Black Heart Coffee Co.

7135 Balboa Blvd, Lake Balboa, CA 91406, United States
+1 818-285-8740
$$$ Coffee shop
(350 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Black Heart Coffee Co. is a casual, well-loved coffee shop tucked along Balboa Blvd in Lake Balboa. It’s the kind of spot where locals swing by for a solid cup of coffee—whether that’s a straightforward espresso or something more crafted like their signature Black Heart Latte or the less common Black Sesame Latte. The coffee quality consistently draws folks through its doors, with a barista who clearly knows their pour.

The atmosphere inside leans cozy but can get fairly busy during typical mid-morning rush hours (roughly 10 to 12 pm), which means grabbing a seat indoors might be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, there’s outdoor seating available, perfect when the Southern California sun is out and you want to linger over your drink or bite. The interior walls are adorned with interesting local art, giving the space a curated, neighborhood vibe rather than feeling like a generic chain.

Food-wise, the menu offers an intriguing blend of hearty breakfast and lunch options, though opinions are mixed. The Sunflower Avocado Toast stands out visually with its bright toppings, while more adventurous choices like the Kimchi Grilled Cheese bring a creative twist to familiar comfort foods. The Breakfast Burrito and Chilaquiles often catch other visitors’ attention, suggesting the kitchen focuses on bold flavors to complement the coffee. Pastries and lighter options like vegan lemon poppy cake make for good companions to your drink if you don’t want a full meal.

Local regulars tend to appreciate Black Heart Coffee as a reliable neighborhood stop—great for quick grab-and-go orders or settling in with a laptop if you arrive just before the peak crowd. The staff is known to be welcoming and helpful, which adds to the easy, laid-back feel of the place. There’s also a pick-up window dedicated to online orders, reflecting how many integrate this spot into their daily routines.

Best times to visit are mid-afternoon or right when they open, if you want to avoid the morning rush and have a better chance at indoor seating. This coffee shop fits perfectly for people who enjoy quality handcrafted coffee paired with inventive yet approachable food offerings, all within a relaxed, artful local setting.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Somewhat difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

350 Reviews
mo money

31 Dec 2025

This is a good coffee spot. Neat interior, friendly staff. Only ever eaten the tater tots, I'll bet they're frozen store-brand tots but they were gas nonetheless, especially with the sauce they serve them with. Espresso is good. The signature black heart is good also. Most recently I asked the guy taking my order what's better, their signature or the golden latte, and he told me the golden is less sweet and more healthy. I tried it, and indeed, it was real good, and tasted pretty healthy. 9/10 will be coming back. They serve full, like actual meals here too so when I get one of those I'll come back and update to an 8/10 or 10/10.

Travel Beyond Serendipity (Hope)

30 Dec 2025

Such a cute spot with some really cool art displays! We love stopping by for their drinks—they’re always spot on. It does get super busy between 10-12pm, so finding a seat inside can be a bit tricky, but luckily, they have outdoor seating too. We haven’t tried the food yet, but it definitely seems like a big draw since that’s what everyone around us was ordering. Can’t wait to go back and give it a try!

Taka H

09 Dec 2025

Should have tried The Bouquet burrito or the Chilaquiles. FOOD 3/5 It looks better than was it tasted! Sunflower Avocado Toast - BEAUTIFUL but tasted okay Mashed avocado, toasted red pepper flakes and blistered teardrop tomatoes topped with sunflower seeds, pickled red onions and micro greens on thick toasted multigrain bread. Azalea sandwich - HARD PASS FOR ME next time Smoky chipotle sauce, fried egg, Pepper Jack cheese, caramelized onions, black forest ham, crisp bacon and pico de gallo on a toasted ciabatta. Black Heart Latte New recipe made with *black sesame paste,* simple syrup and a little charcoal to keep the same spirit of the original. SERVICE 4/5 No issues from placing the order to picking up. AMBIENCE 4/5 Beautiful ambience and love the faux plants and artwork on the wall. They did a great job with the branding throughout and even outside. PARKING 4/5 Small lot in front and free street parking around

Masami Light

28 Nov 2025

Stopped quickly to go coffee. Coffee is very good mild pastries are very good fresh baked. For sure very popular spot. It was quite long line to order. They have pick up window on the side for online order customers too. Sugar choice : posted sugar choice photo

Carlo R. Carranza

14 Oct 2025

Black Heart Coffee Co. is a good spot! The coffee is top-notch, rich, and perfectly brewed. The atmosphere is cozy, and the staff is super friendly. It’s my go-to spot for a great cup and a relaxed vibe. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

Julie Mitchiner

12 Oct 2025

Black Heart Coffee Co. is the perfect spot for a good start to the day! The frittata was delicious, and the avocado toast felt truly gourmet. The pickled onions added a nice tangy taste to the toast. The butterscotch latte was absolutely divine. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the friendly staff made me feel so welcomed. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in town!

Tanya Tetchenko

17 Sep 2025

I recently visited Black Heart Coffee and absolutely loved it! The vibe is warm and welcoming, and the service was great. I ordered the avocado toast — and wow, it was so delicious! Perfectly seasoned, with fresh ingredients and a nice crunchy base. You can really tell they care about quality. Also tried their coffee, and it didn’t disappoint — smooth and full of flavor. Highly recommend this place for a cozy breakfast or brunch spot!

Gwydhar Gebien

15 Sep 2025

Visited Black Heart Coffee on a Friday lunch hour and it was abuzz with customers, so business seemed to be good. A little hard to spot (I was looking for it and drove right past it) but quite lovely once I found it. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating- loud in both places for someone like me who has trouble tuning out background noise, but manageable. I found the service on the slow side (all I got was a black coffee and there was only one person in front of me but there was still a wait.) I'd certainly go back again but wouldn't make it a regular haunt.

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