Finding a cafe to work at in L.A. with everything you need is a mission. Outlets, strong Wi-Fi, good drinks and great vibes are nonnegotiables – these four spots check all those boxes. If location is important to you, here is a map to visualize each location.
But which cafe fits your specific working needs? Each of these cafes shines in its own way – here’s a guide to finding the right one based on how you work.
Best overall: With Love Market and Cafe, South Central, 1969 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
If you want a reliable place with everything, With Love Market and Cafe delivers.
”Around here, we try to make it so that you can post up, grab a drink, be cozy, get on the Wi-Fi, study for your exam, or just watch Netflix,” said CJ Cruz, a barista at the cafe. “You can hang out here all day if you want to.”
For long work sessions, the hybrid cafe-market fuels you with their popular $4.75 horchata latte, $5.95 dirty soda, $9.95 bacon, egg and cheese, or whole pizzas for $14.95. The variety of affordable food and drink options, combined with the two floors and an outdoor area for seating, makes this an ideal place to work alone or in a group. Not only is With Love an affordable place, but it’s close to USC. It’s a straight shot on the 754 or 204 bus, or only a 12-minute bus ride from Vermont and Jefferson.
The only catch is that they’re closed on Sundays. On Monday through Saturday, you can feel good about where your money is going, as their mission is to bring healthy food access to South Los Angeles. At the cafe, they accept EBT and offer a mix of local and organic food and drinks from local farmers.
Best for Space: M Cafe, Koreatown, 2789 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 201, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Finding seats at cafes in L.A. is a gamble, but not when you’re at M Cafe.
M Cafe has free parking, a lot of tables and has an indoor and an even bigger outdoor seating area. With the outside fully covered and heating if needed, it’s a comfortable place to sit.
Inside, the music can be a little loud, so bring headphones if you get distracted by loud music. If you want good food, though, M Cafe is known for its $7 Misugaru latte, a Black Sesame Latte and delicious pastries, like the $6.50 strawberry cream salt bread. While the pastries steal the show, they also have pasta and fried rice for $17 and soup for $7.95.
Joshua Locke, a freshman at Cal State LA and Koreatown native, frequently comes to M Cafe.
“M Cafe is more for, like you’re more likely to find a seat,” Locke said. “I’d probably get a matcha, their matcha cream tops are really good.”
The crowd is refreshingly mixed – older people, students, remote workers and people just stopping by. With Koreatown accessible by almost any bus on USC’s campus, this is an easy spot to get to in about 25 minutes. If you’re driving, you can get there in under 15 minutes. The food offerings are more expensive than others on the list and the lattes are average. If you’re going here, go for guaranteed space and the pastries.
Best for Long Stays: Cafe Mak, Koreatown, 612 Shatto Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Whether you’re writing a paper until midnight or trying to finish a project that’s been haunting you, Cafe Mak sets you up for an extended stay.
At each table, there is a bell to call a waiter to order for the first or third time. Along with many drink items, the cafe has a full menu from $15.95 Korean style chicken wings to $17.50 udon. Most customers get their $8.95 fries as a study snack with their drink of choice.
If Locke isn’t at M cafe, he’s at Cafe Mak getting his $6.95 salted caramel latte and the $17.95 spaghetti in cream sauce pasta with shrimp.
“The difference, I would say [is] that if I want more, [of] like a vibe, then I’d come here,” Locke said. “This spot, depending on the time. It’s a little bit luck-based.”
While prices here can run high, you can make your money’s worth by staying all day and taking part in their best deal: buy an entree and get a drink for 30% off. It is important to note there’s technically a three-hour time limit. You can continue buying items to extend the time, but I’ve never seen this rule enforced.
The cafe is pricey, and the temperature inside can be unpredictable, but going at night is usually the best bet. The wide variety of food options and late nights make this a great option for a USC student. A plus is that it’s about a 15-minute drive from campus, so if you stay until closing at 12 a.m., you’ll get home quickly.
Best For outside: Archives of Us, Chinatown, 555 N Spring St A201, Los Angeles, CA 90012
A sunny day on the shaded patio with a breeze coming through and a $7 banana matcha latte with the $15 wagyu egg sliders is the ideal day here.
Outside, the only sounds are city noise, which can be the white noise you need. Inside, there’s music blaring and long lines. Despite the inside being filled with noise, it’s accompanied by welcoming staff members who are always happy to give a recommendation.
Lyn Flake, a junior at USC, comes to Archives at least twice a month because she thinks it’s a perfect study spot.
“I like that there’s good seating inside and outside,” Flake said. “So depending on what I’m doing or what I’m working on, I can have a more relaxed outdoor feel, or more modern coffee shop vibe.”
For USC students who rely on public transportation, the commute is longer than the others on this list. It’s a 40-minute bus ride, but if you have a car or take an Uber, it’s a 15-minute car ride.
If you take that bus ride, you’ll work up an appetite and Archives of US has options for anyone. Some options are Spicy Miso Carbonara, Kimchi Fried Rice or their famous Matcha Tiramisu.
The food and matcha justify the premium that is paid here. If you can get behind the long lines, pricey food and drink, Archives of Us can be a place to enjoy L.A.’s weather.
From South Central to Chinatown, expect to pay the usual overpriced L.A. cafe prices, but these options certainly don’t lack in quality. Finals are just around the corner for USC students, and Leavey Library is probably becoming dreadful.
If you’re looking for convenience and good food and drink near USC, then With Love Market and Cafe is perfect for you. But if you’re a night owl, then Cafe Mak is the place for you.
Deadlines don’t wait, but a good cafe can make them easier to face. No matter what kind of lock-in you need, there’s a cafe that fits your needs from this list.