LOVE the Black Cat Espresso blend - I also tried their other single origin blend which was slightly on the acidic side. Both blends are smooth and lovely with just a hint of sweetness. I also love the decor, space, and ambiance with the "second story" overlooking the main coffee bar. read more

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I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Intelligentsia on our interview date. If you've adventured around the Los Angeles coffeeshop circuit (or scrolled through the internet looking for a coffee subscription), you would notice that a fair amount of them serve the Chicago-born Intelligentsia Coffee. Well, did you know that they also have a few of their coffee bars nestled around L.A.? Probably not. But boy, were we in for a treat when we set up shop at the Venice Beach location. And not just because we were blessed with the presence of many a cute dog while sitting down doing our interview. Intelligentsia's Venice Beach location is perfectly placed on the ever popular Abbot Kinney Boulevard along the path of many, many shops and close enough to walk to the beach after enjoying one of their freshly roasted brews and a can't resist pastries. Its atmosphere very much appeals to the beach-y hipster that lives in the area with its modern industrial interior and rustic chic exterior. Couples, besties, shoppers, surfers, and more swarm to this spacious location to fill up their caffeine tank before their respective activities or decide to spend some time lounging there if they are lucky enough to get a seat. read more

Such a pretty (busy) place. I could have hung out there all day! Rode the new rental bikes there from Santa Monica and Worth the miles! Great people watching and the baristas were very nice. Got the daily coffee, it took a bit of time but worth the wait and came out to at least 2 mugs worth of coffee. read more

Second time in a week I've visited and second time ever, a revisit says a lot! Def all about the Honduran hot chocolate and Honduran mocha! Will come again for sure. Baristas can be a little curt and terse. But one did get down to show my son how he makes a leaf. Hipster and progressive atmosphere, which is what it is. Can't be the coffee! And I love the letter about Obama! read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Letter about Obama posted on the wall. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

Their iced mocha is basically watered down, no shade on the patio even though there seems to be a mechanism to do so.

A true coffee "joint" in every sense of the word. Great service, great decor, great coffee. Worth it to go out of your way for, which is what I do every time. A winner for sure. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

Easily some of the best coffee I've had in LA. I stayed at an airport hotel during my trip and didn't have access to a non-Starbucks blend in my immediate vicinity and like any self-respecting coffee snob, I had to get myself out there and into a good third-wave coffee establishment. I had the Tres Santos Brew (Colombia) and really liked it. They made it using a Hario V60 dripper and didn't take too long despite being super crowded. It might be a bit of a challenge to find a spot to sit here during peak hours, but if you do, don't let go of your seat! They have great wifi and it's nice to get some work done here. Thumbs-up/will come back again. read more

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Wanted to love this place (decor, pastries, and wifi are on point), but now like some of the other reviews I'm reading now after my experience, the service is completely baffling. You don't roll your eyes while shaking your head at customers if there was a mistake, from across the shop while the customer is looking right at you, then deny it when confronted about it. We ordered of cup of Kenyan coffee, tea, cookie, and pastry -- something north of $25. I was told the tea would be brought out, while the coffee would take 10-15 min to brew. On top, the cashier (same guy who rolled his eyes) pointed me out to the barista for the drink. Cool, I take a call along the terrace/high benches, time passes and no drink still. Its a small enough shop, if the drink is sitting out, don't you think you'd remember who you made it for, especially if they were in viewing distance? I dont get why the service is inconsistent, why bring out the tea set, but not coffee? The new barista and this cashier are now whispering to each other about the mixup, cashier goes to refill something, and thats when the look-over, eye roll and head shake happens. Dude, you make coffee, you dont save lives, no one got hurt, nothing is making you even lift a finger, but oh the tragedy for a mix-up. And to yell across the coffee shop to tell me drinks are picked up here? Wow. Keep the coffee, I didnt even want to try it at that point. Never coming here again -- dont know how people can turn a blind eye to this behavior. Entitlement is going to ruin this shop. read more

