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    Cafe Aficionado

    4.3 (467 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Cafe Aficionado Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE AFICIONADO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Aficionado

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    IG: happyfoodietown
    Vy D.

    Yummy cafe for cafe and eatery. They have a back to school combo for a dish and a drink for below $20. Great spot! I had: 1. Mini tapa plate 2. Tres leches latte 3. Pandan matcha 4. Dirty ube 2.0

    Stesent Special if your bring your student ID (9/17/26)
    Anna L.

    Ambience: its simple but cute inside, clean lots of tables and seating Service: friendly staff, service was good Food: i'm gonna be honest with this one, we ordered the longanissa plate, breakfast burrito (tapa) and the pandan matcha with oat mill. The longanisa plate ($15.49) - the price was $1.54 more than what is listed on their menu ($13.95) . The taste - it was really good! I love how garlicky and kinda sweet it taste. It came with 2 scoops of garlic rice. The plating was too simple - I wish it came with cucumber and tomato slices. The breakfast tapa burrito - its big, however, I though it was dry, the iver all combination of it just didn't have the "wow tbis is really good" but dont get ne wrong, it is still good but just not what we expected. Maybe if it was the longanissa burrito it could've taste better I think. The Pandan Matcha - this one is a wow for us. It's really good and you could actually taste the pandan flavor in it. Overall: we will go back still - afterall our experience was good and enjoyed our meal. They just probably need to uodate their menu prices so customers wont be surprise during time of payment.

    Beef Tapa Burrito
    Patrick W.

    I heard about this spot through social media over the last 6 months.... I had driven past several times over that time and hadn't found it but on this particular day I made extra effort and located it. Honestly, big and clear logo representation would help. There was another car of people that rolled up looking also. I glimpsed a Filipino flag which confirmed that I was in the right spot. The interior looked nice, although again, a nice big central logo of the cafe would in my opinion help the brand. They did have a feature wall with "uplifted" on it, as well as appearing in my bill which confused me. I also remember from social media advertising that they had a big choice of bakery items. I did not see anything more than a couple of muffin type options. I would note that I came on a public holiday which may or may not account for that. Anyways, staff seemed nice. My order took quite a while, considering there didn't seem to be many customers at this time. The expectations driven by hunger were definitely building. I had ordered a Beef Tapa Burrito. Upon initial sight it looked good and of an ok size. There was a good amount of meat inside, which also featured garlic rice and egg, in a wrap. Unfortunately for me, it needed something... Beef Tapa and Garlic Rice are both dry. It needs some kinda accompaniment of the sauce or vegetable kind.... maybe atchara (pickled veges) or something to balance the dryness. For the price of $16-$17 a little accompaniment might be nice. I was a bit disappointed here for value for money and palate satisfaction. I've tried this spot now and ticked it off my list, but I honestly probably won't be back. I hope they take this feedback on board.

    Drink menu
    Lucy O.

    I was looking for a good coffee shop around this area so I decided to try this spot. The pros are that the staff are welcoming and kind, there are plenty of seating areas, and I like that it's a Filipino cafe. However, it was very stuffy inside and your hair ends up smelling like the oils they use for cooking. I ordered the campfire latte and it was ok. I wasn't getting too much of the coffee flavor and it tasted more like chocolate milk to me with watered down coffee. It could use other flavors imo. I did like their decor and how they had pillows at their seating areas. There is parking right behind the building or on the street.

    dirty ube
    Noe V.

    I'm Mexican and initially thought this place would be a Hispanic owned business hence Aficionado, but I was in for a sweet surprise. I love this place berry berry much, my first time trying filipino food and the langoniza plate was bombb I got the dirty ube espresso and that also was bomb!! The two people working (Idrm their names sorryy) were very kind and welcoming the whole time. I love the vibe of this spot I can't wait to come back with friends and family

    Front door
    Doreen G.

