Awaken Cafe

What a cool little place this café is. What’s great about it is there are two parking lots on either side, and it’s actually part of a church. It’s probably one of the largest cafés I’ve seen in Los Angeles, which makes it perfect if you’re looking for somewhere comfortable to work remotely. Unlike a lot of the tiny cafés around LA where it’s so busy you can barely find a seat, this place has plenty of space to sit down and stay for a while. Right now they mainly offer coffee, pastries, and light café items. If they ever added a full kitchen, this place would absolutely crush it. Definitely worth stopping in. Honestly, for people who normally work out of WeWork, this would be a great alternative spot to work from.

Awaken is legit. Great drinks. I love that they have a no tip culture. They pay their people a living wage and there’s tons of seating! Plus plenty of seating and beautiful set up. If you like good coffee and a huge space you’ll like this place. If you like sugar bomb drinks then this place probably isn't for you.

This place has a new feel since they re-opened. The café is modern and simple but it is far more inviting. Austin is awesome, and brings chill vibes and great espresso. He made me a cool new drink I’d never even heard of and was excited to try it himself. It still has the cozy courtyard and gallery space that we all loved from Coffee Connection. 10/10 experience.

Just checked out this awesome new coffee shop and it did not disappoint. The space is warm and inviting, the staff was genuinely friendly, and you can tell they really care about what they’re serving. The coffee was excellent—smooth, well-balanced, and clearly made with quality beans. It’s the kind of place you want to linger, whether you’re catching up with a friend or getting some work done. Definitely a new go-to spot.

Cool spot - I came for an hour and worked in the big room past the courtyard/garden area. I got an iced vanilla latte and it was great. Seems like there's a few tables specifically asking for no laptops in the area by the entrance, but the outdoor area and the room with long tables are set up for working. Wifi was solid, nice calm vibe.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this place has a whole parking lot, it really takes the stress out of traveling in the city. The coffee had a nice taste and service was great! I brought my daughter with me and we hung out in the main area, it’s a nice and sunny spot to read. I will be back to checkout the outdoor space they have.

Incredible spot. The renovations turned out amazing. Great coffee and relaxing atmosphere - the perfect place to work or connect. You can tell this place was built with purpose. It feels like more than just a coffee shop, and that’s what makes it stand out.

Love the drinks, atmosphere, and community! Very friendly staff, neighborhood is safe and walkable, and the indoor aesthetic is unlike any other spot in town. This is my favorite coffee shop in the area, really glad to see them reopen after the renovations.

Triple Bookmark it!!!!! Coffee Connention by far is one of the prettiest coffee shops I have been to. Not because it is new, but because it has the most amazing patio. It is so peaceful and pretty. You just have to see it to understand what I am talking about! The coffees are delicious! I got the ancient Maya latte (half sweet) and it was delicious and just perfect. They serve their drinks in ceramic cups which I LOVE. The parking can be a pain but if you have time and would like to get some steps, park in the CVS/ Chase parking down the street and walk. PERK ALERT: If you are a teacher, student or in a health care industry, they give you a discount, which is just awesome!!!!!! I will be back soon!

There's not enough seating here even though they have so many seats! I couldn't stay here because all the seats were full. A lot of students were studying and there was just nowhere to sit. Their coffee is pretty good, nonetheless.

This is my all time favorite coffee shop! I am a teacher and they give a little discount to teachers and students. The staff is always so kind and their drinks are so yummy. The patio is so whimsical and it's great place to get work done.

When looking for a place to study after work, I enjoy coming to this chill Mar Vista coffee joint. There is often enough parking on the street and when you go in, you will realize that there are plenty of places to sit at depending on what environment you want to be in. There are several areas including a courtyard and couches, too! The service was awesome and friendly when I went last time! I got a Matcha Latte with Almond Milk and an espresso shot. To eat, I got the Chicken and Mushroom Empanada. These both gave me the energy needed to finish what I had to do. I ended up sitting indoors for a bit and easily transitioned to an outdoor setting within the establishment. What a find!

This place has a really cool vibe and it has its own dedicated parking lot which is a rarity in los angeles. The lot is pretty small and it shares it with a youth group (I think some days it may not be available but I can't remember which days). It has a study room and a patio area so lots of space to study, chill or read. The staff is really friendly and the drinks were pretty good. I got a tea so I can't say for the more complex drinks but overhearing what other customers ordered, seemed like they were popular. I would definitely come back here again to work or read, would recommend it!

