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This place is such a cool hidden gem! From the moment you walk in, the whole space has such a unique, minimal vibe. The interior is very simple but beautifully designed, with the wooden tables and that industrial feel that makes you want to sit down and enjoy your coffee. The coffee was really good too! I got an iced latte and loved how smooth and creamy it was. Everything about the experience feels very laid back and effortless. But what I thought was SO interesting is that it's more than just a coffee shop. There's also a hidden clothing store inside where they sell designer pieces, which I definitely wasn't expecting! It almost feels like you're discovering a little secret shop within the coffee shop. Definitely a fun place to stop by if you love good coffee, cool spaces, and finding unique hidden gems!
The chocolate croissant was super chocolatey and gooey some of it was flaky and crispy and other parts were soft and chewy. It wasn't too sweet and the vanilla bean coffee was nice not too strong vanilla bean flavor and the coffee wasn't sour which I like. Cute cafe for working
Visited Maru Coffee in LA last year (finally got around to leave a review!). The interior is sleek, warm, and cozy, though seating is minimal and it gets super packed inside, making it strictly a grab n go situation for us. Matcha Latte: loved it, You can tell they use high grade matcha. It was incredibly creamy with a velvety, smooth finish, easily one of the best matches I've had. Spiced Cold Brew: Concentrated cold brew mixed with a cinnamon and chili-infused sweetened milk. My friend ordered this out of curiosity. While the chili element wasn't quite my personal preference, its a unique profile & the subtle spice surprisingly pairs quite well with the cinnamon. If you're a matcha lover, definitely add this spot to your list!
I wanted to try this place because of the Cream too drink and we ended up ordered that, as well as a vanilla bean latte. The Cream top coffee was delicious and the vanilla latte was decent enough. The overall space had an upscale , clean , and trendy vibe to it and I will say the baristas were friendly and approachable.
Yum! I really enjoyed this ham and cheese croissant from Maru Coffee on a recent trip to LA. It ended up being around $8. The Croissant was flaky and buttery, the cheese added a nice bite and the whole experience felt aesthetically pleasing and decadent.
Had heard about this place forever ago and finally got to try it, and I really liked it! The vibe is minimalist Japanese aesthetic: clean, peaceful, calming. The workers were super kind and not pretentious at all (which honestly matters, iykyk). Got an espresso and a matcha with almond milk and both were SO good. High quality, balanced, delicious. Definitely a spot I'd come back to.
The cream on top was just sweet enough and the coffee had a nice acidity to it. I personally prefer dark roast but I still liked this coffee for what it was. I went pretty early, it was already crowded. If you want a seat, you might have to wait a bit.
Wow... literally the smoothest coffee I've ever had. Cannot wait to come back again to try more!! The storefront was so aesthetic and clean. Seemed like there was a mix of people working and other groups of people that were talking. Definitely recommend!
I've been to Maru Coffee in New York before and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to check out the LA location since it's closer to home. We ordered their cream top coffee, and it didn't quite hit the same. The cream itself is actually really good.. rich, smooth, and flavorful but the coffee underneath was noticeably sour. On its own, it threw off the balance quite a bit. Once we mixed it thoroughly, it became more tolerable, but it still wasn't something we would order again.
This was my first visit to Maru, and it definitely won't be my last. I ordered an iced chai latte, and it was hands down the best I've ever had. The flavor was bold and well-balanced without being overpowering, and I loved the subtle touch of star anise--it added a unique and elevated twist. The service was friendly and efficient, which made the experience even better. The space itself is beautiful, its very modern, clean, and inviting, making it a great spot to sit and unwind. And I can't forget the chocolate chunk cookie, it was absolutely delicious. It had the perfect balance of chocolate chunks in every bite, giving it a rich flavor. The cookie itself was on the thinner side, which allowed it to bake evenly throughout. It had a crisp exterior with a soft, tender interior that wasn't underbaked at all. Honestly, one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had.
