A Stylish New Brazilian Coffee Bar Opens in Chinatown

Chinatown continues to grow into new places to eat and drink, with SPLA bringing Brazilian-style specialty coffee to another part of Downtown as of September 7, 2018. Opened in conjunction with Nossa Familia, which serves inside the glorious CalEdison Building, SPLA combines elements of São Paulo, Brazil and LA. That means they serve a traditional “cafezinho” typically drunk from a small glass cup and sweetened with a bit of sugar. It’s usually served black though milk or cream is okay to add as well. Another traditional Brazilian-style coffee drink SPLA serves is the cold batida, sometimes blended or shaken with milk and sweetener.

The coffee beans here come from Miami’s Panther Coffee, and it’ll all adhere nicely to what Angelenos expect from a new school espresso bar. The menu also has some small bites like pão de queijo, pastries, brigaderos, and more to go along with morning coffee. Pao de queijo are some of Brazil’s most well known snacks: slightly gummy, but tender cheese balls made with manoica flour. They’re common bites at Brazilian barbecues like Pampas or Fogo de Chao. Prices at SPLA are reasonable, with drip coffee running $2.75 and cappuccinos priced at $4 apiece. The batida is the most expensive drink on the menu, at $5.75.

Alexander Kipling, who helped opened some legendary coffee bars in São Paulo called Isso é Café and O Mirante, founds the effort here at SPLA. Hours run Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed Sundays.

SPLA. 714 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA at the Kim Sing Theatre

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