I came here for the patio, but unfortunately it was closed on a Sunday. The cafe is part of a church, so the patio was only open for service, I'm assuming. It was pretty busy around 1pm, but we were able to get a table. They do have a parking lot across the side street (to the right) which is a big bonus. The menu had a variety, including seasonal drinks. The coffee was not bad. I ordered a plain latte because I don't usually like store bought syrups (they almost always have an artificial taste to them) and after a sip of my friends' latte, I was glad I opted for plain. The service was good, and the drinks came out in good time.

The Drinks, Soo Tasty On Point and You Get Points for a Free Drink Great Location and Spacious Indoors to do your laptop work or read Service is Quick for on the Run Peeps

came here to do some work on a Sunday and realized it's attached to a church and no room to sit. The customer service was terrible & the fees latte tastes like old dairy. I don't think I'll come back here.

This is a cozy spot for work or study! They give discounts for teachers and students, which is always much appreciated. I've tried a few of their lattes and they're all great! Only complaint about this place is that parking can be a bit tight so definitely get here earlier to snag a spot.

Came here on a Friday late afternoon to work for a bit. It was a bit busy, lots of people also working. Grabbed a high top table and some stools to set up for the next few hours. I had a matcha latte and a croissant, which they heated up for me. You order at the counter and there are tables inside, as well as in the courtyard area, with couches in the back. Parking lot is across the street, not the best place if you need to take calls since it can get loud, but nice spot to get some work done.

When I think of what Starbucks wanted to be, I think of Coffee Connection! They are what I call a true "study cafe" because they have free WIFI, plentiful of tables/chairs indoors & outdoors, and a good selection of drinks and snacks. The drinks they have are pretty standard to your typically coffee shop, but what really sells them is the ambiance and the environment. This shop is always full of students with their computers or books propped open. It makes me more incline to focus here. And if you come often, make sure to ask for a stamp card. I believe if you purchase up to 9 drinks.. you get a free drink on the house. :D The only con about this place is the parking! They have a parking lot across the street and it's so tight. The parking lot can fit 30 cars, but bare in mind that the parking lot is also shared. Every time I go, it's always pack and can be hard to find parking. I would rather do street parking but there's street signs area limiting people from parking around the area.

I've been a couple times in the last couple years and really loved their outdoor space, but it's upsetting that they have cut that down. Not sure why... I also wanted to love their drinks but every single one is so sugary tasting to me, even after asking for half the amount. I haven't found a drink there that I absolutely love. Not sure if I will be going back. I hope one day they reopened their patio 100% - I believe other customers have the same opinion as well.

Cheap, friendly, spacious study area with free parking. Even gives student discounts and a stamp card. Seemed so promising. A very warm, cozy vibe. The staff was very kind and they had a lot of choices on their menu. The coffee and tea wasn't anything so great to me, give my friend and me some stomach issues. So I wouldn't be coming again anytime soon. Cute spot though. Had high hopes.

Having a bad Monday so I came to the greenest coffee shop I could to reset my day before my night shift. This place offers discounts to students and teachers. About $1 off which is pretty generous. They have sugar free option (vanilla and matcha!). Lots of people working on assignments, studying, work, etc. Beautiful fountain noise and plenty of seating. Best part is this place has its own free parking lot.

Tucked away in the heart of this neighborhood is a cozy little coffee shop that just became my go-to spot for some focused study time. What I ordered recently was the "French Toast Roast" coffee, a seasonal delight that's perfect for the fall season. The atmosphere here is just right: soft music humming in the background, and folks who understand the unwritten rule of library-level noise. It's the ideal place to dive into your computer and books to get some work done in a serene environment. What's interesting is that this local coffee shop used to be nestled inside an Italian restaurant, which gives it a unique charm. But the best part is that it opens late, making it an ideal space for evening study sessions before dinner, any day of the week. It's a welcoming escape for night owls and anyone in need of a peaceful, late-night study nook. What a cute, little sanctuary for those who value both focus and caffeine!

What a beautiful hole in the wall coffee stop. I had a two hour long wait before I could head back home, found this over yelp and man am I glad I did. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about their coffee and latte ingredients. One thing though, I couldn't find a place to sit the entire time there but I feel it's a good problem to have. Whoever comes they stay and work or even conduct their meetings in such a lovely place. Would love to revisit.

