A Guide to Fullerton Coffee Shops
Dripp Coffee
Near and dear to the heart of downtown, Dripp is a hallmark among Fullerton coffee shops, given its warm earthy tones set against exposed brick and novel-covered walls, wood-paneled ceiling, blue and white patterned tile floors, vibrant plants, live edge countertops, and dreamy brick-paved courtyard complete with green trees that provide shade and the soothing sound of water flowing through a centerpiece fountain.
The attention to detail that has gone into designing this adorable abode with a delightful balance of charm and utility makes it an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues, long overdue coffee dates, and solo study sessions.
Play Coffee
Tucked away in the bustling SoCo District, Play offers guests a fun environment underscored by beautifully repurposed shipping containers, blue and orange accents, well-nourished potted plants, and chic seating arrangements.
The picturesque decor serves as an accomplice to thoughtfully crafted, rewardingly delicious beverages made using a rotating selection of beans sourced from the world’s premier coffee roasters.
Intentional Coffee
Upon venturing past an exterior lined with green shrub hearts and through Intentional’s front door, an enchanting scene will unfold before you, one graced with tile floors, wooden tabletops, foliage hanging from above, art-dappled walls, amenities for a productive day, a garden-wrapped outdoor patio, and the tantalizing aroma of gourmet java.
MADE Coffee
MADE is one of the most aesthetically gifted coffee shops in Fullerton, and what it may lack in size, it more than makes up for with wholesome hospitality, delectable seasonal drinks, heavenly baked goods, and the cutest common area featuring comfy chairs, touches of greenery, the occasional painting, a powder white honeycomb tile wall behind the bar, and great big windows that let the sunshine pour on through.
The Night Owl
A locally beloved haunt since opening over a decade ago, The Night Owl serves organically grown fair-trade coffee amidst speakeasy-reminiscent digs showcasing weathered wooden furnishings, woven drapes streaming down the windows, art pieces, and an outdoor patio overlooked by an owl mural and known to host live jazz performances.
Snag a seat next to the window and flip through the pages of your favorite novel as the world passes on by, burn the midnight oil while working on a creative project, or take your morning joe on a pleasant stroll through the surrounding cityscape.
Able Coffee Roasters
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for people with special needs is over 80% and employment opportunities are limited after the age of 22. Founded by professionals who worked in the special education setting for over 10 years, Able Coffee Roasters is on a mission to create paying jobs for individuals with disabilities.
You can find the shop across the street from Cal State Fullerton’s campus, which makes it the perfect spot for a productive study session, fostering new relationships, or grabbing your much-needed pick-me-up before class.
Coffee Up Roastery
Founded by two brothers who once worked in the healthcare industry and conveniently situated across the street from Providence St. Jude Medical Center, Coffee Up treats patients, nurses, doctors, and locals to intimately sourced coffee that’s been diligently small-batch roasted on-site.
In addition to signature delicacies like the Biscoff Latte and organic ceremonial-grade matcha, the menu boasts tasty eats such as sandwiches crafted with local ingredients, avocado toasts, nutritious acai bowls, salads, and freshly baked pastries.
The Mugs
Located on the corner of Chapman and Harbor, The Mugs is a relaxed hangout with minimalistic elements, plenty of natural lighting, hints of greenery, wooden workbenches, power outlets, and reliable WiFi.
The friendly folks behind the counter here maintain a tempting selection of signature lattes complemented by homemade syrups, soul-stirring matcha lattes, seasonal specials like the green apple mojito, and sweet and savory croffles.
525 Coffee Co.
Whether you’d like to settle into an armchair and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cappuccino, soak up some Southern California sun out on the purple umbrella-dotted deck, or peacefully study amidst the familiar comforts of a reliable neighborhood gathering place, whatever the case may be, 525 has got you covered.
Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab
This recent addition to the ever-budding index of Fullerton coffee shops specializes in preparing unique signature drinks and delectable baked goods with iconic Korean flavors such as black sesame, yuzu, Korean honey oat, and mugwort. For the past several years, Smoking Tiger has worked directly with farmers from Jeju Island, along with one of the oldest furniture makers in Korea to source and manufacture in-store goods.
Pilgrim’s Coffee House
Pilgrim’s was founded upon the belief that when seated at a table, alone or with others, one and the same person should do three things: supply your body with food, your ear with reading, and your heart with connection.
Needless to say, this art-speckled coffee house provides patrons a warmly familiar ambiance well-suited for gathering with friends, plus locally roasted coffee balancing delicious flavor notes including brown sugar, roasted nuts, and dark chocolate.
Golden State Coffee Roasters
If you truly love and appreciate the art of java, search no further than Golden State Coffee Roasters, which can be found in neighboring Placentia and is passionate about intentionally roasting the world’s finest beans on-site. Furthermore, they’ve got a breathtaking lounge area complete with live-edge wooden tabletops, exposed brick walls, gorgeous archways, wood-paneled ceilings, and remote work accommodations.
Coffee Code
Coffee Code began as a family business in 2010 and has since grown its community, expanding to multiple locations throughout Southern California. Their Fullerton cafe serves award-winning java graced with world-class latte art and scrumptious pastries amidst casual digs underscored by minimalistic white walls, wooden furnishings, and potted plants.
Philz Coffee
Let’s rewind our figurative clock to the year 1978 – when Phil Jaber purchased a convenience store in the heart of San Francisco’s lively Mission District. During his off-hours, the young man blended and tested brews, attempting to formulate the perfect cup of coffee. After 25 years of experimenting, he finally decided to move his very own kitchen table into the convenience store, and thus, Philz Coffee was born.
While Phil’s humble java empire now spans all of California, with locations in Chicago and the Washington D.C. metro area, since the moment he operated his first storefront, he’s consistently stuck to a single fruitful principle: better the days of everyone who walks in.
The Coffee Bean
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf offers guests a reliable work and gathering space with tables to sit down at and stay awhile. The founders, Herb and Mona Hyman, weren’t trying to start a coffee empire when they set off for a trip to Europe together.
After enjoying outstanding coffee throughout the continent, the couple decided to bring the specialty coffeehouse concept back to America. That being said, the brand was established in 1963, opening its first store – which continues to operate to this day – in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Since then, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has grown to over 1,000 stores worldwide.
85oC Bakery Cafe
Located just off the 57 freeway, on Commonwealth, 85oC Bakery specializes in bread baked every hour, the store has over 60 different varieties of breads inspired by European, Asian and Danish trades. When it comes to your morning fix, rest assured that every coffee is made with freshly ground espresso beans and shots are brewed to a perfect symphony.
The founder of this popular business, Mr. Cheng-Hsueh Wu, visited a cafe in a 5-star hotel back in 2003 and while treating himself to some gourmet pastries and drinks, he realized that the prices were set way too high for people to enjoy on a whim. From that moment, Mr. Wu has envisioned a shop that provides premium coffee, bread, and cake at affordable prices.
If you enjoyed this guide to the best Fullerton coffee shops, check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Anaheim!
I do not claim to own any of the images used in this article, unless otherwise noted, they are sourced from each business’s Facebook page, website, or Google account.