29 Best Cafes in Irvine

“Super cute cafe and a must if you're a Sanrio/Hello Kitty fan! We only ordered at the counter and we did not visit the Tea room. I had a iced strawberry pink latte which was good (but a bit too sweet for my liking, but I usually have unsweetened coffees) and served in a themed cup and with a cute Hello Kitty bow coffee art. We also had the donuts with cookie crumbles. They were made fresh and really good! There was a bit of a wait time to order and get our order. They have a few tables outside, but it was quite busy - and we were lucky to grab one. It's a cute concept and it is fun to try it out, but the seating options could have been better cause you want to enjoy the food and not just have it on the go!“

“The regular 85 C was as good as always for our orders but the espresso with separate cup of ice was messed up The line was long for people to buy bakery so 3 orders of coffee took too long and when they had to fix our messed up order there was another wait We wouldn’t come back tomorrow since other coffee places nearby offered better and faster service with nicer environment and Wednesday discount on drinks“

“Food and service were great. We are seated at around 2pm. Not a long wait even if we made reservation for 1:45. Inquired about happy hour menu. We were told we can only order from happy hour menu if we are seated in the patio area which is unheard of but other than that all is good.“

“Cassel Earth Cafe? Lowkey obsessed. The vibes here are immaculate—cozy, aesthetic, and just the right amount of quiet. Perfect spot to get some work done, chill with a book, or catch up with friends. The coffee? Absolute fire. Super smooth, full of flavor, and made with care. If you’re into matcha, trust me, you won’t regret it. And the financier? Chef’s kiss. Also, major shoutout to the staff—so friendly and welcoming, which just adds to the whole experience. If you’re looking for a solid cafe to vibe at, this is the spot. Definitely coming back!“

“Cute shop with unique matcha drink flavors. We tried banana matcha and Sakura latte. Although there are places with banana matcha in OC it's still an unusual offering. The strawberry sakura latte was perfect with less coffee. The server was very nice & accommodating. Would definitely go back and try different flavors.“

“The iced chai, churro latte (hot or cold) and their bagels are to die for. I live out of state but cannot wait to go back when I’m in So Cal! Employees are so nice too - seems as though they are very happy working there:)“

“🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰“

“Awesome service! Great desserts. Shout out to the guy taking orders. Very patient and kind. Gave my son milk to wash down his desserts. Yum yum“

“First time at Ellie’s Table this morning (breakfast). Excellent! The baked goods are terrific and the restaurant itself is wonderfully open bright and clean in a historic house.“

“Lunch on Monday was a total win! The food was delicious and healthy, and they had a huge selection of smoothies and juices. Even though it was lunchtime, our food came out super fast, and the staff were really friendly and helpful. If you're in the area and looking for a healthy bite, you should definitely stop by—it's worth it!“

“Amazing food and service!“

“Red straw is actually great. High quality ingredients and most importantly, MANY decaf options, which is what I am always looking for. Not just for myself, but my young son as well who will not be getting a caffeinated drink. The only thing I really wish most tea places had were kids sizes! Instead my son and I have to share a drink because I am not buying a 4 year old his own full size boba drink. So technically I would spend more money there if I could buy myself a full size and him a kids size. Oh well, hope to see more kids sizes in the future. Otherwise the drinks are delicious“

“My daughter discovered Maldon’s a couple of months ago and loved it. Today it was her restaurant of choice for her birthday (four family members are gluten sensitive).

I can’t say enough good things about this place! We had the French onion soup, BLT, hamburger, Eggs Benedict, vegetable medley sandwich, Popovers and Cinnamon Rolls and wine. Everyone was exchanging bites with each other because it was all so good. It was so wonderful to be in an environment where I didn’t have to grill the staff on what was truly gf. The staff was attentive and friendly. Adam who was bartending was very engaging and sent over tastes of different drinks he was making. He’s the nephew of the owner and a fountain of information. He told us they have an exclusive proprietary flour that they use. Overall the service was not particularly fast; but it was Saturday and we were there to enjoy ourselves. The singing guitarist added to the charming ambiance.

