Contra is one of my favorite coffee shops. I always order the Gold Rush, their take on a Viet coffee, not as thick or sweet as the original. Service is fast and friendly. Great place to bring your laptop and hang all day. Several seating options inside and relaxing vibes. read more

To preface, we are used to coffees from Westminster and Garden Grove and tried a good amount of spots there. I wanna start by saying that this place is so unique with their decor and the vinyl records. There's so much space and that's a standout trait in comparison to many cafes. Parking next to it is paid so be sure to park on the street. We ordered 3 coffees - Melo, Ate Latte, and Kuya Latte. The presentation was nice but none of us liked our coffees. :( I know that many of the comments here are opposite of how we felt so maybe it was just an off day? I'd say give the place a try anyways! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Ate Latte, Mello, and Kuya Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Contra is one of my favorites! It's probably my favorite at the orange circle. There are so many different options to try out and they even have a flight if you want to try multiple drinks at a time. I tried one of their seasonal drinks: Buko Kape, which was coconut vietnamese coffee topped with pandan foam. The coffee was strong and delicious. The pandan foam was the perfect addition. My other favorites are the Lovebirds and Foxy Cleopatra. I really love the flavors of their drinks. As always, their service is superb and I love interacting with the baristas. They're so sweet! Lots of space to do work and reliable wifi. There's a bathroom in the back as well. I love the songs that they play. Parking can be a little hard to find if it's later in the day. Most of the parking around there is 2 or 3 hour paid parking. read more

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Super cool/cute coffee shop. My friend and I really enjoyed taking in all the signs, posters and Records that they posted up all over the shop. For coffee, I tried the Melo, which was very delicious. I actually expected the coffee to be a lot stronger, but sweetness of the caramel and cold foam balanced it out nicely. If/when I'm in the area again, I'll definitely go back to try other options! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Melo - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Such a fun, inclusive environment! Coffee was strong and yummy! The staff was knowledgeable and walked us through the menu as it was our first time. The record spot in the back was super dope. Will be returning! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Melo 2.0 coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Parking is street parking only, and you'll need to pay through ParkMobile. The coffee shop is super cute with plenty of seating. I ordered the Hazelnut Milktini, and it was delicious with the hazelnut and horchata combo. It was the perfect sweetness combo (not overly sweet). Recommendation(s): - Hazelnut Milktini Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Street parking (pay using ParkMobile) - Plenty of indoor seating read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Hazelnut Milktini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Stopped off at Contra in Orange after taking the train up from San Diego. I was looking for a coffee shop close by with good reviews and decided on this gem of a location! There were only a couple of people in line in front of me and several patron sitting at tables, talking with friends or working. Service was quick which is always a plus, too -- overall a great vibe inside. We ordered the Melo 2.0 (caramel latte with a cold foam top) and the Suede (mocha dusted brown sugar latte). Both were delicious, but the Melo 2.0 was the clear favorite! It was smooth and flavorful without being too sweet. Meanwhile, the Suede was strong in espresso flavor which I personally love. I'd absolutely recommend coming to this place! Side note: it is coffee on draft so there are no hot drinks. I personally prefer hot drinks; however, these were so good, I'd absolutely come back. read more

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One of my fave coffee shops in Orange circle! Great space to do work and study Cute lil vinyl and stationary store too Love the variety of choices here Coffee tea and matcha and everything in between! Got their dirty horchata and my friend got the contra blanc Both were solid read more

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How have I been missing out on Contra Coffee for so long? Stopped by on a Monday morning before some thrifting in Downtown Orange and this place is so cool. They have a bunch of coffees on tap in addition to a diverse selection of craft speciality coffees. They also do flights if you want to try more than one! I asked the staff for his recommendation and as soon as he said the words "oolong coffee" I was sold. It's like milk tea meets espresso latte. It was so good and so creamy! There's so much seating inside here, I just wish there were a few more outdoor seating options. There's also a few shops in the back (not open when we stopped by), including a record store. This place has a great vibe for sure. I'll definitely be back! read more

