Is it just a pancake? Or is there some voodoo magic involved? I don't understand how pancakes can taste this good. It's thicker and has more texture, but it's also fluffy at the same time. It's sweeter, but also fragrant. It reminds me of a cake, but it's not inappropriately saccharine. I ordered the turkey burger scramble, but the star of the show was clearly the blueberry pancakes. The blueberry was so fresh that the juice flowed out when my knife severed a corner. The fruit topping on the pancake complemented the already fruity content. I involuntarily shut my eyes as I savored each bite. The scramble was rather forgettable, but it's not a knock. The pancakes were just so incredible that everything paled in comparison. Service was wonderful, and they even brought me a bowl of water for my dog. read more

Cafe Vida - Dog-friendly patio (even with dog bowl) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

The food is delicious, and the ambience is just what you expect from Cali! Try the enchiladas!

We ordered the green chilaquiles with steak as well as their breakfast sandwich a michelada and their seasonal mimosa flight Food- delicious Service- amazing our waiter was super friendly, attentive & informative Over all 10/10 read more

First time at Cafe Vida and I'm already obsessed The food was incredible--everything was so fresh and flavorful. Huge shoutout to Virginia for being so sweet and welcoming! She gave us the best recommendations and made our experience even better. Definitely coming back! read more

Cafe Vida - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

I completely understand the crowds! Meet a friend for late brunch (2pm) and the line was long! E ate outside, and there were plenty of umbrellas for shade. Staff to guest ratio was good and our attendant was knowledgeable and genuinely excited about the food; happy to make recommendations at our request. I had the very tasty turmeric latte, which I recommend. Friend enjoyed the lemonade, which had blueberries. We ordered chiliquiles: amazing. And buttermilk pancakes which were exceptionally light and delicious. This place is a gem! read more

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Popular Culver City spot for healthy-ish food. The service is attentive. It can get busy. Guacamole was creamy good. The Caesar salad was a salad but had no right to be called a Caesar. Dog friendly. read more

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Went on a Sunday early in the morning around 8:30. Our waitress was sweet. We sat outside. Be mindful there will be dogs seated out there as well. The location is good and there was plenty of parking. I got the breakfast sandwich with potatoes and Watermelon lemonade. My bestie got the 2x2x2 with chicken sausage and cappuccino. The food was good and filling. The prices were reasonable. I would definitely visit again. read more

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Tried it for the first time on a Friday and it was great! Our server was amazing and sweet, it really added to the experience . The food was incredible ! I know pancakes can be pretty simple but I loved how big and fluffy these were . Seriously some of the best pancakes that I could have had. My partner had some breakfast potatoes and the biggest burrito I've ever seen lol Everything was well seasoned and had so much flavor, will definitely be back! read more

Went with two friends in the middle of the afternoon on a super rainy day, yet indoor seating only took 10 minutes to open up. I got the morning wrap, which I expected to be hearty breakfast burrito. It was pretty flavorful, especially with the salsa they provide, buttt it was really small for a whole $18. All the staff is super friendly and nice! Great service and perfect place for a nice brunch but definitely wouldn't come here too often. read more

Cafe Vida - Morning Wrap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

Love Cafe Vida. It's was always one of my fave spots when I lived in LA. Used to go to the one on the Palisades which sadly burned down in the fires. Was actually at the Culver City location the day after the fires started. Cute location in downtown Culver City with both indoor and outdoor seating. Server was friendly and efficient. I appreciate they they offer many veggie options from salads to sandwiches to juices. I had the ginger lemonade which was delicious. Also opted for the house made veggie burger with sweet potato fries. Excellent choice if you appreciate a veg patty made from real ingredients versus fake meat. Highly recommend. read more

Cafe Vida - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

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The food and service were outstanding. The ambiance surprisingly terrific. We definitely shall return.