Is this hipster paradise or hipster hell? Depends on who you ask, but its for sure hipster something. Came here to crank out some work on a Saturday afternoon. Yes, I was one of those macbook bitches in the back. No, I have no shame. There's a nice amount of seating both inside and out in the front. The counter surrounding the baristas is definitely where it's at if you need an outlet. With a mac and foresight though, I'd recommend sitting on the high rise stools in the back of store though. Great for focusing on work and people watching when you take a break. Coffee-wise, I ordered a cold brew which was good both for taste and helping me get motivated. Ordering it was a breeze, with a minimal line. If you like to sip your drink slowly as you do your work, you can also always ask for more ice if all of it melts. All in all, a great place to go and work. Then, reward yourself by binge shopping at the bougie stores that dot Abbot Kinney after. read more

Uh-oh! I used to love this place...before it went Marxist. This place used to be open until 10 PM at night!

Asked the barista for something flavorful. He gave me this excellent blend from El Salvador. I come here every time I'm in the Venice area, amazing atmosphere and the coffee always takes you on a journey. Hands down one of the best coffee shops in Southern California. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

The staff is really knowledgeable and I love that they have oat milk. I got the matcha latte with oat milk and it was really good. It can get crowded but even when there's a line it moves pretty quick. read more

Perfect Every Damn Time. There is always a line, and it's on Abbott. Be prepared to wait read more

Edit: We all have annoying days. This was mine. 3 for the experience but it's a 4 star place. Hate to say this because generally it's a 3 star place, maybe 4. But how can you not have an experience of going into a cafe when 4 servers are all gathered at the other side of the cash register chatting to themselves and a friend and get ignored for 3-4 mins, and who knows how much longer that would have been, cause I eventually walked out. ;/ So generally experience ok I'd say, but annoying to have the pretentious Millenials not even able to look up to serve customers. If your in the hood and it's packed with a line out the door, might also be a pass. Walk down get a blue bottle. To work with a fully powered computer its ok and coffee is decent. read more

Great place! Lots of seating outside and inside, plenty of table top spaces for studying/working people. Staff is super nice, good coffee. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

I always go to intelligentsia when I travel To California or Chicago. This my first time visiting this particular location. It is pretty cool. The design seems interesting. The coffee taste good. The barista nice and welcoming everyone. I had ice latte today and next time I want to try their mocha read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

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My whole party really enjoyed the handcrafted beverages we got here. Baristas were willing to do a lot of customization and were very friendly. Matcha is delicious as well as the coffee. Coffee is on the floral side, more acidic but hits just right. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

Yay! So glad there's a relatively close Intelligentsia shop. This coffee is very delicious and I was missing the Silverlake location. Parking was a breeze on a Saturday morning and the woman working the register was really nice. Can't wait to keep going back for more! read more

Contrary to what I went in thinking, I kind of like this place! I had read that this place had a weird vibe and that their drinks were too hyped up. Well, I actually liked the vibe and the latte I got! The shaded entrance, the openness of the interior, and the easygoing music really make this a cool place to hang out on Abbot Kinney. That is if it's not too crowded. They even have a back door by the metered parking spaces - convenient! I asked if they can inject the latte with some flavor, they said they don't do that. Hmm I hadn't heard that before but I get it. They want it to be all about that coffee flavor coming out. And it was! You could tell that my latte was made from good beans. It was so smooth! I agree with someone's review that this place can be packed but eerily quiet. Ha! I thought it added to that cool mesmerizing vibe. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

