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    The Exchange Restaurant

    4.1 (444 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Exchange Restaurant Photos

    THE EXCHANGE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Exchange Restaurant

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    Salatim platter
    Jenny T.

    the fried cauliflower is to die for here... service is great! lovely quiet intimate lil spot, ambience is low lighting and moody music. great for catching up with friends or a romantic date. parking isn't great in this area so I recommend doing metered parking or parking in a lot. bathrooms are near the lobby entrance (not sure if there's one directly in the restaurant), pretty clean! i wouldn't get the lamb ribs again as it was a bit skimpy in the meat and a tiny bit tough to chew, but everything else was tasty.

    Kale salad, orange wine
    Kailey X.

    Food: 4.8/5.0 for lunch is pretty good! Kale salad is on point! Very tasty and healthy! Lamb pita is very delicious! It doesn't feel too heavy perfectly with side salad. And even the side salad is very good with the right amount of dressing. wine: I wanted to have their chilled red but they ran out. Tried this orange pretty good for lunch. Balanced out the grease from lamb. Perfect Service is good! The waitress has been very nice to us and gave us different wine to try out. Pretty empty during lunch time. The place is bigger than I expected. With fusion of Asian and middle eastern decorations.

    Katie G.

    I came here with my new boyfriend on one of our fist dates and we loved the mood here . The dim lighting and the lovely way the tables are set is sexy . Our server was very attentive and answered all of our questions about the menu . She was lovely. The dish I enjoyed the most was their fried rice . It was delicious . I also recommend the pineapple old fashion. The bartender here knows how to makes it delicious.

    Kale Fattoush
    Tulsi V.

    Delicious food, good ambience and great service. Visited this place for team lunch from work. Our server was great with suggestions and accommodated for everyone's requests. Wide selection for vegetarian options.

    Salatim Platter $28 Three of chef's daily selections, pickles, olives & pita bread
    Hae K.

    I came here for my birthday and the food was really great. They have a great cocktail selection. We did have to send one back though because it was way too sour. Service and food service were a bit slow but I'm still thinking about the food. Salatim Platter ($28) Three of chef's daily selections, pickles, olives & pita bread. This was great to share between 3 people. Eggplant dip was amazing with the fresh pita bread. Their pita bread was the best I've ever had. It came with two pieces. We put in another order but it only came with one piece :( Loved the pickled turnips/cabbage/garlic, olives and the cabbage salad. The hummus was VERY bland. Crab Dip and Potato Chips ($14) Smoked trout roe, chives & espelette pepper Wasn't bad but I wouldn't order it again. Was dry and bland. Chips were nice though. Grilled Lamb Ribs ($25) Lapsang honey glaze, cucumber, pea greens, mint & labneh 10/10 for this dish. Finger licking good and the salad went great with the lamb. Fried Cauliflower ($16) Zhoug aioli & mint A little overpriced but was delicious. I don't even like cauliflower. I will definitely be back! :)

    Fried cauliflower
    Vicki K.

    This place is such a gem! I am wildly obsessed with just about everything on this menu, but my absolute favorites are: - Cocktails: all of 'em - they're all so beautiful and well-crafted! - Smashed cucumber and halloumi: the fresh cucumbers with the crispy fried cheese are a magical combination - Bacalhau fried rice: an old classic with the flavor turned up to 11 (and higher) - Grilled lamb ribs: fall-off-the-bone and savory/sweet deliciousness - Hangar steak: the meat is so flavorful and seasoned to perfection - Broccolini/brussels sprouts: the perfect accompaniment to everything else on the menu - Fried cauliflower: SERIOUSLY cauliflower has no business being this delicious On top of the amazing the food, the service here is exceptional. The team here is so lovely, and they make you feel so welcome and taken care of.

    Andreas K.

    Not regretting at all to have come back after a Covid hiatus, but it appears that the restaurant is somewhat underrated at this point which much less patrons than before covid. Also, it should be noted that the chef changed, but the commitment to presenting an outstanding cuisine persisted. Our waiter Christina provided excellent guidance through the menu. qaThe Salatim platter, the falafel, the cauliflower, and the brussels sprouts were splendid vegetarian selections, and the tender chicken Pargiyot offered a small delicious extra for the carnivore. Even though we had plenty, we fortunately were convinced to try the blue corn fritters, which - combined with an espresso - nicely rounded up the tasty dinner.

