What's Brewing in DTLA?
Sweater weather is just around the corner, and Downtown's coffee scene is already serving up cozy seasonal flavors. This month's 9-to-5ish is dedicated to fall-inspired sips, and a few new cafes worth a detour on your next coffee run. So grab your tumbler and let's hit the DTLA Coffee Trail!
Signed, your DTLA work bestie,
Maria Elena
Cabinet Espresso Bar
601 S Figueroa St.
Still one of the newest kids on the block, Cabinet Espresso Bar is tucked into a calm pocket at Figueroa and Wilshire. The owner, a former fashion professional, brings his eye for detail to every pour, crafting beautifully layered lattes from this petite kiosk. Cabinet specializes in Gesha beans, prized for their delicate, floral notes, which provide a soft backdrop for scratch-made ingredients like the blueberry cloud latte or crowd favorite vanilla bean cortado. Seasonal creations, like the spice nuts or pistachio late (made from pistachio-paste, not syrup), keep the menu bright, refined, and ever-evolving. Learn More.
SPACE_
421 W 7th St
Keep your eyes peeled while walking down 7th St, or you might miss one this pint-sized cafe that punches well above its weight. Only a few months old, SPACE_ packs sleek design into one of DTLA's tiniest storefronts, with minimalist chrome seating and custom wood-paneled interior that make every visit a visual treat. That same attention to presentation is brought to every beverage. And if you're not a fan of warmer drinks, their specialty iced beverages can still usher in the season change, LA style. The dark maple sea salt iced latte, capped with a house cream top, is a fall favorite meant to be savored. Learn More.
Soro Coffee
601 Wilshire Blvd.
Open for almost a year, Soro Coffee (meaning "path"), invites guests to start (or end) their journey to Los Angeles at their light-filled and lounge-friendly cafe. Located in a neighborhood where space is at a premium, there's plenty of room at Soro to reset, work remotely, or just take a thoughtful pause. Specialty drinks shine here: the Black Sesame Cream Latte is my go-to, with its subtle nutty flavor, while their signature Soro Latte blends slightly sweet matcha foam and orange notes for a balanced twist. Pour over coffee and a loose-leaf tea selection curated by a tea master rounds out the menu, giving guests more than just your standard brews. Learn More.
Couplet Coffee
888 S Figueroa St
Every pop-up’s dream is a permanent home, and Couplet is celebrating one year here in DTLA. Known for its playful aesthetic and cult-favorite drinks, Couplet backs the fun with substance: ethically sourced beans from Nicaragua, Brazil, and Peru, plus ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan. This time of year, I'd suggest the Bananas-n-Cream Matcha Latte or the Gulab Latte made with saffron, rose, and cardamom. They couldn’t leave you hungry though, the DTLA location is also selling fan-favorite breakfast burritos and bagels and tons of different snacks to keep your day bright and fun. Learn More.
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