Intelligentsia Venice is cool (I guess) ... It's hip (maybe) ... It's popular (definitely) ... It also seemed weird inside (to quote Valentina L.'s review). Even less enthusing was that neither my tea nor apple pie was ingenius. In fact, I didn't even try to finish either. The barista at the counter was cool and eager to serve. I was in the mood for a late afternoon sip of relaxation and he recommended the King Crimson Herbal Tea with Rosehips, Lemongrass, and Hibiscus. The bright red tea is caffeine free and was served in a clear glass pitcher at the perfect drinking temperature. The flavor was fine; however, it tasted manufactured or powdered. Sadly, a Rustic Apple Pie was the most tempting snack in the case at that time of day. The dry pie lacked flavor, distinction, or an excuse to spend a portion of my daily calorie limit on it. After a few bites, I sipped pushed it to the side and sipped on my tea a little. The coffee shop was packed at 4:45 p.m. ... yet, spookily quiet. The clean and calm vibe is like a cross between a library and a dentist waiting room. Why is everyone so nervous? ... shhhh ... I'm having coffee over here. After 25-minutes, I escaped out the back door to the dusty free parking lot behind the building in search of a different form of relaxation. Granted, I may not be a brainiac, but Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea in Venice is just 3 wise stars. It didn't come close to the vibe or quality of great coffee shops like Funnel Mill in Santa Monica or Stumptown Coffee in L.A. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Rustic Apple Pie at Intelligentsia Venice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

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I've been here a few years before but that was before I could appreciate Third Wave coffee. I remember seeing the long lines out the door onto the sidewalk and thought how ridiculous it was. I thought it was a marketing ploy as was done by another burrito establishment that is located near me. But I digress. It's a coffee bar, essentially, which is probably not a surprise these days to many people. You can get some pretty tasty coffee which could be enjoyed without sweeteners and really, without milk either. That way, you could come to appreciate the notes of the various coffee bean roasts that are used. On this occasion, I decided to have a double shot of espresso at the espresso bar which is just a wooden counter where my demitasse filled with the black gold is place along side a glass of mineral water as a chase. I've been told that to get to take advantage of the full flavor of the coffee, you need to drink it within 30-45 seconds which you are able to do here. The barista places the demitasse on the espresso counter, you take your shot and you're done. No adding sweetener or milk, none of those silly antics the non-enlightened do, hehe. The sweet and smooth notes of my espresso shot was really noticeable to the point it made me let out a slight moan of appreciable delight. The ambiance is modern with a few benches and additionally, a counter and with stools where you can hang out longer to enjoy your slow pour over coffee and croissant while being attended by the baristas. I like sitting at the counter and stools toward the rear of the coffee house that is set on an elevated platform giving you a bird's eye view of the entire place while watching the master baristas at work. I enjoyed my visit. The baristas are very friendly and provide great service to their clientele. They are true professionals and experts at their craft. I can't wait to come back. read more

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Yes, it's a bit more expensive. And maybe a bit trendy. But time costs money and these drinks take time. Hand-made and timed instead of mass produced by a machine that does the thinking for you (*cough* *cough* starbucks). Is it the place I would go everyday if I drank coffee everyday? No. But is it the place I would go if I was in the area and wanted a beautful, rich relaxing cup? Yes. The very modern design many not appeal to all, but I liked it. Hard clean lines and natural sunlight may be a contrast from dimly lit coffee shops with lounge chairs and couches, but it's nice to have coffee shop environment options! read more

**VENICE'S HIPSTER COFFEE HOUSE** Sometimes I miss the hipsters in San Francisco. Only sometimes. But when I do, this was the place to cater to those hipster cravings. A fancy mocha was a 10 minute wait. I love sitting indoors. Industrial architecture. Cool peeps. Good pitcher of water. Sipped my mocha. Oh so foamy. So good. RECOMMEND for the hipster ambiance and oh yes, the delicious coffee. read more

