G&B Coffee | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

If you've visited Downtown LA's Grand Central Market, you've witnessed its beautiful chaos: fruit vendors and spice sellers, whiskey stations and gourmet food stands, cheesemongers and delicatessens, loudly echoing laughter and blazing neon lights. At its very end, just before Hill Street, stands G&B Coffee: a beacon of sleek simplicity and a breath of fresh air.

This beautiful coffee bar gleams in bright white and marble, accented with pops of purple neon and vintage-style milk glass lamps. In some ways, it feels like it's from another place and time, but look a little deeper and it's clearly very modern and cutting edge. This is a 360-degree operation; if you want to stand in a line and wait for your coffee, you can. Or, you can belly on up to the white marble bar and order your cappuccino just like you'd order a cocktail. If you can nab a barstool, you can settle in and chat with the baristas, get cozy with a book, or merely sit back and witness the ballet of coffee production as it unfolds before your eyes. 

As the saying goes, one must "learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist," and it's as true for coffee as it is for anything else. Before founding G&B Coffee, founders Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski (the "G" and the "B," respectively) learned from some of the best pros while working at Intelligentsia, the famous coffee roasting company that many argue is responsible for establishing a coffee scene in Los Angeles. Armed with that solid background, they followed their dreams and ventured out on their own, starting their coffee business as a pop-up at the hugely popular Sqirl. Their popularity exploded, and within months, they had opened not one but two coffee bars in Los Angeles - first G&B in a stall in Grand Central Market, then Go Get 'Em Tiger in cozy Larchmont Village. Both locations are setting the standard for great coffee in Los Angeles, and G&B's recent redesign also sets it apart as a beautiful, functional, and unique space that attracts locals and tourists alike. 

It's not just good looks and cool vibes at G&B - they're backing it up with some seriously delicious coffee and treats, too. The shop rotates between coffee beans from a variety of different roasters (49th Parallel, Heart, and Ritual, to name a few), frequently considering new options through blind taste testing to ensure they're choosing the most delicious option. They're also sticklers for milk quality, offering only whole milk or their house-made almond macadamia nut milk. The menu features creative, seasonally-rotating offerings as well, including the "Business and Pleasure" and the "Espresso Dark & Stormy." While sister shop Go Get Em Tiger serves up full-on breakfast and lunch, G&B offers a pared down menu that's mouthwatering nonetheless - I watched the staff cook up a few of the yeasted waffles, and they were torturously beautiful. And don't get me started on the gorgeous chocolate chip cookies.

Now, on to the main event - my cappuccino, which to my delight was served in a simple little glass so that beautiful separation of coffee and foam was visible for all to see. Its body was creamy and smooth, with a luscious velvety texture (thanks to that aforementioned excellent whole milk). The flavor was delicate and understated. At the beginning of the taste, it was a bit fruity, reminding me of black currant, and at the end it rounded out to a mellow toasty flavor. Topped with some gorgeous latte art, this was a really lovely cup of coffee! 

And because we're also homemade almond milk enthusiasts, we had to sample something with their fresh-daily almond macadamia nut milk. We went for the Turmeric Almond Macadamia, which was beautifully creamy and warming, slightly sweet with a satisfying hit of spice. The milk itself is excellent - it's a must-try if you're a fan of almond milk. 

In a sea of overwhelming options, with the flurry of color and neon lights, the cacophony of loud conversations and music, and of course, a few painfully long lines (I'm lookin' at you, Eggslut), G&B Coffee is an island of simplicity, serenity, and of course, great coffee - the perfect spot to stop and calm your overstimulated nerves. 

G&B Coffee - 317 S Broadway #C19, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Two Guns Espresso | Manhattan Beach, CA

There's something about the South Bay that's a little off-beat. It's quirky, charming, and provides a nice little respite from the daily grind of the city. In some ways, it doesn't feel like L.A. (the tight-knit friendly neighborhoods, the ease of parking), and in others, it fits in perfectly (fancy Grove-like outdoor mall, upscale beachy restaurants). So somehow, finding something as odd as a Western-themed strip mall doesn't seem all that surprising in Manhattan Beach. And finding an excellent, Instagram-worthy coffee shop inside? It's almost expected.

As you pull into the parking lot of Two Guns Espresso (yeah, like I said - parking is easy in the South Bay), you're greeted with a big sign reading, "how about a cup of Joe?" The answer is obviously yes, because the café has some serious appeal: there's a warm and welcoming feel with locals chatting outside, a handwritten menu detailing tempting breakfast options ranging from healthy to decadent, and cozy indoor or outdoor seating. The only thing that some might find off-putting is the cheeky little sign in the window reading "ain't no wifi." But these days, I think most of us find that kind of thing charming. 

It's interesting how "local" this has become - it's deeply rooted in the community through the owners' support of Manhattan Beach schools and organizations, and it's clearly a favorite haunt for the city's residents - given that its owners hail from faraway New Zealand. Founders Andrew "Stan" Stanisich and Craig Olson aimed to bring a taste of the New Zealand coffee scene to the South Bay when they opened in 2011, and by offering up their then-exotic (and ever-delicious) flat white, they succeeded with flying colors.

