Great as a study spot! I wasn't super impressed with the coffee itself so I feel like I need to try a cold brew. I got the brown sugar latte and while I like sweet drinks, I'd say to decrease the sweetness on this one. I'd give the actual drinks 3/5 but the environment a 5/5 which bumps up my review. There's a good amount of seating but a lot of tables were occupied when we came in mid-day on a week day. It's in a large parking lot so parking is very chill. read more

Well used to be a nice coffee shop but recently every time we go there they are out of their pastries even in the morning, it's not that they are running out of it it just looks empty. You ask NOT to warm the pastry which I didn't like to begin with since they are always out of something. They still warm it up. Coffee is cold. I think there is no manager or owner at work it is just few kids running the place. Also very overpriced $$$ read more

Their roasts are out of this world. I had an oat milk latte with rose syrup. The espresso in the latte was so rich and flavorful, full bodied. Their oat milk is robust and not weak or thin. The rose syrup was really hard to pick out, I couldn't taste it at all unfortunately. My husband had the nitro cold brew, and was pleased. My oldest had their mango and pineapple smoothie and reported it was "super good," though I'm not how harsh a critic an 8 year old is when it comes to fruit smoothies. Their seasonal menu looked interesting and I wish I'd gotten their cold brew old fashioned "cocktail," that had bitters and orange oil, or their gingerbread cold brew which had cardamom which I am weak over. Pumpkin matcha latte sounds cool too! They've got quite an offering in the baked goods area, just such a vast menu. I'll be back for sure, to split the old fashioned and gingerbread cold brew with my husband. But damn. Their espresso lingers on my taste buds a week later and I wish this place was in my neighborhood!! read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Holiday specials - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Staff is not friendly here. When I walked up to the counter, I wasn't greeted just stared at by the worker with blonde hair and braces. I asked for a $20 gift card she gave me a weird look and said "sure" then I asked "can the gift card be used at all Bodhi Leaf locations?" she said "yep" and when the transaction is over I said "thank you have a good one" she replied with "yeah". She was obviously incredibly short with me and it's frustrating when workers aren't taught proper customer service skills like "hi welcome in" or "thank you have a good day". Those small greetings can go a long way. I'm not expecting her to go above and beyond with a huge smile, just something more than "sure" and "yeah". Even though I like to support small businesses, I won't be coming back here. read more

I really enjoyed trying their coffee. They have plenty of different flavors to choose from including a variety of different milks. It seems like a nice, cozy hangout coffee spot and I will definitely be back to try more of their coffee! read more

Love this place.. I like to come hang out when I visit my parents near by. The bagged coffee is good and stays fresh for quite a while. There is a lot of seating indoor and outdoor. The staff is great and always make you feel welcome and comfortable. The reason i'm giving it 4 stars is it could use more outlets for charging, and it's always pretty hot in there, and there's some homeless people that linger around. l would come more often if I lived near by. read more

Coffee is smooth and tasty. Their breakfast burrito is pretty below average though. I'll give it a higher rating since you can't expect too much from a coffee shop breakfast. read more

Lake Foresters (wonder if they call themselves that!) can now appreciate The Bodhi, a monument to the conquest over ordinary coffee. And it's also a coffee bar. Just opened in the prior Hidden House location, Bodhi's entry into South Orange County is a welcome sign that coffee drinkers can distinguish handsome coffee from the pedestrian swill that passes for coffee in other places. Coffee is not just popular, it's pervasive. Other drinks are consumed, but coffee is revered, which explains why it's in every office, kitchen, and global workplace...and coffee bars in Lake Forest. Thankfully Bodhi make it easy to recognize quality. First, drink it, preferably black, in a warmed ceramic mug, unadulterated by syrupy goo. While doing so, read the packages of whole beans on Bodhi's counter. There, aligned like silent sentries, you will find written (and roasted) testaments to what coffee should be, and what the discerning coffee seeker should know. Things like region, altitude, process, and the farm from which your coffee was harvested. Next is the instrument Bodhi uses to craft espresso: the La Marzocco, an instrument from in Florence Italy that is to espresso what Sophia Loren is to beauty. Coffee has been around for centuries. There's nothing new about coffee, just things we didn't know before. Bodhi seems to find a lot of things about coffee we didn't know before. And now you know they are in Lake Forest. read more

