Andrés's Guidebook
Bars
This is a new addition to the Boyle Heights neighborhood. This bar has a nice environment and friendly staff. The music is mostly Latin music. They have a great beer selection, including craft beers from Mexico. Their cocktails are great as well. Xelas is a 7 min drive from Casa Quezada. You can also get there using the Gold Line. Get off at Mariachi Plaza Station.
Xelas
1846 1/2 E 1st StThis is a new addition to the Boyle Heights neighborhood. This bar has a nice environment and friendly staff. The music is mostly Latin music. They have a great beer selection, including craft beers from Mexico. Their cocktails are great as well. Xelas is a 7 min drive from Casa Quezada. You can also get there using the Gold Line. Get off at Mariachi Plaza Station.
Coffee
Mostly cafes.
La monarca has great Mexican coffee and te BEST café de olla in Los Ángeles. They also have other hot and cold coffee drinks. Their specialty is, of course, pan dulce. Their pan is made WITHOUT lard, but it still very tasty. They also have small plates for breakfast and lunch. There are many La Monarca locations, but the most iconic location is this one on Boyle and 1st street. It is right across the street from the historic Mariachi Plaza and you will get an amazing view of Downtown Los Ángeles.
58 locals recommend
La Monarca Bakery
5833 N Figueroa StLa monarca has great Mexican coffee and te BEST café de olla in Los Ángeles. They also have other hot and cold coffee drinks. Their specialty is, of course, pan dulce. Their pan is made WITHOUT lard, but it still very tasty. They also have small plates for breakfast and lunch. There are many La Monarca locations, but the most iconic location is this one on Boyle and 1st street. It is right across the street from the historic Mariachi Plaza and you will get an amazing view of Downtown Los Ángeles.
A newer addition to the East LA coffee scene, La terraza specializes in espresso based drinks like lattes. They also have café de olla. La terraza has a kitchen and they serve food all day. This is a great place to study and if you have a computer/laptop, there is an electrical outlet for each table. La Terraza also features local artists and they sometimes have live music.
23 locals recommend
La Terraza Cafe
4017 City Terrace DrA newer addition to the East LA coffee scene, La terraza specializes in espresso based drinks like lattes. They also have café de olla. La terraza has a kitchen and they serve food all day. This is a great place to study and if you have a computer/laptop, there is an electrical outlet for each table. La Terraza also features local artists and they sometimes have live music.
This is my absolute favorite café on the east side. It is located in Montebello, but it is a short drive on the freeway. Ground Up specializes in “pour over coffee” and cold brew. They source their beans mostly from El Salvador, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Colombia. Highly recommended and worth the drive. Ground Up doesn’t have much food, only small snacks and treats like locally made cookies.
6 locals recommend
Ground Up Coffee
871 N Garfield AveThis is my absolute favorite café on the east side. It is located in Montebello, but it is a short drive on the freeway. Ground Up specializes in “pour over coffee” and cold brew. They source their beans mostly from El Salvador, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Colombia. Highly recommended and worth the drive. Ground Up doesn’t have much food, only small snacks and treats like locally made cookies.
If you happen to be in Downtown and are looking for great coffee, look no further than Café Integral. This café is located in the lobby of the Freehand Hotel and is a low key spot for great coffee. Café Integral ONLY uses beans from Nicaragua. Nicaragua has some of the best coffee in the world and tends to be on the sweeter side. A cup of coffee and Café Integral is around $3, and refills are free! I love coming here on Sunday mornings to read the paper and drink bottomless cups of coffee.
Cafe Integral at Freehand Los Angeles
416 W 8th StIf you happen to be in Downtown and are looking for great coffee, look no further than Café Integral. This café is located in the lobby of the Freehand Hotel and is a low key spot for great coffee. Café Integral ONLY uses beans from Nicaragua. Nicaragua has some of the best coffee in the world and tends to be on the sweeter side. A cup of coffee and Café Integral is around $3, and refills are free! I love coming here on Sunday mornings to read the paper and drink bottomless cups of coffee.
Capuyo cafe is a brand new addition to the East LA/Boyle Heights coffee scene. They have both “pour overs” and cold brew coffee. Capuyo also specializes in vegan food and desserts.
Capuyo Café
1st StreetCapuyo cafe is a brand new addition to the East LA/Boyle Heights coffee scene. They have both “pour overs” and cold brew coffee. Capuyo also specializes in vegan food and desserts.
Food scene
La Azteca has the best burritos in Los Ángeles. Hands down. That’s all that needs to be said about this place. The flour tortillas that they make are to die for. Their most famous burritos are the Chile relleno burrito, chorizo burrito, and bacon/potato/egg burrito. I like to order the potato/egg burrito and add nopales (cactus). La Azteca is best for breakfast, but they are open until the early evening.
10 locals recommend
La Azteca
4538 East Cesar E Chavez AvenueLa Azteca has the best burritos in Los Ángeles. Hands down. That’s all that needs to be said about this place. The flour tortillas that they make are to die for. Their most famous burritos are the Chile relleno burrito, chorizo burrito, and bacon/potato/egg burrito. I like to order the potato/egg burrito and add nopales (cactus). La Azteca is best for breakfast, but they are open until the early evening.
One of my absolute faves in East LA/Boyle Heights. This restaurant was opened by two brothers from Oaxaca, Mexico. When they first moved to the US, they made their living by cooking in Lebanese kitchens. They decided to open X’tiosu and the food that they serve is a hybrid of Lebanese and Oaxacan food. Amazing.
8 locals recommend
X'tiosu Kitchen
923 Forest AveOne of my absolute faves in East LA/Boyle Heights. This restaurant was opened by two brothers from Oaxaca, Mexico. When they first moved to the US, they made their living by cooking in Lebanese kitchens. They decided to open X’tiosu and the food that they serve is a hybrid of Lebanese and Oaxacan food. Amazing.
Looking for great street tacos? Tacos Estilo Tijuana is half a mile away from Casa Quezada. They not only serve tacos, but quesadillas, vampiros, and mulitas as well. Vampiros and Mulitas are regional specialties in the north of Mexico, especially in Tijuana and the rest of Baja Norte. Tacos Estilo Tijuana opens around 5 p.m. and usually closes around 11 p.m. This stand is VERY popular.
Tacos Estilo Tijuana
38235 East 4th StLooking for great street tacos? Tacos Estilo Tijuana is half a mile away from Casa Quezada. They not only serve tacos, but quesadillas, vampiros, and mulitas as well. Vampiros and Mulitas are regional specialties in the north of Mexico, especially in Tijuana and the rest of Baja Norte. Tacos Estilo Tijuana opens around 5 p.m. and usually closes around 11 p.m. This stand is VERY popular.
Performance Venues
The top floor of the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory is a historic ballroom and performance space called The Paramount. Years ago, the top artists of the day would perform here. It has recently been renovated and has reopened as a performance venue after being dormant for many years. The music is mostly Latin. Check the local calendar (aka ME) for performance listings. This place is a jewel in the Boyle Heights/East LA area.
The Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory
2708 East Cesar E Chavez AvenueThe top floor of the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory is a historic ballroom and performance space called The Paramount. Years ago, the top artists of the day would perform here. It has recently been renovated and has reopened as a performance venue after being dormant for many years. The music is mostly Latin. Check the local calendar (aka ME) for performance listings. This place is a jewel in the Boyle Heights/East LA area.