If you're a coffee addict, it's not a question if you'll have your coffee, but rather how and where. Are you sick of waiting in endless lines across artisanally tiled floors? Is circling the block six times in search of parking souring your Ethiopian cold brew experience? Is all the effort worth it just to have a cup of coffee or a morning latte?
Firstly, never question whether the black gold is worth it. The answer is always yes. But there has to be an easier way, right? You’re already battling the traffic, can you at least enjoy your coffee without the pandemonium?
We set out to find the most painless, under-the-radar coffee shop experiences across Los Angeles. And while we can’t keep you safe from the man bangs or the chick in the beanie droning on about the benefits of single-origin beans, these spots are sure to help your day run a wee bit smoother.
The Wheelhouse
DTLA, $
Break away from the Arts District and and stumble instead into The Wheelhouse — a spacious bike store and cafe in one next to Officine BRERA. There’s reserved parking out front for customers and there’s also parking in the alley which, as far as DTLA goes, is pretty helpful. Better still, ride your bike and feel at one with your fellow road warriors over espresso and croissants.
Image courtesy of @thewheelhousela
Silverlake Coffee
Silver Lake, $
You might think that easy parking for a quick coffee in Silver Lake is merely a dream, but anything is possible if you believe (and know all the best parking lots in town). Silverlake Coffee has it’s own large, free parking lot. It also has plenty of hearty food options — like breakfast burritos, sandwiches and vegan treats. Sit on the front porch and breathe in the calm that comes with not being at Intelligentsia.
Image courtesy of @itsjuanitahh
Blackwood Coffee Bar
Hollywood, $$
Blackwood is a peaceful little enclave along Sunset Blvd with easy parking available on Gardner, Bonita or Curson north of Sunset. The year-old coffee jaunt is cozy in decor, service and product (read: unpretentious). It’s an ideal spot for a hassle free morning freelance session.
Image courtesy of @blackwoodcoffeebar
Bricks and Scones
Larchmont, $$
I know. You see the word “Larchmont” and and immediately associate it with “parking shitstorm.” Bricks and Scones is above Beverly — a vastly different world convenient for quick to-go orders. Parking is actually pretty easy with frequently available metered parking on Larchmont and surrounding streets. Inside, B&S is two levels of cozy, mismatched couches and tables but the large patio is the real anomaly — it’s hooked up with electrical cords so you can plug in outside.
Culver City, $$
Bar Nine is a true gem of the Westside, not just because it’s run by skilled coffee artisans, but because it went and hid on an unassuming residential street away from the rest of Culver City. This ensured easy parking and an extremely quiet, chill environment. Indeed, it’s so unassuming you probably won’t find it — tucked into an industrial space with a lone number 9 on a wire gate. The other bonus at Bar Nine is the cold brew served in glass jars with lids which means you can literally throw your coffee in your hand/man bag on the way out.
Image courtesy of @forthefoodholics
Want to get deeper into Culver City? Bar Nine's director of education development showed Citizine around town HERE…
Andante Coffee Roasters
Fairfax, $$
Dog-friendly, loads of outlets, free wifi, chill atmosphere, Colombian pour-overs and open till 9 p.m. Considering you’re bordering The Grove, street parking's not so bad — check out the side streets or you could park at, and peruse, Pan Pacific Park Recreation Center across the street pre-latte and then your car's already parked in a 4-hour free lot, no? Just sayin’.
Image courtesy of @euneecechung
Longshot Coffee
West Hollywood, $
The tiny Aussie brick and mortar of the popular mobile coffee van, Longshot Coffee is smack in the middle of one of the busiest zones of WeHo but promises an easy, peasy experience. Not only is the coffee superb (most definitely order a Flat White), but you can park in the library lot next door — it’ll cost you $1 if you’re just running in for takeout, or validate in the library for three free hours. Maybe I’m biased because Longshot sells vegemite toast ... but this one always uncomplicates my WeHo adventures.
Image courtesy of Jon Viscott Photography
Red Window Coffee
Studio City, $$
You want no fuss? Red Window is a brick building the size of an outhouse with, you guessed it, a single large red window. That’s it. There are a few outside spots for sitting, but this one’s ideal for your morning grab-and-go. Parking can be subject to the time of day, but it’s easiest to score a meter on Ventura or, if you’re feeling ballsy, put your hazards on and make a run for it. Don’t blame us when you get a parking ticket. The biggest drawcard is the phenomenal coffee which many declare to be the best in the Valley.
Image courtesy of @redwindowcoffee
Racking up the parking tickets? Never again with Citizine's investigative interview with a LADOT Traffic Officer HERE …
Cafe 8 1/2
Santa Monica, $$
Come back a bit from the main Santa Monica hustle to Broadway and 19th and you’ll find that there’s some near-perfect coffee that’s been flying right under your radar. This is the real Italiano kind where the people actually speak Italian and the espresso is so authentic that you’ll think you’ve stepped into a Fellini film. Oh hang on, that’s just the sprawling black and white print of Mastroianni from Fellini’s 8 ½ behind you on the wall. Cafe 8 1/2 also makes a crazy good cannelloni. Why are you still lining up at Demitasse?
Image courtesy of Winnie. L
Starbucks Drive Thru
Hollywood
Okay, this coffee snob swore she’d never prescribe you Starbucks but I understand that sometimes an anxiety free morning’s more urgent than a Colombian Kyoto drip. This Starbucks wins in two areas: First, It’s a drive-thru, and really, is there anything a drive-thru can’t heal? Secondly, it’s drenched in character — Starbucks moved into the 80-year-old Gilmore gas station and thankfully made minimal changes, so you’ll find the most vintage little Starbucks you ever did see.
Image courtesy of @rebsbabe
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Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles. Follow her jaunts on twitter @belindagosbee or Instagram @gos22.
Featured image courtesy of Bar Nine
