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ESME

4.5 (139 reviews)
Closed 5:30 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 3 weeks ago

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What's the vibe?
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

Recommended Reviews - ESME

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Reviews With Photos - ESME

Ice cream sandwich
Jessica G.

Ended up here late one night in downtown Culver City with friends and had such a great experience. Customer service really stood out, super friendly and welcoming from the moment we walked in. We wanted to try their coffee but it was already closed for the night, so our server helped us narrow down some wine options and gave great recommendations. We had already eaten, so we went all in on desserts. The whipped ricotta was the highlight, so good. The churros came out warm, and we also tried the ice cream sandwich and panna cotta, which we all enjoyed. The ambience is really unique, laid back with a soft, cozy feel. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to, especially to try the famous esme drink and brunch.

Robert C.

Cute spot on Main Street in Downtown Culver City with exceptionally friendly baristas. I went with a cold brew which was fantastic. Passing by the folks eating and based off other people's food photos, I definitely wanna come try their sandwiches. They look so damn yummy.

Menu
Tara T.

Service and food was wonderful. I wasn't keen on the coffee drink I ordered, but I'll order something more normal for me next time. Cute place, simple aesthetic. Sandwich was insanely good and big! I had to eat the other half the next day.

Nijole T.

I absolutely love the food and drinks here! The merguez sandwich was outstanding, what stood out was their homemade barbari bread, absolutely delicious! Service is wonderful here, you instantly feel welcome. The food is made to order quickly, portions are generous, and the fries were very good as well. They have seating inside as well as a bit outside, which makes for an enjoyable meal. I always love supporting local businesses that work as hard to offer unique and delicious items as Esme does, highly recommended!

Rainbow trout - crispy skin, tasty sauce, plenty of veggies on bottom
Jennifer H.

Plenty of downtown culver city restaurants come and go, but always curious to try new ones, so had esme on my list for a while. Came on a Saturday night and plenty of tables available (they don't take reservations). For two of us we ordered: Caesar salad - pleasantly surprised the market greens was kale which was coated with perfect amount of dressing already, fried artichokes still warm from the fryer and croutons rounded out a great texture to the plate. Also it was pretty big, I was a little full after eating half Rainbow trout - nice crispy skin on top, tasty white sauce, plenty of crispy veggies on bottom, great dish! Also a decent size piece of trout. Lamb - tender, flavorful, not at all gamey. Not the most appetizing to look at, but there's veggies underneath the meat that help round it out Impressed with the food and portion sizes, they could rival Laurel Grill with slightly lower prices ;) Would come back to try their daytime menu which is supposed to be more brunch type items! I hope they stick around! Free 1 hour parking in the downtown culver city structures, or street meter parking. Cute and small space, with a few outdoor patio tables.

Angelina E.

Their oatmilk lattes are delicious. Employees are kind and helpful. They were a little behind in opening on Sunday morning which I always find a travesty when it comes to your morning caffeine. Cute interior and art on the walls.

Whipped ricotta
Odelia S.

I was originally going to go to Bacari next door, but the wait was two hours. I stumbled into ESME with a couple of my girlfriends, and I am SO glad we did. We enjoyed the whipped ricotta (which I highly recommend saving for dessert), grilled leeks, Caesar salad, rosemary fries, and bavette steak. We were so hungry that I forgot to take a picture of it all. Everything was incredible. You can tell there is a lot of thought and care put into every dish's flavors. I would love to come again and try more of their food!

Whole milk latte
Alexis D.

The barista was super friendly and gave some great recommendations. The ambiance is lots of soft wood tones and pretty framed pieces that create a breezy, laid-back vibe. I tried the specialty Esme drink, and honestly it was a bit odd. Even though it's technically a coffee drink, the fruity notes are so strong that it barely tastes like coffee. If you're into that kind of flavor profile, it could definitely be worth trying. Personally, I wasn't blown away and kind of wished I'd just ordered something more classic. That said, their lattes are really good - just note they come sweetened by default. Didn't try the food this time, but I've only heard great things about it.

Churros
Andy C.

If you're reading this, here's the short version: this is easily one of the best restaurants in Culver City, and you need to try it now! It's a small spot in downtown Culver City that you could walk past without noticing. I'm glad I didn't. There are a couple of tables outside, but most of the seating is indoors. The space is modern, clean, and relaxing. We ordered three dishes, all recommended by our waiter. The mussel toast is a must. Every bite is savory and packed with seafood flavor. For mains, we had the short rib and rainbow trout. The short rib was perfection. Cooked over fire and served with crispy potato strings. It's something you get at high-end steakhouse but at half the price. The rainbow trout looked beautiful and tasted fresh, though the citrus was a bit stronger than I prefer. For dessert, we couldn't resist the churro and ice cream sandwich. The ice cream (another must try), sourced from a Persian maker, was rich with rose, honey, and pistachio. The presentation was just as impressive. The churros were decent, though I wished they were crispier and the dipping sauce was thicker. Overall, I'd give this place a solid five stars. The food is close to Michelin quality without the Michelin prices. Go and you won't be disappointed.

