Ten Best Coffee Shops in Mission Viejo
Over the past decade, coffee has been elevated to icon status. With the breakout success of Starbucks Coffee from one store in Seattle to over 28,000 stores, it is safe to say that coffee is an essential part of our daily way of life. Time was, mom had a pot of medium strong coffee perking on the counter for her and dad to enjoy with breakfast but now, the drink has become de rigueur for nearly everyone! We’ve also see the rise from a solitary cup of black coffee with maybe a splash of cream and a spoonful of sugar) to a plethora of unusual concoctions with myriad flavors changing almost daily. Now we get to choose from hot, cold, blended, iced and everything in between with baristas making drinks at a brisk pace.
Like cities across the land, Mission Viejo has a variety of choices when it comes to procuring your daily cup of Joe. So here are some highly rated coffee spots around our fair city including some bakery/pastry/cupcake joints that also offer a serving of the black stuff.
Kona Loa Coffee
26800 Jeronimo Rd. – Open from 7:00am to 11:00pm, Kona Loa is sure to be ready for you whenever you’re ready for a beverage. The daily fresh brewed coffee is a 10% Kona blend but you can also order 100% Kona Peaberry or Private Reserve. Featured coffee drinks include a double shot espresso, Affogato (ice cream with a pour over of hot espresso), Spanish Latte, Zebra Mocha, Caramel Macchiato and Toasted Marshmallow Latte. Cold Brew and Bulletproof coffee (hot or cold) and blended Frappe flavors are on the menu. Flavored syrups can be added for an additional charge; chose from vanilla, caramel, almond, Mango, coconut, and the ever popular seasonal pumpkin spice among thers. Tea drinkers can choose from hot Earl Gray, English breakfast, green, oolong, white and chai. Cold brewed tea and latte tea drinks and iced teas are additional choices. Smoothies range from Green, with avocado, kale, spinach, apple etc, acai berry, and mixed berry, to more traditional mixes with fruit protein powder, peanut butter, chia seeds and java chips. Bulletproof Coffee is available in three sizes can be made hot or cold; I had one the other day and it was smooth and drinkable. The décor is definitely island/Tiki kitsch but cozy with a great atmosphere. Their food menu (served till 1:00pm) includes bagels, croissant, whole wheet, French roll or brioche bun with toppings like cream chees, eggs, PB&J, ham, turkey or Kalua pork, burritos, panini, like the Caprese Panini with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil pesto, arugula) Spam musubi (grilled Spam on a block of rice wrapped with nori) and other Hawaiian breakfast delights. Avocado toast, the current rage, is served as well. http://konaloacoffee.com/
Café Au Lait
26800 Crown Valley Pkwy. – This hidden gem is tucked away in the Mission Medical Plaza building. Its hours are limited to 7:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday as it serves the local medical community in the Mission Hospital area. The friendly and courteous staff help bring in the high ratings. You will find your favorite flavor of mocha, latte, cappuccino and Americano as well as iced and blended drinks and smoothies. Food items include a variety of sandwiches and croissants with the Chicken Salad as a favorite. You’ll also find sweets like cinnamon rolls and scones. https://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-au-lait-mission-viejo
It’s A Grind Coffee House
25522 Marguerite Pkwy. – Comfortable tables and chairs await your visit to It’s A Grind. Located in a rather busy strip mall just south of La Paz Rd, you’ll find have a good coffee experience here. It’s part of a small regional chain of about 20 stores. They use “micro-roasted” coffee beans which are roasted in small batches for the best flavor. Espresso, latte, cappuccino and mocha (hot or cold) combinations are available as well as regular coffees and teas, including chai teas and smoothies. Pastries, sandwiches, burritos, wraps, croissants, salads and a variety of snacks are available at the counter. Seating includes comfy, over-stuffed chairs, family table plus outside seating on the covered patio. And there’s even a small conference room for groups of 6-8 located in the back of the store, great for a quick meeting or quiet study place. https://www.itsagrind.com/
Peet’s Coffee
27750 Crown Valley Pkwy, - Part of medium sized chain of stores, Peet’s Coffee is in the newly refurbished building just off the south bound freeway exit off Interstate 5 at Crown Valley Parkway, in front of the regional mall, The Shops at Mission Viejo. Sleek, modern décor welcomes guests to this location where visitors will find a wide variety of coffee beverages; espresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato all available hot or cold, seasonal drinks such as pumpkin spiced drinks, fresh brewed hot coffee, cold brew, teas and frozen drinks are available from their friendly baristas. Choose from a tasty variety of breakfast foods including sandwiches, brioche, quiche, flatbreads and oatmeal. Pastries are available from local artisans. They have “Grab and Go” items where you’ll find hard boiled eggs, yogurts and fresh fruits. Peet’s brand coffee by the bag is available to bring home for your home brews. https://www.peets.com/
