Westwood: the home of UCLA, historic movie theaters – and a swath of coffee shops.

While it seems like a new spot spawns every day in Los Angeles, the already-abundant Westwood coffee scene has remained insulated from the caffeine boom. To help Bruins better understand their off-campus coffee choices, I compiled a guide of four classic Westwood stops: Upside Down, Ministry of Coffee, Bluestone Lane and Espresso Profeta.

In an effort to keep my ratings as consistent as possible, I arrived at each shop at approximately 9 a.m., ordered an iced vanilla latte at every location and implemented a grading rubric that evaluates the following factors on a five-point scale: price and cost efficiency, taste, convenience and accessibility, atmosphere, and suitability for study.

Whether you are a freshman looking for a productive way to explore Westwood Village or a senior trying to find a place off campus to study – this guide is for you.

Upside Down – 3.9

Price and cost efficiency – 5

Taste – 3

Convenience and accessibility – 3.5

Atmosphere – 4

Suitability for study – 4

Quietly tucked under the shade of Le Conte Avenue, Upside Down is one of Westwood’s greatest open secrets. Most hear about it through friends, but you’ll often find the shop bustling with a blend of students and hospital staff, likely because of its proximity to student housing and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

What sets Upside Down apart from the other shops is its donation-based payment option by which patrons get to choose how much they pay for their drink. This budget-friendly system paved the path for the shop – owned and operated by Jews for Jesus – to claim the cost-efficiency crown out of the shops on this list. I chose to pay $3 for my 14-ounce latte, netting out to $0.21 per ounce.

On top of affordable prices, Upside Down’s space is dotted with small tables and clusters of couches, both of which are suitable for getting work done or catching up with friends. With its accessible prices and array of seating options, Upside Down is the place to go if you are in need of a study spot that is equipped with an inexpensive but effective source of caffeine.

Although Upside Down excels in the price and suitability-for-study categories, it falters in convenience and taste. The price you pay at Upside Down is not measured in dollars but in time spent waiting, since it attracts an inconveniently long line. I arrived shortly after it opened at 9 a.m. and spent over 30 minutes waiting in line to order. Once I received my coffee, I found my drink to be slightly acidic, with no hints of the vanilla flavoring I ordered. Although the drink was pleasant enough and was decently strong, taste is not Upside Down’s strongest selling point.

For those with time in the morning, a great study space with affordable coffee is just a short walk away at Upside Down.

Ministry of Coffee – 3.8

Price and cost efficiency – 3

Taste – 3

Convenience and accessibility – 4

Atmosphere – 4.5

Suitability for study – 4.5

Furnished with a cheerful outdoor patio and a cozy yet dynamic interior, Ministry of Coffee offers Westwood residents a taste of Sydney, Australia – but at a steep price.

The Australian coffee chain sports an extensive – yet expensive – menu of espresso drinks and brunch fare. For my 12-ounce latte, I paid $6.50, which comes out to $0.54 per ounce – making it the most expensive shop on this guide. Although its website cites a variety of influences on its coffee, from Honduran chocolate to Ethiopian honey, I found the taste of my latte to be one-dimensional and slightly burnt. The latte compensated for its taste with its strength because it quickly delivered the buzz I needed to survive the early morning.

In exchange for the hefty price, Ministry of Coffee provides the largest seating arrangement on this list. After placing an order, you can descend into a warmly lit space that houses a host of dark wooden tables and multiple outlets – features that boost its atmosphere and suitability-for-study scores. The walls are lined with bookshelves, and there is a delightful stream of jazz music, offering students an inspiring working environment. If you want to pair your coffee with a dose of sunshine instead of studying, Ministry of Coffee also provides a large patio of yellow-accented tables outside the storefront.

If you’re in a place to splurge on your studying, Ministry of Coffee is the perfect place to visit.

Bluestone Lane – 3.7

Price and cost efficiency – 3.5

Convenience and accessibility – 4

Taste – 4

Atmosphere – 4

Suitability for study – 3

Bluestone Lane, another Australian-inspired shop, brings a distinctly coastal vibe to the urban buildings of Westwood. Ocean-hued tiles splash against white walls and are complemented by sandy wood tables. All the colors and furniture choices flow together seamlessly to gently remind you that despite the perpetual noise of construction and traffic, you are near a beach.

As I sat down and readied myself for the bitter bite that came with the previous cups on this list, I was surprised to find a smooth and sweet vanilla flavor. If you are just starting to take a dip into the world of coffee, Bluestone Lane presents a palatable option for those who are not yet accustomed to the bitter strength of coffee. But for more experienced coffee drinkers, there is a trade-off of strength for sweetness, as it did provide the boost of energy I was looking for.

While the coffee was satisfyingly sweet, it was the price that left a bitter taste in my mouth. Bluestone Lane actually is the second-most cost-efficient on this list at $0.44 per ounce, but the act of spending $7 on a cup of coffee is an unfortunate reminder that I could buy much more with $7 than a vanilla latte.

On the suitability-for-study scale, Bluestone Lane is much better suited for social needs than study needs. While there is an outlet at every indoor table, there are only a handful of tables, which limits your chances of finding an empty spot. The difference between study and social is also reflected in its clientele and prices, which contains few students and mostly workers or local residents.

Although it is not my first study choice, Bluestone Lane serves as a bright escape from the bustling city.

Espresso Profeta – 3.9

Price and cost efficiency – 3.5

Convenience and accessibility – 3.5

Taste – 4

Atmosphere – 5

Suitability for study – 3.5

Nestled between the Hammer Museum and Joe Biden’s taco stop of choice, Espresso Profeta is a charming neighborhood fixture that is the longest-standing coffee shop on this list. Open since 2006, the cafe continues to provide high quality coffee and friendly service for its regulars.

As the final stop on my Westwood coffee shop tour, I found Espresso Profeta to be the Goldilocks shop. Where Upside Down and Ministry of Coffee were too bitter, and Bluestone Lane was too syrupy, Espresso Profeta’s vanilla latte was just right – striking a bittersweet balance between strong espresso and subtle vanilla flavoring.

My flavorful coffee experience was further elevated by Espresso Profeta’s gorgeous interior that is sure to induce a severe case of main character syndrome. Blue-trimmed windowsills lined with hanging plants let in a diffused flood of natural light, highlighting the exposed brick walls of the hexagonal room. A mix of students and adults who are quietly working infuse the atmosphere with a productive energy. The only aspects preventing Espresso Profeta from a perfect suitability-for-study score are the lack of outlets and limited number of seats. If you are like me and are a previous owner of a 2017 MacBook Pro, your time studying at Espresso Profeta will be short-lived.

Although its cost efficiency is slightly worse than that of Bluestone Lane’s at $0.47 per ounce, the drink itself was $5.75, which feels like a better price for coffee than Bluestone’s $7. Despite the lower cost efficiency, Espresso Profeta makes a concerted effort to provide stellar service. Upon entering the shop, I was greeted by a friendly barista who took my order, and I got to pay after the drink was made. This simple inversion of the typical coffee shop workflow made for an amiable interaction that made me feel the warm sense of the community that Espresso Profeta cultivates.

Though it is a trek away, Espresso Profeta’s harmonious blend of personalized service, great coffee and productive ambience make the cup worth the walk.