The Best Coffee Shops and Co-Working Spaces in Every LA Neighborhood

With the pandemic waxing and waning, many have returned to work in the office, while some of us are still working from home. For those working propped up on pillows in our beds, it’s definitely time to switch up our routines, get dressed in the morning, and work from a new location that’ll help get creative juices flowing again—at least once in a while. Between coffee shops, community hubs, and co-working spaces with in-house amenities, there are plenty of options for getting work done while fueling up on caffeine and food—and let’s be honest, our home brew stations could use a break.

Now that indoor dining has been given the clear in LA County, you can once again work inside many of your favorite cafes, where the familiar sounds of Hollywood execs talking too loud on business calls and the whir of fancy espresso machines frothing milk and pulling shots can replace the suspicious noises coming through the shared walls in your home. Here are the best spots to work in every LA neighborhood:

Dialog Cafe
This family-owned neighborhood cafe is a popular West Hollywood hangout, complete with WiFi and even some (although limited) outlets to plug your laptops in. The cafe serves a full food menu, from breakfast to sandwiches and grain bowls, so it tends to get busy around mealtimes, but there are still plenty of shaded tables in their patio dining areas for people to get some work done.

Dash Coffee Bar
This coffee shop in Pasadena is popular thanks to coffee drinks with unique Asian flavors, like the Pandan Latte and Yuzu Espresso Tonic made with locally roasted Unity Coffee, plus the fact that they carry Cake Monkey pastries and ube brownies from Cookie Chaos. The indoor seating area is small but quiet and there are partially shaded tables set up in the parking lot, as well as free WiFi, though the tables are shared with their neighboring Thai restaurant, Chim!

The Metaphor Club
This co-working space opened as a lounge for Black writers, with a comfortable coffee shop feel and a focus on networking and community among writers and creatives. There are variety of workspaces, from communal desks to couches to private booths complete with ring lights for those Zoom video calls. Of course, there's also free coffee, sodas, and chips to fuel the day. Since opening in 2018, the club has expanded to having its own podcast studio and a film/photography studio, as well as offering writer's workshops and seminars, and cold table reads for screenplay writers. Day passes are available for $20 and can be purchased on site.
How to book: Purchase a day pass in-person.

Hot and Cool Cafe
This Black- and family-owned coffee shop (that you might have been introduced to via Issa Rae’s hit HBOMax show Insecure) first opened in 2018, offering a community-centered hub with affordable vegan options to this vibrant Black neighborhood that has historically been a food desert. As a certified social enterprise, the cafe provides free meals to seniors, frequently donates to Leimert Park’s Community Fridge, and offers employment opportunities and job training to underserved youth and the formerly incarcerated. The colorful, two-story shop is the perfect spot to work from with strong WiFI in a lively and welcoming atmosphere, plus coffee drinks that are brewed with their own Crenshaw Coffee Co. Hot and Cool has a second location in Canoga Park with outdoor seating and the same stellar coffee and vegan menus.

Second Home
This co-working space in Hollywood has an abundance of outdoor seating and they currently offer $25 day passes for non-members, with the option to receive childcare for children ages three months to six-years-old through Second Home’s partnership with Big+Tiny. There’s over an acre of outdoor workspaces to choose from, including a courtyard, rooftop, garden, and terraces with over 6,500 plants and trees, so it’s easy to spread out. The in-house restaurant and bar is currently closed due to the pandemic, but there’s a barista on-site to make coffee drinks, which are included in the price of a day pass. The space is also currently hosting Phenakite, a fine dining pop-up from chef Minh Phan.
How to book: Purchase day pass packages online.

Cafecito Organico
The Silver Lake location of Cafecito Organico has a charming outdoor patio that they’ve dubbed “Hoover Wilderness.” There are plenty of seats available, including some tables near electrical plugs along the wall and of course, free WiFi. Cafecito Organico roasts their coffee in-house with beans sourced directly from the farmers and offers a food menu stacked with pastries, a couple of quiches, and plenty of sandwich options. Cafecito Organico has another, smaller location in Atwater Village with a few streetside tables.

Alcove
The large patio that sits outside of Alcove’s cute bungalow is a great destination for any day. There’s plenty of space to spread out, and the laid-back ambience invites you to plop down with some coffee or baked goods, or a full food menu that’s available from breakfast to dinner. There are no outlets, but you can take advantage of the free WiFi to get work done until your battery runs out. Plan well and stay until 5 pm to enjoy a happy hour cocktail from the in-house bar, Big Bar.