I visited Maru Coffee in Downtown LA on 1/19/2025 and 10/19/2022. In 2022, I came here with my friends, and on January 10th, 2025, I came with my family. As famous as this place is for its coffee, really good. I especially love their Cream Top coffee. All of the staff here are friendly, the coffee is delicious, and overall it's a good coffee shop. The only downside is that parking can be difficult to find. But somehow I always seem to have amazing parking luck. Whenever I go anywhere, a parking spot magically opens right in front of me. Even during the Christmas shopping season, when people say they drive around for over an hour looking for parking spaces, I somehow always get a spot right away. Another small downside is that the seating area is a bit limited, so it feels crowded.
just like many places in la, you must find street parking to come here! saw this spot pop up a lot recently and decided to give it a try! i ordered the vanilla bean latte 50% sweet and it was yummy! expect a line cause this place is usually pretty busy.
A little disappointed.. I ordered an iced matcha with cream top and the barista said they don't do cream top for matcha.. which makes no sense since it was just in a pitcher and all they need to do is pour it in. I looked on Yelp and majority of the matcha pictures had cream top on it too. My husband and father in law got a cold brew and it's smooth and fruity. But still.. I wanted my cream top lol
2 days ago
I've seen Maru Coffee all over social media and had heard so many great things about it, so I finally decided to give it a try. I'm happy to say the hype is well deserved. I ordered the Matcha Latte and their signature Creamtop. The matcha was excellent, with a rich and authentic flavor that really stood out. What I appreciated most was that it wasn't overly sweet. I prefer matcha that tastes like real matcha rather than a sugary drink, and Maru got it just right. The Creamtop was good, though it didn't stand out as much to me as the matcha. That said, I'd definitely come back to try more items from their menu. The café itself is beautiful. It has a spacious, Japanese-inspired design that feels clean, modern, and relaxing. It's a great place to enjoy a coffee and spend some time unwinding. Overall, a great experience, and I'm looking forward to coming back and exploring more of what they have to offer. read more
13 days ago
We got the matcha latte and they don't do cream tops with their matcha anymore! the flavor was not bad for the matcha, def on the bitter side which i do enjoy. however the matcha was super grainy even after i tried to mix it more , definitely needs to be whisked more and made the drink not very enjoyable read more
16 days ago
I've tried the other Maru Coffee locations (Beverly Hills, Silverlake), and I finally got to try the DTLA branch. Service was nice, and I order the standard einspänner (americano with cream top). A bit steep at $8 for 12 oz, but the coffee itself was quite nice and smooth; I found it more pleasant and enjoyable than the one I'd gotten at the Beverly Hills location. My only gripe is that I'd originally wanted a matcha latte with the option to pay extra with cream top, but apparently, it wasn't an option at the DTLA store; I'd been able to order a matcha with cream top at the Silver Lake location, so I guess it differs from store to store. Overall, a decent little pick-me-up to start my day! read more
17 days ago
This place is such a cool hidden gem! From the moment you walk in, the whole space has such a unique, minimal vibe. The interior is very simple but beautifully designed, with the wooden tables and that industrial feel that makes you want to sit down and enjoy your coffee. The coffee was really good too! I got an iced latte and loved how smooth and creamy it was. Everything about the experience feels very laid back and effortless. But what I thought was SO interesting is that it's more than just a coffee shop. There's also a hidden clothing store inside where they sell designer pieces, which I definitely wasn't expecting! It almost feels like you're discovering a little secret shop within the coffee shop. Definitely a fun place to stop by if you love good coffee, cool spaces, and finding unique hidden gems! read more
The chocolate croissant was super chocolatey and gooey some of it was flaky and crispy and other parts were soft and chewy. It wasn't too sweet and the vanilla bean coffee was nice not too strong vanilla bean flavor and the coffee wasn't sour which I like. Cute cafe for working read more
2 months ago
