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    Cafe Upper

    4.2 (456 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Cafe Upper Photos

    CAFE UPPER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for working

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Upper

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    Mango ice dessert, Matcha einspanner, Strawberry milk
    Megan D.

    I absolutely love the vibes of this cafe. I love that it stays open later than other spots, so it's a perfect way to end a night out. I usually order the mango ice dessert, don't know the exact name, but it's always topped with only sweet mangos. Not the biggest fan of the strawberry milk, but i'd still come back for their other desserts. Also a great place to get work done in. I always see students studying as it isn't too loud. Servers are also nice, nothing too crazy.

    Joseph C.

    Dirty Matcha Latte (4/5) So thankful they had this option because I couldn't commit to either side of my personality: earthy or caffeinated. The espresso came in with a noticeable presence, slightly more assertive than expected, but it didn't bulldoze the matcha. Instead, it created a layered profile: grassy, lightly sweet, with a roasted backbone that lingered at the end. Not the most delicate dirty matcha I've had, but still enjoyable to drink.   What elevates the experience is the space itself. The interior feels intentional! Clean lines, open layout, neutral tones. There's room to breathe. You could comfortably camp out with a laptop to study, work, or catch up with friends. It's naturally aesthetic. And here's the unsung hero: parking in the back. In Los Angeles, that alone deserves recognition. Just pull in and proceed to caffeinate.   I didn't dive into the desserts this visit, but the croffles and bingsu were visually persuasive. If they taste half as good as they look, I'll be adjusting my rating accordingly on my next stop.   Overall: strong beverage program, thoughtfully designed environment, and logistical convenience -- a trifecta that's surprisingly hard to find. I'll be back for round two.

    Pistachio Espinnar and almond pastry yummy
    angela l.

    Loved the pistachio einspanner and that almond pastry.Delicious and cute cafe.Believe the hype.Great place to grab coffee and pastry.Staff very helpful and fast.

    Maddy M.

    Cute cafe! We stopped by just to grab a quick cold brew but they had a lot of really yummy looking pastries! Plenty of seating inside so it would be a good place to hang out for a bit. Cold brew was solid, and served quickly. Also appreciated the parking lot! Definitely a solid option to grab a coffee in the Ktown area!

    Sarai O.

    I was driving around looking for my coffee fix and I came upon this location.. First of all its suuuuper cute... The deserts/pastries looked sooo yummy i bought one... then the drink i got.. was... super delicious... everything on point... and a bigger plus... employees were so sweet and have great customer service.... definitely going again..

    Black Sesame Einspanner

    I came here to study on Saturday. The WiFi worked excellent and the restroom is really clean (you need the password for it though). I arrived before they opened, but the barista let me in early for the seat I just had to wait until they opened to order. The black sesame einspanner was 9.5/10. I like how it isn't sweetened excessively like most places. The barista said most einspanners are at minimal sugar I believe? However I don't like how much heavy cream it has. The drink tastes more thick than smooth and milky. Next time I will ask them to remove the white cloud cream on top and only keep the black sesame cream top.

    Blueberry matcha latte with oat milk
    Bianca C.

    I was in town for a quick over nighter and I wanted some matcha. I looked to Yelp and found this cafe. I decided to stop in and enjoy my matcha inside since I had time to burn. Inside the cafe is super cute. Lots of seating and has free parking in their connected lot. The service was quick and the baristas were really sweet. I ordered the blueberry matcha with oat milk and it was so good. I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for a cute shop to support and visit. They also had some small bites and shaved ice treats. Good music and a very clean restroom inside.

    Taro Einspanner $8.50 (8/2025) NOT WORTH IT!
    Kat T.

    Nice place with parking. BUT not ky cup of coffee. I tried the UBE/Taro Einspanner ($8.50) and I was NOT impressed with it. Barely tasted the taro and espresso. What I tasted was Milk flavored coffee. Which is not worth paying $8.50 for milk. I could have gotten a pint of milk at the market. I will say it's a good try but doubt I will be going back. This place is cute for social media drinks, dessert taking but for me who just wants a good Einspanner and with that price I'm going to have to say HARD PASS. Parking on the street or back lot.

    orange espresso tonic
    Monica T.

