La La Land

By the time La La Land opened this Phoenix location at 44th and Camelback, the Valley already knew what it was getting. The Scottsdale debut a month earlier had taken care of the introductions.

The Arcadia area location carries the same DNA. Bright white interiors, yellow accents, flowers, a merch wall and a staff that is aggressively, genuinely warm. If you have not encountered the La La Land experience before, the energy in the room can catch you off guard. In a good way.

The drink lineup is the same as Kierland and that is not a complaint. The Banana Cloud Latte remains the crowd favorite. The Strawberry Cloud with matcha is worth ordering if you want something that feels a little less dessert-forward. The Upside Down Latte is the move if you want something closer to a traditional espresso drink with a little flair. Pastries are supplied by JL Patisserie and the avocado and Nutella toasts cover the food side well enough.

What makes the Phoenix location feel distinct is context. Kierland is suburban and social. This one sits in Arcadia which is a neighborhood that already has strong coffee culture that gives it a slightly different gravitational pull. The people coming here are not all making a special trip. Some of them are just making it part of their routine. That is probably the best thing a coffee shop can become.

Check out the other La La Land location in Scottsdale or view my Phoenix coffee shop guide.