Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Discover just some of the rich, cultural heritage of the Latinx community that helps make LA such a great place.
Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) gives us the chance to celebrate this rich and diverse culture, and with an emphasis on Hispanic Heritage month activities taking place around LA, there’s never been a better time to show your support for our local, hard-working Hispanic-owned businesses. Whether you’re in the mood to try a new restaurant, find a great cup of coffee or stock up on some unique gifts for an upcoming celebration, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite, family-friendly shops and restaurants to support.
The Best Latinx-Owned Restaurants, Bakeries & Cafes around LA
Sonoratown: Owners, Teodoro Diaz-Rodriguez, Jr. and Jennifer Feltham, opened the doors to Sonoratown in 2016—wanting to pay homage to the small border town in Mexico where Teo grew up. Having called DTLA their home for many years, the pair hoped to contribute to the area’s revitalization by creating a taqueria that was different from the usual fare served to office workers in the area. Their namesake tacos served in the style of San Luis Colorado, Sonora—a part of Northern Mexico known for having the most delicious carne asada cooked over a mesquite wood fire, along with handmade flour tortillas quickly became a darling of the LA food scene. This past summer, a second Sonoratown location opened in Mid-City and is proving to be just as popular as the original.
Downtown & Mid-City
Online: sonoratown.com
Guelaguetza: On the edge of Koreatown is one of the best Oaxacan restaurants in the country and is even a James Beard award winner. The Lopez family opened Guelaguetza in 1994 using their family mole recipes from Oaxaca. It became one of the first restaurants in LA to feature Oaxacan dishes and meant the world to immigrants from the area by reminding them of home. That authentic feeling soon won over other customers as well and the restaurant became a huge hit. All mole is made in house from scratch and many of the ingredients are brought in directly from Oaxaca—giving the food its truly unique flavor.
3014 W. Olympic Blvd.
Koreatown
Online: ilovemole.com
Teddy's Red Tacos: This was a must on our list as Teddy’s Red Tacos are some of the tastiest around. Owner, Teddy Vasquez, started as an Uber driver who often carried around his family’s authentic recipe of Consume Birria Tacos in his trunk. Passengers started inquiring about what smelled so divine, and a booming business was born. Teddy opened his first taco truck off Slauson by the railroad tracks then gained such a loyal following that he now owns eight retail locations around SoCal with two more opening soon.
Several LA Locations
Online: teddysredtacosofficial.com
La Mascota Bakery: For some of the most to-die-for tamales around, La Mascota hits the mark every time. With mouthwatering flavors like Red Chile with Pork, Green Chile with Chicken, Veggies in Banana Leaf, Sweet with Pineapple and many others—it’s no wonder this bakery has been a beloved Boyle Heights mainstay for many generations. In addition to their outstanding tamales, La Mascota offers an impressive selection of pan dulce, cookies, cakes, and flan.
2715 Whittier Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: lamascotabakery.com
Mariscos Jalisco: Raul Ortega has operated Mariscos Jalisco, a highly celebrated food truck, for 21 years in the Boyle Heights neighborhood with additional locations in DTLA, Pomona and West LA. Serving up some of the freshest seafood in town at an affordable price, it’s no wonder you’ll always find a long line of customers waiting. One dish that’s a must try is the Taco de Camaron—a deep-fried shell filled with gigantic shrimp topped with homemade red salsa and fresh avocado—you’ll thank us later.
Several LA Locations
Online: instagram.com/mariscosjalisco
La Monarca Bakery and Café: La Monarca Bakery has 12 locations throughout LA and offers lunch and dinner, as well as handmade pan dulce, concha, cakes, and organic Mexican coffee. Owners, Ricardo Cervantes and Alfredo Livas, grew up in Monterey, Mexico and later met at Stanford Business School where they formed the idea for La Monarca. When choosing their next locations, they look for Latino communities in need that are also preferably near public transit so they can hire locally from the area. Select signature retail products are also available for purchase in store or through their website.
