Caffeine Dreams: Haute 5 Coffee Houses in Los Angeles

There are many different rules around coffee and its consumption.  Order a cappuccino instead of an espresso after lunch and the Italians will stare at you like you just told them you support France in the World Cup.  Subject a purist to a blind coffee taste test and they’ll bore you to tears about the purity of the beans, the density and richness of its “tail,” and how recently it was roasted.  Los Angeles has, in its recent years of culinary pioneering, gained a number of high end establishments that cater to both coffee fanatics and your average caffeine explorer.  Here, your haute 5 places to suck down more caffeine than you’ve ever needed.  None of these places offer their beverages intravenously… yet.

Caffe Luxxe

This intimate, laid back hideaway on Montana Ave in Santa Monica shouldn’t fool you.  It may be small and there may be any number of tiny dogs tied up outside waiting for their post-yoga owners to emerge with lattes and croissants, but they are serious about their brews.  The coffee, which hails from Northern Italy, is ground as you make your order, so that espresso you’ve ordered is as fresh as can be.  To temper your shaking from too much caffeine, they also serve some of the most delicious pastries west of the 405.  Their Almond Croissant is good enough to drive out of the way for and the Apricot Tart is, likewise, divine.

Caffe Luxxe is located at 925 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica (They also recently opened a Brentwood location)  310.394.2222

LAMILL

Purists, rejoice! At the LAMILL Coffee Boutique in Silver Lake, you can find coffee-geeks of every shape and size enjoying classic brews spewing from machines so technologically advanced they look like they could launch spaceships.  You can choose from sipping coffee prepared in a French Press (tres chic and old fashioned), go the way of the Eva Solo (otherwise known as “cupping”), or choose the Siphon Brew.  You can even go so far as to pick your bean – Guatemala El Socorro, anyone? Colombia Narino Mariana Micro Lot more your style?  Would you rather not have to figure out what any of this means and just enjoy a purely delicious coffee or espresso? They can do that, too.  (For tea enthusiasts, try the Hong Kong Milk Tea)

LAMILL Coffee Boutique is located at 1636 Silver Lake Blvd in Silver Lake  323.663.4441

Huckleberry

It’s not a difficult decision to make, really.  Would you like a delicious espresso by itself or would you like a delicious espresso accompanied by a Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart? Would you like your Caffe Mocha with a side of Blueberry Cornmeal Cake? Just say yes.  At Huckleberry in Santa Monica, the coffee is only trumped by its accompaniments.  Owned by culinary team behind nearby Rustic Canyon restaurant, Hucklberry is light, airy, and has the inevitably beachy atmosphere of a Santa Monica establishment.  Pop in for proper breakfast, a Turkey Meatball Sandwich for lunch, or just make the trip for their Espresso con Panna – its worth it.

Huckleberry is located at 1014 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica  310.451.2311

Bricks and Scones

Often times what makes the coffeehouse is how comfortable their chairs are and how free their internet is.  When you combine those with delicious coffee and treats, you’ve got a coffeehouse packed with laptops and happy regulars.  At Bricks and Scones very near Larchmont Village in Hancock Park, you can go for the coffee, the assortment of teas, or such delectable’s as a Hot Cocoa Espresso Muffin.  Would you prefer to sip your Latte with a Gluten-Free Carrot Cupcake or down your espresso with a Hazelnut Chocolate Croissant? Slide into their Study upstairs where it’s oh-so quiet to get some reading in or grab a seat at a table downstairs to be a part of the action.

Bricks and Scones is located on Larchmont Blvd in Los Angeles  323.463.0811

Intelligentsia

You were worried we’d forgotten about this one, weren’t you? How could we neglect to include the caffeine-masters at Intelligentsia? With one outpost in Venice and one in Silver Lake, the hipsters of Los Angeles are kept in a constant state of adrenaline by coffee beans imported from Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Rwanda, and Colombia.  Both locations, with modern industrial décor and a spirited atmosphere, offer an experience in coffee like none other.  Yes they have cookies and scones to go with their brews, but the focus here is on what you’re drinking.  Learn more about that caffeine you so desperately need in the morning or just let your barista surprise you – either way, at Intelligentsia, you know you’re in good hands.

Intelligentsia is located at 1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice  310.399.1233 or at 3922 W. Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake  323.663.6173