Best Coffee Shop for l.a. Founders?
WEEK ONE: Hollywood
Coffee Shop CEO Mission: What’s the best coffee shop in Los Angeles for Startup Founders?
As a new startup Founder & CEO, I’m always on the hunt for the perfect local coffee shop to serve as an impromptu HQ: a place with fast, reliable Wi-Fi, plenty of seating and outlets, strong coffee, and just the right energy for focused, creative work. This past week, I launched a project to answer that question by visiting and reviewing five distinct spots in and around Hollywood, California.
Here’s what I found:
Stop #1: Hudson Theatre Coffee Shop
6515 Sunset Blvd
A hidden gem tucked next to a local stage theater box office, this spot had everything I needed. I scored a big leather couch with its own power strip and had the entire place to myself most of the time. The Wi-Fi was solid and uninterrupted. The atmosphere leaned more toward Old Hollywood charm than tech startup energy, which gave it a relaxed, grounded vibe that actually helped me focus.
Wi-Fi & Focus: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Seating & Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Founder Vibe: ⭐⭐⭐½
The coffee was absolutely delicious (I always order a Red Eye to keep things standard) and the egg, cheese, and turkey croissant hit the spot. Add in the charming backdrop of the adjoining live theater lobby and ticket booth and you get a very founder-friendly spot that’s perfect for uninterrupted work.
Stop #2: Project Bloom Coffee
5870 Melrose Ave
This lush, plant-filled cafe feels more like an exotic florist or curated set than a traditional workspace, but there's a certain allure to it. The pour-over Red Eye was decent, and the tomato pesto pastry? Easily top-tier.
Wi-Fi & Focus: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Seating & Power: ⭐⭐⭐
Founder Vibe: ⭐⭐⭐
The Wi-Fi was fast, but space was limited: mostly one big communal table and a few elbow-to-elbow wall-counter spots. The music was vibey but too loud for the small space, although earbuds mostly compensated. It felt more Melrose fashion boutique than early-stage SaaS war room, but if you need a creative breather with excellent pastries, it's worth a visit.
Stop #3: Pam’s Coffy
4473 Sunset Blvd
Quentin Tarantino’s personal tribute to Pam Grier and 70s cinema is an unforgettable space filled with tiny CRT TV/VCRs looping analog movie clips, plus funky decor out the wazoo. It's visually fascinating but hard to focus in.
Wi-Fi & Focus: ⭐⭐
Seating & Power: ⭐⭐⭐
Founder Vibe: ⭐⭐½
The music was waaay too loud, and even noise-cancelling earbuds couldn’t help during a Zoom call. Most power outlets are already in use, mostly by quirky A/V setups with notes telling you not to unplug them (bring a power bank). On the plus side the brown sugar “pop pie” was fantastic, and there’s a confessional-style nook behind a beaded curtain that's pure cinema kitsch. Best for film types looking to network or soak in the vibe… not ideal for heads-down startup work.
Stop #4: Fan Girl Cafe
8157 Santa Monica Blvd
A synth-pop dreamscape tucked into a WeHo strip mall. This place surprised me in all the best ways.
Wi-Fi & Focus: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Seating & Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Founder Vibe: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
The 2nd fastest Wi-Fi I've experienced so far, with clearly posted login info, reliable connection, and female-vocal music that's energizing but not distracting. Plenty of seating, power outlets everywhere (with USB ports!), and even a plush raised-floor throne/stage with a glowing neon logo made for equal parts workspace and Instagram backdrop. The dark neon ambiance and quiet focus energy made it feel like the HQ of an underground startup. Coffee and food were equally solid: a salty, decadent chocolate-creme-filled croissant and a strong Red Eye made it one of my top picks.
Stop #5: Sana'a Cafe
6290 Hollywood Blvd
A Yemeni coffee shop blending tradition with modern hustle, right on Hollywood & Vine.
Wi-Fi & Focus: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Seating & Power: ⭐⭐⭐½
Founder Vibe: ⭐⭐⭐½
Blazing fast Wi-Fi (1.4 Gbps!), complex cardamom-spiced coffee, and rich cultural design made this a standout… but the arctic AC and oddly quiet space made it seem like they’d rather you not get too comfortable. Plus, the countertops by the windows (where the only power outlets live) are much too high for the stools. Unless you’re over six foot you’ll feel like a kid at the grown-up table.
And This Week’s Winner is…
This week’s favorite? It’s tough one.
Hudson Theater made literally the best Red Eye I’ve ever tasted, and Sana’a had enterprise-grade wireless network speeds.
But… I have to give the first trophy to Fan Girl Cafe. The electro-warm-work-friendly-coziness, attentive staff, and alt-girl-rocker-vibe simply won me over!
Stay tuned for Week Two! I’ll be exploring new L.A. neighborhoods and more founder-friendly cafés. Know a great spot or area I should visit? Send your recs to alexwichman@gmail.com
