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    South LA Cafe

    4.7 (433 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    SOUTH LA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Good for working
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - South LA Cafe

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    Chocolate chip scone
    Danielle K.

    Just stopped by on our way to the museum. I got the choco chip scone (very good, wish there had been butter) and my husband got the western. He liked it but unfortunately he wasnt able to finish it so i cant say if it was good past the first few sips. The barista who helped us was nice but seemed new since he wasnt very knowledgeable; however, he did get the answers for us when we asked a couple questions. I got my scone cold by choice but when they called the coffee the scone wasnt ready yet for some reason and of course i had to go back and ask them for it since they never called our name. Its a small place next to the NHM so even tho there is seating its limited. They sell merch too. I would not recommend coming here ONLY for the cafe, because there is no parking unless youre going to the museums.

    Miranda D.

    Visited this spot two times during my four day trip to LA -- let that be your sign to come visit South LA Cafe! This cafe is black-owned and women-owned so you know I had to show my support. Upon walking in, you're greeted with a beautiful Nipsey Hussle mural as well as other social activist paintings created by small business artists. This place creates such a safe space for all which is super important especially during these trying times. On top of the ambiance, the service was amazing. You're greeted by individuals who appear to love what they do and genuinely appreciate your business. The food itself was yummy! During the two times we visited, we ordered some iced mochas, iced refreshers, croissants, bagels, empanadas, etc. All of them were solid! I will definitely recommend this spot to others and will encourage those reading this to also give it a try :)

    The Western, The Crenshaw, hot chocolate
    Karen K.

    I honestly wasn't expecting reasonablly priced, decently tasty coffee with good service at a museum like the Natural History Museum. I was expecting over priced, watered down, meh coffee. I'm happy to see South LA take their product seriously. The Western was a horchata and espresso coffee. I got it iced. It is pretty sweet, but tasty. The Crenshaw is a cold brew with cinnamon and whipped cream. I liked that it didn't taste too sweet. I should have gotten a larger hot chocolate, because I had my kids share, and they devoured it and were arguing over the drops remaining in the cup. The vibe is cool, pretty modern, sinple, and relaxed. It is next to the cafe with access from the outside of the museum. 10% off for teachers!

    The Ali
    Kelly K.

    Great coffee, delicious pastries and the sweetest staff! Make sure to stop in if you're in the area!

    Iced Vanilla Latte
    Karina R.

    I've always wanted to try this spot, and with a new location opening near me soon, I took the opportunity to visit the Western Ave location. The space is beautifully clean, spacious, and has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You can really feel the heart of South LA reflected in the decor and vibe. It's a lovely tribute to the community's rich history. The staff were incredibly friendly. While the menu includes many familiar coffee shop staples, they also offer some standout signature drinks and tasty empanadas. The real star for me, though, was the coffee cake, definitely worth trying! Portions are generous, and everything I had felt made with care. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area or near one of their other locations.

    Cheese danish
    Spring G.

    Cute community coffee shop !! They have lavender YUMMY ! Huge pastries ! My daughter said her matcha was too sweet . Very cool vibes loved the Nipsey and Martin paintings ! Cool spots for picture taking and there's parking ! My coffee was crafted how I wanted and put in a cute short hot cup with ice ;))

    Seating
    Tracy Z.

    Went here for our monthly BIPOC Fiber Friends meetup. It was my first time at the cafe and I loved it! I ordered a decaf oat latte and avocado toast - the avocado toast was more flavorful than the usual I have, which was a nice surprise. Our group took up a sizable number of tables, so Carmen came over and offered to let us use the back area the next time we come if we give her a heads up. The food and drinks were on point, the staff were friendly, and we felt so welcomed! Will definitely be back to support this community cafe.

    Oatmilk Latte
    Carlie C.

    Love South LA Cafe Coffee is always on point, pastries from Homeboy Industries are always amazing, and the service is the best part! It is a true community spot where people are working, conversing, and the cafe seems to always be doing things for the community like food drives. I always love the coffee but tried an empanada on my last visit and it was delicious too! Parking is easy and inside is always clean, welcoming, and plenty of outlets for when you need to work.

    Edwin C.

    What happen to the prices here Stop coming here for 6 months and prices are way to much One bottle of water 8 dollars. lol come on I don't mind but for those who really can't afford this is too much.

    Maria G.

