The Best Places for Coffee in Los Angeles
You would think that in a city the size of Los Angeles finding a good cup of coffee would be easy. It turns out that it really isn't. The problem is that Los Angeles really hasn't embraced the coffee shop lifestyle like they have in places like Seattle. It may have to do with the weather, in a place like Seattle where it rains all day people probably have nothing better to do than to sit inside and drink coffee.
Nevertheless we are starting to see things change as more and more coffee shops appear in Los Angeles. Some of these are quite good. Which raises the obvious question of which ones are the best? Following are the ten best places to get a coffee in Los Angeles, at least as we see it. Click on the arrows to scroll through our array of favourite coffee places in Los Angeles...
The Balconi Coffee Company
Located at the corner of Olympic and Sawtelle this is the new location of one of the most popular coffee shops in the city. After losing their lease on their old shop they relocated much to the relief of coffee lovers everywhere. One of the reasons for the popularity of this shop is that they offer beans from a variety of different roasters giving visitors a chance to sample many different choices.
Cafecito Organico
They have two locations but it is generally agreed that the better of the two is one located on Heliotrope. They source their own beans from around the world and do the roasting themselves; it is the only way that they can be sure that their beans truly are organic. Because of this the staff have really become experts on coffee which can be a great resource if you want to learn more about the subject. They can explain the difference between beans grown in different parts of the world and they can make you a cup of coffee that will allow you to sample the different beans.
Espresso Cielo
This shop is located on Main Street between Santa Monica and Venice. They are best known for the color blue, the shop is blue and the coffee is served in blue cups. However the coffee is also excellent, they are one of the few places in Los Angeles where you can get coffer from 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters, definitely something that you are going to want to try.
Coffee Commissary
The thing that you will notice about this shop located on N. Fairfax is the coffee, which is good because it is really the only thing there. Unlike a lot of coffee shops that are designed to invite you to sit and enjoy your coffee The Coffer Commissary takes a different approach, the design is what you would call minimalist. What they do have going for them is some of the best coffee in Los Angeles from several different roasters, many of which are not seen at other coffee shops in the city.
Coffee Bar
Located on S. Spring Street Coffee Bar is probably the most quintessential coffee shop in Los Angeles. When you think of a coffee shop this is what most people think of, except possibly for the size, the place is huge. They offer beans from a variety of different roasters. It may be worth the trip just to see the espresso machine which apparently cost over eighteen thousand dollars, but it does give you an excellent shot of espresso.
Spring for Coffee
Located just down the street from Coffee Bar this shop could not be more different. Where Coffee Bar is huge and is designed for people who want to sit and relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, Spring for Coffee is tiny and really intended for people who are on the go. What the two shops do have in common however is excellent coffee. With beans from a number of different roasters, including some that are not all that common in Los Angeles you can get your perfect cup of coffee.
Intelligentsia
They have three locations in the Los Angeles area and they are quickly becoming one of the more popular options. That being said they may not be for everybody. As the name implies there is a bit of vibe about the place, mostly it appeals to the coffee snob type of people who like to sit in and have intellectual discussions. They do however brew an excellent cup of coffee and the vibe certainly does appeal to a lot of people.
Bru Coffee Bar
This is one of the newer shops in Los Angeles, located on Vermont Avenue. The brew beans from Ritual Coffee Roasters which are some of the better ones that you will find anywhere. The place appeals mainly to a younger crowd but is definitely a good place to get a cup of coffee.
Cognoscenti Coffee
This shop located on Glendale Blvd. is also fairly new, at least at this location. Initially they ran a coffee stand inside of a yogurt shop but have recently decided to go out on their own. The owner of the shop is well known for being obsessed with brewing the perfect cup of coffee and he really focuses on the details that are required to make that happen. Not surprisingly the coffee is excellent.
Café de Leche
Located in Highland Park they are one of the few coffee shops in the area, good thing they brew an outstanding cup of coffee. They are pretty much exactly what you would expect to find in a top coffee shop they just happen to be located in an area where you don't normally expect to see one. That is what really makes them standout but they are definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a good coffee.
