took a sip while she wasn't looking and it's great. Also got a bag of Matcha powder for our daughter as a Surprise

    Javacado, Lavender Matcha Latte with Soy Milk, Coconut Coffee Blended (IG:@speakthefood)
    Tina L.

    Fast service and consistent quality. Go on farmers market Sunday weekend and you'll be able to enjoy your latte while enjoying artisanal goods. Tried the seasonal Korean corn Oatmilk latte - the corn milk was good. The cheese foam wasn't as cheesy as expected which I liked and more on the sweeter and creamier side. Great colors and presentation. I've been here before but it's been a hot second so interesting to see the changes to their lids.

    phin smith style house coffee
    Trinh T.

    The Vietnamese coffee here is seriously strong in the best way. The flavor is bold and you can definitely feel the caffeine, but it is not overly sweet which I really liked. The coffee taste actually comes through instead of being covered up. They also let me try the drink before buying it to make sure I liked it, which I thought was a really nice touch. The ordering process is also a little different since you get your drink first and then line up to pay, but it worked out fine. The place itself is really cute with a nice vibe. There is seating both inside and outside, so it is a good spot to hang out for a bit.

    Betz C.

    My favorite egg coffee in OC! They call it Caphe Brulee here super creamy & the right consistency! Not overly sweet! If you are looking for good egg coffee, please make this your spot for one! The best.

    Blueberry matcha blend
    Arcadia W.

    I was in the area and I saw that this was one of the highest rated tea shops that offers blended blueberry Matcha so I decided to see what the hype was all about. This has a different type of concept where you order your drink, but you don't pay for it at the time that you order it you order it and then you go to a separate counter once your drink is finished to pay for it. My drink came out to about seven dollars, and I thought it was a nice spin on a traditional classic, but the blueberry Matcha blend was a little overly sweetened for my taste. The blueberry doesn't taste like it's from a natural source, maybe from a syrup. I wouldn't mind returning to try their strawberry matcha blend, which I heard is also a very popular drink. If you go on a Sunday during their farmers market parking will be a little bit tricky, but you can walk the alley viewing some local merchants selling fresh produce, which is nice.

    Kat S.

    I can't believe this coffee shop was so close by. I used to visit the Mexican restaurant next door often years ago. Nice to be back on Main Street again because these drinks were delicious. Love that you get to taste before buying, kinda like Philz Coffee but better. Banana coffee was so good that I didn't realize it was gone so fast. Blueberry matcha was good, different but still enjoyable. I was able to get my drinks with oat milk, which was nice. Paid around $12 and some change for both. It's pretty roomy inside for studying, working, etc., and there's enough seating on the patio as well. Friendly servers too.

    banana matcha
    April D.

    I came by like 12:00 so it was not that busy! The environment is great, they play lofi music and have their menu displayed in various places. My go-to is always the banana matcha which is perfect--not too sweet and not too bitter. I will say that cashiers are just chit chatting and when you go ring up they don't even have a hint of customer service, they don't even tell you something like "that will be..." NO NOTHING which is crazy. Other than that everything is chill and the baristas are super nice

    drinks
    Chloe K.

    one of the best cafes in irvine! every single drink blew me away even tho i alr heard this place was rly good servers r nice too and the cafe is nice and big

    Banana Coffee
    Lexsie R.

    I came back here to update you, I tried two new drinks. Melon matcha and coconut coffee (comes blended) and they were both SO good. The store is always clean, the bathroom is super cute and the staff continues to be super nice!

    Joselyn M.

    Such a tasty latte. I got the Banana Latte w/ oat milk. Service was fast, which was nice. Guess it was perfect timing. Ambiance was just as nice. Lots of seating, including outside. I'll def be back!!

    Inside
    Sara B.

    My friend and I got the Vietnamese coffee (first one on the drip section) and the banana drink as sooo good. No artificial taste of banana. Not overtly milky, you still taste the coffee. And for the first time an amazing drink that we didn't pay more than 6.50 for Indoors is beautiful with lots of seating. The employ's are super friendly. And you order at the bar and wait for your drink to be made in case you wanna change, then you pay

    Crowler available
    Zharmaine B.