These days, the café serves up espresso drinks using their own blend of beans that was developed with Dillanos Coffee Roasters. Their huge, beautiful La Marzocco machine is in plain sight; you can watch the friendly baristas work their magic while you lean against the bar and bask in the glory of the enormous Dirty Harry portrait hanging in the corner. And good luck walking away without one of the mouthwatering treats piled high in the glass case - it took all the strength I had to keep from ordering all the donuts.

As tempting as the flat white and the donuts were, I stuck to the plan and ordered up my cappuccino. The house two-bean blend was described as having "dark chocolate sweetness with candied pecan and hints of dried fruit." While some of these flavors were present for me (particularly the candied pecans), the most prominent flavor in my cup was a roasted one - like a light char or burnt sugar. This is not to say it tasted burned - it had a very pleasant, toasty bitterness with a warm aftertaste. The flavor was complimented by a luxurious creaminess, likely a result of the top-notch Straus organic whole milk. This cup of joe was a delightful balance of flavor and texture, and featured some lovely latte art to boot. 

When it first opened, Two Guns Espresso was a beacon of hope for South Bay coffee enthusiasts, finally making it possible to find a great cup of joe in a town without a coffee scene. Today, even as the Los Angeles coffee culture explodes and great coffee becomes readily available, they remain the gold standard. And lucky for us all, Two Guns is rocking out at three locations - in addition to their original location in the quirky Western strip mall, you can also enjoy their brews at the end of the Manhattan Beach pier and at a cute little stand in Downtown L.A. And as Dirty Harry behind the cash register promises, it'll make your day. 

Two Guns Espresso - 350 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 7 in Manhattan Beach

Bar Nine | Culver City, CA

In an area that straddles residential and industrial, down a quiet little side street, and behind a chain link fence with a friendly little "open" sign lies Bar Nine, a friendly haven for coffee enthusiasts and novices alike. 

The space is huge; a former food truck kitchen sprawling 3400 square feet. It's open and bright, punctuated with thoughtful, minimal details like a cupping bar, a row of metal bleachers, a community table, and bar stools that could double as works of art. There's 70's funk music playing, and stacks of old vinyl alongside the record player. 

When you start to notice the nitty gritty details, you realize that this place is legit. In the back corner sits a massive (and gorgeous) Probatone 12 series roaster. Temperature-controlled spigots rigged to release hot water slowly for the perfect pour over are built into the bar, along with a Modbar espresso system (the first in LA) that boasts more bells and whistles than Uhura's station on the Enterprise.

Indeed it appears that here coffee is a something between a religion and a science; approached with a passion and inquisitiveness that is rare and frankly fascinating. Every detail is considered, down to the pressure used when pulling a shot of espresso: using their Modbar setup, baristas are able to adjust the amount of pressure applied during the extraction to achieve the best possible flavor for each unique coffee variety (this is called "pressure profiling," and is a rather unique practice). The baristas I encountered, Johnathan Franco and Brian Melendrez, obviously take their craft very seriously; in the time between making customers' drinks, they tested brews and discussed tasting notes. John even participates in latte art competitions.

 All of this seriousness around the craft of coffee might lead you to expect Bar Nine to be snobbish, but delightfully, it's anything but. The people here want to share their craft with you, and help you understand what makes coffee worthy of their fervor. John and Brian were happy to talk with me about the equipment, the roasting process, and anything else my novice coffee-curious mind could come up with. Visiting here was less like an obligatory stop for caffeine on your way to work, and more like a really informative trip to a wine tasting room or a fine restaurant. 

The cappuccino was (not surprisingly) excellent. John's latte art was on point, and the ratio of espresso to milk was perfect. The espresso's flavor was buttery and smooth, with a hint of citrusy brightness; overall it was mild and not too bitter. The texture was like velvet, comforting, rich, and smooth, without being heavy. Deeeeeeeeeelicious.

There are even more thoughtful details at Bar Nine that you will love - house made hazelnut milk, to go drinks served in reusable glass jars, and a recurring brunch pop-up from popular Amara Kitchen, to name a few - but the real reason you should come visit is to experience the coffee connoisseurs at work. They will teach you things you didn't know about your favorite brew, open your eyes to new flavors and methods, and do it all with a smile.  

