Salty Horse is an Experience, & I Understand The Appeal…read more I find myself coming back to Salty Horse for the great ambiance and quality drinks. I came shortly after they opened on a Saturday and they had a line as per usual. It's always a crowd here! But, it feels trendy and charming. They have a seasonal menu and a concrete menu. On my two visits, I ordered the Dessert Glaze with whole milk ($7.50) and the Straight from Kyoto ($7.50) with maple walnut milk. Both drinks I ordered were $7.50 and the price doesn't include tax, so I paid ~$8 in total per drink. They don't add too much ice, so you get a good amount. The Dessert Glaze wasn't very memorable, but I really enjoyed their matcha with the maple walnut milk! The taste was similar to a hazelnut creamer, and the drink wasn't too sweet because their matcha is very strong and full-bodied. My friend ordered the Arnold Palmer, and it was kind of watery so I wouldn't recommend their lemonades. The drinks can take a while depending on how busy they are, but whether you can find a table or sit at the bar, there's usually somewhere to sit. The ambiance here is great, with a bathroom, trendy decor, and a community-feel. It has been hot lately, and they don't run AC, however. So, be mindful of that. We didn't try any food, but it honestly looked amazing. Some cafes make you feel a certain way, and I think Salty Horse has that it factor where you want to come bring your friends for brunch or a quick drink. It's simply a nice place to be. Parking can be tough but it neighbors a residential area, so street parking is available.

1. Ok first off, the location is not exactly on Newport Blvd literally drove around in a circle…read moretwice. Look for "Cecil Pl. 2. Took a bit to find parking(only street parking). 3. It's not a "serving" restaurant. We waited for about 30 min in line. When you get to the counter you order your food and drinks. 4. Then you wait around for a table to open. We waited about 10 minutes. 5. Our food came out fairly quick after getting a table. The vibe/ aesthetic is nice. I was really excited to check this new place out. Little disappointed with the process. Plus you couldn't really tell who works there, made a bit hard to get someone's attention, everyone was wearing regular clothes. Food- I ordered a Cowgirl chicken Sando 3/5 Verde Bowl 4/5 Drinks- Blueberry Mint lemonade 3/5 Golden Dunes Latte 3/5 Service -3-5

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!

With the expansion of oc's coffee & matcha scene, nook coffee definitely ranks lower tier. I only…read morecome here if I'm looking for something quick & convenient by the CAMP or lab anti-mall. If you do visit, I recommend opting for their strawberry matcha, lavender matcha, or any specialty drink other than a basic latte to add some flavor. The syrups are what makes the drinks tasteful while the matcha or coffee base are lacking. Overall, nook coffee isn't the worst but it's also not a place you should go out of your way for.

It's a great atmosphere with quick service. There outdoor seating and good amount of outlets on…read moretables. I have tried their hot lattes and enjoyed the taste. The seasonal watermelon matcha latte was pretty good but watermelon taste is not as strong. I personally like it like this because artificial flavors can be too much. Alternative milks are extra but download their app! They also have good lunch items. Overall great place.

This coffee shop is tucked in with an unassuming storefront. Easy to miss as you drive by as it…read moredoesn't have the typical big coffee signage. Inside is a café inspired by natural accents with an industrial flair giving a rustic character with modern style. The vibe inside is chill with plenty of seating for groups or singles. They also have an outdoor area with covered seating surrounded by plants. The menu delivers just as much appeal as the setting. They have an expansive list of coffee, tea, and lattes with several modifiers to choose from. To accompany your drink the menu provides options of sandwiches, bagels, and a variety of pastries. I had the smoked salmon bagel, featuring delicate slices of salmon layered over cream cheese spread, topped with capers and fresh chives. This is my go to for coffee houses that offer it. The bagel exceeded my expectations and I believe the chive's subtle flavor complemented the smoked salmon really well. For drinks we tried the chai and hot chocolate. The iced chai latte was smooth and not too sweet with a dusting of cinnamon on top, but I would rate it average in taste. The hot chocolate was deliciously velvety and detailed beautifully. I would rate it a five out of five! The difference at this coffee shop is that you can choose from a range of seating arrangements and have an opportunity to support the business by picking up clothing, a bag of coffee or other merchandise. The con for this coffee shop is that the beverages are somewhat undersized relative to the price point. In addition, the customer service experience fell short. We were greeted upon entering, but it was unclear where customers should retrieve their order or whether orders numbers were called out. With that said, those looking for a quiet morning coffee or a cozy place to catch up with friends, this spot can accommodate.

