Very basic coffee. It's like airport coffee that's the vibe. expect that and you'll be content. don't be coming here thinking you're going to get trendy coffee ya know read more

Closer to a 3.7/5 tbh Convenient location, okay prices, mid coffee, nice workers It's pretty good, for how random the spot is. Nice place to do some work pretty quickly! I like the matcha latte but it's very sweet so I personally usually add a shot of espresso (though the workers usually say "you know it doenst come with espresso right?) but the bitterness helps cancel out sweetness. For summer time I recommend dragon lychee thingy. Nice to drink before you get to class. Overall pretty chill and the workers are probably the biggest reason I kept coming back (instead of making my own coffee or tea) read more

Seriously? Moldy sandwiches? This my last time getting anything from Java city! This is the basic thing you expect: a healthy food for the money you pay. read more

Java City Kiosk - Breakfast sandwich with bagel moldy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Woman at the register No smile, no hello, saw me staning there at kiosk waiting to place an order then instead of asking what I want, she turned around and blew me off. She and a male coworker kept talking and ignoring a customer. I waited 5 min and still ignored me so as I put my wallet away and turned to leave she just looks at me. No hey, sorry. Can I help you? Rude!! Need retraining on customer service. read more

What's all the hate here for Java City? Hidden in Engineering Quad near Cal-it and DBH/EH, Java City is like the Starbucks that isn't Starbucks. It has a more limited variety, with coffee, some "frapuccinos" (called Javalanches)and some "fruit drinks". They are limited with some of their sizes, as their fruit drinks are only available in large form. Their fruit drinks are really good. You would expect them to be watered down but that's actually not the case! Their mint oreo javalanche is also awesome, if you can drink down a Large. That itself is a bit watered down but there's something about the mint oreo that you just makes you want to keep sipping. I've been here a lot now because this is where most of my classes are. They also sell some drinks, snacks, and some candy! They also have some limited seating here, but if you can't find any, go to Calit or just go to Donald Bren and just sit down somewhere in there! This year they've had Happy Hour so they have a special every week! And I've seen signs of holiday drinks here (albeit 2) but that's something exciting that I wanna try soon! read more

Depending on my class schedule or how motivated I was to stay away from the hustle-and-bustle & chaos that is Starbucks (even with two locations on campus now, yes I know) I occasionally would stop by at the Java City kiosk. It's hidden amongst all the Engineering buildings, but honestly I really love the set-up since it provides shade, but also is outdoors - which is almost always pleasant granted how blessed Irvine typically is with its weather forecasts! If you're a fan or a regular of Cyber A Cafe, which is located in the Arts School way across campus near the Mesa residential halls you definitely know what to anticipate before coming to Java City. They offer your regular coffees (hot or iced), javalanches (blended coffees, essentially Java City's take on Frapps), and teas. They also have snacks, pastries, and sandwiches here too if you're in a rush and you're hungry (and let's face it, you're on this side of campus and for some odd reason beyond - summer session struggs - no club on campus is selling boba or random noms...this isn't a bad option. I mean you gotta do what you gotta do to not be THAT person whose stomach rumbles are the soundtrack to your Math class. Am I right? Oh just me? Awkward... Now take what you're about to read with a grain of salt or with caution. However, you want to put it. A former employee informed me that when you choose your sandwiches be wary or rather, be kind of picky. Now I know, we all don't have the time to be that person but PLS get value out of the product you're purchasing. Even if it's a random pastry or bagel. Allegedly, the workers here are told to keep the newer items futher out of reach from customers. While the products may be technically "good" as far as freshness is concerned I'm assuming the closer to the front (for me personally) I would avoid. Don't forget to read labels to verify!!! Can't really say much about customer service beyond that it's there and almost always with a smille & occasional conversations of how each of our days were. Nothing too fancy or magical and nothing to really file any complaints over. Overall, give Java City a chance. Sometimes they have weekly (?) deals or promotions where a certain drink is cheaper. This information is usually on one of their boards somewhere in the area or on a placard thing at the register. For freshmen or students with the Zotbucks, they accept that here - so Wooo, go you. When I don't get regular hot or iced coffees because I'm cheap and indecisive, I opt to get Javalanches or one of their lattes. Mmmm, the Cinnamon Roll (or was it Bun?) one wasn't bad either. Quite tasty and definite stray away from the black cofee norm :P read more

