Where to Find the Best Coffee in Los Angeles

The Ultimate Beans to Fuel Your Hustle

One of the foremost tenets of the Smith & Berg team is developing meaningful relationships, and a key part of that is quality, one-on-one time with both professional connections and personal friends. From our experience, there’s no better time to do so than over a cup of Joe. And, if you know us, you understand that our taste in coffee matches our taste in design: we expect only the best. As such, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite spots to sip on great brew and offered a real assessment of their ambience.

Alfred

But first, let’s talk about Alfred Coffee + Kitchen. An L.A. staple, Alfred is one of the trendiest spots to grab a cup and, most likely, see a celeb. But their popularity hasn’t compromised their brew. Alfred brings high-quality Stumptown roast to a super chic setting.

Groundworks

Located on 16th and Montana, Groundworks pours a mean cold brew — organic, too. With a great vibe and great service, you really can’t go wrong. While other L.A. coffee shops are relatively small, Groundworks boasts a large setting for you to meet up with friends, coworkers or, instead, spread your things out on a table while sipping, eating and pretending to write a screenplay.

Aharon

Go ahead and get their Daily Brew. All coffee is roasted in house and the origin and variety of beans changes on a daily basis. Aharon, the proprietor, always provides an interesting backstory to the beans; he takes his brewing very seriously, and we have no problem with that. Don’t hold yourself back from one of their outrageous Milo & Olive pastries, either.

Blue Bottle Coffee

When you want killer coffee with no fuss, Blue Bottle is the ideal minimalistic setting to sip simply on incredible blends and single origin brews. On a hot day, Blue Bottle’s iced coffee is unrivaled. Don’t forget to order their epic avocado toast on the side. So L.A., and what’s so wrong with that?

Espresso Profeta

Drink in Espresso Profeta’s Tuscan, ivy-clad setting and, of course, their delicious cappuccino. Don’t come here looking for outlets to charge your laptop, though. Here, you do as the Italians do: chat with friends and revel in incredible espresso. That’s truly the beauty of this rustic gem.

Caffe Luxxe

Established by two friends who quit their corporate jobs to start a neighborhood business, Caffe Luxxe is teeming with a soulful, small-town ambiance. Their artisan approach to roasting results in a hand-crafted, matchless cup of coffee. Go with the Mandorla and get yourself a poor boy taffy to go along with it for a little touch of sweetness.

Intelligentsia

Located in the hipster heart of Abbot Kinney Blvd., this shop is known for delicious coffee and on-trend Instagram pics. Don’t just order coffee and, if you arrive with technology, make sure it has an Apple on it.

Urth Caffé

When you want more than just coffee, Urth Caffé is the ultimate place to be. Order a sugar-free green tea latte (which will most likely come in a mug the size of a bowl) and, when they have it, the pumpkin pie.