3of five · Espresso · Arts District
Zinc Café & Bar
Café, bakery & bar · $$
A Laguna Beach café that came to the Arts District in 2014 and made itself the neighborhood's front porch. There's a counter for coffee and house-baked pastries, an open kitchen and a quiet courtyard. Out back, Bar Mateo pours cocktails in a 1914 barn behind an olive grove.
Counter or table serviceGrab coffee and pastries from the takeaway counter, or book a courtyard table on Resy for brunch or dinner. Private lot next door; the Palmetto St garage is $2 per 15 minutes.
Good for
Weekend brunchThe courtyard, and lemon ricotta pancakes.
Coffee and a pastryA grab-and-go counter at the front.
Bringing the dogDogs welcome on the patio.
Save is private and adds it to your shortlist. Vouch is public: it tells the editor, but doesn't change the rank.