TOMS (#1) on Abbot Kinney
1. TOMS (1344 Abbot Kinney Blvd.)
This new, hip coffee shop at TOMS Flagship store in Venice is just what you need to make your day more stylish. Not only is it a TOMS retail store, complete with a full shoe, sunglass, and apparel line, but it also offers TOMS Roasting Co. coffee and tea. The drinks are great and the pumpkin bread is not to be missed! Also, make sure you bring work to do because the seating areas are both comfortable and relaxing. The soft cushions, warm blankets, and chalkboard world map make for a very well decorated and homey outdoor area. And the indoor seating located at the front of the store is a nice, secluded area to finish that paper you’ve been working on all week. Stop by this fun shop and buy into TOMS great one-for-one program!
2. Zinque (600 Venice Blvd.)
Need a cute, relaxing place to study off campus? Zinque is exactly that! Not only do they have coffee and pastries, but they offer a variety of Panini sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads to try. Zinque is perfect for a morning or lunchtime break. With indoor and outdoor seating areas, there is plenty of room to get work done or even just socialize. This is a great, happening spot for local artists and other students, and you’re guaranteed to see adorable dogs and stylish people while enjoying great coffee and food at this Venice Beach hot spot. You may even catch a glimpse of Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul, who’s a regular here!
3. M Street Bakery (2000 Main Street)
Attached to the fabulous M Street Kitchen, this quick bakery is the perfect place to pick up a latte or muffin. The pastries are so mouth-watering they will leave you wondering how anything could ever taste so moist. Offering a variety of great Intelligentsia Roasting Co. coffee drinks, you can’t go wrong with whatever you order. The vast amount of freshly baked pastries perfectly displayed in the glass case at the front of the shop will definitely convince you to indulge your sweet tooth. Everything at M Street Bakery is expertly prepared to assure your taste buds a satisfying morning. The friendly, sunny atmosphere of this bakery will help you start your day off right, or provide you with that much-needed pick-me-up in the middle of the day.
4. Intelligentsia Coffee Bar (1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd.)
Also located on Abbot Kinney, Intelligentsia is a great, contemporarily designed coffee shop. It’s an ideal, quick pot, for a perfectly prepared, strong cup of coffee. The shop was designed to encourage a one-on-one customer experience with the barista. Baristas prepare your drink right in front of you, which is a fun spin on the typical coffee shop experience. Though there may be a line, it’s worth the wait! This secluded coffee bar is the perfect place to go with friends during or after an exhausting day of shopping on Abbot Kinney.
5. Espresso Cielo (3101 Main Street)
Less trafficked than the other four shops on this list, Espresso Cielo is equally as tasty and enjoyable. This shop offers a variety of espresso drinks, tasty biscotti, and other pastries. You’ll feel right at home with their baby blue coffee cups and laid back café style. Spend an hour or so studying or relaxing in front of Espresso Cielo’s infamous big clock and take in the vibes of the shop. This is the perfect escape from the busy and crowded LA scene. Take a step back, and enjoy Espresso Cielo.
*Written by Paige Hamilton