Intelligentsia Coffee

Best coffee on sunset. Only second best to Cafecito Organico Also makes me want to play the last mission on gta. Cool Beans!

We stopped by as we were in the area and have heard great things. The place was packed with a line out the door. No place to sit and it looked like most of the tables had residents that had been there for a while. By the time we got a seat our drinks were cold but we were still able to enjoy the people watching. We got a cappuccino and a latte, both were bitter and needed some sugar, which is typical for our palate. Im sure during the week this place is quite lovely but too much for trying to easy into the start of our Saturday.

While the coffee is ok, I have certainly had better and I find it overpriced.
The menu is very simple, i went with a mocha and it was ok, a bit burnt tasting, not my favorite.
The café is nice, so is service and our drinks came out pretty quickly.
Descent, but i would prefer to go elsewhere for a better selection and larger size coffee.

I quit caffeine about two years ago, feel really good about myself. Went through the headaches, mood swings, varying degrees of plummeting self esteem. Two years later I am Finally free!
That being said I just spent a week drinking macchiatos every sunkissed morning here and it was worth it. I will remember every perfectly balanced drop. Sigh.

A very hipster and vibrant coffee shop in the heart of LA. I always make an attempt to not only get my latte art, but my mug of exceptional espresso when I visit my family in LA. I love the open concept and big windows that let in a lot of sunlight. I’ve overheard film makers and people in the Hollywood scene here while I quietly sip my coffee since I am on vacation. It’s a great place to lounge and study.

Overrated and overpriced. This place gets so much hype, and I can see why. It’s a hipster Mecca for unique coffee and tea drinks, located in the center of the hipster universe of Silverlake. Prime people watching, but if you’re a working class person, you may feel the urge to murder everyone around you within 15 minutes. The shop itself is beautiful, with a lovely patio and chic interior.
The coffee is very good, but nothing I haven’t experienced elsewhere for half the price. I tried the Bolivian cold brew, which was rich and flavorful and nice with soy milk. But, $ 6 with tip? And wait, no vegan food options whatsoever? The barista who took my order was nice, but the cashier and everyone else working stuck their nose up at me. Seriously? You work in a coffee shop-​stop acting like you have some elite career. I won’t come back here, but if you’re super rich and want to take a cool picture for Instagram, you might love Intelligentsia.

Big man gotta cool off. Been coming here for the better part of a year straight (tipping fat the whole time) and this dude has done nothing but frown all day :((((and throw shade. I see this dude crowded on the corner in front of the club next door some nights. Dude throws shade at me then too.
He’s not about his money I guess (?)
The other coworkers haven’t asked my name or anything, nothing against them but the customer service game here is awkward and nerdy (read lame and impersonal)

Coffee is great as usual, and ordering is easy.
When someone came into the store and was asked to leave, they stared yelling at all the customers. It was handled well and everyone that was in the store received a free drink. What nice gesture!
It is clean, open, and inviting.

Sort of weird place. Not sure if it was just the day I was there, but service was a bit like Starbucks and seating was a bit weird.
Coffee was good as expected, but I left the place thinking I’ve been to about 100 better places in Australia and about 30 better places in Indonesia. Whatever the case, it’s a place you have to visit when in LA if you’re a coffee nut.

Amazing building, great place to hangout. They really know their craft and they also sell lots of different types of coffee makers for you to take home. I still put them a step below blue bottle when talking about the coffee itself, but that’s not a bad thing. They really make very good coffee. When talking about food to side your coffee there is where I think they lack. Anyways, solid place for Joe

I love the coffee here… The tile floor is inspiration staple, hahahh. & it is a good starting point if you are going to explore the strip.
Now, the tables are hardly available because there are a bunch of writers, freelancers, tourists, taking up the space with their laptops… Meh.
I loved the Casbah for coffee but it*s closed. If you are not into this place… There is plenty of other coffee spots down the strip

Holy hipster. But the coffee is really really good…
Both the interior and exterior have such cool design, and I can totally picture hours of very productive work in this space. The coffee drinks themselves were probably my favorite out of the bunch on this block of Sunset. Although my friend didn’t like how strong the coffee was, you can tell just by the line (that’s always out-​the-​door) and by the people who come here that this is a place for hardcore, true coffee lovers.
My one complaint: I wish the staff were nicer. If it’s your first time here, don’t expect anyone to coddle you. The menu? Yeah, it’s tiny and overly simplified and hiding on the edge of the counter. Also, you order first and THEN pay down the line at the cash register. My friend and I were a little confused with the whole process, but the staff just looked bothered that we didn’t know what to order right when we walked through the door.
But it’s cool. I’ll be back anyways because the mocha was the best I’ve ever had.

