A Guide to Chinatown Coffee Shops
Chimney Coffee House
Near and dear to the heart of the neighborhood, Chimney is a hallmark among Chinatown coffee shops, given its welcoming industrial atmosphere, exposed brick walls, beautiful art pieces, abundance of seating arrangements, touches of greenery, savory breakfast sandwiches on scratch-made buns, and tantalizing aroma of gourmet java. The attention to detail that has gone into designing this spacious abode with a delightful balance of charm and utility makes it an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues, long overdue coffee dates, and solo study sessions.
endorffeine
Nestled inside Far East Plaza, Endorffeine was started with a simple desire to serve others. The shop’s founder, a son of Thai immigrants, once labored as a biochemist, where he helped develop cancer-fighting pharmaceuticals for patients around the world. Now, he personally brews every drink at this coffee bar, impressing his calculated signature upon each flavorful sip.
Endorffeine is an amalgam of “endorphin” and “caffeine.” Endorphins are produced by our bodies, and here, represent one half of the coffee culture equation – the self; your experience can only be as good as an open mind will allow. The second half comes in the form of the caffeine molecule, which triggers an increase of dopamine in the brain, and leads to pleasurable feelings.
Thank You Coffee
Around the corner from Chinatown Central Plaza – a pedestrian mall designed in Chinese style featuring a variety of Asian shops and restaurants – Thank You is an adorable hole-in-the-wall dappled with unique gifts. The friendly folks behind the counter maintain a tempting selection of thoughtfully crafted, rewardingly delicious specialty beverages like the hojicha latte and house-made ganache enriched thank you mocha. Keep in mind, the space doesn’t really have any seating, so perhaps plan on enjoying your coffee on the go.
Aquarela Coffee
Whether you’d like to appreciate the unique taste of farm-direct Brazilian coffee micro-roasted right here in Los Angeles, snack al fresco with your furry four-legged companion on the patio, or grab a high-quality pick-me-up before exploring the area, whatever the case may be, Aquarela has got you covered. It’s worth noting, the shop is quite quaint, and as far as seating is concerned, only has several tabletops out front.
Songbird Cafe
Coffee bar by day, vibey speakeasy by night, this hidden gem can be found next to Chinatown Station, at the base of a gorgeous residential building. In addition to soul-stirring lattes, Songbird Cafe’s menu features gram-worthy brunch fare such as avocado toasts and breakfast burritos. When the sun goes down, the swanky bar area offers guests an exceptional craft cocktail menu and a variety of entertainment options including live music, dancers, and DJs.
If you enjoyed this guide to the best Chinatown coffee shops, check out our list of the Top 15 Coffee Shops in Hollywood!
I do not claim to own any of the images used in this article, unless otherwise noted, they are sourced from each business’s Facebook page, website, or Google account.