    Great coffee spot! If you come before 2 PM, all drinks are 20% off, which is such a nice deal. I've been here many times, mostly to study -- it's quiet and calm in the mornings, though it does get a bit louder later in the day (headphones help!). It's also a great place to catch up with friends. The service is always nice and helpful. I got the Orange Espresso Tonic, I personally love it, but my friend didn't since they're not into orange and espresso together. Their Butterscotch Latte is one of my favorites, and the Matcha Latte is really grassy (which I enjoy but if you don't like the grassy flavor than this isn't for you). Forgot to take pictures of those, but everything I got looked and tasted great. Plus, there's free parking, which is always a bonus!

    Katy C.

    What I Ordered: Taro Einspanner Rose Lemon Tonic * pricey for drinks that did not particularly stand out in taste or quality * more ideal for late-night hangouts than to study at (open late!) * clean and spacious interior * easy access and free parking 6.5/10

    Cappuccino
    Tristen S.

    Really cool place with friendly service and parking. The drinks are just okay though! Not bad, but nothing mind blowing. Still worth trying!

    Erika C.

    Chill café that's become my go-to for late-night dessert + coffee. Cafe Upper has become one of my usual spots after late dinners with friends, and for good reason. While LA is full of trendy cafés that are often overcrowded or hard to get into, this place has stayed refreshingly low-key. It can get a little busy, but I've always been able to find a seat whenever I've gone. One of the biggest perks? They have a parking lot. That alone is gold in Los Angeles. Another major plus: their late-night hours! They're open until 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and midnight on other days, making it the perfect post-dinner chill spot. Places like Spot Dessert Bar or M3 (formerly TPO Café) also stay open late, but they're small, packed, and parking is a nightmare. At Cafe Upper, I've always been able to find a seat, and I never have to stress about where to park. As for the drinks and food, I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5. The menu has grown recently (hello, hojicha!), and while it's not the best café in LA, the drinks are definitely above average and consistently good. My personal favorites: Pistachio Einspänner - creamy, balanced, nutty goodness. Vienna Latte - smooth and rich. A dependable go-to. My husband usually sticks with the Vienna Latte, but he tried the new Hojicha Latte and wasn't a fan--he said it had a strange aftertaste. On the other hand, my brother-in-law loved it, so it really depends on your palate. Overall, Cafe Upper is a cozy, reliable, and unpretentious café that I keep coming back to. Whether you're grabbing dessert, meeting friends, or need a quiet space to wind down late at night, this place delivers without the hype or the hassle.

    Lyna N.

    The interior and drink presentation of Cafe Upper is super clean and new. Service was nice, nothing memorable, and drinks came out quickly. I really like that there's plenty of parking but seats inside do get taken up pretty quickly. I like their selection of drinks and believe they have desserts as well! Open pretty late. Dalgona latte was pretty good and well balanced (5/5), I was expecting it to be super sweet but it actually was just right.

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    1 year ago

    I got cookie butter ice cream and it was delicious. The service and quality were amazing. Rolland serviced us and was truly top notch!

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    Grace K.

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    2 years ago

    Overpriced for the food and drinks that you get. Not too nice inside, very basic and kinda cold.

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    Cafe Upper Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Upper

    I tried looking at the menus to see the food items but could not find any but I do see pictures of pastries just wondering what items are their to eat?

    Hi there:) We do have croffles, pastries, cakes and donut. Its all like desserts than food here

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    DAMO

    DAMO

    4.5
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    My new favorite spot for decadent matcha and hojicha drinks!…read more The cream top on the hojicha einspanner was so creamy and thick, and it was also the perfect level of sweetness. The strawberry matcha einspanner was also yummy and had a great presentation The space is pretty small but there are a few seats available. The line was around 20 minutes long on a Saturday afternoon. Like most spots in ktown, the parking lot is limited and you'll likely need to find street parking, but it is definitely worth the hype!

