Karen F.

My husband and I were headed to LA for a day out early and stopped by Kuyas for the first time to get breakfast and coffee. This hidden gem is not only a cafe, but also sells house plants at an affordable price for any plant lovers out there. The food menu is small and straightforward, but we love places that specialize on a few staple items. We got the Bistapa Bowl and Pork Tocino Sandwich with the House Drip and Manilla Vanilla for drinks. Every ingredient and bite of each food item we ordered was so flavorful! The calamansi to squeeze onto the bowl gave it even more aromatics and flavor, and the protein on both items were so tender. We both enjoyed the coffee as well, and to complete the order, we got the Kuyas Kassava for dessert and we were so glad to have ordered this as well. You can tell the quality of the food it excellent when you don't feel sluggish or bloated afterwards. Sean was so helpful and took the time to make sure we had a memorable time here. You can tell the amount of thought and passion that goes into the business and the product that they serve, I can't recommend this place enough. If you haven't been to Kuyas yet and you're hungry, please give them a visit. This spot will no doubt be added to a list of favorites when you're in LA.

Ashley C.

The spot is a must have if you live here, don't live here, doesn't matter, you must come!! Amazing service right off the bat - we were greeted by one of the owners, AKA one of the kuyas. I like that the menu isn't too extensive, but somehow it was still hard to decide. We landed on the pork tocino sandwich and breakfast burrito, and both were amazing! I'm still dreaming about it as I write this review. The pork tocino was tender, egg was perfectly runny, and I loved the amount of vinegar flavor. The breakfast burrito had that "'mushy" quality which I love, everything super cheesy and moist, and nothing dry about it. The salsa and calamansi on the side was perfect. We also ordered two drinks. The drink menu isn't too long, and we were a little surprised they didn't have anything ube on the menu! But I like that they didn't go too typical on the flavor profiles. I chose their Kuya-Thai which is their scratch Thai tea and I added a shot of espresso. So fragrant, and pretty! My husband's Kuya-Kape was also a great hot drink to enjoy with our meal. They have seating inside and outside, and even some handmade goods, merch, and coffee beans for purchase. I have already started telling people they must come here and I will continue to spread the word until I can come back again myself!

Joseph C.

When I heard there was a Filipino cafe opening in the Highland Park area, I immediately needed to show up for my own culture! As someone who grew up in Eagle Rock, this was huge news knowing Philippine culture is being represented in the community. The family who owns this spot (Sean & his family) are extremely welcoming and nice. Right when I walked in, I was greeted with warm kindness, making me feel just right at home. Pork Tocino Sandwich (5/5) They weren't kidding when they said this was one of their best items on the menu. The pork was juicy and extremely savory. The cucumbers added a nice hint of sweetness - all while being topped off with an egg and wrapped up in a pan de sal bun! Each bite was addictive and I'm sad to say I finished the sandwich in under 5 minutes. I wanted more of it! Kuya's Kassava (5/5) For my fellow Filipinos, each bite felt like I was back home in the Philippines. Something like my grandmother used to make (and probably biased to this review because the batch I had was fresh out the oven). It had a butter mochi consistency, all while tasting the flavors of the cassava and macapuno. The caramel glaze on top was just the perfect touch to this dessert. Kuya Kape (5/5) Couldn't leave without getting some coffee! This coffee has notes of vanilla and cinnamon - all which I love. Basically, it was like tasting a churro ice cream in a cup. The sweetness didn't overpower the coffee though. Just the right balance between the coffee and the vanilla profile. Please give this place some love. The owners put their heart and soul into this establishment and you can tell with their interactions with their customers. Highly recommend and would definitely go back again!

Nikki B.

When the owner of Kindness & Mischief (Mo Maravilla) decided to leave to pursue her passion of coffee roasting, two of her employees Sian Balauag & Arnold Basingat took over and transformed it into a Filipino-American café & community space called Kuyas. Kuyas means big brother in Filipino, so perhaps it's a representation of their friendship. I stopped in on a Sunday morning. I was immediately greeted when I walked in. The place is so cozy and adorned with plants from Urban Tropicals that add to the charm. The plants are for purchase along with merchandise, coffee accessories, and other neat items that would be great for gifts. There are plenty of places to sit & soak in the tranquility. Turns out the sweet man that greeted me was one of the owners, Sian. He grew up in HLP, which is fantastic! Arnold is the chef in charge of the tasty food creations & desserts. I decided to try one of their signature drinks, so I requested the Kuya-Kapé - a latte with sweet vanilla & cinnamon. Sian mentioned that the drink is a bit sweet & asked if I wanted to adjust the level of sweetness. I told him that I wanted to try it the way it was intended to be served. He asked what type of milk I wanted and mentioned that there is no extra charge for substitutes, which I appreciate. They also make all their syrups in house and proudly feature Mo's Studio Tigre as the signature roast. Sian & I had a delightful conversation while he prepared my beverage. He has a warm & friendly personality. The Kuya-Kapé was delicious! I could taste the quality of the beans. The milk to coffee ratio was perfect. I typically drink my coffee black so the sweetness level didn't bother me. In fact, it was just right. If you're looking for some superior quality coffee and tasty Filipino eats then stop by Kuyas and show them some love. Wishing you guys lots of success. *Metered street parking.

Jessica G.