    Inside
    Zan L.

    A vegetable centered Asian and Middle Eastern fusion restaurant in the financial district in DTLA. The inside is really well done, dark but in a welcoming way with thick wood tables and plenty of different types of seating, complete with a wood paneled bar. My server was very polite and did a great job as well as the rest of the staff I encountered. When I sat down there were all open tables around me, but within 15 minutes every single table next to me was occupied. I wish they would have spread around the seating a bit more, especially because the table directly next to me consisted of a very loud group. I wanted to order the Stracciatella & Peaches, but sadly they were sold out of it this evening so I went with the Salatim Platter instead. Tonight it consisted of hummus, burnt eggplant, and red cabbage. Overall it was okay, I really enjoyed the hummus but the other sides were pretty bland and weren't as rich with flavor. Next came the Chorizo & Clams and this dish really let me down. The amount of chorizo was very small, it was too chopped up to be able to eat it with the clams, and had absolutely no spice to it. I would suggest using Merguez sausage instead so at least there's some kick to it. They also added way too much kale, it was almost raw, so it was a strange flavor combination with everything else. I felt as if I could make better at home. Based on my first two courses I decided to skip dessert to avoid further disappointment. Overall I feel the food could be way better and considering all the options downtown I felt they fell short. Service was great, and the design inside was well done but sadly those were the best parts. It was not a horrible experience, but I don't plan to repeat, especially considering all the other dining options on the same street.

    Lemon drop
    Deanna H.

    We came to this location for the restaurant on the rooftop. But they stopped serving dinner at 7pm? Security guard suggested we came downstairs to this restaurant. Food looks presentable, but wasn't really of my liking. I'm also very strict on my food taste as well, so if you are one to try different things. You should definitely try this place out.

    Lamb pita -- very average and overpriced. Strange pulled pork/carnitas consistency and not much flavor.
    Jonathan H.

    We had high hopes for this place after reading recent Yelp reviews and hearing from coworkers, but we were extremely disappointed with our recent visit. I booked a lunch reservation for 7 for a quick work lunch with my team. When we got there, there was no host to seat us or confirm our reservation. We were just standing around awkwardly waiting for someone to come by. When we were finally seated, it was apparent that the table was not ready for 7 at all (i.e. missing chairs, table settings, etc.) despite having called far in advance to make a reservation. There was only one server who was acting as host, waiter, and busser for the entire place. The service was painfully slow and disorganized. There also appeared to be just one cook in the kitchen as well, which was strange to me. We only had an hour for lunch and everything that could've possibly went wrong happened: our orders took longer than expected, other parties who arrived after us somehow got their food first, our orders were wrong, the server couldn't remember who ordered what, etc. the list goes on. Halfway through the lunch rush they decided to bring out another server who was incredibly rude/condescending and didn't seem to be helping out at all. All would have been fine if the food had been amazing but it was truly lackluster and not worth the wait. I ordered the lamb pita and honestly have had better pita sandwiches at the falafel place down the street. They must have changed their chef because the food that was served was not reflective of the pictures at all. The hummus and pita appetizer was actually pretty decent, but definitely not worth the headache or hassle of dining in here. Hard pass.

    A perfect burger! One of the best in LA.
    Pepper B.

    I was not expecting much from this street level restaurant at the bottom of the Freehand hotel. After passing through a lobby of hipsters on laptops, I found my way to the Exchange where I was the only customer. As most Los Angelenos do I'm constantly on the look out for the perfect burger and I have found many. I was not expecting much when I ordered the Exchange Burger and fries especially being the only person eating. What a surprise when their burger turned out to be one of the best burgers I've had in LA. The only burger I've ever had that was so perfectly balanced every bite contained the flavors of every ingredient. It was mind boggling. A perfectedly cooked patty mixed with the butter on the bun to the unique greens, the sharp cheese, pickles and sauce. They are all there every bite. And the fries even though they look like nothing but frozen bag fries were hot and fresh out of the fryer! This burger had a flavor I can only describe as...."pungent". Probably a lot to do with the cheese. Sounds weird but that's the unique amazing taste it has.