Venue
Laurel A.

Cute place for midday lunch or cozy girl dinner! Very elevated dishes and great natural wine selection; I love how cute and quiet this spot is, the servers were incredibly personable and didn't rush us. I love a place that I can hear myself talk and feel like I'm relaxing at home! Mostly meat & seafood, but a couple of vegetarian options and one vegan options - I got the falafel and it is to DIE for. Absolutely will be coming back. A bit spendy but I would say you're getting high quality meals

Mussel Toast
Louise P.

A cute little hole in the wall restaurant that fulfills the daytime cafe aesthetic. Everything from the table decor to the wall art gave off a classy feminine vibe. We came for dinner and shared the falafel plate, mussel toast, and a side of fries. The falafel was a 6.5/10 because the falafel itself was a bit too dry, but it did come with an eggplant dip that helped mitigate the dryness. The pickled vegetables that came with it were delightfully spicy. I wasn't a huge fan of the bread it came with since it added to the dryness of the plate, but the eggplant dip saved it for me. The mussel toast is a MUST HAVE! I give it a 9.5/10. I would have given it a 10/10 if there was more of it. The unique combination of the lardo, aoli, and mussel on a beautiful piece of toast was quite memorable and will keep me coming back for more. I would highly recommend trying the Esme coffee. It was a perfect blend of orange, blackberry, and coffee. Nothing was overpowering and it was not acidic as usual orange + coffee drinks go. This restaurant has a solid understanding of balancing flavors and bringing a fresh take on Mediterranean food. The service was excellent and accommodating. This restaurant is a bit on the pricey side, but most things are for Culver City. At least you will know that the price goes towards the quality! The only hard part is finding parking, but there are a few paid lots nearby.

Menu as of Sept 2025
Khadij A.

New brunch/breakfast spot in Culver City. Esme is a cute little restaurant that reminds me of the smaller places in NYC. They have a small menu but they keep things simple. By the time I went for lunch, their bakery items had already sold out. I tried the chilaquiles and my friend go the egg sand, subbing the chorizo for avocado. I chose to try both salsas and honestly those were the best part of the dish. They were definitely homemade and so flavorful. The portion size was decent and I felt full walking away. The prices here are average but perhaps slightly lower than other places in CC. I would love to come back and try other menu items as well as their coffee! With plentiful seating and outlets, it seems like a great place otherwise get some work done.

Merguez sandwich - delicious!
Patrick L.

After hiking around the Baldwin Hills Overlook, I was hungry and decided to head over to Culver City. Thanks to Yelp, I found Esme which seemed like something that would work. Well? I arrived on the early side for lunch and it wasn't busy. I thought it was more of a sit down restaurant with wait staff, but it's an order at the counter and take a seat kinda place (which was fine). Ambiance is basic, nothing fancy but it's clean and bright. As I approached the counter, I informed the order taker I had never been to Esme and was curious to know what they were "known for?" Here's where things got super lame... He replied, "Huh? What? Here's our menu." (Thinking) Bro, I can read. I replied, "Can you tell me what's popular here? Customer favorites? How about the Merquez sandwich?" Order taker: "Uh, yeah. The Merguez sandwich." Nevermind. My wife and I ordered, then sat down. The food arrive in a reasonable amount of time and was presented nicely (see photos). I liked our meal - good food and decent portions. Not cheap but about par for what things cost these days. Would I return? Maybe. Would I recommend? Maybe. A more inspired person at the counter may have helped a bit but I'm not complaining and I wasn't offended. Just not super "with it" or enthusiastic about the impending experience I was trying to enjoy. 3.75 - 4 stars

harissa chicken

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

I was blown away by esme! GF friendly options available. So happy to have this restaurant in Culver City

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2 years ago

Got a matcha latte and it was great! Authentic and not super sweet. Service was great, very welcoming and helpful.

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Great atmosphere, and wonderful food. Many options for healthy and tasty food. Recommend coming here more than once!

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3 years ago

Ambiance, food, service are all 10/10. My favorites so far are the shakshouka and Esme coffee!

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Lovely coffee shop in downtown Culver City Super cozy and really great coffee! Will definitely be back.

