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    Re/creation Cafe

    4.6 (241 reviews)
    ModerateCafes
    Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

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    RE/CREATION CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Re/creation Cafe

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    Grilled Cheese with Happy Doggo
    Maegan La Mamita M.

    I've lived in this neighborhood for years now but only today took the half mile walk to check out this place for lunch with my dog (que cliche I know). The place is welcoming with a menu for everyone. Doesn't matter if you are coming in for cafe and a snack or a whole meal or a drink. I ordered at the counter but you can also order via QR code right from the tables. I went simple for my first meal here, a grilled cheese with fries and a glass of wine. Sat in the back patio where there were people reading, friends and couples having lunch - really a cute lovely vibe with flowering trees. The food was great and I can't wait to make this part of my regular rotation and also check out some of the events they have.

    crenshaw cowboy fried chicken sandwichs
    Thea M.

    This place is unreal! The vibe is so cozy and they are always doing fun things. Best neighborhood hang place. Tonight they had an awesome band and the music was so amazing! The food... I mean there are no words. All I have to say is if you like biscuits... this is the best I have ever had in my life!! Must get the biscuit sandwich! I will be ordering it for thanksgiving! They have so many gluten free and vegan options it's amazing! The pasta was also amazing and a must try. Have to come back to try the rest of the menu. But I feel like I already know I'm going to be obsessed with everything. Best new spot I found!

    John L.

    I came to Recreation Cafe in Mid-City with a group of five and had such a pleasant experience overall. I immediately loved the beautiful, airy ambiance and how bright and welcoming the space felt. I noticed right away how friendly and attentive the staff was, and I really appreciated how quickly they cleaned and set up a table for our group. I liked the easy access to water, which always feels like a thoughtful touch. I ordered the Mediterranean salmon dish and loved how balanced and fresh the flavors were, with a satisfying portion size. I also tried the chicken tenders, which were delicious, along with French fries that were perfectly seasoned and had great texture. Our smoothies were refreshing and tasty. The only small miss for me was the cornbread waffle and chicken, which leaned a bit dry. I appreciated that all our food came out at the same time, ordering was easy with tons of options, and parking wasn't terrible. I would happily return for brunch with friends and explore more of the menu soon.

    crenshaw cowboy fried chicken sandwich
    Betty N.

    **GREAT COMMUNAL SPACE, OK FOOD** I've had this café bookmarked for a while and finally made it in. Overall, it lands at about 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. PARKING Street parking for us. Easy enough on quieter days, but it can get hectic on weekends or during events. AMBIANCE Lofty, open, and airy with a really nice back patio. Easily one of the better-designed communal spaces in Mid-City. Welcoming, lively, and well-suited for hanging out, working, or attending events. FOOD CRENSHAW COWBOY FRIED CHICKEN - $20 Fried chicken with jalapeño honey, garlic aioli, lettuce, and pickled jalapeños on a buttermilk biscuit. The idea is solid, but the execution didn't quite live up to the description. The chicken lacked the heat and distinct buttermilk flavor I was expecting. It's fine, just underwhelming for a $20 plate, especially since fries and other sides are extra. Rating: 3/5 SERVICE We greeted the bartender and staff, but as first-time visitors, we weren't informed that ordering happens at the counter before seating. After sitting for about 15 minutes, we figured it out and went up ourselves. Water is self-serve. Once ordered, the food came out fairly quickly. OVERALL The space is really the highlight here. I might return for drinks, the patio, or future events, but the fried chicken sandwich alone wouldn't bring me back.

    Interior
    Angela N.

    Such a cute place - good vibe - staff is super friendly and accommodating. Lots of seating indoors and on the back patio. Cute community restaurant & seems to host a lot of events. I wanted to try everything because the menu looked so scrumptious - from the food to the drinks! I can't eat eggs anymore (BOO), so anything I ordered would have had the egg removed. Ordered the gingerberry rush smoothie and was delish - it has a lot of ginger which I like. I would have ordered the matcha more but I had just finished the matcha I made myself at home. I ordered the breakfast sandwich which was made with these incredible biscuits and I added more chicken sausage (since I didn't have the egg). The sausage is not to be missed! My sister ordered the omelette - the home Made has brows are FIRE! Will def be back when I'm in Los Angeles.

    paint social
    Ally C.

