L.A.’s coffee scene has definitely come a long way since the days of poorly foamed milk and sugary syrups. In fact, the number of local shops doing it right has grown exponentially in the past few years, making these businesses as diverse as the cultures that occupy all the nooks and crannies of the city – while also making it possible to find the ultimate latte, cappuccino or brewed cup of Joe in major hotspots like Woodland Hills.
The way we see it, the following represent the essential coffee shops in the Woodland Hills area that are guaranteed to fulfill every jivin’ java craving.
Enigma Coffee, boasting locations in Tarzana and Sherman Oaks (and with other locations coming), actually started as an escape room company, its owners going through a “long puzzled maze” until they evolved into one of the Valley’s most popular coffee roasters. Here, it is believed that a good espresso should exude a variety of balanced notes, from full-body flavors like dark chocolate combined with midrange frequencies of stone fruit and berry to the right small amount of high-end citrus notes – and that the actual act of combination creates a perfect balance for an “equilibrium of espresso blend.” Enigma offers coffees in a number of variants, from single origin and blends to cold brews and bundles, in addition to syrups and much more.
Tang and Java, located at 22776 Ventura Boulevard Suite D, is known for its chic atmosphere and warm ambience, the friendly staff and vibe-esque background music adding to the overall experience. This relaxed, welcoming environment complements a host of thirst-quenching beverages and savory bites rarely experienced in Los Angeles, but it’s Tang and Java’s business goal that really sets the stage in revealing who they are: providing the best gelato and coffee experience in town, period. All gelatos are made in-house with absolutely no artificial flavors, while coffee beans are roasted locally just for the shop, yielding the best tasting java – from the first sip to the last. Specialty brews include Crème Brulee Latte, Lavender Vanilla Latte, Turmeric Latte, Ube Latte and Chagaccino (made from chaga mushroom cinnamon, vanilla, cacao and monk fruit sweetener).
10 Speed Coffee, with locations in Calabasas and Santa Monica, is a direct product of the cycling/active lifestyle communities and café culture, offering responsibly-sourced practices and micro-batch roasting that yields the highest quality cup of coffee. The business remains dedicated to growing cycling culture through sponsorship of local riders, events and national races, with a percentage of every purchase going back into the pursuit of the burgeoning cycling culture. What’s more, 10 Speed’s commitment to its onsite micro-match roasting allows its baristas to pay greater attention to detail and achieve the absolute best flavor from the coffee; 10 Speed’s onsite Probat roaster, meanwhile, achieves a gentle, consistent roasting through precise controls and temperatures, essentially allowing the best flavor and aroma from every bean, regardless of origin and roasting profile.
Blue Bottle Coffee, with locations all throughout the U.S. and California, has become renowned in the Woodland Hills community for its “bold and bright” espresso bundles, where popular blends are combined for either a “bold” or “bright” experience. The brainchild of a freelance musician and coffee enthusiast, Blue Bottle started in the early 2000s and has now grown to a network of cafes across America, Japan and Korea, getting even more specific with regard to freshness and peak flavor. Blue Bottle works directly with farmers around the world to source the most delicious and sustainable coffees available, and you can now enjoy these alongside a good conversation and some friendly advice.
Lorelle’s Coffee Shop, located at 5610 de Soto Avenue, offers a myriad of delicious drink selections, including Zebra Latte (specialty espresso drink using organic beans with a mix of dark Mocha and white chocolate), Caramel Macchiato (essentially an upside down cappuccino with delicious caramel flavors), Chai Tea Latte, Vanilla Latte, Classic Cappuccino, Classic Mocha, Cookie Monster Latte (a specialty espresso drink using organic beans with Mocha and a flavorful cookies and cream mix), Classic Latte, Classic Coffee, Americano Coffee and much more. While you’re there, try Lorelle’s incredible baked treats such as croissants (of all flavors), danish and rolls. From lavender-flavored lattes to single-origin pour-overs, the aforementioned spots in Woodland Hills represent our favorite coffee shops across the region.
No Comment