We have been coming here since it opened, at least 10 years! This is by far the best restaurant in Culver City! No matter what you get it is fresh and so delicious! Fresh ingredients and amazing service always! Shout out to Kim,Virginia and Bradley! Best servers! We luv Cafe Vida! read more

I've been a fan of Cafe Vida for years. The nice outdoor patio, the healthy and delicious menu, the relaxed ambience - what's not to love? I'll tell you what's not to love: Putting your name in for Sunday brunch (party of three), waiting 45 minutes to be seated, and then.... being escorted to a two-top. For three people. That's right: A table that was designed to allow only two people to be seated comfortably (hence the term "two top") had been presented to us with a third chair shoved up against one of the sides.... With no apology or explanation. As if this was a completely reasonable table to offer three people hoping for a relaxing brunch. Here's a hypothetical: Should a restaurant care more about optimizing seating capacity, or about fostering a relaxing, comfortable customer experience? If your answer was the former, congratulations: That must mean that you own Cafe Vida. Now, this isn't the first time this has happened when I've shown up with a party of three. On the first occasion, the (male) host was outright rude - rolling their eyes and snickering - when I asked for a non-two-top table that would comfortably fit our entire party. At least on this - the second - occasion, our female hostess was a little more polite. But, c'mon guys: Enough is enough. And then there was another recent visit: A happy hour on a Friday afternoon. This time, the patio was sparsely populated, so it didn't take too long to get seated, However, it took my friend and I around ten minutes to flag down someone - anyone - who seemed to work there so that we could place our order. "I'm not your server, he's on break, but I'll be happy to take your order," our guy replied. He explained that the wait staff was on rotation or some such because the restaurant was close to closing time. I ask you again: What's more important --promoting a comfortable and enjoyable customer experience, or having as few staff on the clock as possible to save in labor costs.... customer experience be damned? Again, if you chose the latter, you must own Cafe Vida. On the bright side, today's unpleasant experience at Cafe Vida finally led us to abandon ship, trying out the nearby Meet in Paris' brunch instead. And I'm so glad we did! The owner, Sebastian, was extra friendly and polite, the food was very good, and the ambiance was much more chill. When I said "please, whatever you do, just don't seat us at a two-top," Sebastian smiled reassuringly. "Our smallest table here is a four-top." Sold, mon ami! read more

Cafe Vida - Cafe Vida forcing a party of three to sit at a "two top," which is designed to seat only two people comfortably. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

Cafe Vida is a cool little patio spot in downtown Culver City. Nestled in an area where trees and plant life thrive, Cafe Vida serves up delicious brunch fare your taste buds will enjoy. I was there during a late Sunday morning. My party and I arrived there and the place was packed. There was a wait but it went by so fast. We were seated within 15 minutes. The seating area was very compact but manageable to get through. The host and the servers were so friendly and kind. They were able to attend and focus on our orders even though they were in the middle of brunch rush. I admire their train of thought. Their food was very delicious. I had ordered the Jalapeño Turkey Burger with fries and it was well-seasoned and the burger itself did not fall apart. It held its structure and it had a great Southwest flavor. Prices are moderate. I will be returning back to try their Belgian waffles and other delicious creations. read more

Cafe Vida - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

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A MUST if you are a foodie !! Great food, great service great vibes ! We go so often the serves know us !! It's like a little family when you go, staff has great recommendations. Chilaquiles are a MUST. read more

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Came here for breakfast with my mom and sister because I have a cafe vida close to my job at El Segundo & it never disappoints. However this location in Culver City is a vibe. From the workers to the cozy indoor sitting on a rainy day. Let me not get started on the food and to top it off our server Kimberly went above and beyond, super attentive and friendly. This girl needs a raise because she makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable. I will definitely be coming back to this location. read more

Cafe Vida - Pancakes, breakfast sandwich, Chai matcha & vanilla latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

Food was excellent. Service was excellent. We all ordered different dishes and all three were so good. A little bit of a wait but not too bad. read more

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Excellent food, surprisingly good smoothies and the Sangria is amazing and potent! Lots of outdoor seating and many heaters to stay toasty and warm. All of the breakfast items are amazing and the wagyu burger is solid, not greasy burger delight. The mango salad is good, plenty to eat. read more

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I passed by here all the time, but it wasn't until I had lunch here with a friend that I finally tried Cafe Vida. And I was really pleased with the food and atmosphere. The service was also excellent. I ordered the 2+2+2 (Eggs any style, buttermilk pancakes with chicken sausage) and it was delicious! A very large portion -- I'm not complaining. Definitely worth it. read more

Cafe Vida - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

Wonderful place . Exceptional service . Kimberly was 10 out of 10 in costumer service .The food was amazing . Definitely will be back !