    We were in the area and decided to give this spot a try, and I'm so glad we did! Everything was delicious, and we especially loved the food and coffee. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area!

    (Hot) Tres Leches Latte, (Cold) Pandan Matcha Latte
    James M.

    As a Filipino, walking into Cafe Aficionado felt just like home. They capture our culture and hospitality so authentically, and the food and drinks are on another level! * Tres Leches Latte: Rich, perfectly sweet, and easily one of the best specialty lattes I've ever had. * Nutella French Toast: Golden, fluffy, and pure comfort food perfection. I absolutely loved the vibe and the genuine warmth from the staff. A place I will visit again!

    Arturo P.

    Always love coming here! The staff are always so friendly and welcoming and willing to answer questions and provide recommendations. The vibes inside are so cozy and they're really spot on with their Filipino culture inspiration! The coffee is sweet and creamy and they have a wide array of options. They also gave a nice selection of Filipino breakfast foods and other food as well! Definitely recommend giving them a try and I really enjoyed their Tiramisu latte and the strawberry matcha was really good too!

    Aimee C.

    A lovely interior and lots of space, prices were steep for the drinks but that's to be expected with local coffee spots, the service was fast but I wasn't too fond of the coffee. I thought the espresso tasted a bit burnt and the syrup was kinda overpowering, regardless, I'm always happy to try out and support a local small valley business!

    carrot cake latte

    Absolutely incredible cafe all around! They have a great selection of breakfast items, and the most amazing lattes + coffees, including lots of yummy filipino inspired options! There is lots of seating and it's a cute spot to study nearby CSUN! (discounts offered for all students!) Their seasonal options are also so delicious, especially the carrot cake latte with cream cheese cold foam!!! (it's my all time fav :)) Staff is great, Samantha has helped me a few times and is super sweet + makes great coffees! Support your local cafe!

    Grace C.

    Visited last Sunday with my dad to get breakfast, and the food & drink options were great We ordered the breakfast croissant, longanisa, 2 dirty ube lattes, and a beef tapa to go. The staff were friendly, and I loved that they had community vendors propped up at the time we visited. However, with the DJ that was there, it was a little hard to communicate, but it didn't hinder our enjoyment of the place too much :) Aside from that, I adore that there were a few books talking about the Philippines, as well as nods to the culture through the decor like the traditional pamaypay fans and easy Tagalog at the register. This is a great spot for Filipinos to connect and give others a taste of the culture!

    Kat L.

    I don't know how this place has such high reviews, it was the worst place I've ever ordered food at. Right when you walk in it is so smokey in there and it smells like something is burning... I waited 45+ minutes for 2 matcha lattes, a french toast, and 1 other sandwich. Everything is on the expensive side compared to other cafes nearby. The french toast was still undercooked even though it took this long. The bacon in the sandwich was so burnt. The matcha tasted like seaweed--yes literally seaweed! I've never experienced that before. I will include pictures of the poor color it had, I wish I could give this place zero stars. Please save yourself the time, money, and expectations and eat somewhere else.

    Matcha latte
    Deisy R.

    The service was fantastic, there were two guys making the drink and they were very friendly and made me feel welcomed at the shop. The ambiance was also very nice, lots a people were there working or studying on their laptops. Service and ambiance were top notch. There is also a small parking lot on the side when you turn into the alley. I ordered an iced matcha latte. Unfortunately the latte was not good, perhaps they should consider taking it off their menu if the quality is not up to par. The latte was so so bitter, it tasted like they put too much of the non-ceremonial matcha from Costco. I did drink most of it but when I got to almost the bottom I couldn't finish it, it was chalky and the matcha was not dissolved properly. I could tell it wasn't going to be good as soon as I saw the color. My drink with oatmilk and tip came out to $9. Now a days, it's not an outrageous price for a good coffee shop drink but it is when the quality is not there. Overall I'm giving it 4 stars because again, the ambiance and service were great and all their other menu items look quite delicious.