    This was our last stop of our mini cafe tour when leaving LA and headed back home. We came…read moreshortly after opening, so there was plenty of parking and it wasn't crazy crowded yet. Upon entering the place is clean, sleek, and modern. We were greeted right away. I already knew I was leaving with 2 drinks for the drive back home. I ordered: 1. Cold brew vanilla: Delicious, I love that tou can see the vanilla cream on top. This was definitely what I needed to wake me up. 2. Matcha einspener: I tasted this and immediately loved it when leaving the store. I saved it for last. It was so light and refreshing. I could easily drink it all day if they had a bigger size lol. I was hoping to try the seasonal mango cream matcha, but sadly it was gone. 3. Pastries: I wanted to try the sampler but I don't thinking they had it yet. I tried one of the cinnamon pastries. It was soft and very cinnamony. Overall, it was a great experience and I'll be back soon.

    Photos
    Matcha einspinner
    Matcha einspinner
    Matcha Einspener | Strawberry Matcha
    Matcha Einspener | Strawberry Matcha
    Chestnut Einspänner

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    Chestnut Einspänner
    Oakobing

    Oakobing

    4.4
    (2.5k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Pet friendly

    Yes yes yes! I think I found my new favorite dessert spot for the summer! These Korean shaved ice…read moreare where it's at! They are perfectly light, and sweet and packed with flavor! You don't feel like you're eating shaved ice! You feel like you're eating a fluffy cloud! When you walk in, you are greeted by kiosks where you place your order. You don't have much interaction with the staff other than than they calling out your number when your order is ready Only downside is they were playing music way too loud! The store itself had maybe 1-2 other parties inside... but the music was too loud we practically had to yell at each other to MAYBE hear the person right next to us. I definitely was not a fan of that vibe. The dessert itself though was phenomenal

    My kid has been on a Korean shaved ice kick. With her being newly graduated from Kinder [I know,…read moreWHAT A MILESTONE, right??!!] her father and I wanted to kick off Summer break with a trip to SoCal. In all honesty, the roadtrip kind of revolved around us being able to take our toddler to Oakobing. Located in LA's Koreatown, Oakobing specializes in bingsu. One glance at their melon version and my kid was absolutely sold! Please be advised that street parking is non existent and although there is signage for parking out in the back, this is not free. Self parking or valet options are available and will cost you a minimum of $5. Not a bad trade off in sparing yourself frustration, a headache, & a long walk IF YOU ARE EVEN ABLE TO MANAGE SOMETHING ALONG THE STREET. Seating is first come first serve and although there is an adjacent room available to help with the overflow of visitors, the main room where you do all of the ordering is the only cool option [temperature wise]. Don't be shy about hovering close by to patrons who are about to leave and wipe down your own tables with the supplies openly provided to guests. Purchases: * STRAWBERRY MATCHA [Large] Green tea shaved ice topped with fresh strawberries and matcha. * MANGO MELON [Large] Mango shaved ice in a melon bowl, topped with fresh melon balls and milk drizzle * STRAWBERRY [Single Bingsoo] Strawberry shaved ice topped with fresh strawberries and milk drizzle While I wished Oakobing offered melon bingsu with melon shaved ice and melon balls, they only offer the combo of mango shaved ice topped with melon. Strawberry version looked the most appetizing IMO and the match came highly recommended by other patrons. Pros: -The shaved ice is really finely shaved. This allows for a more pleasant and smooth dining experience. -The presentation is awesome- very IG worthy! -Bingsu is very light and refreshing. You aren't stuck eating a bunch of artificial flavors. -Condensed milk is provided so you can adjust the level of sweetness to your liking. Cons: -The melon wasn't remotely sweet. -The fruit flavoring in the ice was very very light. So light in the mango shaved ice that I couldn't decipher any mango whatsoever. -This wasn't my fave version of Korean bingsu. Money not well spent. 3 stars overall. I'm glad we made my daughter's day with this treat but the only thing that she seemed to enjoy was the actual fruit. The shaved ice was not great so a majority of our order ended in the trash. Service is more self serve as the staff is only responsible for making the orders and calling them out when ready. Over $50 spent, not including parking. I'd considered this a bust.

