When you’ve just met someone you’re interested in, the best first decision you can make to start the relationship is to pick an awesome café, bakery, or coffeehouse to meet at.
The national chains scream “boring” and demonstrate lack of creativity and effort. Why not pick one of these unique, fun, and romantic coffeehouses for your first date instead?
The Criteria
These are the things that make a great “date coffeehouse”:
- Available seating
There are some great coffeehouses that have little or no seating. That won’t work for a sit-down date where you want to get to know each other. Those are filtered out of my list. - Unique, fun, romantic ambiance
There are so many cool and quirky coffeehouses in Los Angeles. Why not pick one that reflects your personality and gives you ideas to talk about when the conversation lulls? - Lively atmosphere
I’ve tried to avoid places where lots of people show up with laptops to do work. You don’t want to meet up for a date at a WeWork after all. - Great location
It’s a real bonus if there is other cool stuff within walking distance, in case the date goes well and you want to extend it with minimal hassles. - Good coffee
This almost goes without saying, as no coffeehouse that serves bad coffee will last long in Los Angeles.
So, without further ado, this is my list of the best “first date” coffeehouses in Los Angeles. I’ve tried to describe the vibe of each so you can pick one that best fits your personality, from bohemian to industrial, to clean and modern, and everything in between.
1. Alcove Café & Bakery: Charming Inside and Out
Los Feliz
I’m a sucker for homes that have been turned into restaurants like Alcove. It’s got to be one of the most charming places to meet someone and talk during a daytime first date. With wonderful front and rear patios, there’s lots of seating but this place can get very crowded during peak periods like weekends, just to warn you. That’s probably the biggest downside of this place.
You order at a counter, then a waiter brings the order to your table; definitely better than waiting for your name to be called at a counter.
If you want to extend your date, you’re right on Hillhurst where there are lots of other restaurants. Of course, Alcove serves full meals too, so you could just stay put!
2. Creature’s Plants & Coffee: For Plant Lovers
Eagle Rock
Newly opened in 2024, Creature’s has got to be one of the most unique coffeehouses in Los Angeles: part plant store, part greenhouse, and part outdoor coffeehouse: a really unique place to meet and get to know someone. If there is a lull in the conversation, browse the plants in the greenhouse or the store. If you want a full meal, walk two blocks up to Colorado Boulevard for a good selection of restaurants.
3. Urth Caffé: Lively European-Style Ambiance
Various Locations
With locations all around Los Angeles, Urth Caffés have a lot of the qualities that make them great for a first date: great European-style ambiance, romantic feel, lively atmosphere, and tasty pastries. Unlike most coffeehouses, a waiter brings your order to your table, so it’s more like a restaurant (you still stand in line to order though). Most Urth Caffés have both indoor and outdoor seating. If your date is going well, you can extend it by ordering a full meal. Unlike most coffeehouses, they’re open late, until 10 PM on weekdays, and 11 PM on weekends!
If there is a downside to Urth, it’s often pretty crowded on weekends. But, that’s because it has so much to offer!
4. La La Land Kind Cafe: Pure Happiness and Joy for a Good Cause
Various Locations
With its ultra-clean white and yellow decor, La La Land has a completely different aesthetic than Urth. The bright interior makes me happy when I go there.
The idea behind La La Land is more than just good marketing, however. The cafe was founded with the idea of providing internships to youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood, so there’s a real social mission here. In any case, I love the feel of these cafes, which were designed to spark joy.
5. Bricks and Scones: Whimsical Castle Vibe
Larchmont
With its grand entrance and huge chandelier, I’m not sure what to call the decor of Bricks and Scones, but whatever it is, I love it. Definitely one of the most unique and charming coffeehouses in Los Angeles – perfect ambiance for someone into fantasy, Disney, etc. And of course, they have great scones!
There’s seating upstairs, downstairs, and outside. Yes, you might find folks working on laptops here, but usually there’s plenty of space to spread out.
6. Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden: Peaceful Homey Charm
Santa Monica
I admit that I didn’t know about Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden until recently, even though I live in Santa Monica! That’s because the front is so unassuming. The real magic is in their rear outdoor seating area where you’re transported from Santa Monica to grandma’s cottage in the English countryside.
Just note, this place is a tea house, not a coffeehouse. If that’s OK with you, this is a great place to meet up and have quiet conversation.
7. Butterfly Pea Café: Instagram Heaven
East Hollywood
With its neon sign and flower wall, Butterfly Pea Café was made for Instagram. They specialize in crepes and are quite good at making them. This place has a whopping 4.8 stars on Instagram because it combines great food and drink with great atmosphere! Perfect for a first date with someone you met on Instagram.
8. Bon Vivant Market and Cafe: Vintage Parisian Energy
Atwater Village
Bon Vivant Market and Cafe describes itself as “the living room of Atwater Village”. It opens up right into the heart of the village and is one of the most prominent features there. I love the open feel, bistro lights, and laid-back atmosphere.