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2 years ago

Amazing food and good service,I recommend mushrooms portobello sandwiches it's delicious and coffee too try,nice restaurant

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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Photo of Erin W.
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3 years ago

AMAZING 5/5!!!!! Food, service, ambiance and pricing are all on point. Healthy food but incredibly tasty and great natural wines.

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Page 4 of 4

ESME Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - ESME

Cardinale du Vin

Cardinale du Vin

4.7
(56 reviews)
2.2 mi
Locally owned & operated
Outdoor seating

I think this restaurant is a hidden gem for food enthusiasts! I love how Thai cuisine is getting…read moreincorporated with several other types of cuisines in LA, and Cardinale du Vin is one of the few that can make fusion food well. Unfortunately, I think the vibe is completely off with this type of food, and I think it's hurting their customer base (I.e, there's a sports watching day, and live DJ?, but the food is definitely more for upscale vibes). I also didn't know they have a rotating menu with different chefs, so when I came in craving for something like steak frites and find out the don't have it even though their sample menu lists it on their website, it kind of throws my mood a little. Moreover, their wine list is not extensive considering it's a wine bar, and wine mentioned in their name :) Anyways I've digressed. With this special menu, I ordered the scallop tostada and maitake taco. The scallops were very fresh, and it was a very well balanced dish. I would totally order this again! The maitake mushroom was exploding with flavors, though I find the sauce a little too salty for my taste. If I came here just for food, I'd come back and try new things!

What a lovely unique concept of wine bar (old world wines) and thai-influenced bar menu. Tiny…read morekitchen that executed well. Interesting wine list. High quality ingredients, which reflecting on the prices. We will be back!

Photos
Outdoor seating with Thai flavors and wine
Outdoor seating with Thai flavors and wine
Every Tuesday Night Leopard Pizza Co takes over the food menu
Every Tuesday Night Leopard Pizza Co takes over the food menu
Inside - bar area

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Inside - bar area
Wally's

Wally's

3.7
(1.4k reviews)
3.3 mi
$$$
Locally owned & operated
55 years in business

If you're in Beverly Hills, especially along North Canon Drive, you're surrounded by some truly…read moreincredible restaurants. I happened to be making an early morning delivery down the street at Allo and had always been curious about Wally's $39 lunch prix fixe menu. Honestly, it sounded almost too good to be true. I walked in right when they opened at 11:32 a.m. and grabbed a seat at the bar. My bartender and server, Shaline A., absolutely made my day. She was warm, welcoming, attentive, and provided genuine hospitality from start to finish. I started with the Caesar salad (with anchovies). Personally, I think a traditional Caesar should always have anchovies they're part of what makes it so special. For my entrée, I had the dorade fish], and it was beautifully prepared. Every bite reflected the quality and attention to detail that Wally's is known for. To finish, I enjoyed the cheese plate featuring a truffle cheese that day. Let me tell you... A+! It was the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. From the service to the food and the overall experience, Wally's exceeded my expectations. The $39 prix fixe lunch is an incredible value for the quality you receive. I highly recommend stopping by, and I'll definitely be back.

We were looking for a place to grab desserts and a drink so we hopped on to Wally's…read moreThe dessert is truly amazing and the apple shaped cheese cake is really blowing my mind and so delicious We are sitting outside but our server is really nice and hospitable The whole vibe is very chill and fun, so we had a great time there

Photos
Wally's
Wally's
NY Steak Frites

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NY Steak Frites
The Maybourne Bar

The Maybourne Bar

4.3
(30 reviews)
3.0 mi
$$$$

The best dining experience in Beverly Hills I've ever had!…read more From the moody decor to the food to the service, everything was so well curated and refined. The caviar omakase is the must order thing here. Everything is very small bites, but if you are mostly there for drinks then à la carte is a good option. The omakase was fantastic - nice sized portions of caviar, paired with thoughtful items like a mini lobster roll, a salmon burger, and even ice cream. The drinks are also delightful - you can taste the notes of every ingredient and nothing was too overpowering or unbalanced. But the service is by far the main reason we'll be back. The staff are incredibly welcoming and friendly, on top of being knowledgeable and presenting the menu in a well practiced way. They made this birthday dinner so special and went above and beyond. They do automatically add gratuity but I would've tipped more than that if possible. Incredible spot in Beverly Hills and more private and tucked away than some of the overly packed tourist destinations.