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    1 year ago

    Nice place. Good service. Just horrendous tasting cappuccino. I hope for their sake this was a one off.

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    2 years ago

    Cute mom and pop shop, some fancy drinks and treats, wifi was good, worked in here for a few hours.

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    8 months ago

    My favorite place. All of the drinks are really good and high quality. I come here very often and the workers are really sweet!

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    Page 3 of 12

    Ask the Community - Cafe Aficionado

    Are you able to refill an outside reusable cup with a coffee order?

    Maybe! Doesn't hurt to ask and I don't see the problem with it. Better than wasting plastic cups :)

    I saw a picture with board games, are those still available to store customers?

    Yes we still have the games. And they are available for customers. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!!

    Is the cafe open on Saturdays or is it only open for specific pickups? I stopped by last Saturday at 9am, door was closed. Stayed in my car until 9:10am, Still was closed.

    They are open on Saturday's. They sometimes open a bit late though. Try parking & going in the back.

    Do they have oat milk?

    Yes, Cafe Aficionado has Oat Milk. I believe they replaced their coconut milk substitute they used to carry with Oat Milk, based on demand. Definitely recommend! 👍🏻

    Are there plenty of outlets?

    There are three available in the front of the store. Two of which have built in USB connection. Two outlets in the middle area & two in the back. Of the two in the back, One has built in USB connections and the other has a power strip connected. So… 

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    Girl & The Goat - Beet Salad

    Girl & The Goat

    4.4(2.5k reviews)
    21.8 miArts District, Downtown

    We came for Dine LA, and this was way above my expectations. I knew it would be a chef-y place,…read morebut I didn't expect to love my meal so much. Dinner was $70 per person and consisted entirely of shared plates. It turned out to be plenty of food. We started with the roasted shishito peppers and the crispy pork belly. That pork belly was the best dish of the night - absolutely delicious. Next came the chickpea fritters, which were also really good. The roasted beet salad was up next. I hate beets. But I still liked this. I wouldn't order it again because, yeah, I really don't like beets. But if you like them even a little, you should get this. I actually ate several bites of this, and it was nice. The Sichuan Chili Bass presented a similar situation as I don't really like fish - but again, I ate this and it was quite tasty. Dessert was a "s'mores" situation - a messy, glorious bowl of chocolate, meringue, graham cracker crunch and strawberries. Service was awesome - perfectly pacing the meal. My friend had a couple of cocktails which were gorgeous. And the room is lovely and light. I don't love the neighborhood and parking can be tough. I definitely would come early unless you're taking a taxi. Genuinely surprised how much I liked this meal. Everything was very well done and clearly made with care without seeming fussy or too precious. Highly recommend and would definitely come back. This is a place to take your out-of-town friends to.

    Girl & the Goat has been on my list mostly because I pass by it all the time and it always seems…read morepacked, so I finally decided to see what the hype was about. We made a reservation through OpenTable and arrived about 5 minutes early. They were able to seat us pretty quickly, so the whole check-in process was easy. The restaurant itself is beautiful and spacious, with tall ceilings and plenty of plants. At night, the lighting is moodier and gives the whole space a warm, buzzy atmosphere. Unfortunately, the restaurant itself was also literally warm lol. It wasn't unbearably hot, but definitely warmer than comfortable, especially while eating something like curry. Granted, it was 95°F+ outside that day, so maybe the AC was just fighting for its life. We ordered: * Goat liver mousse * Wood-fired broccoli * Pickled pepper blueberry cornbread * Lamb curry Surprisingly, I think the wood-fired broccoli was my favorite dish of the night. It had a really nice char with a slight tanginess that kept me going back for more. The cornbread and goat liver mousse were both just okay for me. I wanted the cornbread to be richer and more buttery, and the blueberry didn't come through nearly as much as I expected. The goat liver mousse was fine, but weirdly I almost wanted it to taste more like goat? For something centered around goat liver, the flavor felt pretty tame. The lamb curry had a nice curry flavor, but it was missing the depth and complexity I've had in really good curries. There also wasn't much actual lamb in the dish, which made it even harder for it to stand out. Overall, nothing we had was particularly bad, but aside from the broccoli, nothing made me think, "I need to eat this again." The space and interior honestly left a stronger impression on me than the food. Maybe we just didn't order the right dishes, because this place is clearly popular; but with so many other restaurants in the Arts District, I don't see myself choosing Girl & the Goat over them for a return visit.

