Morning Lavender Boutique & Café
330 El Camino Real • Tustin, California 92780
morninglavendercafe.com • 714-486-1429
A visit to Morning Lavender Boutique & Café is like entering a glorious, feminine wonderland filled with floral patterns, pastel hues, Instagram-worthy beverages, and plenty of pretty dresses to dream about. As the name suggests, the café-boutique hybrid is curated to be an escape of sorts where people can gather to peruse beautiful clothing and share teatime together—either for a quick cup on-the-go or a leisurely afternoon tea—in an inspiring environment that fosters creativity and conversation. This unique concept in Tustin, California, is the brainchild of Kim Le Pham, the proud founder, tea devotee, and fashion blogger.
In 2014, Morning Lavender began as simply a women’s online clothing boutique. Kim Le, a former wedding photographer, was constantly in search of formal feminine styles that looked great in pictures. She figured that if she couldn’t find an existing store that housed this type of attire, then she should start one herself. And so, she did, and four years later in 2018, she opened a brick- and-mortar version of the store with the addition of an afternoon-tea café. “I go to Europe and Asia often and see the mixed-use concept of a boutique and café in one,” explains Kim Le. “With my wedding background, I knew that a place where people could gather for bridal showers and special events would be fun and interesting.” With a longtime appreciation for the art of tea and a love for attending afternoon tea at upscale hotels, Kim Le desired to recreate the ritzy tea experience in a friendlier fashion where people didn’t feel out of place or uncomfortable. The café portion of the business serves as an approachable and more modern way to enjoy teatime in a setting that feels relaxed yet elevated at the same time.
Whether customers decide to savor a traditional afternoon-tea service or would rather choose an energizing pick-me-up in the form of an artisan drink and pastry, a trip to Morning Lavender Café is nothing short of special. In the summer months especially, the patio is idyllic and sunshine-filled to create a picture-perfect backdrop for teatime that is evocative of European dining. For $37 per person, guests are presented with one seasonal scone, a sampling of finger sandwiches, three petite desserts, and a teapot of the tea of their choice. The children’s menu ($25 for ages 6 to 13) is modified to two sandwiches and two sweets. To pair with the delectable bites, a wonderful tea selection that includes Earl Grey Classic, Masala Chai Classic, Strawberry Rose Champagne, and a few herbal teas, like Celebration Medley and Rouge Provence, to name a few, are sure to satisfy the tastebuds. For those to whom an expertly crafted specialty beverage is more appealing, Lavender Milk Tea, Matcha Latte, Peach Green Tea, or a classic London Fog are excellent options. Refreshing Lavender Mimosas and Frosé, also known as frozen Rosé, are additionally available à la carte.
“I don’t think there are too many concepts like this out there,” says Kim Le. “It changes the way people see tea, and it’s an alternative place for people to gather and hold events” For the past eight years, Kim Le’s ingenuity and dedication to bringing her dreams to fruition have resulted in a charming haven for those who appreciate the intersection of tea and fashion. And for those who have yet to experience Morning Lavender Café and Boutique, there’s a fruity or floral infusion and stylish frock waiting to be discovered.
Morning Lavender’s afternoon-tea service is available by reservation only between February and November on Saturdays and Sundays at the seating times of 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. The boutique and café are open Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
