We’ll just say it: we don’t like Starbucks. We don’t like their ethics, particularly that you can find more than one — and sometimes as many as two or three — Starbucks on a given Valley corner.

We much prefer to invest our dollars in our community, and there are some amazing coffee shops in the Valley. Read on to learn about 10 we especially love.

1. House Roots Coffee

Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
Address: 16155 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344
How to order: Only online at houserootscoffee.com

House Roots Coffee is *chef’s kiss*. Aside from having delicious drinks, hip merch, and bomb food, this local coffee shop donates to the Armenia Fund and the Equal Justice Initiative. Our House Roots favorites include the lavender latte and the nitro coffee.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCy1DZig1jZ/

2. R Coffee House

R Coffee House has two locations:

Granada Hills
Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Addresses: 17808 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344
How to order: Over the phone by calling (818) 217-4982, in store, or online at rcoffeehouseinc.com/

Northridge
Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Addresses: 9255 Reseda Blvd., Unit B, Northridge, CA 91324
How to order: Over the phone by calling (818) 600-6031, in store, or online at rcoffeehouseinc.com/

Since 2017, R Coffee House has been serving espresso, ice blended drinks, and artistic lattes along with waffles, wraps, and breakfast sandwiches — and that’s not even half of their menu. We’re not drooling, you’re drooling.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9j3hU7hAsP/

3. Black Heart Coffee

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: 7135 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406
How to order: In person or online at Chow Now

Black Heart Coffee Co. is the new kid on the block and one of the few good things to happen in 2020. Though the drinks cost about the same as the rest of the coffee shops on this list, Black Heart Coffee Co. drinks tend to be a little smaller. Not to fret, you’ll know exactly where your money went upon first sip — and maybe even before that.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQfG4KjqBf/

4. The Coffee Roaster

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 13567 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
How to order: Over the phone by calling (818) 905-9719 or in store

Matcha latte we’re going to let you finish, but the dirty chai latte at The Coffee Roaster is one of the best drinks of all time. Of. All. Time. The Coffee Roaster takes coffee seriously and offers roasts from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Colombia. They also have historical Valley maps on display inside their Ventura Boulevard storefront.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAx7JA8Bj0m/

5. Red Window Coffee

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Address: 12953 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
How to order: In person

Red Window Coffee is old school. While they have a website, there really isn’t much on it — no merch, no phone number, and no online ordering system. To get some Red Window Coffee, you have to go down to this ~aesthetic~ little window yourself. It’s 100% worth it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwfF4VYBAEu/

6. Cafe Aficionado

Hours of operation: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Address: 8904 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA 91324
How to order: In store

The ube latte from Cafe Aficionado is the beverage you never knew you needed. Ube is delicious. Ube ice cream is even better. Ube macaron sandwiches are ~heavenly~. Cafe Aficionado’s ube latte, though, is it for hot Valley days (aka 350 out of 365 days in the Valley). Cafe Aficionado could use your help — consider donating to their GoFundMe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6NBjTjwos/

7. Cara Vana

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday- Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: 5629 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
How to order: In store

The sign at Cara Vana changes frequently, and one of our all-time favorite iterations is “Cafecito por favor.” Cara Vana also has a gorgeous Lankershim storefront and delicious, one-of-a-kind drinks — like their white chocolate matcha latte and their rose-embellished lattes. As of November 2020, Cara Vana has happy hour from noon to 3 p.m.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHAz6jbBkQW/

8. Duckyard Coffee

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Address: 16935 Vanowen St. Suite F, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
How to order: In person or online via Duckyard’s Square shop

According to their site and Instagram account, Duckyard Coffee is the first coffee house in Lake Balboa — and thank goodness for that. Whether you want a latte, a café au lait, or a trendy CBD-infused specialty drink, the folks at Duckyard have got you covered.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiJIdRhFYM/

9. Traveler’s Coffee Cup

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Address: 8332 Sepulveda Blvd. #4, North Hills, CA 91343
How to order: In store

One thing about Traveler’s Coffee Cup: You’re going to love it there. This is a perfect place to take your non-coffee-loving friends (if you have them) as Traveler’s Coffee Cup also offers açaí bowls and flavored teas. Traveler’s Coffee Cup also does some dope-ass latte art.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIYQ_BBm6T/

10. Churro Hub Café

Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
Address: 9007 Woodman Ave., Arleta, CA 91331
How to order: In person or by calling (818) 810-5072

You can find a mazapán latte, an Abuelita mocha latte, and an horchata latte — all available hot, iced, or as frappés — at the Arleta gem that is Churro Hub Café. As if that wasn’t enough, its name isn’t one bit misleading: Yes, they have churros here. If we were you, we’d try the churro sundae.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JtidSBkD9/
Author

As a writer and first-generation Mexican American born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, I'm passionate about celebrating the communities in the 818. That passion fueled the founding of Viva the Valley in November 2020 and it continues to fuel its upkeeping. Full time, I'm a writer and editor at California State University, Northridge. I also am a freelancer and work with editors at websites and magazines as well as small business owners who want to share more on their business blogs.

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