For a university coffee shop, the Equator beans in my espresso were fantastic. So glad to see an alternative to Starbucks available at USC. The pastry and carb loading options were standard fare. Service was cheerful, and the courtyard right outside is a great spot to relax with shade and full sun seating options and a few seats indoors. T-Mobile had good reception for video calls. read more

Great patio to meet up with a colleague or friend over coffee, tea or water! Service is a little slow at times, but the ambience makes up for it. read more

Super cute coffee and tea shop tucked in the back of Doheny Library. Indoor and outdoor seating. Helpful staff with nicely made drinks.

sandwich is disappointing lol im sure drinks are good though. good snack bar selection.. read more

Literatea - veggie cheese melt - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I like this place when it's open. But I think they are CLOSED for the SUMMER even though there is no sign on the door. Hours posted make it look like it should be open but it's locked and dark. read more

I've had a few of the coffee drinks at Literatea and was sadly disappointed. Sure, you don't need to wait in a long line like at TroGro Starbucks, but I would willingly rather wait in that line than get another drink here. The drinks here taste super artificial. My coffee had a very acrid, burnt taste to it. It's a gorgeous cafe near Doheny that has great natural lighting if you're looking to get some work done or catch up with friends. You can also order Tapingo. read more

No wait! and a great alternative to starbucks' long line. I tried this place for the first time this morning. I ordered a chai tea latte, extra hot. For a small my drink was $3.29. Great price, and my drink was extra hot just like i asked for! I didnt know about this place until my friend showed me, i will most definitely come back for their chai latte.. I didnt get the coffee so I am not able to rate or review about their coffee but expect another post soon! What i love about this place is that there are bagels!.. that you are able to toast right there!... so breakfast food.. coffee.. no line.. you are set to go! read more

I would have given them a 5 star, because this place is awesome. But there was one time I saw a fly stuck inside the pastry cabin..... The secret garden, a shaded courtyard behind the mystic Doheny library. To the side of little side way, there is Literatea. The barista is always nice and makes conversations and recommendations. I believe we, the only scrub wearing nerd at USC main campus do get special treatments, people behave better in our presence :) Any how, they serve Chado tea, in a pot, with China tea cups, on a tray. To me, that is heavenly getaway from our monotone dental building. read more

Literatea - That, my friend, is a beautiful Tuesday afternoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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When the starbucks line at TroGo is too way, this is the place to go for your coffee/ice tea fix. Nothing fancy, just quick and fast service. Make sure to use your student ID card for a discount. read more

The drink is horribly made and overpriced. Id rather wait in line at Starbucks or Dulce

I was skeptical to try this place out but it's actually pretty good. I got the tomato soup and sandwich combo and a milk tea. The milk tea isn't great. The flavor is a bit off and the boba is too soft as if they have been sitting in water all day. As for the soup. I'm usually not a fan of tomato soup but I actually really enjoyed it. Not to strong in taste and balanced in terms of flavor. I would definitely recommend! The sandwich was also pretty good. But not anything standout or special. I would say the environment is very clean and has a vintage feel. Located behind doheny library, it is a perfect place to study. Plus there's spaces outdoors too and had it not been raining I probably would have stayed out in the courtyard. Overall I would give service a 4/5, environment a 4/5 and taste a 3/5. read more

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It breaks my heart to give a tea place only two stars but the service is just terrible. If you are here and the clock hits between XX:20 to XX:30 to XX:50 to XX:00, so the time between class, good luck making it to your next class in time. There are usually only two people working here which does not help with the customer flow. On top of that, the tea isn't particularly good. I am not even comparing it to Teavana or other tea based restaurants in the area, but it is still just not good. If you really need your coffee kick, there are two starbuckss nearby and a couple cafes nearby that have significantly more people working there. USC get your shit together and start taking more of your students' money. read more

This place has the best tomato soup in the land!!! I mean it! I love it. It's tomato soup with feta cheese. This location is on USC's campus and I make sure to have it when I'm here. The people are nice and all. But seriously if you love tomato soup, you gotta come here. You will NOT be disappointed. read more

Literatea - This tomato soup is so good it's addictive! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Literatea? They should really rename this USC cafe "Shannon's Favorite Things." A decent tea latte really gets my engine going, and they have a wide assortment of grab-and-go vegan entrees. WHAT! So many times, when I forget to pack food, I'm stuck buying an expensive avocado roll at Seed, and it just makes me sad. Literatea = happiness. Not to say it's perfect. There are no vegan desserts to tempt me, and they make their tea lattes like Starbucks, with the teabag stuck inside, which I deplore. Please, brew the tea first, then make the latte!! Annoying as that is, however, the Sassy Chai latte is the real deal. Spicy, not overly sweet (even with soy milk!), and made with real looseleaf tea as opposed to Oregon Chai. And, a small is only $2.99!!! Be still my heart. Service is fast and friendly, and it's a little oasis tucked behind Doheny library, which just happens to be my favorite building on campus. read more

