Tag Archives: los angeles

Love Letters: To So Cal’s Specialty Coffee Shops ðŸ’Œ

Posted on by
Reply

Love and the smells of freshly ground coffee are in the air in Los Angeles, which inspired me to share more about the list of the Top 11 Southern California coffee shops that I’d posted on Instagram on New Year’s Eve as a 2023 cafe recap. Yes, it was indeed the top 11 because I couldn’t pick just 10, and the list was originally even longer. The So Cal coffee scene is strong, and there are too many amazing local shops to choose from.

Here’s some additional context on why the coffee shops that made my Top 11 List earned their spot among the greats. As the current hardships are severely impacting the local coffee shop scene, please make sure to go show your coffee shops love and support so that they can hopefully still be around for next Valentine’s Day and beyond. Note, the order the cafes are listed below is not a ranking, and they all have unique reasons for taking up space in my heart, and hopefully soon your heart as well.   

Pro Tip: Save this list for your next coffee date.

Modern Coffee Menu printed sign available at GoodPeople on Santa Monica Blvd. Containing the list of coffees that can be served as espresso, flat white, or pour over, including the roaster, region, processing, and flavor notes. Sign held in front of retail shelf containing oat milk, almond milk, and bags of coffee.
Iced Espresso Tonic beverage at GoodPeople on Santa Monica Blvd next to the Don Jaime orange prescription pill bottle filled with pre-dosed coffee beans

West LA: GoodPeople
11609 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
IG: @thegoodpeoplebadhabits (previously @goodpeoplecoffeeco before the hack) 
Why: Modern Espresso Menu. I am a big fan of how they execute the multi-roaster concept with a modern espresso menu where they have a list of coffees from different roasters you can choose from, sometimes including international coffee (right now they have offerings from Australia) and sometimes they even carry my favorite LA roaster, Unity, in their rotation. They let you order any of their espresso-based drinks with your choice of espresso, and they list a short description for each including flavor profiles and the region where the coffee was grown/produced. They’re dog friendly and have a large patio area in the back great for large groups. For food, I always recommend the Brekkie Tiki breakfast tacos, with plantain slow-cooked beef and scrambled eggs on a corn tortilla, topped with cilantro sauce and chipotle aioli. This is the most convenient specialty coffee shop near my apartment, as it’s both the closest and there’s free street parking on both Federal Ave and Ohio Ave. As the name implies, the people who work here are also good people.

Labradoodle dog Olaf wearing sunglasses sitting in front of painted sign on side of building that reads Smoky Hollow Coffee Roasters
Espresso being poured by hand into a cup for a coffee mocktail at Smoky Hollow Coffee Roasters in El Segundo

El Segundo: Smoky Hollow Roasters
118 Sierra St, El Segundo, CA 90245
IG: @smokyhollowroasters
Why: Coffee Mocktails. I recommend trying one of their fun takes on cocktails made with espresso as you ponder the riddle next to the counter. From the trending Espresso Tonic to their Dark & Stormy (espresso muddled in mint, poured into crisp ginger beer) to their Old Fashioned (whiskey cold brew paired with bitters, topped with an orange twist), I enjoy their cocktail-inspired beverages and barrel-aged cold brews. If you want to see roasting in a very low-key and casual setting, this is the spot for you. They have an off-the-beaten-path vibe with comfortable lounge chairs and a variety of tables, with their roastery-meets-cafe located in the industrial section of El Segundo. The South Bay coffee scene is having a moment, and I feel it was starting to grow around the same time that Smoky Hollow became popular. 

Interior marble counter with a barista behind bar wearing an apron and a mask at Ten by Bar Nine in Marina Del Rey
Barista at Ten by Bar Nine pouring two espresso based drinks by hand at the same time simultaneously

MDR: Ten by Bar Nine
4065 Glencoe Ave #100, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
IG: @tenbybarnine + @barninecoffee + @purespro 
Why: Pure Espresso. I recommend you order an express-based beverage so that you can try their incredibly unique pre-batched espresso. Watch closely as the barista prepares your beverage, as you’ll notice they deliver a beautiful representation of espresso without an espresso machine. If you enjoy it, you can purchase a bottle there, and they have a few different profiles to choose from – decaf, Bonbon (chocolatey, balanced), Fruta (fruity), and Flora (floral, light). The Marina needs more awesome places, and Ten by Bar Nine is the hidden gem everyone craved. Ten is the second cafe from the Bar Nine team, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on it as I’ve heard that change is on the horizon here. I always love going to their original Culver City roastery cafe, but if you need coffee in Marina Del Rey, you absolutely must go to Ten.

