Rafael's Kitchen & Mad Coffee

Truly one of the best coffee experiences I’ve had to date! The owner, Ashley, is a ray of sunshine, and you can immediately tell this shop is her passion, pride, and joy. She makes you feel genuinely seen and takes the time to recommend new flavors and combinations that will truly blow you away. Their seasonal birthday cake latte will make you feel like it’s your birthday every day while it’s on the menu. It perfectly captures the heart of this place, celebrating people and building a growing community. It’s worth the drive no matter where you’re coming from. I’m so excited to make this a new staple coffee spot in my weekly routine!

OUTSTANDING Food and Coffee! Best breakfast place in Santa Ana. Our waitress Ari was amazing and recommended the best French Toast I’ve ever had. The Banana Bread Latte was out of this world. Can’t wait to come back to try their pizza!

This is our go-to Saturday morning brunch spot, and it never disappoints! The food is consistently excellent, and the menu variety keeps us coming back. If you’re a coffee lover, the tiramisu latte is an absolute must-try, it’s delicious! What really sets this place apart, though, is the hospitality. The staff is always welcoming and attentive, but we have to give a special shout-out to Kenya. She provides amazing service every single time and makes us feel right at home. Plus, having the option to sit inside or enjoy the outdoor seating is a huge bonus. Thank you, Kenya, for always taking such great care of us! FYI there’s parking in front of the place. They validate parking.

This was our first time visiting Rafael’s Kitchen & Mad Coffee, and the welcoming atmosphere and fresh, delicious food made it a truly memorable experience. A special thank you to Kenya, who provided superb service from start to finish. She was kind, knowledgeable, attentive, and effortlessly accommodated our large party. While waiting for my family to arrive, I learned a helpful tip: they validate parking (via a digital code—no paper stubs!) for both the multilevel parking garage behind them and the gated lot across the street. We loved the dog-friendly outdoor patio, which has a charming Parisian cafe vibe. As for the food, the flavors were authentic and tasty. My sister’s family ordered the Chilaquiles (pictured), Carnitas Omelette (pictured) and pancakes, while the rest of us dove into the Rafael’s and Santa Ana burritos (which were so good I forgot to take a photo!). We had a wonderful time and look forward to returning soon!

In Santa Ana for a work trip. Conveniently located right behind my hotel. I’ve had both lunch and breakfast here so far. The Cali Philly and Carnitas Omelette were fantastic. Food was hot and seemed incredibly fresh. Drip coffee is super smooth and satisfying. The servers are kind, efficient, and fast. Doesn’t hurt my wallet either. 10/10 recommend.