    Photos
    Girl & The Goat - Whole Branzino

    Whole Branzino

    Girl & The Goat - Skirt Steak

    Skirt Steak

    Girl & The Goat - Duck Tartare

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    Duck Tartare

    The Rising Sun - Crispy Chicken Sliders

    The Rising Sun

    4.2(184 reviews)
    21.9 miArts District, Downtown
    $$

    If you've ever wondered what would happen if a chill LA patio and a New Orleans street parade had a…read morebaby, The Rising Sun is exactly that child, and it's thriving. The outdoor patio feels like you accidentally wandered into a breezy corner of the French Quarter. Warm lights, casual seating, and that "kick back and stay awhile" energy. Ordering through the app and picking up at the window makes you feel like you're part of a secret club, the kind where the password is "extra napkins, please." * Chicken Po' Boy, WOW...This thing is stacked. Crispy chicken, tangy sauce, and bread that holds everything together like it's doing core workouts. It's messy in the best way, the kind of sandwich that demands respect and maybe a bib. * Fully Loaded Cajun Tots, These tots don't play around. They show up dressed to impress, cheese, toppings, flavor, the whole squad. It's basically a tiny potato block party, and you're invited. * Beignets, very delicious, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and dusted with enough powdered sugar to make you question your laundry choices. One bite and suddenly you're hearing jazz horns in the distance. Their coffee game....Dangerously good. My boogie coffee drink - latter came out smooth, sweet, and caffeinated enough to make me consider running around the block a few times. It's the kind of drink that makes you shimmy in your seat and say, "Yeah... life is good." This place nails the New Orleans vibe without trying too hard. Great food, fun energy, and a patio that makes you forget you're in LA traffic territory. Come hungry, come curious, and definitely come ready for powdered sugar on your shirt. Miguel C.

    The rising sun is an interesting spot! It has a cool gothic vibe so if you want to fit in…read moredefinitely come dressed in black. It's a small self served restaurant with a limited menu that changes, since not everything we saw on yelp was available. When we visited the options were crispy chicken/hot link sliders, different variations of tots and beignets. We went with the crispy chicken sliders and loaded Cajun tots and they were both very flavourful and delicious. The chicken was well seasoned and crispy paired with tangy pickled vegetables and a tasty pretzel bun. The combination of flavours packed a punch but we did wish for a thicker slice of chicken. The tater tots were very well seasoned too and the sauces were yummy, something acidic would be a nice addition to cut through the fatty goodness. When we asked for utensils they didn't have any forks so they gave us one spoon and one knife. We made it work. Definitely want to come back to try other things on their menu whenever they rotate it.

    Photos
    The Rising Sun
    The Rising Sun - Beef burger sliders

    Beef burger sliders

    The Rising Sun - Patio area

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    Patio area

    Verve Coffee Roasters - Coffee gases..

    Verve Coffee Roasters

    4.0(568 reviews)
    21.8 miArts District, Downtown
    $$

    OAT MILK LATTE ICED:…read more -- nice balance of creaminess and boldness, maybe just a tad bolder than I like but very good -- quality java, nearly bought a sack -- very smooth -- not sour, nor bitter RATING = A Great interior design inside. So very modern LA. Street parking is vague and leaves you wondering if you will earn a ticket. There is a reference to "permit", but nothing was crystal clear as I recall.

