So many good coffee... so little time...
I don't consider myself a coffee expert at all. Not by a long shot. I just know what I like and don't like. I love the smell and taste of coffee but I don't like the burnt flavor or aftertaste I get with some coffee... and it happens with tea too!
I am ever so grateful that the "coffee culture" arrived in Los Angeles and we can have what other major cities have been enjoying for centuries!
Dulce Dos
The Row DTLA
777 S Alameda St, B1 Suite 130, Los Angeles CA
https://rowdtla.com/collective/cafe-dulce-dulce-dos
Dulce Dos is located on the lobby level of an office building inside The Row in DTLA. They use Heart Coffee and I really like those beans because they are "light"... I'm not exactly sure how many shots of espresso they put in one drink because their drinks certainly packs a punch.
La Colombe
La Colombe came into my radar because I read an article somewhere (if I knew I'd be blogging, I would have saved all these articles as references) that talked about La Colombe doing "draft lattes". What the heck is a "draft latte"? Tried it... and kept coming back! Lucky for us Angelenos, La Colombe has four different locations in LA.
Caffe Luxxe
225 26th St., Santa Monica, CA 90402
Before I was even aware of the coffee scene's third wave in LA, I am pretty darned sure that Caffe Luxxe has been at Brentwood Country Mart serving up great tasting espresso drinks. My personal suggestion, get their Caffe Nico.
Deus Ex Machina
1001 Venice Blvd. Venice CA 90290
Deus Ex Machina is a cycle and men's fashion shop primarily, but isn't it great they opened a cafe too?! Probably the only cafe you'll find in LA where the main attraction are the bikes.
Two Guns
https://www.twogunsespresso.com/
Super strong coffee - one weeks worth of energy - packed into one coffee cup. And their El Segundo one has a full menu too!
Alfred
8428 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069
12077 Ventura Place, Studio City, CA 91604
705 N Alfred Street, Los Angeles, CA 90069
The first Alfred I have ever been to was in Melrose Place and I was charmed. Good coffee... with a "hole-in-the-wall" feel to it. I know, I know - "Melrose Place? Hole-in-the-wall?!". You had to go to the basement to order and the place was tiny. And the coffee was strong as heck! Although that was to be expected since it's Stumptown Coffee.
I was ever so glad Alfred opened one in the Valley!
Also, the best matcha latte I've ever had was from Alfred Tea (on Alfred Street).
Bluestone Lane
12186 Ventura Blvd, Studio City CA 91604
631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90401
https://bluestonelane.com/
Whoa! Strong coffee. Good coffee! Even better --- they have MILO!!!! My childhood favorite! I am so going to get my kids into it too!
Paramount Coffee Project
The Row DTLA - 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90036
https://www.pcpfx.com/restaurant
When I read about this Australian coffee cafe, a result of a food collaboration, I saved it as a place to try. Months (maybe years?) later, when I visited The Row in DTLA, I found that Paramount Coffee Project opened a branch in here! I finally got to try their coffee. And it's been my go-to in DTLA ever since.
Verve Coffee Roasters
www.vervecoffee.com
Verve Coffee Roasters popped up in a new coffees in LA list and I'm glad it did -- Verve serves consistently good coffee and they have good space to enjoy your coffee too.
Blue Bottle
1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice CA 90291
300 South Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90013
11962 Ventura Blvd, Studio City CA 91604
One of my favorite San Francisco coffee for the longest time! And then they finally decided to share the love in LA! Thank you!
Intelligentsia
3922 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles California 90029
1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice California 90291
55 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena California 91105
I will always always always have a special place in my heart for Intelligentsia Coffee. I quit coffee years (more appendages than I have) ago because I got tired of the "burnt" aftertastes and the heartburn. But then I read an article on how Intelligentsia Coffee is revolutionizing the way we drink coffee in LA by bringing in freshly roasted beans. I used to work a block down from the Intelligentsia warehouse in Atwater Village so I figured I'll give these local guys a try. Turns out the cafe itself was in Silver Lake, not Atwater Village, and when I walked in looking lost, the barista chose my coffee for me (black and iced) and told me he didn't put any sweeteners in it and I shouldn't either -- changed the way I thought and drank coffee ever since.
House Roots Coffee
16155 San Fernando Mission Blvd #3832, Granada Hills, CA 91344
http://houserootscoffee.com/
I followed House Roots Coffee to this location from their coffee lab on the second floor of a church on Balboa Blvd. House Roots is the best independent coffee place in the San Fernando Valley! No matter who is making your drink, it is always very good. The baristas ares so friendly and patient. It's like visiting the Cheers Bar - they remember the regulars, they converse with you if you need someone to talk to, or you can just work on your laptop if you need to. Proudly serving Heart Stereo Blend which is awesome awesome awesome!
Copa Vida
70 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena CA 91105
Truly one of the best coffee places in LA. I get it - it's in Pasadena, not LA, but it's close enough. Get their shakerato if you need some picker upper - it has a triple shot of espresso and sugar and iced. Fantastic. Their beans are pretty good too.
Click on the photo below for an interactive map.
I am always on the lookout for local eats. Feel free to post any suggestions in the comments below.
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