Meagan McCall and Chris McColl standing in the Little Lunch parking lot in front of their sign, picnic tables, and umbrella with the smiling Labradoodle Olaf
Specialty strawberry beverage and GoodMylk beverage on a table in the Little Lunch indoor seating area in front of a brown leather couch and a brown leather chair

Venice: Little Lunch Coffee + Snacks
50 Brooks Ave, Venice, CA 90291
IG: @littlelunchcoffee 
Why: Free Parking Lot. Finding parking in Venice is often a part of the reason why many LA locals avoid Venice Beach, but Little Lunch makes it easy by having their free parking lot a block from the beach. Beyond the parking, they have fun non-dairy milk alternatives, a large indoor seating area, frequent events, and cute outdoor wooden tables with umbrellas that are perfect for if you bring your pup along as I usually do. Their private-labeled brand of coffee can also be found in the trendy DOG PPL dog park. 

The Scarlett bagel with heirloom tomato, lemon zest, chili flakes and vegan cream cheese on a gluten free bagel, a hot latte, an iced latte, and the Pre-Jam with strawberry, nectarine, cream cheese, and honey on a bagel on a table at Layla Bagels in Santa Monica
Dog trying to get The Scarlett bagel with heirloom tomato, lemon zest, chili flakes and vegan cream cheese on a gluten free bagel from smiling blonde white girl wearing sunglasses sitting outside at Layla Bagels with the long line in the left side of the photo

Santa Monica: Layla Bagels
1614 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
IG: @laylabagels + @unity.coffee
Why: Coffee Meets Bagel. Layla Bagels (commonly mistakenly called Layla’s Bagels) are some of the most unique, delicious bagels I’ve had in Los Angeles, and the best trendy bagels need the best coffee to pair with them. Layla Bagels features micro-lots from my favorite coffee roaster, Unity Sourcing & Roasting, and the coffee is always delicious. Yes, there’s usually a line (especially on weekends) but the staff is efficient and the line moves quickly. My three favorite bagel sandwiches are The Scarlett (heirloom tomato, lemon zest, chili flakes, cream cheese), The Pre-Jam (seasonal fruit, cream cheese, honey), and Sammi’s Egg Sammy *scrambled egg, arugula), but you really can’t go wrong with anything you order. They have both vegan cream cheese schmear and Original Sunshine gluten-free bagels as options if you have any intolerances, such as myself. 

Latte art on top of hot oat latte beverage in a disposable cup inside of Coffee Commissary with three stacked 5-pound bags of coffee on the counter next to the espresso machine in the background, with a view of the patio in the far back blurred out
Hand holding closed disposable cup with a lid and hot pink sleeve outside of the Coffee Commissary sign on Motor Ave

Palms: Coffee Commissary on Motor 
3417 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
IG: @coffeecommissary
Why: Productivity + Solid Coffee Program. If you want to be productive while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee from one of LA’s best specialty coffee chains, I strongly recommend visiting the Coffee Commissary on Motor. With an industrial feel, free street parking, pink packaging, skilled baristas, and sustainably sourced coffee, this hip coffee shop is a must-visit if you’re in the area. If you’re not in the area, check out one of their other six locations (Beverly, Burbank, Del Rey, Fairfax, Glendale, Santa Monica) or consider renting out their pink food/coffee truck for your next event. 

Two hands cheersing with two different beverages, the left beverage being an iced vanilla bourbon latte with Ghost Town oat milk, and the right green beverage being an iced matcha latte. Hands in front of the Home of the Vanilla Bourbon Latte sign in the window of Super Domestic Coffee
Smiling blonde white girl holding a vanilla bourbon latte with oat milk in front of the Home of the Vanilla Bourbon Latte sign in the window of Super Domestic Coffee

Downtown Culver City: Super Domestic Coffee x Cyclery 
10054 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
IG: @superdomesticcxc 
Why: Vanilla Bourbon Syrup. Their house-made vanilla bourbon syrup is going to knock your pants off, it’s so smooth, balanced, and scrumptious. It’s easy to understand why they’re known for their vanilla bourbon oat milk latte; you’ll see the sign on the window as you pull up, it’s the best of the flavored specialty drinks I’ve had, and it’s a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. The coffee shop is bicycle-themed, and while in line you can peruse through their gear, ranging from helmets to cycling gloves. They also have fun plants, relevant competition tip jars, Ghost Town oat milk, and a warm vibe that will make you want this to be one of your regular stops. They don’t have much seating beyond the bench out front, but I recommend taking your coffee on a stroll down Culver Blvd.  