Visited Maru Coffee in LA last year (finally got around to leave a review!). The interior is sleek, warm, and cozy, though seating is minimal and it gets super packed inside, making it strictly a grab n go situation for us. Matcha Latte: loved it, You can tell they use high grade matcha. It was incredibly creamy with a velvety, smooth finish, easily one of the best matches I've had. Spiced Cold Brew: Concentrated cold brew mixed with a cinnamon and chili-infused sweetened milk. My friend ordered this out of curiosity. While the chili element wasn't quite my personal preference, its a unique profile & the subtle spice surprisingly pairs quite well with the cinnamon. If you're a matcha lover, definitely add this spot to your list! read more
I wanted to try this place because of the Cream too drink and we ended up ordered that, as well as a vanilla bean latte. The Cream top coffee was delicious and the vanilla latte was decent enough. The overall space had an upscale , clean , and trendy vibe to it and I will say the baristas were friendly and approachable. read more
4 months ago
Yum! I really enjoyed this ham and cheese croissant from Maru Coffee on a recent trip to LA. It ended up being around $8. The Croissant was flaky and buttery, the cheese added a nice bite and the whole experience felt aesthetically pleasing and decadent. read more
Had heard about this place forever ago and finally got to try it, and I really liked it! The vibe is minimalist Japanese aesthetic: clean, peaceful, calming. The workers were super kind and not pretentious at all (which honestly matters, iykyk). Got an espresso and a matcha with almond milk and both were SO good. High quality, balanced, delicious. Definitely a spot I'd come back to. read more
1 month ago
The cream on top was just sweet enough and the coffee had a nice acidity to it. I personally prefer dark roast but I still liked this coffee for what it was. I went pretty early, it was already crowded. If you want a seat, you might have to wait a bit. read more
Wow... literally the smoothest coffee I've ever had. Cannot wait to come back again to try more!! The storefront was so aesthetic and clean. Seemed like there was a mix of people working and other groups of people that were talking. Definitely recommend! read more
6 months ago
I've been to Maru Coffee in New York before and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to check out the LA location since it's closer to home. We ordered their cream top coffee, and it didn't quite hit the same. The cream itself is actually really good.. rich, smooth, and flavorful but the coffee underneath was noticeably sour. On its own, it threw off the balance quite a bit. Once we mixed it thoroughly, it became more tolerable, but it still wasn't something we would order again. read more
7 months ago
This was my first visit to Maru, and it definitely won't be my last. I ordered an iced chai latte, and it was hands down the best I've ever had. The flavor was bold and well-balanced without being overpowering, and I loved the subtle touch of star anise--it added a unique and elevated twist. The service was friendly and efficient, which made the experience even better. The space itself is beautiful, its very modern, clean, and inviting, making it a great spot to sit and unwind. And I can't forget the chocolate chunk cookie, it was absolutely delicious. It had the perfect balance of chocolate chunks in every bite, giving it a rich flavor. The cookie itself was on the thinner side, which allowed it to bake evenly throughout. It had a crisp exterior with a soft, tender interior that wasn't underbaked at all. Honestly, one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. read more
I visited Maru Coffee in Downtown LA on 1/19/2025 and 10/19/2022. In 2022, I came here with my friends, and on January 10th, 2025, I came with my family. As famous as this place is for its coffee, really good. I especially love their Cream Top coffee. All of the staff here are friendly, the coffee is delicious, and overall it's a good coffee shop. The only downside is that parking can be difficult to find. But somehow I always seem to have amazing parking luck. Whenever I go anywhere, a parking spot magically opens right in front of me. Even during the Christmas shopping season, when people say they drive around for over an hour looking for parking spaces, I somehow always get a spot right away. Another small downside is that the seating area is a bit limited, so it feels crowded. read more
just like many places in la, you must find street parking to come here! saw this spot pop up a lot recently and decided to give it a try! i ordered the vanilla bean latte 50% sweet and it was yummy! expect a line cause this place is usually pretty busy. read more
4 months ago