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The coffee was amazing. The pandan coconut Vietnamese coffee wasn't too sweet but tasted amazing. The interior is so cute and they even have a little record store inside (not sure if you can go in there but you can see it through a big window). read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Pandan coconut Vietnamese coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

I liked the matcha but I don't think it's the best one in town. It's open late so if I needed a place to go to..I'd make a stop here. Nothing special in the drinks or in flavor. It's a cute little coffee place. The service was good. read more

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My favorite thing about Contra is that they offer a coffee and/or tea flight. I wish more places did this because you're able to get a small taste of their offerings. I was surprised at how affordable it was. I'm not sure why I was expecting it to be more expensive, but the Liftoff is currently priced at $12. You're able to add four of the coffee or teas on their tap list. I went with the Dirty Horchata, Gold Rush, Prince Palmer, and Princess Daisy. The Dirty Horchata really is THAT girl. This was my favorite of the bunch. My least favorite was the Prince Palmer. It was an iced early grey tea with lemonade. I didn't like the bergamot with lemonade combo. It wasn't for me. They used crushed ice and the order came out within seconds. Contra was busy today. It had a mix of students and people strolling through the Orange Circle. There are quite a few tables and chairs. We didn't have an issue snagging a spot to sit, but I did see some people waiting around for people to leave their seats. Overall, it was a cool spot, and I'm definitely coming back to try the Hazelnut Milktini. It sounds divine! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - The Liftoff - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

I didn't realize how many coffee shops in Old Towne there were! I chose this one since it had a record store and stationery store in the back (but came too early so both were closed anyways lol). Also I saw someones Kuya latte and decided I #needed a purple drink. I got exactly that, a Kuya Latte with oatmilk. It wasn't $10 so I consider that a win. I don't think they use espresso because they don't have a machine, but I could be wrong. The drink was made incredibly fast and I enjoyed it! My friend got the Dirty Horchata and loved it. I tried a sip and I am definitely getting this next time I come. I took 1 star off because even though I had fine service, my friend had some complaints. There were some miscommunications and due to the vibe she got from the workers, she didn't feel comfortable conversing with them further. She asked for her drink hot but was given iced. If she would have told me that before we left the store, I would've asked for her, but I know not everyone has that opportunity. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Kuya Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

My s/o and I order the kuya latte and melo 2.0. My favorite was the kuya latte ( more on the sweeter side, yum) both were very delicious. Very spacious, great for studying. People are nice, chill vibe. I would come back again. I forgot to mention. They have record and a cute supplies they sale in the back. Something to check out while you wait for your drink. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Melo 2.0 and kuya latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Been back four times now, so that should tell you something. Tried the January special Gonna Be Golden -- Vietnamese coffee with custard, cream, and cinnamon. Smooth, bold, and perfectly balanced. Contra Coffee is a solid go-to in Orange. Consistent, creative, and worth coming back to. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Exterior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

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Stopped by here on a Saturday early afternoon for some post brunch drinks. My friend ordered a coffee with an ube topper and I got the horchata. We appreciated the creative drinks, friendly service, and absolutely unique atmosphere. The record store and stationary store made our visit so much fun. I wish I lived closer so I could come visit more often! It wasn't too cross so people could do work and it's got such good energy. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area. read more

Came back over the holiday weekend since I missed it so much! Quick and friendly service as usual :) read more

