From breakfast burritos to baked goods to the perfect cup of coffee, the cafes of Los Angeles offer great places to relax and enjoy a good meal. And if you’re looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city, spending some time at these local favorite cafes is one of the best ways to de-stress on a busy day.
Do you and your friends like discovering local cafes with a strong community presence? Then download the GiftYa electronic gift card and gain access to dozens of cafes across the LA area. In the mood for a fancy dinner or exciting attraction? The GiftYa electronic gift card also gives you access to Los Angeles’ best restaurants, attractions, and shops. With so many options, it’s the perfect way to hang out with your friends.
1300 S San Pedro St. Ste 111 | Downtown
Want to enjoy some great sandwiches at a relaxing spot? Café Sprout is well known for their deli/café which serves great sandwiches and quesadillas. You can also order a nice salad and breakfast and expect fast and friendly service. Convenience store snacks and drinks are also available, but you’ll probably want to order something from their coffee or tea menu if you want a more personal touch.
“It’s a great local place and it’s far enough from the bustle of the fashion district if you’re looking for a quiet spot to lunch!” — Yelp Review
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807 E. 12th St. Ste 249 | Downtown
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, Café Anzio offers a variety of different ethnic cuisines. You can order American, Italian, and even Thai style dishes. Dine on breakfast burritos, pastas, steaks, and very big salads. Meals are attractive and made with fresh ingredients. And don’t forget to order a cup of Thai tea!
“This place is great. They do Italian, Thai, American Classics too.” — Yelp Review
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401 E Pico Blvd | Downtown
If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, pay a visit to Café Esquinita. A popular spot with the locals, this café is known for offering great Mexican dishes made fresh and for fair prices. Try their tacos, breakfast sandwiches, tortas, and hamburgers. You can even order beer and wine while taking a break from your busy day. A nice place to have lunch.
“Great Mexican food, fair prices. Lots of local families seem to eat here.” — Yelp Review
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134 Japanese Village Plz Bldg E | Little Tokyo, Downtown
Ready to add something sweet to your lunch? Café Dulce is both a café and bakery specializing in baked goods like French baguettes, cakes, and their popular Green Tea Donuts. You can also order sandwiches and salads here as well as the ever-popular breakfast burrito. Naturally, Café Dulce also serves a variety of delicious coffee drinks, including the iced matcha latte with oat milk and Dulce latte.
If you’re in the mood for something different though, try their Vietnamese Style Iced Coffee (dated #2 in Los Angeles by LA Weekly). You can also try their other specialty drinks, including the Organic Masala Chai Latte or Hong Kong Style Milk Tea. If you’re in Little Tokyo and want to taste some of the best pastries in town, Café Dulce should definitely be on your list.
“Delicious bakery located inside the Japanese village in Little Tokyo.” — Yelp Review
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639 N. Larchmont Blvd | Larchmont/ cafegratitude.com
You’ll be glad you paid a visit to Café Gratitude, a store that’s been offering Angelenos great tasting meals since 2011 at its Larchmont location in Hollywood. Offering both vegetarian and vegan options, Café Gratitude regularly serves up delectable meals like their Kelp Noodles, Indian Curry Bowl, or Pad Thai. Dessert options include their raw vegan tiramisu. Diet conscious diners can also order gluten, dairy, and egg free options.
Offering a friendly, positive atmosphere (and the chance to meet a Hollywood star on a lunch break), Café Gratitude adds some great energy to your day.
“This place is my favorite place in LA. I literally came here straight from the airport when I got into town.” — Yelp Review
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410 E. 2nd St. Honda Plaza | Little Tokyo, Downtown/ eatatalohacafe.com
Located in Little Tokyo, Aloha Café gives you a chance to enjoy freshly made Hawaiian food during your stay in Los Angeles. A family business dedicated to offering great island-style food and the Aloha spirit, you’ll be able to order many made-to-order meals including the Ramen cabbage salad, Kal B beef, and spam musubi.
Both take out and indoor dining is currently available at the Aloha Café. Catering options are also available if you’re looking to host a party.
“Hawaiian/Japanese comfort food that satisfies your most decadent brunch cravings. It has the kind of menu that is difficult to choose from because everything is so enticing.” — Yelp Review
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116 Judge John Aiso St. | Little Tokyo, Downtown/ jistcafe.com
Since the 1920s, Little Tokyo has been enjoying JiST Café’s savory dishes. Today, current owner and chef Glen Ishii has been running the café for almost 10 years. A third-generation chef, Ishii continues to offer classics like the chashu hash dish while adding all new delectable delights like the crème brûlée batter brioche French toast. Other current specialties include the Super Huge Breakfast Burrito and Shrimp Curry Omurice. Vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions will be glad to know there are vegetarian dishes, like the Angeleno Veg Scramble, and gluten-free options on the menu.
JiST Café offers many specialty drinks, including the Café Cado (with Vietnamese coffee) and Vanilla Cream Cold Brew as well as a number of lattes and fruit drinks. You’ll also be pleased to know that patio dining is available from Thursday through Sunday, although indoor dining is currently unavailable.
“The food here is phenomenal! The right mix of savory and sweet.” — Yelp Review
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2745 Beverly Blvd. | Westlake
Serving customers since 2007, Dante’s Café offers great tasting Latin-inspired dishes to Angelenos and visitors. Made fresh every day, some of the most favorite dishes here include the lemon chicken breast plate and mango salad, with chicken, avocados, lettuce, tomatoes, and mangos. Their salsa also earns top marks, and customers can also choose from both vegetarian and vegan options.
If you’re looking to service a larger group, Dante’s Café also offers catering services for not only businesses but also reunions, meetings, and other events. Catering includes delivery service, utensils, and drinks.
“They serve great tasting and relatively healthy Latin American food here. The food is made fresh on the spot at all times.” — Yelp Review
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580 Mateo St. | Arts District, Downtown/ zinccafe.com
Taking the name “Zinc” from the word used for Parisian cafes during the war, Zinc Café & Market has been offering delicious and incredibly attractive food dishes to its customers since 1988. Now located in multiple areas in California, the vegetarian café in LA’s Arts District offers outdoor dining, daily specials, and a pet-friendly atmosphere.
You’ll be able to enjoy brunch every day of the week here, with delicious dishes like their asparagus and cauliflower toast, vegetarian sausage and fennel pizza, and sprouted garlic hummus with vegetables. As a vegetarian café, Zinc offers plenty of creative, delicious and healthy choices from its spinach lasagna to its Thai salad. If you like good food served in an attractive environment, Zinc Café & Market will delight you.
“Such a cute place for brunch… Every single room and outside is soooo cute and nicely decorated.” — Yelp Review
