Nudae Coffee & Food

Two years after testing the waters as a pop-up coffee cart, Nudae Coffee & Food opened in a plaza off the beaten path in Costa Mesa, with neighbors including martial arts and music studios, a juicery, and a kombucha bar. Anchored by a large aggregate stone counter and augmented with wooden and sculpted decor elements, the modern cafe space seats around 20 people while focusing heavily on coffees ($3.75 to $7.75), teas ($4.75 to $7), and traditional breakfast foods. Ordering and service all take place at two ends of the counter; merch shelves and a somewhat sparsely stocked fridge are by the front door. Laminated menus at the counter notably mention multiple housemade syrupts for drinks – pandan, blood orange, macadamia/white chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, maple, and honey lavender on our visit – any of which can be added to drinks normally made without them for $1.

A small, well-worn box at the counter holds ready-to-eat pastries, including medium-sized but wonderfully chocolatey chip cookies ($4), and buttery, flakey cinnamon knots ($6) that can be ordered heated if preferred; sweet or savory croissants are also available. If you want something freshly made from the kitchen – open until 3:30 each day – Nudae’s mostly $10 to $14 menu offers breakfast burritos and sandwiches, oatmeal, a chicken caesar wrap, and avocado or cucumber toasts with options inncluding eggs and bacon.