Beverly Hills might be the last LA neighborhood you’d expect to find a down-to-earth mom ‘n pop coffee shop where the owners roast their own beans and are the hugging type, but what do you know?
Meet Aharon Vaknin of Aharon Coffee & Roasting Co on Charleville Blvd in Beverly Hills. The Israeli coffee connoisseur traveled six thousand miles to Boquete, Panama to learn to roast his own beans with renowned Dutchman Willem Boot on his famed coffee micro-farm, Finca La Mula. It was here that Aharon came to the realization that a brick and mortar cafe was his destiny.
Images courtesy of @aharoncoffee
Aharon wanted to open a cafe that was both close to home and promised herds of foot traffic, and Beverly Hills was the lucky winner. The father of four starts each day with 5 a.m. Ashtanga yoga in the neighborhood, then works shoulder-to-shoulder behind the coffee bar with his wife, BatSheva through the afternoon. The pair are as lively and loving as highschool sweethearts.
So, what should you order next time you're in the neighborhood? Take it from the man himself: “I like to ask customers what they usually drink and make them that so they can compare.”
From the look on his face, we deduce that his customers (many of whom are regulars) find his coffee to be superior. However, there’s no doubt that Aharon worked his butt off to earn his high place in the LA coffee chain. He laughs and admits, “It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but also the most joyful thing.”
Since he's so deeply engrained in the Beverly Hils community, we wanted to know where we can find Aharon in the neighborhood when he's not pulling espressos. Spoiler alert: The man loves to break a sweat, but he also knows where to grub on a great shawarma.
Aharon Coffee & Roasting Co.
Aharon Vaknin: Aharon is all about the joy of coffee. To make people happy through coffee is the foundation of our business. I love to share the gift of coffee.
Image courtesy of Belinda Gosbee
Roxbury Park
AV: Roxbury Park is an awesome spot. I love that park and all of the big open space. You can take beautiful walks, play ball, and have a nice picnic.
Image courtesy of @paul_paul_
Beverly Hills Public Library
AV: The library is amazing—really, so good. My wife and kids and I hang out over there all the time. It’s a beautiful space and a wonderful world of books.
Image courtesy of @robertlynden
Upper Crust Pizzeria
AV: This place is new this year and it's really cool. I like to customize my pizza—sorry, but no cheese for me! Jalapeños and mushrooms only. They accommodate whatever you ask for and have nice beer too.
Image courtesy of @studionobu
Tarte Tatin Bakery
AV: In the shopping center on the corner of Olympic and Oakhurst there is a bakery/cafe called Tarte Tatin. It’s a nice small cafe with very good quality food. Order the Tunisian Tuna sandwich.
AV: Dr. Sandwich is in this same strip mall as Tarte Tatin and has very authentic sandwiches. I like the turkey shawarma on a plate or in a pita.
Image courtesy of @samanthahopeng
Lululemon Athletica
AV: I like Lululemon's running caps, black men’s T-shirts and the men’s bicycle riding clothing. All of the staff there are off-the-charts friendly and amazing.
Image courtesy of @brookierock
SoulCycle - Beverly Hills
AV: The upbeat workout makes it very enjoyable.
Image courtesy of @jennablair_
M Cafe
AV: I like their curry bowl!
Image courtesy of @vvaldes8
Equinox Beverly Hills
AV: I like the yoga classes here. Especially the ashtanga.
Image courtesy of @karenlivetribe
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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 Belinda Gosbee