    Came here on a Sunday morning at 10am When we pulled up we stumbled upon a farmers market in this little area First thought was "oh good, probably no parking" *cries* But jokes on us, parking was not an issue I don't know what I was expecting from a coffee shop Phin Smith. They say don't judge a book by its cover but I guess here it's don't judge a book by its title. It was a pretty busy morning. Plenty of tables inside, mostly occupied. I only saw about 3 with their laptops out so I would assume most were there for coffee & conversations. The vibe was cool. Pretty good mix of people. The line moved along just fine. I ordered Cafe Brulee (viet coffee with condensed milk) & my husband ordered the Caphe Sua Da (viet coffee on ice) The barista was super friendly. I didn't catch his name but may his pillow stay cool every night. He asked if we've been before and since we haven't, he offered for us to take a sip after he makes it before we commit. We did take a sip of both drinks. Both of us also spilled some of it on ours shirts. That was user error. Paying was a breeze. They accepted Apple Pay and they also sell merch. I saw shirts & packaged coffee beans. Also coffee crowlers. I've never seen that before and I thought that was pretty cool. Also, I think they were selling Dr. Squatch soap... in front of the baristas? I don't know why but I don't ask questions for things I'm not ready to hear the answers to. Cafe Brulee - delicious. I do think it was super sweet. At first I was getting a mouth full of condensed milk. I eventually decided to think and used a stirrer to fully mix it. It was still a bit too sweet but not to the point where I regretted it. Caphe Sua Da - topped with whip cream (I'm unsure if that's how it came or my husband requested it). He said it's one of the best Vietnamese coffee he's had. My daughter asked for a banana latte but unfortunately I only saw banana coffee on the menu. Overall would return.

    peach breeze...

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    Phin Smith Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Phin Smith

    Does Phin Smith have gift cards?

    Do they still have the charcoal latte?

    I was there last month and it wasn't on their menu anymore.

    What kind of milk is used for the banana latte? Trying to find out if it's a specific brand of banana milk.

    It's not a specific brand of banana milk, I've seen on their Instagram they purée the bananas. I heard it's blended with oat milk as well, but as it isn't written on their menu -- I'm not 100% sure. (:

    Is it true that the Banana Coffee has a base of oatmilk? If yes, could this be changed to regular milk?

    Banana coffee can only be made with oat milk

    When does the taro affogato come back, it's already end of may?

    It says it's back!

    Does phin smith accept cash?

    Yes, no big bills such as 100

    Does Phin Smith sell gift cards?

    Do they still have the taro affogato?

    No only for summer

    Ive been craving their drinks all year... when will they offer decaf 😖😖😖?

    It seems like they don't have Charcoal Latte anymore. Is there any other latte that tastes similar to it?

    They still have the charcoal latte it was just moved to the secret menu. You can still order it!!

    What are their new hours? Do they still close at 8 pm Monday--Thursday?

    Monday- Thursday 8am - 8 pm Friday- Sunday 8am - 4pm

    Does the Javacado drink contain milk?

    Yes they use whole milk for all their ice blended drinks

    Hello due to allergy concerns does anyone know the ingredients in the charcoal latte? i don't see them listed anywhere.

    Hi, you can ask any barista. They are very kind to answer all your concerns.

    I am a diabetic any recommendations what to order, please?

    Cold Brew with a little splash of the milk of your choice 💗💗

    Anyone know Phin Smith open today?

    Yes they are open. Just picked up my daily coffee

    What kind of milk is used in their drinks since they do not accommodate for modifications? Asking for a lactose intolerant friend.

    It depends on what particular drink you are asking about. I personally had their Vietnamese iced coffee and that is made with condensed milk which has a lot of lactose and s considered unsuitable for lactose intolerant.

    Do they have gift card?

    I don't think so, unless it's something new now :/

    Do they really open at 8am? Or earlier?

    They open at 8am

    Is there an option for zero calorie sweetener or even stevia?

    Vietnamese coffee is mainly made with sweetened condensed milk. But there's always the options to… Read more

    How can i make rsvp online?

    Last time I check they don't take orders online or by phone. You don't have to rsvp, just go in :)

    View All 67 Questions

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    Airoma Cafe

    Airoma Cafe

    4.7
    (2.3k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$
    Free WiFi
    Locally owned & operated

    After a wonderful dinner with family, we headed across the street to this coffee spot that always…read moreseems to have a line. After trying it for ourselves, I can see why! We ordered the Banana Coffee, Ube Latte, and House Coffee, and all three were delicious. I'm not usually an iced coffee person, but these drinks completely changed my mind. They were smooth, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing. The Banana Coffee was unique and surprisingly enjoyable, while the Ube Latte had a rich, comforting flavor. Even the House Coffee stood out with its well-balanced taste. The line may look intimidating, but it's definitely worth the wait. This is another spot that's earned a place on my list of favorites, and I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu.