Parking can be a pain since there are a lot of signs with different kinds of rules. So be sure you read before you park. I saw parking enforcement giving out multiple tickets on Sanborne while I was waiting around for friends in front of Café Stella.
Cute interior décor, with some bar seating around the back if you want to quietly enjoy your coffee. Additionally there’s tables in front, but I usually can’t find open seating — maybe just my bad luck!
Coffees are solid. Pastries delicious. OK prices. Friendly staff. Dogs welcome outside, but not indoors.
Line is usually long, but moves fast. I’ll definitely be back!

The location of Intelligentsia is pretty clutch. It’s next door to Silverlake Cheese Shop, Café Stella, and across the street from Pazzo Gelato. As one of the major draws to Sunset Junction, you’ll usually find a long line of hipster customers waiting to order.
Inside the coffee shop itself isn’t really much to look at, save for the pretty blue tiling. The Abbott Kinney and Pasadena locations look much more interesting, in my opinion, and are more spacious.
The drinks are well made — my go-​to drinks are the mocha and cold brew. If you order tea, they have a cute, photo-​worthy way of steeping and serving it. The espresso isn’t as bold as Vita’s down the street so I usually request an extra shot just to get that strong coffee taste.
Pastries here are delicious and interesting but rather small in portion for the price. I like the strawberry cobbler bar and the white miso kouign amann (yes you read that correctly).
Street parking close to the café is difficult unless you’re up for walking.

Located Silver Lake, Los Angeles, and within a few steps of the local bars, hipster shops & shops such as Pazzo Gelato & Juice Served Here, this Intelligentsia Coffee location is a hidden gem as the storefront isn’t exactly right up against the sidewalk edge like the other stores. In fact, the actual doorway entrance to the coffee shop is hidden behind a clay covered wall with a doorway, a hanging illuminated light stating «COFFEE» & the «Intelligentsia» store sign and simple logo to the side. With plenty of outdoor seating in the front for families and coffee drinkers, once you walk in to the actual shop, the design that went into the shop shines through all the matching tile work starting from the floor to the side of the counters.
Take a gander at the menu, pick your choice of coffee and then pay at the cash register. While you wait for your coffee to be brewed, check out the shop’s pastries on the counter or head towards the wall and check out the coffee gear and beans you can also pick up there. When you get your coffee, head to the front window area to grab your creamer and sugar and stirring sticks.
The coffee here is very good and very pure. No real need to add any additives; from the moment you put the cup against your lips and take the first sip, you breath in the fresh roast of the smell of the coffee and the taste follows just as easy and smooth.
You can easily fall in love with this place and it’s coffee even if you’re not a normal coffee drinker.

**NICE COFFEE SPOT IN SILVER LAKE**
3.5 stars, rounding up.
PARKING
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Street, there’s a 15 minute too around the corner.
AMBIANCE
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Quirky hipster vibes.
Tiled floors and wooden beams.
Patio seating but limited space.
Lots of Millenials.
COFFEE
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COLD BREWED — $ 4.50
Nice flavor, but not strong enough.
RATING: 3.5÷5
STAFF
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Friendly to some degree,
but don’t expect super nice.
I was fine with that.
OVERALL
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I like the Abbot Kinney location better.
Still a good place to people watch and
grab coffee if you’re in the area.
RECOMMEND if you’re in the area.

One of the best almond milk cappuccinos I have ever had. There is typically decent street parking nearby (not on the main strip), and the prices are the same as any other hip coffee shop.
Many places burn the almond milk, but this was smooth and had a great balance of flavor with the espresso.

The coffee is definitely good here. This location is kind of a scene, not necessarily in a bad way. The seating inside is mainly barstools on the big wraparound bar counter or on the walls. If you need back support, you’ll have to snag one of the few tables outside. The seating turnover is not bad, so you can come here with one other person, hover a bit, and grab a couple stools pretty quickly. But this is not a place for bigger parties, or if you plan to hang out at a table for a long time. As far as locations go, Intelligentsia tends to have a bit of a hipster vibe, and this one continues that trend. But it’s not hipper than thou, and the people watching is fun.

Oh hipster-land…currently my new home, thanks to my very hip aunt, haha. You walk in and you’re transformed into a different world. Coffee snobs and thirsty people alike, it’s good vibes for the most part. Shop has an aesthetically pleasing design, though there’s usually not much place to sit with everyone so into their laptop, book, or of course, fellow hipsters. I’ve been here a couple times and I must say their chai latte has been the best chai latte I’ve ever had. Like my mouth didn’t know what was going on, it was a party in there, lol.