Muddy Paw Coffee Co
For those who want to work outside the house but have a fur baby to worry about, the Eagle Rock location of Muddy Paw Coffee Co is the place to go. Not only do they have patio seating, they have even built a dog park in the back so you can bring your dogs to play while you work. There’s WiFi and outlet access in parts of the outdoor area. Not only do they roast their own coffee, but part of the proceeds go to Karma Rescue, which works to end euthanasia and over-crowding at pet shelters.

Kiff Kafe
Hidden on Pico Blvd is Kiff Kafe’s lush and peaceful back patio. On top of locally roasted coffee and Gjusta’s baked goods, Kiff Kafe also serves a breakfast and lunch menu, including Avocado Tartine and Burrata Salad. The pup-friendly patio is a bit of a tropical paradise, with plenty of tables and outlet access on the bench along the side wall. There is WiFi and a small lot for free parking.

Etta
The lobby-level restaurant at Culver City’s Shay Hotel that’s within the up-and-coming Ivy Station development is now offering coffee and pastries during the day. The cafe is open from 7 am to 3 pm and is counter-service only, serving La Colombe coffee, pastries, pressed juices, and a small lunch menu. Customers are welcome to sit on the patio or the bar/lounge area of the restaurant and use the hotel’s wifi to work (access is given with purchase from the cafe).

Platform
Okay, we know Platform isn’t necessarily a coffee shop or a coworking space, but hear us out. Platform is actually an outdoor multi-use space in Culver City that is home to a number of food and drink purveyors and retail stores. In addition to the outdoor dining areas of individual restaurants like Roberta’s and Bondi Harvest, there’s plenty of outdoor seating available throughout, so you can settle down to work after grabbing Blue Bottle Coffee or a refreshing boba drink from Boba Guys. There’s also a back patio behind Loqui. A number of these spots have their own WiFi, and Platform itself also offers public WiFi, so you can always stay connected.
How to order: Order at the individual businesses.

Goodboy Bob Coffee
Goodboy Bob Coffee’s Santa Monica location actually gained space when they moved their seating to the parking lot outdoors. There are no plugs outside, but there is free WiFi and the parking lot is removed from street noise. On top of house-roasted coffee, Goodboy Bob has an abbreviated but worthwhile food menu, from chapati rolls to tartines and salads—not to mention the house-made pastries. Depending on the kind of work day you’re having, you may also want to be aware that Goodboy Bob serves beer and wine.

WeWork Lantana
WeWork is certainly one of the biggest names in the coworking arena, with many locations around the country, including more than a dozen in the LA area alone. The Lantana location is a great one to work in Santa Monica, complete with a bright and dog-friendly workspace, beautiful outdoor seating areas, a wellness room and games because we all could use a break in between meetings. For those without a membership, a day pass is available for $29/day.
How to book: Download the WeWork app and purchase a day pass on the app.

Coffee Commissary
LA-based Coffee Commissary has expanded to six locations (and a food truck) now, but the Burbank location has two private patio sections, including one area that is shaded under a tent and surrounded by greenery—perfect for working. There are no plugs on the outdoor patio, but the WiFi signal is strong. You can also fuel up during lunch with their menu of toasts and burritos. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this location has a free parking lot.
How to order: Order in-person at the counter or order online.

Alana’s Coffee Roasters
Alana’s charming back patio adorned with greenery, string lights, and an old trailer gives you a true California vibe, complete with a relaxing playlist. The tables are shaded under a canvas canopy and the WiFi signal is strong. There are also plugs along the wall and at the back near the decorative trailer. Alana roasts their coffee in-house daily and sources most of their coffee beans directly from the farmers. All this makes Alana’s a destination for those who want to work or study outside of the home—but that also means their patio is often busy, so come early.

Hotel June
Hotel June’s mid-century modern design and lush Baja-inspired pool deck encompass your best coworking option in Playa Del Rey, and as a bonus, is only a quick drive from LAX, making it an ideal stop for a business call before or after your flight. Grab food at Caravan Swim Club, the open-air gathering place and restaurant with shareable snacks and a seafood-forward menu, and enjoy it while making use of the hotel’s WiFi. If you’re feeling extra, you can work by the pool with a resort day pass, starting at $35 per day, and take a dip in between meetings.

