Coffee
Coffee is practically its own food group in my world. The routine of drinking coffee first thing in the morning just makes me happy. The aroma, taste, and buzz it gives me all makes for an enjoyable experience. As you can see, I really care about my coffee routine and get super bummed when I spend money on a cup o' joe that is mediocre. Here is a list of my favorite LA coffee joints you will be sure to love.
PHILZ/dtla
Okay, so if you are like me and really love good quality, flavorful, and strong coffee that doesn't taste burned, Philz will be your new favorite coffee spot. The pour over coffee (yes thats all they serve, no espresso drinks here) is FANTASTIC. They have tons of options to choose from and the flavor profiles are listed on the menu so you can see what you're going to get. I have many favorites, but I'm currently loving the iced Philtered Soul Train. Not on the menu. NOTE: The baristas act as bartenders, so tell them exactly what you want and they make it and tweak it to your liking until your happy. My kinda place!
fix/echo park
Fix Coffee is a true neighborhood coffee spot located at the base of the hills in Echo park, off the busy main drive of Sunset Blvd. We used to live a block away and loved walking here and hanging on the patio with our pup drinking great coffee. Creative types, a.k.a everyone in LA, work from their laptops here which creates a great community vibe.
URTH/all locations
Urth will always make my list because its hard to find a creamy almond milk cappuccino done just right. They have mastered all things coffee, tea and boba. Plus they have an extensive menu for any meal of the day. They just have it figured out, and with 4 locations in the LA area you can stop in wherever you are in town.
NOTE: If you're not planning on staying, get in the "to-go" line which is always short.
Stumptown/dtla
Stumptown coffee roasters provides beans for some of LA's best coffee shops. They have a brick and mortar in the arts district of DTLA. This place became my favorite coffee shop when I would go to NYC for modeling for a month or so at a time and lived right down the street from one. I couldn't afford real food so I lived off coffee and milk for a month. Good times.
Lamill /Silverlake
LAMILL is the kind of cafe you want to park yourself with a girlfriend and catch up at. It has all the makings of a successful neighborhood cafe. The interiors are chic, fun, and cozy all at once with the baby blue ostrich chairs, black and white wall mural, and vintage brass chandeliers. The food and coffee are also quality, flavorful and to the point. This place is a gem.
NOTE: If you linger long enough you're bound to see a well known comedy writer buried in his laptop.
Alfreds/Melrose place
Big Surprise here. If you live in LA, you get the hype about Alfreds, and if you don't, Im sure you have pinned the famous phrase, cool wallpaper, or their new Alfreds tea room interiors (with its retro pink subway tiles covering the walls). Its just the cutest atmosphere which shoots this place right up my list, because half the appeal for me is aesthetic. Of course the quality has to deliver, which it does because they serve Stumptown coffee Roasters which is my all time favorite. I also love their Matcha from Matcha Bar. There are a few locations scattered around LA, but I love the Melrose place location most... mostly because of the interiors, awesome shopping, people watching, and really cool guys that rev their Ferraris waiting for their model girlfriends. Super cool.
Go Get 'Em Tiger/larchmont
Go get em Tiger is a wonderfully thoughtful cafe in Larchmont Village with a killer food menu full of nutritious and delicious breakfast and lunch options as well as creative takes on coffee. I love to get their macadamia nut cappuccino. Grab a seat outside to people watch and take in the charming surroundings.
Groundwork dtla
I frequent the arts district location because I tend to be on the east side- midtown... but in general I just like it better. All thriving coffee shops are naturally going to be quality, but I appreciate when a place masters all things well. The food menu and variety of milk options make this place a constant for me.
Verve Coffee Roasters West Hollywood
Verve makes getting coffee feel like a cool experience. Honestly its half the reason I go to coffee. Its an inexpensive way to get a quick pick me up and have a social experience at the same time. The Nitro Coffee is fun to get here + if you're hungry they carry excellent baked goods.
Paramount Coffee Project
This original Australian cafe hopes to bring typical Sydney cafe culture to LA with its food and coffee. Quality, originality, and local artisans and roasters are highlighted as the cornerstones of this brick and mortar. Go and see for yourself, I have never been disappointed.
Butchers Daughter Venice
Okay, so Butchers Daughter is on my eats list as well because its great in both categories. Also, I cannot go to Venice and leave without visiting this inspiring spot. Its so so so stylish. I cannot gush about it enough! The open beam ceiling, white painted brick, wood sided ceilings, down to the potted plants make me feel the need to revamp my home! It's that gorgeous. The coffee is great and the eye candy is off the hook. Do yourself a favor and GO.
Two Guns Espresso/manhattan beach
Two Guns, a cafe opened by two Kiwis, was a gift from the heavens when it first opened in Manhattan Beach a few years back. The South Bay was seriously lacking quality cafes that were also cool and lively. This place meets all criteria and truly embodies the owners' vision of bringing New Zealand coffee culture to the states. With smooth and quality expresso and a food menu that competes with pricey local brunch spots, Two Guns is a South Bay staple.
The Boy and the Bear/redondo beach
Similar to Two Guns, The Boy and the Bear is a quality coffee shop that satisfied the craving for a new artisanal and hip coffee shop in the South Bay. This spot is just south of Manhattan Beach in a more mellow and low key beach city, Redondo Beach.