When it comes to a good cup of cafectio, USC students are no strangers to the need for a good caffeine fix.
Whether powering through an all-nighter, catching up with friends, or finding a cozy study spot, coffee is a student’s best friend. While major coffee chains may be convenient, these Latine-owned coffee shops offer rich flavors, cultural authenticity, and welcoming spaces.
If you need a quiet study corner or want to try something new over the spring break, here are some coffee spots to check out near USC.
ÜLËW Coffee & Juice (Boyle Heights)
Located in Boyle Heights, ÜLËW Coffee & Juice blends Guatemalan heritage with coffee and juices. The name “Ülëw” is a word in the K’iche language, nodding to its founders’ roots. The menu features natural cold-pressed juices alongside expertly brewed coffee.
Established in 2023, they started out by selling natural juices from a vending cart at the corner of Olympic and Soto. Their new location offers an indoor seating area, great for one to come and do schoolwork.
1300 S Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu-Sun: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Closed on Wed
Más Cafecito Coffee (La Puente)
Más Cafecito, which means “more coffee” in Spanish, opened in December 2020 in La Puente, with a small coffee trailer on Valley Blvd. This coffee shop offers fantastic traditional Mexican flavors, such as café de olla, spanish latte, horchata latte and many other flavors. Be sure to try their delicious abuelita latte. They have two locations: the original trailer café in La Puente (which is closest to USC) and a second in Baldwin Park.
13224 Valley Blvd, La Puente, CA 91746
Hours: Tue-Fri: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Closed on Mon
Picaresca Barra de Café (Boyle Heights)
If you are in the Boyle Heights area, Picaresca offers a cozy atmosphere and an emphasis on culture, community, and quality.
From humble beginnings, this café has expanded into a neighborhood staple. Offering great coffee, food, and pastries. Their matcha pineapple latte, pino latte, and café de olla latte are a must-try. If you’re into expanding your palate and trying new flavors, Picaresca is the place for you.
2931 E 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Sun: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Arroz & Fun (Lincoln Heights)
Located at the border of Northeast LA and Downtown LA, Arroz & Fun is a fusion of Asian and Latino flavors. It serves excellent coffee crafted from Cipota coffee beans sourced from El Salvador.
The menu features Asian delicacies like bolo pollo and Salvadoran-flavored cold brew, el morro. This place celebrates the amalgamation of cultures found best in the city of Los Angeles and offers great indoor and outdoor seating areas.
1822 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Hours: Wed-Sun: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Closed on Mon & Tue
De La Tierra Café (East Hollywood)
“De la tierra,” which translates to “Of the earth,” offers organic coffee from Chiapas, Mexico, and their cozy ambiance makes it a great study spot. This place offers great Latine-inspired drinks like “tres leches” and “dulce de leche” lattes. The location offers a cozy seating area, great for doing school work if you are near the East Hollywood area.
1144 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Hours: Tue-Fri: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Closed on Mon
For those looking to expand their coffee palates over spring break and gain more cultural experiences, these Latine-owned coffee shops are among the many in Los Angeles. We hope you check some of those on the list out and treat yourself!