    airoma cafe has unique flavors that i haven't seen in other coffee spots, particularly with the use…read moreof pandan in their drinks. there was a line out the door but it went by quick and i got my coffee within 5 minutes of ordering. there are a couple of seats inside that were not taken, as most customers seem to grab and go here. i got pandan coffee (less sweet, free extra shot of coffee) - it is creamy, still sweet but not sickeningly so, and the extra shot helped ensure the coffee wasn't overpowered by the pandan flavor. i also like how their default portion sizes are bigger. my friend who loves matcha got the einspanner matcha and say airoma never misses with their matcha!

    Photos
    Airoma Cafe
    Airoma Cafe
    Menu 
March 09, 2026

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    Menu March 09, 2026
    Mirakuru

    Mirakuru

    4.3
    (486 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Compared to other tea shops like 3Cats, Auntea, and Mirakuru, this place is truly a hidden gem…read more The moment you walk in, you immediately notice the strong, fresh tea fragrance. That is how you know they use real, authentic tea. The drinks are smooth like butter, full of flavor, and very well made. The shop itself is peaceful, quiet, and tucked away, which makes it feel even more special. It is definitely secluded and hidden, but absolutely worth finding.

    Used to come here regularly when I worked close by, but never got to writing a review- so here it…read moreis! I'm not sure if it's still on the menu, but I loved their coconut coffee! I think their coffee in general is decent and pretty strong (if you get the Vietnamese coffee variants). Their matcha is also pretty good too! It's a bit on the pricier side and portions can be a lot smaller depending on which matcha drink you get, but I think it's pretty solid. As for their milk teas, I think it sometimes comes off as a bit.... watery? The tea flavor isn't quite there. If you get a fruit tea or regular tea, however, the tea flavor is good. There are moments though, where they can come off a bit watery/lackluster as well. The shop is small, but it's nice and clean. There's a decent amount of seating for the size of the shop. Workers are always very friendly!

    Photos
    Mirakuru Signature Matcha and Matcha Jasmine Latte
    Mirakuru Signature Matcha and Matcha Jasmine Latte
    Green Thai Pandan Coco Milk and Matcha Einspanner with Ube Foam
    Green Thai Pandan Coco Milk and Matcha Einspanner with Ube Foam
    Sweet Corn Matcha Latte (with Chiran matcha)

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    Sweet Corn Matcha Latte (with Chiran matcha)
    Sugar Grove Coffee & Tea

    Sugar Grove Coffee & Tea

    3.9
    (101 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I'm a sugar lover in my matcha drinks, but the double matcha I got had me in a chokehold with how…read moresweet it was at full recommended sugar level lol! I would suggest (and I will be doing this as well for my next sugar grove trip) to do 75% sugar for their matcha for a more leveled balance of matcha and sweetness! The matcha foam was great, thick and strong and not too bitter. The drink itself was such a beautiful dark green! It clearly was really good quality matcha powder. I got it with oat milk (no extra charge). My partner got the Wintermelon Milk Tea and it was great for him! The baristas were fast, nice, and friendly! We got our drinks carefully prepared and I could tell they take great care of their customer's drink appearance which I appreciate!

    Looks like their specialty is matcha, but I was really craving a mango drink at the time. They had…read morethis mango mellow drink poster on the front door which looked like my favorite mango blue drink from Heytea, so I was excited to try it! You get a choice between sweet or salty foam, I got sweet but the salty one sounds fun to try next time. The image poster on the front showed that the drink had a blue spirulina component to the drink that wasn't there in my drink, but it was still good. I think it could use a stronger mango flavor and more toppings. I'd come back to try the matcha drinks next time because all the workers were so sweet!

    Photos
    Mango Mellow: mango, creamy coconut & yummy sago |  5*/5* Highly Recommended!
    Mango Mellow: mango, creamy coconut & yummy sago | 5*/5* Highly Recommended!
    Lychee Peach Green Tea with Grass Jelly and Sugar Grove Matcha with Blueberry Popping Boba.
    Lychee Peach Green Tea with Grass Jelly and Sugar Grove Matcha with Blueberry Popping Boba.
    Banana cream matcha & cookie butter matcha

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    Banana cream matcha & cookie butter matcha

    Phin Smith - coffee - Updated June 2026

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