A handful of new dining options and one caffeine oasis are poised to open in Orange County this and next year. One comes with a Noma co-founder’s culinary pedigree, while another promises a honky-tonk vibe with your latte.
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Wade’s Coffee House (San Juan Capistrano)
A new honky tonk-themed coffee house will open on Del Obispo Street, as first reported in the Capistrano Dispatch. Christened Wade’s Coffee House, the spot comes from Colin Dubel and Chelsea McCrea, who call it California’s “first and only honky tonk coffee shop.”
Still in its build-out phase, Wade promises country music, “strong coffee,” leather seats, an outdoor patio and “Nashville vibes,” according to its Instagram page.
“We just had an idea that we could not stop thinking about, so we decided to go all in and build it,” said Colin Dubel in an Instagram announcement. He will open the space alongside his girlfriend, Chelsea McCrea.
Children and dogs will also be welcome at the Vermeulen Ranch Center cafe. Also of note, in an increasingly rare San Juan Capistrano feat, free and ample parking is available.
Wade’s Coffee House is slated to open in winter 2027.
Reminisce (Orange)
Noma co-founder Mads Refslund will have a hand in the menu at Reminisce, a restaurant, bakery and coffee roastery slated to open in Old Towne Orange in early 2027. The chef, who also opened the recently shuttered Ilis in New York City, has signed on as culinary director for the upcoming spot from husband-and-wife owners Art and Olea Zelaya.
Plans call for a wood-fire kitchen and roughly 200 seats with cars, artwork and vintage lighting from the couple’s personal collections rounding out the space. Dinner service will come first, with breakfast and lunch soon to follow
While the official location has yet to be revealed, planning records suggest Reminisce will be located somewhere on Almond Avenue near The Circle.
Sushi Blissba (Cypress)
From the group behind Sushi Nigiriba in Huntington Beach and Culver City comes Sushi Blissba, which opened in Cypress on Oct. 1. Offering both omakase and a la carte menus, highlights here include Funamori, sushi and sashimi on a boat-shaped platter; anago, conger eel torched tableside; and tamagoyaki, a Japanese rolled omelet.
Guests can also look forward to a litany of sashimi, nigiri, rolls, and skewers, alongside a bar program of spirits and sake. The 118-seat space includes a 10-seat sushi bar and an outdoor patio.
Find it: 5253 Katella Ave., Suite 120, Cypress, instagram.com/sushiblissba
Oceans & Earth (Costa Mesa)
With his inaugural location in Yorba Linda, chef-owner Adam Navidi plans to open a second Oceans & Earth at The Met in Costa Mesa. The upcoming eatery, according to the office campus’ website, is slated to arrive in 2027, with Pacific Pearl Cafe and Haus 575, a biergarten, as its gastronomic neighbors.
Take heed, those living with celiac disease or gluten intolerance: The Yorba Linda original is noted for operating an entirely gluten-free kitchen.
While the menu for the upcoming spot has yet to be revealed, menu highlights are the Yorba Linda space include clam chowder with rosemary-garlic croutons, jumbo lump crab bombs with chili sauce and avocado chimichurri, and a five-cheese macaroni.