Matt B. and I had dinner in Beverly Hills a few weeks back and wanted to grab a nightcap before…read morecalling our Uber home. We ended up at the Maybourne Bar in the Maybourne hotel, a solid B+ lobby bar that I'd visit again under similar circumstances. The space was attractive but the vibe was strange, if not uncomfortable. Just weirdly bright lighting and a different crowd from the usual L.A. bar scene (hotel, Beverly Hills). It was pretty quiet at 10:00 on a Saturday night, and we were able to grab seats at the bar. Service was fast and polite. We ordered a Midas Touch and a Big in Japan, both decent cocktails that cost a full $30 apiece. The Midas Touch was a colorful spicy margarita with El Tesoro Maybourne Edition Reposado, Empirical Ayuuk, Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre, saffron, lemon, and honey. Big in Japan was a Gold Rush variation with Hibiki Harmony, sudachi honey, lemon, sansho pepper, and yuzu bitters. There are better, more interesting cocktail bars all over L.A., but I'd recommend the Maybourne Bar if you're staying at the hotel or otherwise looking for an upscale bar in downtown Beverly Hills. You can get food, too, though most of it seems to involve caviar.

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The Maybourne Bar
The Maybourne Bar
The Maybourne Bar

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The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse

The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse

4.0
(440 reviews)
2.0 mi
$$

The ambience was the star of the show! Such fun open space…read morewhich makes it appear larger than it is. It gives old 90's sitcom office bar like vibes and her for it! The food is your typical bar food, consisting of burgers, wings and salads, nothing special. We ordered: "Southwest Chicken Caesar salad". It was Kale tossed in supposedly Sriracha caesar dressing, pico de gallo on the side, grilled diced chicken & tortilla strips. The salad was overall salty with tiny bits and pieces of chicken. The RRRRAWDY Burger was enjoyed by my friend and the whole wings with drums included were tossed in a very mild buffalo sauce, so they were just ok.

We stopped in to celebrate my dad's birthday and had an awesome experience. The dog-friendly patio,…read morewith its two long tables, was the perfect spot for a laid-back afternoon. Ordering is a breeze with the QR code system, and we lucked out by arriving during happy hour (Monday-Friday, 2-6 PM). Great deals on both food and drinks made it even better. I had the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger with a wagyu patty and a soft, fluffy bun. At first, I missed the usual lettuce and tomato, but honestly ended up loving it just the way it came--I'd definitely order it again, especially at just $10. The happy hour fries were a standout too: crispy, well-seasoned, and a solid value. They've also got solid pizzas, a good beer lineup, and a surprisingly nice wine list. Whether you're in the mood for burgers, pizza, or just drinks with friends, this place hits the mark.

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The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse
The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse
The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse

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AOC

AOC

3.9
(2.7k reviews)
3.5 mi
$$$

AOC used to be an industry favorite. I remember hearing about this place from friends in the food…read moreand wine industry back in NYC. Nowadays, if you do find yourself here you'll find a charming restaurant that has clearly lost its place among the city's trendsetters list. I'm not sure why. The food is still stellar. The wine list still one of the best in town. And the service still on point. If you live or work in the neighborhood, go during "happy hour". It's some of the best value meals you'll have.

Arriving early for our reservation we were offered the bar, or our table as it was "all set up" for…read moreus. We opted to be seated and were shown into the courtyard. The table was ready and even had a card on it for a special occasion(birthday). The courtyard is a wonderful space, open area, tables not crowded, and a nice retreat from the city. Service was perfect with the staff explaining small plates, the options, and questions from the table as well as checking in, clearing and cleaning the table and empty plates as needed. The wine list. Did not partake, it was a cocktail evening but the list is EXTENSIVE and appears well curated. The Mediterranean-inspired menu has plenty of options without being overwhelming. Each dish appears to be a masterpiece of its own, pair it with wine, and other plates............well, you should come try the magic for yourself. Three STAND OUT DISHES YOU SHOYLD NOT MISS: °bacon wrapped dates-kinda standard these days, but these are the best I've had. Go ahead and place 2 orders. We did, and almost a 3rd. ° tunisian lamb shank(prepared to perfection), this entire presentation, plate, combination is perfect. The flavors/herbs along with the harissa are on point, and jeweled rice make you question what the main player of this dish is. ° cherry & peach crisp(be sure to order this at the beginning of your meal because it is baked fresh just for you!) with vanilla ice cream. Fresh fruit with an amazing crumble placed on your table directly from the oven. Can't say enough- fresh baked fruit and crumble with cold ice cream-chef's kiss. Honorable mention: soft polenta, wild mushrooms, swiss chard, mascarpone & gremolata. Seems to busy but is an amazing plate. I feel like there's no great way to wrap this up, kinda like I didn't want the meal to end. So if you've taken time to read all of this just go. I believe you will not be disappointed, but entirely impressed.

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Inside dining area
Inside dining area
Three cheese plate
Three cheese plate
Covered patio dining

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Covered patio dining

ESME - coffee - Updated July 2026

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