The one thing I miss from the East coast is Dunkin Donuts and the first thing people say in Los Angeles is, “there are tons of donut shops here”. I have to explain, it’s not the donuts. It’s the coffee. I mean they double brew it people! Oh well. I may not have Dunkin Donuts here, but there are some great spots to grab a cup o’ joe:
Cognoscenti Coffee
This coffee “pop-up” at Proof Bakery has become the hangout for espresso and brewed coffee lovers. There’s always a rotating list of top roasters available. Plus, take away some fresh beans for home. They are always available. They also have espresso drinks, using organic “barista” milk from Straus Creamery. 3156 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, 90039; 323.319.6459
Intelligentsia
This full service cafe has simple meals alongside their incredible coffee service. There’s also a number of craft beers and wines available. At the Silver Lake, Intelligentsia blends high quality coffee with an Eastside ambiance and a huge patio that overlooks Sunset Blvd. The Venice location is a high-design space with an industrial, modern look with a casual outside atrium that’s ideal for people-watching along Venice’s Abbot Kinney. Here, the back-bar stretches the bounds of what coffee can be with a special menu that depends on the barista’s choice. Pasadena 55 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 91103, 626.578.1270; Silver Lake, 3922 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 90029, 323.663.6173; Venice, 1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 90291
Handsome Coffee Roasters
The newest of Los Angeles coffee shops, it’s one of the first to have a full roasting and packaging area behind the front coffee bar. The menu is simple, with espresso and various amounts of steam milk and one or two different brewed coffees available each day. Pastries from Proof Bakery are also available. 582 Mateo St., Los Angeles, 90013; 323.606.3593
Espresso Cielo
Featuring Vancouver’s highly-regarded 49th Parallel roasters, this Santa Monica coffee bar displays latte art with a sunny setting just steps from the beach. 3101 Main St., Santa Monica, 90405; 310.314.9999
Spring For Coffee
This tiny, walk up, takes some hints from Manhattan with roasts from Stumptown, Blue Bottle and Ritual. Pourover brews via Chemex and Hario V60 are also available. 548 S Spring St., Los Angeles, 90013; 213.228.0041
Cafecito Organico
After making a name for themselves at local farmer’s markets, Cafecito roasts their own organic, fair-trade beans. This laid back spot cna be found at Hoover and Heliotrope. they are both the “sit all-day in a coffee shop” kind of spots. 534 N Hoover St., Los Angeles, 90004; 213.537.8367
Paper or Plastik
Get a view of Pico Blvd in this airy room that has beans from Intelligentsia and Ecco Caffe. All together, it makes for one of the best Pourover coffees come via Hario V60. 5772 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90019; 323.935.0268
Coffee Commissary
One of the first to have the multi-roaster model in Los Angeles, this spot is open and full of seating. They roast Coava, Sightglass and Victrola beans on rotation. 801 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, 90046; 323.782.1465
Tiago Coffee
As for specialty coffee in Hollywood, this is your main spot. Tiago features Intelligentsia, Handsome Roasters and San Jose’s Barefoot Coffee. 7080 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 90028; 323.466.5600
Single Origin
Located next to the late Amy Pressman’s Short Cake, Nik Krankl takes Santa Cruz’s Verve Coffee and serves it with spectacular pastries. Single origin pourover brews are the stars, while custom espresso machines and grinders create awakening shots. Ceramic cups and wooden trays allow you to take your drink to the Farmers Market and people watch. W 3rd St., Los Angeles, 90036; 323.761.7976
Bru Coffee Bar
The simple interior allows the Ritual Coffee program here to take center stage. A pourover program with Hario V60’s serve single origin beans while a La Marzocco pulls sweet shots for those more inclined to espresso. 1866 North Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, 90027; 323.664.7500
The Refinery
This place serves up San Francisco’s Ritual Coffee right by 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The simple interior is perfect for a quiet work place. 413 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 90401; 310.986.2776
Cafe Dulce
This coffee shop and bakery features amazing house-made pastries along with superb espresso and brewed coffee program using La Mill Coffee. 134 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, 90012; 213.346.9910
Cafe Demitasse
This Little Tokyo cafe uses Equator Coffee, with a siphon coffee brewer or on La Marzocco espresso machines. They also have a rotating list of local roasters, like Handsome Coffee, so you can taste something different from time to time. 135 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, 90012; 213.613.9300