A little disappointed.. I ordered an iced matcha with cream top and the barista said they don't do cream top for matcha.. which makes no sense since it was just in a pitcher and all they need to do is pour it in. I looked on Yelp and majority of the matcha pictures had cream top on it too. My husband and father in law got a cold brew and it's smooth and fruity. But still.. I wanted my cream top lol read more
5 months ago
Aesthetic coffee place, quiet and modern! Perfect place to study or just a delicious coffee in the morning. We order the cream top and two almond croissants. Cream top , perfect sweet & strong taste. Almond butter croissant just warm and crispy with strawberry jam inside, a little sweet for my taste but I finished it in seconds... read more
9 months ago
Love the vanilla beans Latte! The vanilla bean latte was aromatic with a rich vanilla flavor, and the coffee itself was well-balanced, not bland at all. - but hard to find parking spot and seat. Better jusy grab and go read more
I came to Maru after hearing a lot of buzz about how good the matcha is. I know it's a very popular spot in LA and I'm not local so I wanted to give it a try. I ordered a matcha latte with oat milk. I also got the premium ceremonial grade matcha they had on the menu which was an extra charge. I knew the drink price would be steep but I wanted to try the best quality matcha they had. The latte itself I was surprised by. Upon tasting the drink I thought it was not sweetened. I asked one of the employees if I could have sweetener added, to which they said the latte was sweetened with a little bit of agave. I am not someone who likes my drinks overly sweet but this matcha latte fully tasted unsweetened. The matcha itself was good quality however the flavor notes were leaning grassy/astringent. It's just not a flavor profile I gravitate towards. Lastly, I will say the atmosphere/vibe felt a bit unwelcoming. I don't think that was anyone's intention. I just think that is kind of the culture in LA. If I did go back I would try the coffee as the matcha was a miss for me. read more
Maru's espresso tonic is one of my favorites at the moment. It's on the lower end of sweetness, which I prefer and is just simple and very "straightforward and to the point." Espresso quality is also good. And they also carry a handful of vegan pastries - my go-to is their pumpkin spice donut, which is lightly dusted with powdered sugar, and very moist. Parking: street parking is always an easy find around here :) read more
Trendy crowd .. I've been to both locations and they both hold a good long line and wait time is reasonable .. with the wait . Ordered the bon bon and matcha americano .. also selection of pastries and gluten free donuts .. I had the ham and cheese croissant. Atmosphere has some good music playing and people just hanging in the seating area chatting. read more
We came on the 1st and when we walked in there were so many people just standing around. We were helped and then we waited for our coffee. This place is popular so be ready to chill and enjoy the vibes. Each drink is made carefully and deliberately. read more
1 month ago
First visit here, the interior was nice and clean. The service was fast, just order and go. Nothing that stood out. We ordered the cream top and matcha latte. The drinks came out to $14 before tip. The matcha latte was quite good. It was nice and smooth, not bitter at all. I personally do like a tad bit of sweetness in my matcha but the matcha itself was creamy and tasty, even with whole milk. I do think that the cream top they had with the matcha latte would have made this matcha latte even better. The cream top americano was okay, I honestly think that the cream top definitely made it top tier. I get why people raved about Maru's cream top. The americano was very sour, however. I don't love sour notes in coffee, so I didn't enjoy it as much. But the creamy and sweetness of the cream top did help the drink taste much better. read more
2nd time here & it's busier than ever... I came on a Wednesday morning thinking there would be less people but it was packed with quite a line. Parking is street or $4 for 30 min at a lot 1 block away. Super fast paced ordering with the barista up front, you better know what to get asap or they get kind of upset lol. The shop is cute with wooden inside seating and an open bar concept. The creamtop is the best thing here. They are NOT doing the matcha latte cream top anymore if anyone is wondering. The matcha is premade but the latte color is still there. Great coffee, busy work space, with limited parking. It's giving peak LA :) read more
20 days ago
