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Bakery, café and restaurant in a historic building on La Brea Avenue, where James Beard award-winning pastry chef Margarita Manzke's breads and pastries anchor the daytime…
Maru Coffee (Arts District)
Calm, minimal coffee shop on Santa Fe Avenue in the Arts District, serving coffee roasted at Maru's own Glassell Park roastery.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty coffee shop
- Area
- Arts District, Los Angeles, United States
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- marucoffee.com
Good to know
- Own roastery
- Seasonal single origins
- Second shop in Los Feliz
Why we recommend it
Maru Coffee is a Los Angeles specialty coffee company with shops in Los Feliz and the Arts District, plus outposts further afield. Its name comes from a Korean word meaning mountaintop, a reference to the high-altitude farms where many of the world's best coffees are grown, and the company roasts all of its coffee at its own roastery in Glassell Park.
The Arts District shop on South Santa Fe Avenue is a calm, minimal space, and its emphasis on simplicity and a carefully made cup comes through in the service. The menu is concise: espresso drinks, filter coffee and a rotating selection of seasonal single-origin coffees, such as releases from well-known farms in Panama and elsewhere. If you enjoy lighter, more delicate coffees, this is a good place to try them.
Maru suits coffee enthusiasts, solo travellers and anyone looking for a quiet pause in the Arts District, where warehouses, galleries and restaurants share the streets. It is less of a breakfast spot than a coffee-first café, so plan to eat elsewhere if you want a full meal.
Opening hours are published on Maru's locations page, but the listings for the Arts District shop are not entirely consistent, so check before you go, particularly early on weekday mornings. Weekends bring a steady flow of visitors exploring the neighbourhood's galleries and shops, while weekday mornings are quieter.
The Arts District is on the eastern edge of Downtown and is best reached by car, bike or ride-share, as public transport is limited on these streets. Bestia and several other restaurants and bars are a short walk away, as are the murals and street art that the area is known for, so Maru fits easily into a self-guided walk around the district. Seasonal releases are a feature of Maru's offer, and limited coffees from single estates appear from time to time, so it is worth asking what is new when you visit. The shop's calm atmosphere makes it a good place to read or plan the rest of the day, and solo visitors will find it comfortable to linger over a second cup.
If you fall for the coffee, beans can be bought to take home, and the Los Feliz shop on Hillhurst Avenue offers a second chance to visit, closer to Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. Maru also sells coffee online for those who want to brew it at home after their trip.
Maru Coffee (Arts District) FAQs
Where is Maru Coffee in the Arts District?
At 1019 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles.
Does Maru roast its own coffee?
Yes, at its roastery in Glassell Park, Los Angeles.
What does the name Maru mean?
It comes from a Korean word meaning mountaintop.
Are there other Maru shops?
Yes, including Los Feliz on Hillhurst Avenue.
What should you order?
Espresso drinks, filter coffee or one of the seasonal single-origin coffees.
Does it serve full meals?
No. It is a coffee-focused shop, so plan to eat elsewhere.
What are the opening hours?
Hours are listed on Maru's locations page; check before you visit as listings vary.
What is nearby?
Arts District galleries, street art and restaurants such as Bestia.