Urth Caffé in Laguna Beach: My Review

Urth Caffé in Laguna Beach is a popular coffee shop known for its organic heirloom coffees and a selection of fine teas. It has a relaxed and cozy vibe, attracting a wide range of customers, from friends hanging out to students looking for a quiet place to study. The café is also notable for its varied menu that meets different dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, with meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch.

Urth caffe at the pandemic time
Urth Caffe at the pandemic time

The café has great coffee, tea, breakfast, and brunch selections, as well as its desserts. Urth Caffé is well-liked for its excellent coffee, tea, and a variety of breakfast and brunch dishes, not to mention its desserts.

Inside Urth Caffe in Laguna Beach
Inside Urth Caffe
Inside Urth caffe

It has become a favorite place in Laguna Beach, known for offering a dependable and pleasant dining experience.

Urth pastries
Urth pastries

It’s perfect for those who enjoy quality food and coffee in a laid-back atmosphere, whether you’re there for a filling breakfast like French toast or eggs, a light lunch, or to indulge in something sweet like pumpkin pie or a chai latte.

Urth by the PCH in Laguna Beach

The Story of Urth Caffé

My countless visits to Urth Caffé have always been accompanied by a curiosity about its origins. This quaint café, which has become a staple in my routine, has a history as rich as its coffee.

urth caffe at night in Laguna Beach
Urth Caffe at night


Urth Caffé started in 1989, originally as a mail-order coffee business specializing in heirloom coffee types. Its founders, Shallom and Jilla dedicating years to perfecting roasting and brewing. They eventually established America’s first organic, heirloom coffee roasting company. The name ‘Urth Caffé’ reflects their dedication to the planet, blending the old Welsh spelling of Earth ‘Urth’ with the Italian word for coffee ‘Caffé’.

Urth Caffe in Laguna Beach

​In 1991, the very first Urth Caffé opened its doors in a modest 300 square foot space in Manhattan Beach, California. The tiny café quickly became a favorite, and lines would often stretch out the door leading to an expansion.

Urth at night
Later at night, the line is gone usually.

My Experience Dining at The Urth Caffé

Drinking Urth coffee and walking in Laguna Beach
Drinking Urth coffee and walking in Laguna Beach

I’ve become quite a regular at Urth Caffé, particularly fond of the one in Laguna Beach, though I’ve also visited the downtown LA location.

the tostada meal at Urth
I love my tostada meal. It’s made of crispy fried tortilla shell with a mix of black beans (on the bottom) and Romaine lettuce, all tossed in the lime cilantro vinaigrette. Topped with grilled chicken with salsa and guacamole, Monterey jack cheese, and a side of sour cream.

The outdoor seating in Laguna is my favorite spot – there’s something about sipping coffee in the open air that just feels right.

Urth Caffe Lattes
Urth lattes


I frequently have a hard time deciding whether to stay and savor my meal or get a coffee to take with me for a relaxed stroll along the beach.

The tostada at Urth in Laguna Beach
The Tostada which is quite large and a filling meal


From my frequent visits, I’ve found that to skip the long lines, it’s best to go later in the evening, usually after 8 pm. This timing fits well with my habit of taking evening walks by the beach.

Grilled chicken pesto sandwitch at Urth
My grilled chicken pesto sandwich at Urth

There’s no reservation system, you have to wait in line, place your order, and then choose a table. However, you can order online and pick up the food to go. While they do offer a few tables indoors, the majority are outside, comfortably warmed by heaters.

avocado toast at the Urth Caffee
My avocado toast I really enjoy

The menu has quite the selection, and I’ve tried a variety of their offerings, from salads and avocado toast to their Margherita pizza and the hearty grilled cilantro chicken breast sandwich with pesto.

Our Spanish lattes at Urth
Our Spanish lattes which consist of equal parts steamed milk and condensed milk and espresso

Desserts like bread pudding are also good, along with a range of beverages including cappuccinos, lattes, boba teas, and fresh smoothies. While the prices are on the higher end and the portions aren’t particularly large, the quality of the food justifies the cost for me.

Urth cafe mocha
Urth cafe mocha

I have my favorites, like the avocado toast, the tostada, the chicken sandwich with pesto, and their cappuccinos and lattes – the Spanish latte, in particular, is a treat. I also love their beautiful latte art. Each cup served is more than just a coffee; it’s a canvas showcasing the unique talent of the baristas.

salad and urth parfait
Salad and Urth Parfait

There are a couple of drawbacks: the price point is high, there’s almost always a wait, and the local birds seem to have developed a taste for Urth’s cuisine as well, but these are minor compared to the quick service once you’ve ordered and the overall quality of the experience.

bread pudding at the Urth Caffee
Very delicious bread pudding

I keep going back to Urth, sometimes just for the coffee, which says a lot. If you haven’t been there, you should try their variety of coffees. And if you prefer going late like I do, their Italian decaf cappuccino is a good option that won’t keep you up at night.

cappuccino at Urth
Cappuccino
Italian decaf cappuccino at Urth
Italian decaf cappuccino at Urth. I don’t usually look under the lid but it was a pleasant surprise to find that even their to-go cappuccinos are artfully decorated.

Conclusion

My visits to Urth Caffé in Laguna Beach have always been enjoyable. It’s the perfect mix of a European café atmosphere and the laid-back vibe of Southern California that keeps bringing me back. This place really helps you enjoy the simple things, like a good cappuccino or relaxing in the sun at one of their outdoor tables.

Yes, it might be a bit pricey, and you might have to wait in line, but for me, it’s always worth it. Urth has become more than just a café for me; it’s a part of my regular routine, a spot to relax, meet friends, or just have some time to myself. It’s easy to see why it’s popular with locals – the food and drinks are great, and it has that unique Urth atmosphere. If you’re searching for a place that offers quality and a slice of local life, Urth Caffé is definitely the spot to check out.

me on the beach
About the author

Hi, I'm Kat, the adventurous spirit behind TasteCaliforniaTravel, your guide to the hidden wonders of California. Having called California home for the last 15 years, I am thrilled to take you along on my journey and share the adventures that this incredible state has to offer.

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