Several LA Locations
Online: lamonarcabakery.com
Gusto Bread: In 2020, baker Arturo Enciso and his partner Ana Belen Salatino opened a cozy panaderia called Gusto Bread in the Retro Row area of Long Beach. Specializing in pan and pan dulce made only with masa madre (naturally leavened sourdough), Gusto Bread serves up a delicious variety of loaves, concha, long breads and much more. In fact, Food + Wine rated Gusto Bread as one of the top 100 Bakeries in America. But more important than the accolades, the owners hope to foster a strong sense of community connectedness and sustainability through their business.
2710 E. 4th St.
Long Beach
Online: gustobread.com
Related: How to Spend a Fun 48 Hours in Long Beach with Kids
Nonna's Empanadas: At the Original Farmer’s Market, Chef Eddy Ekmejian has taken over the business of running Nonna’s Empanadas from his late father Mario who was born in Argentina. Eddy turns out some of the most fabulous empanadas around by following the traditions his Great Great Grandmother. With a fantastic selection of flavors to choose from like Samosa Beef, Salsa Verde Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Shrimp and on the sweeter side—Nutella, part of the fun is figuring out which ones to eat first. Nonna’s also has locations on W. 3 St. and at Americana at Brand.
Several LA Locations
Online: nonnasempanadas.com
Our Favorite Hispanic-Owned Coffee Shops around LA
Little Barn Coffee House: Despite the challenges of launching a new business during the pandemic, Joana Rubio and Seleste Diaz opened Little Barn Coffee house—a 100% vegan café—with much success. They specialize in vegan comfort foods and make their dishes from fresh in-house ingredients every day. With delectable specialties like pan dulce, polvorones, maple fennel sausage biscuits, Mexican wedding cookies, oat horchata cold brews, Mexican hot chocolate, and hazelnut lattes, they strike a unique balance between Latin flavors and American tastes. As a proud LGBTQ Latinx woman-owned café, their top priority is making every customer feel welcomed and nourished.
3329 Division St.
Los Angeles
Online: instagram.com/littlebarncoffeehouse
Related: Our Favorite Women-Owned Businesses around LA to Support All Year Long
The Boy & The Bear: Andres Pineros founded The Boy & The Bear Coffee Roastery in Villavicencio, Columbia in 2012 as a pop-up shop specializing in Columbian coffee. When he moved to LA in 2013, he knew he wanted to establish his brand in a city known not only for its deep desire for premium coffee, but also for its openness to different cultures. Today, Pineros has four café locations around the SoCal area with a fifth coming soon to Sherman Oaks. He hopes to continue to offer an elevated Columbian coffee experience to Angelenos and a place where they will always feel at home.
Several SoCal Locations
Online: theboyandthebear.com
Patria Coffee: This small-batch coffee roaster in Compton is run by Deana and Geoffrey Martinez. The pair offers a fab selection of unique beverages to suit almost any taste, including Oat Milk Coffee Slushies, Oat-Chatas, Ibarra Mexican Mochas, lattes, teas and a delish selection of pastries. Best of all, this shop has a true neighborhood feel and is bound to become a regular stop during your week.
108 N. Alameda St.
Compton
Online: patriacoffee.com
Tierra Mia Coffee: With dozens of convenient locations to pick from throughout the Southland, Tierra Mia Coffee is a great choice when you need a good cup of jo. Ulysses Romeo founded the company with one mission—to offer customers the highest quality and freshest Latin-inspired coffee around. Because they use the pour over method for all their drinks, the coffee has uniquely strong flavor, but is never bitter. Some of our faves include the Cubano con Leche, the Mocha Mexicano and the Horchate Frappe.
Several LA Locations
Online: tierramiacoffee.com
Our Favorite Latinx-Owned Frozen Treats around Los Angeles
Mateo's Ice Cream & Fruit Bars: This traditional, fresh-fruit paleta shop from Oaxaca brings nothing less than their A-game when it comes to frozen desserts. In 2000, late founder, Priciliano Mateo opened the first Mateo’s location in Mid-City with hopes of sharing his beloved childhood treats with the LA community. His family carries on that tradition today with four locations and over 30 flavors of paletas on the menu like mango with chile, smoked milk, pistachio, and coconut.
