The newest gathering place at Irvine Towers and 101 W Broadway will soon be Copa Vida, a local favorite known for its delicious dishes and craveable coffee drinks that keep guests coming back. Their motto is “Coffee | Tea | Food | Life,” and it’s clear they care about bringing the very best of all four ideals together in one welcoming place.
Beautiful Beginnings
Long before Copa Vida owners Steve and Elena Chang were scoping out the best beans to brew, they owned a successful noodle business. But their globetrotting adventures inspired them to pursue a new path: one that included roasting and brewing excellent coffee and crafting delicious food–and building community along the way.
What’s In a Name
The name Copa Vida is a play on “pura vida,” which is a phrase used often in Costa Rica to describe the way of life. Steve and Elena wanted everyone to feel welcome at Copa Vida, so they created a gathering place for people from all walks of life to come in and enjoy a cup together.
Fresh & Delicious
One of the reasons Copa Vida has been so successful with their existing locations is their eclectic menu. From artisan-roasted coffee and tea drinks to fresh and seasonal food, Copa Vida offers the very best of everything. They’re known for their brekkie sandwiches, rice bowls, and fresh, seasonal salads featuring homemade ingredients–not to mention their freshly baked bread, made daily on the premises.
Copa Vida makes their sauces in-house too, thanks in part to classically trained executive chef Destiny Antommarchi. With her extensive knowledge and training, Chef Destiny has developed an impressive seasonal menu, switching both beverage and food menu items up several times a year to create fresh and inspired in-season offerings.
All About the Coffee (And the Tea)
Copa Vida’s coffee is ethically sourced, with both single-origin and blended offerings. Instead of roasting all the beans to a profile, they categorize the beans pre-roasting into three categories: Go (sweet and nutty), Enjoy (fruity and floral) and Experience (award-winners).
Grace is their most popular blend, an espresso blend that can be used for espresso or as a pour-over. El Puente is a Good Foods award winning Columbian roast, or try Steadfast for a popular dark roast.
Copa Vida also features a selection of artisanal teas, including green, black and herbal varieties, as well as tea lattes, nitro cold brews, and a variety of other refreshing beverages.
The two newest Copa Vida locations are at Irvine Towers 18400 Von Karman Ave in Irvine and 101 West Broadway in San Diego.
