Coffee Cognoscenti: High-End Coffeehouses

by Tara_de_Lis - 1 Review - 116 Lists

Updated: February 20, 2009

As mega-chains like Starbucks lose ground, little guys like L.A.'s own Lamill and Chicago import Intelligentsia are giving caffeine fiends something to jones about. From finely brewed cups of gourmet java from Clover machines to vacuum-brewed Japanese siphons, find out which coffeehouses are creating a buzz in Los Angeles.

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  1. 1 3 Star Rating: Average Lamill Coffee Boutique
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    1636 Silver Lake Blvd, Silver Lake, CA 90026 (map)

    Silver Lake's ultimate boutique coffee house boasts premium tableside brewing and haute cafe vittles. Rounding out the experience is Michael Cimarusti's seasonal menu of market-fresh New American fare.

  2. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
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    3922 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (map)

    This famed Chicago bean roaster perks up Sunset Junction with a gourmet coffee experience--its first outside of the Windy City. The thing to order: A single cup brewed from their signature Clover machine.

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Urth Caffe
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    8565 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (map)

    It's an oldie but a goodie--and everyone from the "Entourage" boys to the Simpson girls can't get enough of this place for their caffeine fix. Urth was one of the first cafes to serve organic coffee--long before it became trendy--and it's still among the best. Even better, it's high-end without the high price tag.

  4. 4 4 Star Rating: Recommended Caffe Luxxe
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    925 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (map)

    A little taste of Milan in the heart of Montana Avenue, this chic cafe brings the genuine pleasure of drinking coffee for its flavor, not the caffeine. The ristretto ("restricted" short espresso) experts factor in temperature, extraction rate and coarseness to create an intense "God Shot."

  5. 5 Lott 44 Coffee
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    257 S Spring St Ste 115, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

    Haute coffee culture hits Downtown L.A. at this modern spot where artisanal, organic, fair trade coffees are handcrafted to order. The gallery row location attracts everyone from artsy loft dwellers to Downtown suits.