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As far as coffee shops go you won't find a better cup of joe than what you'll be served here. To my mind there seem to be three types of coffee shop decor - corporate, living-room-comfy and the hip-modern place. This is definitely the hip-modern sort of place with wood tables, metal chairs, lighting fixtures made out of old pipes and the guy with the beatnik goatee behind the counter. But it's all very pleasant & comfortable and the staff are happy & friendly. They take their coffee seriously here, in fact calling themselves a "coffee bar". But what about the coffee? They roast and grind their own coffee here. Bags are offered for sale at the front counter, each designated by country of bean origin. Or you can order a coffee from their varied menu and grab a pastry or bagel as well. I decided to have a vanilla latte and a cinnamon roll and enjoyed them in a leisurely fashion at one of their tables. The latte, made from coffee from Guatemala, was full bodied and bold. One taste and - "hey, that's vanilla!" - it tasted like a vanilla latte without me having to use my imagination. It was done prefectly! Neither the coffee nor the vanilla was overshadowed by the other. My cinnamon roll was made in cupcake fashion, sitting in a paper holder. It was fresh and very cinamonny with plenty of thick, deliciously sweet frosting on top. Usually I don't sign up for rewards programs but I did while I was here as I'll definitely be a repeat customer. read more

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I've never been to a Bodhi before, but I knew that they recently took over the former Hidden House Coffee (HHC) location, so I was tempted to try it. I arrived around 9am on a weekday and no one was there. At first I thought they were closed, as the former entrance to HHC was taped off. The entrance is now across from Jack in the Box. The inside looks relatively unchanged from HHC, except maybe a change in colors (they have a grey & orange theme going on). It's spacious like before, with lots of tables, free wifi and a diverse menu of espresso & coffee drinks, teas & smoothies. The music is jazzy but kept at a low volume which is much appreciated if you're studying or working. They also sell pastries and other snack items like potato chips, etc. I ordered a small nitro cold brew. The barista immediately assumed I was taking it to go (not sure why since I was carrying my laptop). I grabbed a table while they were making my drink and about 5-10 min later, I was wondering where my drink was at (remember I was the only customer there). Come to find out it was sitting up at the bar, but they never called my name or informed me of it, which was strange. The cold brew came in what resembles a small beer mug. The mug itself was cold, so bonus points for that. The nitro was not as foamy or smooth as I like it. Not sure what it was, but the taste was just okay to me. I'd give this place 3.5 stars overall, but will round it up to 4. I would return again to try some of their other coffee drinks. read more

Great Artisan Coffee. Love the options for Drip, Pour-Over and French Press. Wide variety of coffees.

Fun Fact: I used to work for another Bodhi Leaf location. I called twice last night to place a coffee traveler order for the next morning. However, nobody picked up, so good luck to the opening crew. I called this morning to place a coffee traveler about 30 minutes ahead since it takes about 15ish minutes to brew a full batch. I was greeted by a rude employee on the phone this morning 11/3/23 at 7:19 a.m., saying I should've called a day before. Well, I tried, so you can talk to your coworkers who closed. She then tells me I should put an online order for next time. Well lucky for you, Grubhub, Caviar (we piloted this by the way), and Doordash doesn't have a Coffee Traveler option. The only way it works is if you go to the website and click order now OR you go to orderbodhileaf.com. read more

Lovely chill coffee shop with lots of seating for doing work! Great study atmosphere, delicious drinks, free WiFi, and super kind staff! I've done work here many times, and have been offered fresh baked bread by one of the employees :)) They carry baked goods (that are a little expensive) and have many milk options. I recommend their iced matcha latte with a pump of rose, their rose or lavender lattes, and mocha! I recently tried their Valentines drink: Lover's Latte with oat milk, which is a strawberry mocha. So good!! This is definitely my favorite coffee shop- the quality of their espresso and drinks is far better than what you could get at starbucks! read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Lover's Latte and Iced Lavender Latte (both w oat milk!) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I am always glad to see a new coffee place in town and Bodhi was delicious! The caramel twist was our favorite, the mocha tasted more like hot chocolate. Service was great and the cafe is nice with play of seating and easy parking. Prices are fair and the quality and taste of the coffee fantastic. Worth checking out! read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Love the coffee taste and quality. I always order lavender latte, so good either hot or cold. Love their environment and services. Awesome team and very welcome, friendly staffs read more

We are very excited they have added a location to Lake Forest. We have been to the Orange location many times and love the vibe. We were finally able to check out the Lake Forest location this week and it did not disappoint. It looks great, it feels great, the coffee is delicious, and the customer service is excellent. These people love to talk coffee. We haven't tried any of the baked goods yet so that's something to look forward to on our next visit. read more

