Irvine is littered with over 20 Starbucks coffee shops not including the two located on our campus, so most people don’t even realize that there are actually other alternatives. In this case, Yelp is not always your friend because some of these won’t show up unless you scroll thoroughly. They might not even show up at all if you’re too close to campus because they’re too spread out and easy to miss. Don’t let the small number of Yelp reviews discourage you from trying new things. Some of these might even surprise you.
1. Coffeebar Byul
Byul is the most popular Korean coffee shop in Irvine yet, and it is located in the center of Diamond Jamboree. It’s cute, trendy, has a totally hipster feel, and it’s the perfect spot to socialize with friends. Other pluses include the famous strawberry croissants from Cream Pan, which they have a limited supply of everyday. Granted this place is quite pricey, but they have a handful of unique coffee blends that suit a variety of taste buds. Byul is a little noisy at peak hours, however during less busy times it can make a comfortable and relaxing study spot, free Wi-Fi included.
2. Sootha Coffee
Sootha, another Korean coffee shop, is hidden in the outer parts of Irvine right by Zion Market, so it isn’t quite as well-known as Byul, but that’s what makes it such a great study spot. It’s quiet with plenty of work space, including a secluded room that is usually open, but can be rented out as a fancy meeting or study room. The baristas are friendly as well and will do their best to accommodate any special drink requests. Parking is plentiful and although the drive seems far, it is still well worth the trip.
3. Coffee Tomo
The baristas here are probably the nicest people on Earth. After skimming through some Yelp reviews, there were multiple instances where baristas have gone beyond customer expectations, such as serving drinks even after being closed for 15 minutes. Of course, don’t expect them to be this lenient every day, but it’s still good to know how friendly and flexible the employees are. Coffee Tomo is also another great study spot for local students with a good selection of both caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks.
4. Bardot Bars & Coffee
Many people may not have heard of this place unless they frequent the Farm Direct market. It is a huge contrast from the previous three Korean choices because they not only have coffee drinks on their menu, but also sweet gelato bars, so it’s more of a stop-and-go coffee joint than a place to study. Their most popular item is the Affogato which is vanilla ice cream drowned in the highest-quality espresso. Yum!