The shaded outdoor patio in front of Blacktop Coffee is a welcoming 250 square foot oasis in the colorful busyness of LA’s Arts District. It is a local meeting place for newcomers exploring some of the local shops featured on this site, or regulars getting a quick cup of coffee and lingering to catch up with their neighbors. Blacktop partners with San Francisco’s Sightglass Coffee Roasters for their magical beans, but think beyond coffee to a neighborhood café concept. Their menu includes produce and items sourced from local businesses literally within walking distance. Their avocado toast—get it with a poached egg or two—features a toasted slice of country bread baked and delivered fresh daily from the nearby Bread Lounge. For the vegetarian or lactose-challenged, their almond milk is made fresh and delivered daily by The Springs, a vegan restaurant and wellness center just down the ways. Blacktop also offers an array of hand-selected teas, including a uniquely made Chai Latte that is the perfect amount of sweet and spicy.
So yes, the food and coffee are top-notch and worth a try. But what makes Blacktop unique and special is the instant warmth you feel from the people behind the bar. Blacktop is a tight-knit family of expertly skilled baristas with years of experience in the food industry; some have been around from the very beginnings of LA's artisan coffee boom, including owner Tyler Wells of Handsome Roasters fame. With their experience, they’ve learned that at the end of the day, hospitality is the foundation for making great coffee. Their space is simple and their goal is simpler: to serve you in the best possible way without all the fuss and pretension that most of these artisan coffee places can’t run away from. At Blacktop, the coffee is superb. But more importantly, you feel at home whenever you come. It is the front porch of the Arts District.