Why do Engineering kids get the cool kiosk?! I hardly come on this side of campus but when I do - I have to go to the Java City Kiosk. (THEY HAVE THE COOLEST SEATING!) It's pleasantly surprising to know that Java City only serves fair trade coffee! Yay! :) read more

Java City Kiosk - a woman standing in front of a kiosk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

I've been here 2 times in 2 weeks. Both times I ordered a pastry and a drink. And BOTH times I was left waiting 10-15 minutes because my drink was the wrong size given what they charged me and because they completely forgot my pastry to begin with. When I asked politely about my order after much patience (over 10 minutes), they didn't apologize or say anything, and just went to go start making what I ordered. It's unfortunate, because it's conveniently located on campus, but I won't be back. Horrible service read more

Nothing changed. Vegetarian Sandwich Options is extremely limited. My recent few visits they are out of anything vegetarian. I have suggested to the cashier many many times but nothing has changed. Their muffin has a freezer taste. Time to clean the fridge... read more

See all

I come here every now and then when I'm in need of coffee on campus but i don't have the patience to stand in Starbucks' insanely long line or if i have a class nearby. Java City is a nice little outdoor cafe on campus on the engineering side. It is a little hidden for those who are just walking around ring road, it's right behind Engineering Hall. There is seating, it is really limited, but there is seating a couple of steps away from the cafe you can sit at. If you are a UCI student, you automatically get the free campus wifi (well if your device is registered). Java City not only has coffee and food, but also school essentials such as scantrons and blue books if you need them. The staff is also really cheery and customer service has always been excellent every time I've gone. As for their food and drinks, I have yet to find a hot drink that I do enjoy because they are too overly sweet for me (and this says a lot because I do have a high tolerance for sweetness), but I would recommend their iced vanilla latte. Their pastries or other food in the display case are usually good too, specifically their muffins. I did have a bad experience though when I ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich from them (seems as though I have bad experiences with breakfast sandwiches everywhere lol), where they didn't heat it up enough and there were still chunks of ice when I bit into it, but again with their customer service they were really nice about heating it up again for me. I wouldn't recommend getting anything from their fridge unless you buy it right after they've been made, sushi I've bought in the afternoon has been hard and given me stomach problems. Overall this is a great place if you're in engineering plaza and in the mood for coffee or a muffin! I would love to give this place 4-5 stars, but unfortunately because I have yet to find something that would make me go out of my way to get it there, I can't, but who knows, maybe you'll have a better experience than I did and this could be the best coffee you've ever had. read more

The barista was very friendly and helpful. My only complaint: I paid $3.39 for my drink only to find it half-filled with foam. C'mon you guys! You guys should have known better! Sad .. Oh wtheck, at least your drink's better than Starbucks. I'm feeling generous today. read more

Sup, bagel lovers. It's BAAAACK! Back by popular demand (i.e. me and fellow bagel connoisseurs) Strawberry cream cheese is your bagel's best friend. -coffee traffic rush 8:30 - 9:30 am. -quality varies when they're busy. Sometimes I've gotten a lukewarm coffee. -other than that, they have a decent selection of snacks and sandwiches for a small stand read more

Great service and coffee. The service is fast and the coffee and pastries are always good. It's a great little cafe on campus.

A coffee stand in the middle of the engineering schools - o' how convenient! What I trade for convenience is a whole lotta..quality. The rumors concerning coffee being not so very delicious on college campuses - mostly true about this location. The quality of drinks here aren't constant. Sometimes, when I'm lucky, I get a pretty decent latte. Most of the time, however, I can hardly taste the espresso. I don't want to be rude and ask if there's espresso in it, but I definitely will next time. I may sound like a cranky college student, which I probably may be (occasionally), but my eyes are very clear in stating that the quality of coffee here is highly unstable. If it weren't for convenience, I wouldn't come back. read more

I have had their drinks few times and I think their iced drinks are better. The wait area is really good. near the engineering building.