Several LA Locations
Online: mateosicecreamla.com
Los Alpes Ice Cream Parlor: Since 1979, Los Aples owner, Margarita Flores, has been treating Angelenos to some of the best handcrafted frozen treats you’ll ever devour. This Huntington Park institution serves everything from paletas, ice cream and fruit bars to shakes and Mangoneada. With flavors like passion fruit, cranberry-pomegranate, chocolate abuelita, and hibiscus-raspberry just to name a few—your tastebuds will not be disappointed.
6410 Rugby Ave.
Huntington Park
Online: instagram.com/losalpes1979
Our Favorite Hispanic-Owned Book Stores, Clothing and Gift Shops in LA
Party Art Community: This party, stationery, and gift shop focuses on socially conscious goods and workshops. Owner, Destine Escobedo, makes a point to invest in local women vendors, as well as those from the BIPOC, Femme and Queer communities for inclusion in the products her shop carries. She always keeps in mind that her success can help propel the success of others. From colorful balloon bouquets and piñatas to cheeky gifts, colorful greeting cards and stationery—it’s truly one of the most unique shops in town.
5689 York Blvd., Ste. B
Los Angeles
Online: partyartcommunity.com
Lil' Libros: After realizing there was a shortage of bilingual books available for littles, two enterprising LA mothers – Arian Stein and Patty Rodriguez – created Lil’ Libros. As an independent bilingual children's book publisher, Lil’ Libros encourages kids to read in two languages while teaching them about Latin American culture and history. Kiddos are immersed in colorful worlds of storytelling about figures like Frida Kahlo, Basquiat, Celia Cruz and Pelé, as well as books about San Juan, Oaxaca, Havana and Bogotá, among many others.
Online: lillibros.com
Quiero Prints: What originally started as a quinceañera invitation shop, has blossomed into a popular stationery and gift shop based in East LA. Quiero Prints sells a wide range of Latinx-themed products ranging from witty tees and stickers to vibrant stationery and mugs. If you’re looking for a gift that’s different than the norm, this is the perfect place to shop.
Online: quieroprints.com
GRL Collective: After leaving her multicultural marketing agency job in LA, Kristine Rodriguez flew halfway across the world to volunteer with women and girls’ empowerment in India. This life-changing experience inspired her to later launch GRL Collective—a lifestyle brand that sells playful jewelry, tees, stickers, tote bags and more where 20-percent of all profits fund girls’ education in India.
Online: grlcollective.com
Sweet Llamita: When Brenda Castillo searched every premium stationery store and still couldn’t find any greeting cards to connect with her mom and dad who are Latin immigrants, she decided it was time to fill that void. Castillo’s greeting card company, Sweet Llamita, features super chic bilingual cards that are culturally relevant and speak to Latin Heritage and experience.
Online: sweetllamita.com
Hija De Tu Madre: Founder and designer, Patty Delgado, created apparel and accessory line, Hija De Tu Madre, to encompass the intersection of Mexican and American identity and provide customers with a sense of identity and belonging. With a fun selection of t-shirts, tote bags, jewelry and stunning denim jackets embroidered with the image of Frida Kahlo or the Mexican flag, pieces often double as wearable art.
Online: hijadetumadre.com
Hedley & Bennett: After cooking in some of LA’s very best restaurants, Ellen Marie Bennett saw a need for better aprons that could stand up to the toughest conditions while still looking fabulous. She set out to make an apron that was not only functionally better with comfortably placed straps, strategic pocket placement and expert stitching, but one that could be worn by everyone from the executive chef of a Michelin starred restaurant to the home cook baking banana bread. Her company, Hedley & Bennett, now makes some of the best aprons on the market with a variety of stunning designs, including smaller aprons for aspiring kid chefs.
Online: hedleyandbennett.com
Other Books: On a mission to promote literature that is underrepresented, Denice Diaz and Adam Bernales started Other Books—an independent bookstore in Boyle Heights with a large Spanish language collection. The shop features a wide range of authors for both kids and adults and sells used and new editions in English and Spanish. Other Books also hosts writing workshops, readings and signings, as well as open mic poetry from time to time.
2006 E. Caesar Chavez Ave.
Boyle Heights
Online: otherbooksla.com