It's a little hard to say this with a straight face, strolling up to queue in leather sandals and a designer laptop bag at 3pm on a workday, hair recently cut, texting on an iPhone and generally cutting the image of an Official Major-League West LA Douchebag - I won't deny the irony - but Intelligentsia on Abbot Kinney is pretentious. Yeah I said it. Pretentious. Exhibiting false profession. Intended to impress others. Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction. Not that this couldn't be said about nine-tenths of Abbot Kinney's establishments, but I don't throw the word around lightly. This particular Intelligentsia intentionally cultivates a mystique of exclusivity. You'll wait in line long enough to wonder what you're doing there, or if they'll even let you in. My douchebaggery was outdone in the first few seconds by coffeegoers fore and aft, spouting LA's most insipid trifecta of conversational topics: 1. their last acting class, 2. their last yoga class, 3. their children (though "their dogs" is an acceptable substitute). Two, maybe three dozen minutes pass. The line (maybe 5 people) moves. Impossible! Why was I in line so long? Where's the person who takes your order? Where are the tables? Chairs? Inside, new mysteries are revealed just as I was solving the old ones. Standard-issue MacBook Pros (MacBooks Pro? MacsBook Pro?), like the one in my bag, are in evidence. The seating areas left and right, room for 3 each, claimed by a determined few, are abuzz with screenplay and Craigslisting. I'm at the threshold. The space is occupied primarily by the bar, a rough hybrid of the Venice's 90's-era Chiat/Day Industrial and Victorian-revival Steampunk. It's all varnished wood and brass, juxtaposed against poured concrete. An antique-looking guestbook waits on a pedestal, but I'm too intimidated to sign. I feel like I'm being watched. At last I'm summoned by a barista, and led around to the side of the bar. The barista, impossibly hip, hands me a tiny clipboard to which the menu is fastened. This is unlike any eating or drinking establishment practice I've ever heard of. I'm starting to catch on. This isn't what they do at a coffee joint. This is what they do at Burke Williams. This place is a spa. I start to feel more at ease. I order espresso and a pound of Black Cat. Now here's the deal. I didn't come in here to floss Westsidesque - I'm on a mission. If Intelligentsia's roasting operation is legendary, then Black Cat is mythological. You open a pound of Black Cat, and this intoxicating smell wafts out. Impossible to describe. Winey, but not woody, with dark fruit and cognac. It's prepared in a perfect Full City roast. The online coffee communities buzz endlessly about Black Cat, and for good reason - it's almost surely the best espresso blend in the world, full stop. I find a bag of Black Cat on the wall, and when I return, the barista has set up a demitasse saucer, spoon, and a small glass of delicious sparkling water. It's just what I need before espresso, and great showmanship. The espresso arrives, tiger-flecked with crema of every color from pumpkin to cocoa, and it's a work of art. It's a picture-perfect shot. I make my way around the bar. It's not full, but I'm feeling cramped. It's because the back end has nowhere to sit either. The sparse front seating is paired by a long concrete bench in back, and it is entirely occupied. No MacsBook, though; the air is lively there - it's all waving arms, SoCal metaphysics. They're balding, the bench sitters, and greying, and there isn't a cup of coffee in sight. I've struck out on seating, so I nestle up to the bar. This catches the attention of employees back there, who point and whisper. Now I'm really out of place. I don't belong there. Maybe I'm being self-conscious. Finally I'm settled long enough to dig in to the delightfully prepared espresso. I'm expecting Nirvana. It's an enormous disappointment. I've made a lot of bad espresso. It's really easy to screw it up, even when everything else is in your favor. The temperature has to be just perfect - a tenth of a degree is noticeable, and a degree either way can ruin it. Too cold and it's sour; too warm, bitter. The same goes with extraction - too much water, sour. Too little, bitter. Both of these factors are influenced by the grind, which in turn is heavily influenced by the weather, the time since roasting, storage, and so forth. Espresso has the tightest tolerances of any foodstuff. There is no end to the frustration. To turn the tide, you need three things: 1. technology, which can help to stabilize brewing temperature; 2. high throughput, to minimize the effects of time; and 3. skilled baristas. It seemed to me that Intelligentsia has these in spades. What went wrong? I leave feeling disappointed. I want an explanation, but I don't ask for one. Didn't want to make a scene. And anyway, I had two pounds of superb coffee, and a burning desire to get the hell out of Venice. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Steampunk and concrete - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