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A favorite place to pick up a delicious, hand crafted drink. There are a lot of coffee and tea options here, but I always gravitate towards the matcha latte. They offer a variety of alternative milks, but the best one to pair with the matcha is oat. Coconut is also a fine secondary option. The matcha strikes a nice balance of sweet and bitter, and you get a decadent creaminess from the oat milk. It's really a delight to savor. They also have very healthy baked goods to pair with your drink. All the beans are roasted in house, and if you come at the right time, you can watch the magic happen. You can even purchase them by the bag to take home and make your own coffee. There's plenty of seating to relax and enjoy your drink in, or if you need to power through a quick or extended study session. The staff is very friendly and personable. I also feel welcomed whenever I come in, and I stop by several times throughout the week. read more

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I confess, I am a coffee snob. I used to roast my own beans. But no more. They make excellent coffee. The best I've had anywhere. On top of that the staff is so nice! If your not coming here...you're missing out! read more

This is my office away from my office, I LOVE this place. All employees are awesome, I always feel welcome. Coffee is great, and they are kind enough to not kick me and my coworkers out even though we can be there for 3 or 4 hours sometimes. Thanks Bodhi! We love you guys. read more

The lavender latte with almond milk is what I've been searching for in LF for a while now, one that is exceptional, perfectly balanced, not too sweet, just right I paid 4.50 for a small size which is pretty comparable to other places, with milk suvstitutes I hope they stick around. It's the best lavender latte I've had in this area so far. I also tried the rose latte with soy milk and it's just as amazing. A must try. read more

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Your food is good and your service is good but that guy that sits outside every day asking for change has made me not want to come to your establishment anymore. He is literally there every day and I understand he's a paying customer but I don't like to be asked for change every time I go into an establishment. I will be going to other coffee shops. I really wish you guys would tell him that if he continues to ask people for change, he is no longer welcome there. read more

Okay um hello? First time here today and wow. Everything is amazing. The drinks, the staff, the MUSIC, the vibes. My BFF and I went and we were greeted so nicely. We got some samples of some seasonal drinks. The shop was clean and had all the amenities. The baristas were so cool. They were playing this throwback playlist that was so nostalgic and fun. Any coffee shop that plays Simple Plan, No Doubt, and Hilary Duff is one I want to support! My matcha was great. Lots of options on the menu too. My friend and I kept saying we needed to return immediately. We were having such a happy time working in this place. Just a great energy. Truly no notes, keep doing what you're doing! We had a poor experience at another LF coffee shop the other day so this was a world of difference. I will be back and trying one of everything. I want to jump on the aux and jam out with my people read more

Great service and great coffee! You can't ask for much more but there is more. They have a nice selection of pastries and some tasty breakfast items! The shop is cool with plenty of seating inside and outside. read more

Typically always have a good experience when I come into this location to get my morning coffee, but that changed when Braden took my order. It was apparent that he did not want to be serving us and provided the worst customer service I've ever experienced. This definitely made the atmosphere feel unwelcoming and sincerely hope nobody else has to encounter this. read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

For me, this place was just okay. I got a vanilla latte and the pretzel croissant. The espresso was a little weak and there was a little mess up with our order, but nothing too crazy. Maybe I just got the wrong drink, because it seems like a well loved place from both the reviews and how hopping it was on a Saturday morning! read more

I have been going to Bodhi for a while now ( the Katella location) it is my favorite place to grab the best beans at and now they have a location somewhat close to me! ( Irvine) this location is a bit smaller but it is still decent sized and there is seating but it gets busy ! I went in at around 10 am and it was somewhat packed already. The employees are all chill and friendly and the owner/manager was nice and apologized for the wait but it wasn't even that bad, so I found that to be great customer service! Overall they are doing great and I love Bodhi leaf. Oh there is plenty of parking so that's good I'm glad there is a place down south to grab some great beans and joe! read more

Great place to hang out to work or meet up with friends. Their coffee is smooth. Front desk folks are friendly.

Thank you Shannon and Kelly for remaking my drink. I really loved this place, kid and dog friendly, they are very kind and generous here. Ordered* Cold Brew with a splash of milk and pumpkin. I felt this was a little too bitter, but that could just be the brew itself, nothing wrong with how they made it. I went to order something different after two sips into my cold brew and Shannon and kelly were so kind to fix the drink for me. Second Drink* Lavender Latte with Almond milk such a beautiful taste and easy to drinks read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

This review is for their matcha based drinks only but I find that each time I go, my drinks taste different every time! It's a little difficult for me to keep going if each time I'm hoping the drink doesn't taste different this time around. I did hear this same complaint about this location and that the location in Orange/Anaheim is much better so maybe I'll give that location a try one of these days. Service is always a hit or miss for me. Sometimes I'm greeted by friendly baristas and sometimes I'm "greeted" by snobby ones so again, it's hard for me to keep coming back. But the shop is always busy so they must be doing something right for some of their customer base. read more

