The best matcha in the area and coffee Great customer…read moreservice Closes early though Love the açaí

The positives of this place are the coffee and staff. Okay and the ambiance is chill…read more My almond milk latte and matcha latte were great. The male barista is very good and efficient. He also had a great attitude when I asked him to switch from to go lattes to the mug as we said dining in. Think you'll be totally pleased if you want drinks and pastries here, but please beware if you want any food, it was honestly terrible. I hate to leave "bad" reviews but I'm super frustrated at the breakfast we received today. I get businesses trying to survive and needing to cut corners but this place should not serve food at all. They'd be better off. We ordered: A "carrot" "muffin" A breakfast burrito An egg bacon cheese sandwich Avocado toast They used the absolute cheapest ingredients possible for these items. Literally ONE egg - smashed so thin on the sandwich, burrito and avo toast. Sandwich was barely toasted white bread with Kraft American cheese that wasn't even melted. The bacon surprisingly was edible given the rest was not. And hey, I'm all for a classic 80's style breakfast sandwich but please let me know ahead of time that's what I'll be getting. The breakfast burrito was FULL of onions, what seemed like frozen hash browns and a mountain of black pepper it was literally inedible. The green salsa was watery af and helped none. The avocado toast was trying to be something but didn't quite make it. The bread was soft and under toasted, with a thin layer of avocado spread. The "esquite" was missing mayo, cheese, hot sauce, and consisted of corn and raw Jalapeño. Boring and flavorless. Again topped with a paper thin egg. Lastly, the carrot muffin was clearly a white box cake mix with a sprinkle on top of these super thin uniform "carrot" pieces. The cupcake itself (yes it's a cupcake, sweet af) had no actual carrot in it. Oh I also asked if the açaí base had sugar or came pre- sweetened because my husband is diabetic and the cashier said she had no idea... I'm sorry to the owners of this place, but the people need to know.

Coffee stand located in Highland Park. I think this is at least the second location for these…read morefolks. At this location it's really just walking up to a window and ordering. There's some seating outside in between this place and the place next-door. The folks here are very friendly and the service is quick. A buddy of mine were running errands in the area before they get together, so we stopped by here for some coffee. Their baked goods look good as well, so we decided to split one of their miso sesame cookies. It was unique and delicious. If I remember correctly, I got the Filipino iced coffee because it had soke ube in it. Plenty of parking. Delicious food and delicious drink drinks with quick service. Nothing to dislike!

I couldn't find parking in Highland Park--even on a rainy day--so I asked Google AI to find a spot…read morewith Wi-Fi and parking, and it led me here. The matcha donut tasted "healthy," and the ube latte was fine. Unfortunately, they don't have a restroom. After having coffee (a natural diuretic) and trying to work on your laptop in their charming outdoor patio, without outlets, you'll want to make sure your battery is fully charged. Otherwise, be prepared to take a short 3-minute walk to the nearby Superior Grocers.

Customer service was genuine from the Asian cashier to the girl baristas. There was no entitlement…read morebarista vibes here as you feel in LA coffee shops, which was such a comfort. I felt like o had gone back in time to when people were humanly nice. There almond latte was executed perfectly. The beans were a little light for my taste, but everything was perfect.

The service amazing! They are super friendly! (Friendlier then their sister store Komquat)…read more The coffee delicious!!!! (My favorite is their seasonal Matcha something with pistachio in it YUMMM!!!! I DREAM about it!!) The ambiance is very chill, people working, dogs chilling, and the music is always on point. Their merch is also really cute! Parking sucks but worth it!! (don't be like me and not read the signs and park there anyway haha)

A Coffee shop that punches above its weight…read more A classy yet petite shop with pastry's and coffee you might only expect in Beverly Hills, located here in El Sereno with a faithful following. See ya, I'm going to li'l East for coffee:)