I have mixed emotions about this place. Not sure if I would say it's a OK or Yay, I'm a Fan! I would say something in between. They pretty much have the following things: FREE WIFI....which means if you plan to just enjoy someone's company and drink a cup of coffee, you will have to wait for seating. They do have both outdoor and indoor seating. LOTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS...which explains all the laptops, highlighters, notebooks and etc all over the table. OVERPRICED LATTE...It was $5+ for a regular latte. It was ok, but nothing spectacular. The latte art was lacking. We received a deform leaf. I can't fault them for that and obviously latte art shouldn't matter, but it kind of does. It's like seeing a hot girl/guy. They could look fine but if they have dirty rags on, your view of them would be totally different. NOISE LEVEL...surprisingly with the amount of people there, the noise level actually wasn't bad. The architectural design of this place, helps contain the sound. So you can actually have a conversation with someone next to you without yelling. BATHROOM...only 1 universal bathroom. CLEAN UP/EMPLOYEES...I would have to say the employees here are on top of it. When someone leaves a seat, they are right there to clear it up. PARKING...be prepared to spend some time to find parking. Only street parking available and it's limited. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

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Love your coffee. It's a real treat coming from Vegas to you guys. I hear a lot of criticism about the service provided from the baristas but then I think majority of it comes from people's Starbucks-mentality when ordering. This place ain't Starbucks people, it's good coffee with a focus on quality not convenience. Go here with an open-mind-set and do some Googling first about their menu and options; you're coming to a higher-end coffee joint, not a 1980s drip/coffee joint or a fast-food outlet that sells $1 coffee. Thanks guys for making awesome coffee, been to two of your places now, Venice and Hollywood. Awesome! read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Cafe Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

This is da scene in which to be seen I mean, it ain't no Coffee Bean Very chic architectural interior And the coffee's not inferior A row of people on laptops Customary for coffee shops Even a photo shoot in progress Some chick posing in a fancy dress Abbot Kinney is da place to be We're not cool if we're absentee read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

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There's a reason why Intelligentsia always has a long line out the door.. There's a reason why people wait over 15 minutes for coffee here.. There's a reason why people pay $4 or more for their coffee fix.. ..It's simply good coffee! It must be their $10,000+ Clover Machine that does the trick cuz my double shot latte ($4) was really good. Not only was my latte good, the service was really helpful and friendly. Since it was my first time at Intelligentsia, I had a lot of questions about drinks I've never heard of on their menu and they answered each and every one of my questions with a genuine smile. And I must say, LOVE the outfits all the workers have on--so adorable! This is definitely a great coffee shop to go to if you have time to lounge about for awhile, but if you're on the go--I suggest a local coffee bean or starbucks because the wait time can be a little long. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Double shot latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

Okay, so far, this is by far my favorite Intelligentsia location! Having tried Silverlake and Pasadena as well, I must proclaim the lattes taste a little better here. Also, I found the baristas and staff in general at this location to be the friendliest! I prefer the layout of Intelligentsia Abbot Kinney as well. Plenty of areas to sit and enjoy your beverage while working on your laptop. I just discovered additional parking to the rear of the coffeehouse! I had the honor of indulging in a Large 2% Latte and a Lemon Pistachio Tea Cake (see photos) yesterday and they were amazing! Again, such taste of espresso is only familiar to me in Italia. Such natural sweetness in the shots. Such perfect creaminess in the steamed milk. The gorgeous art. I'M IN LOVE! On the tea cake. WOW! Perfection in the amount of sweetness and just a slight tarty while flavorful with essence of pistachio! Truly complimentary to a latte. read more

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So...I tried this coffee spot during a short trip to Santa Monica. It was recommended by a local so I figured I'd give it a shot. There was a short line as I approached the front door so I figured this place must be good. I'm not a coffee connoisseur and I try to keep it pretty simple when ordering. The coffee wasn't bad but it was definitely more strong than I'm used to. I think I just need to try something a little sweeter next go round. Ironically, this was the the coffee my Airbnb host chose to stock in our room so I know it's a local fav. This seems to be good place to go if you want coffee without all the fluff. (I guess I like fluff! lol) I would definitely give it a second try during a second trip! read more