    Steak with spicy chimichurri
    Claudia V.

    The restaurant is very eclectic and modern style. Food is very tasty, different from your typical restaurants. I will say more towards the earthy kind of food, however all we ate was phenomenal. Service was on point, overall very enjoyable meal. I totally recommend this place!

    Kale Frattoush
    Cristina S.

    The service was good although we had to literally wave someone down towards the end. The ambiance was super cute and there is a rooftop bar as well with views of DTLA. I love Mediterranean food highly recommend the platter with humus eggplant fermented cabbage it was delicious. Took a chance on the chorizo clams it was NOT good weird mix and the kale was a bit salty. Overall it was decent. 3/5 cause food wasn't as good as expected.

    Bacalhau Fried Rice (bottom) and cauliflower (top)

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The Exchange Restaurant

    Are you opened once again?

    Yes! We serve lunch Monday - Friday and Dinner Tuesday - Saturday. We keep the hours on Yelp up to date, keep an eye on those and come on in! :)

    I loved this place! Does anyone know if it's open / doing takeout/delivery given the pandemic?

    Hello, Unfortunately we are not open for anything currently. Please stay tuned!

    What is the corkage fee?

    Hi Linda! Corkage fee is $30 per bottle, $60 for a magnum with a two bottle maximum. Magnums are… Read more

    Is the breakfast menu served 7 days a week?

    Yes it is!

    Is the patio dog friendly?

    I'm not sure about it, but I don't think they'd have a problem with it since it's outside....but I'd suggest calling the restaurant before.… Read more

    Happy Hour? It's listed under details but I don't see a menu or it mentioned anywhere else...

    Daily punch 7 bucks Tecate 4 Heineken 5… Read more

    Is this place kosher?

    Not sure about it, but I don't think they are.

    When will this be open?

    Soft opening now! Officially 6.22

    View All 9 Questions

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    The Lucky Tiki

    The Lucky Tiki

    4.5
    (51 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    My partner and I recently went on a tiki bar roadtrip from Tacoma down to Palm Springs, and I think…read morethat Lucky Tiki might be my top spot out of the 10 or so locations we visited. Drinks: Really, really good. My absolute favorite was the boat drink with foam on top, but we split several others and I liked everything we tried. Vibe: Unmatched. There are several drinks on the menu with a theatrical presentation that gets the whole bar involved. The space is small, so you'll inevitably have your conversation interrupted by an alluring siren's call or some ceremonial rowers. This is a crucial part of the tiki experience for me. The bartenders all have their different spin and clearly are in it for the love of the game. We had a lot of fun chatting with the staff. Food: I ate 2 orders of soup dumplings and probably could have bodied down 5 more. They were ridiculously good, but prohibitively expensive.

    Some of my LA friends have frequented tiki bars for years, and after visiting Lucky Tiki recently,…read moreI finally get it. Tiki cocktails have expanded beyond rum into smokier tequila and mezcal drinks, which are more my speed. Lucky Tiki takes planning. You'll probably need a reservation weeks ahead and yes, they'll politely kick you out after 2 hours. These drinks are delicious and designed to ruin your decision-making skills. Worth it. Uber home, obviously. This spot is "hidden" in a bowling alley, and inside you'll find retro lighting and decor and tiki cocktails. One drink came with bubbles, another arrived flaming, and one to a soundtrack of thunder and lightning. It's part cocktail bar, part performance, and the staff is committed to the bit. They have two LA locations, which helps if one is booked.

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    Sailor at the Bar Entrance
    Sailor at the Bar Entrance
    Hard carved and painted Giant Tiki at Lucky Tiki
    Hard carved and painted Giant Tiki at Lucky Tiki
    Whatever floats your boat was also delicious.

