One of the most quintessential hipster experiences in all of Los Angeles is drinking a steaming hot latte at Intelligentsia Coffee in Silver Lake.
The cafe is the epicenter of the neighborhood, which boasts everything from quality nightlife to quirky shopping and fresh eats. Famous for being a hipster haven the world over, Silver Lake routinely beats out other well-known indie neighborhoods such as Williamsburg in Brooklyn in international surveys of trendiness.
But Silver Lake is more than its hype. Named for the reservoir around which the enclave was crafted, the neighborhood contains a diverse collection of things to do on any college student’s budget. From the litany of coffee shops to amusingly named restaurants (we’re looking at you, Sqirl), and to all the funky shops and stores in between, prime has the best of what the notoriously cool eastern district has to offer.
Clementine Floral Works is worth dropping in to, even if you don’t buy anything. The shop is bursting with flowers of all varieties, and the smell alone makes it worth paying a visit. Clementine Floral Works sells a wide collection of decorative planters and vases as well, in case you’re looking to spruce up your apartment or dorm.
Across the street from Sunset Junction, take the time to explore Spice Station. This tucked-away store, painted in vibrant orange, provides an unending selection of fresh spices, the likes of which you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in Los Angeles. The walls are lined with rows and rows of jars filled with coriander, dill and a wide variety of pepper.
Next door is Vacation Vinyl, one of Silver Lake’s several quirky record stores. The store sells a broad collection of used and new vinyl, featuring everything from Lady Gaga to Jimi Hendrix. And while it doesn’t have the wide stock that mainstays like Amoeba Music do, it presents a more focused, curated alternative. Not to mention that the prices are reasonable.
If you’re looking to grab dessert, look no further than MILK. Serving up fresh, homemade ice cream, MILK is a dessert lover’s paradise. Try the "Mint Chocolate Crunch Shake" ($7), with mint ice cream, chocolate chips and malt balls, or a Nutella ice cream bar ($5). However, what MILK is best known for is its macaron ice cream sandwiches, usually half-dipped in chocolate. Specialties include the red velvet, grasshopper (mint), and Thai tea varieties.
While Sqirl is known for its mashup of rice bowls, the best brunch item on the menu is unquestionably the brioche toast ($9), stuffed with jam and topped with a healthy dollop of creme fraiche. The toast is crunchy on the outside but perfectly pillowy on the inside, and is more than enough to be split between friends.
Another solid choice is the "Open Face Egg Tartine Toast" ($7.75), which features delicious, thick-cut toast piled high with kale, tomatillo puree and a fried egg. The drink selection is impressive too, with standout choices including the seasonal blood orange juice ($5) and vanilla bean lemonade ($3.50).
Forage is just down the road from Sqirl. It is a small white building so inconspicuous that it’s easy to drive right past. Serving up lunch and dinner, Forage’s menu changes regularly, and the restaurant offers a wide variety of seasonal eats. However, if you happen to stop in on a day it is selling its bacon and cheddar quiche ($6.50), it would be a mistake not to try it.
Another local legend is Barbrix, which serves up one of the neighborhood’s most beloved brunches on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although the menu changes every day, you can’t go wrong with standbys like the ever-fluffy blueberry buttermilk pancakes ($12). But more importantly, Barbrix serves up bottomless mimosas for $5 with the purchase of food items totaling $12 or more per person – and that’s alcohol pricing any student can get behind.
Broome Street General Store provides both coffee and shopping, with an eclectic bunch of knickknacks crammed inside its adorable, houselike storefront. But the vast majority of what’s for sale falls outside of any student’s budget, so stick with the drinks, best enjoyed on the store’s charming, twinkle-light- and tree-covered front patio. The coffee itself is solid and strong – good for a late afternoon pick-me-up.
LAMILL Coffee Boutique is as bourgeois in decor as the name belies. Avoid the overpriced food and stick with the reasonably priced coffee. A French press coffee is extremely well-priced, but if you’re going to splurge, go for the $6 crème brulee latte.
Despite the wide selection, Silver Lake has more than just coffee to drink. After dark, the neighborhood boasts a variety of bars and late-night haunts. The best though, is undoubtedly The Black Cat. Situated just across from Sunset Junction, this fairly mellow bar serves up the best Moscow mule (vodka, ginger beer and lime, for $13) east of the Hollywood sign. Plus, with an outdoor patio, there’s never been a better reason to drop by.
For a quicker and cheaper meal, try out Berlin Currywurst. This German transplant brings Angelenos the best of the beloved Berlin street food. Pick your sausage for $7, (the paprika sausage has a great kick) add your choice of sauce (original curry, orange-ginger, garlic, jambalaya or chipotle) and spice level, and chow down. It may sound weird to your mind, but it’s heaven to your palette.