Stumbled across this place whilst visiting Costa Mesa/huntington beach area…read more Their coffees and match are all extremely fresh. With great service and easy going vibes all around. Early grey matcha, and coffees are a must try!

Saw this spot pop up when looking for coffee shops and thought to give it a try!…read more There's a good variety of drinks so there's something for everyone here. I got the Earl Grey Matcha since I hadn't seen many places with that mix of flavors so got curious how it would taste. I would probably get it less sweet next time, but the flavors worked well together with the earl grey aftertaste from each sip. Also tried their einspanner, and that cream is thiiiick. After stirring it up, the drink did get more balanced, but also leaned towards the sweet end. We also got two pastries: spinach, bacon and cheese croissant and a guava mascarpone bun. Both were tasty, but the croissant was perfectly crispy/flaky and good flavors from all the ingredients. Overall, a cute shop with ample seating and friendly service. Easy parking as well in the plaza's shared lot.

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.

I popped into this coffee shop for the first time on a weekday and was not disappointed. I was a…read morelittle confused at first because it's located in a business park /warehouse-type of area so the signage in the front definitely helps. There is plenty of parking and lots of space inside. The interior is bright and spacious with lots of tables for socializing and working. I ordered an iced latte which I thought was pretty tasty and a pancake muffin that was okay. The pancake muffin felt doughy and underbaked to me, however, I think it's suppose to feel that way texturally. It was okay taste-wise. My partner ordered a breakfast burrito which he thought was okay as well. The burrito by itself was meh, but the sauces that come with it helped elevate the flavors.

Super ideal cafe for working! They have free WiFi and a large co-working space with plenty of…read moreoutlets and seating. There are even private rooms but I didn't look too closely, so I'm not sure if they're for rent or on a first come first serve basis. Lots of parking spots are available directly in front of the store front and around back. Their spinach cheese croissant is really good and a large portion. There's A LOT of filling in the middle and on top of the croissant. The chai is average, you can't taste any of the spices.

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.

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.

This place is inside a mall like space with other small businesses. Very very cute…read more The strawberry matcha was delicious. Got it with whole milk and it left a really creamy aftertaste. Service was quick and friendly.

It's a cute place located inside the Soco Mix. That's about it. Service was ok, not overly friendly…read morebut not rude. No smiles. The coffee itself was horrible!! We got a cold brew and a shaken brown sugar espresso with salted cold foam. Both coffees tasted sour. I have never tasted spoiled coffee before but it tasted like the coffee had hints of mildew. The cold foam was blue and I was told it was made with a type of superfood algae. It was super thick like a overly whipped cream. It didn't have the salt kick or creaminess of a cold foam. . It also didn't melt into the coffee like a cold foam would. The flavor was so off putting. We explore new coffee shops almost twice a week. We have never tasted coffee like this before. It was very pricey which is ok if it's tasty but it wasn't. $15 for two drinks....my husband threw his away after 2 sips, took me about 4. What a waste of money!

I've been obsessed with Biscoff Latte and I feel like In-sīt delivers this. I went to the one in…read moreBuena Park location, so this is my first time at this location. This location is not as busy as Buena Park one which is nice and they have plenty of parking in a plaza. Drink came out pretty fast and South is friendly and nice to accommodate my customs. I love the aesthetic of the place in general with wood color. Can't wait to come back!

In-sīt is a specialty coffee roaster that is a perfectly good example of a shop that doesn't try to…read morehard with excess marketing and gaudy SEO terms. It's been here a while, which as probably helped, and it doesn't fall into that design trap of being overly minimal or whatever. It's warm and inviting, but at the same time, it's not a place I would consistently stay at for my personal taste. I feel like because it's well-established, that's not a problem. They've got plenty of "fun" drinks, which is what they're known for, to me. I often come by for a banana-based drink, whether it be matcha or coffee. I enjoy how they don't take themselves so seriously for a 3rd wave specialty spot. It's easier to get in and get out without having to feel like you're making a decision that you'll be getting judged for, you know? Anyways, the coffee I had was excellent, and it helped me power through my work day. Is there anything else you need?

A small cafe located in a tiny plaza by Mitsuwa! Parking can be a little tight, but the the parking…read morelot itself wasn't too bad. The cafe interior is clean. It's also small and cozy- a nice chitchat spot! The staff is also friendly and outgoing. Service is quick as well. My friend got the double matcha, while I had gotten the ube matcha. The ube matcha was good. It was very creamy and had a prominent ube flavor. My friend said her double matcha was good, but a bit pricey! With the substitution of oat milk, her total came out to $9! We concluded that if we're in the area and arent sure what cafe to hit up, we'd probably visit this spot again for some matcha!