For many students, especially coffee lovers, one of the best things about Los Angeles is the number of stylish or quaint cafes waiting to be explored. L.A. has a robust coffee culture and a plethora of coffeehouses located in Koreatown, downtown L.A. and Hollywood offer varying kinds of coffee, unique ambience and so much more.

The cafes in Koreatown are better known for their versatility, whether it is for socializing or prolonged studying. Moreover, their inclusion of sweet lattes aside from the usual coffee types give people many indulgent options to enjoy. If you’d like to taste more coffee but are not a fan of the bitterness or acidity, don’t hesitate to hit the cafes in K-town. Here are some of the cafes USC students can try out.

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YEEMS COFFEE

Hidden in a small plaza two blocks away from Vermont Avenue, YEEMS COFFEE gained its popularity through its dreamy Vienna latte topped with whipped cream and its velvety buttercream latte. The place is small and tends to get populated during the weekends. Therefore, it is a better place to get a quick drink or have a short coffee chat with friends before heading somewhere else.

The cafe has a cozy interior, featuring moss green and white colors and wooden tables and chairs. Their specialty drinks (including the Vienna latte and the buttercream latte) range from $5.75 to $6.50. For people who want to drive there, there is a spacious parking lot right in front of the cafe.

About Time

This newly opened cafe has gained social media attention over the past couple of months, being recommended by local publications and microinfluencers on Instagram and other platforms. Although it has two floors, the seats fill up fast, so get there early if you need to study.

The venue has an overall chic, trendy vibe with a rather rustic-feeling courtyard with patio chairs and even a small fire pit. The cafe currently is open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Sunday, making it an ideal spot to catch up with friends and socialize after grabbing dinner in K-town. Their corn latte is stellar, with a creamy, sweet taste and corn kernels on the top. However, the latte selections and the pastries are pricey, with a drink averaging $7 to $8.

Sharp Specialty Coffee

This place could undoubtedly earn a top spot on the list of study cafes in Koreatown. On a weekend morning, you can find people already sitting together and grinding out their assignments. The tables in this cafe are big for students to spread out their notebooks, laptops and whatever else they want to put on there. There are also outlets for people to charge their laptops.

The ambience is tranquil, making Sharp Specialty a perfect study spot. What enhances the appeal of Sharp Specialty Coffee is its excellent location; it is not far from two plazas known for good Korean restaurants, dessert places and an H Mart. After a long day of tiring study, students can relax by trying delicious food and doing grocery shopping during one trip. If you need to go there later in the day, the cafe closes at 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Alchemist Coffee Project (on Vermont Avenue)

Alchemist Coffee Project is a classic to-go place in K-town. Alchemist has gray, industrial-style decor and gives a cool and down-to-earth ambience. People might go there for study and socializing purposes.

Alchemist has another branch at The Pearl, offering the same drinks and vibes. Their drinks range from specialty lattes to manual brews and matcha and milk tea, but the price of coffee tends to be high. Be mindful that they charge an extra fee for iced drinks, and some of the coffees only have the iced option. The cafe closes at 8 p.m. every day.

MEMORYLOOK

Situated far off from the bustling main streets, MEMORYLOOK is a cute and serene spot with grayscale decor. They are known for their Vienna einspanners. The bitterness of matcha was neutralized by blending it with sweet and smooth whipped cream. There is almost always a line of customers at the cafe, but the place is spacious enough for both studying and socializing.

The cafe offers an indoor seating area and a big patio for enjoying the cool breeze and sunshine. It is a great place for hanging out, having small talk and doing some work during the weekend, although they could use some more comfortable chairs. The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Cafe De Mama

Another great place to socialize and study is right off South Western Avenue. Cafe De Mama has a beautiful blue facade and is homey and inviting with plenty of seats and some charging outlets. For sweet-toothed people, the injeolmi mochi latte is a must-try! Dip the mochi into the latte to enjoy the rich and creamy taste of the combination. The cafe is open until 8 p.m. every day and can get busy over the weekend.

The cafes and coffee shops are all a 15- to 20-minute drive from USC and reachable by Metro buses. Take the 204 or 754 Line northbound to Koreatown and start your cafe day from there!