Café at Kelson Reviews Stuff

A two-story building with outset window nooks on the upper level and full-height windows below. Low shrubberies separate the windows from the sidewalk, and wrap around the bases of the brick pillars supporting the upper level. An open walkway runs back from the sidewalk below the end of the building, with round tables and wicker chairs glimpsed behing a low tree with yellow flowers that's wrapped itself around the brick post at the near corner. Two people can be seen at a table inside, though the reflection of an outside shade umbrella above them. On the cross-piece above the walkway and outside tables, the words COFFEE CARTEL are spelled out in a plain sans-serif font.

★★★★★ Offbeat local coffee house with atmosphere that makes you want to hang out there.

★★★★★ Not just great scones, but a great variety of scones. Good for breakfast, lunch (they also make ‘sconewiches’), a snack, or just coffee or tea.

Kéan Coffee ★★★★★ Great indie coffeehouse. Good coffee, good place to hang out. Established by the founder of Diedrich Coffee, a local chain back in the 80s and 90s.

Lavender & Honey

★★★★☆ Good coffee, pastries and sandwiches, maybe a bit expensive. They also sell artisan honey and beeswax products.

Neighborhood Grinds (Closed) ★★★★☆ This used to be a great local coffee shop.

The Press Espresso ★★★★★ Good coffee with a wide range of flavored drinks. Small but inviting.

Pure Bean

A corner storefront in a one-level flat building with parking spaces, a long bench under the porch in front of the full height windows, and a pair of glass doors. Above the entryway is the word 'pure' in very big lowercase letters, 'BEAN' below it in line with the descender on the 'p'.

★★★★★ An indie coffee shop and roaster that opened in a space vacated by CBTL a few years back.

Redondough (bakery/cafe)

Corner storefront with a few tables beneath the overhang on one side and neon signs featuring a coffee cup with a face, a fried egg on toast, and an astronaut on a croissant -- excuse me, a *crescent*.

★★★★★ Bakery with coffee, tea and sandwiches. I usually get one of their cream cheese and fruit-filled croissants. Breakfast sandwiches are also very good.

Remembering Diedrich Coffee

★★★★★ Small OC-based chain that used to be my favorite coffee place until Starbucks bought them out. The founder has since opened Kéan in Tustin and Newport Beach, and it’s every bit as good.

Rival Coffee Co.

★★★★★ Good coffee and creative flavor combinations. REALLY good breakfast sandwiches. A bit out of the way, but worth it.

Two Guns Espresso

Stark black and white image of a sign painted directly on an outer wall. Wooden boards are visible next to it, and the top of a window frame below it. The sign reads 'How about a cup of' in cursive, and then in MUCH LARGER SANS-SERIF BLOCK LETTERS, 'JOE'.

★★★★★ Serious coffee. Small chain in LA’s South Bay that introduced the Flat White to the region in the early 2010s.

Reviews Tagged “Café”