Summary: Must try if youre into coffee or want to expand your tasting palette for better coffeeIve been busy researching and trying new places to try for my Summer Reviews, I decided to start strong with one of my favorite coffee houses, Sootha Coffee.This place is owned and run by U. He really is into coffee beans such that he even roasts his own beans on-site. I usually go for the Ice blended caramel coffee drink (Perfect for hot summer days). But also lately, Ive been getting into making my own coffee at home. I asked what beans he recommends for how I drink and brew my coffee and he matched me to Bali Blue Moon. The beans looks fresh and had that oily look on their surface. The bag had one of those one_way valves that also degassing. All signs of something special. Right from the first brew, I was amazed at how much better my coffee is. I didnt need to really dial it much more than my default setting. I found myself using a lot less sugar and creme. I am far from being a coffee aficionado nor do I have any fancy gear at home. But having conversation with U and using his recommendation I have gained a better appreciation of good coffee. U really is into the coffee beans yet he doesnt come off as snobbish. He patiently gives his insight and advice for how to make the most of the gear I have. His recommendation was spot on, that I went back today to buy another bag of coffee beans. Please dont be shy when coming here with your questions. For Im sure you will come home will a much better coffee thanks to U.

Picked this place due to a good rating on Google Maps, my choice to find good places to eat and drink. When I entered the coffee shop my first impression was the wonderful aroma of brewed coffee. The barista made me a perfect hot latte. Good seating with a private meeting room for rent at a reasonable fee. Also patio seating and plenty of parking.

It was my first time visiting your coffee shop, and I was really pleased with the service. Your personnel were very pleasant and knowledgeable. In addition, the facility was spotless and well-kept. I would strongly suggest your Coffee Shop to all of my family and friends. Cheers to additional customers!

This coffee shops barista was the greatest! He was far superior to the baristas at Starbucks! It was a really beautiful and cozy apartment. Aside from their great coffees, they also have fantastic meals. And the greatest thing was that it was less expensive in the city than everywhere else! The employees were really pleasant. I wish they had opened another location near me.

This place has amazing latte that is not the sweetest for my taste but the sweetness of the beans and the espresso create a different type of sweetness. And the mango slush is to die for. The sweetness of the mangos are so good. Best barista in Irvine

Delicious Americano and very nice conversation while waiting for it. So unpretentious and such great coffee. Coffee cake was very good as well.

By far the best coffee in Irvine. Owners really know what they are doing.their constant presence at the shop roasting and making coffee really makes all the difference. My favorite, Sootha Latte with three sugars.The best place for Sootha with friends. Sootha means to chatter, usually with group of female friends. This certainly is a good place for it.

Amazing coffee. I havent been trying something similar tasty since I moved here from Belarus more than a year ago!

Stay away from this place. Owner was extremely rude first thing in the morning. Plenty of better coffee shops nearby. If owner is rude to a complete stranger, what can you say about how they conduct business. I wish I had more hands so I can give this place 4 thumbs down.

Good place for great coffee !

Great iced latte with perfectly pulled shots.

Excellent coffee and tea.

Highest quality coffee in OC!! Freshly roasted every morning. Great owner!

Extremely good cappuccino!

I absolutely adore this coffee shop. The staff members and owners are extremely polite and genuine. I have been going to this coffee shop regularly for the past two years and can say it is the best one around. It has such a cozy and homey atmosphere. The coffee, pastries and tea are all very fresh and delicious. If you are a local and looking for a place to get some work done while enjoying beverages/pastries then this is the place for you.

Super smooth espresso, best americano in town. Open for business and taking safety seriously during the pandemic. Come support this shop!

Super delicious coffee and friendly staff. The only complaint that I have is that they close too early...

Best coffee in town fingers down. Owners and body of workers are all exceptional and friendly. The surroundings is lovely, amazing little spot with enough seating internal and out.

This place has character. Yes the walls need a fresh coat of paint but the staff is super friendly and the necessities are here. Its a family style coffee place. Writing this as I sit here in the work room sitting next to my buddy working on our business, and next to us is a writing group working on their laptops drinking coffee. You dont come here to drink fancy drinks, you come here to have your coffee and get work done and socialize.

Friendly customer service. Fantastic coffee. Blueberry muffin was okay. Atmosphere was awesome to relax, read or complete some work.

I love the atmosphere at Sootha. It feels different from other coffee shops because there is a much more familiar and welcoming vibe throughout the shop. The owners are incredibly hospitable and kind, and they are seriously couple goals. The drinks and pastries are incredibly delicious, and there is even a private room you can rent out for a couple hours if you need a space for a study group, meeting, etc..

Has good food, and good drinks. I do not recommend the coffee, though it could be worse (better than Starbucks IMO). Locally roasted coffee beans, but they dont taste much better than your super market variety. Also a little warm in the shop for my taste, A/C could have been a tad lower.

Great alternative to the big boys. It can get crowded in the afternoon, but generally there is always a place to sit and work. Friendly staff and unique environment (you can buy local artist paintings off the wall!). Great coffee too.

My favorite place for coffee! Such a great environment too to work and study and the coffee is amazing.

A nice little corner coffee place with good coffee, clean bathroom and a rentable room. If you have a gathering of fellows then you can rent out the room for $10/hour. There are enough seats around the long table to accommodate the fellowship of the ring sans Gandalf but he likes to stand anyways. Just contact the manager to reserve it.