Great place to get your work done! Staff is super friendly and the coffee is good! They also have pastries and a few simple sandwiches/salads/etc for purchase. Free parking (big lot but still limited) across the street. Spots are tight but if people park properly there are lots of spots available. Be sure to get a rewards card! 10 drinks = 1 free drink!

I got the rose bud latte and I am in love! You can taste the honey and rose flavors very well without either feeling overpowering. Same goes for the matcha. There wasn't a bunch stuck at the bottom of the cup. Shout out the baristas! Also, so happy they offer teacher discounts. I feel very honored! I wasn't able to go outside bc it was so crowded but it still seemed very peaceful. Everyone was quiet and working on something so this seems like a great place to read or do homework.

I love the staff! They are 5-star and continue to provide excellent service and the menu is good if you're looking for delicious good coffee and pastries. They also have a free parking lot, which is unheard of in LA. However, I miss the community feel it once had. I hope they'll reconsider some of the floor plan changes in the future, so more people can enjoy the outdoor garden patio again.

This coffee shop had a pretty decent sized menu and the coffee was pretty tasty. Customer service was really kind and helpful. The entire place is very cool and fairly large for a coffee shop. It's a good vibe if you are trying to enjoy a cup of coffee and get some work done. Speaking of that, when I went the entire place was packed and absolutely no seating was available so we ended up just leaving. This could've just been a one time thing, but nevertheless something to keep in mind.

This is such a cute coffee shop! It was packed when I came so unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy the cute patio section. There are tons of seats if you wanted to use the space to work or study. Also they have a discount for teachers and students which I think is really cool. The baristas were really nice and my drink was really good. Since it was busy I panicked and just ordered a vanilla latte instead of one of their signature drinks that all looked really good. My vanilla latte was good, not too sweet and balanced the flavor with the espresso nicely. I would definitely come back.

This is such a great place to get work and studying done, and I can't believe I haven't been until yesterday. I ordered the orange you glad with oat milk, which is an latte with orange and chocolate (tastes exactly like one of those Terry's chocolate oranges) and I loved it. There was plenty of seating in the patio, however it was really crowded even for a weekday. Big plus for having a free parking lot as that's super rare for LA. The baristas were very friendly and prices were relatively standard for LA coffee shops. They have a 15% student discount so be sure to bring your student ID! I'll definitely be back to work and soak up the patio ambiance.

This place is the perfect location for a chill study break. I typically grab the Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil empanadas from the little freezer (which they warm up!) and order an iced Lavender London and an Apple Cinnamon muffin. All of their drinks are unique but delicious and the people working there are so kind! Service is quick and there's a discount for students (bring your ID)!

One of my favorite study spots! The baristas are super kind and offer discounts for students + teachers. I especially love sitting outdoors and enjoying the abundance of trees, string lights, and the little water fall on the left side wall. The coffee is one of my favorite in LA, with unique monthly/seasonal specials! I especially love the spooky spiced latte in the fall. It can get crowded though so come early to find seats

If you're looking for a coffee shop to study in or do some work, Coffee Connection is so perfect. They have a beautiful outdoor seating area that is not very loud and perfect to focus. Their menu is quite big too so you have many options to choose from. The only downside is parking may be a bit difficult, but definitely worth the stop.

My friend recommended this place and I absolutely love it. Affordable prices (student and teacher discounts too!), large menu, and they give a stamp card that can eventually be redeemed for a free drink. I enjoyed my coffee and pastry and got a rose matcha (which was also amazing), before leaving. Can see this being my future go-to study spot! The employees who helped me were really nice and detailed with my orders. There is free wifi, spacious indoor and outdoor areas for working and studying. Across the street from the cafe is a designated parking lot. Because of its popularity, the cafe and parking fill up quickly as the afternoon goes on.

I have been coming here for many years and it was one of the best coffee shops on the best side, both in value and seating area. It is a beautiful and surprisingly large space. There is also a large parking lot, which is a rarity in the west side. I hadn't been for a couple months and when I came last week I saw they had remodeled the space, getting rid of most of the comfortable tables and seats and replacing them with limited standing space and bar style seating. I guess the purpose was to get people in and out faster (as many people would come and stay for hours doing work). While understandable, it is disappointing and I feel that maybe saving non-laptop seating or requiring purchases at a fixed interval would have been a better solution. Oh, and prices went up drastically, which would be understandable in the current economic environment but sucks since they took all the seating away. Hopefully the owner sees these recent reviews and reimplements some of the things that made the old Coffee Connection great.

