Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen opens fourth location in Downtown L.A.

Issa Rae is continuing to expand her brand. The actress, writer, producer and comedian recently celebrated the opening of her coffeeshop, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Downtown Los Angeles. Hilltop’s DTLA location, which is a pop-up that will be running through the summer, makes it the fourth location of the coffee shop and restaurant hybrid. The other California-based locations include ones in Slauson, Inglewood and Eagle Rock.

According to Forbes, Hilltop was originally founded by co-founders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan back in 2018. The purpose of the space was to “foster community, creativity and connection over high quality food and drink.” In 2019, Rae, who was raised in South L.A. came into the fold and the trio opened Hilltop’s first location in Downtown Inglewood. In 2020, they opened the Eagle Rock location.

It was only a matter of time before the Hilltop brand expanded to L.A.

“Downtown LA has such a rich history of creativity and resilience,” Rae said to Forbes. “We are excited to share the Hilltop experience with the dreamers and doers of the local community.”

Hilltop’s Downtown L.A. menu will feature bowls, including the Buenos Dias (sautéed poblano peppers & onions, Spanish rice, black beans, chipotle crema, fresh avocado, scrambled eggs and pico de gallo), Hilltop’s take on a crispy chicken sandwich, and “Hilltop Droptops,” which are open-face sandwiches. They also have sweet treats such as beignets and waffles, as well as a variety of coffee drinks and juices.

Hilltop DTLA will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will also be partnering with SoLA Contemporary, a nomadic arts non-profit led by BIPOC women. The organization advocates for change by exploring the intersection of identity, social justice, and politics through contemporary art.

Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. When she’s not working on a story, Roshae enjoys cooking, watching and analyzing reality TV, and spending time with family and friends.

This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen opens fourth location in Downtown L.A.."