5 Under-The-Radar Coffee Shops Hidden Around Los Angeles

It may not be the coffee capital of America, but Los Angeles is filled to the brim with delicious coffee shops. While trendy sipping spots like Urth Caffé and Alfred –- whose sleek black-and-white facades are scattered everywhere from Silver Lake to Malibu –- are tried and true favorites within the LA caffeine scene, there are plenty of places brewing just beneath the surface that are begging to be discovered.

In a city as massive as LA, the coffee shop options are truly endless, and the hunt for hidden gems can be daunting if you don't know where to look. Luckily, we've done the hunting for you, sipping our way around LA to bring you a treasure trove of espresso spots hanging out in the background that deserve a turn in the spotlight. From cozy corner cafes nestled in the Valley, to tiny coffee counters tucked into historic hangouts in Laurel Canyon, these are five under-the-radar spots you simply must sip for yourself.

These days, a lot of coffee shops look the same. Stark white walls, industrial wood furniture, understated decor, and cursive script neon signs illuminated with some generic caffeine-related quote are common trappings of the modern-day coffee shop. If the minimalistic atmosphere just isn't for you, and if you prefer cozy cafes with mismatched mugs, floral color palettes, and serious Central Perk vibes, then you'll feel right at home at Priscilla's.

Hidden in plain sight on a busy corner in Burbank, across from the famous Bob's Big Boy on Riverside Drive, Priscilla's is a true neighborhood gem tucked into the heart of the Valley. Situated in a red brick facade lined with cute sidewalk tables and lush shrubbery, its charm is palpable even from the outside. On the inside, every inch feels like a quirky coffee shop from the 1990s –- which makes sense since the 1970s-era café moved into its current digs in 1993. It seems that not much has changed since then, from the fairytale cottagecore murals to the millennial menu prices. In fact, a 12-ounce latte and a bagel with cream cheese at Priscilla's will cost you less than a 12 ounce latte alone at the Alfred outpost down the street.

Not only is Priscilla's easy on the wallet, it's an easy spot to settle in for the day. As someone who has spent many hours writing articles there, I can attest that the tables are perpetually occupied with faithful locals. It's the kind of place where old friends meet to catch up, students retreat for marathon study sessions, and budding filmmakers gather to share ideas and brood over cappuccinos. If you're looking for a coffee shop with great character, delicious brews, and a homey neighborhood atmosphere, Priscilla's is your place.

Is there anything more on-brand for LA than a cinema-themed coffee shop tucked next to a historic movie theater? Probably not. Named after actress Pam Grier –- the star of 1970s blaxploitation films like "Foxy Brown" and "Coffy" –- Pam's Coffy is a hip new coffee shop attached to the Vista Theater in Los Feliz (one of LA's most walkable neighborhoods). Oh, and it's owned by Quentin Tarantino. In fact, the menu features the filmmaker's favorite coffee, Bold Black Mamba, a custom blend created by Jones Coffee Roasters. You can even order Tarantino's favorite snack, a bowl of Cap'n Crunch cereal, which is the perfect compliment to a VHS viewing on the coffee shop's decades-old TV set. Venture behind the beaded curtain, and you'll find a secret VHS screening booth where you can watch classic films in private.

Decked out with retro movie posters, funky-painted walls, mismatched chairs, and pop culture memorabilia, Pam's has a cozy vintage vibe and is the perfect spot to sip the time away before sliding next door for a revival film screening at the Vista. Settle in with a flavor-packed signature latte and a fresh-baked pastry, and don't even think about skipping the merch. Featuring an afro-adorned image of Pam Grier on the front and the words "a cup by Quentin Tarantino" on the back, the shop's souvenir yellow-gold mugs are a must-have for coffee lovers and cinephiles alike.

The next gem on the list is so hidden, you have to go digging in a canyon corner store to find it. Nestled between the Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley, Laurel Canyon is an iconic, mountainous California neighborhood that was a haven for legendary musicians during the 1960s and 1970s. Composed of steep, winding roads, a woodsy atmosphere, and an eclectic mix of charming bohemian homes and multi-million dollar mansions, you won't find it packed with shops and restaurants like other LA neighborhoods. However, inside the Canyon Country Store, you'll find a sweet little coffee spot.

