Intelligentsia Coffee Silver Lake Coffeebar — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I was in town for the National Brewers Cup in Long Beach for the weekend, and I was told this is one of the best shops in LA. I had my reservations because it is a gigantic coffee roaster that has truly over extended itself to the point of losing touch with great coffee, but because I was here, at one of their best shops in the country, I figured I'd try it out.

Needless to say, I should have gone with my gut. First the line was incredibly long, which I really don't mind if the product is worth it, but after I stood there for 35 minutes, I was ready for something delicious. I tried to talk with the barista about the coffee, got a couple of grumbles and sideways glances, then I asked the other barista about the espresso machine, a very basic question, and he could not even tell me what kind of espresso machine it was. Classic baristatude that makes all baristas look bad.

Then the espresso, I ordered their $3.75 single origin espresso, and they served me a terrible shot. It was sour and bitter, the clear sign of a side channel or defect in the shot, which most experienced baristas should know what to look for. And since they were less than approachable, I didn't ask them to prepare another.

Terrible service, terrible espresso, good thing they have the hype. I would have rather traveled 25 minutes to GoGetEmTiger to get a good shot that have to deal...

Coffee has many benefits and finding the right hot brewed coffee takes a delicate balance. Without further a-due let's start the review. Intelligentsia Coffee is specialty coffee-bar that is rich in history owned and operated by a brilliant entrepreneur couple. This location is at the corner of Sunset blvd and Sanborn avenue in Silverlake neighborhood section of LA. And it's quite popular among the locals. They have three other locations throughout metropolitan LA. Intelligentsia's indoor and outdoor atmosphere were very inviting and relaxing with a good view of Sunset blvd. I was warmly greeted by a young female staff. I perused their menu list and they have good selection of coffee and baked pastry. I ordered a hot brewed coffee with light half 'n half and three splenda. Unfortunately, they only offer a 20 oz cup size and that's perfectly fine. However, they don't have a coffee stopper which I detest. Service was moderately fast. Staff was obsequious, competent and followed health protocol. Price was fair for the hippy Silverlake neighborhood. Street metered parking only. Overall, I had a good coffee and order experience. I definitely will come back again and I highly recommend this popular...

Intelligentsia Coffee in Silver Lake earns a solid 4 stars for service. The baristas are knowledgeable and clearly passionate about their craft, which makes the coffee experience all the better. They’re friendly and helpful, happy to recommend drinks or explain the differences between their various brew methods.

That said, the service can be a bit slow during peak hours. With the shop being a popular spot, it gets crowded, and you might end up waiting longer than expected for your coffee. While the staff is attentive, the rush can affect the overall speed of service, especially if you’re in a hurry.

Still, the quality of the coffee and the overall vibe make up for the slight delays, and the baristas’ positive attitudes definitely enhance the experience. Even with the occasional wait, it’s worth it for a great cup of coffee in a...