Technically this place is a restaurant and bar, but they do have a respectable selection of coffee, espresso, and teas.
9. Pedalers Fork: A Bike Store, Bar, and Coffeehouse All in One!
Calabasas
Here’s another unique combo: a full bar serving craft beer plus a restaurant, bike store, and a 10 Speed Coffeehouse all in one. That’s Pedalers Fork in Calabasas! The indoor and outdoor spaces are gorgeous, and if you get hungry after your coffee you can always stick around for dinner! A great pick if you’re outdoorsy!
10. Tartine Bakery: Gourmet Baked Goods for Foodies
Santa Monica and other locations
My wife was a huge fan of Tartine in the Bay Area when she lived up there, so we were thrilled when they started opening locations in Los Angeles. The pastries and sandwiches are impeccable.
Each location has a different feel – but I’d like to highlight the Santa Monica location, located in a former funeral home chapel. I know, that sounds terrible, but it’s actually super charming and they have a wonderful shaded outdoor dining area.
On weekend mornings there’s usually a line to get in, but once you get your order there’s usually plenty of outdoor seating.
The other locations are great too, but they each have a different vibe. If you are meeting up with a foodie, any Tartine location is a good choice.
11. The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker: Charming Oasis on Sunset
West Hollywood
Located in the heart of Sunset Plaza in West Hollywood, The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker is in the middle of it all but is still a super charming spot for good conversation. They also have great breakfast and croissants. Happily, there’s a parking lot in the back so you don’t have to deal with street parking.
If you get hungry, they have a full brunch/lunch menu, or you can always walk across the street for some of the best outdoor dining around; you might see a celebrity or two.
12. Paper or Plastik Cafe: Artsy Industrial Steampunk Vibe
Mid City
It’s not for everyone, but I love the artsy, industrial vibe of Paper or Plastik Cafe. The food also gets high marks on Yelp, although folks say the service is spotty.
There’s not much else within walking distance, but it’s a short drive to LACMA, the Peterson Automotive Museum, and the Academy Museum, so there’s plenty of options if you want to extend your date.
13. Sweet Butter Kitchen: Homey Charm in the Valley
Sherman Oaks
Another charming coffeehouse that reminds you of your grandmother’s house in the countryside, but this time, in the Valley. On Yelp the ambiance and coffee and teas get high marks.
14. Cafecity Organico: Third-World Charm
Silverlake
Cafecity Organico has locations in Silverlake and Atwater Village, but I’m focusing on the Silverlake location here because the Atwater one is little more than a window with some outdoor tables.
The Silverlake location has a wonderful South / Central American feel with ample outdoor seating. With a bohemian feel, it’s not for everyone, so you’ll have to decide whether this place is the best choice for you and your date. It’s definitely popular with the younger crowd.
15. Or Bar: The Golden Age of Disco
West Hollywood
Or Bar is technically a bar, not a coffeehouse. But, they have a great selection of coffee and encourage coffee customers during the day.
With its 1970s disco interior and decor that pays homage to LGBTQ history, this place is definitely unique!
16. Go Get ’em Tiger: Clean and Modern
Various Locations
The unusually named Go Get ’em Tiger offers great drinks in a bright, clean modern setting. Definitely a solid, upscale, and safe choice if you’re not sure what your date is into. My wife loves this place and their drinks.
17. Sightglass Coffee
Hollywood Sycamore District
We love the small Sycamore District anchored by Sightglass Coffee. It’s also a small grocery store. On one side, there are huge windows where you can view the bread-making machines of Tartine next door. Afterward, stroll around to see the shops and restaurants nearby (it’s only one block though).
18. Intelligentsia Coffee
Various Locations
Probably the most famous location is in Silverlake, with its bright orange exterior right off of Sunset Boulevard. Whichever location you choose, Intelligentsia is a solid choice for good coffee in a good atmosphere.
The Silverlake location is great because there’s lots to do in the area with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. The downside is that parking can be tough.
Note, the last time we went, there were a good number of folks with laptops working here on a Sunday afternoon, but there was still plenty of room to spread out so you didn’t feel like you were at a We Work.
19. Coral Tree Cafe
Brentwood
Coral Tree has a bright, airy space. I actually prefer their indoor seating to their outdoor. They have a full food menu as well. It’s in the heart of Brentwood, so you can walk around afterward. A great place to meet up on a date or with friends.
20. Verve Coffee Roasters
Various Locations
The stand-alone Verve Coffee Roasters (as opposed to ones inside of supermarkets, etc.) tend to have a cool industrial vibe. Some have lots of plants too. A really solid and safe choice if you’re not sure what your date is into.
Conclusion
Well, those are my picks for the best first-date coffeehouses in Los Angeles. I’m sure there are some great ones that I missed, so please leave a comment below if you know of one! – Brian
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