WHY Nice people, good organic coffee, smoothies and chai, copies of the L.A. Weekly and free WiFi. WHAT A bright yet soothing space done in earth tones makes for a comfortable spot to sit with a cappuccino or an iced chai latte. Interesting art-for-sale, too. WHO Writers, artists, friends meeting to chat quietly and assorted [...]
WHY The best takeout coffee in the area and, if you have time to sit down and eat, very good food, too. WHAT This is not really a place to sit with just a cup of coffee and linger—the people waiting for a table for breakfast or lunch will look daggers at you—but it’s a [...]
WHY A mellow (despite the name) hangout with good coffee and smoothies. WHAT A friendly neighborhood coffeehouse with free WiFi, lots of Laptop People, dogs (and smokers) on the patio and good coffee made until 1 a.m. on weekends. WHO Writers and locals who want to look like writers, tapping away on their MacBooks while [...]
WHY For an obsessive approach to perfect coffee, made in a Clover or tableside via Chemex, served in the swankiest coffee shop in town. Excellent cold-brewed iced coffee, too. WHAT Is it a coffeehouse or a restaurant? The answer seems to be the latter, thanks to the menu by consulting chef Michael Cimarusti (Providence). But [...]
WHY Mellow vibe, good coffee, amusing people-watching. WHAT Try for a coveted sidewalk table at this funky (think Berkeley in the ’70s) place in the heart of ultra-hip Abbot Kinney. Or check out the two inside rooms, where you can grab a sandwich or settle in for the afternoon with a laptop or sketchbook. WHO [...]
WHY So you can be greeted by your own personal barista. WHAT When this offshoot of the Chicago-by-way-of-Silver-Lake coffeehouse opened on Abbot Kinney, you’d have thought the Obamas themselves were pulling espressos from the Synesso machines. Coffee geeks walk into this light-filled industrial space and begin hyperventilating at the sight of the Mazzer grinders and [...]
WHY A mellow alternative to Silver Lake’s over-caffeinated coffee scene. WHAT Housed in a faux-lighthouse building on none-too-gentrified Hoover Street, this place started selling organic fair-trade beans at local farmers’ markets before opening the café. With free WiFi, a large covered patio and baked goods from Echo Park’s Delilah Bakery, it’s a funky and calm [...]
WHY For an all-fruit smoothie with a side of Hollyweird. WHAT At this tiny, family-run juice joint, a hand-painted menu covers one wall, bananas hang everywhere, and the place smells fresh and fruity. The cantaloupe smoothie is surprisingly great, but the Pink Cloud (strawberry, banana, milk, and honey) is a sure bet. Stick around with [...]
WHY Just when you think Westwood is nothing but chains, you find this charming spot with rich, creamy espresso pulled by people who love it. WHAT In an atmospheric 1927 brick building in the heart of the Village, Espresso Profeta has it all: beautiful coffee drinks made from custom-roasted beans, food from Breadbar and Buttercake [...]
WHY Delicious, fresh licuados, smoothies and juices. WHAT In Mercado La Paloma, a nonprofit community center with restaurants, shops and meeting spaces, this Oaxacan stand makes very good juice drinks that go beautifully with the food from the famed Mo-Chica and the excellent Chichen Itza. Homemade ice creams, too. WHO Latino families and USC students [...]
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