Great coffee and friendly service.

Nice

Sophia at the counter is very nice, and she makes great drinks. The lattes here actually taste good! I didn’t want to dock off a point but there is a door in the back that triggers a really loud blowing sound when opened by people outside who are unaware, but it’s more of an annoyance than a real problem :)

Lovely little coffee shop, serves good variety of food and ideal if visiting the store to stop for lunch or coffee.

Good vibes and nice cafe feel. But the roast was very dark and had overwhelmin bitter taste.

Nice quiet place to chill. Their hours are kind of off and close much earlier than stated online sometimes so I would give them a call to check first if youre planning on heading there after 7 pm.

Thanks for the Purple Eye 👌🏻

Good lattes. Plenty of seatings inside and on the patio. Family owned korean cafe. 2 nice ladies behind the counter. Customer friendly

One of a kind locally owned shop. The quality of the coffee is much better than the name brand chains.

Love this coffee shop. Owners are nice and has a nice vibe. They roast their own beans. Nice place to work on laptop.

A community room available for rent makes this an amazing spot for advocacy and activism. The beverages are tasty, and the owner and staff are attentive and courteous.

Love their Chai Latte with almond milk.

Breakfast croissant and cappuccino are excellent. I live too close to this place!!

What a cute coffee shop! You can smell the coffee beans right away when you enter (and you smell like coffee when you leave!). Its obviously Korean-owned. Theres a Korean grocery story next door. Theres plenty of parking here in this plaza. Their hours are odd, so dont think of coming here to stay late.They have a small room with glass walls that people can reserve for whatever reason. They have coffee classes here sometimes. Theres a bathroom in the back, and the wifi password is taped on the register.I ordered a soy matcha latte, but it didnt taste like soy. There was a grainy taste, and the barista didnt do anything to explain it. The iced coffee was a dark roast, which I wasnt expecting. Im not sure Ill be back for the drinks. But its a nice place to chill.

Great place. Nice outdoor dining area.

Quality coffee you can taste! They roast their beans on site and even better, theyre ORGANIC. The barista Yoo is very kind and professional. Wonderful and authentic coffee experience. Absolutely recommend!!

Hands down the best latte in the area!

Quality of coffee is excellent and atmosphere is just perfect for meeting friends or just relax by yourself 🤩

Nice variety of drinks. Lots of seating w great ambience.

Great coffee! Love thier latte.

Great place to have coffee; get some reading done and knock out some studying. Friendly and Professional staff too.

The coffee was great. Space was super cold inside.

The atmosphear looks great but the owner asked me to leave a meeting room while i have been using with the reason the room has been reserved.

Staff are very nice! Drinks taste good.

Daily fresh roasted coffee, great espresso drinks and such nice, friendly staff. Definitely a nice place to be!

We didnt expect to find such a good coffee shop on our way home to Solana Beach today.They had everything we wanted...non-fat milk,Monin Hazelnut syrup and they roast their coffee beans in house.Our lattes were expertly made and tasted superb.This is a very good coffee shop!

Its always nice to find a shop owner with great passion for coffee.

Our absolute favorite coffee place! Great owners and their coffee is the best weve ever had.

One of the best coffee shops in the area!

This is my favorite place to study. The workers are always very polite and nice.

Such a charming neighborhood gem. Great staff, fun handmade mugs and pitchers in addition to good coffwe

Great service, amazingly fresh roasted coffee! We love this place!🍵

Great friendly little shop with a passion for fresh coffee. With the specialty coffee trend in full swing its becoming easier to see who is passionate about great coffee and who is just trying to make money. Sootha aligns with the former. Theyve picked up a roster of there own and are roasting every week according to the owner. You arent going to find a trendy atmosphere or judgmental Batistas but youre sure to find great pour overs and excellent espresso. Either way you slice it passing by your local Starbucks is going to be a new habit once you drop in here, that is of course unless you enjoy really dark stale coffee then by all means drive on. This would be a 5 star if the atmosphere were to be updated. It is the only thing holding it back.

Excellent coffee with decent prices and a good atmosphere. What more could you ask for.

Very fresh coffee, and good service, you can buy coffee beans. there are three kinds of coffee beans.

Today enjoying an Ugandan Americano. Yummmm.

Updated review to 5 stsrs. Yu (owner) (sp?) started roasting in the shop about a week ago and he made a batch of Colombian that can compete with the best. I was very impressed with the depth of taste and smell. A very well rounded, savory cup. Keep up the great work Yu!

Great coffee! If you cant stand starbucks either youll love Sootha!

Excellent in every way, just the location is wrong for me otherwise I would be there every day.

Nice quiet place with friendly staff and good coffee

Good coffee and clean environment

Love this place❤

Great environment, great coffee!

Nice place

Yummy organic coffee

Okay drinks.

Bomb food!

Excellent

Horrible

Coffee delicious and good place to study

It feels like a comfortable neighborhood cafe ...It is strong and soft coffee taste is excellent article.

Iced latte warm and smooth 👍👍

He is a Korean owner, but he greets him in Japanese when he goes.

Delicious coffee, shaved ice faithful to the basics

Delicious rice flour