Great Coffee!
Note: I’m a coffee snob, maybe even a coffee douche, I admit it; nay, I AM PROUD OF IT!!! and Intelligentsia is my brew of choice: I drink it at home, I’m stoked when restaurants serve it, I drink it at Starbucks!
This place is super hipstery, but even if you HATE hipsters, you have to agree they make great coffee. While in this case their job is easy, they just have to not ruin what’s already good coffee, these guys consistently knock it out of the park. Staff is friendly, they usually have a few different brews to serve and are ready to suggest a favorite & lines move pretty quick.
Coffee is individually hand poured and on avg somewhere between $ 5 – 7 per cup. I don’t drink mochas and cappuccinos; however, watching these guys pour one is pretty cool, they do it complete with a design in the foam. Food options inside are limited to a small pastry case but let’s be honest you’re coming here for the coffee. Inside has a coffee bar to sit at and about 5 tables outside theres a good amount of seating but not enough for the amount of people who show up so don’t be surprised if you don’t get a table, good news is you still got a cup of tasty delicious coffee! HURRAY YOU!!!

The best coffee in LA hands down. Tried this place for the first time today and was absolutely amazed. I walked in looked at the menu and asked them a couple questions about what some of the drinks are. Everyone working there are the nicest people I’ve ever met. Ever. It was a please t experience all around from the people to the service to the drinks. We got an iced and hot mocha. So incredibly creamy and tasty. I absolutely loved it.

4 stars for coffee, 3 stars for service. I stopped in here yesterday in wanting to explore Silver Lake, and in understanding that pour overs are a time consuming process (I have my own station at home), it took almost 25 minutes for my coffee to be served to me. Apparently asking for your coffee to stay means you get pushed to the back of the queue where the to go orders take precedent. In any case, I enjoyed my coffee once I got it, but waiting that long made it a little harder to enjoy.

My boyfriend and I came here and loved it. It was $ 7 for his single origin capp (on left) and $ 4 for my chai (on right). Absolutely delicious and am already craving another!

Awesome vibe to this coffee shop, both the interior and exterior have such elegant designs.
Cappuccinos were outstanding, espresso was rich and the presentation was very professional. I could tell right from the moment I walked in they were serious about coffee. Bravo Intelligentsia!

4 stars for bold, aromatic, and fresh espresso. 4 stars for friendly service. 2 stars for indoor seating — you perch along a narrow slab of counter and go elbow to elbow with your neighbor. 2 stars for cleanliness (the floors needed some scrubbing. I was desperately afraid to let my bag touch the ground). Free but sluggish wifi and first come first serve street parking.
So why 4 stars? Because you’re here for the delicious, flavorful, and clean coffee and espresso which Intelligentsia delivers. Paired with friendly staff, it’s 4 stars indeed.

TLDR:
— Striking and winey flavor profile unfortunately undermined by lack of body and weight.
— To the staff, particularly the guy with black rimmed glasses, baseball cap, and a beer gut: having people line up out the door is as much of a fire hazard as they are inside. People are not doorstops and you cannot tell someone to be one. It is your job to handle logistics.

Imagine a wine bar for coffee (and tea) filled with LA archetypes (the hipster, the model, the actor etc) and a few genuinely odd characters and you’ll get a sense of the atmosphere intelligentsia has to offer.
It’s a great place for people watching.
Some of the things I’ve witnessed here: a bodybuilder considering a career as a hip hop MC, a well known angel investor upbraiding entitled wannabe entrepreneurs and reading John Patrick Shanley plays during their (mostly inane) pitches.
Enough atmosphere and quirks, let’s get to the coffee. It is amazing. The tea is equally excellent, try the sencha green which is top notch. Sencha is a delicate tea that’s easy to ruin since the temperature and steeping have to be spot on and they nail it here. All of the espresso and tea drinks have been consistently excellent.

I am an avid coffee drinker. And when I do have the opportunity, I would stop by Intelligentsia and have them whip me a cap. The coffee here is great, no doubt. So, what’s the problem? Depending on what time of day you’re heading here, you may catch a bit of traffic. HEAVY TRAFFIC. And when it’s busy, PARKING will also be a pain in the bum to find. I wished there was valet parking for this little coffee shop, but I always pray to God that either someone leaves and I take their parking spot, or i park somewhere REALLY FAR, and trek there.
They do have indoor and outdoor seating, but it’s not enough during rush hour. I suggest taking your coffee addiction to go!

Celebrity sightings, instagram-​worthy mosaic tile floors, long lines, and real good coffee.
Tip: Get the soy latte if you’re cheap like me.

