For many students, coffee is an essential item to help get them through the day. At UC Irvine, we have three Starbucks Coffee stores and several smaller, yet charming, coffee places scattered all over campus including The Green Room Cafe, Cafe Espresso, and Java City. If you are like me, you like to take a break away from the hassle of campus and do your work elsewhere. I thoroughly enjoy the busy atmosphere of coffee shops, the smell of hot coffee and the artistic decorations that always seem to cover the walls. Whenever I go to a new place, I always make sure to pick out four or five coffee spots to try out. Here are five locations I have found that I enjoy going to the most:
Milk and Honey
Milk and Honey is part of the Anti-Mall facility known as The Camp. It is on the corner of Bristol St. and Baker St. and has a variety of different coffees, teas, and pastries. They have a variety of blended drinks called ‘blenders’ and they come in all your favorite coffee and tea blends: mocha, caramel latte, chai latte, etc.
The Gypsy Den
The Gypsy Den is part of the Anti-Mall facility known as The Lab. It has more space for seating than Milk and Honey and if you’re feeling hungry, they have a full menu as well. Their walls are decorated with bohemian style art and fantastical twinkling lights. The mood is great and so is the food. And a bonus, it’s also a great place to study.
Newport Coffee Company
Want coffee and some beachside fun? Newport Coffee Company provides a comfy place to sit back and relax while also creating warm and delicious beverages. Newport Coffee Company is located in Mc Fadden Place in Newport Beach. The best part? If you want, you can enjoy your coffee on one of Newport’s many piers or while you submerge your toes in the sand and watch the waves roll in.
Coffee Nature
This coffee shop certainly has an earthy feel to it. The atmosphere is friendly and comfortable, and their menu offers delicious coffee selections along with delicious pastries. This sweet stop is located on Bristol Street, and with a close proximity to campus, it is the perfect place to study and get together with friends!
Honor Coffee Roasters
This coffee shop as more of a simplistic, elegant twist. Based in the city of Newport, this cute little coffee shop as a small menu, but with big flavor. The shop is on Via Vido Street in Newport Beach Grab a cup and take a short walk to see Newport Bay.