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
26281 Marguerite Pkwy – Part of a small chain of stores (1,000) Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) have a store located near Saddleback College at the corner of Marguerite Pkwy and Avery Pkwy, just off the Interstate 5 north and south Avery exits. With a modern design, trendy lighting and ample seating, CBTL is inviting from the moment you open the door. Coffee drinkers will find fresh brewed by the cup, specialty coffee drinks, iced coffees and nitro cold brew. Choose from your favorite flavored Americano, cappuccino, espresso, latte and flat white, ice blended drinks, black tea, green tea, flavored teas, sweet tea and more. Seasonal specialties include pumpkin cold brew almond milk latte and pumpkin chai tea latte. You can choose from food items like pre-made breakfast sandwiches, donuts, Danish, croissants, muffins and bagels. Guests can purchase ground and whole bean coffee by the bag, Nespresso and K-cups and a variety of gifts and brewing equipment. https://www.coffeebean.com/
ChocObean
25032 Margeurite Pkwy - Great little place in the Pavillion’s shopping center at the corner of Marguerite and Oso Pkwys. It’s unique because they have their own coffee roaster right in the store. The coffee menu has many choices of espresso based drinks that you’d expect; latte, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha, Americano and espresso shots. Blended/iced drinks include blended latte, mocha, chai tea, green tea, frozen hot chocolate and their signature Chocochill. Choose also from smoothies with fresh fruits, juices and yogurt. You can order breakfast and lunch entrees on your choice of breads, croissant or bagel and filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, deli meats, tuna/chicken salad with your favorite toppings including avocado. Oatmeal with or without fruit is piping hot if you prefer a hearty, grain breakfast. Other choices include scrambles made with your choice of eggs, bacon, cheese, mushrooms, and more plus salads like Caesar, Mediterranean and Field Greens and Fruits. On the sweet side you can choose from pastries, muffins and cookies. Seating is limited inside but there is a covered patio that can handle customers who prefer to enjoy their coffee al fresco.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/chocobean-coffee-mission-viejo
Starbucks
I’m sure that at one time or another, everyone has been to a Starbucks so I won’t go into the details. There are three locations in Mission Viejo: 26137 La Paz Rd., 24012 Alicia Pkwy. and 26342 Oso Pkwy. While each store is a little different, you will find the newer seating concept with long communal tables mixed in with 2 and 4 tops and some cushy chairs. The location on La Paz Rd is close to Mission Viejo High School so it will be quite busy with students before and after school hours as well as during the lunch hour. Out on the patio/walkway you'll find 7-8 tables if the indoor seating is full or you prefer to fresh air. The store on Alicia Parkway is always busy from morning till closing. It's location on busy Alicia Parkway, in the Gateway center, is the reason. There is plenty of parking which is shared with neighboring restaurants.
Besides great coffee shops in Mission Viejo, there are several wonderful donut and bagel shops that feature coffee drinks on their menu. Here’s a few favorites:
Doughnut District
28601 Marguerite Pkwy – Known for their novelty donuts, Doughnut District is a new shop in Mission Viejo since early 2018. Serving the typical variety of coffee/espresso based beverages, customers can also choose their favorite boba drinks. Boba are chewy tapioca balls which are added to tea, coffee and milk based drinks. Coffee is prepared on site using Peet’s brand for their coffees and espresso based beverages. Teas include Thai Tea, Vietnamese Tea and Milk Tea to name a few. Also try their fruit smoothies and Unicorn Milkshake. Novelty donuts can be found topped with everyone’s favorite breakfast cereal, Caramelized Bacon and Kronuts (croissant donuts) filled with custard and sliced strawberries. You can even order an Ice Cream Kronut with your choice of ice cream and a topping! Sandwiches, bagels and pannini are made fresh for breakfast and lunch and include a variety of your favorite fillings from turkey avocado to lox and cream cheese. Seating is comfortable in their large big chairs which can be moved around to accommodate groups of any size. There’s even a kids corner where they can use colored crayons to draw on the walls!
