Michelle Madsen is a style blogger with countless Instagram-worthy coffee posts to satisfy every caffeine junkie out there. She lives and breathes downtown LA, and has scoured the streets for the best brunches and coffees. We get the lowdown on her list of coffee drinking haunts, what to wear for LA’s long summers, and her must-bring skincare item whilst travelling. 

Photo: Michelle Madsen

Where can we go to see your favourite view in LA?

One of my favorites is at Griffith Observatory. You can see so much of the city and it’s a very peaceful place to visit.

How is the food in LA different from other parts of the US?

In Los Angeles, we have a lot of ‘small bites’ restaurants, which are great for appetisers and sharing. There are plenty of healthy options and we cater to dietary restrictions like gluten-free and vegan.

Photo: Michelle Madsen

What is the one restaurant you feel travellers can’t leave LA without trying?

My husband and I have a favourite place downtown, called Cole’s. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles. It has a lot of history being open during the prohibition and has claimed the origination of the french dip sandwich. It’s a fun environment with great drinks and has a speakeasy within the restaurant called Varnish. The Varnish is an underground piano bar with live music and top mixologists serving up a ‘bartender’s choice’ if you like to experiment.

Photo: Michelle Madsen

Where are your favourite spots in LA for a good cup of coffee?

There are so many great ones but my favourites downtown are Blue Bottle, Stumptown, Classic Coffee, and Verve.

Coffee at Verve Coffee Roasters. Photo: Michelle Madsen

Where are your favourite restaurants or cafés in the city?

In downtown, my favourites are Bar Amá, Perch, Wurstküche, Sugarfish, KazuNori, and Little Bear.

What are your wardrobe essentials for LA’s weather?

Lightweight outerwear like denim jackets, blazers, knit cardigans.

Where are your favourite shopping areas in LA?

I really love all the shopping happening on Abbot Kinney in Venice!

Where are your favourite beaches in LA?

Malibu and Santa Monica Pier are the ones I go to most often.

Photo: Michelle Madsen

What is the one beauty advice you would give to travellers?

In general, I’ve learned to bring masks when I travel. My skin always gets dry with a change of weather but when I do a mask at night my skin always feels moisturised in the mornings.

WHERE TO EAT IN LA

Cole’s

Where: 118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States

For: French dip sandwiches

Blue Bottle Coffee

Where: 8301 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States (and more)

For: Freshly brewed coffee

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Where: 806 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States

For: Sustainable coffee

The Classic Coffee

Where: 862 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States

For: Breakfast

Verve Coffee Roasters

Where: 833 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States

For: Coffee and pastries

Bar Amá

Where: 118 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

For: Tex-Mex food

Perch

Where: 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

For: A rooftop dining spot and French food

Wurstküche

Where: 625 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, United States

For: Sausages on the grill

Sugarfish

Where: 600 W 7th St #150, Los Angeles, CA 90017, United States

For: Traditional sushi

KazuNori

Where: 421 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States

For: Sushi hand rolls

Little Bear

Where: 1855 Industrial St, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States

For: Belgian beer and grilled cheese

WHERE TO GO IN LA

Griffith Observatory

Where: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

For: A view of the city

Abbot Kinney

Where: Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291, United States

For: Shopping

Malibu

Where: Malibu, CA, United States

For: Beaches

Santa Monica Pier

Where: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States

For: Beach parties