    Returned for another Friday paint night! It was surprisingly not crowded this time vs how busy it was last week. But the vibes are always there. There were plenty of easels available. I tried the chicken tenders and let me tell you they might be the best I've had recently--texture and taste were perfect. Also the fries are downright amazing. And bonus points for the pretty presentation.

    Charlotte D.

    Such a unique and beautiful spot! Well thought out and incredible food, treats and drinks!!

    st. elmo garden omelette
    Rex C.

    We came here for brunch and left genuinely impressed.The food at Re/creation Cafe is done with care, and you can tell right away. The burger was the highlight for me. The brioche bun was soft and slightly sweet, the patty was thick, juicy, and nicely seasoned, and everything worked together without feeling heavy or overdone. It looked great on the plate and tasted even better. The fries were excellent. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and not greasy at all. They felt fresh and well seasoned, not like an afterthought, which I always appreciate. We also tried a breakfast plate, and it was just as solid. The omelet was fluffy and cooked right, not dry or flat. The potato pancake had a great crunch with a soft center, and the sauces on the side added flavor without overpowering anything. Presentation was clean and inviting. Portions were filling but reasonable. Nothing felt rushed or sloppy. Overall, Re/creation Cafe feels like a place that cares about what they put out. Good food, well executed, and a relaxed brunch spot I would definitely come back to. Long overdue review.

    Nijole T.

    The chicken tacos here are absolutely delicious! We really enjoyed our Matcha as well. Service was super friendly and very helpful. Plenty of seating, I love the layout and spaciousness of this café. They have plenty of inside as well as outside seating and metered as well as residential parking all around. Excellent option if you are looking for a delicious bite or a drink while in the area!

    Soju Paloma nice and light
    Robbin R.

    This place is awesome! Great coffice hours (laptop friendly until 4pm). All the seating options to fit your needs; solo dinners to small groups, indoor and outdoor spaces, even stools, chairs, or couches. There's a basket of blankets to use if you get a little chilly while outside. Great food (like, the entire menu), great service, great espresso. And some fun light cocktails for when it's time to get a little loose. Fun part is all the events and activities they offer. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter. I didn't find the bakery foods good, but hey, something's gotta give. Besides I'm here for all other things! I'm obsessed with Re/creation Cafe.

    Patio fan & heaters
    Dani S.

    Just went back with friends from out of town. They loved it too. What a gem! The food, the service and atmosphere so so good.

    Joy

    Came by to meet up with a couple of friends, and overall, the experience was great - up until the flies decided they wanted our food more than we did. First step into Re/Creation Cafe, we were impressed by how wide and spacious the atmosphere was. Very open and inviting. The food didn't disappoint either. The fish tacos (8.5/10) were flaky and flavorful, though a bit messy as the condiments felt more tossed on than placed. The chicken taco (10/10) was my absolute favorite: served in a hard shell with flavors that worked perfectly together. I also snagged a bite of my partner's turkey burger, which was juicy and packed with flavor. Fries were also amazing - it hit that perfect balance of crispy on the outside, soft in the middle. Unfortunately, the major downside was the number of flies. I get that the space is open in the back, but it really impacted the experience. We spent a good chunk of our meal swatting them away. It was hard to fully enjoy my taco with uninvited guests hovering around :( Still, if you can look past the flies, it's a solid spot. Just something to keep in mind if you're planning a visit. Street parking readily available.

    Hours
    Sovannie E.