My coworker and I have been trying every coffee shop in DTLA for more than a year now. This has to be bottom 2 it was so ass. Girl at the front desk was rude asf. My coworker asked for cream top and she said no BAHS. At least the drinks are tiny so I don't have to drink that much of this fugly tasting matcha. The space is really big there were a lot of people performative reading. read more
8 months ago
Finally had the opportunity to try Maru Coffee for their matcha after hearing so many good things! Didn't have to wait very long in line and the drinks came out fairly quickly. Love the vibe inside, appreciate the clean modern feel. read more
3 months ago
Haru Coffee has a cute, minimalist interior and a nice atmosphere in the Arts District. We ordered an iced matcha with oat milk and an iced mocha with almond milk, but unfortunately both drinks were quite bitter and just weren't to our taste. Parking was also a bit of a challenge, although that's pretty typical for this part of LA. Based on all the hype, we expected more, but the coffee just didn't live up to it. read more
One way to get me out of the house is to invite me to coffee or matcha. We went on Memorial Day which is probably why there was a line outside the door. It moved fairly quickly though and we were still able to snag a seat inside (at the bar too). My boyfriend ordered the espresso bon bon which is a single shot of espresso topped with cream. The signature cream was incredibly good and I will be coming back here just to try the creamtop. They used to offer a side of cream but they stopped it as of May 1 (see photo). The matcha latte was not bad, but I wish they still offered that side of cream because the sweetness from the cream would have complemented it perfectly. The ceremonial grade matcha was astringent and had strong umami notes, so it needed more sweetener to balance it out. We loved sitting at the counter because we got to see a lot of the coffee being made. There were also plenty of tables where people were working or chatting. The drinks came out relatively quickly despite how busy it was, which we appreciated. read more
1 year ago
Hands down, my favorite coffee shop in LA. We make it a point to stop here every time we visit. Must-tries: Creamtop Coffee, Matcha Creamtop, and honestly anything from the espresso bar. I'm a strict, black coffee gal, but their creamtops have won me over -- subtle, just sweet enough, and never overpowering the coffee or matcha base. I've tried to remake it at home but can never seem to get the same taste... Not a coffee lover? No problem -- their matcha is equally as good. Service is quick, interior ambiance is so warm and inviting. I'm longing for the day they open a location in the bay area (fingers crossed). No notes. read more
This place is awesome. Coffee offerings here are worth every sip. The matcha also yielded great flavors to the touch. When walking in, you'll get a modern industrial vibe with a hit of Japanese decor. So fitting for the art district. As we approached the counter, the cashier was welcoming and helped us understand what their offering is and provided recommendations base on our preference. Super helpful. If you are looking for the perfect cup, this is the place to be. ***caution: Parking is quite taxing here. Be prepared to do a short hike. read more
4 months ago
9 months ago
I think it really depends on what you order. The cream-top drinks are pretty good, and the coffee itself is decent. It falls into the sweet coffee category, but I do think the coffee quality here is better than a lot of similar spots. Service was very friendly, and the cafe itself is cute and inviting. Usually has a long wait. Service: Friendly and welcoming Food/Drinks: Good cream-top drinks, solid coffee, sweeter style but better quality than most Ambiance: Cute and comfortable cafe space 8/10 A reliable sweet coffee spot with better-than-average coffee quality read more
Maru Coffee is one of my favorite coffee spots in the Art District. It's a cozy yet busy café with low-key jazz playing in the background, giving it a relaxed but creative vibe. Seating and street parking are limited, but that just adds to its charm. I usually order the bonbon, a warmed croissant, and a sweet top latte--everything is consistently delicious and well crafted. The service is always friendly and efficient, even during the rush. I also love the artsy crowd that gathers here; it really fits the neighborhood. Maru Coffee is the perfect place to grab a quality cup, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy a moment in the Arts District. Definitely a spot worth trying at least once--and probably more after that. read more
1 year ago
