Top 5 Coffee Shops For the LA Creative
In no particular order and based solely on my experience.
1. Highly Likely | West Adams - 4310 W. Jefferson Blvd.
TLDR: A solid go to coffee spot with working wifi, a solid menu, and variety of seating. Read the fine print for helpful fyi's
Highly Likely was the first coffee shop I went to when I first moved to Los Angeles. A friend recommended it to me and after an afternoon spent writing on the patio with the sun warming my face, a healthy attachment was formed. It's the perfect meeting grounds for a productive working sesh or hang time with the girls.
Pros: working wifi, plenty of street parking, ~$6 coffees and $18 meals, happy hour with the cutest bottles of wine, spacious indoor/outdoor seating, available outlets, hipster-y
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Cons: Indoor seating has minimal outlets and if you land a seat next to one, prepare to get hand and knee down to the ground to plug it in. Also for the girlies like me that get cold easily, I definitely recommend bringing a sweater because the AC is werking.
Alternatively, you can always sit outside to warm on up but I prefer outdoor seating when I'm not working. For starters, the wifi disappears the moment you exit and there aren't any outlets. Also, it's a cute coffee shop in a cute neighborhood but we are still in a world where valuables can get taken if you don't pay attention.
2. Hilltop | DTLA - 718 S Hill St.
"I'm rooting for everybody Black" is the theme, okay?
Like most people who find themselves walking through these doors, it's because of Issa Rae. Based off her online and television persona, I imagined the space would be fun, colorful, and creatively inspiring. Her and her co-founders did not disappoint.
Pros: working wifi, ~$6 coffees and $13+ food menu, plenty of seating, spacious, available outlets, great playlist, Blackity Black Black Black
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Cons: DTLA is hell for parking
PSA: There's two other locations. Its flagship is in Inglewood and the second is on Eagle Rock. I recommend them all.
3. Jackson Market & Deli | Culver City - 4065 Jackson Ave
A hidden gem with handmade deli sandwiches and a gorgeous backyard patio.
My friend shared this local gem with me and OMG what a surprise. It’s tucked away on a quiet side street and if you didn’t know of its existence you might just miss it. There’s seating in the front area when you first arrive but if you’re coming to get some work done the back patio is where the ambiance is at. There’s lots of plants, fountains, even a koi pond. The only downside is there’s no place to charge your devices so definitely come fully charged.
Pros: working wifi, street parking, ~$5 coffees and $11+ food menu, gorgeous patio seating, wine and market items available, neighborhoody
Cons: no outlets, outdoor seating only
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4. Jurassic Magic Cafe | Mid-City - 1865 S. Mansfield Ave
The name is random but everything inside is pretty magical.
I went to Jurassic Magic Cafe for the first time after attending a writers strike and quickly fell in love. The space is small but sizable with plenty of seating options. There’s a hallway lined with ceiling to floor mirrors that lead you to a back seating area surrounded by plants and local handmade garments for sale. The iced tea I ordered was so refreshing and had me shook because I don’t really like iced tea. They accept cash which I appreciate and the staff is really friendly.
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Pros: street parking, best iced tea ever,~$5 coffees and $5 pastries, open seating, available outlets, books, art, garments to buy
Cons: no wifi, fewer chairs with back support
5. Harun Coffee| Leimert Park - 4336 Degnan Blvd.
One of my besties loves this place and so do I.
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Pros: working wifi, street parking, ~$6 coffees and $5 pastries, indoor/outdoor seating, available outlets, handmade local products for sale