Directly across from Alumni Park, this quaint little place is my favorite stop at USC. With a robust arrangement of foods (bakery-fresh sweets, snacks, salads, sushi, and their unique assortment of ready-to-eat vegetarian and vegan Indian foods) as well as Peet's coffee and a special variety of loose-leaf organic teas that you can't get anywhere else on campus, it's a divine slice of heaven conveniently located inside Doheny. While most students who haven't lived on that side of campus don't know about it, its clientele are loyal, and it's always busy, though never too busy. I used to go here every other day or so. Now that I've moved, it's no longer convenient, and it's the only thing I miss about the dorms on the south side of campus. The syrups that they use for flavored coffees and lattes is French, and really fantastic. If you want a real gourmet coffee and have time to savor it in a real porcelain mug with a nice scone or croissant, I'd say that you should definitely opt for Literatea. I can't say enough nice things about this place. Oh: USC Faculty, administrators, and grad students are here all the time. You know it's got to be good when it's not just freshman buying here. There was this one time I remember I was taking forever to find my credit card in my super-messy purse...and the guy in line behind me nicely paid for my drink and croissant. That's a happy memory I have from here. :) There's just one detractor: the USC wifi SUCKS here. Not the fault of the people who run the place, but seriously, could something be done about it? Then again, if they fixed it to run better, then you'd never be able to kick me out...so perhaps it's a strategy. read more

They now serve Jones Coffee - growers, roasters, and importers from Pasadena. Keeping it local!

Yay Literatea! If you're hungry or want food go elsewhere because Literatea has a pretty small food menu and their pastries are nothing special. Whatever actual meals there are are refrigerated and overpriced. However I love Literatea's drinks with all the power in my shriveled up little heart. Literatea is cozy and quiet and not teeming with freshmen who think they need a triple shot coffee to be mentally present at their 9am Taper lecture. Good place to chill and decompress between classes if you commute like me. Go sip on some tea in the courtyard while watching a WRIT140 TA rip a dude in a tanktop a new asshole. The joys of college life. read more

I ordered the Matcha Latte w/ Boba and was utterly disappointed. Tasted like dirt, but I still drank it because I paid for the damn drink. It then followed with stomach aches for a few hours after. Giving it a 2/5 cause the lady was nice and I have had their Thai which was pretty decent. The Boba = WACK . read more

I love this cafe so very much! I would give it 5 stars though if it were open past 6 pm. It reminds me of all my favorite coffee joints I loved on Cambridge as an undergraduate. read more

Located on the USC campus, this little cafe shop was a bright shiny light in the craziness that was the Festival of Books. That said, the bright light got dimmer and dimmer as my time spent in here increased. A giant event like the Festival of Books and there is one employee here running the joint by himself? How'd he draw that short straw?! The line was long as this was one of the few places selling things other than $3 bottled water. I was excited enough by their expansive list of Chado house teas to wait in the line though! Sadness occurred when I got to the front of the line (finally) and was told they had run out of everything but plain black iced tea. I like black iced tea, but after seeing all the yummy other flavors available it was a bit disappointing. I understand it's a big event day, but shouldn't that be more of a reason to schedule more employees and more stock? I give stars for the originality of the name, the menu, and the few comfy places they have to sit, and another star for understanding that it was a big crazy day, but bright shiny light went out. read more

A well-concealed USC gem. Literatea is my favorite place to set up and read a book with a cup of good strong tea. I recommend the Bolivian Black tea if you like your cup to have a strong kick. The ambiance is just great- USC needs more places like this. The courtyard is a great place to hang out, especially if you're amused by freshmen stressing out about Writing 340 essay conferences. It's funny because everyone thinks that they're special because they know about this place, but it's a lot more popular than people think. Tea is a universal beverage which unites all people (at least those worth talking to). read more

This is a teeny little coffee shop in the bottom of Doheny. Sadly in the summer it is only open till 2, which means I have to go to the psychotically crowded Starbucks thats a few buildings over if I want anything later in the afternoon. Very nice ladies working behind the counter, a variety of coffee and tea drinks available, some food, snacks, and pastries available. A microwave on the counter which no one minds if you use to nuke your lunch. Lovely little seating area that unfortunately is a bit too noisy for me, but the cafe is situated next to a courtyard which is perfect for eating lunch in or getting some work done before the day starts. read more

A super cute place to study if nobody else is there. They made me a matcha latte even though the kitchen was technically closed, which I was super grateful for. I wish it was open a little later but I'd definitely come back. read more

Located behind Doheny Library, this little tea and coffee shop is convenient. There are tables and chairs located both inside and outside the place. This is a very popular spot for students so do not be surprised if there is a long line or if you cannot find any empty tables. This spot is cheaper than the Starbucks located by Birnkrant and they even have popping boba for your tea! Definitely a must on campus! read more