Nice place to stop if you're in the area and are in need of a caffeine fix. The accuracy of the order varies but most of the time I get the right drink and more than a few times I've had to wait a lot longer than I'd expect for an iced black coffee...but hey it's manned by college students so maybe they're just getting the hang of it. It's super crowded between class breaks so: MWF at the top of the hour and TuTh every hour and a half starting at 8..you figure it out :P. If you go during off hours you'll beat the crowds and be able to grab a table with no problem! read more

So this is located near the Engineering hall and very convenient in the middle of nowhere, lol. This Java City is pretty nice, with two baristas working on bar. It's all outdoor seating and they have tents covering it so you won't get wet in case of the rain (although the glare on my laptop was irritating because of the sun..) I ordered their Strawberry Banana Smoothie so that's the only thing I can vouch for. I looked up their calories chart online and then realized that they had one on the menu. -__- The strawberry banana smoothie was sort of chunky, it was good nonetheless. It was a very good refreshing beverage for a sunny day at 11am. I should try their coffee here, as my boyfriend said it's better than Starbucks. He got the white mocha and it was amazing. The white mocha was a little overpowering, but it was just the way I like it :) Next time, I'll definitely try their Javalanche (their "frappucinos") .. yum! :P read more

When looking for a place in the engineering area of campus to give you enough caffeine to keep going, well this is the only one. So it will work. The drinks are actually pretty good and the service isn't bad either. I would like to see more of a selection of food and snacks that are healthy(even more drinks for that matter). The seating is a plus and it is very close to nearby labs. read more

Toasted bagel with strawberry cream cheese. Get it. Grab that with an eye opener. This is the most convenient coffee shop on campus -- distance-wise. read more

I like this place. Their drinks are really good (price range is $2-5). I usually get hot chocolate which is always perfect on a cold rainy day =) read more

As good as it gets. Baristas are warm and welcoming, and serve way WAY better coffee than the Starbucks on campus. I trek all the way from Langson library (where I'm generally holed up studying for boards) to this kiosk once every few hours to refuel. Delicious coffee drinks, healthy snacks, fresh bagels & pastries and a smiley staff?? What more could one want? Maybe covered outdoor seating..? They have that too :) read more

Best tasting espresso coffee on campus. Located behind engineering so the line doesn't get ridiculous as other places on campus.

Java, right by engineering place at UCI, has great coffee! If you need some coffee before a long long boring class this is the place to come. I like the environment their too. One can definitely study there. read more

I graduated as a Civil Engineer for UCI this past year, and this is my favorite coffee place in all of Irvine. It's better than the Starbucks on campus and the Pete's Coffee across the street. They have a lot of good drinks, I love the creamy ice coffee. The food is also good like the bagels and especially the chocolate croissants. Great place to hang out between classes and grab a cup of coffee. read more

Nice little kiosk, love the sushi! I don't drink coffee so don't know about that haha

Avoid all the coffee!! The servers are nice and all, but the beans they are forced to brew taste like they've been used twice already. And it's extremely overpriced for "coffee" that tastes so cheap. It feels so watery, sour and bland. There is no complexity to the flavor. Unfortunately they cater to a captive audience and their competition is equally bad, so they have no motivation to care about quality. As the only option nearby they cured my coffee addiction. Now I only drink it when I make it myself or have enough time to drive to a place that serves real coffee. I also feel it's wrong to force the workers to upsell their fellow students. read more

my all time favortie, my only hope in grad school, i get coffee twice a day from javacity and loving it comparing to the starbucks tasteless coffee on UCI campus. read more

Almost every time before my first class. One iced coffee. $1.89. It gets me through the day. It's rid of the loud hipster kids on campus. I'm glad I'm an engineer, or else I'd never have found this place. All the workers are pretty cool. The food there isn't too bad either. read more

Really good espresso and espresso beverages, highly recomended if you need to get through a rough day!

overpriced for this poor quality of "coffee", also they do not fill the cup entirely.. You pay almost on average $3 for any latte, then you get half cup empty.. seriously WTF read more