Very very popular, dog friendly indoor and outdoor door seating. Food is on the healthy side. Service attentive and friendly. read more

Cafe Vida - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

My brother and I visited Cafe Vida for the first-time for Sunday brunch after church and were met with great hospitality and service from Malia. The mimosas were delightful, and the outdoor patio was very well setup, with plenty of umbrellas, and enjoyable on a sunny Sunday. read more

Cafe Vida - Mimosas (mango purée + Prosecco) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

Great food! Great service! Family friendly with indoor outdoor seating. Great vibes. Definitely a local favorite.

Breakfast was great, quick and very tasty! Staff was accommodating, coffee was really good and outdoor seating is a plus on culver blvd! read more

Cafe Vida - Left no crumbs behind! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

I love the food, its fresh and staff is amazing (Some..lol). Get there early always crowded. Outside and inside dinning very nice setting. Plenty of street parking.... prices are competitive... read more

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Such a delicious and balanced brunch that did not lack seasoning! We came on a busy Sunday morning around 10:30am and waited approximately 20 minutes to be seated. The staff was so friendly and the music was amazing (iconic latino rock songs!). The food took maybe 10-15 min to arrive but it came out fresh and hot. 10/10 will return everytime I am back in socal. read more

Cafe Vida - Balance breakfast bowl with tofu, Yucatán omelette with potatoes, and grilled breakfast burrito with sourdough + salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

I visited Cafe Vida last Saturday and unfortunately had a really bad experience. Our server sat us outside, which seemed nice at first since it was a beautiful day but shortly after, the flies became unbearable. At first, I didn't think much of it since we were outdoors, but once our food arrived, things got out of hand. Flies were everywhere on my face, hair, food, and even in our drinks. It was honestly disgusting and made it impossible to enjoy the meal. We politely asked to move seats and explained what was happening, but after relocating, we realized the issue wasn't just at one table the entire outdoor area was infested. When we asked for the check and mentioned the problem again, I believe it was the manager who came over. All he said was that they've "been having that problem lately" and that they sprayed before opening, but it hasn't helped much. He apologized, but that was it no offer to make it right or even a small discount for the inconvenience. We ended up leaving right away, and I went straight home to shower. Definitely not coming back until they handle that fly situation. read more

Super cute cafe with great healthy options! I ordered a ginger root lemonade and the salmon tacos. Everything was fresh and tasty. The staff were nice and personable. I'll be back for breakfast! read more

4.5 stars Cafe Vida is a super popular brunch spot in Culver City with a menu of Latin-inspired and health-conscious eats--in other words, very Californian! My pick from the diverse set of offerings was the Rosemary Turkey Burger Organic Green Salad, a crunchy mixture of organic greens, shredded carrots, jicama, tomatoes, corn, pepitas, avocado, and sweet potato fries, along with a balsamic vinaigrette and a turkey burger patty with melted cheddar cheese and grilled onions. The salad came in a generous portion size, and my favorite parts were the sweet potato fries (a creative addition) and the crispy turkey burger topped with unctuous melted cheese. In addition to the tasty food, the service was friendly, the waits weren't too long, and the setting was a lively place for brunch. read more

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I've loved Café Vida for years, but sadly, we're done going. My wife and I (and sometime friends and clients) usually come for breakfast -- I'm hooked on the brown rice pancakes -- but they rarely seem to come out hot. Today was the last straw: both our plates were lukewarm, and when I asked the manager Daniel to fix it, he brushed it off with a "take it or leave it" attitude. After years of being regulars, that kind of response really took the joy out of a place we used to love. read more

A delightful spot for brunch with friends, family, and even your furry companions! This was our first visit, as we were in the area for a play at the Kirk Douglas Theater. Despite the windy weather, the place was bustling with a 25-minute wait to be seated. We were seated outside under an umbrella, in a very relaxing and friendly environment. Our waiter promptly took our orders, with drinks arriving quickly and the food following just 15 minutes later. Everything looked delicious and fresh. We were all satisfied with our meal, which was more than enough to fill our tummies. We'll be back when we're back in the area. read more