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This is easily one of the coolest and trendiest spaces I've stumbled upon in the area. I found it by accident while searching for a coffee shop where I could grab tea and use the restroom--and I'm so glad I did. There's a stationery vendor in the back, though it was closed when I visited. On my way to the restroom, I passed by the vinyl record area, which looked incredibly cool. The walls are lined with unique art and reading materials that really add to the vibe of the space. I also loved the menu, especially the creative drink names. I ordered the Lucky Cat tea and asked for it lightly sweetened--it came out perfect. The tea quality was great, and overall, the experience exceeded my expectations. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Was looking for a place to get matcha in Orange and stumbled upon Contra. Parking was easy to find on a Friday morning. I went in and did not have to wait long to order and to get my order. The Strawberry Fields was great you can taste the strawberry which gave the matcha a sweet taste without drowning out both the strawberry and matcha. The drink also wasn't too sweet! The vibes inside is spacious and I wish I had more time to explore around but I'll definitely be coming back when I come down to Orange again read more

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I've been following Contra Coffee since the early days, back when they were in Santa Ana near 4th Street and later when they were operating out of their rolling pop-up van. It's been awesome to watch their growth over the years. What stands out most is their consistency. No matter where I've caught them, the drinks have always been on point. They continue to put out quality coffee while staying true to what made people fall in love with them in the first place. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, creating an environment that makes you want to stay awhile. I'm also a big fan of the library-inspired concept. It's a unique touch that gives the space character and makes it feel more like a community gathering spot than just another coffee shop. It's great to see a local business continue to evolve while maintaining the quality, hospitality, and atmosphere that got them here. Looking forward to many more visits. read more

Just outside the Orange Circle sits Contra Coffee & Tea, a creative, community-driven spot that's so much more than a café -- it's a whole vibe. The spot is spacious, clean, and effortlessly cool, with people studying, chilling, listening to music, and just settling into their own little worlds. One thing I love about Contra is that it feels like a micro-community hub. Wander toward the back and you'll find a charming stationery shop stocked with pens, journals, and gifts, plus a vinyl section curated by Resident Vinyl where you can browse records and maybe discover your next favorite album. The décor ties everything together with an artsy, eclectic flair -- the kind of place where you instantly feel creative energy buzzing. Service was top-notch, thanks to Jocelyn and John, who were friendly, informative, and more than willing to walk us through the menu. I asked about their growlers -- such a smart idea for anyone who comes often since you get discounted refills -- but they were sold out. Definitely would've taken one home if they had them in stock! Now the drinks... Contra does not play. We tried the winter seasonal Sleigh Ride (a peppermint-mocha dream with vanilla bean foam and a cozy cocoa dusting) and That's My Jam, a sweetened matcha latte that hit every note just right. Then, honoring my Filipino roots, I had to go for the Kuya and Ate Lattes -- ube Vietnamese coffee and ube Thai tea. Rich, vibrant, flavorful, and beautifully colored -- the type of drinks that make people stop and ask, "Where'd you get that?" Just keep in mind everything comes in one size, so choose wisely! Between the drinks, the atmosphere, and the unique little shops inside, Contra is absolutely worth putting into your Old Towne Orange rotation. It's the kind of place you come for a latte and end up staying for the experience. Renew your brew, renew your mood -- Contra delivers every time. read more

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We got the liftoff and chose to try the love bird, trailblazer, gold rush, and dirty horchata. Service was alright, cashier was not very friendly or helpful. Seemed like she didn't really wanna. Our favorite was the dirty horchata, quite actually the only one we enjoyed. Trailblazer literally tasted and smelled like compost. Gold rush (Vietnamese coffee)- "is the Vietnamese coffee in the room with us?" It was bland and watered down, with a strange sweetness. Love birds was decent, also watered down. Has a boba taste. The caffeine did its job but i'd be interested to try the specials because these were disappointing flavor wise considering the overall rating of the shop. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - The liftoff. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Great spot for fun, cool (and only iced) coffee drinks, complete with vinyl records on sale and a stationery shop in back. Finally drove out here to meet a friend early on Sat. There is a nearby lot just opposite and further down orange that is free (labeled with a "Public Parking" orange sign). Note: the inner shops open late morning. Thirty minutes after opening, only one couple was studying at the high tops. There were several tables for two, side seating, and a consistent stream of customers as it neared late morning. Loved the Gonna Be Golden (vietnamese egg custard coffee with a touch of cinnamon), which as the cashier said indeed was "fire." I liked that is was not overly sweet, similar to a 25-50% level at Da Vien, and the coffee was shining through nicely. Heh heh. My friend enjoyed her cookie hojicha latte and said she could taste the hojicha well. I love that all drinks are made with oat milk (though I still confirmed that there was ofc lactose in mine with the custard cap). I wish they had a couple of hot drink options, but even in SoCal winters, we all love our iced drinks (so it is understadable). I plan to bring back my family here to check out the vinyl and fun iced drinks in the future. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Cookie Hojicha and "Gonna be Golden" (viet egg custard coffee with hint of cinnamon) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