Great and cozy study spot. Staff are friendly and they offer a special discount for students. Definitely recommended.

So cozy!! The patio has a full tree canopy. The drinks are varied and tasty. The staff is kind and fast. Will go again.

Got a pourover, hibiscus iced tea, the "orange you glad", apple cinnamon muffin, chocolate croissant, and almond croissant. Everything was good, especially the almond croissant. The courtyard is really cute, and they have heaters out here when it's cold out. Be prepared for the place to be packed with mostly college students.

If you want a good coffee, you don't want there, but the sitting experience is good. Lots of people sit there for working and chatting. Good place anyway

One star for the staff being nice and giving me a teacher discount for working with youth on my weekends, otherwise I would definitely not recommend coming here to work because there were a ton of flies and mosquitoes both inside and outside. I'm super bummed about that because the patio is otherwise super cute! The coffee here is also really awful and I found out that this place is also part of what seems to be a really cult-ish and possibly fundamentalist Christian church. I truly wish I could support this place because it has a parking lot and nice seating, but it just got too weird and my legs were getting bitten up by bugs.

Really cool space with super friendly staff and delicious drinks (Ancient Mayan and Coco-Nut-Tea are our favs).

The cafe is beautiful and the staff were so nice. The matcha is on the grassier side if you like that, it does the job

let me start off my saying-- i *love* coffee connection. i have been a regular for years. i love the patio, i love the community, i love the employees and baristas who are just all beautiful people. unfortunately, i leave this 1 star review due to the recent changes at the cafe. coffee connection is connected to the westside vineyard church who recently has employed a new pastor, and as part of his leadership has decided to effectively gut the coffee shop. there are barely any tables outside anymore (and with that, there is no back support), hours after 3pm have been cut, there are no more heaters outside for the winter months, and it seems as if he has no interest in this being a coffee shop for the public. i have met best friends at coffee connection. i have built projects, studied for exams, started a business from the courtyard. it has always felt like a spiritually safe space for me to do good work and connect with other like-minded and love-minded individuals. unfortunately, i have had to find another coffee shop to work at-- as it seems the new leadership has no interest in the needs and desires of the customers-- even to the detriment of the cafe's profit. please, please, please. bring back the tables. (and the back support). this place was so popular for so many years for a reason. and unfortunately, it's a ghost town. my hearts are with the employees.

Came for the Ancient Mayan latte. Stayed for the serene, artistic, and inviting vibes. What a cool spot! Ok, onto the Ancient Mayan. Probably the best latte that I've had in a while. Balanced, velvety, smooth, and soothing. Was exactly what I needed this morning. Bonus points for having well priced drinks. Two lattes and a cold brew came out to less than $13. In an area full of overpriced coffee shops, Coffee Connection is a breath of fresh air. And more bonus points for the service! Our baristas were patient and considerate as they helped us navigate the drinks menu. 5 star coffee spot for sure!

Wow. This place is amazing in every way that you can think of! Amazing vibes, friendly workers, good coffee, good bakes, beautiful outdoor dinning. I really really enjoyed sitting outdoor, very very cool design and the place was of course crowded. Even their indoor was pretty nice looking, great job. If in the area again, would definitely come back again.

This is such a cute place to study. It's filled w students and professionals doing their work. I got a chai latte and it has to be hands down the best one I've ever had. They also have pastries and sandwiches but I didn't get anything. The service was really quick as well I barely had to wait for my drink. I highly recommend

I came here to study and have a nice coffee. The location: easy to find with ample street metered parking. Staff: very nice Coffee: The drinks tasted ok! I wouldn't say it's the best, but far from the worst. A lot of the menu drinks seem to have a lot of flavoring added on which takes away from the coffee flavor of a latte or coffee. Crowd: everyone seems in their own space. It's also a lot quieter when you leave the indoor space with the baristas...it was giving library quiet floor vibes. I was afraid to speak in the nice outdoor patio (which has great foliage blocking out strong UV rays). You might need to bring a sweater if it's cold outside. Space: The seating is great. They have regular height desk, high chairs / tables, and low look g room-style lounge chairs. Good variety.

