This is probably the only real coffee house down in San Clemente (other than Talega) and we are happy to find it. Owner is super friendly and welcomes locals as well as visitors.
They are still developing though, for example it's cash only and having limited opening hours, that's why one less star than perfect. But as they get more business the owner is planning to expand. So fellow locals quit Starbucks and go there!
I may be overdoing it with 5 stars but honestly, this place was so cool. San Clemente needs more places like this. It was funky and neat inside. The girls were charming. The coffee was good and the veggie egg tacos were delish! I cannot wait to come back again when I am down in SC! This place needs to stay around! I love all the art on the walls! Cute little coffee shop FTW!
(Ps. They do not take credit cards, or did not when we went this January. Told them to get square and get hip! Maybe they will one day. ONLY downfall was needing cash.)
Zebra House Coffee looked pretty decent, had an alright ambiance, and a friendly girl at the register. The whole bean coffee they sell, Klatch, is definitely a good brand I wish I could say that I'd come here to buy my whole beans and grab a cup on occasion, but -- what? CASH ONLY?! Come on, it's the 21st century. Cash-only is maybe considered cool or indie here but it's super inconvenient, and if you run a good business, a card machine is not terribly pricey. I've even seen some coffee shops simply purchase an iPad to use as a register and they use <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2FAuthorize.net&s=ef1d16142f105366721af58b9f5f9933a8625d7be1b42e684518c94c3dbd41ff" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://Authorize.net</a> or Square to make card purchases. I probably won't  buy coffee here almost ever because the no-card thing is so inconvenient.
Review Source:Feeling a little tired on my drive back from San Diego, I got off the 5 and pulled into a gas station to look up a place nearby for coffee. Â No Starbucks, thanks. Â I found this local coffeehouse and headed over. Â There's a DRIVE-THRU, but since I needed a break I went inside. Â Cute and I was greeted right away with a warm smile from the woman behind the counter. Â I ordered a CAPPUCCINO and then saw all the goodies and read about the popular drinks and munchies here which I will be coming back for.
Cash only and note that they close super-early on the weekend (2 pm!), but I'm excited to have a good stop on my drive to/from my sister's.
I don't know how long this place has been around, but I just discovered it and it's a gem. Even though Starbucks really bums me out as an institution, I am one who can appreciate the convenience factor. Well now I can have convenience and deliciousness and cuteness all at once at Zebra!
Seriously. I just picked up a dirty chai and a homemade banana coconut muffin from their drive-thru. Genuinely nice (and also super cute) people hooking me up with a hot latte and a warm muffin, lucky me.
Be prepared with cash, they don't take cards.
Everyone, the owner included, was so pleasant. I really appreciate the kind of culture Zebra House brings to San Clemente.
On the line between a 3- and 4-star review. Here's why...
Yay's:
* Locally owned
* Really cute, eclectic decor
* Awesome customer service - The girls were really nice and helpful
* Super-clean, tastefully appointed bathroom (it counts)
* Drive-thru (BIG YAY)
So-So-Yay's:
* Wonky hours - Took four tries to finally try this place out (closing at 2 PM on weekends?)
* Cash only
* The coffee was just ok... good, but more ok. Had an iced mocha (my standard when trying new places). The balance was a little off.
Definitely a serious contender with the other locally owned places in SC, and knocks Star-chucks out of the water. Give it a try and be the judge - it's obviously a local favorite.
Super cute cafe serving Klatch coffee. Stopped by on my way to San Clemente pier (only a few blocks away) and got a nice iced tea for the morning. The tea was strong and wasn't filled with ice cubes (good thing!).
Service is super sweet, friendly, and very informative (esp for tourists!). Love the extras they offer to customers --- cozy study seating, free wi-fi, and dog friendly! :) They also sell some gluten free baked in house pastries (didn't get to try those, though).
The  only reason why I'm giving this place four stars, and not five, is because they only take cash.  Half the time I want to walk over I can't, because let's face it, not everyone carries cash anymore.  They do have the best coffee and food around!  I would never go anywhere else if they started taking debit cards!
Review Source:We come here once a week before our morning beach trail walk. Â I love everything about this place; first the owner and employees are always so friendly and cheerful, second the coffee is delicious (so much better than all of big chain options in town), third they have a drive thru which is very helpful when you are on your way somewhere. Â We always do the drive thru, but can see and hear inside and it seems to be such a great hang. Â Thank you Zebra House, San Clemente needs your funky friendly vibe!