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    Whatever floats your boat was also delicious.
    The Mulberry

    The Mulberry

    4.0
    (119 reviews)
    10.8 mi

    Pretty good meal overall!! The chicken wings had a really crisp exterior and a great crunch, but…read morethey did lean a little dry - but honestly felt like the trade off for getting them that crispy! The sauce helped bring some juiciness back and balanced it out. The bluefin tuna bibimbap was pretty enjoyable. The tuna tasted fresh and the textures worked well together, but the dish could have used a little more seasoning to make the flavors pop. The perilla was a great touch though. It added a slightly minty flavor that complemented the tuna without taking over the dish. The beef short rib was easily the standout. PERFECTLY cooked, incredibly tender, and seasoned just right. The richness of the meat paired so well with the lettuce wraps that it almost feels like they should automatically come with the dish. Service was good and everything came out smoothly. Would come back!

    Cute spot, dark ambience. Makes for a decent date spot, I'd think. Food is elevated korean fusion…read morewhich is worth a try, but I wouldn't come back unless there's an occasion. Made a reservation 1 week out, and only 9:45pm was available for a Saturday for a party of 6. Kind of odd that last call for their regular menu is at that time; luckily a few of us got there before that time to put in orders in time. Drinks: - GF & Plum Soda $8.00: refreshing! would get this again - Flower Sour $17.00: my fave; slightly tart and fragrant - Baesuk White Negroni $17.00: barrel fragrant and like an old fashioned - Plum Martini $17.00: medicinal lol Food: - Aguachile $19.00: mid, imo. in kimchi broth so it has that fermented aftertaste. - Beef Short Ribs $49.00: yuuum. oh so tender but only 6 pieces. worth a try - Pork Spare Ribs $36.00: also super tender, 6 ribs. worth a try - Bluefin Tuna Bibimbap $29.00: a decent amt of tuna, i would get this again - Spicy Braised Black Cod $41.00: not very memorable, nor was it spicy. nice and flaky tho - Chilled Acorn Noodle $22.00: salty and lots of seaweed - Fried Chicken Wings $23.00: not oily and good flavor. crispy but wouldn't get again - Hotteok $16.00: came with a sake like ice cream and it was nice! worth a try Street parking is kinda tough on this side of Sawtelle, esp since it's across the popular sun nong dan

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    The Mulberry
    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10
    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10
    Acorn noodles

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    Acorn noodles
    The Obscure Distillery

    The Obscure Distillery

    4.5
    (213 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Stepping into the venue felt like crossing a threshold into a world that operated on a different…read morewavelength--and honestly, it was exactly the shift I didn't know I needed. It wasn't your typical corner haunt. There was an intentionality here that turned a simple evening out into a genuine education. The curation of spirits was nothing short of impressive, but what set the experience apart was the conversation. I arrived knowing the difference between a glass and a bottle, but left with a newfound appreciation for the nuances of rum, the craftsmanship behind a smooth whiskey, and the unexpected complexities hidden within a well-made vodka. Each pour came with a story, a history, and a level of expertise that transformed every sip into a lesson. The atmosphere was the perfect anchor for it all--utterly chill and devoid of the frantic, forced energy you find elsewhere. It was the kind of place where the music sits at just the right volume and the lighting invites you to actually linger. It was refreshing to find a spot that treats its craft with such respect while keeping the vibe completely grounded. I walked out feeling a little more cultured and a lot more relaxed. Consider this my official notice: I'll definitely be back.