    This is such a cute cozy place for brunch ! I love how they have a lounge area and tables outside to dine. Food was great but I would love to come back again to try more of what's on the menu ! This is an order and sit down type of cafe. So make sure you get a menu before placing an order or else you'll be stuck at the register deciding like I did lol. I got a Caesar salad with their espresso no martini coffee. The coffee is 1000/10 ! String just how I like it and a little sweet. It's perfect ! I wanted more after I was done. The salad was great I love the colors on it. I added chicken which came grilled, I would rate it a good 8/10 since it's just a simple Caesar salad. My bf got their flat bread which taste prettty amazing. I would definitely want to come back! They also have events here which I would love to check out, especially their salsa night

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    Ask the Community - Re/creation Cafe

    The menu lists several items as vegan but says they have nonvegan items like feta cheese, crème fraiche, and honey. Are these vegan versions or do these dishes require modifications to make them vegan-friendly? Thanks!

    Hello Rebecca, if the dish is vegan it will have a “v” listed next to the item on the menu. If they are not vegan but have a vegan option they will have a “vo” listed next to the menu item. Some dishes are not vegan but we may use some vegan… Read more

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    Stopped by Damo on a Saturday afternoon and the line was about 10 minutes which honestly wasn't bad…read moreat all for a weekend. Got the strawberry matcha einspanner with oat milk and it was really good -- the strawberry and matcha balance each other out well and the oat milk was a solid call with it. Only problem is the parking, mainly gotta street park as the plaza has very limited parking. However the inside was clean and there's always some parking nearby.

    DAMO has been on my list for a year since I last visited LA, and let me just say it was worth the…read morewait! When my friend and I stopped by, I realized DAMO is located in a plaza I used to frequent for I Love Boba and what used to be Potions & Poisons when I lived in LA back in the early 2020s. After reviewing the menu, my friend ordered the hojicha einspänner since we'd already had one matcha earlier in the day. I ordered the strawberry matcha latte with oat milk, which is typically a safe choice. The cashier seemed to have misheard my name and order because when our drinks were ready, the receipt slip displayed my name incorrectly as "Jane", and my drink was prepared einspänner style even though I requested just a regular strawberry matcha latte. Fortunately, the barista was super nice and understanding and offered to remake my drink on the spot. Since all the tables and counter chairs were taken, we sat on the bench near the front of the café to sip our drinks, which were very good and definitely above average. Really happy I got the chance to try this place finally.

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    Cafe De Mama - Black Sesame Cream Latte (Iced), Vanilla Cream Cold Brew

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    4.6(542 reviews)
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    Wow, I cannot wait to go back. The drink menu here gave me choice paralysis because I wanted…read moreeverything! I ordered the matcha mochi latte, and the cream on top was divine! Super thick and rich, and when you dip the mochi in it OOOOH just the best thing ever. I also love their seasonal Persimmon Milk Latte. The persimmon at the top and bottom are just so refreshing and sweet, I couldn't get enough! We also ordered their egg waffle sando, which is basically an egg sando but in a hardshell waffle. The savory fluffy eggs went well with the harder exterior of the waffle!! I'm excited to come back and try their Injeolmi mochi latte and their Mugwort one too. What an incredible discovery in Ktown!!! The interior is clean, quiet, and comfortable. Perfect for some quiet time to yourself or to catch up casually with a friend. Staff is super nice, and drinks came out fast. There is a small parking lot behind the shop, which is a huge plus!!!!

    Ordered UberEats and it took an hour but it wasn't a big deal since it's 10+ mile drive from my…read morearea. Pricing was slightly pricey since most drinks cost $7+ Ordered the Injeolmi Mochi Latte ($6.82) with less ice & sugar and oat milk (+$0.75). It consisted of a roasted soybean cream milk with a mochi skewer. I liked that it wasn't too sweet and the hint of roasted soybean. The mochi was amazing! It was so fresh and chewy. It's nice there's also the option to add half shot (+$0.50) or espresso (+$1.00). Got the Black Sesame Mochi Latte ($7.35) with less ice & sugar and oat milk (+$0.75). It consisted of black sesame cream milk with a mochi skewer. This was definitely my favorite! The black sesame tasted so delicious. It wasn't too sweet and it was so creamy and the black sesame tasted amazing! I could tell it was made from real black sesame by the roasted sesame flavor. The mochi was so fresh, chewy, and yummy! Make sure to give the drinks a good stir prior to drinking otherwise the cream top just stays on top! Overall, both drinks were good but my favorite was definitely the Black Sesame Mochi Latte, as well as the incredible mochi!

