Cognoscenti Coffee

Decided to head down to Cognoscenti Coffee on December 6, 2023. There was plenty of paid parking (11:30am weekday), parked right in front, hassle free. Upon entering, we were greeted by the barista right away. As always, a warm greeting adds to the experience and environment. The barista made sure to answer any questions. Regarding the environment, it’s welcoming and not aimed for a specific group of people (hipsters), as mentioned by other reviewers. There was plenty of seating inside, outside, and in their “patio” (located within the building). I ordered a v60 pour-over, beans offered were Gesha from Chiapas Mexico, and my partner ordered a hot vanilla latte. Upon receiving the drinks, the latte caught my attention, meticulously crafted with flawless foam. The pour-over was executed well, perfect temperature that allowed the coffee to elicit notes of orange, furthermore the last couple of sips I noted more of the ginger. I did not receive any bitterness nor acidity. Upon finishing my pour-over, I took a sip of the vanilla latte, which had a delightful taste of vanilla (not the typical generic vanilla), I do believe it’s house made. If you’re reading up to this point, Cognoscenti offers pastries from Friends & Family, which I’ve had countless of times now, their pastries are flaky, soft, and delicious (make sure to get it warmed up to get the full experience). Furthermore, enjoy the drinks in a mug or glass. Overall, the pour-over was great and the vanilla latte as well. The barista was attentive and friendly. Would I recommend this location to friends or family? Yes I would and I will definitely return to try out the other beans offered for the v60.

I’ve lived in Culver City on and off for about half a decade. The area has seen a huge growth in the number coffee shops. Tucked away in the further corner of the Culver City Arts District, Cognoscenti Coffee has been the place I go when I want to feel peace and quiet over a cappuccino. Today’s drink felt like a special treat, on an unseasonably warm and sunny day even for LA. The staff is kind and friendly yet not overly chatty and they pump out quality drinks to everyone in rapid succession despite only having two gentleman working the counter. Thanks for being a staple in the neighborhood.