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My sister and I love to try different coffee shops within the LA area. Saero is less than a mile away from us and we were surprised we have not stopped by before. Downtown LA is extremely difficult when it comes to parking, be prepared to either pay $10-$20 or circle around a few times for street parking. Barista is friendly and the space feels welcoming. It is a well maintained establishment and aesthetic. Seating is limited and don't think it is ideal if you would like to sit down and study or work. The coffee is decent. I had high expectations since all the pictures looked promising. Unfortunately, the coffee had nothing unique nor memorable. It is on the pricier side, which I typically don't mind IF the coffee is great. You expect high quality, creativity, and richness in flavor when paying premium prices; Saero did not deliver. Worth trying, but definitely not my favorite.
Personally my favorite matcha in LA!! I love a strong matcha flavor and Saero delivers. The most hyped matcha spots around LA have strong matcha as well, but their drinks are too thick and viscous for my liking. I prefer the matcha here at Saero because it's smoother and more refreshing. The sweetness is perfect and not too sweet. Service is quick and I've personally never seen a line. The spot is in an indoor area with other shops and restaurants around. The cafe is clean, buts it's more of a place to go in and out. There isn't much seating, just a few benches. Even though I love this place, parking is always a hassle in Downtown LA. I try to find meter parking.
Stopped by this shop on weekday, there was only one staff but she was so friendly and helpful. I ordered a hand pour- Huke Washing Station, Ethiopia. Unfortunately all of their beans are light roasted, so the acidic level is high/noticeable. I'm not a fan of high acidic coffee in general, but I still wanted to try. As described, I tasted mostly the mandarin note and unavoidable notes of sourness. My coworkers ordered matcha latte, they use brown sugar as their sweetener which is very unusual. They rated their matcha latte as average. Overall this place is slightly highly priced, the portion is very small. The store is small but clean and simple. A great place for a quick drink, but not highly recommended. Parking is also tough.
The layered matcha here was strong AF. Good if you're looking for a strong matcha that's almost bitter. There was still a subtle sweetness though. I got it with oat milk and it was $10 I also tried my friend's matcha einspanner and that one was good, just less strong. Coffee shop inside had an aesthetic design with some seating and tables outside in the hall. I don't think it's ideal for working/studying at, but more so a pit stop to relax at.
*Note: TDLR at the end of the review Cornbread Latte: 6/10 It was good? Corn flavor is there. Espresso was good. The breadcrumbs on top was weird. Granted it is a "cornbread latte." Idk I'd rather you put a thin slice of moist cornbread on top or something. Or like a cornbread crisp. I'm taking a sip and then BOOM, I'm choking on some cracker crumbs LOL. I appreciate the thought of trying to add texture, but the crumbs are just weird and don't mix well. Also, bro $8.25 For a fuckin toddler's cup? Yeah yeah it's DTLA, but shit, at least be worth the $8.25 instead of being two sips of coffee and a cup full of fuckin ice. Service: 5/10 It was service. They take your order, make your coffee, and call your name. Ambiance: 7/10 It was a super small place, but the inside and outdoor were aesthetic af. Cool place for a short chat, but I'd say it's more of a grab and go for sure. It's super cramped when there's a line. Super instagramable. For parking, it's DTLA, you know already. TDLR: I swear all these reviews are performative af. Coffee absolutely not worth the price whatsoever. Small size and full cup of ice for $8.25. Idgaf that it's DTLA. I will say that it's Instagram worthy, so if you want aesthetic photos, this place is great. Absolutely would not come back here lol.
2/20/2026 LAYERED MATCHA Matcha is from a small farm in Kagoshima in Japan. Unnamed brand. White label. Creamy, sweet, bright, clean, light bitterness at end. Vegetal in taste, light nutty almond flavor. Matcha is pre-mixed and made. However, this layered matcha was so good! It is life-changing matcha! The matcha itself is sweet with a creaminess to it. Good mouthfeel. It was so good that I ordered two! Do not sleep on this drink! LAYERED EARL GREY Strong Earl Grey flavor, strong bergamot scent. Creamy sweet. Not sweet as in sugar, but the cream was sweet. As an Earl Grey fan, this was delicious! However, the Layered Matcha was better, if I had to compare the two. SAËRO SIGNATURE This tasted creamy and sweet as well. Definitely from the cold top. Sharp smoky flavor of the coffee. Personally, it tasted like the usual cold top coffee you get anywhere minus the smoky flavor of the coffee. They have two savory baked items: Butter Salt Bread and Everything Salt Bread. SEATS / BATHROOM There are some seats inside and outside. It's all wooden bench seats. Not the most comfortable, but I did see people working on their laptops. Very quiet inside and no music playing either. The bathroom is right next to Säero. But you have to ask the security guard to open it for you. CUSTOMER SERVICE They were helpful and friendly. They answered some questions on where they source their matcha. PARKING Super hard to find parking! No street parking, super rare and difficult to find. Best to park at the paid public parking lot directly across the main entrance of Arcade Building. It is $13 for all day parking. You can purchase the ticket via machine. No attendants. This part of DTLA is crazy. Personally, this is my one and done place. I would come back if they opened elsewhere in a better area. Many shops have closed inside the Arcade Building. Not a lot of operating shops or restaurants inside. Not sure why they took that space. Parking is super difficult and also a difficult area to walk around too. That means less foot traffic, which is needed for businesses.