    This is my first time trying this coffee place and it was so delicious. I love the coffee that I chose, it was "The Western" ice coffee. It had a great flavor and you have option to get it cold, hot or blended. I also decided to try the chicken empanada which was delicious. Definitely one of my favorite places to get coffee in South LA. I also saw that they have different locations all around South Los Angeles and they have a loyalty program that let you earn points on every visit and after 10 points you get $5 dollars off. The service was amazing. The two persons behind the counter were friendly and welcoming. Since it was my first time there the person who took my order, took his time to explain the menu to me. The ambience is very calm definitely a great place to come and relax while enjoying a cup of coffee.

    Erika L.

    Might be my new coffee shop. Iced Horchata Latte less sweet with an extra espresso shot is my favorite drink. It's sweet but well balanced by the extra shot. I also tried with their ham & cheese croissant this last time. It's a large one, big enough to share with someone. Croissant was flaky and buttery; could have a bit more ham but still good. Service is always friendly and quick.

    Well made, delicious!!

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    9 days ago

    Arrived at 3 already closed and the hours online says they closed at 4. I came for no reason. What a waste of time.

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    23 days ago

    The staff was friendly, the cafe was clean and welcoming and the food was great! I recommend this cafe.

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    8 months ago

    The Western as the best selling drink wasn't that impressive. As a heavy coffee drink, its just a cinimon sugar drink to me.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - South LA Cafe

    Are customers allowed to sit and get some work/studying done here?

    Yes, there's outdoor seating along the side of the cafe. I haven't seen any tables/chairs set up inside yet.

    What type of oatmilk do you use?

    Generally Califia but sometimes we use Oatly. You can always ask what we have in stock when you arrive and we will accommodate you based on what we have.

    Can you stay open until 7 on Tuesday? My friend and I want to come by.

    Hey Stephanie! We’d love to have you! Our soft launch hours are weekdays 7-4 and weekends 8-1. Hopefully you can make it in then! In the future we may have events and other occasions when we stay open later. If you haven’t already become a free… 

    Could you post photos of your menu? I have food allergies and would love to see what options I have. Thanks!

    You got it! Are you on IG? If so follow us @southlacafe and then send us a dm and we can share the menu. We will also post on Yelp now hoping it will update immediately!

    Do you have an oat milk option :)?

    Yes, they do have oat milk!

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - South LA Cafe

    Love what they stand for, love what they do for the community and love how passionate the owners are about helping people.

    Mentioned in 113 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    ORA

    ORA

    4.6
    (115 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    This place is a vibe. I did not grow up with this term in the schoolyard so I had to search what it…read moremeant to ensure I was using it right. And basically vibe is a non literal way of saying that a place has a striking and specific atmosphere that matches the objective of the place. For instance, if a beach has a vibe than it offers all that a beach should in a clear and present kind of way. And this place offers a multi-functional coffee house vibe that is clear and present. For instance, I can easily see friends catching up over latte's and croissants and feeling cozy enough to make the chat lazy in a most wonderful way, like laying on a bean bag with no midterms or mortgage payments near. I can also see people producing here. Whether it be beats, plays, books, or corporate re-structuring plan this place has a vibe that communicates one can focus to create. And that is the kind of vibe I like, cause it is the kind of vibe I need when I seek to produce. The focal point of the vibe were the work pods of the place. I took a picture of them and the way I did makes them seem like a row of catacombs or something like that. Something with infinite pillars. Why is sitting in pod important? Will my prose really be that much more impactful if I sit in a pod from this place as oppose to my kitchen table or a regular table that this place offers? Maybe. Perhaps not. But, like, science cannot explain why coffee taste better out of one's "coffee mug" but if one is a coffee drinker and one has a designated mug of their own, then one knows that coffee does taste more exquisite when the mug and the pour become one as vessel and brew. I am thinking the same concept applies here just in a different kind of way. Meaning that the work pod might not have any actual effect but a quasi-placebo or even self-fulfilling prophecy effect take place and make the person impacted produce work that sings better. I know my signatures are better when I use my favorite pen. I read a sign on the pods that ask visitors to only stay for 90 minutes, no more. So the pods of this place are regulated so they must be that important. And I can see why. At the basic level they are engaging to sit in and write within them. The last time I went I ordered one of the best iced coffees I ever had in my life and that is no cap. That felt good writhing, so I will say it anew: I ordered one of the best iced coffees I ever had. Meaning that on a random day, where I expected little, I try something new that makes me happy to be open to new cuisine even if the new cuisine is just a new flavor: Barry White. It was black berry with white chocolate. I expected the combination to fail in pleasing me. But I was wrong. Me. Not the drink. I loved the sweetness of the concoction. I also ordered their sweet potato chicken bowl. Another great set of bites, but not to my liking because I did not ask for the chili to be removed from the chicken bowl. But if the chili was gone I would have described this dish as the bomb or something similar. But the coffee takes the cake. I visited the place just yesterday and they had an exhibition titled the heartbeat of culture. I took a picture of two women just outside the bussiness on a festival day. They were wearing clothing of their cutlture. They were standing tall in pride, supporting each other, and reminding me that all people have a heart that shines brighter when they are wearing something that makes them feel powerful with color pop. This place is certainly a move when one is at Leimert Park or if one needs a place to work and they are just over the Hollywood coffee scene.

