Explore the divine coffee scene of the City of Angels as you embark on a delightful tour, indulging in cups of pure bliss in aesthetically pleasing shops across LA.
G&B at Grand Central Market (DTLA)
On the west side of Grand Central Market, order espresso drinks and turmeric lattes at G&B, opened by the Go Get Em Tiger barista champions. While there, order Villas Tacos, Saritas Pupusas, and the many other culinary treats in this historic marketplace. Across the street, ride the tiny Angels Flight Railway or walk the east of the market on Broadway to step inside the idyllic lobby of the Bradbury Building.
Aquarela in the Cal Edison Building (DTLA)
A visit to this coffee cart offers a chance to see one of the most beautiful and iconic office buildings in Los Angeles. The Cal Edison was constructed in 1931 in an exuberant example of Art Deco style. Aquarela features farm-direct coffees from Brazil. For their Saúde Latte, they pour a shot of espresso over a fresh orange peel and serve with steamed milk and cinnamon.
Thank You Coffee (Chinatown)
This tiny coffee bar can be found inside the adorable Paper Plant stationery store. Order a Five Spice Latte made or a hojicha roasted green tea latte and walk into the colorful Chinatown Central Plaza to find the also super cute Chunky store and the Bruce Lee Sculpture.
Concierge Coffee (DTLA Arts District)
Concierge Coffee from Berlin recently opened in the downtown L.A. Arts District. In this minimalist space where Brutalist architecture meets Joshua Tree desert style, they focus on classic espresso drinks. Shop at Signal’s dynamic design-focused retail and hospitality spaces, including Flamingo Estate and Alchemy Works.
Kumquat Coffee (Highland Park)
This popular Highland Park café offers signature coffee and tea drinks on a cute street of shops and cafes. Kumquat serves a pour-over menu featuring some of the best coffee roasters from around the world. Their Cloudy drink pairs cold milk and espresso with peanut butter foam. Nearby, they opened a fondry bakery and a downtown LA cafe at the Jonathan Club.
Mandarin Coffee Stand (Pasadena)
The specialty drink menu at Mandarin Coffee Stand is creative. The setting, in the beautiful Burlington Arcade in the Lake Street shopping district, is a dreamy place to enjoy coffee. Try their Gui Hua Latte, which pairs espresso with osmanthus flower-infused honey, cardamom bitters, and oat milk.
South LA Cafe (Hollywood Bowl)
During the day, South LA Café has a coffee counter with an outdoor patio. Located in this famed concert venue’s Plaza Marketplace, the Black-owned, family-owned, and community-focused cafe operates daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during performances. Visit the Hollywood Bowl Museum, and most days, if they are not in the middle of sound check, you can walk into the historic amphitheater.
File Systems of Coffee (Hollywood)
Near Paramount Studios (tours available daily), step inside this new cafe and into a visionary office of the future. Coffee drinks feature JBS (Japanese black sugar) espresso and matcha lattes with more specialty options like the Hibiscus Yuzu Espresso Tonic. Relax among local creatives and designers in the cafe, and drinks are served in beautiful glassware and ceramic cups.
Dayglow (Silver Lake and West Hollywood)
Known for its ultra-creative signature menu and wide-ranging multi-roaster lineup of coffees, Dayglow is also the place to shop for coffee beans from the best roasters around the world. Next door, their partner ice cream shop, Awan, serves Indonesian-inspired plant-based ice cream in seasonal flavors, from Meyer lemon to mango vanilla swirl.
Maru Espresso Bar (Beverly Hills)
For many people, a visit to Los Angeles is not complete until they walk Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to pick up a designer item or at least window shop. Two blocks over at the Maybourne Hotel, Maru Coffee has opened a coffee bar featuring its locally roasted coffee. Here, they exclusively serve espresso-based drinks, including their Cream Top, made with an iced long black with sweet cream and cacao powder.
