Loyal Customer Since 2015 I've been a loyal customer at Mak since around 2015-2016. This place has been part of my journey through high school, college, and now adulthood -- which is why I'm truly disappointed by my recent experience. During my last visit, the waiter's tone and attitude were surprisingly dismissive. When my friend and I used the call button to request a menu, she told us we "didn't need to use it" and could "just go to the front to ask for one." In nearly 10 years of coming here, no staff member has ever spoken to us that way. It was clear she didn't want to take our order or engage with us, which left us feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome. I didn't catch her name, but this experience honestly makes me hesitant to return -- something I never thought I'd say after so many great years at Mak. I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously and addresses it promptly. read more

One thing I've got to say this place is that there is a lot of seating area if you're looking for a place to study at. The ambiance provides the perfect mood for studying with its homey feeling with warm lights. I ordered the black sesame latte with onion rings. Both in which were delicious and was able to get a lot of my studying done. One thing I would recommend though is the lower the speaker volume as the music was too loud at some points. Overall, great experience and will be coming back to study here more in the future! read more

Cafe Mak - Onion rings - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It's a great place to study. Get work done have some food and have coffee. Low-key vibes.

Good place for getting work done. Parking can be hectic. WiFi doesn't work sometimes. read more

Cafe Mak - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I came here after dinner so didn't have any of the main dishes on the menu, so this review is just for the drinks and snacks. I had a black sesame latte, and it was very overwhelming. The latte is over saturated with black sesame - there was just not enough milk to dissolve all of the sesame - that I could taste the texture of the sesame seeds. This made the consistency of the drink rather unpleasant. Because it was so oversaturated, the drink was borderline bitter. About half way through the drink, the consistency was better. It became less saturated because the ratio of black sesame to milk became more even and it lost its bitter taste. I've had smoother, more balanced black sesame lattes at other places, so I don't think I'd get this one again if I were to come back. I also had a loose leaf green tea, and the tea was just served in a paper cup, which was not what I was expecting. I was expecting actual tea leaves and a pot of hot water and an empty cup, but instead it was just diluted tea water that barely had any taste. There was no way to verify if actual loose tea leaves were used because for all I know, they could have just used tea bags in the back. I also got the black sesame tofu chips, and they were honestly just like tortilla chips with a tiny hint of sesame flavor. They didn't really stand out. I think with a dipping sauce it could have worked better but I'm not sure if that was the intent there. Overall, my impression is that the drinks are rather questionable. But I'd be willing to try some of their main dishes sometime in the future if I ever stumble upon this place again. read more

Cafe Mak - Black sesame latte and black sesame tofu chips - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My friend and I come to this cafe a lot to study. I absolutely love the interior and how kitschy it is. It's like you're inside of a little restaurant at the Venetian in Las Vegas lol. Every time I come I have to order the strawberry matcha. I don't know what they put in it but it's one of the best ones I've had. This time I decided to try the kimchi carbonara and I was so shocked on how good it was. First, the presentation was beautiful. The little garlic bread it came with was perfectly seasoned and buttery, and it had a surprising bit of sweetness added to it! The pasta was perfectly creamy and was packed with a lot of vegetables and kimchi. Everything I've had here is absolutely phenomenal and I think I will keep thinking about this pasta until I can come back here again! read more

Cafe Mak - Kimchi Carbonara - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Nice ambiance and study environment. Restaurant and library all together so can be hard if you are planning to come for one reason. read more

Cafe Mak - Salted Caramel Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I'm a big fan of Yuja Cha (citron tea) and Cafe Mak's wasn't the exception. The price for the tea was a bit steep at ~$7; however, it's a reasonable price to pay for a great environment to study or work for a few hours. Service was provided through a button system, which was great for focusing on studies and work. Unless service is requested, patrons are left to whatever they're focusing on. As evening fell, Cafe Mak seemed to become more lively and the food smelled delicious. I look forward to experiencing this aspect of the cafe during a future visit. read more

Cafe Mak - Yuja Cha (~$7) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Soo glad I stumbled upon this cafe! Truly an amazing place to get work down. It's so hard to find a cafe that is a good work space with enough outlets, right atmosphere, good food and drinks and Cafe Mak checks every box. They also have a small free parking lot in the back which is a plus especially in Koreatown. Their Cafe Mak combo of buy one entree get a non alcoholic drink 40% off is a pretty good deal. I got the creamh chicken pasta and it was delicious with a generous portion. I also got the iced sesame latte which was pretty good too. Not only was the food good, but Cafe Mak seemed to be designed specifically for people to study. Every table had multiple outlets and there were a lot of cozy little nooks for peace and quiet. Outside seating was also available! I like how you ring a bell to get a server to come over instead of having someone stop by and potentially disrupt you while you're deep in focus. Wifi was fast and restrooms were so clean! Will definitely be back :) read more

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The waitress is of poor attitude. She is not offering good service and responds too slow.

