Today I’m sharing a list of my favorite LA coffee shops with you. If you’ve been reading this blog for long enough, you know that I can consume copious amounts of coffee. At one point in time, made it my mission to try to visit every specialty coffee shop in Los Angeles. What I love about exploring coffee shops is that it has provided me with a very inexpensive way to treat myself and enabled me to explore different neighborhoods that I wouldn’t have visited otherwise. If you’re in the LA area, I hope this list inspires you to do the same!
Float
This coffee shop is nestled inside the cutest arcade, complete with a red telephone booth, in Pasadena’s South Lake Ave. Float brews delicious espresso drinks using Coava coffee. However, if caffeine is not your thing, they also serves amazing sandwiches and ice cream floats. Another thing that I love about Float is that they’re really into the idea of creating a sense of community. Float often partner with small businesses for events throughout the year. And, if you’re in the Northeast LA or Pasadena area and looking for something to do in the summer, they also host an annual CineRamaDena movie festival. This shop is also located next to my favorite stationery store, Tiny Universe, so you should also check it out while you’re there.
G&B
Unlike at other coffee shops where you stand in line, at G&B you take a spot at the bar and the baristas come to you. The shop is located inside Grand Central Market, meaning you can also shop for your groceries and indulge in some good eats all in the same place. Last time I visited, I was pleasantly surprised to see that G&B went through some renovations and the bar area now wraps around the shop. This basically means that you no longer have to fight with other people to grab a spot which used to be a hassle whenever it got really busy. If you’re in the Larchmont Village area, you should also check out G&B’s other location Go Get Em Tiger.
Cognoscenti (Atwater Village) /Proof Bakery
Cognoscenti/Proof Bakery was one of those places that I wished were closer to where I lived while I was still in LA. Proof has such an amazing selection of delicious pastries that I just keep wanting to go back and try them all. In the past I’ve tried their flourless chocolate torte, seasonal galette, and almond tea cake, all of which were delectable. Of course, these baked goods would not taste as good without a nice cup o’ joe, which is why Cognoscenti’s pop-up shop is the perfect addition to this space. This shop does tend to get a bit crowded, so come prepared to fight for a table if you plan to dine in.
Fun fact: I ran into Fabrizio Moretti, the drummer of The Strokes and my childhood celebrity crush, last time I paid a visit to Proof Bakery/Cognoscenti. We made eye contact and he briefly apologized for bumping into me and being in my way as I went up to the counter to get my drink, all while I stood there frozen and not knowing what to say. I cannot say that this made my eating and drinking experience any better, but I do suspect that my fondness for this bakery/coffee shop will forever be influenced by this memory. 😉
Blacktop
I’ve featured Blacktop here and here, so I think it’s easy to assume that it is one of my favorite places to grab a cupa. This awesome coffee shop is conveniently located in the LA Arts District, next to a few of my favorite restaurants and shops in downtown such as the Pie Hole and Poketo. What also makes Blacktop very inviting is that they serve delicious coffee and food, have a gorgeous outdoor seating area, and there is often a fun food truck parked right in front of the shop.
Copa Vida
I never had the urge to become a regular at a coffee shop until Copa Vida opened its doors a bit over two years ago, and it’s been my favorite place to grab a cup of coffee ever since. What makes Copa Vida so great is not only the delicious coffee they serve, but also the beautiful minimalist design of the space and the amazing customer service. Copa Vida also has an awesome brunch menu, a nice selection of donuts from Donut Snob and they even roast their own beans. This spot has become quite popular since I first started coming here and it’s not uncommon to see a line going out the door. My strategy for beating the crowd is to get there before 10 AM, which is also convenient since all street parking is free before 11 AM in Pasadena.
Found
Found is a very recent and much-needed addition to the neighborhood of Eagle Rock. This coffee shop is located inside a very small strip mall and was a bit hard for me to find at first, but the coffee was definitely worth driving around the block a few times. Found offers a delicious selection of tea and caffeinated beverages, including a scrumptious bourbon latte. The shop also carries animal-shaped donuts from Fantastic Donuts, so you can get your fix of these cute and yummy treats here if this location is more convenient to you than making the trip down to Korea Town.
Cafe Dulce
Cafe Dulce has been a favorite of mine since it opened its doors in 2011. This coffee shop is located inside the lively Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo, and has a very unique and yummy beverage and pastry menu. I love their selection of cakes and donuts baked in-house, including my favorite green tea donut. They also have a great rotating menu of seasonal drinks throughout the year–I tried their iced eggnog latte over the holiday season and it was absolutely delicious!
Cafe de Leche
What keeps me coming back to Cafe de Leche in Highland Park is the coffee shop’s delicious horchata with espresso drink, a delicious concoction consisting of two of my favorite beverages. If espresso is not your beverage of choice, they also serve a chai and horchata drink. This fun coffee shop is located in the lovely York Blvd, and is a great place to hang out with friends or family–they have a nice play area for kids if you need a nice location for a play date.
Home Brewed Bar
Home Brewed Bar is my go-to place whenever I have a major craving for boba tea. What makes this coffee shop so unique is its very extensive drink menu consisting of a variety of flavors, alternative milk options, and tapioca. In short, you can pretty much say that the drink combinations at this shop are endless! On top of that, I also love that the staff is always very friendly and helpful, especially when it comes to helping you create the perfect beverage.
Lavender and Honey Espresso Bar
I’m usually not a huge fan of sugary beverages, but that’s one thing that I would say that Lavender and Honey is really great at doing. On top of a traditional espresso and tea menu, they have a few drinks infused with lavender and honey. I tried their honeybee latte last time I visited and it had the perfect amount of sweetness for my taste. This coffee shop also offers a nice selection of tea, lemonade and a delicious sandwich and toast menu, so it’s also a great place to grab lunch.
Demitasse
Demitasse is another favorite of mine also located in Little Tokyo. Aside from loving their coffee (which they roast themselves), I’m also a huge fan of their sipping chocolate. As you can see in the picture above, it’s really thick and comes with a giant marshmallow.
Taza
Taza is one of those places that I would highly recommend sitting down to drink your cup of coffee. This place is so cute and every little corner is so well-curated, and it seems like a waste to just walk in and out. Plus, this place also serves waffles which makes it a great place to meet up for breakfast or brunch.
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Daily Dose Cafe
The Daily Dose Cafe is more of a cafe than a coffee shop. However, I think they still deserve a mention on this list. What I love about the Daily Dose Cafe is that it is such a romantic place. This gorgeous space is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon or evening. The Daily Dose Cafe serves coffee, tea, freshly made juices and their food menu contains organic and locally grown ingredients.
