1. Urth Caffe
Urth Caffe in downtown Los Angeles is at the top of the list for its "coffee with a conscience" philosophy.
"The heart of Urth Caffe is that we are L.A.'s only heirloom organic coffee roaster, and it's the most amazing coffee you've ever tasted," said Shalom Berkman, co-owner of Urth Caffe.
Urth also offers specialty teas, coffee-making equipment, high-quality health-conscious meals and exquisite desserts created on site.
2. Caffe Luxxe
Found within the charming Brentwood country mart, the baristas at Caffe Luxxe go through extensive training to make sure every cup is an aromatic delight.
"This is a place for serious coffee drinkers. It's a far cry from the fast coffee-chain experience," said Mar Yvette of Citysearch.
3. Intelligentsia
Loyal patrons praise the carefully prepared, piping-hot cup of coffee at Intelligentsia, located in Silver Lake.
Customers are welcome to bring their four-legged friends along, and the free Wi-Fi doesn't hurt.
Here are the coffeehouses rounding out the top 7:
4. Groundwork Coffee in Venice and Hollywood: The Groundwork has provided eco-friendly, sustainable, delicious coffee for over 17 years.
5. Conservatory for Coffee in Culver City: A knowledgeable, friendly staff provides the foundation for this popular spot.
6. The Library A Coffee House in Long Beach: Along with creative coffee drinks, the ample, lined bookshelves make this shop a hit. (3412 E Broadway, (562) 433-2393)
7. Zona Rosa Caffe in Pasadena: Step into a vibrant, intimate coffee experience at Zona Rosa, and you may catch a live music show as well.
Great coffeehouses are, of course, not exclusive to Los Angeles:
Orange County: Kean Coffee in Newport Beach: Kean Coffee is a perfect spot to enjoy artisan coffees because of how warm and community oriented it is.
Inland Empire: Coffee Depot in Riverside: Not just a great cup of coffee, this historic landmark also boasts of being the largest coffeehouse in America.
Ventura County: Latte 101 in Ventura: Customers always feel welcome at Latte 101, and they're invited to create their very own blend.
There's no way this list is complete. Share your favorite in the comments below!