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Did not like the matcha here at all. The matcha has too much milk imo. I had the matcha with pandan foam. The pandan had really great flavor but the Matcha just tasted like milk. I would not get that again. I was really disappointed. Would recommend ordering the coffee instead read more

It had been a while since I last came here, but my girlfriend wanted to try it out to study and check out their drinks. The shop was pretty busy inside, mostly filled with people studying or working on laptops. We managed to find a table, but seating can be a little limited when it's crowded. Parking around the area can also be tricky depending on the time of day. Service was fine -- nothing really stood out either way. The overall vibe felt organized despite the busyness. We ordered two drinks, one matcha-based and another coffee drink that had a matcha cream topping (forgot the exact names). Both were tasty and well-made, though definitely on the pricier side compared to similar cafés. Overall, a decent experience. The drinks were enjoyable and the space has a nice, productive energy, but I'm not sure I'd come back specifically to study since it gets packed. Still, a solid stop if you're in the area and want a unique coffee or matcha drink. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Half Dirty Horchata + half Gold Rush = "Fool's Gold" apparently - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

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Came in just when they opened on a Tuesday and was the second person here! I never realized how big the space was until it was empty. I ordered the Melo 2.0 craving a coffee after not having it for some time and it definitely hit the spot! I love caramel but always think it's too much in a drink but they made it just right! Would definitely order again read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Kuya latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

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Coffee was really good and will plan to return. Service was nice and helpful on what to get. The inside was clean and a great place for work or studies. read more

The circle is definitely saturated with so many coffee shops but this place is a must! The flavor of these drinks was amazing. We have never finished a coffee faster. Fair pricing and super quick service but I do feel like the drink to ice volume is a little low. While you're there you can browse local art, a record store, and stationary store. Tons of indoor seating. Also the place appears dog and family friendly. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - ATE Latte and Kuta Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Originally, I wanted to see the stationery shop but I ended up grabbing some drinks on a Sunday afternoon. This cafe is SUPER packed, it looks popular with students for studying. It was hard to find a place to sit but I enjoyed the two other smaller stores inside for browsing and light shopping. All of the drinks on the menu had really fun fusion ideas. Lucky cat - 5/5, kumquat mango green tea is so good!!! My usual concern with these kinds of drinks is they taste super artificial and are generally too sweet, but this was perfect! The green tea flavor still comes through and the two fruits balance each other's sweetness and tartness out. Love bird - 5/5, the coffee flavor is strong and in combination with the oolong milk tea was a really interesting and delicious drink! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

1. The coffee was well-crafted! It was strong and delicious! 2. The spot has fun casual vibes! The interior is very spacious! 3. There were only indoor seatings! There were a good number of tables available! 4. The staff was friendly and timely with my drink! It was ready in 5 mins! 5. There is a free parking lot and street parking available! There are time-limits to the parking! Note: This spot does have a restroom available for customers! Photo: Gold Rush read more

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I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this coffee joint! It's Vietnamese influenced and the drinks are more than delicious. The drafts are mounted on the wall behind the counter. They also sell the coffee in jugs. There's also a record store and a small gadgets shop inside the coffee shop, super cute. My only mini complaint is that the pastry cabinet was empty when we got there at 2pm on a Saturday. Will def visit again! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

