I don't think there are any specialty coffee shops as defined by the Specialty Coffee Association of America. (e.g. a place that is really pushing the boundaries in terms of brewed drip coffee or espresso drinks) In an absolute twist of irony, the SCAA is in Irvine though I thought it was in Santa Ana previously. Portola Coffee Lab would be the closest to it, and it only did moderately well at The District before it closed. I am holding out hope for a branch of Bodhi Leaf one day in the Irvine area.
Although in doing research for this post it seems like I need to try Wall Writers and Dose in The Box (aka Coffee Dose) that have both opened up in Irvine. I guess Lost Bean sorta counts too.