    Hello! Just…read moreupdating my previous review. My wife and I live and work in the neighborhood and we've been coming here for almost 2 years. The coffee is incredible. I get the Purple Fruit and Wilder Blend pour over and my wife gets the Purple Fruit as well. She also drinks the mocha, peppermint tea or Moroccan ice tea... About a month ago, one of the managers here Jason introduced me to these drinks so I bought the Purple Fruit beans and a pour over kit and started drinking it at home in the mornings since we both get up early. My wife tried it and she loved it. She asked me to get a few bags incase they run out so I did! I buy Verve coffee for my team and people in our building all the time. I enjoy buying good coffee for others as much as I enjoy drinking it myself. Their lattes and mochas are really good too. I also bought some beans for my mother in law so she can share it with her friends back home in Seoul and she said they loved it! My coffee game has been elevated and I loveeee it! Bonnie, thank you soo much for the thoughtful birthday message on the cup. She gave me the Wilder leftover on a shot cup and it was the first time I took a "shot" in 4 years. I had a nice chat with Ed about gratitude and counting our blessings. Jason and Brian have a lot of deep knowledge and experience with coffee. The team here really work hard and really know and enjoy their coffee. We are not perfect but they still strive to serve us everyday. We are truly lucky to be served by you and you make our day better whether we realize it or not. It's an experience and an adventure. It is personable and natural. Really excellent and exceptional service all around. Thank you to everyone. Jason, Brian, Ed, Matt, Anthony, Daniel, Agia, Pars, Ale, Bonnie, Kayla, Alex, Ozy and the rest of the crew. Cheers!

    Photos
    Verve Coffee Roasters - Interior. 3/28/2025

    Interior. 3/28/2025

    Verve Coffee Roasters - Breakfast burrito and matcha latte

    Breakfast burrito and matcha latte

    Verve Coffee Roasters - Espresso Tonic

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    Espresso Tonic

    Bike Shed Moto Co - Los Angeles - Ham Hock & Mushroom Mac & Cheese

    Bike Shed Moto Co - Los Angeles

    4.4(683 reviews)
    21.9 miArts District, Downtown
    $$
    Vegan friendly
    Kid friendly

    Food, service, and ambience are all 5/5 stars! The only thing that sucked was the parking. This…read morepart of LA just sucks to park at in general. We had to park around the corner in a really disgusting area that was full of trash, dog poop and smelled really terribly of urine and sewage. That being saidddd! The Shepard's Pie was sooo good, it is my new favorite. Served in a skillet, it was a big, piping hot portion that's enough for 2 whole meals! It paired absolutely beautifully with a pint of their Bike Shed Brew. I felt like I was in London, spot on! The only thing I would add is some HP Sauce and/or Tabasco. I waited 10 years to finally check this place out and it was absolutely worth it! I'd love to bring people, my girlfriend even said it would be an amazing wedding venue, we just wish they had a better parking situation.

    The employees seemed nice and friendly, but service felt really rushed even though the restaurant…read morewas pretty dead. Our waiter also forgot our second round of drinks. Gave us our check so we just decided to leave. We originally came in because we loved a lot of their vegan options: the zucchini fries, mint pea hummus, Brussels sprouts, wild mushroom salad, etc. Sadly, have been discontinued. I really wish they would bring some of them back because they were always a staple for us, especially when grabbing drinks at the bar. We also used to love having them with a Lane Splitter, which they unfortunately don't carry anymore either. Overall, it just doesn't feel like the same experience it used to be. ):

    Photos
    Bike Shed Moto Co - Los Angeles - Top shelf spirits on display.

    Top shelf spirits on display.

    Bike Shed Moto Co - Los Angeles - Grilled broccoli

    Grilled broccoli

    Bike Shed Moto Co - Los Angeles - The couches are comfy.

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    The couches are comfy.

