lil’East Coffee

Inside lil’East Coffee

lil’East Coffee is a small, walk-up cafe tucked into the El Sereno area on Eastern Avenue, serving up thoughtfully crafted coffee with a neighborhood flair. It’s the kind of place locals appreciate for a quick caffeine fix without the fuss of big chains or sprawling seating areas.

The vibe here is casual and approachable, with a modest outdoor seating space out front where you can sip a cup of the day’s brew while watching the neighborhood go by. Because indoor space is limited, it’s often a grab-and-go spot, ideal for those exploring the area on foot or by bike, or anyone on a laid-back weekend day trip through this part of Los Angeles.

The coffee stands out not just for quality but for a few unique offerings — the horchata cold brew and the woodsy latte add a refreshing twist to familiar favorites, appealing to those who want something both familiar and a little different. If you’re looking to skip the usual espresso line and try something with local personality, lil’East’s drinks offer subtle but memorable flavors.

The staff are helpful and friendly, often making order choices easy for visitors unfamiliar with their menu. The presence of small giftable items also hints at how the cafe aims to fit into community habits, becoming part of everyday routines rather than just a quick pit stop.

Visitors who live nearby or are passing through will find lil’East Coffee suits mornings and early afternoons best — bright enough to enjoy a cool blueberry matcha soda or a balanced iced Americano outside on a sunny day. Because the place is small and not easily seen if you’re zooming down Eastern Avenue, it rewards those who slow down and take a moment to explore a less trafficked pocket of LA’s coffee scene.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Great coffee

Great tea selection

Popular for

Solo dining

What they serve

Coffee

Quick bite

Best for

Breakfast

Dessert

Seating

Table service

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Wheelchair-accessible seating

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Wednesday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

What Locals & Travelers Say

85 Reviews

Pete Maldonado

28 Nov 2025

Charming lil Cafetería. Here on Eastern.on my new route....tha pastries are delicious looking and tasting.....im rooting for ya!

Daniel Covarrubias

26 Nov 2025

Great place. Make sure you ain't driving 30mph you will miss the place. Coffe amazing, bread delicious. Horchata drinks tasteful. Employees where every helpful, help in making quick decisions on ordering items. Thanks will be back soon.

Joe Lombard

05 Nov 2025

Very cute and vibey walk up cafe with great local coffee flavors. A wonderful stop on any weekend day trip through El Sereno. I ordered the Horchata cold brew, it was delicious and refreshing! Recommend for any LA coffee shop fan. Note, not a lot of seats so might have to take it to go!

Danielle Gross

04 Nov 2025

Super cute little walk up spot for coffee. I got the woodsy latte and it was incredible. Very unique! There’s also a little outdoor seating area out front. Would come again!

Haiyen Chin Sawyers

29 Oct 2025

I love lil’ East! They’ve been a great addition to the neighborhood—a cafe we can walk to is dreamy! It’s so nice to see people in front of the cafe! My favorite is their blueberry matcha soda—not sweet or heavy but crisp and refreshing. The dried blueberries are so delicious and sweet. I also love their perfectly balanced iced Americano. They also sell some small, giftable items if you need a last-minute gift!

leslie t

14 Oct 2025

First time here and ordered their iced chai latte. The barista was very friendly and suggested I add honey vanilla syrup because their chai is more on the spicier side. I took her suggestion and the chai tasted great! I definitely could taste the note of spice but the honey vanilla helped balance out the flavors. They also sold various pastries that I’d like to try next time. The actual cafe is small but there’s some seating outside. Overall. I enjoyed my visit and is a place I recommend trying out!

Selena Mendez

15 Sep 2025

This coffee shop is so cute and welcoming. The staff is kind and helpful. I got a seasonal drip, 10/10!