there is no "best to interface with" but the best to do it's intended job . . . and the interface to (any suitable level translator)

 

Just in case consider also the 74HC4094 and 74HC595, both are serial input and serial / parallel output.

Cannot say the functional difference between them, if any.

 

I found this, looks ideal for the transmitter side. Directly drives LEDS and can be cascaded. http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tlc6c5912.pdf

 

I found this, looks ideal for the transmitter side. Directly drives LEDS and can be cascaded. http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tlc6c5912.pdf

Strike that, I just looked at the package size, no way could I prototype with that. I am not trying to design a smartphone.