https://www.yelp.com/biz/doughnut-district-mission-viejo
Bagels and Brew
23052 Alicia Pkwy – Open since 1997, Bagels and Brew is almost an institution in Mission Viejo. This comfy restaurant has plenty of seating inside as well as on their outdoor patio, dotted with umbrella tables for the al fresco experience. Known for their amazing bagels, B&B has an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items. Choose from your favorite bagel (25 varieties) with a huge assortment of homemade cream cheese toppings, whipped butter, peanut butter, preserves and Nova Lox. Choose breakfast sandwiches filled with eggs (or egg whites), cheeses, bacon and avocado, breakfast burritos, bowls, skillets and your favorite deli sandwich. Featured currently are their Unicorn (rainbow striped bagel, available Thursday - Sunday). You can also choose from a large variety of salads like Cobb, Southwest Chicken, Greek Feta, Quinoa & Kale and “We Love Beet” salad. Diedrich coffees are the house choice whether fresh brewed French Roast, Columbian Roast or flavored along with specialty drinks like espresso, mocha, latte, cappuccino, Amerikano and hot chocolate. Try their cold brew Iced Coffee, Latte, Mocha, Chai Tea, Frappe and a specialty called the Kona Koffee Kooler (espresso, java chip ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.) Order up your custom Smoothie with fresh fruits and juices, yogurt or add acai sorbet for a unique treat. Check their web site for a complete catering menu too!
Simply The Cupcake Store
24002 Via Fabricante, Suite 401 – Cashing in on the gourmet cupcake craze, Simply The Cupcake Store is a newer venture that is producing high quality cupcakes that have a wonderful texture and amazing decorations. This cheery store welcomes customers with a friendly atmosphere and helpful workers. Behind their glass counter are cupcake creations beyond your wildest imagination; Girl Scout Samoa Cookie, old school Hostess Cupcake with the white squiggle, mint chip and caramel sundae, Peanut Butter Crème, French Raspberry, Red Velvet and Vanilla are just the tip of the confectionary iceberg. Other offerings include freshly made macarons and a huge variety of custom, made-to-order cakes decorated for those special occasions like weddings, birthdays, graduations and special holidays. They will even create a wedding cake made from a tower of cupcakes. Fresh brewed coffees are available and a limited breakfast menu with some egg and bagel combinations are made fresh. Indoor seating consists of two high top rounds, some comfortable chairs and a picnic bench type table that seats about 10 adults. You can even have a kids party at this table where the youngsters will be able to decorate their own creation. http://simplythecupcake.com/
Royal Donuts and Burgers
24501 Marguerite Pkwy – Ask any Mission Viejo resident and they will tell you the best donuts in town are from Royal. This place, at the corner of Jeronimo and Marguerite, is always well stocked with a huge variety of donut favorites. From specialty donuts like tiger tail, cinnamon rolls, (huge) bear claws to the typical cake and fried offerings, customers of all ages will find something to enjoy. Brewed coffee and mixed drinks are served in addition to canned energy drinks and fountain beverages. Their lunch special is the hamburger combo which includes fries, drink and a donut! Bring your appetite. https://www.yelp.com/biz/royal-donuts-and-burgers-mission-viejo
Paradise Donuts & Deli
26061 La Paz Rd. – Just off the busy intersection of La Paz and Muirlands and near the exit ramp of northbound Interstate 5 is this small shop with huge flavor! The donuts are brought in from Royal Donuts but their deli sandwiches are fresh made on French bread, croissant or a variety of sliced breads. Turkey avocado bacon is amazing and you can also select from ham, roast beef, salami, cheeses, tuna salad, egg salad, bacon, vegetarian and more. Beverage choices include fresh brewed coffee and tea, hot chocolate, iced mocha and iced Thai tea plus fountain drinks and canned energy drinks. https://www.yelp.com/biz/paradise-donuts-and-deli-mission-viejo
Pan American Donuts, 25571 Jeronimo Rd. – The most unusual shop on our list is this place in a strip center just off Los Alisos Blvd. The coffee is fresh brewed and they offer champurrado, a chocolate based Mexican drink made from hot chocolate, masa and cinnamon. Other beverages are limited to canned and bottled drinks. The donuts are the typical variety plus pan dolce (Mexican sweet breads) but their specialty is their Latin foods including Guatemalan and Mexican style tamales and several Guatemalan entrees. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pan-american-donuts-mission-viejo
So take my list and visit them all. There’s such a great variety of beverages and foods at these wonderful coffee, tea, donut and pastery shops throughout our city of Mission Viejo.
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