Verve Coffee Roasters
Santa Cruz-based Verve Coffee Roasters has a few locations in LA, but a prime patio space like the one they have at their Arts District location is hard to come by in that neighborhood, plus the soft wood interior proves just as inviting. From the nitro flash brew to a Gibraltar, there are plenty of coffee drinks available to go along with a menu of toasts and breakfast sandwiches. Most of the tables have plug outlets for charging your laptop and the WiFi is dependable and fast.

LOAM
The all-day restaurant at DTLA’s Ace Hotel is a chill spot to work in the mornings, with a plant-forward breakfast and lunch menu served from 7 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday (don’t worry, they have a burger, too) and of course, coffee—which in this case comes from Stumptown. There is WiFi throughout the property, and guests are welcome to grab a seat in the mid-century dining room or on the sidewalk patio. Bonus: head to the Upstairs rooftop bar for happy hour starting at 3 pm on Tuesday-Friday.

Steep LA
There’s no coffee at Steep, which specializes in Chinese teas and snacks, but this spot should still be on your rotation. During the pandemic, they added seating outside in the courtyard of Mandarin Plaza. Although there’s no outlet access, the quiet and shaded area is perfect for hopping on their WiFi while sipping on freshly brewed teas. A small menu of rice and noodle bowls are also available for lunch.

Coffee MCO
This two-story cafe has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to choose from, so you’ll always find a cozy nook available to settle in with your laptop. There are tables behind the shop and a tented outdoor seating area built on a portion of the parking lot, but for a quieter space to work, head to the upstairs deck. Coffee MCO buys beans from small, specialty roasters, including local Be Bright Coffee. There are no outlets available, but the WiFi signal is strong and there is a parking lot with free two-hour parking. Plus, they’re open until 9 pm and serve craft beers, in case you want to switch to drinks after work.

Alibi Coffee Co.
Alibi Coffee was quite the hangout spot in the Before Times, with a pool table, comedy nights, and more. Thanks to a large lot at this location, Alibi has the space for a relaxed outdoor seating area as well as free parking. There are no outlets available outdoors, but the WiFi signal is dependable. Find a shaded spot to sip on their single-origin coffees while you work, or get the instagrammable Blue Matcha Latte (made with butterfly pea flower) and Calic Bread’s garlic bagels.

All In Coworking of Inglewood
This Black-owned coworking space in Inglewood has grown to be not only a workspace for local entrepreneurs and creatives, but a center for community events. There’s no outdoor space, but in addition to collaboration spaces and common areas, there’s a break room complete with arcade games and a foosball table. The day pass is available for $25 and access to the coworking space comes with free WiFi and printing as well as coffee from Afro-Latino owned Coffee del Mundo in South LA.
How to book: Purchase a day pass online.

Sip & Sonder
This Black-woman-owned coffee shop has quickly become a favorite in the community not just for delicious coffee drinks with beans sourced from across the continents of Africa and South America and a delectable menu of fresh pastries, but for ongoing events that span a 5K community run and yoga and meditation series. The bright and expansive cafe has plenty of space for working either alone or with friends, with a few tables available streetside and strong WiFi throughout.

South LA Cafe
This Black and woman-owned corner coffee shop serves Red Bay Coffee (a Black-owned, Oakland-based coffee brand), pastries, and the most affordable avocado toasts in the city at $5 for two slices. There is plenty of seating on the sidewalk and in a small parklet, located on the quieter Browning Blvd. There are no outlets available, but there is WiFi, which is strongest at the tables closest to the shop. South LA Cafe has been doing grocery giveaways to community members in need every week, so you can also feel good about going to this spot and knowing that you’re helping to support the local community. The cafe is open everyday from 8 am to 3 pm.

Tierra Mia Coffee
Latino-owned Tierra Mia Coffee has a mini coffee empire with 20 California locations, but one of their newer locations on Eastern Ave offers the best option for working or studying near Cal State LA, with plenty of outdoor seating, umbrellas for providing shade, and free WiFi. Tierra Mia roasts their own coffee and also bakes all their own pastries, with something for everyone, from horchata lattes to a pourover of Panama Geisha.

Yonder Coffee
Yonder Coffee started a few years ago as a coffee cart specializing in catering events and recently opened their first brick-and-mortar cafe in Northridge. The large covered patio has a rustic greenhouse vibe that’s perfect for getting work done while using their free WiFi (though outlets are only available inside). Yonder brews their own blend of coffee roasted by Bespoken Coffee Roasters and offers a rotating selection of seasonal drinks and housemade coffee cakes.

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