I'm somewhat of a coffee connoisseur, or at least I like to think of myself as one which is why I've been spending ample time in the last few weeks trying out new coffee shops on the west side. I usually stick to the Santa Monica area, but I'm sure there's plenty more to see and taste.
With that being said, here are a few of my favorites.
Groundworks: A popular spot that you'll see around quite frequently in the LA area but it's a staple. Groundwork opened its doors in Venice Beach, CA with a small-batch roaster and a big mission: to source and share the very best organic coffee they could find. Now there are locations all over LA. I highly recommend their coldbrews.
Lo/Cal: A new coffee shop and market on Pico, you'll be greeted with the smell of Stumptown coffee brewing. Their cold brew on tap uses nitrous oxide, giving this fan-favorite a creamy, beer-like texture fill up a 64 oz. growler to go if you can't get enough in-store.
Espresso Cielo: Cielo whips up your standard offerings using 49th Parallel coffee (lattes, cappuccinos, espressos); their larger portions are served in huge cups that look less like mugs and more like bowls. And if you're a tea fan, a cup of Pacific Coast mint tea is perfect for foggy Santa Monica mornings. I recommend their matches as well.
Bluestone Lane: Bluestone Lane is an Australian-inspired cafe. They're committed to providing a genuine daily escape for all locals and they offer premium coffee and healthy and delicious eats through an always welcoming experience that embraces their ‘Aussie’ approach to life.
Bluestone Lane Coffee is influenced by the renowned coffee culture hub of Melbourne Australia, where premium coffee is a way of life.
Bluestone has some of the best coffee I've tried, I highly recommend their iced lattes with almond milk.