Situated in a quirky orange-colored facade on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, the Canyon Country Store is more than a neighborhood bodega. It's an institution. Once a famous gathering spot for musicians like Jim Morrison, Joni Mitchell, and Cass "Mama" Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas, the place is packed with history and is still frequented by artists and bohemians to this day. It's here that you'll find the Laurel Canyon Café. Situated at the entrance to the market, the artfully-colored coffee cart serves fresh-brewed coffee, delicious pastries, and espresso treats daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Though you won't find any indoor tables, it's the perfect place for grabbing an iced coffee, a meaty sandwich from the deli counter, and stealing a sunny seat on the patio to chat it up with the locals. During the summer months, you can catch live outdoor music, or even jump in on a local jam session for a quintessential Laurel Canyon experience. If you're California dreaming of the '60s and '70s, sip up some LA music history with your coffee, and spend an enchanting afternoon at Laurel Canyon Café.

While Laurel Canyon Café captures the spirit of the 1960s and 1970s, Heart's Coffee Shop is frozen in the 1950s. Located in Lake Balboa, the treasured family-owned gem has been serving the Valley for over 40 years with diner-style breakfasts and classic cups of coffee. While you won't find any fancy espresso drinks on the menu, what you will find is plenty of heart and immaculate vintage vibes. Outside, a heart-shaped sign reading "Heart's" in a simple cursive script stands tall over the parking lot, which once served as the backdrop for a retro-inspired Lana Del Rey magazine photo shoot.

Stepping inside is like stepping back in time. A classic diner counter lined with red vinyl stools stretches across the room, where guests sip from white coffee mugs and dig into heaping platters of homestyle breakfast food. The only thing stronger than the aroma of bacon and fresh-brewed coffee filling the air is the friendly atmosphere. Speaking from experience, it's the kind of place where the owner will refill your cup of coffee and talk to you like you're an old friend.

Adding to its charm, Heart's is a cash-only spot (there's an ATM inside), which is stark in comparison to all the trendy LA coffee shops that use contactless Square readers and seem bewildered if you try to hand them paper money. Some of them don't even accept cash as payment anymore. If you're tired of the cookie-cutter coffee shops that aggressively embrace the digital age, and if you're craving a cozy coffee spot that's filled to the brim with nostalgia, prepare to be romanced by Heart's.

There are few things that compliment a cozy cup of coffee better than a good book. That's why Stories Books & Café is both a coffee lover's and a bibliophile's dream come true. Located on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Echo Park, the local gem is part book store, part coffee shop, and full of charm.

Tucked into a cozy facade, the cafe's soaring vaulted ceilings open up the space, which is generously lined with rows of used books. Stepping inside, the quiet atmosphere makes it immediately clear that it's not your typical coffee shop. Instead of noisy chatter over iced lattes, the rhythmic clacking of laptop keys fills the silence. Some people are buried deep in work, while others leaf through books plucked from the shelves, which boast everything from poetry collections to fiction novels.

After browsing the books, place your order at the coffee counter, where you'll have your pick of classic espresso drinks, coffee, and tea. They even have beer, wine, and cider if you want to kick back with an adult beverage. In addition to fresh-baked pastries, the cafe serves food until 2:30 p.m. for bigger appetites. Bite into a delicious bagel sandwich for breakfast, or a fresh arugula salad in the afternoon. Perfect for LA's typically sunny days, the back patio provides a picturesque sipping spot, and it hosts everything from live music events to book signings. After enjoying a day of books and brews, be sure to stroll over to Echo Park Lake, a serene tropical oasis in the heart of the urban LA.

It's no secret that there are hundreds of coffee shops in LA. There's also quite a bit of discourse about which neighborhoods and areas are considered to be part of LA. For this article, coffee shops in all of Los Angeles County were taken into account, not just spots in the city of Los Angeles proper.

As an LA resident, I've sipped my way through dozens of coffee shops, and my wealth of first-hand experiences was vital in composing this list. To get started, I referenced this blog post of LA's best coffee shops, picking out the ones I'd visited myself. Rather painstakingly, I narrowed the list down to just five humble spots. When making selections, I looked for places with plenty of character and charm, highlighting small independent businesses in particular. Including under-the-radar gems from the Valley to Sunset Boulevard, I made sure to cover a good amount of ground to provide a more inclusive list. Serving strong coffee, and even stronger vibes, these five hidden gems are just a sip away in LA.