In my latest outing around El Sereno, I decided to stop by Lil East Coffee again. I had been a…read moreregular there for years since they first opened, and honestly, it used to be one of my favorite spots. The treatment, the attitude, the attention to detail -- it all felt genuine. It had personality. (And by the way, Amelia was always my favorite barista there.) After being away for a couple of months, I came back and immediately noticed the vibe had changed. The first thing I felt was that it no longer had the warmth that made it special. It started to feel like just another coffee spot in LA. Maybe I'm just getting older and appreciating human interaction more, but to me a great barista is almost like a morning bartender -- someone who sets the tone for your day, even through a small interaction. Lately, there are a couple of baristas there who, at least from my experience, come across very disconnected. No emotion, no warmth, almost robotic to the point where it feels uncomfortable. At first I thought maybe it was just me being picky, but one day I stayed for a while, drank my coffee there, and observed the room. Honestly, it seemed like most people were getting the same cold treatment. Maybe it's a generational thing. Who knows. What I did discover is that they also serve coffee at their wine bar around the corner, and strangely enough, the energy there feels much more welcoming. Sometimes all people want is a simple smile the world refuses to give them some days. I still appreciate what Lil East once was for me, but these days I'd probably avoid the coffee shop location itself. If I have the time, I'd rather grab my coffee from Lil Cans instead.

My husband has his forever favorite -- the Einspänner -- and of course he ordered it again at Damo…read more It's still his number‑one coffee anywhere, and today was no exception. I decided to try something new and went for the Chocolate Forest Matcha... absolutely divine. Rich, earthy, slightly sweet, and so beautifully balanced. What surprised me most is how different the inside feels compared to the outside. From the street, it looks a little gahtto and unassuming, but the moment you step in, it's a completely different world -- cozy, bright, warm, and welcoming. It's the kind of space that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. Damo continues to be one of those rare spots where the drinks are memorable and the atmosphere feels like a little hidden gem.

5/5 I've tried all their matcha drinks and all are pretty good…read more 4/5 I've visited the arts district location and I always see them a bit understaffed (usually just 2) and they can get swarmed if a group of 4-6 customers all arrived at the same time. They seem to always deliver with precision and with warmth and smile even when busy. 6/5 on the ambience. The place is huge and so vibey. They also have an outdoor area in the back (you have to walk to the street / alley way ) which is about a 3 minute walk from the front door.

Antigua Coffee is a fantastic little gem in Cypress Park, Los Angeles, perfect for anyone seeking a…read moreno frills, high quality coffee and tea experience. On my visit, I tried the iced chai with a shot of espresso, and it was perfectly crafted. The chai tea, brewed in house, had a wonderful depth of flavor, and it was expertly balanced with the espresso shot. Often an espresso shot can overpower a chai, or get lost in it, but here it was neither too strong nor too faint just right. While Antigua Coffee might not be big on elaborate decor, it more than makes up for it with its extensive menu of coffee and tea options. If you're in the Cypress Park area and looking for a local spot with expertly prepared drinks, Antigua Coffee is definitely worth a visit.

A great little coffee shop with great service! Love the atmosphere and great staff. The horchata…read morewas amazing and just perfect! Never had such a good horchata. (No expresó because I don't like coffee) my partner loves coffee so it also hit the spot!

Very unassuming little place, but well worth a stop for coffee lovers who are looking for…read morewell-pulled espresso and others who like milk/flavored drinks. The menu boasted a variety of great single-origins for espresso and pour overs. The espresso was great! The pour over was a little watery, but might have been influenced by having the great espresso first. Others in our group loved their cortado and cardamom rose latte. Also a great little side garden seating area! Would go back and would recommend.

My friend and I went by Lumen Coffee today and had a great experience…read more It's such a cute shop with really creative gold tiles artistically laid with dope cats intertwined throughout the design. Eye-catching and cool vibes for sure. The staff was really nice to us on our visit in, explaining their flash brew cold coffees to us. Interesting technique to lock in more flavors and I found it really tasty. We got a flash brewed blend and a standard cold brew, and could totally tell the difference. Also had a savory ham and cheese croissant which they warmed up for us. It was sooooo~ buttery and just melted in my mouth with a good amount of protein inside. Loved it! We got lucky to find a parking spot right out front so it can be done! Great coffee shop in Highland Park that I will definitely come back to.

Life can be so fast sometimes. But It's nice to have a place where the ambiance offers a space to…read morerelax and slow down if you must. Welcome to Compelling Coffee. Yes, you can get a quick drip coffee to go, but if you want to chill, or work, or even have a conversation.. you're in the right place. The espresso drinks, and the teas, are done just right! Pair them with a delicious pastry or a savory home made sandwich and it's a double thumbs up! Plus, there's ample areas to sit, inside or out, you'll enjoy a place to just breath and be.