    Came in on a Tuesday afternoon and it was pretty full. I've been meaning to visit and finally made…read moretime. The space is open with high ceilings and had amazing photographs throughout. The natural light makes it a very welcoming environment. I ordered matcha and the turkey bacon and egg sandwich. It took about 10 min; they had a steady flow of traffic. The matcha was perfection and had excellent flavor (I got almond milk and lavender). The sandwich was also tasty and I LOVE that they have a turkey bacon option. This is a solid choice for a nice chat or meeting with someone. Check them out!

    Photos
    ORA
    AVOCADO TOAST
    AVOCADO TOAST
    PEACHES AND CREAM MATCHA

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    PEACHES AND CREAM MATCHA
    Highly Likely

    Highly Likely

    3.8
    (736 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Came out on Mothers day for Breakfast. This place has a nice, chill vibe and mainly outdoors…read moreseating in the back. They have some interesting drinks on the menu, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The food was alright, nothing special or that stood out. Service was quick and they do have high-chairs if needed. They did get quite busy around 10am so if youre thinking of coming here, it might be worth getting a reservation. Overall it was a nice breakfast, but a little out of the way for me and parking was tough (street parking only).

    Well, I honestly have to say I am really disappointed in the service here. I am a single girl who…read morecan't cook so I dine out 24/7 and RARELY leave a review however I feel that if I do maybe something can change for the next guest trying to enjoy an experience. It's really hard to be in a joyful mood when you are not being attended to. I did receive a glass of water at the very beginning, that was nice, after that everything was basically as if I was invisible. They brought my food out fast, I wanted to ask for sauces, more napkins & no one checked in on me. Maybe because I came during dinner time? The bartender is gold -- he was more attentive than the whole staff the entire time. I am sad to say that this truly made my food non exciting and very blah. I've been here before for breakfast and it has been great, bummed that wasn't today. As a single eater, I felt extra lonely. Sincerely, Anonymous foodie x

    Photos
    Highly Likely
    **Li'l Chicky Sando
    **Li'l Chicky Sando
    Vegan (Or Not) Ceasar with parm cheese and I added chicken; delicious salad!

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    Vegan (Or Not) Ceasar with parm cheese and I added chicken; delicious salad!
    Alibi Coffee

    Alibi Coffee

    4.5
    (290 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    I was headed to dinner at the fabulous Holbox, but driving there from Hollywood at rush hour is…read morenever a good idea. So I looked for a coffee spot closer to the restaurant at which I could do some work. Alibi Coffee is only 10-15 minutes from the restaurant, which made it a good candidate--and off I went. It sits on the corner of Washington and Raymond Avenue. While there's one-hour parking on Washington, Raymond seems to offer unlimited parking (other than street cleaning days)--the friendly, helpful barista directed me over there. Inside, it's a tranquil, clean and comfortable environment that mixes contemporary touches with brick industrial vibes. I'm in my cream top era, so I decided to get their Trademark Cream Top Latte, which uses cold brew and house made cream with a hint of brown sugar. The drink was smooth and not too sweet and, all in all, extremely enjoyable. Next time, I might try the Salted Caramel Cream Top Latte. I was warned it was a bit sweeter, but I'd like to see for myself. Wi-Fi seems solid, and there are plenty of outlets (yay!), so this was a great work spot. I'd definitely return anytime I needed to be in this area.

    My supervisor loves this place and recommended it. I haven't been inside, so I can't comment on…read moreservice, etc. Honeycomb Sugar Latte: I like the idea that you can add the amount of honey crumble into the drink based on your preference. I ended up adding it all. Salted Caramel Latte: I tried this drink the second time around, and I love it. It will be my go-to drink from now on at Alibi Coffee. It's sweet and creamy.

