Tati Foor
Staff Writer
For University of La Verne students on the hunt for the perfect coffee shop, options abound within a short four-mile radius of campus.
After visiting five local coffee shops and sampling both signature drinks and a simple iced vanilla latte, I have put together the ultimate guide to the area’s best spots.
Tucked away in the Claremont Packing House, Iron & Kin will provide you with the best vanilla latte. The perfectly balanced sweetness and strength of the espresso elevated a simple order to something that tasted great.
What sets Iron & Kin apart is the personalized experience. Baristas consistently greet customers with genuine interest, asking about their day and creating conversation. The coffeehouse ambiance provides lots of seating, though it can get crowded during peak hours, which range from about 8 a.m. to noon.
If you are lucky enough to snag a table, the aesthetic environment makes for a productive and enjoyable workspace.
The shop offers more than just great coffee and aesthetics though.
“Our most popular drinks would probably be the Graceful matcha latte or the strawberry matcha,” David Opsvig, a barista at Iron & Kin, said. “But the strawberry matcha is a seasonal drink.”
He later added that his personal favorite is their cortado.
After talking to David and trying it for myself, their matcha deserves a special recognition for its quality, especially for non-coffee drinkers.
Rev’d Up Coffee & Classics in Claremont claimed the title for the best specialty latte with the Easy Rider – an iced latte with cinnamon, vanilla, and cookie butter.
“The Easy Rider is definitely our most ordered,” Ashton Vandenberg, a barista at Rev’d Up said. “It’s one of my favorites too.”
The drink lives up to its popularity with its balanced sweetness and spice that doesn’t overwhelm the flavor of the coffee.
The spacious interior offers lots of seating, including outdoor options. Weekdays provide a quieter atmosphere for studying, as the barista mentioned they get busiest during the weekends, especially mornings.
Pomona’s Wish You Were Here Coffee Roasters creates an immediately inviting atmosphere with its warm interior decorations and friendly staff. The layout of the cafe features lots of seating, making it a great spot for doing schoolwork.
“I’d say probably our Bourbon Caramel or our Spanish Latte,” barista George Jimenez said when asked about customer favorites.
The Bourbon Caramel deserves every bit of its popularity – I tried it hot and it was so flavorful. I do not typically reach for hot coffee, but decided to give it a try since George recommended it, as the foam perfectly holds the sprinkled salt to give the latte a sweet and salty taste.
For students prioritizing convenience, French Press Espresso Bar and Nambah Coffee Co. in La Verne offer the shortest trips from campus.
“Our most ordered is the Matcha Bella,” Grace Prentice, a barista from French Press said. “It’s an iced matcha with vanilla and rose syrup.”
The cafe stands out for its French themed interior and its extensive food menu, which is perfect for a longer study session.
Nambah Coffee Co. impresses with its spacious environment, including outdoor seating options. Their snickerdoodle latte deserves recognition as a dessert-like drink that does not overpower the coffee quality. The friendly baristas enhance the welcoming atmosphere.
Whether seeking the perfect vanilla latte at Iron & Kin, grabbing Rev’d Up’s cookie butter latte, or settling in for a study session at Wish You Were Here, Nambah or French Press, these local shops offer something for anyone, adding the plus of not having to go more than four miles from campus.
Tati Foor can be reached at tatiana.foor@laverne.edu.
Tati Foor is a junior communications major with a concentration in public relations, and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
Rylee Fournier is a senior photography major with a marketing minor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. Outside of school, she runs her own photography business, specializing in weddings and portrait photography. You can find her work on Instagram or at ryleefournierphotography.com.