    Sampa - A perfect bite of the ube cheesecake

    Sampa

    4.4(728 reviews)
    21.6 miArts District, Downtown
    $$$

    Amazing experience. My wife and I decided to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary at Sampa. Peter…read moreand his staff were super gracious and friendly hosts for the evening. The food was incredible too. The duck and crab rice blew us away. They take a lot of pride in their craft cocktails which also stole the show. Ube clarified drink was 1 of a kind. 10/10 must try!

    Located right in the heart of the Arts District, Sampa is one of those LA restaurant that's trendy,…read morehigh‑end, and still feels warm and welcoming. The kind of spot where you walk in and immediately think, Yep... this is where you bring someone you're trying to impress. The ambience hits that perfect balance of modern, moody, and stylish, a little sexy, a little artsy, and fully date‑night certified. Service was on point the entire night, for my experience, maybe cause they know I was was going to tip very heavily. Ha ha ha. Which ai did by the way! Staff was attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being pretentious. The team here knows the menu inside and out, and they guide you like they're curating an experience rather than just taking an order. Drinks topped off, plates cleared smoothly, pacing perfect. High‑end feel without the high‑end attitude. Let's talk about the food. Filipino Fusion Done With Swagger Ribeye Salpicao, This dish is straight-up dangerous. Tender ribeye cubes seared with garlicky, buttery goodness, the kind of salpicao that makes you rethink every bite you have. Rich, savory, and addicting. If you don't guard your plate, someone at the table will steal a piece. "Because I know I would!" Rockfish Pritong, it was crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside, and seasoned like someone's Filipino auntie whispered the secrets of life into the batter. Bright, punchy flavors with that perfect crunch. Definitely a sleeper hit. Crispy Duck Pancit, This one is wild, pancit with a crispy duck twist that somehow feels both comforting and elevated. The noodles soak up all that savory duck richness, and the crispy skin on top. Wow, a moment of silence for how good that bite is. Papaya Salad, so fresh, bright, and refreshing. A perfect palate reset between the heavier dishes. Crunchy, citrusy, and balanced, the kind of salad that actually earns its spot on the table. Grilled Eggplant Salad, smoky, silky eggplant with a char that tastes like it came straight off a backyard grill in Manila. Light but flavorful, and a great contrast to the richer plates. Pasta Palabok, a true Filipino classic reimagined. Creamy, savory palabok sauce wrapped around pasta instead of noodles, bold move, but it works. The textures are luxurious, and the flavors stay true to the original. Tare Tare Tamale, definitely one of the most creative dishes of the night. A fusion tamale with tare flavors that hit sweet, salty, and umami all at once. Soft masa, rich filling, and a flavor combo that makes you pause mid‑bite. "Mmmm hmmm!" Hamachi, so clean, fresh, and beautifully plated. The kind of hamachi that melts instantly and makes you feel fancy even if you're wearing sneakers. Of course I had my dress shoes on. It has bright citrus notes and just the right amount of heat. Sampa nails the high‑end, artsy vibe without feeling stiff. Trendy lighting, modern décor, and a soundtrack that keeps the energy fun. Perfect for date night, anniversaries, or when you want to look like you know the cool spots in LA. Sampa is Filipino fusion with confidence, bold flavors, gorgeous plating, and an atmosphere that elevates the whole night. If you're trying to impress your significant other, celebrate something special, or just treat yourself to a killer meal in the Arts District, this place delivers. "Always remember the energy you give ...is the energy you receive. One bite at a time! " Miguel C.

    Photos
    Sampa - Bar area

    Bar area

    Sampa - Kare-kare tamales

    Kare-kare tamales

    Sampa - Crab omelette

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    Crab omelette

    Sandcouch Cafe - Have you tried out our breakfast sandwiches? Lots of options to get you going in the morning!

    Sandcouch Cafe

    4.4(129 reviews)
    20.5 miDowntown
    $$
    25 years in business
    Free WiFi

    After a late night out, the hubs and I needed something reasonably close and yummy for breakfast…read more We were staying at the Hotel Per La so I sent my hubs to grab and our food to bring it back to our hotel room. My breakfast burrito was good. My husband's breakfast sandwich was better so halfway through we traded. Service was great. Ambiance was nice.

