Cognoscenti Coffee - DTLA
868 S Olive St, Los Angeles
(213) 221-7679
Recent Reviews
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868 S Olive St, Los Angeles
(213) 221-7679
By day, Cognoscenti Coffee serves thoughtful single-origin brews. By night, the same digs transform into Good Clean Fun, a natural‑wine bar with a chill vibe. Paired wines from Slovakia and Chile are poured beside espresso machines in the same room—it’s delightfully quirky. I popped in one Sunday night and loved spotting both laptop-tapping guests and wine-sipping locals. A smooth transition between caffeine and fermentation, right in Little Tokyo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I get my beans here frequently. It’s one of the best places to get beans in DTLA in my opinion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cappuccino was amazingg, mocha was great. The cappuccino was crafted to perfection. Super smooth and the art was beautiful. White gentleman in a green hoodie absolutely nailed it. Service and atmosphere was great as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My vanilla latte was perfect and the ham and cheese croissant was yummy. Perfect combination for what I was needing this morning.
Got a cold brew to go with a-little oat milk added. Unfortunately it was a bit sour, probably was just slightly under extracted beans.
Overall cute coffee shop, good service and good lattes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ham \u0026 Cheese Croissant
Coffee lids don’t fit the medium cups.. seems like coffee shop 101 to have proper to-go materials?
Tremendous cha cha cha!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Honey latte is 10/10
Cognoscenti Coffee in DTLA is a rare gem that nails both coffee and hospitality. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by two of the friendliest baristas I’ve ever met! Their warmth and enthusiasm instantly made the space feel welcoming and alive.
I ordered a mocha latte, and let me tell you—it was exceptional. Creamy, perfectly balanced, and rich with flavor, it was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. The inviting ambiance of the shop made it hard to leave, with its cozy vibe and attention to detail.
Cognoscenti isn’t just about great coffee—it’s about an experience that stays with you. A must-visit in DTLA!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding coffee! Milk latte was small and tidy. You could taste the coffee flavor. They had single origin Ethiopian Gesha coffee and time to do a proper poor over. It was amping the best pour overs I have had. Barista took his time and knows what he is doing. Beer and wine options too. Good vibe. Nice outdoor patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The baristas were kind, knowledgable, and passionate about coffee. The cappuccino had a fabulous chocolate note (no flavor added), the drip was surprisingly complex, and the Costa Rican pour over had a refreshing taste and balanced acidity as it cooled down. The whole bean offerings were fresh and varied; I'm looking forward to brewing at home!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pour over Coffee, Drip
Restaurantji Recommends
Cognoscenti Coffee offers a laid-back vibe and excellent brews, perfect for a quick stop or to enjoy near the nearby Grand Hope Park. Whether you're in for an espresso, cappuccino or a pour-over, the quality and atmosphere make it a great spot to unwind in the heart of downtown.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissant, Pour over Coffee, Drip
The coffee is decent but I won’t be going back which is a shame because I live next door. I went in to order two lattes and two croissants yesterday morning and the person taking my order was so rude I walked out in the middle of my order. The first issue which I wasn't going to make a big deal of was when I ordered the coffees and was asked which kind of milk so I said 2% is fine. He responded "ok whole milk then". Not a big deal but why not say we don't have 2% is whole milk okay, or something? The thing that made me walk out mid-order was when I asked about the croissants. They're all on a platter and not clearly labeled or grouped by type, so I asked if they had two ham and cheese croissants and he didn't really answer my question so I pointed at two croissants on different areas of the platter and asked if each one was ham and cheese. His response was "do you not see the cheese sticking out of them?" with a smirk on his face. At that point I walked out. Disappointing because I've always had a pretty good experience at this place until today. I prefer to go to smaller coffee shops but I'll be going to the Dunkin or Starbucks that are less than a block away.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Little coffee shop in DTLA. Coffee and food were good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Iced Latte
Ask to draw on the glasses
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Love this spot!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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