Review Source:My husband and I stopped here on our way up to LA by chance. We searched yelp and saw the reviews and decided to check it out. We got an iced latte and a pumpkin coconut muffin and both were excellent!
The latte was perfectly made. The coffee flavor was rich and sweet (in the natural way coffee done well is). The muffin was moist and flavorful without being as sugary as most. On top of that the lady who helped us was super friendly and nice.
They didn't take credit cards, but said that they were getting the machine soon.
I just had the Egg Tacos!!! They were delicious and the service was excellent.
The vibe at this place is different, lots of art work, colors and style! I am pretty board with Starbucks and I don't have those funky modern glasses to wear so I fit in with the Barista when I go there but I fit right in at this place!!! I'm going to make sure I tell my friends about this place and keep coming back. It has a drive through so I can be in and out without ever having to go in!!! Thanks Zebra House for being so good and different!!!! That's Just what I needed!!!!
First of all, its locally owned. Second of all, its locally owned by some really nice people. Everyone that works there has been helpful, informative, and genuinely nice so far.
I love their coffee but my favorite part is that they serve their lunch in the morning too. They're turkey pesto is AMAZING. I don't mind that they only take cash, pedros down the street only takes cash and no one complains there. I like how I can use their drive thru when I'm in a hurry and the atmosphere is cozy. They occasionally have events on the weekends getting the community involved which is something I don't see a lot of anymore. I think I found my new coffee house :)
There are not many coffee places like this in San Clemente. Â It had a hipster vibe with funky art work on the walls. Â I'm from San Francisco and this place reminded me a little of cafes out here. Â The owner was really sweet and brought us our lattes and chatted for a bit. Â Our lattes were yummy and the food looked good too. Â We did try the banana coconut and morning glory muffins and they were yummy. Â Can't wait to go there again next time I am in town.
Review Source:Their coffee is amazing, service is outstanding and the convenience of their drive-thru just fantastic! Â I love their white chocolate mocha, it is the very best I have ever had, the caramel latte is so good as well. Â Their coffee is of a more robust flavor, more on the stronger side and not watery. Â After trying the coffee here, I could no longer go back to Starbucks...what a difference!
Review Source:During a day of exploring and just enjoying each other's company, my sweetie and I needed to find a place to get some work done. After a quick Yelp search of the local area, I picked Zebra House Coffee and it turned out to be a good choice. Usually, it is awkward to find new cool spots to chillax, but we were more than happy to find this place warm and inviting.
There were plenty of parking spots and we were greeted with warm smiles and a warm welcome. The sign said "cash only", which I already knew based on reviews, which was no problem. Since it was a Monday afternoon, there were plenty of spots to sit and get some work done. Our mochas were brought to our table and tasted very chocolatey. There was also free wifi, which was nice.
A very inviting place to come to read, study, relax, catch up, or whatever you need to do at a coffee shop. After we got our work done at the tables, we enjoyed the armchairs and just talked, which was nice.
Overall, a very nice experience here! Will definitely come back when we get a chance!
Stopped by here after an unfortunate attempt at getting a massage down the street at Massage Works (see review). Picked up coffee for my husband and I. I got the Mexican mocha which was really good. Had a wonderful hint of spice without being overbearing. I got the white chocolate mocha for my husband and I must say, it was the best white choc mocha I have ever tasted! I want to go back so I can get that for myself.
The service is great too. The gentlemen behind the counter was very helpful and friendly. I just need them to start accepting credit cards already!
I've probably had some of the best coffee from this place. Zebra's coffee is more towards the strong side. Â If you are into Starbucks, you would enjoy Zebras coffee 5x times more! Some of the roasts are so good, that you don't even need sugar and milk.
The pastries are really good and staff is very friendly. My only minor complaint, is that it doesn't feel quite home-y. Its not a big deal, considering that this place is still very new and still evolving.
Its definitely the place to stop by when you're in San Clemente!
I continue to be more and more impressed by Zebra House Coffee! The owners are amazing! So nice and such individualized service which is so rare. The coffee is delicious. The food is AMAZING! There mochas are made with real ground chocolate. They also have a banana blended mocha that tasted like a chocolate truffle. The mango basil smoothie....delish beyond words! I look forward to trying something new every time I go. Plus, a drive through?!? Perfection! GO HERE!
