Los Angeles takes its coffee seriously.
From tiny specialty coffee bars where the focus is entirely on the beans to laid-back neighborhood cafés where you can grab a latte and spend the morning, there is no shortage of places to get a good cup of coffee in LA.
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The city's coffee scene stretches from Downtown and Silver Lake to the Westside and beyond, with plenty of independent cafés worth getting in the car for.
Here are 13 coffee shops worth checking out around Los Angeles.
Maru Coffee
1019 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Maru Coffee has become one of the names most closely associated with LA's modern specialty coffee scene.
The Arts District café is minimalist and stylish, but the coffee is what keeps people coming back.
You can get everything from carefully prepared espresso and pour-over coffee to cold brews and some of Maru's more creative signature drinks.
It's a particularly good choice if you want somewhere that feels distinctly Los Angeles while still taking the actual coffee seriously.
Endorffeine
727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tucked inside Chinatown's Far East Plaza, Endorffeine is a smaller and more focused coffee experience.
Founder Jack Benchakul has built a reputation around precision and an almost obsessive approach to brewing, with carefully selected coffees and a menu that doesn't need to be huge.
This isn't necessarily the place to sit with your laptop for half a day.
It's the place to go when you genuinely want to taste the coffee.
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Verve Coffee Roasters
500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Verve has roots in Santa Cruz but has become a major part of the LA coffee scene, with its Arts District location being particularly popular.
The spacious café offers espresso, pour-overs, brewed coffee and cold drinks, alongside food if you're looking for more than caffeine.
The setting also makes it a good option when you want to actually sit down and enjoy your coffee rather than simply grab it and leave.
Kumquat Coffee
545 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Kumquat is another LA name that has earned plenty of attention from serious coffee drinkers.
The company built its reputation around showcasing exceptional coffees from different roasters and producers, giving customers the chance to try something a little different from the standard café menu.
The Downtown location is a good stop if you're already in the area and want something more interesting than the usual chain coffee.
Go Get Em Tiger
Multiple locations
Go Get Em Tiger has been part of LA's specialty coffee scene for years and has developed a loyal following across the city.
It's a little more approachable than some of the ultra-focused specialty coffee bars, with a menu that includes espresso drinks, brewed coffee and creative seasonal options.
The cafés also tend to have more of a neighborhood feel, making them a good choice whether you're grabbing your morning coffee or meeting someone for a drink.
Dayglow
Multiple locations
Dayglow takes a slightly different approach to coffee by bringing together beans from roasters around the world.
That means the menu can change regularly, so a visit can feel a little different depending on what's currently being served.
It's particularly appealing if you're the sort of person who enjoys trying different coffees rather than sticking with the same order every time.
The Silver Lake location has become a popular destination for LA's specialty coffee crowd.
Intelligentsia Coffee
3922 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Intelligentsia has been part of LA's specialty coffee story for years and remains one of the city's most recognisable names.
Its Silver Lake café on Sunset Boulevard is a particularly good place to experience the brand, with a menu covering espresso, brewed coffee and other specialty drinks.
It's also one of those coffee shops that helped establish the modern third-wave coffee culture that is now so deeply associated with Los Angeles.
Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle has become one of the most recognisable specialty coffee names in Los Angeles, with several locations around the city.
The menu keeps things relatively simple, with espresso drinks, pour-over coffee and cold brews made with carefully sourced beans.
It is a good option if you want consistently well-made coffee without having to hunt down a tiny independent café.
Cognoscenti Coffee
Cognoscenti Coffee has built a strong reputation among LA coffee drinkers for its carefully made drinks and focus on quality beans.
The Downtown LA area has long been home to a growing specialty coffee scene, and Cognoscenti has been part of that development.
It is worth checking out if you prefer coffee that puts the beans and brewing process front and centre.
Sightglass Coffee
Sightglass Coffee brings a distinctly modern specialty coffee feel to Los Angeles, with a menu covering everything from espresso to filter coffee.
The brand is known for roasting its own beans, giving its cafés a strong focus on the coffee itself rather than an overly complicated menu.
It is a solid choice for anyone who likes trying different coffees and wants somewhere with a relaxed atmosphere.
G&B Coffee
G&B Coffee is one of the names worth knowing if you are exploring LA's independent coffee scene.
Based at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA, it is particularly handy if you are already spending time around Broadway and the historic market.
The menu covers classic coffee favourites alongside more creative drinks, making it an easy stop whether you are after a quick espresso or something a little different.
Go Get Em Tiger
Go Get Em Tiger has become a familiar name around Los Angeles, with cafés spread across several parts of the city.
The menu goes beyond a standard coffee shop, with espresso drinks, brewed coffee and food making it a useful place for breakfast or a casual coffee break.
It is particularly worth considering if you want good coffee but also want somewhere you can sit down and spend a little time.
Philz Coffee
Philz Coffee takes a slightly different approach to the traditional coffee shop, with its drinks prepared to order and a menu built around brewed coffee rather than espresso-heavy options.
The company has several locations across Los Angeles, making it an accessible choice when you want something a little different from the usual latte.
Its range of blends and customisable drinks means there is plenty to try if you like experimenting with your coffee order.
Where to find great coffee in Los Angeles
The best thing about LA's coffee scene is that there isn't really one type of coffee shop dominating the city.
You can find tiny espresso bars, huge cafés, neighborhood institutions, minimalist specialty shops and places experimenting with completely different coffee traditions.
Whether you're after a serious pour-over or simply a really good iced latte, there is almost certainly a coffee shop somewhere in LA worth making a detour for.
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