A FlavorFALL Season for Sipping Coffee

East Coasters may not think the seasons change in Southern California, but locals know they’re wrong — it drops from 85 degrees to 70 degrees! Plus, the air feels crispier, letting us feel cozier. Regardless of what the other coast says, fall in Newport Beach is here and it’s a time to feel thankful, warm, and homey. A comforting beverage in one of these cozy coffee shops is exactly what you need to really feel in the spirit of the season.

A nice Sunday morning walk through the historic Balboa Village will set the tone for the rest of your week, guaranteed. The area is adorable, filled with tons of cute boutiques and eateries, one being Balboa Lily’s. This local spot serves up fresh bean-to-cup and farm-to-table fare that will serve as a perfect complement to your Sunday stroll. Lily’s serves up delicious, quality coffee beverages like the Honey Lavender Latte and for more of a cozy fall vibe you can’t beat the Chocolate Ganache Mocha, each made with sustainably-sourced ingredients from local farmers.

An independently owned multi-roaster coffee shop, Kit Coffee serves as a place of gathering and togetherness for Orange County locals. Located in the heart of the Newport Mesa District, Kit aims to cultivate an environment of community building, perfect for getting in the spirit of Thanksgiving. The shop offers a delicious array of toasts and your favorite coffee and tea beverages, served with a smile.

American Tea Room

Located at Fashion Island, American Tea Room is much more than a place for excellent teas. While they do serve up over 200 different loose leaf teas and one of the finest curated selections of teas anywhere, coffee lovers will also find something they love at American Tea Room. The tea room serves up some of the best iced chai lattes in town. For those few occasions where it is too cold to enjoy an iced latte, opt for the Bengali Chai, it’s so warm and cozy.

At Kean Coffee, organic and fair-trade coffee is roasted onsite, meaning you’re going to get one of the freshest cups around. The micro-roaster has a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for getting in the spirit of Fall, and serves up finely crafted espresso drinks made from freshly roasted beans, loose leaf teas, and warm baked goods. For the colder days, Kean’s indulgent chocolate drinks will keep you feeling nice and cozy. Kean takes coffeehouse culture to the next level, and the Newport Beach coffee scene is better for it.

Honor Coffee Roasters

Located in Lido Village, Honor Coffee Roasters serves up truly unique drinks. From the espresso & tonic coffee to classic iced lattes, there’s always something new to try at Honor. With cute decor and lots of natural light, Honor-made coffees are Instagram-ready. Pro-tip: pair one of their delicious donuts with your drink!

Java Bakery Café has such an expansive menu, it’s almost hard to choose. After you’ve picked the Cinnamon Roll Latte or the Mayan Mocha, pair your selection with one of the freshly baked pastries, warm cakes, or hearty bagel options. With a fast-casual eatery feel, Java is totally unpretentious and a perfect place to grab a pick-me-up during your next visit to Westcliff.

Alta Coffee Company will soon become your favorite spot to relax and unwind. The local coffee shop features performances by local artists, poets, and musicians, and time seems to fly by at Alta. They serve up fresh coffee and delicious baked goods daily at an affordable price. I don’t know about you, but the Toffee Latte from Alta and live music sounds like the perfect autumn afternoon.