Great matcha! Strong and delicious. I got the strawberry matcha, and my friend got the einspanner. Solid all around, a little pricier, but I'd say it's worth it for the most part. The space is located in a sort of literal food hall, and finding it can be a little tricky, but after a little walking, you will. The space is small inside, but they have "patio" seating outside the cafe itself, so it's a good place to sit and chat. It's very aesthetically pleasing with your typical minimal japandi style things. Because it's DTLA, parking can be a bit of a pain, and that's the only major downside. The baristas were kind and knowledgeable of the menu and made our drinks pretty quickly.
Yes yes yes, a thousand times yes! Saero is one of those hard to forget matcha stops. This teeny shop with beautifully designed interior found the balance of having unforgettable crafted drinks and perfect vibe. I landed on the layer matcha, which is literally what it sounds like, a matcha base with a matcha cold foam. The matcha was perfectly colored, slightly sweet and all flavor. I overheard a few saying how their coffee is immaculate, so it seems like Saero is just overall doing it right!
Went on a coffee run to Saero Coffee today and it was a nice little coffee stop. I tried the ddalgi matcha einspänner, cold brew, and the Saero signature, and all three drinks were okay. The ddalgi matcha was a good blend of strawberry, matcha, and cream, your typical strawberry matcha. The cold brew was strong without being too bitter, and the Saero signature had a really rich, creamy flavor, but a little bitter. The cafe itself has a clean and modern vibe but it is pretty small. Service was friendly and the drinks came out quickly.
Was in the area and decided to try this place with a friend. We ordered the Säero Signature and the Layered Matcha, and unfortunately both were disappointing. The Säero Signature tasted mostly like milk, with the coffee coming through only as a faint aftertaste. I honestly couldn't distinguish any of the flavor notes. The Layered Matcha was just okay. The foam was very liquidy and quickly melted into the drink. While I liked the flavor of the foam on its own, it mixed in almost immediately, which weakened the matcha flavor. Once combined, the drink wasn't very creamy and felt flat overall. On top of that, parking was very difficult to find, which added to the overall frustration. Personally, I wouldn't return.
On TikTok they were talking about their strawberry matcha, so I had to see what the hype was about! GETTING THERE: Very easy to get there via Metro. I believe it's street parking. Note that this place is tucked inside an arcade building, so if you navigate their via Google Maps, walk into the building looking thing and it's inside. WHAT I ORDERED: Ddalgi Matcha Einspanner THE DRINK: This was nice. The strawberry flavor definitely came through without overpowering the matcha, and the matcha was clearly good quality. I'm unsure if this was the best strawberry matcha I've ever had, especially for the price (this was $10.83 after tax, before tip, with an oat milk sub). SERVICE: Very open to answering my questions and drink came out fast! VIBES: Cute place that would be nice for grabbing coffee with a friend. There's some seating (including outside the shop) there but I don't necessarily think I would go there to get work done. BOTTOM LINE: I think this place is fairly solid - I would definitely want to come back to try the other drinks like the earl grey.
I was in the area picking up a cake so I decided to pop in for some coffee and was excited that they had a corn latte since they happen to be one of my favorite since becoming popular. The latte was really good and the corn flavor was perfectly balanced so it didn't overpower the coffee. I would definitely go back and try some of the other drinks.
Cute little spot! This is located near the Broadway theater in an alley like area filled with lots of restaurants. There's plenty of seating but parking is definitely a challenge. Luckily I was able to walk here from work! I got the hojicha Einspanner which was creamy and had just the right amount of bitterness. The cream on top was very sweet which balanced well with the tea but I think I would've liked it to be a little less sweeter.