    I'll be honest here, I kind of wanted to hate this place ever since I almost went a few months back…read morebut changed my mind when I saw six people wearing fedoras at a table and wanted nothing to do with that, but here we are, months later giving this place another real shot. My wife and I stopped here a few weekends back for lunch and I was pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed the food. The ambiance here is pretty generic, white and bright and very copy and paste of a lot of places popping up recently. The staff was super friendly while taking our orders and dropping the food off, which is always appreciated. I ended up ordering the Santo's Turkey Melt which is smoked turkey, grilled onions, Swiss cheese, and chipotle aioli served on sourdough with a side of french fries. The sandwich was really good and the same can be said for the french fries and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of fries given, so thumbs up to that. I forgot what the food costs so I visited the website and for some reason they don't think it's important to put that online, which is pretty darn stupid if you ask me. Overall, I didn't have a bad experience at Sandcouch Cafe and I would visit again in the future thanks to it's convenient location. The food was solid and the staff was friendly, and that's really all I need when ordering a sandwich.

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    Sandcouch Cafe - Try out Johnny's Breakfast Sandwich; the swiss cheese and chipotle aioli make this no ordinary ham+egg+cheese sandwich.

    Try out Johnny's Breakfast Sandwich; the swiss cheese and chipotle aioli make this no ordinary ham+egg+cheese sandwich.

    Sandcouch Cafe
    Sandcouch Cafe

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    Prank - Boneless Chicken Tenders

    Prank

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    20.4 miDowntown
    $$

    This is one of my favorite spots to meet up with friends for a casual get together when in the…read moreDowntown LA area! It's conveniently located to the LA Convention Center, Crytpo.com arena, and LA Live which makes it a must visit before or after an event! I am obsessed with their happy hour, which offers healthy items at discounted prices with generous portions! I have been here so many times throughout the years but most recently found myself here during a busy World Cup match! Regardless, the service and quality of food was not sacrificed! I was greeted as soon as I got there and the bartenders were overwhelmed but still friendly and helpful. I was so tempted to get a margarita, since theirs are amazing, but decided to keep it dry and just get their vegan nachos. I was able to score a table outside on their lovely patio, which felt secluded enough from the main street. My food was brought out quicker than I thought and I was delighted, as I was famished! The vegan nachos here are fantastic and the happy price is only $10, which is a steal for what you get! They are costed in the most magical concoction of a bean puree, cashew cheese sauce, and guacamole which all have the most creamy, luscious and savory flavors. It's so hearty and well seasoned and not only filling, but you feel great after. Parking is pretty easy, as there are usually ample meters available nearby. I cannot wait to return again soon the next time I'm in Downtown LA! I am hoping to try more of their vegan options and next time I will for sure get a drink to go along with their delicious food!

    Prank has a fun atmosphere and a great location in DTLA, but my experience was a bit mixed. The…read morecocktails didn't quite live up to expectations. I ordered the Espresso Martini, and it tasted pretty watered down and lacked the bold coffee flavor I was hoping for. On the bright side, the food was definitely the highlight. The mussels were flavorful, the calamari was crispy and cooked well, and the fries were delicious. Those dishes really saved the experience . Overall, I'd come back for the food, but I'd probably steer clear from cocktails and order a real drink. Prank is a convenient place for dtla residents in surrounding apartments to come get some quick bites and drinks and catch a live game

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    Prank
    Prank - Nachos