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Good coffee and ambience, service is nice too. Pretty big shop. Plenty of seating inside and very little outside. 10$ w tip average cup

Came here again to try their January special drinks! So quick and staff is so kind! The place was packed when we can so you know the vibes are good!! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Peach daisy and January special, green grape lemonade!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

I got the best friend and it says that it is supposed to be sweetened with brown sugar and it is not sweet at all. Actually tastes more like black coffee which is really strange and something I've never experienced with matcha, the presentation and the sticker on it was so cute and it really looks like it would be some good high quality ceremonial matcha but it is just not pleasing to drink at all. The price of 8 dollars for this is just too expensive too. The service was not the best either as the woman who took me and my friend's order was giving a rude look and just kind of walked away, there was no greeting or nothing. I do think the ambiance of the place is nice and you can tell that they definitely put effort to make an aesthetic for the place and make it a place you'd want to study or take pictures of your drink. I just can't see myself returning here and I tried my friends drink too and it was just not good in comparison to other places in Orange County. Had to leave this review because I just didn't enjoy this at all and for the steeper price of 8 dollars it is kind of ridiculous. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - "The Best Friend" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

My favorite coffee shop to visit in Orange bc of their delicious and unique flavors and coffee on tap. It's one-of-a-kind! My favorite is the Lovebird which is coffee with oolong milk tea. Husband's fav is the Foxy Cleopatra- coffee with Thai tea. So flavorful, no other coffee/tea/boba shop does it like Contra! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Black sesame oat milk latte and Foxy Cleopatra (Viet coffee & Thai tea) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

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I had been wanting to visit Contra for awhile and finally made it happen this weekend and now am upset that it took me this long. Still not over how cute and vibey this place is. It's the new age trendy shop with a DJ spinning catchy tunes at a mild volume so people can work on their laptops or have conversations. It's the shop with heaping piles of vinyl's to peruse through and pick from. It's the shop with coffee and tea on tap!! It's the place with an open and airy interior that makes you feel calm yet energized. Ordered "The Best Friend" which is a brown sugar matcha latte with their house made oat milk. I thought it was good and unique in that the brown sugar was in a cold foam that eventually melted into the matcha latte. Did I think it was one of the best drinks ever? No. Did the atmosphere elevate the bevvy? Yep. I will absolutely be back as they have a newfound recurring customer in me. read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

It's a great place to work and be productive at, really loved the decor here. I got the Ate Latte (Ube & Thai Tea). My friends got Cactus Coolada and Hey Arnold! It was my first time trying ube and Thai tea flavors together, I don't think it's my favorite combo. But the drink looks so pretty! My friends enjoyed their drinks, both were very refreshing. I'll definitely come back to try their other drinks! read more

Contra Coffee & Tea - Ate Latte, Cactus Coolada, Hey Arnold! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Orange, California

Wish this place was closer!! Love the drinks and the long hours. Very study-friendly while also being a social cafe:) read more

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I'd had this place bookmarked for a while and I was really looking forward to coming here. I always check coffee menus before going and saw they have my most coveted Ube lattes. Fair warning: this place ONLY has iced coffee and tea, NO hot beverages at all. Not an issue for me since all I ever order is iced, but my husband who was with me was outta luck. Their pros: the ube latte was delicious. Only comes in one size. I also tried an almond croissant, which was also tasty. They have books as well as a small record shop inside the space. I have also seen they occasionally play live music. Their cons: limited seating. This place is very popular, and their inside space is limited. We got lucky and sat by their window seats (literally in the window nook), but saw others having to take their coffees to go. While I enjoyed my drink, I'm not sure my experience was as enjoyable. Not sure how soon I'd come back here if at all. read more

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Nice person informed me that they only serve cold coffee from a tap. If you want hot drinks, skip this place. Never have walked into a coffee shop without an espresso machine. read more