Wow! Tempted not to share this gem of a coffee spot because this is like a delicious little secret!…read moreThoroughly enjoyed the avocado ciabatta toast with cup of pistachio cortado. Now, THIS is the way to jumpstart your day.

Stopped in on an afternoon - first I have to say the interior space was beautifully decorated with…read morean art exhibit! The outside patio space is so cute too, shaded but still open air. I didn't have any food as I actually arrived *just* after closing. The employees were still kind enough to make me two drinks to go. The matcha and coffee were great! Altogether, my small first interaction with this establishment was great! I look forward to coming back and trying more drinks, and some food!

This place is great and the ladies working here have the best energy, nicest people ever! They also…read morehave a Michelin award, carne en su jugo for the win!!

Ambience: Great cozy interior and plenty of seating…read more Drinks: Both the Matcha and Hojicha were perfect. The tea flavors are stronger than any other place I've had which I love. Food: The Wagyu Sliders were good, but nothing out of this world. The salsa and sauce they gave paired well, but everything here I could make at home. Parking: If you map to Archives of Us, there will be signs where the store is locating you to the retail parking lot. You would need to go to the elevator inside sharing the leasing office to get to the second floor where the shop is.

Archives of Us reminds me of some of the restaurants and cafes you find inside the city areas of…read moreTokyo. Integrated within the city itself, but designed and curated to still be apart from it, Archives of Us feels like a space perfect for studying, working, and just vibing if you have the time and you're a local while as a tourist or passerby it's a neat stop by as you continue on your itinerary. Design - Private but Open Located just on the boundary of Chinatown and inside the new shopping plaza under new apartments, Archives of Us has its own separate entrance utilizing an elevator to get you to the second floor. This simple detachment allows Archives of Us to have a private space in such a public location. The interior has exposed concrete, ventilation ducts, and wiring to give the industrial design that's currently popular whilst integrating soft tones of wood, stones, and simple plants in the same space. It makes the interior feel less brutalist by incorporating nature where it can. In juxtaposition, the exterior is a large balcony space with planters of leafy plants on the perimeter to provide semi-private screening as you look out into the city. Though you're close enough to people's apartments where you can snoop on what they have on their balconies it provides enough privacy where they can't look at the TikTok's you're watching. Drinks - Matcha & Espresso Archives of Us has a reputation for its matcha. Like so many places these days they proudly utilize ceremonial matcha for their drinks (although ceremonial grade doesn't mean it's good for lattes but that's a whole different story for a different time). They also do Einspänners, cream lattes, and more traditional drinks like flat whites. All these come in one size, ensuring a consistent taste for each drink. Although I did enjoy the banana tiramisu cream latte I had I don't know if paying an average of $7.50-$9.00 is worth the price. The quality of the ingredients can be tasted so it's up to you to decide if that price is worth paying. Food - High Quality for Simple Design Following the same rhetoric as the drinks, the food they serve here aren't complicated but they do have a high standard to their ingredients. The Wagyu Egg Sliders is executed well with toasted Hawaiian rolls, perfectly cooked Wagyu beef patties, and a hand chopped egg salad between them all. The egg salad part especially feels like the same type of flavor you would get if you got an egg sando in Japan. The ingredients taste great and as a simple recipe it is executed well. However, for the price of $17 you might be looking for more than "simple done perfectly". If you're looking for a kick or accent to their food you'll have to look for outside sources. I recommend asking them for condiments like their salsa they use for their breakfast burritos. Their breakfast burrito also falls under the same umbrella of well executed with simple ingredients. I especially loved how fluffy the eggs were and the ratio of potato to all the ingredients was fantastic. Final Thought Archives of Us can be seen as a hip location you have to try because of all the buzz and hype you've heard of or it can be seen as a place to make your own if you're a local of the area. It can be considered both overly hyped and a well loved secret. Whatever perspective you see it as what is unarguable is Archives of Us is quintessentially LA and you can love it or hate it for it. Try it for yourself to see where you stand.