Urth Caffe — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

“A Masterclass in Waiting: My Urth Caffé Experience”

I have a theory: Urth Caffé has a secret mission to teach customers the fine art of patience. Every time my friends and I walk into this place, I feel like I’m entering a café-themed version of “Survivor,” where only the truly strong (and very, very patient) will make it through the meal.

First, they hand you one of those buzzers. Oh, the hope you feel when they give you that little device—“It’ll be just a few minutes,” you think. Spoiler alert: It won’t. I don’t know what happens in the kitchen, but it seems like they’re personally growing the organic lettuce and squeezing the juice out of every avocado by hand. After about 10 minutes, the panic starts to set in. “Did they lose my order? Is my food stuck in a time vortex? Are they on a break… or maybe a meditation retreat?” I start questioning my life decisions at this point.

Then comes the waiting for drinks. In most places, drinks are quick, right? Not here. If you want an iced coffee, expect that they’re probably growing the coffee beans in the back garden. My friends and I just sit there staring at each other, pretending we’re not thirsty, playing a silent game of “Who will crack first and go ask where the drinks are?”

It usually takes around 20 minutes for anything to show up. I’ve considered bringing a deck of cards or maybe a board game next time, just to pass the time. By the time your order finally arrives, it feels like you’ve completed a marathon—hungry, thirsty, and emotionally drained. It’s almost like a victory when you see the server approaching, but there’s also a bit of fear that maybe, just maybe, they’ll pass your table and the wait will continue.

And yet, I keep coming back. Why? Maybe it’s because I secretly enjoy the challenge. Maybe it’s because the food, when it finally arrives, is actually pretty good. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because I’ve invested so much time waiting here that I feel like I deserve a medal by the end of it.

In summary, if you want to test your patience and really bond with your friends over shared suffering (and delicious food you’ll have to wait forever for), Urth Caffé is the place for you. Just don’t make any plans for the rest of your day—trust me, you’ll...

Have been coming on and off to this place for years, unfortunately things have definitely slipped for the worst.

The staff are very friendly so no fove star no complaints about the people directly working there. The issue is process and wait times have become absurd simply because ordering is very slow, even with two cashiers. Especially during busy lunch hours, better forget trying to stop in for a quick lunch break that will not happen here.

Once you do get up to order often they are out of this or that and the juice or smoothie bar will be an additional 20min wait+ often times. Staff is very segmented which is inefficient. They have one guy that makes the coffee drinks one guy that makes the juices you cannot run a business that has a lot of traffic this way. Rather than train the bussers or other server staff to assist in making drinks, they make customers wait an extra 10-20min for their order which delays everyone behind them.

Management needs to address several things including the online ordering process given the size of the menu. Location is very nice and ideal for tourists and visitors, but moving on to seating, it's a great location with the most uncomfortable outdoor seating in the area. Nothing screams get up and leave like a hard metal patio chair with rivets pushing on your behind at every square inch. Not sure who thought that this was an acceptable seating option, it is not. Some of the tables outside are just a little small to fit multiple plates and the umbrellas the last few times are extremely dirty from the pigeon s and birds, it seems in need of some thorough power washing or cleaning more often.

Overall very disappointed in where things are today considering the potential...

Delicious Treats with Partial Ocean Views (But Mind Your Budget)

Urth Caffe in Laguna Beach is a spot I consider a special treat rather than an everyday destination. Their prime location with partial ocean views already sets a pleasant tone for your visit, but it's their unique offerings that keep me coming back despite the steep prices.

Their breakfast selections are consistently good across the board - fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and generous portions. However, what truly shines for me is their mocha granita - a perfect balance of coffee, chocolate, and ice that's refreshing and indulgent all at once. It's my go-to order regardless of the season.

One standout feature that deserves special praise is their milk alternative options. While many cafes now offer the standard oat or almond milk, Urth takes it a step further with pistachio milk, which adds a subtle nutty richness to their beverages that's truly special. This kind of thoughtful detail elevates the entire experience.

Speaking of pistachios, their pistachio croissant is nothing short of magnificent - buttery, flaky pastry with the perfect amount of pistachio filling that's not too sweet. It's easily one of the best pastries in Orange County.

The only reason I don't visit more frequently is the price point. Urth Caffe definitely positions itself as a premium establishment, and your bill reflects that. A coffee and pastry can quickly approach what you might pay for a full breakfast elsewhere.

Still, for those occasions when you want to treat yourself to something special in a beautiful setting, Urth Caffe delivers a memorable experience that's worth saving up for. Just be prepared for your wallet to feel a bit lighter on...