While Anaheim has been a draw for major attractions, those of us that thrive (or survive) off of caffeine have often been surprised by the quiet coffee scene. Potential spots have come and gone, and creatives find themselves longing for the quality pours associated with locales like the Arts District in Little Tokyo or Abbot Kinney, Venice. Thankfully, a few spots have sprung up in recent years, and through a combination of their quality and uniqueness, are proving that they are going to hold it down for us in Anaheim.
We have two favorites. A little further out, but still centrally located to Anaheim is Tierra Mia, a coffee shop serving drinks and pastries highlighting Latin American flavors. For those driving in and out of Anaheim, Tierra Mia might be that great idea as it has a drive thru that could save time on unloading. Just a tad north of Center Street in Anaheim, Thank You Coffee is a gem of a coffee shop about a 10-15 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites. Like Tierra Mia, Thank You Coffee showcases a creative distinctiveness, in this case, serving drinks and eats with an Asian influence. The baristas at Thank You Coffee stand out to us for their trade skill and down-to-earth friendliness. Both Tierra Mia and Thank You Coffee have nice interior spaces that encourage connecting and creating. With what they bring to the table - quality coffee, welcoming setup, and originality - these two are keepers in Anaheim. Honorable mentions: If you have the means to splurge, there's higher-end Lamille Coffee sandwiched between the Honda Center and Angel Stadium, about a 10-15 minute drive east of the Alamo Inn and Suites. The more budget-friendly but still quality Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders is an extra 5 minutes eastward.
If these don't do it for you and you are willing to make a trek to get your fix, coffee aficionados consistently rave about Hopper and Burr in Santa Ana and there's also a Philz Coffee location in Fullerton. The list only increases as you widen the radius.