Neighborhood
133 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Crema's Take
“Tucked into a charming hybrid space that doubles as a laundromat, this LA neighborhood gem serves espresso-focused coffee with genuine warmth and a welcoming vibe that keeps people coming back as regulars. The baristas, particularly the beloved Gina, treat every visit like catching up with a friend, and the quality of their specialty drinks matches their hospitality—all at prices that won't break the bank. It's the kind of place where you can linger with your laptop, meet a friend, or bring the whole family and feel the positive energy the moment you walk in.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Really nice laundry mat, environment is clean and positive. Good music and great energy. Prices are good too w/ free dry Plus Gina is the sweetest! So friendly made the experience such a treat!
Neighborhood coffee has the best coffee and service! Highly recommend. I love this place so much that I’ve become a regular. The quality of their coffee is top notch and their baristas/staff are just so lovely and wonderful.
Today’s visit was extremely upsetting and disappointing as a local living in the neighborhood. I got 3 pastries and 2 coffees. While I am waiting for my coffee, I hear the employees talking negatively about me. They are purposefully talking loudly so that I can hear, “What?!!!! That big of an order and no tip?!!!!”. The other employee goes “I know right?!!”. It felt like an extremely intentional effort to shame me. She had me bag my own 3 pastries, overflowed my coffee to make a mess on the counter for me to clean up after learning of my lack of tip, and made my latte all milk/no espresso taste. Coincidental or not, this is not how anyone should start their day, especially being 8 months pregnant I’ve had a tough morning already 😕 My total already comes out $35 which is already on the more expensive side, I didn’t realize there was an unwritten rule that getting some pastries and coffee requires an obvious tip at this cafe, enough to be embarrassed publicly for it.
First time in moving to LA and won’t be the last. The two staff members this morning were super friendly and welcoming. I loved that after saying it was our first time in, he said let me give you a tour. Went thru the offerings on the drink menu and pointing out some of his favorites, such as the Flower Child, which was bright with fruity notes - perfectly poured. Our other was the La Brea - subtle but noticeable ginger with a slight background of molasses. It was warm, creamy and made to perfection by the barista. Pastries were delicious and they had lots of savory options to choose from as well. Great shop, the outside courtyard patio was a surprise that was a joy to sit on while enjoying our morning start!
I’ve visited this coffee shop three times now — I really wanted to give it a fair chance, especially since I live nearby. Each time, I ordered a flat white and specifically asked for it to be made stronger, because honestly, the coffee tastes like water (I’ve ordered flat white, not even latte). It’s incredibly weak — more like water with a hint of coffee flavor than an actual espresso-based drink. I even asked the baristas to use a medium or dark roast instead of a light one. They said okay, but the result was exactly the same — watery, flavorless, and disappointing. It genuinely feels like someone rinsed a coffee cup and served that water. For the price, this is just unacceptable. I’m sorry, but something seriously needs to change here. This was a major disappointment for me.
Crema Reviews
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