I came to this place during a hot summer day. The AC was not working and service not good. They do have tons of seating area but the service was not good. We sat for over 30 minutes and no one took our order. When we used the ringing service, no one came. I can't say much for their food as we never placed an order. We left right after. read more

Amazing place to study at. The vibe is great with many tables to sit at. Perks is they are open late. The only downside is it is not the place to be in a hot summer day. Their AC isn't strong in the seating area but the bathrooms are cold. The food never disappoints. My favorite is the kimchi carbonara. read more

Cafe Mak - Mak Tteokbokki and Kimchi Carbonara - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Best Strawberry matcha in the world! great service! best manager too! love this place

Coming from a food&beverage background- I understand the frustration servers can get from the time limit/order $ituation... the day we visited, the servers were super agitated, I was lowkey terrified to ask for anything, cant feel offended by it... but honestly, deep breath- the shift does come to an end!... strawberry milk, food is bomb, and cool joint to hang out. read more

Extremely rude servers, unventilated common areas, and the food was subpar. Uncomfortable seating. The worst server was this girl in her early 20's, walked right past me when I asked for service multiple times. She was extremely unhelpful read more

i actually think they improved! still great vibes. they downsized the menu a little which isnt bad but some of my favorites were gone unfortunately. food isnt the best here but itll do, it's a great spot for work/study and even group work. lots of nice seating and have parking. my personal fav really read more

Cafe Mak - Shrimp Spaghetti with Spicy Chili Tomato Sauce and Mak Korean Style Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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good cafe for studying and food are good. service depends on the day. sometimes the waiter's attitude make me feel like i owe her money...

I went for lunch yesterday, but the female server was very rude and lacked basic manners. It made the experience so uncomfortable that I ended up leaving before finishing my meal. I won't be coming back. read more

Very friendly service, allowed dogs outside on the patio but not indoors which is fair. Standard cafe pricing, but you get 40% off a (non-alcoholic) drink if ordering a main menu item. We ordered the Kimchi Fried Rice & the Beef Griddle Noodles. The fried rice was great, but unfortunately cannot say the same about the noodles. They were a bit plain. Ambiance was nice and pretty calm on a regular Saturday at 3 PM. read more

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Great space. Cozy vibes with a lot of room to work. A hidden gem to say the least. I can get lost in the drink menu. 10/10 recommend the strawberry Affogato and strawberry matcha. I should have got the coffee shake to go tbh. read more

Cafe Mak - Cafe Mak - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Such a cute cafe with parking in the back and outlets. The waffle ice cream was so good I devoured it hella quick. It's cute for doing work and chatting. Lots of seatings in and outdoors. I like the comfy sofa. One staff was nice and the other staff is not too friendly, I did read that from other reviews too but overrall, I like the cafe for the chill vibe read more

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this is the cutest spot to post up and work - they've got wifi, outlets, and PARKING? unheard of ngl. i got the mak korean style coffee and let me tell you, im locked tf in ‍ ben recommended iced but apparently it's also fire hot, so choose your fighter based on the weather. we also got the sampler trio bc the gworls require fried treats when working HARD and everything was hot and seasoned and delicious, served along with 3 sauces (ranch marinara and ketchup). everything came out super quick - thanks ben for the attentive service ! it's easy to order too, each table has its own button to let the staff know when you're ready for more - which you will be, trust. my friend got the strawberry matcha scone and demolished it in seconds (love u girlie, that's how u know it's hella good) can't wait to put in some late night work sessions here! they even have a little library area which is SO CUTE!! vibes immaculate ngl. read more

Hidden gem in the heart of Ktown with an extensive menu and a ton of seating! Service was very friendly and fast with a serene indoor bar and sitting space plus patio outside. The drinks were all on the steeper side averaging $8 a glass, but were pretty good. Wish they had some more affordable options. read more

Cafe Mak - Plum Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I have been here lots of times. This spot is a nice place to study and the food here is not bad. But the security guy is super rude, condescending and aggressive. It's a very unpleasant experience to talk to him and even make me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. I'm unsure I will visit again because I don't want to have the unpleasant experience again. read more