Male hand holding an iced coffee beverage that has a rainbow reflection on the right side of the cup. Hand is in front of a neon pink sign that reads Coffee and Plants on the green plant wall with shelves holding additional plants.
Gold leaf being placed with tweezers on top of a hot 24k charcoal latte in a green cup that reads Coffee and Plants in front of a pink and white retail coffee bag

Pasadena: Coffee and Plants
62 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
IG: @coffeeandplantsla
Why: Vegan & Instagramable. If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, you’ll appreciate that Coffee & Plants is LA’s first 100% plant-based cafe. If you have an Instagram or you’re trying to be an influencer, you’ll appreciate their floral and plant aesthetics with their interior design, exterior floral facade, courtyard seating under umbrellas, Slayer espresso machine, and edible gold leaf and glittery beverage options, such as their 24k charcoal latte. They earned a spot on this list because, not only are they photogenic, their coffee program is strong and their coffee-based beverages are all delicious. Along with your beverage, you can purchase pastries, retail coffee bags, apparel, and potted plants ranging from succulents and cacti to precious house plants. Pasadena has a strong coffee scene right now, with a variety of coffee roasters populating a small area. 

Hand with white nail polish holding hot coffee cup in front of black and white A-frame that reads COGNO SCENTI COF FEE with a painted owl perched on top. Man wearing beige fedora hat, white t-shirt, and black jeans walking in the background.
Three hands holding hot oat milk lattes in three white cups with black lids in front of a barista wearing a mask and a variety of retail coffee bags on shelves at Cognoscenti Coffee on Washington in Culver City

Culver Arts District: Cognoscenti Coffee, AKA Cog Coffee 
6114 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
IG: @cogcoffee (the @cogculver account hasn’t been active since 2018)
Why: Multi-Roaster Retail. Cognoscenti is a coffee roaster based in Los Angeles, and their Culver City location is unique because on the bar they’re serving their own locally roasted coffee, and yet they also carry a variety of whole-bean coffee retail bags from other specialty roasters. I’ve always been able to find parking at the meters directly out front, they have a small amount of indoor seating, their logo is an owl, and the staff is very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly.  

Bright blue metal table containing a hot latte in a for-here cobalt blue cup with a cobalt blue saucer, with a heart shape in the latte art. A berry dessert on a plate on the table at Syndicate Coffee + Bakery.
Espresso Tonic in a for-here glass that still has separation and hasn't been stirred. Glass on counter in front of Slayer espresso machine and painted colorful mountain lines.

Sierra Madre: Syndicate Coffee + Bakery
18 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
IG: @syndicatecoffeebakery
Why: Post-hike coffee & pastries. If you’re going to do a morning hike at Eaton Canyon Falls or any of the other local hikes, you need to stop by the quaint town of Sierra Madre before 2pm for a coffee and pastry made in-house. Order a pastry along with any espresso-based drink from their shiny Slayer espresso machine and enjoy the clean air. Seriously, don’t sleep on Sierra Madre.   

Five pink donuts with sprinkles on a hot pink paper on a table in front of two different coffee beverages, an iced espresso tonic on the right and a hot latte in a hot blue cup with a maze on the left. In front of a bright blue shipping container at Play Coffee.
Smiling blonde white girl in black North Face jacket, navy leggings, and black and white Adidas shoes holding apricot-colored labradoodle dog in a light blue knit sweater in front of Play Coffee glass walls. Girl is holding an iced espresso tonic beverage in her hand with the leash draped on her wrist.

Fullerton: Play Coffee 
128 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832
IG: @drinkplaycoffee
Why: International Selection + Espresso Tonics. Play opened their first location in 2020, and this is where I first fell in love with my now go-to beverage, the Espresso Tonic. Leon’s top-tier Fullerton coffee shop is bright and beautifully built from bright blue shipping containers with a custom-built water system that makes coffee pop, creating the sweetest drip and squishiest, juicy espresso. Their retail offerings primarily highlight micro-lots and light roasts from around the globe, but the best part is the happy staff, always inviting, always looking for a better dial in or tweak on a sig bev. Play is both fearless and whimsical, and if you’re a specialty coffee lover, this renown spot is a must-visit.

Google Map screenshot with eleven red pin dots markign where the coffee shops are located in Southern California. List on the left side shows the names of six coffee shops, including Coffee Commissary, Lalya Bagels, Little Lunch Coffee + Snacks, Ten by Bar Nine, Smoky Hollow Roasters, and GoodPeople.

Thank you for reading this far! You may have even noticed some guest appearances from my adventurous coffee loving doggo, Olaf (@olaf.the.doodle). We would both love to know as you visit the specialty coffee shops on this list, available via Google Maps here. You can’t go wrong with any of these, and hopefully you can find your new favorite.

Should I make a part two list? Who did I miss? Let me know in the comments!