I was hoping to try their chocolate chip cookies, but they were out. Guess I’ll have to come back again and again until I’ve tried everything!“

“This place has awesome food, i just love coming here for lunch on most work days! I HIGHLY recommend this place!“

“We celebrated my sister's birthday in this cafeteria, and we have an amazing day. The foods and the drinks were very good and worth it. Besides, the waiter and the waitress that served us at that time were very friendly, nice, and professional. They treat customers very well, and that was a satisfaction to us. Their cafeteria also has a good view and style. It was perfect!“

“It’s really interesting how the best sandwich places in Irvine are out of the way in office buildings. Is it because they get to concentrate on their craft over making fancy decorations? Maybe it’s the constant practice they have with great customer service and making something simple into something delicious. Could be the great prices reflecting great food. Whatever it is Cafe O’deli is probably the best sandwich place in Irvine!“

“Love this place! Food is always great. Made fresh. Staff are always nice and give great service. My favorite thing to get here is the TUNA MELT! I am not a fan of tuna at all until I had theirs. There are times where they will run out because they make a certain amount of tuna salad for the day. Not complaining about that, I just know that it was made fresh that day, so I definitely love it! So order ahead by calling in. If you're not a fan of it at all, give any of their sandwiches a try and ask them to add that chipotle sauce, changes everything, you will thank you me later. If you are in the Irvine area, give them a try!

Kid-friendliness: They have baby seat chairs for dine-in and kid friendly items as well.

Parking: Since this is a small cafe surrounded by business establishments it will be difficult to park but it is fortunate that you do not have to pay for any parking. Usually people come to just pick up and go so parking isn't usually a problem.“

“Amazing food and service!“

“This girl name named Haley is a real one, she is talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before. She was so nice when we came in and she had this charismatic personality, she was patient and truly I had nothing bad to say. This Girl deserves a raise ngl. 10/10 would come again.“

“A charming coffee shop with a warm, welcoming ambience that’s perfect for relaxing or catching up with friends. The mocha coffee is rich and satisfying, and their selection of Middle Eastern sweets is a delightful treat. They also offer tasty snacks and a good variety of drinks. Just wish service was a bit quicker. ⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly baked pastries and the warm, inviting atmosphere. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to offer recommendations.

I tried their croissants and pain au chocolat—both were buttery, flaky perfection. The coffee was rich and smooth, the perfect companion to their artisan baked goods. You can tell everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a relaxing brunch, Le Diplomate delivers a fantastic experience every time. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates authentic French baking and cozy café vibes!“

“I pretty much eat here 2 times a day. Both breakfast and lunch. The daily specials are wallet friendly and tasty. Jose, Diana and Katie are always great and I get what I order regardless of how strange my combinations of meals are. Fast, friendly and delicious!!!“

“I eat here about once a month. Honestly, it is the only place to eat within 1/2 a mile of here. The service is very good, positive environment and when you are done you walk the grounds of Mariner's Church and stroll past babbling brooks, ponds, olive trees, and read a little scripture along the way.Positive environment and pretty easy to be social here. Open and safe environment.“

“Thank you to "The Green Room" and Iciar for her help in organising a NICE 2023 pre-show commission from Aneke, who was as warm and friendly as ever when I collected the artwork, I had great communication from Iciar during the entire purchase, before, during and after the convention. The website is clean and easy to use, they have informative emails and a good social media presence and I won't hesitate to use "The Green Room" again for my collecting goals with the wonderful stable of creators they represent. I'm already thinking of my next request! Highly recommended!“

“Kit Coffee is an absolute gem and my go-to first stop whenever I come into Irvine. The moment I walk in, I’m reminded why I keep coming back — their coffee is simply outstanding.

Beyond the amazing coffee, their food selection is fun, fresh, thoughtful, and perfect whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a light meal. I’ve learned to order ahead online, which makes pickup super convenient, especially during the morning rush. But honestly, even if I had to wait, it would be worth every minute.

The atmosphere is welcoming, and the team is always friendly and efficient. Kit Coffee is more than just a coffee shop — it’s an experience I look forward to every time I’m in town.

Highly recommended!“

“I love the cool clean freshness of modern architecture and light the restaurant provides; with a decided touch of old ranch atmosphere; you can be left alone to yourself, or join in community. The food is varied, always fresh, healthy, creative modern nouvelle cuisine along with more traditional dishes, the ingredients definitely high quality -California Sunshine. If you really wish to muse, meditate, read, or silently work, the place is surrounded by little nooks and crannies in the midst of nature. You can even lull yourself to a nap, abandoning all care for a few precious minutes. Or else you can sit outside in community, perhaps choosing a more intimate table conversational setting on certain days, resolving the woes or the theories our world is constructed on. All together a complete experience🙏 Thank you.“

“I had the spinach Ravioli, was really good. Went around 5 and wasn't busy. Close to my job. Had a well variety of choices.“