Maru was my most anticipated coffee shop in LA. However, as I keep going back, my experience just isn't consistently top-rated. It still earned five stars from me, it's just not the perfect coffee shop I was looking for.The first time I made it to the original Arts District location, I had a set: an espresso and a macchiato. For someone who usually drinks flat white, the set was intense but not harsh, and the meticulous latte art on the macchiato gave me a sense of familiarity to ease into it. I was also mesmerized by the airy, minimalist style, the ample and soft morning light, the glass wall roaster and cupping room, and the genuine though restrained courtesy with which my coffee was served.However, during my next visits, I was once treated with a capp without latte art. I saw the barista pouring milk into the cup without even holding it. It was extremely disappointing, especially because I expected only the perfect cup from Maru.To give Maru credits, their coffee is never bad. If I only care about how coffee tastes, that cup of sloppy capp was still better than many cups I got elsewhere. I have also had an amazing Cream Top, Maru's signature drink. The three coffee beans floating on the thick, smooth cream top is all the difference it needs to stand out from other Cloud drinks one can find all over LA.
Good coffee and matcha. Service is extremely fast but quality oriented. Clean tables, plenty of parking around the block and many other restaurants and cool little stores next to it. Only downside is the music was a bit generic, and the AC was pretty cold today.Other than that a pretty nice place to grab a cup of coffee!
This is my go to coffee shop in DTLA. My favorite cannot be anything else but the cream top. The cream is perfect, not too sweet or too creamy. It goes really well with the coffee. And don't even get me started on the aesthetics of the store. Love the minimalist vibe there. It's gorgeous!
Service isn’t great. I came here on Sunday. There are literally 4 people behind the counter, so there’s a chaotic vibe.I asked for light ice and they literally gave me less milk to… make up for the money they lost on 2 ounces of milk?This isn’t the only coffee shop I’ve been to with such a ridiculous policy, but I need to call it out. You want to give me less milk, then give me a discount on the $6 coffee.
I love this place. The barista are nice and engaging. The drinks are exceptional since they use Stumptown coffee which is great. They have a cute outdoor like greenhouse vibe patio. It only gets nicer at night with dimly lit candles.
Serious coffee with notes of flamboyant, hints of confidence, and a finish of exclusivity. What's more fun is to people-watch the type of Maru customers, man buns here and there, messy but not so messy beards, Balenciaga everywhere.
Bon bon ftw
Maru Coffee is such a vibey coffee shop. Lots of seating inside and great coffee. There is ample street parking as well, which is a plus especially in DTLA. Great customer service too! ?
We’re trying different coffee places in LA, and Maru coffee was one of my favorite. I don’t know if it’s because weekdays afternoon, but it was almost empty and mellow vibes. They have unique droppers and some Japanese matcha as well.
Cream top cold brew was pretty good, vanilla bean latte as well. They reheat the pastries by request but I would ask them to do it longer next time. The croissants were not bad but not a must buy.