Zweeting Roasted Vegan Dinosaur - LA Coffee Shops In May

Four coffee houses to try this month: one with outstanding mochas, another with amazing pies, another created for writers, and one with horchata lattes.


 Best Mocha

Stamp Fine Foods

4500 Los Feliz Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90027
One of the best mochas I ever had. Very creamy. This coffee shop in the Los Feliz area also has a pretty large breakfast and lunch  menu. The décor has lots of wood giving the place an old timey feel. I couldn't resist ordering a meal here seeing the customer's plates around me. I had the vegan banana buckwheat pancakes. Good stuff.

Best Pies

Dinosaur Coffee

4334 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90029
Yes, there is a dinosaur in the bathroom. Hearing about this is one of the reasons why this coffeehouse piqued my interest. Another was the excellent reviews on the coffee. The reviews were correct, the coffee is good. They also have a pie or two brought in daily by Nicole Rucker. I had a delicious slice of blueberry pie. Also across the street is the LA County Store - all things made locally. It is where I purchased my coffee cash wallet.

Writer's Paradise

Zweet Café

4682 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
While I enjoyed my mocha here, I really liked the vibe. When I walked in, there was a writers group meeting at one table, a black board field with "inspirational" coffee quotes, and many interesting items to gaze at as you think about the next line in your novel. An added bonus was that after 3:00, a number of pastries are priced at a dollar for that little extra sugar push to get you over the edge.

All Types Here
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters
260 Allen Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91107
This coffee shop has a special drink menu. On the day in May I went in, they had a creamy iced horchata latte which had lots of yummy cinnamon in it. Jameson's had a good flow of people coming and going from students to professionals to firefighters. I liked their cool mood music and the fact that they had a rewards program with specials on your birthday. It is also away from the hustle and bustle of Old Town and PCC.

Cup Of Life: Pasadena Coffee Houses

In January, I visited interesting Pasadena coffeehouses and one in Silverlake. Two specialized in Spanish hot chocolate drinks causing me to deviate from my usual coffee beverage. I hope the reviews entice you to try some place new.

Best name
Copa Vida

70 S Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Lots of people here including tourists as it is in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. Good place to grab a coffee before taking a stroll along Colorado Boulevard. The back room behind the order counter is a little more laid back for working or studying. They also have a number of hot and cold food items if you plan to stay long. Parking in the city structures is free for the first 90 minutes.

Most Latin flavors

Amara Chocolate & Coffee

55 S. Raymond Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

While they sell coffee, I would say their specialty is the variety of hot chocolates from South America and fresh churros.  The cacao latte I had was bitter and went well with the sweetness of the churro. The space is very small, but I did see one person working on a laptop. Like Copa Vida, Amara's is in the heart of Old Town Pasadena so you can walk off the calories with a stroll along Colorado Boulevard.

 Most activities

Jones Coffee Roasters

693 S. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Lots of art installations on the walls and even the ceiling. The coffeehouse looks like it is in an old warehouse so there's plenty of space to spread out and talk or work. They hold coffee tastings and various events. Last week they had a tango dancing dinner night.

Best Latin décor

Zona Rosa Caffe

15 S El Molino Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
The other name for this locale is Zona Rosa Coffee. I had a Zocolo Con Platano - cold Mexican hot chocolate blended with banana. It would appear that this month my coffee cravings were curbed by unique latin chocolate offerings at two of my coffee house visits. The drink was very good. ZRC has a Latin décor and second floor seating. ZRC sits adjacent to the Pasadena Playhouse and stays open until 11pm most nights.

Homiest feel

Silverlake Coffee

2388 Glendale Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90039
It has a very homey intimate appeal with couches, tables and chairs with slightly dimmed lighting. Out front is a nice patio. Aside from coffee drinks, they sell smoothies, sandwiches and pastries. Most people here were studying, working or reading. Very chill vibe.

Los Angeles Coffee Adventures November

Here are four interesting eastside coffee shops I visited in November, plus a place to visit when walking with your coffee. If you have any coffee house suggestions to visit in December please leave a comment below.

Most beautiful building exterior

Urth Caffe

451 S. Hewitt St.

Los Angeles, CA 90013

While there were a couple of people working on laptops here, the majority of people at the tables were eating full meals, giving the Urth Caffe more of a cafe feel than coffee shop. That being said, they are known for their organic coffees and teas and there was a line of people waiting to pick up drinks. The food is great, the building is gorgeous and it is in the center of L.A.'s burgeoning art district.

Most interesting coffee food combo

Art + Science Café

101 S Madison Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91101

Sushi and coffee, who would've thought. It works. The place was full of college students. The sushi menu is limited but the owners take their sushi seriously. You can only eat the sushi at the small counter and my server said I had to eat my sushi roll within 10 seconds before the seaweed got stuck to the warm rice. I ate it in about 30 seconds, I can only eat a roll so fast. I did notice a change in texture from the first bite and last bite. The iced caramel latte was very good.

Most industrious

Swork Coffee

2160 Colorado Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90041

I walked in not knowing what to expect as I was headed to another establishment that I did not know had closed the week before. There was only one person sitting outside and one person sitting at a table by the window, so I was surprised when I walked in to see 15 people working on laptops and drinking coffee all along the far wall. It appears to be popular with students and professionals. I had a Mexican Mayan Mocha. Along with coffee drinks, they also have healthy gym-influenced blended drinks.

Brand New

San Marino Cafe and Marketplace

2507 Mission St.

San Marino, CA 91108

Quaint little cafe in San Marino that advertises the best coffee in town on a blackboard out front. Unfortunately, I was unable to try the coffee as I was still recovering, but I had a delicious smoothie. People are always coming and going here, some sitting and working, and the owner is very friendly.

Take a walk

Lacy Park

1485 Virginia Rd.

San Marino, CA 91108

My first excursion after surgery. Beautiful large open park seemingly out of place in Los Angeles. Great for picnics or taking a walk with your coffee.  Free to visit during the week, but there is a fee for nonresidents to visit on the weekend.