3rd Place Coffee
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Met with my local friend at this place some 8-9 years ago but never wrote a review. Now is a good time to do that! Starting with the parking, everything in front of the stores is 15 minutes max and surveilled, so be mindful and park in the large lot. Very easy. The place itself looks very inviting, an arrangement of different furniture pieces which makes it rather eclectic. I like it. My cortado(s, there was a mistake in the order and they were kind enough to give the additional one away for free) was creamy, had full aroma and definitely not bitter. Yes! The coffee cake was recommended and for a very good reason, it's delicious. Lastly, service was prompt, nice enough and again, owning up to the error is a big deal and appreciated. Plenty of coffee places around but 3rd Place has earned its place as being very consistent.... as I already liked it in 2017.
3rd Place Coffee was on the list of next Coffee places for me and my girls to try. This was my second time trying 3rd Place Coffee. I don't remember it being so decorated the first time I came in. The atmosphere is pretty cozy but still enough space to house plenty of people. There's even outdoor seating available. The guy who took my order was very friendly and quick. I ordered a Hot Mocha Coffee with whole milk. It was pretty okay. I found myself adding extra extra sugar to it. (I like my coffee sweet!) Overall, I give my entire experience a 5/5. From the service to the coffee to the time hanging out with the girls. Thanks, 3rd Place Coffee!!
Such a cute small town vibe coffee shop! Loved the decor and service. My bf & I were in the area and got the brown sugar latte and Vietnamese coffee - I really enjoyed my coffee. We also got the brochacho burrito and California burrito with green salsa - I felt like the brochacho had a bit too much avocado & not enough eggs. However, my bf enjoyed his California burrito. Side note: the green salsa was extremely thick as if it was frozen or something? If they changed it out to be a homemade verde style salsa it would be perfect!
I will need to ask them why they are called "3rd Place" next time I'm in, but they taste pretty "1st place" to me. The pumpkin spice syrup is house made and the baristas pride and joy recipe, so I had to try it. It was delicious and very fall. Some of the cakes are house made and they have breakfast burritos, which I will absolutely have to come back and try. The plants are for sale. Shopping center parking. Indoor and outdoor seating. Casual. Good service. Please come and create your own adventure.
I've never written a yelp review before, I literally downloaded the app just to write this review. After a 14hr graveyard shift I was extremely hungry and tired. I decided to give this place a try as it was on my way home. It seemed cute and I wanted to support a local business. That was a terrible mistake, I should have taken my business across the street to Dunkin. I was not acknowledged, not even a hello, and the three employees present simply stood around having a personal conversation. After two minutes this old man in yellow beanie decided to acknowledge me. He was extremely rude and condescending. He didn't even say hello or ask what I would like. He just simply asked "what do you want?". I gave him my order, and I had a question about the menu item and he proceeded to say "look at the board, middle bottom" what ever that means. I should have left, but at this point, I was literally starving. Long story short I paid and of course he didn't even tell me what my total was or ask me if I wanted my receipt. AND THE CHERRY ON TOP was when he tossed the food at me on the counter! The food literally fell out of the paper bag onto the counter, the paper bag even ripped! Horrible business, horrible behavior from an old man, and the food was terrible!! If you get anything out of this review literally go to any other coffee shop. It's not worth your time, money, or the stomach ache.
Great coffee. But they need to get new lids for to go cups. I had to do this the whole time. I've been here 3 days in a row, trying to give it another chance. Lids are causing a mess + stains. This is a fix they need ASAP. Ambiance is nice and younger guy at the cashier is attentive and kind.
Great vibes here. All young super friendly staff. Coffee was great and so was the coffee cake. Great place to relax, work, people watch. Will try their sandwiches next time.
3rd place coffee is a great place to stop by if you're running errands getting gas or groceries and need a pick me up in the morning! The breakfast burrito was delicious with a great balance of chicken sausage, eggs and hash browns with a hint of sweetness. The Vietnamese ice coffee doesn't taste too traditional in my opinion. I couldn't really taste the condense milk and the coffee flavor wasn't too strong for my liking but that could just be a preference. I ordered online and pick up service was easy! The store itself was beautifully decorated and had plenty of seating if you needed to work indoors or outdoors!
Atopped by today and tried the vanilla coffee. The area is large and nicely decorated. Excellent place to meet friends for coffee or do some work. The servers are nice and efficient. My vanilla latte was ok, not much vanilla taste but the coffee itself was good. I will come back and try different drinks. Definitely give this local shop a try.
I have mixed feelings. My first time visiting here was during a weekday morning for breakfast. While the food and drinks are solid (taste-wise), the customer experience was not. Placed the order online and when I went up to the counter, the guy just looked at me. I had to initiate the conversation and say I'm here to pickup an online order. Then he just pointed to the end of the counter. Wow, great customer service guy. Other criticism is the price especially when the customer service is lacking. Ordered a couple breakfast burritos and while they were good, there are better places if you want value. Not that the sizes of the burritos are small but more so how much they cost. Now for the coffee, $4.50 for an espresso drink is fine. Want to substitute for oat milk? Extra charge. Want a flavored syrup? Extra charge. So now that drink costs $6.50. Now that's really NBD but when you see how small the drink is (see picture), you get the idea. Overall if you're going to advertise that you "welcome guests with open arms" and "leave with a satisfied heart... and a smile" I recommend improving the customer service. Then the prices you're asking for won't be such an issue.