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    Pastry
    Pastry
    Inside
    Inside
    Pastry, HONEY LAVENDER LATTE, HONEYCOMB SUGAR LATTE

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    Pastry, HONEY LAVENDER LATTE, HONEYCOMB SUGAR LATTE
    FUEGOS LA

    FUEGOS LA

    4.8
    (133 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I've only recently visited this place, but I've already been here two times. Both my experiences…read morehave been amazing, but vastly different. My first night/ visit: I came on a casual evening and sat at the bar. I ordered a variety of empanadas and a glass of Malbec. Finished with the chocolate banana dessert. The decor here is wonderful with a great spatial sense. If la vie bohème were a physical space. The people were warm and friendly and even met and struck up conversation with a fellow patron that was friends with the owners. A place I feel like the artists in 1920 Paris would hang out in, haha. My second visit: it was during an Argentina game watch during World Cup '26 (6/27 vs Jordan). Fugazzettas, choripans, and Maradona beer koozies! This felt like going to a close knit Argentinian community block party. The passion for their national team and the sense of community. I just loved the energy. I also really enjoyed my slice of fugazzetta while sipping down some Quilmes in my new Maradona beer koozie. With a chants and the cheering when Messi scored, I felt like I was experiencing a special 'soccer cultural event'. The rest of their menu looks quite amazing. And everything is reasonably priced as well. I've been recommending it to friends and I can't wait to come back to try some other entrées.

    Stopped by on Friday, 05/01/26 for the first time with my old coworkers just catching up about our…read morelife. For happy hour, you get to choose a wine of choice and a side. Ordered the following: - 1 happy hour truffle fries with white wine = $15 - 1 empanada (beef) and white wine = $14 - 1 Bee Dri = $8 - 1 fugazzeta pizza = $22 - 1 empanada (ham and cheese) and red wine = $14 - 1 empanada (chicken) and red wine = $14 - 1 mushroom and spinach empanada = $5 - 1 empanada (corn) and beer drink = $14 - 1 arugula and jamon pizza = $28 - 1 fuerza rojo = $16 - 1 banana split ice cream = $12 - 1 mini churros = $10 SUBTOTAL = $172.00 TAX (9.75%) = $16.77 SERVICE CHARGE (3%) = $5.16 TOTAL = $193.93 TIP = $37.75 OVERALL TOTAL = $231.68 Overall interior vibes are great on a Friday night. Very interesting restroom vibes as well! I personally feel like the prices here a tad overpriced.

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    FUEGOS LA Gourmet Casual Argentine Food.
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    IG: happyfoodietown
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    Arugula salad

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    Arugula salad
    Rok Coffee and Tea

    Rok Coffee and Tea

    4.4
    (864 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    Love it here by far my go to pick me up spot !! atmosphere…read moreis 10/10 super chill vibes good music amazing staff super friendly and kind and very informative on ingredients for each item served Shout out to Matt !!

    Matcha snobs, this is your sign. ROK's matcha holds its own against Community Goods -- genuinely…read moredidn't expect to say that, but the quality is there, if not a little better. No bitterness, no chalky aftertaste that cheaper ceremonial-grade pretenders leave behind. Just clean, grassy depth with a texture that's silky rather than gritty. This is someone who actually sources well and knows how to whisk Didn't stop there. The seasonal peach jasmine tea was the surprise standout ..floral jasmine up front, real peach sweetness (not syrup-bomb fake fruit) on the back end. Balanced in a way that seasonal drinks rarely pull off; most places either overdo the fruit or underdo the tea. This one's dialed in. Iced Spanish latte rounded things out and didn't miss either; espresso with enough backbone to cut through the condensed milk instead of getting buried by it. A lot of places let the sweetness take over; ROK kept the coffee actually tasting like coffee. 4 drinks, zero misses. That's not luck; that's a program that's actually dialed in behind the counter. This isn't a place riding on aesthetics and a good logo the drinks back it up. The matcha is legit, good quality stuff Come open up in OC you batches

    Photos
    Strawberry shortcake matcha, Chestnut latte, Mango matcha
    Strawberry shortcake matcha, Chestnut latte, Mango matcha
    Matcha Duo
    Matcha Duo
    Matcha duo, lotus einspanner

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    Matcha duo, lotus einspanner

    South LA Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026

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