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    Smalls LA Cafe & Market - Cappuccino, blueberry muffin, spanish latte, cream cheese danish

    Smalls LA Cafe & Market

    4.9(42 reviews)
    0.9 miArlington Heights

    I first came to this spot because a friend of mine invited a group of us for a galentines gathering…read morewhere we made charm bracelets and bag chains. Travis was so accommodating, even though at some point we had taken over several tables (in our defense it was not particularly busy). Now, I come here sometimes when I'm not running late to work/have some extra time to spare in the morning. The space is set up great for catching up with friends (like we did) or getting some work done (I always see at least one person on a laptop when I drop by). There's a little parking lot right in front, and I've been able to park there easily each visit. I normally order some sort of cold coffee. On my most recent visit I got a blue mint latte, which was both aesthetically pleasing and delicious. I'm also a fan of the pastries. I've had some sort of tomato pastry and a jalapeño cheese croissant, both of which satisfied whatever savory craving I was having. I appreciate the resources posted, the signage that's up, and the community events that happen here. The energy and intention behind this space are wonderful.

    Smalls LA was probably perfect representative of your warm welcoming neighborhood coffee shop…read more Despite just visiting it, I could already feel the vibe as I saw how the owner treated all the guests throughout the time I spent there, being super friendly and I did see not a few who seemed to be regulars stopping by. The calm and slow vibe made it a convenient space to focus and get some work done or simply just chill and read without interruption. They did offer nibbles so it's just perfect. I got their 'New Orleans Latte' and I would say it impressed me as much as the version from the well-known chain coffee shop in town (IYKYK). Bold flavor, right sweetness and creaminess, for which mine went with almond milk.

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    Koffeeski - Vienna latte

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    4.5(106 reviews)
    2.0 miWindsor Square
    Locally owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    Actually incredibly underrated spot in Ktown!! "Hidden Gem" gets tossed around a-lot but this place…read moreabsolutely earns that title!! This little cafe makes some of the best lattes around, and all for extremely fair prices!! They have the most alternative milk options I've seen which is perfect for lactose-free girlies like me. They also have a WIDE range of Matcha drinks beyond just a basic latte with flavoring. Their matcha is a vibrant, rich ceremonial grade. The vibe is pleasant and bright, with lots of seating options and great music. Not too loud, not too quiet. Koffeeski has a parking lot that it shares with other businesses. In the morning, it is extremely easy to park at. If the parking lot is full (usually in the evening), there is safe and easy free street parking around the corner in the neighborhoods. The most charming part is the little doodles around the shop. One of the employees has such a charming doodle style and its so fun to play i-spy in this little cafe~

    TLDR: Amazing espressos and latte, poor customer service (at least from the gentleman with the…read moreearrings) who was calling all the shots, no pun intended. - - - - - - I visited Koffeeski on a weekday afternoon. While they have a small lot in the front, parking is easier to find 1-3 blocks away, either paid or in the residential area where it's more plentiful. At the time of visit, a gentleman had taken my order, and it was a rather plain and unwelcoming experience. I had my usual iced latte. When asked about receipts, I mentioned that it was okay but was keying in my information for the Rewards Program. After making the drink, he nonchalantly looked at the tablet and CANCELLED my information, then made eye contact with me - rude! What's the saving grace of this place? The espresso for sure. The iced latte is one that I'd rank fairly highly in my list of Ktown cafes. It's a fairly minimalist spot with Wi-Fi and comfortable decor. The benches are lightweight and will move if you're not too careful, barely on the narrower end, too. If you visit, may you never have to deal with the service by this gentleman with the earrings - utterly horrid.

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    Re/creation Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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