Bar Nine 

3515 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA

Blue Bottle Coffee | Culver City, CA

Today’s coffee adventure brings us to another staple in the so-called “third wave” coffee movement: Blue Bottle Coffee. Founded by self-proclaimed “coffee lunatic” W. James Freeman, Blue Bottle was an effort to provide an alternative to the stale, over-roasted coffee that was once the status quo. The operation began as a coffee delivery service, bringing sustainable, artisanal coffees directly to customers' doorsteps. His business soon morphed into an Oakland café, and is now inching toward world domination with locations throughout the Bay Area, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA

My first Blue Bottle experience was in Oakland several years ago, when some friends enthusiastically introduced us to the brand. The café was sleek and gorgeous, and the coffee and food were exceptional (especially the waffles, oh how I dream of the waffles!). I excitedly brought a bag of beans home with me, eager to extend my Blue Bottle experience as long as I could. You can imagine my delight when I discovered that Blue Bottle would be opening here in L.A., in what felt like a mass migration of all my favorite Food Unicorns (as it was around that same time that Stumptown, Salt & Straw, and Blue Star Donuts also set up shop in L.A.). Currently, L.A. boasts five Blue Bottle locations, with three more on the way, each living up to the high standard set in Oakland. 

Stair Step Seating at Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA

Loft Seating at Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA

Stair Step Seating at Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA

One of the newest spots is located in Culver City’s Platform, a gorgeous collection of hip shops and restaurants nestled in the bottom floors of modern condos and office spaces. Blue Bottle fits right in with the sleek, modern feel of the complex: it boasts some beautiful and unusual architecture, featuring a huge staircase for lounging and a loft-like seating space offering birds-eye views of the rest of the café. The entire space is flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the blonde wood accents and simple decor offer a modern, Scandinavian feel. There are lovely extra touches throughout, including a small lending library, featuring collections of books assembled by notable curators. The staff perfectly embodies Blue Bottle’s values, all very friendly and approachable, and clearly enthusiastic about coffee.

Library at Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA

The cappuccino was inarguably excellent. It was beautifully poured, with a very good ratio of espresso to milk, and its velvety, creamy texture made it clear that it was made with very good milk. It’s possible that I had Christmas on the brain whilst sipping this beauty, because I couldn’t help but conjure memories of bourbon-spiked eggnog while enjoying its nutty, amaretto-like flavor. Its finish was pleasantly bitter, with a cozy, lingering warmth and richness.

Cappuccino at Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA

Blue Bottle sets a high standard for its cafés, and each one I have visited has lived up to that standard, serving high-quality coffee and offering a comfortable, pleasant experience. At the end of the day, Blue Bottle is still a chain - and for that reason, it lacks the personality and character you can find in the smaller cafés this city has to offer. However, this operation is polished, understated, and most of all, consistent - an admirable feat given how quickly the company has grown. If this and the other “third-wave” coffee players are an indication of the future of coffee chains, then we are in good hands indeed. 

Cappuccino at Blue Bottle Coffee, Culver City, CA 

Blue Bottle Coffee Culver City

Platform, 8830 Washington Blvd #103, Culver City, CA 90232

Paradocs Coffee & Tea | Los Angeles, CA

Paradocs was hiding in plain sight. I'd probably been by it a million times, but somehow its tiny storefront never made it into the fabric of my memory of Little Ethiopia. It's not a surprise really, taking into consideration its inconspicuous, non-illuminating sign on a street that glitters with neon and twinkle lights that beckon you to feast on injera and doro wat. Paradocs keeps a low profile, quietly delighting its regulars with lovingly crafted coffee and a warm, comfortable place to sit. You can imagine my delight upon stumbling upon this little haven, located on a street so familiar to me I thought I could sketch it perfectly from memory. There it was, tucked between Buna Ethiopian Market and a men's clothing store, so narrow and modest that I had managed to look right past it all these years. 

Paradocs Coffee & Tea, Los Angeles, CA

Inside, the tiny cafe space is crammed with antique-style furniture, a cozy retreat perfect for spending an hour or two away from reality. Behind the counter, owner Taka (who is somewhat legendary amongst Yelpers for his love of his craft), happily serves up caffeination and pleasant conversation, chatting with his customers like they're old friends. On a busy Saturday, it's a prime people-watching spot - if you can snag a table. A lot of folks come here for the matcha, as Taka is praised for his creative and skillful use of the green tea powder in lattes, cookies, brownies, and croissants.

Outside Paradocs Coffee & Tea, Los Angeles, CA

As tempting as all the beautiful house-made treats were, I managed to stay focused and ordered my classic cappuccino. Served up in a tall glass mug (as Taka and I discussed, there's something really comforting about drinking out of a real mug rather than a paper cup), this was by far the biggest cappuccino I've come across. So large, in fact, I wondered for a while if Taka had mistakenly made me a latte instead. Under all that milk and foam, however, was a delightful espresso that was rich, nutty, and flavorful. To finish it off, there was a delicate touch of latte art like a little feather resting on top. 

Cappuccino, Paradocs Coffee & Tea, Los Angeles, CA

While this was not my favorite cappuccino (there was just too much milk for my taste), it is obvious that Paradocs is a beloved institution with many devoted followers. The appeal here is clear: who wouldn't love a humble and sincere café tucked into one of the busiest streets in the city, run by a man who is dedicated and passionate about coffee and tea? Paradocs is definitely worth a visit - I know I'll be back soon to nab one of those mouthwatering matcha pastries!

Paradocs Coffee & Tea

1032 S Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90019