The L.A. Cafe
Quick info
About The L.A. Cafe
On S Spring St in Los Angeles, The L.A. Cafe is a counter-serve cafe with scratch-made breakfast and sandwiches, working from a walk-up counter with display cases for pastries and grab-and-go sides and beverages. The lobster grilled cheese stands out as a recommended sandwich, alongside the LA Cafe Double Smash Burger and the Triple Nashville Platter, with kettle-fried potato chips served alongside. Steak tacos and California burritos also turn up on the 148-item menu, the latter a popular late-night order. Seating stays limited to a few counter stools inside, with sidewalk tables outside for those who want to sit. The cafe runs on a walk-in basis daily, and a wait is common, especially late at night. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables.
Good to know
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid multi-storey car park · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
148 dishes · mains $1–20- LA Cafe Double Smash Burger$18.95
- LA Cafe Spicy Double Smash Burger$19.95
- New Buzz Burger$18.95
- Mexicali Salad$19.95
- Triple Nashville Platter$19.95
- Chili Philly Cheesesteak$19.95
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention lobster grilled cheese panini, steak and mushroom panini, california burrito and homemade potato chips.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention lobster grilled cheese panini, steak and mushroom panini, california burrito and homemade potato chips.
Customer Review Summary
Sandwiches and paninis anchor the praise, led by a steak and mushroom panini with pesto, arugula and roasted tomato on focaccia, and a lobster and cheese panini big enough that half was filling. Reviewers note the paninis are best eaten fresh, since delivery softens the bread. Close behind are the Nashville chicken wrap, California burritos with steak and fries, chili cheese fries, and a Lumberjack plate with pancakes, eggs, bacon and tater tots. A vegan patty melt made with Impossible meat, the baked goods and the homemade chips also earn mentions. Complaints center on the very small space, with four counter stools inside, and on waits when it gets busy. One reviewer says an egg sandwich arrived without the requested lettuce and a credit was refused once they were home. Another says tables were not wiped between customers, and a few call it pricey. One diner describes being offered free smoothies after another customer's ordering mistake.
Customer Review Summary
Sandwiches and paninis anchor the praise, led by a steak and mushroom panini with pesto, arugula and roasted tomato on focaccia, and a lobster and cheese panini big enough that half was filling. Reviewers note the paninis are best eaten fresh, since delivery softens the bread. Close behind are the Nashville chicken wrap, California burritos with steak and fries, chili cheese fries, and a Lumberjack plate with pancakes, eggs, bacon and tater tots. A vegan patty melt made with Impossible meat, the baked goods and the homemade chips also earn mentions. Complaints center on the very small space, with four counter stools inside, and on waits when it gets busy. One reviewer says an egg sandwich arrived without the requested lettuce and a credit was refused once they were home. Another says tables were not wiped between customers, and a few call it pricey. One diner describes being offered free smoothies after another customer's ordering mistake.
Featured reviews
- Tess Cook
“We went here drunk after an event on a sunday night. Good food for sure! I asked for "the most popular vegan option" and it turned out to be the spicy vegan burger. I inhaled it, so good. I still dream about it. My bf got a grilled chicken plate which he also really liked. Great place to eat!”
- Melissa Rizo
“I love it here! Outdoor seating.. it's the quintessential DTLA cafe for locals.. they have everything and it's open super late. Am not gonna lie, I would've loved my egg sandwich a little more undercooked but I also didn't mention that when I ordered, and yes it's pricy but everything in LA is pricy right now.. overall am in love 💕”
- C
“Love Love Love!! I haven’t been to this place in person, I mainly ordered. But every time the quality is superb. The ingredients are fresh and the food/beverages are absolutely refreshing. Definitely recommend.”
- sandy hernandez
“My boyfriend and I we're looking for a breakfast spot and found this one, our first time as well! And it was great!!! We ordered the chili cheese fries, burrito and a Belgian waffle and we loved the food so much, we were shocked with every bite😭 best chili cheese fries I've ever tasted!!! Will come again🥹 the cashier was very kind too😆”
- nichole knight
“The breakfast was awful. There's not a lot of places to eat inside. We sat outside and there was unhoused people sitting out there too. The waffle was decent but everything else was nasty. It's kinda expensive too.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Counter-serve joint offering scratch-made breakfast and sandwiches, plus sidewalk seating.”
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Has no-contact delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Offers kerbside pickup
- Offerings· 9
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Serves healthy options
- Serves late-night food
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Parking· 3
- Paid multi-storey car park
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dining options· 7
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Crowd· 3
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Popular with university students
- Planning· 1
- Usually has a wait
- Service options· 2
- Offers delivery
- On-site services available
- Highlights· 4
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for· 5
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Location
Cafes near The L.A. Cafe
- Document Coffee Bar4.55593.6 mi$1–10
portrait gallery wall, oat milk latte, cortado
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The L.A. CafeVegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.32,307 | — | $10–20 | lobster grilled cheese panini, steak and mushroom panini, california burrito |
| Document Coffee Bar | 4.5559 | 3.6 mi | $1–10 | portrait gallery wall, oat milk latte, cortado |
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