6 months ago
A minimalist coffee shop tucked away in a quiet spot. It wasn't busy for a weekday, and service was quick. The drinks were good. We walked here, but parking in the area can be tight if you're stopping by for a quick coffee pickup. read more
4 months ago
When entering the cafe the overall atmosphere was great, while it is a small store, it's in a cute plaza where you can get other food/drinks. The servers were kind and acknowledged us right away. I got the cream matcha and my boyfriend got the matcha einspanner. The matcha had a ceremonial grade taste with a salty cream foam top. The salty and sweet combination made a great pairing and wasn't too overpowering. From previous experiences, foam tops can make the matcha feel inauthentic, but it was a great addition. I would return to this cafe if I was in downtown Los Angeles again. It honestly is on the higher rating side of matcha places I've tried in Los Angeles. read more
6 months ago
small cafe with limited seating in DTLA! average prices for the area. no sweetness adjustments for any drinks. cornbread latte was seasonal, it was great! just wish there could be less sweetness. 9.5/10 matcha latte was not as good as the best ktown cafes, but it's still good. 8.5/10 read more
Really cute cafe with minimalistic decor! I visited here with my friends on a friday afternoon and there was no line. I ordered the hojicha latte with oat milk and it had a good roasted, nutty flavor. I only wish that there was a way to adjust the sweetness of the drink, since the hojicha is pre-batched and I saw the baristas add the hojicha using a squeeze bottle. There is a unsweetened version though for those who enjoy their drinks completely unsweetened, but I personally like my drinks lightly sweetened. Unfortunately, the pre-batched hojicha was too sweet for my tastes. Other than the sweetness, I enjoyed my drink and would like to come back and try their other drinks! There are milk substitutions for those who are lactose intolerant like me! read more
7 months ago
Stopped by Saero for some yummy matcha! I tried the layered matcha and it was just as strong as I expected. It's definitely pricey and it's hard to find parking, but the ambience is nice. I also tried the strawberry matcha which has a nice balance of tart and rich! read more
2 months ago
Love this place! Great drinks and baristas. It feels like the baristas are always fighting for their lives. Usually there is only one person working in the morning and it takes almost 10 to 15 minutes to get a drink. read more
Saero Matcha easily made its way into my top 3 matcha spots. The balance is honestly perfect, not too sweet, not too bitter. Just rich, smooth, and super nutty with that deep matcha flavor that feels high quality from the first sip. You can actually taste the matcha instead of just milk and sugar. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to. Service & ambiance isn't anything special but the quality and recipe is good enough. read more
Matcha was delicious and it was located in a pretty building. Pros: The aesthetics were great and matcha tasted great. Cons: it was a really small portion for the price. I asked the barista for less ice and she completely ignored me and left the ice as it was so it felt like it was a shot of matcha with a bunch of ice. I would have rather been offered to pay for more matcha but the barista was pretty rude and didn't even acknowledge my request. I would have given her the benefit of the doubt that she didn't hear me if she hadn't already not greeted me or had a better presence but she seemed unhappy and not a pleasant person. read more
7 months ago
3 months ago
Saero in DTLA is a beautiful, modern coffee shop that feels calm and welcoming from the moment you step inside. I tried one of their specialty iced coffees and it was excellent, smooth, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The baristas were friendly and clearly passionate about their craft, which made the visit even better. It's the kind of place that feels effortlessly cool and worth stopping by whenever you're downtown and need a quality caffeine fix. read more
7 months ago
I saw that Saero recently opened and knew I had to try it. We came on a Saturday afternoon and there was no wait. The matcha was pretty solid, I liked it more than I thought I was going to. I'm a sipper, but I did drink it fast since I enjoyed it. The Saero Signature was on the milkier side, the barista described it as "cereal milk." The drinks are on the more expensive side considering that they are smaller cups. While I did like the drinks, this is located in an awful location. Downtown is a more run down area and parking is difficult to find. The cafe is located in a little strip with a couple other restaurants which was very cute. They have a few benches to sit inside and outside of the store. ig: @cravingswithcat read more
6 months ago
Workers are helpful Help me choose my drinks was my first time going Pastries look good very quick service clean restaurant They do have benches outside to sit with little tables read more
7 months ago
Matcha is really good! I got half cream top and it was still sweet but not super overpowering. read more
1 month ago
7 months ago
One of the best matchas I've had in LA, and I've had almost every matcha that there is in LA! So good!!! read more
8 months ago
