As a fiercely loyal customer of popular Diamond Bar cafe The Mugs since 2023, I was shocked to see a completely new space when I stepped into the coffee shop this summer. My go-to local study spot was now known as…Outpost Coffee?
Outpost Coffee had its grand opening on Aug. 1, still located at 20657 Golden Springs Drive but with a different owner and a brand new vibe—setting it distinctly apart from its previous branding as The Mugs. The cafe underwent interior design renovations during the summer, along with the addition of a few extra items to the original menu and changes in staff.
I was originally skeptical of the store’s modern makeover. In my opinion, “Wanna go study at The Mugs?” sounds way catchier than “Wanna go study at Outpost Coffee?”, and the abrupt shift in both the cafe’s name and energy caught me off guard.
However, the new staff greeted their customers warmly, and even introduced themselves and offered free samples of their new drinks to people who walked in. They immediately made me feel more at ease about adjusting to the new setting and seemed passionate about giving everyone an inviting experience.
Outpost Coffee is now illuminated with white lighting, and both the walls and tables are constructed of white and light brown wood—giving the space a more minimalistic and classy feel.
What once was a long, rectangular wooden table in the middle of the cafe has also been replaced by a polished white marble counter, accompanied by high cushioned chairs. Plants in vases and brightly lit shelves furnish the corners, and the surrounding wooden tables are no longer rectangular and brown with sharp edges but round and cream-colored.
I appreciate the new sage green chairs that add a pop of color to the otherwise cool-toned atmosphere, and they are much more comfortable for my posture than the cafe’s original short metal chairs.
Something I loved most about The Mugs was its homey vibe, with ambient warm lights and simple, red-brown wooden furniture that created a cozy atmosphere for me to lock in on my homework. Since this place has been my second home for the past two years, I find myself missing the more comforting and relaxed environment of The Mugs compared to Outpost Coffee. I’m definitely not used to the new elegant aesthetic.
Overall, the menu kept most of its offerings and prices the same. Some new items include the Outpost latte ($6.75), the cafe’s signature and crowd favorite—which consists of a base of New-Orleans-style coffee and is topped off with velvety, house-made cold cream—along with the banana cream matcha latte and an assortment of bagels.
I got my typical order, an iced strawberry matcha ($7.00) and strawberry croffle ($8.00) (a croissant-waffle fusion topped with strawberry cream and cut strawberries), to see if anything had changed. The croffle tasted just as sweet and delicious as before, with a pastry-to-cream texture ratio that was just right. However, my drink disappointedly tasted 99 percent strawberry flavor and 1 percent matcha—making it overpowering and a bit too fruity for my liking.
Despite its changes, Outpost Coffee still serves as a cute and calming study space, and I will definitely remain a regular customer. I give my overall experience here a 3.5/5 stars. Although I’m still in mourning over The Mugs and will miss our memories together forever, I think it’s time for everyone to give Outpost a chance. The store is open from 7 to 9 p.m. daily, and offers free WiFi for guests.
