There’s something universal about sipping on a great cup of coffee in a shop that warm and inviting, where there’s nobody’s rushing you to leave and anywhere, where would you go?
Our favorite Balboa Peninsula spots for a caffeinated pick-me-up serve fresh, roasted beans and a whole lot of relaxing vibes.
(But if you want to brew your own coffee, we love Koa Coffee, estate-grown coffee from Kona, HI named by Forbes as America’s Best.)
DISCLOSURE: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Trust us, we totally wish we could write for free. (We also wish chocolate had no calories.)
Alta Coffee Co.
506 31st St., Newport Beach, CA 92663
Alta Coffee Co. is one of the few sit-down coffee shops in Newport Beach with both indoor hang-out space and a generously sized outdoor patio. For years, Alta has retained its status as Newport’s premier café (and good Sunday brunch option) because the coffee is hot in the winter, cool in the summer and the food is tasty and surprisingly varied; Alta offers everything from homemade English currant scones to buckwheat pancakes to chicken curry pita sandwiches. But first, coffee. At Alta, coffees are roasted every morning in small batches to ensure freshness and always made from certified organic beans. Be sure to get there early on Sunday for brunch or around lunchtime; the outdoor patio tends to fill up quickly.
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Balboa Lily’s
711 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92661
A dog friendly Balboa Village coffee option (the patio is for the pooches) with farm fresh ingredients for brunch and a quaint atmosphere. The honey lavender latte is always a morning crowd-pleaser but the chocolate ganache mocha also never disappoints. An extra bonus is the elaborate coffee art you’ll sometimes find at the foamy precipice of your drink.
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Honor Coffee Roasters
3400 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663
A coffee shop that Instagram dreams are made of, Honor Coffee Roasters is a white-walled, wooden tabled, natural light-filled, succulent-lined spot in the heart of Lido Marina Village. The menu features simple coffee, roasted honorably (and honestly), plus small scones and baked goods. Stop in, take an #onthetable photo, let the Insta likes roll … Also, pro tip: If you can get there when they serve their vegan donuts, grab one or the entire bunch, they’re amazing.
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Newport Coffee Company
This friendly shop is a small, nook of a coffee establishment just steps from McFadden Square and Newport Beach. The coffee isn’t fancy (but it is from Los Angeles-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters) and the baristas take their time with every cup. It’s just the neighborhood place you need for an early morning pick-me-up before a stroll along the beach. As a little local secret, Newport Coffee Co. makes a killer pitaya bowl.
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Urban Cup
2200 W Oceanfront, Newport Beach, CA 92663
The appeal of Urban Cup is in its convenient location along the store-filled sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot before the beach. You won’t find latte art or traditional Starbucks-esque Frapps here but you will find Vietnamese-inspired drinks and smoothies. Try the sea salt Vietnamese coffee if you’re feeling feisty, or if you’re in an extra adventurous mood, the caramel iced milk and egg pudding makes for quite the tasty treat.
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