I walked into Maru coffee on my way to meet up with a friend. Compared to the Los Feliz location, the atmosphere here is very spacious, with lots of seating and natural lighting coming in from their windows and skylight. The decor was Scandinavian minimalist (?) - it felt welcoming. The barista I encountered was very friendly as I glanced at their menu, trying to quickly order as more people suddenly gathered behind me. He was very patient and nice. I decided to give their iced matcha latte another shot. This time, I added the cream top as other yelpers suggested which compliments the matcha. The total for the matcha was $9.50 ( matcha $6.50, cream top $3) . "This better be the best matcha I ever had." I thought to myself as I sat down on the wooden bench. Upon receiving it I tried it with and without the cream top. - without creamtop: Better, much better than last time. The matcha was dark green, with an earthy, umami taste. I don't know if its worth paying $9.50. But it was really good, I'm not mad at it. - with cream top: I like how the cream top comes on the side. Note that the sweetness level depends on how much cream top you add. I added the entire thing. It tasted like sweet vanilla heavy whipping cream. But had I'd known it was really sweet, I'd only add maybe half. Something to note for next time. I want to come back the next time I'm on this side of downtown LA. It's a nice place to catch up with a friend or get some work done. While they have wi-fi, I didn't see any outlets so I recommend bringing all laptops and phones fully charged. And its better than the Los Feliz location (I'm still salty about that location). read more
We found this place on yelp and decided to try it. The decor inside is minimal and clean. We got 2 small vanilla lattes and a croissant. This place didn't have a lot of flavors just the basic ones. The croissant was very good. The coffee was very smooth and delicious. You can tell all the things they use are quality ingredients. The coffee cups are small but they definitely do the job I was not tired all day. Definitely a must try! read more
I've been to Maru Coffee's Los Feliz location and now I've conquered this super sleek and chic DTLA Arts District outpost. Chill vibes with all the neutral coolness you expect in LA designed coffee shops and the clientele are all equally as cool. It just feels super LA inside and I love that. Even with all those local vibes, this Korean-American owned shop is named after an old Korean term for mountaintop - San Ma Ru. This minimalistic aesthetic is welcomed with even the door merely melding into the wall without a distinct opening, It's dope. It's trendy and cool, so you'll almost always be met with a line. Welcome to great coffee in LA, you're usually gonna wait a few minutes. But take in the cool interior and equally fashionable crowd while you decide what you'll be ordering when you hit the front of the line. Most importantly, the coffee keeps me coming back to Maru's locations. I love the tiny Bon Bon espresso with the sugared rim, it's pick-me-up perfection. The cold brews never disappoint. I had their Lemonade this weekend and was shocked at how perfect it was. Not too sweet, not too tame, just right in terms of flavoring. And don't sleep on their matcha drinks, they're real and earthy and my friends & I love them. I also always love their baked goods, getting a divine chocolate chip cookie yesterday that took me less than sixty seconds to devour. I've been a Maru Coffee fan for awhile now but am happy I finally popped into the Downtown Los Angeles location of the shop. Consistency is key with local chains and Maru definitely doesn't disappoint! read more
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More info about Maru Coffee
1019 S Santa Fe Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Downtown
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(213) 372-5755
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http://www.marucoffee.com
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Ask the Community - Maru Coffee
Where can I park?
What's in an espresso tonic?
It's common to get served espresso straight with a separate glass of tonic water.
Is this the arts district location and can you sit inside?
This one is in downtown LA, and yes you can sit inside :)
I love Maru decor. Where can purchase the cups, plates, bowls?
Hello, we don’t sell them at our store but you find them at www.notaryceramics.com
Are there any vegan friendly options? for drinks and pastries
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
45 reviews that are not currently recommended
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