Lattes are the BOMB! Coffee roast is even, not burnt or Smokey. Slightly sweet but no after taste. Staff is great. Price is reasonable / comparable. Might be a little cheaper than Starbucks but you'll get way more value. Sometimes it can be a little slow to serve, especially when there's a ton of people... but worth the wait. read more

I love new cafes and coffee roasters that pop out of no where and have delicious blends and drinks. Bodhi is one of them. A very nicely decorated cafe with amazing product. I'm a sucker for espresso drinks, specially mochas. Specially when done right, it's one of the tastiest drink in my opinion. The service here was excellent as everyone is very friendly and helpful. I got the mocha, and requested it in a ceramic cup since it stays warmer that way. The drink was just delicious. Thick texture and cold flavors. Exactly what I hope for in an espresso drink. The picture posted by me doesn't show the deliciousness of the coffee but trust me it was amazing. read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

This is one of my go to spots for coffee. The store is spacious and the menu has a lot of different options with a lot of different sizes to choose from (12 to 32 ounces I think depending on the drink). This place is great to grab a drink and maybe a bite while reading a book or something. I usually either get the cold brew or the nitro cold brew. Both are delicious and at a great price! Most craft coffee shops tend to be a little pricier but this place has the quality at an affordable price. Kinda dangerous because I could almost justify coming here daily because of that. Either way, it's good! Check it out! read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Nitro Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I got the hot Rose Latte with Topo Chico. There's plenty of space and free wi-fi. Best read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Hot Rose Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Cute little place. Workers were super nice. Coffee was coffee. Had a ton of fun dif options and ofc milk options which was a slay!

Love Bodhi! They are a nice walk from our house, they have great food, and a special shout-out to Kelly, she is always so nice to us, and makes it feel like home. Great local coffee shop with a nice homey feel. read more

Amazing coffee and atmosphere! We love taking a nov and reading here! Friendly staff and creative drinks!

Absolutely delicious coffee!! Every Tuesday they get a new set of beans for their pourover and espresso options. When we visited, they had the Good Neighbor blend (notes of grape!) and Ethiopia Guji. We got a chocolate-infused waffle and a blueberry muffin, an 8 oz. Americano with the single origin Ethiopia, and the Ethiopia Guji pourover all for less than $15. The pastries were warmed up. The chocolate-infused waffle was fun because it was a novel idea and the amount of chocolate was generous. The blueberry muffin was average but moist. The coffee was amazing! Every note came through strongly and each drink was extremely clean, pure, and smooth. The lady serving us was super nice. She happily put our coffee in mugs at our request. When it's a date and the kids are with the grandparents, we've gotta live it up! For the coffee connoisseur, there are beans, coffee making equipment, and memorabilia for sale. On the way out, we got a breve latte for my father and an almond milk latte for my mother. It's great that they carry alternative milks! There's plenty of seating, both indoors and out, including tables and comfy chairs. I only wish I lived closer so I could come by more often! read more

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I had breakfast at Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders 20025 Lake Forest Dr. in Lake Forest. The place was nice and clean. The cashier was nice & friendly. I ordered and paid for my meal at the front counter. When they called my name I picked up my order. I had: Quiche Florentine; Hot, fresh and flavorful. for my meal; Ham & Cheese Croissant, Chicken Empanada and a chocolate swirl muffin. I drank hot brew bar coffee with my meal. A great combination of flavors! for a dessert; Nitro cold coffee brew. delish! Then I drove off to find my next review. Robert H. read more

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Cute little place! Very nice staff! Found this place from their great Yelp reviews and everyone was absolutely right, such a hidden little gem! Will absolutely be back! read more

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Delicious rose latte with oat milk. I asked for less sweet which means less rose syrup. The rose wasn't overpowering due to the earthiness of the coffee roast and the creaminess of the oat milk. Once I let the latte cool a bit more, the rose taste was more apparent and I enjoyed it more then. The interior is interesting by letting you know that they are Farm to Cup, but also a lot of their merch along the walls. They sell a variety of coffee beans that sound so delicious, but the price keeps me from committing to a bag. (Note: time to see if they do coffee tastings or some coffee 101 workshop. If they do, I would sign up.) Unfortunately, due to COVID, no indoor seating now, but I think chilling inside would be a peaceful experience although it was a bit dim with the balance of the lower lighting and the wooden walls. read more