Great coffee shop that definitely fits its name. It's so welcoming and great seating for indoor or outdoor. We love the cortados and breakfast sandwich. They have a breakfast sandwich that you can customize the bread & meat. Our favorite is with sausage and croissant. It's so tasty and eggs are always cooked perfectly. Their pastries always look amazing and a wide variety.
My cousin and I had breakfast here right after our hike. The place is very cozy but we opted to sit outside since we wanted fresh air. Food/Drink: - Vanilla Matcha Latte: I had high hopes for this drink but I hated how the matcha powder was not fully mixed. There were still chunks in the drink and I could not taste the vanilla. Would not get again. - Smoked Salmon Bagel: Loved this! It's super easy to make but it was very filling. They do not skimp out on the ingredients. Service was quick and I also loved that their plates are never the same. It adds to the quirkiness of the place. Will be stopping by again if I'm ever in the area.
3rd Place Cafe is a cozy, independent, neighborhood coffee shop, which is why I get my coffee here instead of Starbucks. I suspect many people who visit this shop shares my desire to support local businesses. Unfortunately I learned they no longer has open mic night on Wednesdays. One fewer place for people who love to play for others to perform and people like me who like music. I used the shop and dine Lake Forest gift card to buy my coffee today. It feels great to enjoy a nice cup of Joe at half price.
9 months ago
My new friends and best matcha I've ever had. They recommended the strawberry one and it was YUMMMMY. Thank you, 3rd Place Coffee! We need more people like you in this world read more
A charming coffee shop with farmstyle design. Plenty of seating and a kind staff adds to the value of these place. A great place to hangout and read. I ordered the Pooh's Latte with a nice hint of honey and cinnamon. read more
Business owner information
John S.
HI Jeremy, thanks for the kind comments, and I'm glad you enjoyed…
10 months ago
Stopped by before going on the hike at whitting ranch wilderness, worth the buck, wait wasn't too bad and there's outdoor/indoor sitting. We shared the coffee cake- that was really good I'd say and I'm coffee lover read more
2 years ago
This is a cute neighborhood family owned coffee shop that offer great tasting drinks and pasteries..... The coffee cake was delicious that is made in house. The coffee is Intellegensia coffee that I LOVE. The ambiance is simple and cozy. I don't have anything bad about this place. I will be back soon! read more
11 months ago
The name 3rd Place is oddly fitting--though I'd argue they're being generous. If this is the third-best option around, I'd hate to see fourth. The food was below mediocre and presentation screamed "we gave up." You know it's bad when you spend the meal trying to justify the price to yourself... and fail. Skip it. There are at least two better options nearby--maybe more. read more
Hiked to see red rocks and this spot is perfect to grab breakfast! Loved you could order any of the burritos as a bowl, I chose the Vegetarian. They include hash browns adding crunch! The green salsa was very tasty and gave the bowl some heat! Shared a piece of coffee cake with my friend, served warm, was so good! Love everything is served on mismatched dishes read more
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John S.
You are so kind. We really appreciate your kind comments and hope to…
7 months ago
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The Borchacho is one of the best breakfast burritos in OC! It's meat lovers with lots of sausage patty pieces and bacon. They also put nice crispy hash brown patty pieces inside, scrambled eggs, cheese, and avocado. They put a dash of Ancho Chipotle Sauce in there and next time I'll ask for more. They also serve it with a side of green salsa which was great. Or you can try their red salsa if you prefer. They have a decent coffee cake and a good cup of coffee. Nice place to hang out with a laptop and get some work done. There was also a book club group of people hanging out in there. Fun ambience! read more
Business owner information
John S.