Taking over a former Filipino cafe, Kuyas recently opened its door offering Filipino bites and drinks. We stopped by right after brunch so we didn't get to try their burritos or other heavy meals but tempted to get our hands on their Cassava, chewy sweet butter mochi that's decently sweetened with condensed milk and caramel topping. Some people knew it as bibingka. The owner was extremely friendly, making genuine effort to get to know the customers and personally thank everyone for coming and supporting the business. We got their Kuya Cafe - their version of Vanilla Cinnamon Latte and Manilla Vanilla Latte. Plus plus points for not charging for alternative milk, which became more and more rare to find in LA nowadays. Coffees were well-made, giving us enjoyable weekend caffeine kick amidst the green refreshing cafe setting.

Kristine H.

Beautiful coffee shop with great drinks and a warm atmosphere. I didn't get a chance to try the food this time, but I'd definitely come back for it. The owner was incredibly kind and attentive, which made the experience even better. They also had a beautiful selection of plants , there was one in particular I absolutely loved and still regret not buying. Only thing to note: the coffee was good, but definitely on the pricier side.

Marilyn D.

First time at Kuya's, and I had a great experience! I ordered the Bistapa Bowl, and they gave me a realistic wait time, which I appreciated. I also got the hoji tea and cassava cake, but they were so good I forgot to take pictures! The Bistapa was well balanced with savory flavors and fresh ingredients. The garlic rice could have used a bit more garlic, but it was still delicious. Cassava cake is a childhood favorite of mine, and this was easily one of the best I've had. I'll definitely be back to try more!

Melinda M.

I had friends who suggested this Filipino fusion coffee shop and I'm so glad we checked it out! The aesthetic is super chill with beautiful plants everywhere which makes for an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. I had the Manong-Cha coffee which was brewed to perfection PLUS they don't charge if you need to swap out your milk. This is a small local joint and the owners were there making the food and coffee. Both owners were so friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome and made sure everything we ordered was on point. I had the Kuyas Breakfast Burrito which I highly recommend. My husband had the Bistapa Bowl and my brother and dad both had the Pork Tocino Sandwich. Everyone loved their food! This is a must stop if you're in the area!!

Jill L.

This place is so cool! Filipino-owned cafe right off Figueroa. I came in around noon and unfortunately the matcha and hojicha were already sold out. I got a different drink, and the best part is that there's no additional fee when ordering alternative milk. We also ordered the Kuyas breakfast burrito and pork tocino sandwich. They both tasted great! Loved the vibe overall. Definitely would come back for their hojicha and matcha.

Shik P.

Kuyas is such a great spot for flavorful coffee, delicious food and catching up with friends. First time at this cafe and eatery, thanks to the recommendation of a dear friend. Kuyas is nicely located in Highland Park where all these new eateries, bakeries and retail shops are established. Plenty of parking available both on the streets and public parking lots with meters. Visited on a Friday afternoon. As soon as we walked in Kuyas the sweet aroma of coffee welcomes you. The cafe is very modern, open, spacious and welcoming. Plenty of tables and chairs for seating and dining. Love the ambiance. During this visit we ordered the House Drip Latte with oatmilk, Cinammon Latte with oatmilk, Lavender Herbal Tea and Kuyas Kassava. The House Drip Latte was perfect. It was flavorful. You can taste the coffee and espresso. It's rich yet well balanced with the oatmilk. Found out that their coffee beans are hand picked, sourced and imported directly from the Philippines. My husband and I are coffee fanatics. We love all kinds of coffee. Lavender Herbal Tea is also on point for all the tea lovers. Kuyas Kassava is a desert made of starchy root vegetable known as Yuca with coconut and coconut milk. It's so good! We plan to come back in a couple of days to try other items on their menu like the Bistapa Bowl and Pork Tocino Sandwich. They also have a vegan item on the menu which is one of our friend's favorite meal. Kuyas provide flavorful coffee, delicious meals and excellent customer service. We look forward to our next visit this weekend.

Rosa R.

Always excited to see a new Filipino restaurant, of course, we had to come check it out. The breakfast burrito was just okay, nothing special about it, felt it needed salt/seasoning, didn't really taste the garlic fried rice and didn't feel the spicy salsa helped it out. The pork breakfast sandwich, on the other hand, was outstanding, flavorful, and wall seasoned! We will definitely come back just for the burrito! Customer service is welcoming and friendly. Restaurant is small with limited seating. Only street parking available.

Kuyas is a hidden gem and such a great addition to the neighborhood! We went for lunch and got the breakfast burrito, the bistapa bowl, the kuya kape latte (cinnamon vanilla) & the cassava cake. The latte was a 10/10 and the food was great too. All super fresh and made to order - we could tell it was going to be good by how amazing it smelled when we walked in the door. And the salsa that came with the breakfast burrito was delicious, I would straight up drink a cup of it by itself. The cafe is beautiful inside with tons of plants and a good amount of places to sit, and the folks working there were so lovely and welcoming. It feels like such a rarity nowadays to go to a cafe that clearly cares so much about their customers and the quality of their food. Go support this Filipino small business, it's truly such a special place!

Got one of their signature drinks I think the one with vanilla and cinnamon! It was so delicious and had just the right amount of sweetness with spice! Everyone working there is super sweet and the music and ambiance is 10/10! Definitely will be back to try more drinks and their food!