Love it! I didn't want to write a review at first because I don't want everyone finding this hidden gem, but I was told that's selfish of me. Delicious hand-crafted mochas here. I'm a mocha snob, but this place makes a great mocha. They have good quality healthy eats, too. The yogurt parfait is perfect here and is only $3.50 -- Much better than $bucks or McD's versions. They also serve vegan snacks! The atmosphere is great -- A quiet haven in the middle of a busy campus. There is never a long line and the service is friendly. And they take cards, which is sooooo convenient for those who don't like to carry cash. read more

This is a cute and cozy place if you're a book nerd and want to take a break from studying. It's tucked away behind Doheny and is a quaint little corner to grab drinks or soup. Even the name is adorable! With that being said, I came to this place in between classes with a friend with high expectations. I really wish that I could give higher ratings, but the iced matcha green tea latte was just terrible. The menu itself isn't very extensive, but I definitely picked the wrong choice for $3.70. The matcha wasn't fully blended into the drink so the powder was chalky at the bottom. It's incredibly watered down too and not sweetened enough. With the amount of milk she added, I was expecting a creamier flavor (the shade of my drink was a very, very light green). I definitely prefer the Starbucks version to this one. Seriously broke my heart. Perhaps I'll come back to try something else. read more

Amazing spot. A little hidden, but perfectly calm and serving very good coffee! Really nice staff too!

Nice service! The girl behind the counter was helpful and directed to me to an iced Americano for this semi warm day. I needed it too!!! Note to manager: fix your hot water Bunn so it doesn't burn your employees! Poor things!!! read more

It cracks me up that people this place is "a gem." The courtyard right outside is nice, but the indoor seating is not even at par for a coffee house. The coffee is nothing special, and the food is pre-packaged from USC Hospitality--with vegan and vegetarian options. read more

Small, hidden on-campus coffee place. Skip the food options, you can do better elsewhere. A little pricey, but the iced drinks sure do hit the spot on a sunny Southern California kind of day. Only a couple of spots to sit, so grab a couch and relax for a bit :) read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE! It's great for studying, getting a quick bite, or getting some tea. Their teas are great and they have loose leaf teas. I personally love their yogurt parfaits. I legitimately used to get this every day for a semester for a snack. Their Moroccan Mint Tea Latte is my new favorite thing to get on a cold day. It's very milky and minty and delicious. Overally, a great place on campus to get anything you need between classes. read more

Although it is conveniently located on my way to work or to study at the library, Literatea is mediocre at best. The selection of baked goods and deli items is limited and there are only a few spots to sit because the cafe itself is tiny. There's also a line most of the time because only one cashier is working at any given time. I go here because it's convenient but wouldn't make a special trip for it. read more

One of USC's many cafes. A little too tiny and cramped for me to want to sit and study here, but it was a good alternative for grabbing coffee or tea instead of waiting through the usually horrendous lines at TroGro. They do have some nice outdoor seating here, though. read more

Nice hidden away tea-house near the back of Doheny Library. I really like their English Breakfast tea here =D They have expanded some of their food options so that's nice but it's more of a snack/quick place. There isn't too much space to sit inside but there is a lot of room outside on the patio which is awesome when it's a nice and sunny day. read more

Ugh, oh please USC, can we please just have ONE decently priced eating place on campus with decent food that isn't fast food/a chain? I come here when I'm desperate for a drink and the lines are too long at the campus center or at TroGro/Starbucks. I had their green tea lemonade yesterday and it was nasty. Definitely one of the worst GTL I've ever tasted.. wasn't sweet at all and the tea was just funky. The food is pretty much the same as the food at seeds but less variety... those nasty california rolls/spicy shrimp rolls.. etc. The good thing is that they DO have muffins and other baked goods though! I haven't tried a lot of their other teas and coffees but might next time. The lines get long between classes, so make sure you have some time before you stop for a drink! The inside is pretty cozy, but the seats fill up fast. Workers are very nice and fast too. I mainly just don't like the selection/quality of the food and drinks they have here. read more

Awesome place to get coffee or tea. Definitely a great alternative to grab a cup of joe if you don't want to wait in the long lines at Tro Gro. read more

I had high expectations, with its exclusive hours and lovely magical-looking outdoor patio, but alas my dreams were crushed! this is just another make-shift usc food stand with coffee bean price tags. But the patio right outside - that saves this place. It's the most magical little nook perfect filled with college & grad students looking intelligent with their macbooks out and highlighters highlighting. I'll definitely be back! read more

Service is great but like all hospitality owned places on campus, it's overpriced.

It's overpriced... and the coffee isn't great. They have food that I think is supposed to be "healthy," but unless you are an undergrad or uneducatd in these matters you know better. But they are quick and grad students need coffee so whatevs. They are part of that whole no tax USC thing. Which is cool I guess. read more

Literatea is wonderful- super close to the law building, perfect for grabbing a cup of tea to get me through class. And it's pretty inexpensive too. Also, their white mocha is tasty, and pretty strong espresso-wise. One of the best parts about Literatea is the courtyard right outside the cafe- it has plenty of sun or shade seating, and pretty secluded, so great for studying. I almost don't want people to find it, but then, it wouldn't be fair to those who are missing out! read more