¡Salud!

This shapeshifting destination spends its waking hours as a coffee shop. After 5pm, the lights dim, tapas dishes start flying out, and the drinks get stiffer.

The vibe: As if you were being dipped in terracotta clay, sitting in ¡Salud! manages to feel distinctly and vibrantly Latin without steering too hard into the Tulum Effect, taking over Los Angeles. During the day, the coffee shop bustles with locals working remotely, but in the evenings, it springs to life for events like a comedy show or their weekly loteria night.

The food: No matter the time, executive chef Dario Pantoja has the cure for whatever ails you. The daytime menu features showstoppers like a churro waffle and a loaded breakfast sandwich. The Latin tapas strike a balance between portion sizes and affordability, so the flavor can be the star. The Albondiga Burger left me nostalgic for the equator-hugging burgers of my youth (though it was hardly wagyu beef when I was nine). 

The drinks: The caffeinated drinks are presented with the same care as the evening’s cocktails, often served in stemware or other specialty glassware, such as the Nutty Mazapan Latte. The force carbonated Mami Chula, a Paloma-inspired cocktail, is popular with regulars, but the La Bruja is a drink that stays with you. The earthy, epazote-laden martini riff still feels like a martini while offering a depth of flavor typically avoided.

Time Out tip: The empanada options rotate out, but if you get lucky, a rare spinach-and-cheese empanada with the right ratio, texture, and a satisfying crunch awaits you.