No one likes to “spring forward” but alas, until the time remains the same year-round, we’re all turning our clocks one hour ahead this Sunday. That means many of us will be a little groggy and grumpy and will require more caffeine than usual to make things better.
Here are some excellent coffee and tea places*, as determined by me and my fellow caffeine-loving coworkers, where you can fuel up. All of them are very transit-friendly, so you don’t have to risk driving while sleep deprived. (Which is a very dangerous thing indeed.)
*Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Dunkin’s are not included because they’re ubiquitous.
Hot & Cool Cafe
Smooth Ethiopian coffee, a fresh selection of tea and vegan food options!
How to get there: Until the Crenshaw/LAX Line opens, take Metro Bus 40, 210 or Rapid 740 to Vernon/Crenshaw. Or take DASH Leimert/Slauson to Crenshaw/Vernon.
Alchemist Coffee Project

Photo via Alchemist Coffee Project’s Instagram.
Specialty coffee, petit four and more!
How to get there: Take the D Line (Purple) to Wilshire/Western Station or Metro Bus 20 to Wilshire/Wilton for Alchemist Coffee Project at the Pearl; take the D Line or B Line (Red) to Wilshire/Vermont for Alchemist Coffee Project.
Document Coffee Bar
They put maple syrup in their coffee, and it’s pretty darn good coffee.
How to get there: Take the D Line (Purple) to Wilshire/Western Station or Metro Bus 20 to Wilshire/Saint Andrews.
Tentera Coffee
The mocha is great, and the Casanova latte is also good, especially if you like condensed milk.
How to get there: It’s in the East Portal at Union Station — just steps from the Patsouras Transit Plaza — and also well served by the B Line (Red), D Line (Purple), L Line (Gold), and multiple buses.
Endorffeine Coffee

Photo via Endorffeine Coffee’s Instagram.
Their rotating roaster selection gives you something new to try every visit!
How to get there: Take the L Line (Gold) to Chinatown Station, or Metro Bus 81 to Hill/Ord.
La Monarca Bakery

Photo via La Monarca Bakery’s Instagram.
I’m fond of their café de olla — both hot and cold versions are good — and it goes well with some pan dulce.
How to get there: for the Boyle Heights location, take the L Line (Gold) to Mariachi Plaza Station. For the South Pasadena location, take the L Line to South Pasadena Station. For the East LA location, take Metro Bus 68 to Cesar Chavez/Saint Louis.
Civil Coffee

Photo via Civil Coffee’s Instagram.
They have a drink called The Figueroa that is a must-try.
How to get there: Take the L Line (Gold) to Highland Park Station, or Metro Bus 256 to Ave 57/Marmion.
Copa Vida
To me, this place is average, but quite a few of my colleagues have strong feelings about it. So here it is.
How to get there: It’s walkable from the L Line (Gold) Del Mar Station, or take Metro Bus 256 to Raymond/Green.
Amara Cafe and Restaurant

Photo via Amara Cafe’s Instagram.
If you love rich cacao lattes, this is the place to go. They also serve delicious churros!
How to get there: Take the L Line (Gold) to Memorial Park Station or Del Mar Station.
Philz Coffee
The iced mint mojito coffee lives up to the hype! For those who like a darker blend, try the Tantalizing Turkish.
How to get there: The DTLA location is walkable from 7th Street/Metro Center, or take Metro Bus 66 to 8th/Grand. The Santa Monica location can be reached via the E Line (Expo) Downtown Santa Monica Station, the Big Blue Bus or Metro Rapid 704 to Santa Monica/4th.
Tierra Mia Coffee

Photo via Tierra Mia’s Instagram.
My recommendations include the horchata frappe and the café Cubano.
How to get there: for the DTLA location, take the B Line (Red) or D Line (Purple) to Pershing Square Station and walk, or take Metro Bus 30, 45 or Rapid 745 to 7th/Spring. For the Highland Park location, take the L Line (Gold) to Highland Park Station and walk, or take Metro Bus 83 to Monte Vista/Ave 56.
G&B Coffee

Photo via G&B’s Instagram.
It’s a bit pricey, but as an occasional treat the fizzy hoppy tea and almond macadamia cappuccino are worth it. And if you want to spend the next four hours feeling like you might have a heart attack, try the G&B shake. 🙂
How to get there: Take the B or D Line to Pershing Square Station and exit towards 4th Street. G&B anchors one end of Grand Central Market.
Recreational Coffee

Hop off at 1st Street Station! Photo via Recreational Coffee’s Instagram.
Three words: sea salt affogato.
How to get there: Take the A Line (Blue) to 1st Street Station, or take Metro Bus 232 or a Long Beach Transit bus to Long Beach Blvd/3rd.
Groundwork Coffee

Photo by Steve Hymon/Metro.
Enjoy a delicious cup o’ joe inside the historic Lankershim Depot in North Hollywood.
How to get there: Take the G Line (Orange) or B Line (Red) to North Hollywood Station.
Demitasse
They have weird special drinks that are pretty good. Plus, look how fancy the cold brew is.
How to get there: Metro L Line (Gold) to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro. There are also locations on Wilshire Boulevard and in Santa Monica, both accessible via Metro Bus 20.
Chado Tea Room
For those who want to get fancy with their tea intake. They have an extensive selection of teas — the milk oolong is fantastic and I’m pretty sure there’s no milk in it, yet it tastes like milky tea??? And their tea sandwiches are good.
How to get there: For the DTLA location, take the L Line (Gold) to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro. For the Pasadena location, take the L Line to Memorial Park Station or Foothill Transit Bus 187 to Raymond/Union.
Midori Matcha
Their hojicha latte is hearty and delicious, and you can consume it in soft serve form if you’re more in the mood for dessert.
How to get there: Take the L Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro.
Blue Bottle Coffee
I’m not personally a fan of their coffee, but I was overruled. 😉
How to get there: For the DTLA Arts District location, take Metro Bus 18 to 6th/Mateo. For the DTLA location near Grand Central Market, take the B or D Line to Pershing Square Station or Rapid 745 to Broadway/3rd.
La Terraza

Photo by dammitrico via Instagram.
A nice, quiet place to enjoy a latte and maybe a bite to eat.
How to get there: Take Metro Bus 70 or 71 to City Terrace/Miller.
Caffe Vita

Photo via Caffe Vita’s Instagram.
If you’re looking for a place to caffeinate, have I got the place for you. Silver Lake’s hottest coffee bar is Caffe Vita. As Stefon might say, it’s got just everything: coffee, milk foam, non-dairy milk alternatives and your Great Aunt Shirley’s special stirring spoon.
How to get there: Take the DASH Los Feliz or Metro Bus 2/302 to Sunset/Virgil.
LAMILL

Image via LAMILL’s Instagram.
The other super hip spot in Silver Lake. They have créme brùlée cappuccinos and maple espresso donuts. Yum.
How to get there: Take Metro Bus 201 to Silver Lake/Effie.
House Roots Coffee

Photo via House Roots Coffee’s Instagram.
The sweet latte is sugary caffeine goodness, and treat yourself to a fresh scone while you’re there.
How to get there: Take Metro Bus 237 to Woodley/San Fernando Mission.
Have more recommendations that people should check out? Leave them in the comments!
All photos, unless otherwise noted, were taken by me. For more food misadventures, follow me on Twitter / Instagram.
Categories: Go Metro
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
3550 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
They have good service there and are by the purple line!
There is a La Monarca near the Highland Park Gold Line Station too.
5833 N Figueroa St
La Monarcha in Santa Monica (Wilshire/14th) as well!