The menu is completely different now! Everything is upcharged and the good items like the honey brick toast are gone! The entire place is so unorganized. I was told that the bigger table (the only one open at the time) required my friend and I to order 5 items! That's a little ridiculous considering how expensive everything is now and how it tastes like instant food! This would be an annoyance but I walked by to use the bathroom later and saw two people seated, each ordering one thing. This place is just so understaffed and unorganized now. The previous employees who worked here are gone, and the feel of the place is completely different now. The bathroom was out of toilet paper and out of seat covers. The wifi was not working. The only plus is that they open late and offer free parking. The kitchen also closes two hours before they close. This is understandable but I don't understand why they don't advertise this to their tables or have it on the menu anywhere (at least nowhere I saw) I used to religiously go here, but I think management is not prioritizing service or costs. The staff was not very friendly-likely due to how insanely short staffed they are. There were two or three people running the ENTIRE place. All I can say is I hope the staff is paid adequately for how rough their job is. I will be taking my business elsewhere, and I honestly encourage you to do the same, especially if you are a college student (there are cheaper places to do work that open late in the city that have better management) If you do come here then make sure you tip your servers well they deserve that and so much more! read more

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Super cute space with quiet nooks for focused work or bigger tables in another room for small groups to meet or catch up. The staff was friendly and helpful. They were patient as we chose our beverages and then brought everything to our table quickly. The drink I got (citrus tea) was a bit sweet for my taste. But my guest thoroughly enjoyed her tea. read more

First time here. Loved the house made vanilla iced late. Plenty of parking. Staff is friendly. read more

Cafe Mak - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is a wonderful late night spot in LA, that I wish I knew about a long time ago. I'm always looking for a "third space" where I can get some work down outside my home. This is a massive and busy cafe in the heart of Koreatown. I didn't know what to expect, but loved just how bustling this place was, even on a Wednesday night at 9 PM! You seat yourself, and press a button on the table to order. The menu includes a wide range of coffee, tea, wines and cocktails along with food. I ordered a bulgogi sandwich and a glass of cabernet. The cab was drinkable. The best? Not really but I still enjoyed it. The bulgogi sandwich was edible. Was it the best sandwich, definitely not. It came out quickly and the bread was pretty dry. The bulgogi wasn't very flavorful and it was served in a styrofoam to-go container, which was a little odd. Even though the food was less than stellar, I enjoyed the experience, the late night option, and the buzz of the place with students and others working late. I will definitely come back. And hopefully I'll find some better food options. Or at least, will enjoy the drinkable wine! read more

One of the few places in ktown that's opened regularly until midnight. Seems more of a casual talk and study spot. Very large space. Every table has a power strip or a wall outlet. WiFi is very dictator like-- blocks nearly every website to minimize internet use-- especially school based ones (all my ucla sites including email and box didn't work). The drinks are not that great and are more expensive here than any cafe in ktown!!!! I got a banana milk which was nearly $9 after tax and tip (tasted just like a blended banana in milk). They monitor your stay time too, must continuously order every 3 hrs for your stay read more

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If the food and drinks lived up to the vibe here, it would be impossible to find a table. Unfortunately, that's just not the case (though it wasn't easy to find a table). As I implied, this is a really cool spot with a lot of character to it. We only ordered cappuccinos and tiramisu cake, so take what you will from that. The cappuccinos were really weak. Tasted like nothing. Didn't even finish them. The cake, also not finished, was average at best. If you're a college student looking for a place to sit quietly with your laptop (majority of the patrons), or you permanently lost your tastebuds during COVID, this could be the place for you. Service was kind of slow. Parking wasn't too difficult (they even have their own lot and security). WiFi was decent. Bathroom requires a code. And ... that's about it. Had high hopes for this spot. Wish it lived up to the hype. Maybe it was an off night? read more

My favorite cafe in Ktown- I love the homey vibes that support both studying and eating! It's never too busy when I go here, and it is always a comfortable experience. I want to start out with the food because I think it is delectable and fairly priced. It's a lot of Korean cuisine, and they even have special drinks. There's a good deal with the drinks, with them being 40% off if you order a food item too. I would recommend this because the food is just so tasty. Kimchi fried rice and tonkatsu is solid. I ordered yulmu tea which wasn't too bad. I've had their noodles in the past which were also delicious. Hands down my favorite Cafe in Koreatown and they've been open for so long! Show them some support read more

Cafe Mak - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I was excited to check this place out with my girlfriend after seeing it online. We arrived around 9:30 p.m., found street parking, and walked over, only to be immediately met with hostility from the security guard. He told us it was closed, claiming they had shut at 10 p.m. that night. Confused, I mentioned that their listed hours online showed midnight, but instead of clarifying, he just yelled "It's closed" at us multiple times. He was extremely rude and dismissive, offering no explanation. Still unsure, we called the café from our car and spoke with a very kind and professional woman who explained it was a special circumstance that night and confirmed they're normally open until midnight. She was polite and helpful, the only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1. The security guard had no reason to treat customers this way. A simple, respectful explanation would have gone a long way. read more