Review Source:I came in after closing time but the owner was really great and accommodating. Â He was a bit odd looking but was very friendly and interesting to talk to, we chatted away for quite a while. Â The latte was amazing, and I'm a bit of a coffee snob. Â The atmosphere was laid back and cool. Â I even bought and took home one of the local artist's work that was on the wall. Â I recommend this place because it's a great local business with superior product and a really cool California dude who runs it.
Review Source:Today was my first of many days here. Â Where should I start....I will make a list:
1. Â DRIVE THRU!!!!!!!! Â YAY!
2. Â Great latte with a Rosetta...very rare in these parts!
3. Â Free Wifi with purchase.
4. Â Comfy chairs and lots of tables.
5. Â Outside seating.
6. Â Crazy good muffins baked on site!!! Â Soooooo yummy!
7. Â Super friendly service...hometown feel...
8. Â Owner is a surfer. Â How appropriately awesome!
9. Â Tons of parking!
10. Good prices
11. Â Will eventually start taking credit cards.
12. Â Power outlets everywhere.
13. Â Did I mention awesome coffee?
There you go! Â If you are short on time...DRIVE THRU!!!
I am very happy that decent coffee is finally making it to San Clemente. Â
They get their beans from Klatch coffee out in the i.e.. Â And they have all intentions of preparing the coffee right.
Have they just opened? Â Sure.
Will they make some changes in the next couple months as they work the kinks out? Â Probably.
BUT I am very happy with both the cappuccino and the coffee I had there today.
The place is clean, it is convenient and like I said before I am happy that decent coffee has finally come to town.
People who go to starbucks or any of the other chains and think that coffee tastes better... can keep going there. Â Because they don't like coffee, they like sugar drinks. Â
People who like good coffee that is not over-roasted will get it and will be happy this place is here.
It is welcoming and fits our city sooo well.
good job guys.
i am rooting for ya!
I chose two stars because that rating is equal to "Meh. I've experienced better." That was exactly how I felt when I left.
Pros:
It's locally owned. I am not anti-chain, but like to stimulate the economy by keeping the money local.Better parking lot. I am a Coffee Bean goer and hate the parking lot, always feel like I'm going to get my chai with a side order of a call to AAA when some idiot hits my car.There's a drive-thru, perfect when you want to pull thru, get your order and get back on the road to whatever nasty job requires caffeine stimulation in order to survive. Sadly there are only three pros.
Cons:
No credit/debit cards. Um, it's 2011 people use their cards for almost everything. Not taking plastic drastically reduced the convenience factor.(Rumor has it that they will get cars at some point) I don't drink drip coffee so no opinion on it. I, am, however a chai drinker. So far, Coffee Bean are the only ones that don't screw it up. For those that have never had it, chai is not a powder, it's a type of tea. Which is where my problem lies. My chai latte this morning was not made from the tea. Huge thumbs down on that one.
As much as I hate to say it, for the lack of credit cards and imitation chai I paid $4.30 for I will still be giving my business to coffee bean in spite of their lack of planning for parking when leasing retail space because their product tastes right and I get more "cluck" for my buck.
Friendly staff; bright, colorful and airy location; accommodating (they whipped up a ciabatta egg and cheese breakfast sandwich for us at the merest hint of our desire); two great arm chairs and most importantly great coffee and local. Â Actually absolutely brilliant coffee. A major score for us after we dropped off the 5 northbound - but it will become a regular stop!
Review Source:If you want a hometown Coffee House that has great coffee, muffins, smoothies and more, than you need to check this place out. My Favorite is Robin's signature smoothie "Mango Basil" super refreshing & her freshly baked "Morning Glory" muffin mmmmmm=) Â but all in all "It's All Good". If you are in a hurry on your way to work or school just roll through the drive thru....I guarantee you'll be back!
Review Source:Super stoked a killer new family owned cafe in our neighborhood... before we were stuck with Starbucks/Coffee Bean, both good but there is nothing like a legit local cafe. They brew Klatch so you are getting the best and the family that runs the place is all time friendly; Jay was a forever teacher at Capo Valley and has the coolest goatee ever and Robin is just too nice. Glad to see you guys open and thanks for the free first cup of coffee, I'll be back... A LOT!
Review Source:
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