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So after telling BFF I didn't have that WOW factor experience at Intelligentsia in Silverlake, she brought me here just to show me that it was. Anyway, I guess when I went to the Silverlake location, I had mis-ordered what she told me to -- I asked for an iced mocha when I should've ordered a hot mocha. So this time we got it right and it was actually really really good, so rich in flavor without being overly chocolately in any way. The barrista was super cool, she made these beautiful designs on every cuppa and they were all different! There were leaf designs, tulips..... so pretty! So I guess yeah, I just had to know what to order, but I don't know how often I'd get down to one of these since 1) I'm not a coffee drinker and 2) I don't live in LA read more

Pretentious. Attitude. Coffee is ok. Not worth the high price. Venice, specifically some new businesses on Abbott Kinney have done well to merge into the neighborhood of where art meets crime. The good ones know how to treat their customers with some chit chat, friendly when you walk in... Not here though. Yeah they may be able to wow you with their coffee craft skills but... Lots of other great coffee joints around the hood w/o all the bling and $$$. read more

I like coffee, I don't love coffee or worship the baristas. They don't know my name and call out my orders of a medium decaf, but I have to say that this place could change all that. I went the other day and just asked for a half decaf and regular coffee. I was meeting someone and just wanted a convenient spot and Abbot Kinney was it. Well, the coffee (concierge?) looked at me and in the nicest possible way told me they don't do that. How about a Americano? Sure, i said....what is that? Trust me. Well, when I say it was the best coffee thing I've ever had would be about right. Smooth and frothy and with flavors I'd only heard my snobby coffee friends talk about. Like the word I just used...frothy. Really? Frothy? YES! and damn good. My wife loves their version of the Spanish Latte and the baked goods are fantastic. Go scone....OK, maybe a donut with a scone. All good. I sat out front in my skinny jeans and cool tee and thought....I belong here with my cup of Americano". Then I saw a English dude with skinnier jeans and a golden lab and went..."that's cooler." And went home. Great beautiful space and very knowledgeable staff, this place rocks. read more

The girl who was working at 1PM Sunday 7/9 wearing a midriff top and kilt at the counter is intentionally trying to sabotage your reputable business. Without question, she was the most rude & quite frankly disgustingly behaved person who we've ever been served by. I truly thought we might have been being Punk'd and cameras were going to suddenly appear. Never left a review before but it would honestly be a disservice to the owners not to share this. read more

L.A. gets a lot of hate from outsiders, oddly enough often from people who I know have never even been. I don't get it, maybe it's jealousy, but more likely it's ignorance. There's such diversity in what makes up "L.A." in reality, and probably my favorite area of all (or more technically the one I would move to if I ever lived out here) is the Abbot Kinney neighborhood in Venice. The proximity to surf and sand, along with a growing presence of independent little shops, make for a cute little 'hood with all the elements of some of my favorite places I've lived. Unfortunately our visit to this little area was brief, as we were only there to sample some of the famed Intelligentsia brew on-site, as recommended by our friendly coffee guru Julie H. When it comes to the "dark arts", there's no one whose opinion I trust more, so this stop was a no brainer. In a place like Venice, with so many contrasting styles on display, it can be hard to differentiate between the tourists and the locals, but regardless of who was who it seemed the majority of them were flocking to Intelligentsia for some early morning inspiration, as the line was well out into the street. Fortunately, the assembly line like operation here ensures that the line moves quickly and efficiently, and each person you interact with is courteous and welcoming. You don't see a lot of people passing you by on their way out with frowns on their faces. They're not overly obsessed with latte art here, which is probably a good thing given the large number of patrons they service in a day. You get your goods and get out of line, allowing for a quick turnover. The focus is definitely on the product, and the product is legit. I'm slowly learning how to appreciate the better coffees thanks to Suzy's influence, but I think the wares at Intelligentsia could be appreciated by even the most novice of drinkers. The rich, bold flavors in their strongest brews are still approachable for almost anyone, and the quality of the source material is undeniable. I wish we had the time to stay here and soak in the sun in the beautiful space they've designed. The pastry counter was quite appealing, but tacos were waiting for us at another destination, and, well, tacos...yeah. I'm privileged enough to not crave coffee often enough to have to drink the swill that most people are subjected to for their daily fix, and as such generally just seek out the best places in each city to get an impression of what that city's coffee culture, and overall scene, is like, and Intelligentsia would definitely rank in my top 5 across the U.S. read more

