Intelligentsia Coffee

A temple to the art of coffee.

WHO: Coffee die-hards, local hipsters, hangovers, sleepy dogs, expensive baby strollers and that guy that has $20 mil in the bank but still dresses like Forrest Gump.

Located at the epicenter of LA hipsterville—Sunset Junction, Intelligentsia keeps their sleepy scenesters buzzed for casting calls and scriptwriting by preparing regular joe with the precision of a NASA shuttle launch. The vibrant coffee shop with high ceilings and a Moroccan flair (cerulean blue geometric tile floors and paprika colored walls) feels more like a temple to coffee than your typical neighborhood shop. Here the bean is treated like a religion. The staff runs around like little java monks in the standard grizzled + plastic-black-frame-glasses combo, brewing, percolating, dripping and steaming; wholly dedicated to the art of the cup.

The black stuff is served just so, in small custom-made dish and glassware. Ask for “something bigger” and you’ll get a funny look, ask for a “Grande” and you might get you’re ass kicked. When the shop’s busy atmosphere hits a lull, sit at the espresso bar and watch baristas pour latte after latte down the drain, perfecting their feathered foam designs. Drinks include unique creations like The Angelino, an iced latte of sorts with vanilla syrup blended in a martini shaker by one of the plastic-glasses guys. The Espresso con Panna is an itty-bitty shot of delectably rich espresso topped with Chantilly (whipped cream for us laypeople).

Admittedly the franchise is imported from Chicago, but the West Coast outpost is still a special spot. The company visits each small farm they roast from be them in El Salvador or Africa, shade grown cups are confirmed shady and reserve blends are sought after in person. Intelligentsia works with only small farms that handpick the berries at their peak. A particularly “glowing” micro plot will often consist of only a couple acres making for the perfect prized reserve blend that should be enjoyed sooner than later or before the magic escapes. All of their handcrafted coffees are available to purchase at the store, including the signature Black Cat blend served daily.

When buying coffee, ask for the head monk’s advice on which blend to purchase. He/she might ask through plastic glasses, “How are you brewing it?” “What kind of acidity do you like” and a dozen other questions you would have never considered. Taking your magical terracotta red bag home with you feel feels like Christmas morning the next day –no matter how you brew it.

P.s. The collection of creative people, lazy dogs and hippie-yuppies outside make for a perfect side of people watching with your latte.

Saunter in later in the day to skip the early-morning rush-hour line up.

The dress code is pretty laissez faire, you can wear whatever you rolled out of bed in that morning or just put on your fave pair of shorts, a tee and some shades and get get sippin.

Average Review Rating : 5 of 5

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