6 favorite L.A. juice bars

Lately it seems like there’s no L.A. neighborhood without a juice bar. They’re expanding faster than you can say kale-avocado-cilantro-lemon-cucumber-caraway-jalapeno-celery smoothie. It’s no wonder. Fans of juice -- the kind often made with a press and filled with ingredients you’re as likely to find in a salad -- drink it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack (it’s not just for cleansing anymore). There are chains of juice bars such as Pressed Juicery, Kreation and Clover all over the Westside, as well as mom-and-pop shops in enclaves such as Los Feliz and Atwater Village. Where to get the most delicious juices? Here are six favorites:

1. The Punchbowl

The seasonal juices and smoothies at this Los Feliz shop owned by New York transplants (who worked at Manhattan juice bar One Lucky Duck) are downright culinary. For example, Meadow Greens with grapefruit, tarragon, dandelion, spinach, cucumber and pear. The menu change often based on what produce is available. 4645 Melbourne Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 666-1123, www.thepunchbowl.tumblr.com.

PHOTOS: The juice bars of L.A.

2. Sustain Juicery

This downtown juice bar uses an array of juicers, so not all the juice is pressed, but it is all made to order with organic fruit and vegetables. Some of the tastiest juice around. Juice cocktails are served in coupes and the staff are kind of like bartenders (whose levels of attentiveness vary). Check the chalkboard at the entrance for daily specials, such as the Mango Spice smoothie with mango, lime, banana, pineapple, carrot juice and a dash of cayenne. 548 S. Spring St. (entrance on 6th Street between Spring and Main), Los Angeles, (213) 488-1989, www.sustainjuicery.com.

3. JuiceFarm

A friendly Old Town juice bar with ready-to-go cold-pressed juices and house-made almond milk, bottled in glass. Shots are made at the bar and served with sliced fruit. Smoothies are made to order as well. Its signature might be the Whitney: parsley, spinach, kale, banana, whole grain oats, dates, walnuts, hemp protein, cinnamon and almond milk. 36 W. Colorado Blvd., Suite 7, Pasadena, (626) 844-7555, www.juicefarmcoldpressed.com.

MAP: 45 cold-pressed juice bars in L.A.

4. Erewhon Natural

Tucked into health-inclined market Erewhon, the juice bar here is friendly and has glass-bottled juices (such as its coconut Bulgarian rosewater) ready to go, or the staff will make you fresh juice in its open kitchen. 7660 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 937-0777, www.erewhonmarket.com.

5. Beverly Hills Juice

An L.A. original, Beverly Hills Juice has been selling pressed juices since 1975 and uses organic or pesticide- and fertilizer-free produce for its fruit and vegetable juices and signature Banana Manna shakes. 8382 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 655-8300.

6. Moon Juice

A stylish Venice juice bar with bottles of cold-pressed juice in punchy flavors such as fennel, frond and herb; cucumber, pineapple and jalapeno; turmeric root and red apple; cilantro, celery, green apple, lemon and ginger; and watermelon, tomato and lime. Summer in a bottle. 507 Rose Ave., Venice, (310) 399-2929.

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