5 min read
LA Coffee Guide
Find the best coffee shops in LA. From specialty roasters to cozy neighborhood cafés, discover where Angelenos get their caffeine fix.
LA Coffee Culture
LA's coffee scene rivals any city in the world. Third-wave coffee roasters, indie cafés with character, and innovative drinks (oat milk was huge here first). Coffee shops double as remote workspaces — expect MacBooks everywhere. The Mediterranean climate means outdoor seating year-round.
Top Roasters
Intelligentsia (multiple locations) — the OG third-wave roaster, started in LA. Blue Bottle (multiple) — precision brewing, minimalist vibes. Verve (West Hollywood, DTLA) — Santa Cruz roaster, excellent espresso. Go Get Em Tiger (multiple) — local favorite with creative drinks. Maru (Arts District) — small-batch Japanese-style roasting.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Alfred (multiple locations) — the "But First, Coffee" spot, reliable WiFi. Dinosaur Coffee (Silver Lake) — local favorite, laid-back. Menotti's (Venice) — excellent coffee, beachy vibes. Demitasse (multiple) — known for unique lattes. Civil Coffee (Highland Park) — spacious, great for long sessions. Most have 2-3 hour laptop limits on weekends.
Specialty Drinks
LA loves creative coffee drinks. Alfred's Iced Vanilla Latte is iconic. Verve's Oat Cortado is smooth perfection. Go Get Em Tiger's Macchiato Flight lets you taste different preparations. In summer, look for espresso tonics and nitro cold brews. Matcha lattes are everywhere for non-coffee drinkers.
Neighborhood Coffee
Hollywood: Alfred, Bluestone Lane. Silver Lake: Intelligentsia, Dinosaur. Venice: Blue Bottle, Menotti's. DTLA: Verve, Maru, Poke Bar (café inside). Beverly Hills: Alfred, Urth Caffé. Santa Monica: Blue Bottle, Demitasse. Each neighborhood has its own coffee personality.
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