Taco Bell has long been the go-to for late-night tacos and Baja Blasts, but the brand is now making a major play for your morning coffee run. On September 16, Taco Bell officially opened two new Live Más Café locations in San Diego and Irvine, rolling out a café-style twist that makes drinks the star of the show.
The Live Más Café is a café-within-a-Taco Bell that serves more than 20 handcrafted drinks, from iced Mexican mochas to fruity Refrescas made with freeze-dried fruit. “Bellristas” whip them up behind the counter, shaking, blending, and pouring like you’d see at any coffee shop. Turns out, Taco Bell doesn’t just want to feed you at midnight—they want to help you start your mornings off right, too.
What’s On the Menu?
You’ll find specialty iced coffees, energy-boosting green tea Refrescas, and frozen slushy-style Refresca Freezes. Seasonal items keep things fresh too—like the Caramel Apple Empanada Chiller, a frozen drink blended with pieces of Taco Bell’s cult-favorite empanada. It’s only available for a limited time at the Chula Vista, San Diego, and UC Irvine locations.
The menu is stacked with sweet and refreshing options. There’s a Strawberry Matcha Chiller, a Mexican Chocolate Churro Chiller, and even a Dirty Baja Blast Dream Soda. Coffee drinkers get choices like the Cinnabon Caramel Latte or a simple Coffee Horchata, and if you’re looking for a kick, the café serves energy drinks from Rockstar and Celsius.
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More Cafés Are On The Way
For now, Live Más Café is a Southern California thing, with locations in Chula Vista, San Diego, and Irvine. But Taco Bell isn’t stopping there. The brand has said it plans to add about 30 cafés by the end of 2025, with some opening outside of California in Texas. That means the concept won’t stay regional for long. Whether you’re chasing a churro chiller or just want an iced coffee that isn’t from your usual chain, chances are good a Live Más Café could pop up closer to you soon.
The cafés also keep longer hours than you’d expect. Irvine’s usually runs from 7 a.m. until 3 a.m., and San Diego’s is open 24 hours, making it just as much of a late-night option as a morning pit stop. Ordering happens through digital kiosks, with Bellristas blending and brewing drinks to order, giving the space more of a coffee shop feel than a fast-food counter. It’s Taco Bell’s way of sliding into your daily routine, whether that’s a caffeine boost before work or a frozen Refresca after hours.
