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Whenever I move to a new place, finding a good coffee shop is almost compulsory.
Before leaving El Sereno, I practically lived off Tierra Mia Coffee because the atmosphere was perfect for studying and the horchata frappe filled me with nostalgia.
Frequenting a coffee shop can be like having a favorite bar: The barista will eventually memorize your name, and you’ll get that infamous question — “the regular?” — that lets you know this coffee shop is now your local digs.
If you’re looking for a new brew somewhere in this vast region, here’s where Angelenos say to check out, courtesy of our newsroom's public affairs show, AirTalk.
Burrito Break: “It’s more of a breakfast spot, but they make an amazing Cafe de Olla. Whole milk and half and half pair great with it!” said Claudia from downtown.
Holy Grounds Coffee & Tea: “Holy Grounds is a local coffee shop in El Sereno with a welcoming staff and a serene garden space to enjoy your drink,” said Nate from Hollywood. “If you’re looking for extra caffeine, they’ve got a Ojo Rojo with a shot of espresso added to their house brew.” (There’s also a “not-so-secret secret menu.”)
Bloom & Plume Coffee: “Amazing coffee, chill vibes, beautiful cups! It’s a cool, Black-owned business. Had a latte there on the day of my first vaccine shot and it was so good I called on the drive home to tell ‘em it was the best latte of my life,” said David from Eagle Rock.
Nice Coffee: “It is just a kiosk with a small counter, but Elliot, the owner, and Alissa, the long-time barista, are the best. We talk dogs, music, theatre, whatever,” said Ruth in Los Feliz.
The Village Bakery And Cafe: “During the pandemic they stayed open and were a rallying point in the neighborhood. They know my kids and my dog. I’m so appreciative of their welcoming atmosphere in my neighborhood,” said Emily in Atwater Village.
Café de Leche: “Café de Leche in Highland Park and Altadena are great Latino coffee shops. I usually get the cold brew, but the horchata is good too. They have other Latino specialties,” said Maria in Altadena.
Ground Up Coffee: “I go there for their wellness tea. It has turmeric, ginger and other things that just make you feel good,” said George from Montebello.
Jones Coffee Roasters: “It's a wonderful hangout, and they grind their own coffee. It's delicious,” said Barbara in Pasadena. (Pro-tip: Many of the KPCC/LAist staff also recommend Jones, which is a five-minute walk from the building.)
The Lost Parrot Cafe: “[The cafe] is my favorite. It’s dog-friendly and has a great vibe to get you some avocado toast,” said Margo in South Pasadena.
Rad Coffee: “[It’s a] really good punk rock atmosphere. The coffee is good quality. Very affordable,” said Olivia in Azusa.
Mavro Kafe: “I love the vegan matcha drinks, and the owner Nicos is wonderful,” said Michelle from Mar Vista.
MillCross: “They make their own cold brews and syrups. Everything is just so artisan. Small little place, but always making up new recipes,” said Grace in Culver City.
The Boy & The Bear: “[It] has fantastic quality coffee. All Colombian, including the owner, which is pretty unusual and very cool. I’m a coffee nerd, and they might have the best espresso in the South Bay,.” said Matt in Long Beach.
My colleagues are pretty plugged into L.A. We drive, commute, and savor L.A. everyday. So when listeners sounded-off about their favorites, we couldn’t help but share some of our own. Here are some of the places we love to sip at:
Aspara in San Marino: Chief Content Officer Kristen Muller says the shop has "amazing cinnamon rolls." According to its website, the shop uses organic, fair trade and sustainably farmed coffee, tea and spices, with a focus on women-owned farms.
Cos & Pi in South Pasadena: Senior Producer Michael Cosentino recommends this spot, a family-owned restaurant and cafe that bills itself as a neighborhood eatery.
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood: Associate Editor Aaricka Washington suggests visiting here. The cafe and restaurant was created by Angelenos. According to their website, the name is inspired by “climbing our own Hilltops … just like everyone else.”
KAFN in Glendale: Senior Education Reporter Kyle Stokes says it's a "great neighborhood spot well off the beaten path" with some "delicious maple lattes."
Miss Melbourne Coffee in West Hollywood: AirTalk news apprentice Nicolas Perez says: “It was the first coffee shop I tried out when I moved here ... The coffee is good, there’s a nice patio and they have these unique sausage rolls that are fantastic. I find myself going back every few weekends.”
The Back Door Bakery & Cafe in Tujunga: Web Developer Melissa DeMund says it has the “biggest selection of savory and sweet pastries I've ever seen, and darn good coffee!”
The Coffee Roaster in Sherman Oaks: Audio Production Engineer Scott Kelly says this place is "the best." It's been in business since 1987.