    Photos
    Mango bingsu, strawberry bingsu
    Mango bingsu, strawberry bingsu
    Oakobing
    Mango melon and strawberry shaved ice

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    Mango melon and strawberry shaved ice
    Cafe Dulce

    Cafe Dulce

    4.2
    (2.7k reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    Honestly, Cafe Dulce is the go-to spot if you need a drink and a quick snack!! But honestly even…read moretheir breakfast burritos and sandwiches are DELICIOUS! (Ask for some salsa on the side-you won't regret it ) I usually get the blueberry matcha with almond milk but today I was recommended by Daniel the Iced blueberry passion with agave. Such a refreshing drink, especially with summer coming up!! They get pretty packed, but for good reason. Talk to them nice!! Love that they have outdoor seating. Perfect for people watching on a busy day in Little Tokyo. Staff is always super friendly and always have good recommendations. Shoutout to Daniel, Mackenzie, and Steven!!

    Came here for coffee as I wait for my dinner reservations and friends to arrive. I ran into a…read morefriend and she picked out a few treats to try and take with me. The mochi twist was delicious and I knew it would be because I like mochi donuts. What I didn't expect to be delicious and likely my favorite treat here was the dinosaur churro. If she didn't insist I think I would choose that last or gave it away. BUT I did try it and fell in love with it. I did share other items selected by my friend who was with me and did not get to taste them. The baristas were fun and friendly as they prepared our coffee. I was in deep thought waiting and one asked if I was okay and I said I was very good after coming back to the present. I'll be back for more dinosaur churros, coffee and other yummy treats.

    Photos
    Small case with a lot of flavor
    Small case with a lot of flavor
    Various Milk Cream Donuts
    Various Milk Cream Donuts
    Crème Brûlée Donut. 5/5

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    Crème Brûlée Donut. 5/5
    Tu Cha

    Tu Cha

    3.5
    (429 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    I am surprised at how this place has only a 3.5 star rating on yelp. I am not usually a desserts…read moreperson but I was targeted by Instagram and by how crunchy the cakes were The crunch was real. Went out and bought the 1. Mama Mango- brought it to a party I had last night. It was good. Got many compliments. Difficult to cut through for sharing but 4/5 rating 2. Berry my absolute favorite. Crunch was on point. Not too sweet. Nailed the blueberry flavor 3. Apple -3/5 4. Berry cubed - boyfriend said "definitely tastes like berries" 5. Lychee - loved the strong oolong flavor that helped combat the sweet of the dessert. 6. Bing Chillin - so good. Banana was surprisingly my favorite. I don't usually like banana anything but this one was different l. Must be the whipping cream or something. All in all I understand it's pricy but you get what you pay for. It was delicious and not too sweet. Hard to nail the flavors while making sure the sweetness is not overwhelming so I think Tucha did a great job.

    It's just tiktok hype, save the time and get dessert somewhere else…read more What I ate: - Lemon shaped was probably the best of the flavors I tried. I also like the mango shaped one. The peach shaped and was forgettable Pros: - The cakes are very very cute and amazing to look at - Shop inside had a few tables. It seemed like most were just couples or a few friends sharing - Kiosk ordering do no need for human interaction if you don't want it Cons: - I really hated that the flavors did not match up to the cake shapes. I think I liked the lemon shaped one the best because it has the most citrusy passionfruit flavor. But when I break into the mango shaped cake, I expect a strong mango flavor. If the flavors were not going to match, I would've much rather like it if the cakes were in different shapes like a cute cartoonish animal, or smiley face, or a daisy. Some shape that I wouldn't associate with flavor - I also wasn't a huge fan of the flavor combos. I feel like they were really trying to go out there but often times the fruit flavors used didn't really match up with the tea or nut flavors. The flavors were not balanced at all, often just very muddled with one flavor either being too strong or not strong enough, or interfering with a fruits flavor. Some of the cakes were floral tasting from tea or almost slightly savory. The cakes are not sweet at all. Maybe I was just unlucky and tried the worst flavors. Again the lemon shaped one was the best because passionfruit flavor was sharp enough to cut through the other flavors - Parking is street and can be hit or miss - Expensive - I ordered a drink and I don't see it on the menu, or I just can't remember it. That's how different it was. I do remember thinking it was so sweet Would I go again? Absolutely not

    Photos
    Caramel & brownie, super rich and slightly savory from the caramel
    Caramel & brownie, super rich and slightly savory from the caramel
    Inside Tu Cha
    Inside Tu Cha
    Toasted Genmaicha Boba Milk Tea

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    Toasted Genmaicha Boba Milk Tea

    Cafe Upper - cafes - Updated June 2026

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