Vibes with a View
This retro-cool coffee concept brought a little midcentury modern flair to Surf City USA when it opened in the food hall in 2024. Located by Salon Republic, IYKYK! Coffee Lab is in the heart of Lot 579 with Popbar and Bear Flag Fish Co. nearby.
There are plenty of communal tables surrounding the open-concept shop, but the best seat in the house may be one of the bar stools along IYKYK! Coffee Lab’s high counter where vinyl listening stations beckon. After ordering, borrow some headphones, grab your favorite record from the rack set up nearby, and crank some tunes on your personal player…all while getting a front-row view of the baristas at work.
If you had a different kind of view in mind (this is Huntington Beach, after all), you just need to step through the back door. Take your matcha to go to enjoy ocean panoramas right outside the building.
Get Buzzed
The lab is where the magic happens as baristas whip through orders with practiced precision. You Salty Dog is a local favorite, an espresso-based signature drink featuring sea salt caramel and finished with a hint of hickory and maldon (try it iced with an extra shot). The flat white is also celebrated for its simplicity, handcrafted with the brand’s top-shelf Joyride espresso.
Visitors with a sweet tooth will love the Bonfire Cap, which pairs Joyride with a rich house-made mocha sauce, velvety milk, and a toasted marshmallow garnish. Vegans aren’t left out, either. The Chagaccino offers a sugar-free, keto-friendly take on a latte with mushroom mocha, Chaga powder, and your choice of coconut, oat, soy, or nut-based milk with no upcharge.
The piece de resistance of this coffee hot spot is the latte art. Baristas handle each cup as if they’re creating a masterpiece, plus the tech-savvy can scan a QR code to completely customize their art with their own photos, text, or pre-drawn designs.
Beyond the Bean
Despite the name, there’s so much more than just coffee on the menu at IYKYK! Coffee Lab. Ceremonial grade Ikigai matcha is prepared traditionally by baristas with a bamboo whisk for drinks like the creamy Strawberry Fields. If you like your matcha sweet, try the Coco Panda for a blend of pandan syrup and coconut milk. There’s even a “groms” menu offering kid-friendly sips including s’mores hot chocolate and a snickerdoodle milk swirled with caramel and sprinkled with cinnamon.
There’s no kitchen behind the lab here, but it’s not necessary when you team up with some of Huntington Beach’s best-loved eateries. Inside the glass case lining the counter are mouthwatering pastries from local gems like Bagelmania and Monster Muffins, home to the award-winning cinnamon rolls. You can also find delicacies from just out of town as well, like breads from Long Beach’s Nonna Mercato and the viral stuffed bagel from Calic Bagels in Los Angeles.
One thing to know before you go: Each drink is handcrafted, so practice patience. Spin some tunes, grab a book from the little lending library, or just soak up the vibes while you wait for a cup of the best coffee in Huntington Beach.
