Best Cafés in Los Angeles With a Dual Benefit of Wi-Fi and Ambiance

Settling into a Los Angeles cafe with strong coffee drinks, tea, and tasty snacks is always a good plan. But when working with a fully charged laptop and a to-do list, one must choose wisely where to study, wait for traffic to thin out, attempt to get the inbox down to zero, or endlessly scroll away on the Internet. Wi-Fi is a generous perk in these spaces, so try to reciprocate by buying plenty of drinks and pastries if you plan to stay put for a while.

Here are the best cafes in Los Angeles to pull up a seat, drink an espresso, and savour some precious Wi-Fi.

1.   Companion

Venice’s newest all-day cafe entrant, Companion, has revived the Lincoln Boulevard space formerly occupied by vegan pizzeria Double Zero. Now, sunlight pours through its panoramic windows as customers drop in for coffee, pastries, and a growing roster of hefty focaccia sandwiches. Fingers whizz over laptop keyboards; conversation and a thumping beat from the cafe’s hi-fi sound system give the room its ambient sound. And, yes, the Wi-Fi is free and fast, making this an almost certain success for a neighbourhood packed with coffee shops but less so with remote worker-friendly Wi-Fi access.

2.  Blossom and Friends

Blossom and Friends, the vibey, sun-lit cafe from the same owners of next-door Vietnamese restaurant Blossom, offers the perfect cafe-with-free-Wi-Fi situation on a quiet stretch of Ocean Park Boulevard. This feels like a true neighbourhood spot: Get in too late and you might miss all the delights of the once-full pastry case (locals will have cleared it out earlier in the morning).

That’s not a terrible thing, however, considering Blossom also has a kitchen from which it slings stellar bánh mì (including a breakfast riff with fried egg, pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, jalapeño, vegan mayo, and a side of chicken broth), toasts, and accoutrements to go with the shop’s formidable tinned fish display. Grab a coffee, freshly squeezed juice, and the classic bánh mì with ham, headcheese, meatloaf, duck paté, and garlic butter before you settle in for a while. You won’t even notice the lunch hour pass you by.

3.  Coffee Commissary

The caffeine comes with a generous side of neon signs and hot pink decor at the Coffee Commissary. All locations (Beverly, Burbank, Del Rey, Fairfax, Glendale, Palms, and Santa Monica) prepare a creative espresso menu with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to hang around for hours.

4.  Coffee Fix

Though open since 2003, Coffee Fix has a recent (and romantic) addition to its story. The shop has been open since 2003, but Ruby and John Kalosh (who had their first date at the cafe) took over in 2018. It’s comfortable with indoor and outdoor seating and an excellent traditional latte.

5.  The Boy & The Bear – Coffee Roastery

Though the Boy & the Bear has locations in Westchester, Sherman Oaks, and Culver City, the Redondo Beach outlet recently underwent a stunning makeover. Always purchase a bag of beans before departing. Prepare to stay awhile and write or answer emails while sipping on its superlative coffees.

6.   Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen

There are cozy nooks all over Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen (no matter which location), so settle in for the free Wi-Fi, lavender lattes, flat whites, and the bangin’ breakfast sandwich. If the View Park-Windsor Hills location isn’t convenient, head to the other locations in Inglewood, Eagle Rock, and Downtown. The cafes are proudly Black-owned and cater to the community.

7.  Obet & Del’s Coffee

Obet & Del’s is named after owner Joshua Oliveros’ parents, Delia and Robert. He operates the cafe with his wife, Delia, and starts every cup with a single-origin dark roast that makes for some excellent coffee, no matter the drink preference. Pay attention to the Filipino ingredients, especially the ube purple yam latte. Inside, find a psychedelic wall mural and comfortable benches to sit for a while.

8.  Copa Vida Glendale

Each Copa Vida location has a unique vibe. While fans can also sit and work in the Pasadena and massive Glendale outposts, Torrance’s minimalist space feels comfortable with big windows, light-coloured chairs, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and free Wi-Fi. The iced freddo is not for the faint of heart, with a double espresso shot sweetened with brown sugar simple syrup, then shaken, strained, and served over ice.

9.  Café Calle

Located in the Historic South Central core, Cafe Calle hits a trifecta for cafe work: Wi-Fi, free parking, and ample outlets. Order a bagel sandwich, croissants, conchas, or crepes to pair with a lovely blueberry-lavender lemonade, espresso tonic, or the shop’s signature abuelita cold brew with cinnamon and a touch of chocolate. The unfussy interior doesn’t make the space any less special.

10. Cognoscenti Coffee

Though Cognoscenti has shops in Culver City and Downtown LA, the work-friendliness of the Fashion District location has big tables, tall windows from which natural light pours in, and dependable Wi-Fi. And while this shop is busy, it’s never overly crowded, and it’s easy to find a seat. Try a classic cortado or matcha with honey to set the mood right.

Here’s a curated table of Best Cafés in Los Angeles that offer both good Wi-Fi and great ambiance — good spots for working, studying, or relaxing

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What makes a café in Los Angeles good for both Wi-Fi and ambiance?

2.  Which neighbourhoods in Los Angeles have the best work-friendly cafés?

3.  Are these cafés suitable for remote workers or students?4.  Do all Los Angeles cafés allow long work sessions?