Java Man: Best coffee house (independent)
Javaman readies for St. Patrick’s day with green cupcakes (but no green coffee).
Back in 1920 when somebody built this cottage in Hermosa, they probably thought the people who lived there would get a good night’s sleep. The opposite has been happening. Java Man has been keeping Hermosans awake with tasty shots of caffeine for well over a decade. The café is mellow yet lively, with rotating shows by local artists on the walls and comfortable couches. It’s a great place to hang out or people watch while fortifying yourself with freshly roasted espresso or Americano and nibbling some bakery treats or some oatmeal with all the add-ins. — RF
157 Pier Avenue, HB, javamancoffeehouse.com, (310) 379-7209
Runner-up: Two Guns