9 Hidden Cafés in Los Angeles
- Jessica Nichole
- Nov 18, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
So I have a new obsession lately: taking myself to a café to do my morning pages. If you aren't familiar with morning pages, just do a quick search for The Artist’s Way and you'll discover everything you need to know. They're life-changing—seriously.
Anyway, I’m drawn to cafés that showcase greenery, feel open and airy, have natural textures, water features like ocean views or fountains, and perfect sunlight. Each space has a soft rhythm that grounds my nervous system and opens my imagination.
Aesthetically, I adore warm woods, tactile surfaces, curated lighting, and layered space. I need that photo-ready lighting and subtle music. Must have character—I cannot express that enough. Vinyl records, ivy-covered walls, a little cliché or cheeky touch is always nice.
My style? Let’s say earthy and artistic. I love a quiet energy. For a long time, life has required me to stay alert, productive, and emotionally “on.” Now, my body is craving slowness—water, sunlight, sound, gentle movement.
Sound bowls + brunch + travel + journaling + cafés + baking—I'm ready to be seen in my softness. Letting others feel peace through my content and passing along that vibration. I’m teaching myself what peace feels like, and through my content, I’m teaching others too.
So, I’m sharing with you some of my favorite cafés to enjoy on a Saturday or Sunday before the rest of the world wakes up.
My Favorite Hidden Cafés in Los Angeles
I love a café that invites you to stay a while—journal, sip, people-watch.A place where the vibe says: slow down, be present, be inspired.Here are some of my favorite hidden gems (cafés) in Los Angeles.
Café Nido — Silver Lake
“A creative hideaway for coffee lovers and daydreamers.”
Why: A charming neighborhood gem that feels like a secret courtyard tucked away from the buzz of the city.
Vibe: Brick patio, terracotta tables, and bookshelves lined with well-worn reads. Potted plants, cozy benches, and soft sunlight create a peaceful nook perfect for journaling or catching up over iced coffee.
Established Today — Melrose
“Where the soundtrack is as important as the latte art.”
Why: A modern-minimalist, vinyl-lover’s sanctuary.
Vibe: Warm terracotta walls, natural woods, and layered textures. Soft lighting—cozy yet elevated.
Jackson Market — Culver City
“Boho garden café meets old-world deli.”
Why: A hidden garden oasis. It feels like a secret, local-only escape tucked between ivy-covered walls and lush greenery.
Vibe: Rustic, serene, and unpretentious. Leafy vines climb the walls, cozy nooks rest beneath shady trees, and waterfalls add a gentle soundtrack.
Alcove Café & Bakery — Los Feliz
“European breakfast garden—elegant but approachable.”
Why: Charming Los Feliz indulgence—part storybook garden, part all-day brunch haven.
Vibe: Ivy-covered brick walls, striped umbrellas, and a European café atmosphere tucked away from city noise. Brick paths, lush greenery, and a cozy patio make it feel like a little escape.
Tacolina — Silver Lake
“A lush patio hide-out for coffee, cocktails, and creativity.”
Why: A vine-covered courtyard sanctuary tucked into Sunset Blvd that feels like a secret retreat for journaling or connecting—without the resort crowd vibe.
Vibe: Towering palms, handcrafted Mexican-art furniture, soft daylight filtering through leaves, and a gentle hum of possibilities. Perfect for a quiet iced coffee or a reflective solo brunch.
Larchmont Bungalow Café — Larchmont Village
“All-day brunch with neighborhood charm.”
Why: A cozy staple that blends comfort and community, perfect for lingering mornings or easy afternoons with your journal.
Vibe: Rustic wood tables, warm lighting, and a hum of friendly chatter spilling out onto the patio. There’s a casual elegance to it—welcoming, familiar, and effortlessly Los Angeles.
Kissaten Corazón — Chinatown / DTLA
“Slow R&B and vintage lounge energy.”
Why: A quiet spot beside Angeleno Wine Co., perfect for journaling, sipping, or catching up with a friend away from the noise of downtown.
Vibe: Leather seating, dark-wood bar, green wainscoting, patterned rugs, and soft lighting. The music leans 90s R&B, wrapping the space in an easy, moody calm.
Savvvys Cafe — Pasadena
“Houseplant-filled patio and specialty lattes made for morning pages.”
Why: A sunny escape in Old Pasadena, perfect for pulling out your journal and letting your thoughts breathe.
Vibe: Open-air patio, sleek white-toned walls, lush green plants, handcrafted syrups and rose-flavored espresso. Free wifi, soft daylight, and a calm hum of activity that still allows for silence.
Pro Tip: Order the Besitos.
Espresso, oat milk, horchata, and cinnamon — $7.00.
It’s creamy, cold, and just sweet enough. The cinnamon hits first, then that smooth oat-milk foam, and the horchata rounds it out so it tastes like dessert without being heavy. It’s one of those drinks you sip and immediately say, “Oh yeah… that’s it.”
Idyllic — Arts District, DTLA
“Industrial warehouse vibes with great coffee and good music.”
Why: A spacious spot tucked off 8th & Santa Fe, perfect for spreading out your journal or laptop without feeling cramped.
Vibe: Exposed brick walls, huge open floor plan, paper lantern lights, and a vintage school-bus coffee bar. Vinyl records stacked floor-to-ceiling, polished concrete floors, and rotating art installations — sometimes even a Porsche parked inside. It’s artsy, unexpected, and has room to breathe.
