Lamill Coffee’s Cup Of Joy
Photo Courtesy of Lamill Coffee
Baby, it’s cold outside! Strange, but true — L.A. has been abnormally inflicted with near freezing temperatures at night. Solution? Hunker down and warm up with a piping hot cup of third-wave coffee or espresso.
To ward off the chill and maintain functioning caffeine levels, here are our picks for the best coffee shops to accomplish both agendas in style:
Cognoscenti Coffee
After a slew of pop-up coffee bars around the city, Yeekai Lim finally opened his own brick-and-mortar stop. Located in Culver City’s art district, Cognoscenti Coffee’s indoor/outdoor space serves as inspirational backdrop for slurping down a cup of brew from in-season beans or a perfectly pulled espresso. Slated for early this year, a second location is opening inside the new Level tower in downtown L.A.
Two Guns Espresso, Photo Courtesy of Tom Judge Photography
Two Guns Espresso
Although it doesn’t roast its own beans (that happens at nearby Caffe Luxxe), Two Guns Espresso is a great place to commune with the local beach-loving residents in a Kiwi-themed vibe. Espresso drinks, such as flat whites (not to mention the shop’s own Italian-style signature blend of coffees from around the globe), are well-made tastiness.
Lamill Coffee
The high-concept design here is just as striking as the espresso drinks made by expert baristas. And its Silver Lake address is the perfect locale for quality people-peeping in between bites of hot brioche donuts served with vanilla cream and raspberry jam.
Intelligentsia
Although Pasadena and Venice are home to offshoots of this Chicago-based coffee chain, the first L.A. location, with its stunning design and buzzy outdoor patio, is still holy grounds. Try the signature Los Angeles drink when you go: four shots of espresso shaken with agave, milk and ice.
Coffee CoLab
Located in Santee Village’s Fashion District, Coffee CoLab sells co-owner William Miyazaki’s cult coffee beans, Suits & Knives, as well as other local micro roasters. Co-owner Leon Li’s individual coffee servings, Humble Cup, are also available — as well as ridiculously good espresso drinks.
Bar Nine, Photo Courtesy of Natasha Kukes
Bar Nine
According to the Bar Nine guys (founders Zayde Naquib and Jereme Pitts), seasonal freshness doesn’t just apply to produce. Bar Nine carries three “in-season” coffee varietals cooked up in a Probat roaster. And the kicker? They are all the same price. On Sundays, it offers tastings of all three roasts, including a decaf.
Glanville & Babinski
As the spot for a jolt of java in the historic Grand Central Market, G&B’s filtered coffee and espresso make a stellar pairing with a biscuit slathered in maple syrup and butter from nearby Eggslut.
Go Get Em Tiger
Checking out the floating astronaut mural gracing the wall alone is worth stopping in at this G&B sister café. Add to that the house-made pastries and the Full Nelson — a flight of coffee drinks including a shake, cappuccino, macchiato and espresso — and it’s the perfectly funky coffee spot.
