Most Angelenos know that Culver City is a lot more than just a hub for TV, movie, and digital production. What was once the home of MGM Studios in the golden age of Hollywood has now blossomed into a diverse and developing neighborhood, blocks bursting with new places to peruse.

With hints of old Hollywood, an active art district, and tons of new businesses, bars, and restaurants moving in, it’s easy to spend a day getting to know Culver City. Next time you find yourself in this nook of West LA, here are some hot spots you won’t want to miss.

WHERE TO GET LOST IN CULVER CITY

 

Coolhaus – 8588 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

When it’s hot outside, satisfy your sweet tooth at Coolhaus. Though you may have seen this business on wheels, you can avoid chasing down the Coolhaus food truck by getting your ice cream fix in it’s Culver City location. With flavors like “Hot Chocolate Mezcal,” and “Cuban Cigar” this isn’t exactly your grandma’s ice cream parlor. Splurge on one of their unique signature flavors, or go for the whole she-bang and order a red velvet cookie ice cream sandwich.

City Tavern – 9739 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90323

Brought to you by Ken Kaufman and Brian McKeaney, the team behind popular Culver City destination Rush Street, City Tavern is a hot spot for craft beer and comfort food. This westside watering hole offers table top taps, and yes, that means you can pour your own beer if you’re lucky enough to land one of the three booths that offer them. If you’re heading there for the fare, be sure to order a grilled cheese sandwich, which was recently featured in a LA Weekly write up. It’s enough to make you say, “I’d tap that.”

Public School 310 – 9411 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

Get educated at Public School 310, the gastropub du jour where the menus are served in the form of composition notebooks, and you feel like everyone’s cooler than you at the lunch tables. What’s often reputed to be a “hipster hang,” is more aptly described as the trendy, new kid in the Culver Blvd class, attracting crowds with those bacon cheddar tots, and fries served in a brown bag with a side of sriracha ketchup. Not your average after-school snack, but definitely ones worth an order.

Cognoscenti Coffee – 6114 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

For the coffee connoisseur and the neophyte, alike, Cognoscenti Coffee is a must-visit in the Culver City art district. This coffee joint boast rare roasts from places like Heart in Portland, and San Francisco’s Four Barrel. Don’t know your way around a coffee bean? The helpful staff will be more than willing to serve as your guide, or serve up a top notch espresso, whichever you prefer. Come here to purchase gifts that will impress your coffee snob friends, or to sit down and stay awhile with a cup of joe and your laptop as you take in the dark, and dirty smells of the fresh beans.