Hey Brian thanks for such a great review, looks like you know what…
Loveeee 3rd Place. Every time I come here I'm greeted with the best vibes ever! Customer service is amazing, great attitude and welcoming. Their cinnamon coffee cake is the best and a must try! I have to get it every time I visit. And today the iced dulce de leche was a delicious caffeine fix! Had the chicken ciabatta for the first time and it was nice and warm and filling! Love all my visits here! read more
1 year ago
Omg best avocado toast EVER came in two days in a row and I'm so picky with food but this was amazing!! The staff is so nice and friendly and I love the vibes of the decor. read more
1 year ago
3rd Place Coffee is truly my happy place. I've tried all the lattes on the menu (yes, all of them), and you truly can't go wrong, each one is a winner. The chorizo bowl and chorizo burrito are both my food faves - so flavorful and filling! But what really makes this place special? The ambiance. It's friendly, hipster in the best way, and just has that cool energy you can't find anywhere else in south OC. The staff and owner John are always happy to provide the best customer service with a kind smile and meaningful conversations. There's really no other spot like it! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
Finally had the chance to visit 3rd Place Coffee, and it's truly a hidden gem in the Ralph's shopping center with plenty of parking--a definite plus! The name perfectly suits the vibe; it really feels like a great "third place" to relax, work, or catch up with friends (IYKYK). The cafe is spacious, with plenty of chairs and tables to settle in with a drink or a bite to eat. We enjoyed a hot matcha and a chai tea, both of which were delightful. I love trying chai tea at new spots, and while this one was good, I discovered I prefer a dirty chai or a stronger, more robust tea flavor. For those with similar tastes, you can ask for a double shot! We also shared a slice of their coffee cake, which was delicious. However, it seemed to have been microwaved when warmed up, so I'd love to try it cold next time to compare. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the owner, John, was exceptionally accommodating. If you ever have an issue, just let him know--he's all about making things right. One note: it can get a bit busy right after school lets out, so plan your visit accordingly if you're seeking a quieter experience. Overall, 3rd Place Coffee is an excellent spot to meet with clients or friends, and I'll definitely be back! read more
Business owner information
John S.
Thank you so much. It's so nice to see guests come by that get it!…
11 months ago
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Delicious? Yes? Pricey? Yeah. Good service and quality of matcha? Yes. Nice atmosphere? Yeah. This is pricey matcha I will say, but it is a much better alternative and better quality compared to starbucks and other "certified good" matcha cafes. I tried a lot of matcha in my life, and this is one is probably hands down the nicest one. Good job. read more
Business owner information
John S.
We appreciate your feedback. I'm glad you recognized the quality of…
8 months ago
9 months ago
First time here! John took our order and he was so lovely! Super super nice and provided lots of good recommendations and you can tell he really cares about his customers and providing fantastic customer service :) They make syrups in house which is amazing! Cant always find that in alot of places so we definitely loved that. Ordered an iced lavender latte and it was soooo good, definitely recommend! They also sell cute plants they have on display which i absolutely love, i wish more places did that. Food was great too, very yummy, and prices are pretty good especially compared to alot of other coffee places that serve food for lunch and breakfast, overall i give it a 5/5 and will definitely come back anytime im in the Irvine area and recommend to friends and family! read more
Business owner information
John S.
Awe you guys are so sweet, thanks for the review and my daughter made…
5 months ago
11 months ago
This is a classic example of why I love supporting small independent coffee shops as opposed to the large chains. The minute I walked in, I was greeted by the owner who had the friendliest personality. I asked him about a couple of the drink concoctions, and he enthusiastically told me all about them. I decided on a hot Vietnamese coffee, which blew my mind! The Vietnamese coffee was rich, flavorful, sweet and perfect on a cool day. It's basically coffee with condensed milk, and then he pours more coffee on top! This coffee shop has only been open for 7 months, but I hope they're around for a long time! The inside is inviting and spacious, with plenty of tables available to hang out. The menu is diverse with both coffee drinks and food items, including bagels, burritos, sandwiches and pastries. I didn't get any food on this visit, but I'll definitely return soon. When I asked the owner why he named it "3rd Place Coffee", he said it's because coffee shops are typically people's 3rd home - their personal home and work being 1st and 2nd place. In my opinion, this is a 1st place coffee shop and a must-stop for any coffee lovers in the Foothill Ranch-Lake Forest area! read more
Business owner information
John S.
Hey Stacy, thanks for the kind words and i am so happy to be a little…
The lavender matcha latte was pretty good. The matcha flavor overpowered the lavender syrup but I still love a good matcha latte. The powder they use is pretty potent like a ceremonial grade and has a nice vibrant green color. The coffee cake was a nice bite of comfort. Served warm and in a generous size, that piece of cake made my morning even more enjoyable. It wasn't too sweet, had a nice texture, and the crumble topping was delicious. It would be nice if they could add some seat cushions on the cold metal chairs to make it a more homely feel. Some succulent/plant arrangements on the tables would also make a nice addition. Overall, the space has a welcoming ambiance with great customer service, has nice lighting, and reasonably priced baked goods. The lattes are a little pricey especially if you choose a dairy free option. read more
Business owner information
John S.
Hi Char. Thanks for leaving such a nice review. We're working really…
2 years ago
Business owner information
John S.
Wowner Ari, what a nice thing to say. We all work so hard to give…
10 months ago
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Business owner information
John S.
I love that sandwich Bianca and to quote one of my managers about…
1 year ago
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More info about 3rd Place Coffee
26741 Portola Pkwy
Ste 1-A
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
Directions
(949) 215-4897
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http://3rdplacecoffee.com
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Ask the Community - 3rd Place Coffee
Do you have cold brew or only iced coffee options?
They have cold brew as a special right now. Hopefully they keep it on the menu!
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3rd Place Coffee - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026
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