    Nachos

    Prank - Happy hour marg

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    Happy hour marg

    Distrito Catorce

    Distrito Catorce

    4.2(46 reviews)
    22.2 miBoyle Heights

    Distrito Catorce is a gem in Boyle Heights that delivers on all fronts. The food was outstanding!…read moreFresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, with authentic flavors and quality ingredients that stood out from the first bite to the last. The ambiance was welcoming and the art was tasteful. What truly elevated the experience was the service. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making us feel genuinely welcomed throughout the meal. They were quick to offer recommendations and ensured everything was perfect without being intrusive. We ordered the tostaditas de atún agua chile negro, beet salad, carne asada taco and Al pastor taco and watched the World Cup game. Distrito Catorce combines exceptional food, a great atmosphere, and top-notch service. It's the kind of place that leaves you planning your next visit before you've even finished your meal. Definitely plan on coming back to watch more World Cup games.

    I knew heading into Distrito Catorce that I wanted to see three things . The closing art exhibit,…read morehear the live band, and finally try Chef Jonathan's menu. It was basically a grand slam. To be honest, I was already biased because his Smorgasburg pop-ups were consistently good. But Distrito Catorce is different , it's like art. My favorite dish was the tacos de papa with salsa macha. The crunch of the potato taco riding into the salsa macha and crema felt like home, but with some extra pop. His salsa game is on point. The scallion salsa on the ribeye taco was also gas. Lastly, I really dug the tostadita de atún. It hit perfectly on these hot summer days. Low-key, I still want to try the El Rey de Noche. Tacos de beef trompo are starting to hit LA, and dude was ahead of the curve making picanha-brisket tacos de trompo. Service is smooth too. The servers are helpful, and solid at the bar. Overall, it's a cool spot with a menu that feels unique to LA.

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    Distrito Catorce - Art counter entrance a safe space   Paint & Brunch at Distrito Catorce  Facilitated by Liliflor Art

    Art counter entrance a safe space Paint & Brunch at Distrito Catorce Facilitated by Liliflor Art

    Distrito Catorce
    Distrito Catorce - LA city line

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    LA city line

    Manuela - Manuela now open for curbside pick up and delivery via Tock.

    Manuela

    4.2(2.4k reviews)
    21.5 miArts District, Downtown
    $$

    Inside Hauser & Wirth in downtown LA …read more We had Brunch at Manuela Place was all packed, glad we found seats at the bar. Crunchy biscuits are super puffy sugar beignets are popular among the tables Both came with orange jam which is sooo yummy. I ate both jars! popover Benedict is highly recommended. A lighter version of Dutch baby. Plenty street parking and paid parking lots around the art gallery.

    Dinner at Manuela was such a treat! Everything I tried was delicious, and I'm already looking…read moreforward to going back. I started with the cream biscuits, butter, and country ham, which were absolutely delicious. The market lettuce with pickled carrots, ricotta salata, hazelnuts, coriander, and buttermilk dressing was fresh, flavorful, and equally impressive. I also ordered the Liberty duck breast with wild mountain huckleberry jus, Asian pear, and spruce tip salt. The duck was very good, but the dish that really had my mouth watering and wanting more was the Italian sweet peppers with poblano cream, green chorizo, Cotija, breadcrumbs, and cilantro. So flavorful and satisfying! To finish, I had the banana pudding with macadamia nuts. It was beautiful and absolutely delicious--a perfect ending to the meal. I'll definitely be back to try more items on the menu. Manuela did not disappoint! The service was great and the drinks were strong.

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    Manuela - Now offering Wine & Beer for takeaway and delivery.  Visit our website for more details.  manuela-la.com

    Now offering Wine & Beer for takeaway and delivery. Visit our website for more details. manuela-la.com

    Manuela - Cast Iron Cornbread, Steen's Butter

    Cast Iron Cornbread, Steen's Butter

    Manuela - Black Beans Chilaquiles, Crema, Fried Egg, Radish, Cilantro, Queso FrescoChilaquiles

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    Black Beans Chilaquiles, Crema, Fried Egg, Radish, Cilantro, Queso FrescoChilaquiles

    Cafe Aficionado - coffee - Updated September 2026

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