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Considering how much I LOVE the Old Town Pasadena location, I thought I'd really like this one too... but sadly, it was a "Meh. I've experienced better." Seating is really weird here. Lots of hard bench seating, very few tables, no outlets (which is smart I guess because then people won't stay there FOREVER on their laptops), and it was very cold (not temperature-cold) but ambience-cold. Not really my style of cafe. It wasn't cozy at all. The mocha I ordered came with pretty art on the top, but it was a little too strong for my taste and it was actually kinda gritty too. I think in general, Intelligentsia coffees are on the darker, stronger side. They also had a very limited selection of pastries. I was hoping to have some macarons like the ones at the Pasadena location, but sadly there were none. It IS located among all the shops and boutiques and restaurants on Abbott Kinney in Venice, but I don't think I'll be coming back here again, especially to stay. More of a to-go coffee spot for sure! read more

Very cool coffee shop, fits the Venice vibe and Abbot Kinney perfectly. Hipsters all around, but they seem to serve the best coffee. I went with a cappuccino for the man and a mocha for me and we really enjoyed both. A bit pricey, especially his at over $6 but the quality is there and it was worth a splurge. Short but interesting menu, with several unique options worth checking out. The lines can get insane here, the parking can be difficult and so can finding a seat, but the coffee is worth returning for,plan on taking it to go and go for a stroll in the area as we did. read more

Is it very good espresso? Yes. However, I've stopped going here because there is zero communication between the people that take your orders and the actual people that make your drinks. Whatever you customize happens zero percent of times. They don't even take names down on cups and people are constantly wondering who's drink they made is who's. But mostly I got tired of my drink being made wrong 100% of times and it always being so busy, trying to get anyone's attention to tell them it's wrong is virtually impossible. For $6-$7 a latte I want my drink made right the majority of the time at least so I've dumped them for Groundwork Coffee who has never messed it up once and is also very good espresso. read more

Beautiful space, knowledgeable baristas, strong coffee... i love the look of the place, lots of seating, industrial and clean. You order from your own barista and while they make your drink, you have your own station where they serve your drinks. That day they had 3 baristas with their own station. Is not like the chain coffee places where there is only one machine and one barista making all the drinks and calling names as she finishes making an order. I love the coffee here...I ordered a macchiato - an espresso with milk served in a teeny weeny espresso cup. I want to tell you that I fell in love with coffee in Barcelona and since then I haven't found anything comparable to that until I came here. I now remember why I fell in love with coffee in the first place...not just for its caffeine effect but for its robust flavors. Perfect coffee is a small dose of happiness in a cup. Thank you, Intellegentsia for bringing me back to Barcelona =) read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California

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This Intelligentsia has everything to make a 5 star experience. The coffee, the people, the atmosphere and the treats will make everyones day groovy. The process of making every cup of coffee perfect here is evident with all of attention to detail and how the barista totally cares that you enjoy your coffee to the fullest. I came here for coffee while visiting my cousin more than once and thoroughly enjoyed every sip of a double espresso and soy latte. The woodwork in this venue is out of this world. There are all sorts of seating available but my favorite is to hangout right by the entrance on the wooden stumps by the lush green vines. Come here for a beach break or while shopping around Venice. Or, come just to experience this coffee shop alone with a book - it's the the perfect place to have some 'you' time. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Venice, California