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.
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