Un après-​midi ensoleillé à Silver Lake et j’en profite pour faire une pause en prenant un macchiato et un thé glacé chez Intelligentsia. Un délice. Lieu calme, sobre et tendance dans lequel on se sent bien. Idéal pour venir travailler en terrasse, discuter entre amis, se plonger dans un livre tout en dégustant d’excellents breuvages.

People watching 101
I call it «eye stalking». Perfect place for eye stalking people. Get hyped up on caffeine and watch people live their lives while you play with their dogs. Is it a requirement to have a dog in Silver Lake? Kind of like when you move to Texas they automatically give you a gun, Silver Lake they give you a dog.
Clean Coffee
Not sure what that really means but if you’re a coffee drinker you’ll get it. Cold brew was crisp and no need for additives. Had a second coffee in one sitting (because I’m a caffeine addict) which was on their rotating brew list from Guatemala and it was fairly light in taste for my blood, I like it dank.
Drink coffee, do stupid things faster with more energy!

Why 4 stars? Because it’s one of my favorite coffee brewers, but just missed the spot.
— — —
I love Intelligenstia, and have ordered way too many of their beans online. This was my first opportunity to visit one in person, so I was incredibly excited. But that excitement may have damned that 5^th star into the ether.
My latte was delicious, but it was a definite step down from what I’ve experienced at the other coffee shops that belong on the Mount Rushmore of Joe-​providers in the country: Blue Bottle, Philz, and Stumptown.
I did score a mug, which happens to be my favorite mug in the cabinet. Short, with the sweet Intelligentsia logo. If nothing else, they have the best logo in the biz.

I by no means am a coffee connoisseur. Heck, I very rarely have myself a cup of joe. I heard so much buzz about the Chicago based Intelligentsia Coffee, I just had to come and give it a try.
Located right in the ever so gentrifying Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, Intelligentsia is located right on the corner of Sunset Blvd and Sanborn Ave. The outside looks quite nice with a few tables and chairs. Inside, there is little seating. I am going to try and say this the nicest way possible– I would call this place Hipster heaven! Whoa… I have never seen so many hipsters converge in one place! Nonetheless, I went for a tiny cup of espresso, due to the fact that I had pulled an all nighter and was looking to stay awake for school later that day. It is a bit on the pricey side. Personally, I cannot see myself spending so much on something that I very rarely have! I would probably come just to enjoy the ambiance. Bring a book or a laptop, which is what everybody here seems to do!
Overall, the service was exquisite. The person who helped me was very informative on what they had. Like I have said before, I am no coffee connoisseur. But I do know one thing– if I am in the area, I will most likely return! They left me impressed! Street parking only and oh yeah, they have pastries too to enjoy!

Yum! A well made cuppa, in the heart of LA. In a way, it reminds me of Seattle coffee… concise menu, and a café full of coffee aficionados.
You won’t find endless milk substitutes, or a wall full of sugary syrups. but you’ll find yourself a nice cup of espresso, and a cute to-​go cup, to boot.

While enjoying some gelato at Pazzo across the street, I spotted Intelligentsia across the way and I can always go for coffee any time of the day. I really enjoy supporting local roasters as much as I can, so Intelligentsia was the perfect spot for grabbing a buzz of caffeine. While walking into this place you could tell this wasn’t just any coffee shop, the people here seemed pretty passionate about coffee and they were very quick to get your orders out correctly. Here they offer standard espresso drinks, ice coffee and fresh pour over coffee from their day’s selection of beans. They had only one size for their pour over coffees, and they ran about 5 dollars and some change each, pricey stuff.
I had decided on their Zirikana coffee from Rwanda. After waiting for them to brew the coffee, they handed me the cup of coffee which was at perfect temperature for drinking. My only gripe here is their lack of asking if you want room for cream or not, some of us don’t dilute and ruin our coffee with cream/​sugar non sense. The Zirikana tasted fresh, bold and had a flavor of lime to it, very quality stuff, I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee that I got at Intelligentsia. While there was lots of places to sit and enjoy your coffee here, I took mine for the road due to the loud noisy atmosphere inside. Like any roaster, you can always buy your whole bean coffee here (
) to go. I am glad I was able to stop by and enjoy some coffee from this place, delicious stuff.

Perfect place to get a caffeine fix no matter what time of day! Unexpectedly, the prices for hot coffee were higher than at their Pasadena location and their selection of coffees to drink was smaller. I thought the prices were consistent across the board but I was wrong. Still didn’t change my desire and craving for good coffee. I got what I wanted (Ethiopia Yirgacheffe cold brew and their fall blend beans) so I’m pleased.