Saero recently opened up in DTLA, inside a beautiful arcade. I went and got their layered matcha (i.e. matcha einspänner), and it was absolutely delicious-- strong matcha flavor and creamy layered top. I drank it a bit too fast, to be honest! Just note that the shop is small, with only a few seats inside. Street parking (metered) only, but I didn't have an issue finding a spot early in the day. If I ever am in the area again, I'd happily return to Saero to try more! read more
1 month ago
3 months ago
Best cream coffee in DTLA! The cream on the Matcha Einspanner is so velvety and perfectly balanced--not too sweet or greasy at all. The Yuzu Espresso Tonic is also a must-try; the rich espresso and fragrant yuzu create such a harmonious and refreshing blend. Highly recommend stopping by Saero if you're in the area! read more
1 month ago
Definitely one of the better coffees in LA. It's in a nice interesting area too nice to walk around for a bit. Definitely coming back for the Saero signature. The layered matcha was also really good and I'd get it again as well. read more
5 months ago
we got the double matcha! the matcha very earthy, creamy, and had the perfect amount of sweetness. we also tried the salt bread which had a nice crispy exterior and buttery interior. read more
4 months ago
I went to Saero to try their Layered Earl Grey, and it did not disappoint! It was perfectly sweet and had lots of flavor! The perfect pick me up after a long shift! The place was also very cute and had small tables to work on. The staff were very friendly too! read more
as you can see, we clearly can't stop coming back here. this is the most beautiful, aesthetically pleasing cafe ever. the attention to detail in the designs, decorations, and color palette of the interior is *chef's kiss* PERFECTION. the couple who owns Saero is so sweet, and every other employee we've encountered has been extremely kind and helpful as well. and as for the food and drinks? you literally can't go wrong. i think we've tried 5 different beverages already and they've all been AMAZING. can't wait to come back for another incredible experience :) read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
I've been getting the Layered Matcha and the ice is so inconsistent. This time it's just absurd how much ice I received that it probably took 5 sips to finish the actual drink. Kind of a waste for $9 drink. Not sure how they let this happen. read more
5 months ago
strong, savory matcha in a still environment. I got an iced matcha latte with oat milk unsweetened and it was perfection! right balance of green, umami, and lightly bitter. read more
7 months ago
2 months ago
I mean this might be for you if you like concentrated or large amounts of matcha which if what it felt like for me (I got the double matcha). I just felt like there was a lack of balance in what I selected. Now I'm not sure how the other matcha selections are or the other drinks I'm sure they're great but to my understanding people typically go for the matchas. read more
my friend had been raving over this new coffee spot so she dragged me along to get it again! the shop is small, cozy and clean with a beautiful simple aesthetic. we ordered the saero signature latte, ddalgi matcha einspanner and hojicha einspanner, all were extremely delicious! i'm typically not a matcha or hojicha fan, but they were both so yummy, i could see myself ordering one for myself. service was quick and they have amazing attention to detail when making their drinks. the only downside is the location and parking situation, but it's nothing out of the ordinary for LA. I would definitely come back if i'm in the area read more
3 months ago
5 months ago
I love Saero! It's cute and small coffee ship. I love their housemade cream and love the flexibility like how i can add to different espresso drinks and matcha. There are not a lot of seats so it's good for to-go place. read more
8 months ago
6 months ago
The barista was so sweet and informative on their different drinks. Speaking of our drinks, they were the perfect balance of sweet, bold, and creamy. The caffeine hit was also substantial. Me and my friend will be coming back! read more
I've been around some matcha spots and this is on top of the list. From the friendly staff, to the tasty and very well mixed matcha, this place has it all. The flavor was on point, the mixture was delicious. I was educated by the staff member as how and what type of matcha they used to mix and why it tastes the way it does. Thank you for being kind and considerate! Will definitely return for more matcha. Just a heads up, it's almost impossible to find parking in the area unless you're parked in the lot across the street. The building is beautiful and tucked inside a walkway which gives you that downtown feel, I love it! read more
9 months ago
Soooo happy that there's a new cafe in DTLA! Ordered the saero signature and layered matcha - both were so good and perfectly sweetened! The space is also so cute and calming. Service was also quick and efficient. This will be my new go-to cafe for DTLA read more
2 months ago
Super cute coffee shop in the little alley of food spots. I love that the menu is unique and I had the Layered Earl Grey as a London Fog fan and it was the best variation of an early grey that I've ever had. Workers were quick and kind. :) read more
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541 S Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Downtown
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3 months ago
Saero - coffee - Updated July 2026
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