Best Coffee Shops for a First Date in LA
Fig Tree
Location: Venice
Located in the heart of Venice, Fig Tree offers a relaxing vibe perfect for easy conversation. The garden-like atmosphere blends rustic and vintage decor and local art. The space has a beautiful calm tone, taking the edge off of a first date. If your coffee is done but not the date, the neighborhood is great for a post-date stroll, so you can walk the canals or pop into fun shops nearby.
Jackson Market and Deli
Location: Culver City
This hidden gem brings artisanal coffee and charm to Culver City. Not only is it great for locally sourced coffee and beverages, but the deli has delicious sandwiches and fresh bites to cure your dates hunger making it a perfect spot for a low-key date. After coffee, take a stroll through the walkable streets during this cozy fall season.
Doubting Thomas
Location: Filipinotown
Doubting Thomas is a stylish spot that draws a creative crowd. It’s perfect for a couple who’s into coffee culture and want quality conversation. The vibe is cool, with unique drinks and great conversation potential. The location offers a creative energy and a go-to spot for artsy individuals/couples. Grab a coffee and get to know each other over their banoffee or passionfruit pie!
Blueys
Location: Santa Monica
This Austrian inspired cafe, provides organic options with a sunny outdoor area and plenty of seating. Just a short walk from the beach, Blueys offers casual coffee/breakfast options great for an early morning date. Continue your date, exploring Santa Monica or walking to the beach for some post-coffee activities. Blueys also has a Mar Vista location if that’s a better drive.
Dinosaur Coffee
Location: Silver Lake
Dinosaur Coffee is a cool eclectic coffee shop in Silverlake offering excellent craft coffee and a creative crowd. Decorated with vintage furniture and wooden interior, this cute coffeehouse sets up a fantastic not so-quiet or not-so-loud ambiance for getting to know your date. It’s perfect for couples who want to enjoy good coffee in an artsy neighborhood. The area also offers plenty of boutiques and fun spontaneous post-coffee adventures.
Laveta
Location: Echo Park
Known for their high-quality coffee and cool yet quiet atmosphere, Laveta has become a go-to spot for early morning pick me ups. There are quieter seating arrangements for private conversations with your date to take that tension away. Greeted by welcoming artsy baristas, grab yourself a hot beverage and bask in the quiet nature of not only the shop but the neighborhood around.
Cafe Dulce
Location: Japanese Village & USC Campus
Cafe Dulce offers a unique blend of Japanese and SoCal aesthetic, bringing some of the most delicious matchas and pastries for those who enjoy their flavored coffees and sweets. Their creative beverage choices add a fun new experience and potential conversation starter with your date. Located in Little Tokyo and USC campus, both neighborhoods offer a charming setting for a morning sip and stroll.
Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden
Location: Santa Monica
If you're looking for a quiet, charming space for coffee or tea, Buena Vida is your go-to spot to take your date. The garden-like atmosphere creates a calm and intimate setting, enchanting you to a comfortable scene and great conversation. With plenty of pastry and coffee choices, split and share with your date before enjoying a walk around Venice and Santa Monica.
Modu Cafe
Location: Highland Park
Highland Park’s contemporary and sleek coffee spot brings a warm and intimate setting to the neighborhood. The perfect spot for easy conversation and trendy fun twist on your morning beverages. The presentation of their menu alone are worth checking this place out, but its even better to enjoy it with someone you want to get to know better. Extend your date and check out the cool shops and art galleries around.
Village Well
Location: Culver City
This charming bookstore and cafe is a favorite for LA natives and Culver City locals, and will have you drawn in too. Focusing on an assortment of craft coffees and espresso, this neighborhood bookstore spot offers an amazing low-key environment for a first time date. With books all around, this setting creates a great place to talk about your interests. This small business has become the IT-spot for creating a community and will welcome you and your date in as well.
Memorylook
Location: Koreatown
This minimalistic coffee shop brings tranquility to your next date spot. With an intimate and thoughtful atmosphere, the setting is perfect for a peaceful environment and one-on-one conversations. Their matcha and donuts are a must try, so grab a treat and continue exploring Koreatown.
Creature’s Plants and Coffee
Location: Eagle Rock
Creature’s is a cozy, garden-like spot designed to spark curiosity and connection. With lush plants, craft coffee from local LA roaster UNITY, and plant supplies like pottery and plant food, it offers a unique atmosphere for a date. Located near the bars and restaurants on Colorado Blvd, it's a perfect starting point for an outing—if things are going well, enjoy a stroll down the street for a second destination.
Nostalgic Cafe
Location: Pasadena
Nostalgic café offers the perfect date atmosphere, with its inviting aromas, vintage décor, and jazz melodies that transport you to a simpler time. Antique clocks, vintage posters, and tables adorned with treasures from decades past create an intimate setting where stories unfold naturally. The “Memory Lane” corner, filled with old photographs and letters, invites couples to explore together, sparking curiosity and connection over a cozy cup of coffee. Ideal for sharing stories or simply basking in the charm of days gone by.
Muffin Can Stop Us
Location: Glendale
Muffin Can Stop Us serves up a creative twist on breakfast, making it a perfect date spot for couples seeking something unique and delicious to start their day. This charming shop specializes in English muffins packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients, alongside high-quality coffee for the ideal morning boost. The sidewalk patio offers ample outdoor seating, creating a laid-back atmosphere where guests can sip coffee, enjoy the sunshine, and even bring your dog along for the date. Just a short drive from downtown Glendale, it’s easy to extend the date beyond coffee with a visit to some of the area’s best restaurants and shopping spots.
Maru
Locations: Beverly Hills, Los Feliz, Arts District
Bringing in high quality coffee for a high quality first date, this espresso bar offers unique blends and well-balanced flavors to their hot beverages creating a timeless and enjoyable experience for you and your date. The coffee beans are grown and harvested in some of the finest areas to create those key tastes in your coffee. With limited seating, this spot is a perfect grab and explore date for those looking for a perfect morning experience.
Verve
Location: Beverly Grove, West Hollywood
A modern and upscale coffee shop in Weho that is great for a fashionable morning date. With an upbeat space and bustling location, the energetic vibe will inspire a low-pressure first date. Verve dedicates their thoughtfully sourced coffee to create a connection, so spark one up and enjoy each sip before taking your date around the neighborhood for post-coffee adventures.
Intelligentsia
Location: Silverlake, Hollywood
A favorite for coffee lovers, this LA chain serves great tasting coffee brewed daily alongside its trendy and energetic atmosphere. If you’re worried about your coffee date vibes feeling stiff, this spot brings in a packed personality and lively ambiance made to ease the pressure. The contemporary and industrial-chic interior pulls in a bustling crowd, perfect for observing and chit-chatting.
Manuela
Location: Downtown LA
Following its chic and sophisticated environment, this coffee and brunch date spot invites quality conversation alongside with crafty lattes and coffee. If you want to impress your date with more than just a typical coffee shop, Manuela creates an upscale urban experience emphasizing dinner for breakfast vibes.