To say my experience at Cafe Mak was otherworldly would be an understatement. This adorable cafe in ktown was the most perfect place i've ever been to in LA, nay the world! The service was super fast and friendly as well! Ambiance: The cozy, bookstore vibes made this the perfect place to sit for hours on end and get work done. This place was also so huge and had so many different and unique sitting areas with so many tables, comfy chairs, and even a bookshelf type of area for a more secluded feeling. I left this place feeling so relaxed, it was amazing. Amenities: Like I said, Cafe Mak had so many open tables! What's more, there were outlets at each table! They also have free wifi, a super clean, huge, and aesthetically decorated bathroom, and a large FREE parking lot in the back of the shop. Food and drinks: Sweet Potato latte: very creamy and milky, sweet potato didnt have much taste but added a bit of texture. I ended up adding a shot of espresso for caffeine White mocha: deliciously sweet and creamy, hint of chocolately flavor and coffee was evident but not too overpowering Katsu sandwich: good quality sandwich, the meat was nice and tender and the breading had a good crunch, the vegetables added a freshness to cut the heaviness from the meat and panini bread which was delicious, the kastu sauce also added a nice sweet/saltiness which helped to elevate the flavor of this rather simple sandwich, not life changing but I dont regret trying it! Spicy yangnyeom chicken: flavor was good, had a little kick, not jaw dropping but nice and crispy! Came with grilled mushrooms and onions as well! Note: We ordered the combo where if you order a main menu course you can her a non-alcoholic beverage for 40% off! read more

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Lovely place to sit and do work. The staff are chill but customer service is nonexistent, they don't really care about customers. Sandwiches are very bland 5/10. So not worth the price. Coffee / tea is good tho. 8/10 Oh and it's always cold, they leave doors open and never turn on their heaters lol read more

This place is an absolute vibe! Came here for the first time yesterday and ordered a coke with a shot of espresso. It's the perfect fix for someone who needs to get some work done. This places gets 5 stars because it's vibe. I loved it! The staff is super attentive and nice! read more

Cafe Mak - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great cafe in k-town. I've been here a few times and it's always solid. Love their iced lattes and lunch selections. Friendly staff. Free WiFi. Plenty of seats. And, parking behind the cafe. read more

Adorable coffee shop! It's very quiet and has a lot of seating. The perfect place to study or do some reading. The coffee was tasty. The service is nice and quick! I want to come back for the food bc what I did eat left me disappointed. It was some sort of dessert but pretty much toasted bread with cinnamon and lacked flavor. I liked how they have blankets for guests. It can get cold in there! read more

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This cafe is open till late at night, so it seems popular among students and freelancers. I was surprised at how dark it was though and wasn't a huge fan of the lighting. I ended up moving to a different table closer to the entrance so I could get some natural light. You choose a table, then press the button to order from the menu, and the server brings out the food / drinks to your table. Prices are on the higher end but I wanted to try the sweet potato cake, which ended up being a lot denser than I thought it would be - it's a bit on the heavy side - not one of those soft, fluffy cake slices. Overall, I think it's a great cafe to come and get your work done. They say you need to re-order after 3 hours but didn't rush me to leave. read more

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We are a group of students who visit this establishment regularly--usually 2-3 times a week--and often spend over $160 each visit. While we've always appreciated the welcoming atmosphere provided by the owner, Adriana, who is consistently kind and professional, we've had repeated negative experiences with one particular waitress that we feel compelled to address. Unfortunately, this server on July 26 of 2025 , has been consistently rude and disrespectful during our visits. She frequently enters our private room without knocking and questions why we keep the lights dim. As students, we often study during our time here, and the lower lighting helps us focus and prevents headaches from prolonged screen time. This is we will stop coming here even though the place is beautiful to study . More concerning is the feeling that we're being treated differently because we are Hispanic. The tone and attitude directed toward us stand in stark contrast to how others seem to be treated, which is deeply disappointing and unacceptable in a professional and inclusive environment. Additionally, we've noticed a pattern of overcharging, particularly with the tip percentage. We've been charged 20% gratuity for parties of six, even though the policy clearly posted on the wall states that 20% is added only for groups of eight or more. This has created confusion and frustration during payment on several occasions. We hope this feedback is taken seriously, as we truly enjoy coming here and would love to continue doing so ideally in a space where all guests are treated with respect and fairness. read more

The Wi-Fi is so bad oh my goodness. In this current state of the economy there's no reason why we should pay so much for coffee and can't get a good WiFi . The least we do is buy coffee why can't we get a good 5g service? That's not fair . It's now like our neighborhood coffee shop is playing this capitalist game where they make so much from us but give us the bare minimum. I have never had to use my phone hotspot . If you guys want people not to stay long just say it instead of giving us shitty Wi-Fi when the first thing we do is pay as soon as you see a new customer not good and not anyway ethical . Customer service is good but that isn't why we are there we are there to work so when work is affected, it makes the customer service look just as bad because that's the impression we had before leaving which is bad network. Please do the needful man , that's all we are asking as residents of ktown . read more