I like how this place doesn't enforce a reordering every few hours policy. Wifi is fast too, but it is so hard to find seats. The drinks are just whatever in my opinion, but I do like the prices and the free parking. I find myself coming back here, but i never seem to find seating while i'm there

I love how much space there is to study here! Nice vibes in the outdoor patio area and lots of inside seating available too. As for drinks, I got the calmomile latte but it wasn't that good--just a simple tea bag flavor in steamed milk. Service is nice and there's a lot of drink options tho. I might try something else next time! Luckily they also have a free parking lot outside. During busy times however it's very limited with spots. Otherwise you could park a bit further down to find a spot in the neighborhood streets.

Very nice ambience, and the coffee was very good. Quite difficult to find a seat as it is full of students

Super inconspicuous vibes from outside! But soooo roomy inside. Has indoor seating, outdoor seating, and an area of in between. Affordable, delicious coffee (still 4$ for a small latte- I'm down!!! 4.75$ for medium - but other places easy charge $6+) What we got: ancient Mayan, cinnamon latte - I tried my friends cinnamon latte and it was too sweet for me; like dessert in a cup! So I decided to ask for the ancient Mayan half sweet w/ decaf. Half sweet was the perfect amount of sweet. It was spectacular & the chocolate flavor wasn't too strong. Some places charge extra for decaf (!), so I'm happy this place didn't Lots, lots of people seem to come here to work/read/blog life. More so than chat. Very calm, peaceful vibes! Service was also super, super sweet. My friend told me some of the proceeds go to a church, or something like that? Cool place to check out! I parked on the street in front since it was a holiday, but I was told there's a lot across the streeet you can park at.

The whole ambiance and setup would be the highlight of this shop. Pictures says it all, it feels wonderful in there. The drinks are reasonably priced and taste ok. The only problem is you may not be able to find seating in this shop because it's perpetually filled with people. There are metered parking on the street, and even free parking in the neighborhood alleys, but you may have problems finding parking since...it's so crowded! Overall, it's a great place if you don't go during peak hours.

I have been passing this place basically my entire life! Finally made it in and there are definitely some pros and cons. Pros: My latte was hot when I got it The offer a student/teacher discount Cons: Despite ample enough seating there was hardly a place to sit so we got lucky finding quick seating. My latte was TOO hot and I burned my tongue at first sip, however it was tasty once I let it rest because it was also a little too sweet for my taste at first sip. The music is WAY too loud although I enjoyed the choices not being popular songs or "coffee house music". Not sure if I'll be back but I'm glad I finally tried it, cheers!

Cute coffee shop! There is a nice secluded outdoor area with lots of tables, seats, and couches. The drinks are delicious (rose bud latte pictured below) and there is a good selection on the menu. A small parking lot (free) is available across the street too.

Hidden gem!!! The outside doesn't look like it would be great coffee to me, looks more like it would be a bar or restaurant. However, don't judge a book by its cover the coffee is amazing. It's on par with Philz but better in my opinion because of the organic ingredients as well as using real spices in their drinks. I absolutely love when I find coffee shops that make their drinks healthier. This is the first I've found in the Los Angeles area that uses organic Ingredients and spices. I got the Ancient Mayan, it's taste is like a mix of a mocha and pumpkin spice latte *chef kiss* perfection.

Decided to try this place with a couple of friends on an LA trip. We heard this place was great for being productive based on other reviews and since my friend had a zoom meeting midday, we stopped by to let her attend her meeting and grab coffee. The ambience is amazing! The outdoor courtyard is so cozy and it was sheltered from the street so it was like its own world. Many people were doing work on their laptops so I can agree with all the reviews that state this place is a perfect study spot. I ordered a hot Ancient Mayan and it was so good! It was my ideal thick/creamier coffee consistency and it was perfectly hot for a cold day. My friends also enjoyed their drinks. The baristas were super kind and helpful when ordering and I was able to get a student discount by showing my university ID card! Overall this was a great place to stop by and I would highly recommend to other students or anyone looking for a cozy spot to drink good coffee :)

Coffee was good. Went in for a quick chat and drink. The atmosphere was pretty busy in the evening. Seems to be a great meeting or possibly working spot.