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I ordered the chipotle chicken quesadilla and it was delicious. I'm very picky when it comes to chicken, but this was delicious and not dry at all. The service was phenomenal. My order was taken quickly, arrived in a timely manner, and the hostess checked in regularly. I liked the welcoming atmosphere, it was nice to see regulars being greeted warmly and having their usual orders remembered. I thought it was sweet. There is also plenty of seating and although parking might seem limited, there are a few public parking lots nearby. read more

This place has amazing food, amazing music, and omg the customer service is incredible! I love Maria Jose and Brad. Thankful for amazing workers like them that make this place one of our new fave restaurants in culver. Thank you to Brad for making my birthday celebration extra special. People like him are the reason why we'll continue to go back! read more

The food was delicious! The servers were very helpful. The place was nice and clean! The outside patio is nice!

Wow! I cannot believe I have walked past this place every Sunday not knowing it was soon to become number one in my book! And most reasonably priced. We ordered coffees, nothing crazy, yet I'm always happy when my coffee is rich and smooth. I would have liked it to be just a little hotter. Then came the best pancakes I've ever had. I haven't had pancakes this good in 15 years! When I tell you we devoured them, I'm mean it literally! Plate was left clean. They were sweet, buttery, and so fluffy and soft. The berries were fresh and sweet. My compliments to the chef! These pancakes are simply the best. The short rib burrito was very good. The meat was well seasoned and tender. Potatoes were not hard or over cooked and the sauce is very flavorful. I would say it's perfectly balanced spices. Very nice! You might want to order for 2 to share unless you are very hungry. Cause I took half of it home. The Huevos rancheros are definitely good. They are over easy eggs on top of a quesadilla, with red and green tomatillo sauce on top. The rice and guacamole were ok. Nothing bad, just not such a huge fan of brown rice and I for one think guacamole is better with chips. The watermelon lemonade was super refreshing. I think a little more sweetness would be nice but either way, I loved it. Will definitely order it again. I'd like add that it did take 35 minutes to get seated, like 15 minutes to order. I took into account that today was Mother's Day, I pass by every Sunday and it always looks super busy with people waiting to be seated. The staff regardless was very good. They clearly have a lot to do and tend to, and they do it gracefully. There was not one staff member that did nothing. These people know what it means to work as a team! I most definitely will be coming back! And if that wasn't enough, they gifted all mothers a beautiful rose. What a beautiful gesture. read more

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The huevos rancheros and the blueberry corn cakes were delicious! I will say the prices were a little steep for the amount of food, but everything tasted great. While the food was delicious, the customer service wasn't the best. Our waiter seemed annoyed with us from the very beginning and wasn't very polite. When we were finished with our food, a different waiter came to pick up our dishes but coughed right into the center of our table without covering his mouth, which was really off putting especially at the start of sick season before the holidays. The staff were quite rushed and more interested in getting us finished than providing a good dining experience which was unfortunate because the food was good. The wait was about 25 minutes on a Sunday morning at 11am. Parking across the street in the lot at city hall or street parking around the restaurant. read more

The staff here is incredible. Always so friendly and welcoming. The food is pretty good itself. I've been here over 20 times. All the people I bring love the food. read more

Came here for mothers day breakfast and the food was sooo good. Not our first time here and the food quality is always consistent. The service was great and we got to sit outside which was nice. They also had a cute mothers day backdrop for photos! read more

Food was superb. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the service. We understand when it's busy that things take a bit longer. But 35 min for onion rings, to then inquire and be told, it got "bumped down." What? To then the waiter telling us she'll pack it up and comp it on the house. We then waited another 15 min and still nothing. We just ended up leaving. Also, there were additional fees for a small cup of extra cheese for the chilaquiles which was $2, which we weren't told had an extra cost. Definitely, left disappointed because the food was in fact great. read more

Cafe Vida - Chilaquiles Rojos - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California

Food was fresh and flavorful. I had the chicken mango salad which was dressed wonderfully, but I also tried the cornmeal blueberry pancakes and those were super yummy. All the staff we interacted with was kind and helpful. And considering the heat we were cool under all the shade structures. Busy place but the overall experience was worth it! read more

Cafe Vida - Chicken Mango Salad Sangria Jalapeno Turkey Burger - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Culver City, California