    My friends and I recently visited Obscure, and overall we had a great experience…read more First, the venue itself is absolutely beautiful. From the moment you walk in, it feels like you've been transported somewhere else. Every room is thoughtfully designed, and the atmosphere is immersive and unlike anything we've experienced before. The storyteller was welcoming, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. I really enjoyed learning about the history of alcohol and the stories behind each tasting. The cocktails were definitely on the stronger side, but you could tell they were crafted with high-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, our experience was somewhat tainted by our hostess. She came across as impatient and unwelcoming, which set the tone early on. When we first entered, we were each handed a small glass of liquid, and then she immediately walked away without explaining what it was or what we were supposed to do with it. We assumed it was a welcome drink, so we all took a sip only to discover it was actually a palate cleanser. A little guidance would have gone a long way. The next room had a beautiful bayou-inspired setting. While the historical information was interesting, I found myself wishing the experience leaned more into the mystical or magical themes that the venue seems to promise. One thing worth mentioning is the restroom setup. I don't mind coed restrooms, but there was no signage explaining that the restroom is shared with two open stalls. Some guests may appreciate a heads-up, especially those who might feel uncomfortable or triggered by that arrangement. After the tastings, you're taken outside. A few of us stopped to use the restroom first, and when we returned, our friend had already left the table and all of our drinks had been cleared away. We were disappointed because we hadn't finished them. Our friend had been told she couldn't take the drinks with her, but when we returned we could take them outside. She was told that they'd be there when we got back. We were disappointed. The outdoor portion of the experience also felt a bit rushed. We barely had time to enjoy our drinks, let alone take photos of the beautiful space. The beignets at the end, however, were absolutely delicious and a highlight of the evening! Finally, we were escorted to the members-only bar, which was stunning. It gave off major Harry Potter vibes with its hidden, magical atmosphere. One of my friends was still finishing her drink on the patio since we couldn't legally walk on the sidewalk with it. Our hostess told us she'd come back for us but she never did. After waiting quite a while, another staff member happened to walk by and kindly helped us. Once inside, everything turned around again. The bartender was warm, friendly, and helped us choose drinks off the menu. I ordered the piña colada, and while it was much stronger and different from the traditional version I'm used to, it was absolutely delicious!!! Despite some service issues and inconsistent communication, I would still recommend Obscure. The concept is unique, the cocktails are excellent, and the venue is truly one of a kind. I'm hoping our hostess was simply having an off day, because with more attentive service, this experience could easily be five stars.

    Photos
    Divine Paradox
    Divine Paradox
    Upon entering
    Upon entering
    The scenic bar

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    The scenic bar
    The Green Room

    The Green Room

    4.6
    (686 reviews)
    11.3 mi
    $$$

    We really enjoyed our Friday evening here! It's a beautiful bar/restaurant with quite the view of…read morethe surrounding area; the decor is open and upscale and it's great! The service was friendly and pleasant and prompt, and our food and wine were great. Absolutely will recommend and return!

    As a lover of speakeasies and craft cocktails, The Green Room has been on my list for a while. What…read morebetter time to go than on my anniversary! Echoing what everyone else has been saying - the service is SO slow. It was about 45 minutes before we were able to order our second drink and our water glasses were empty. They have so many runners bringing the drinks out but only a few servers and, from the looks of it, one bartender (on a Saturday night - what?!). The server was saying he was trying to find a manager to help out but they were nowhere to be found. Clearly management is fine with these service times since they're still making $$$. The drinks were delicious, and I loved that there were heaters on the patio (though they did get very hot at times). Our server was so kind and brought us a celebratory drink. I do wish there were more explanations with the beverages, especially for the Paid Vacation as most people will not realize you're supposed to bite into the buzz button for the tingly sensation. I would come back, but need some time for my wallet to recover first, haha!

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    Three Wishes Cocktail
    Three Wishes Cocktail
    Parmesan Proscuitto Croquette
    Parmesan Proscuitto Croquette
    TGR Patio

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    TGR Patio
    Thunderbolt

    Thunderbolt

    4.4
    (265 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Matt B. and I are living with my parents these days, and one of the benefits of this arrangement is…read morethat we can leave the house quite easily after the kids go to bed. We decided to get a drink to celebrate Father's Day, only to strike out at the first two bars we tried--I guess a lot of places are closed at 9:30 on a Sunday. This is how we ended up at Thunderbolt, a buzzy bar in Echo Park, just far enough away that we'd never made our way over. I loved it immediately. Thunderbolt has the friendly, comfortable atmosphere of a neighborhood bar and the hip aesthetic and high-level cocktails of a millennial boozer destination. (Not that young people can't or shouldn't hang out here, but it seems especially geared toward people like us, who drank at Walker Inn a decade ago.) We ended up sitting next to a guy who regularly drives up from Palos Verdes. I guess the place gets pretty busy, but it was ideal on a Sunday night. Happening but not crowded, with just enough space at the bar for us to grab two seats together. The bartender was great, super helpful and welcoming. He also made excellent drinks. Thunderbolt is one of those bars with an encyclopedic illustrated book for a menu. Not a long menu, just a detailed one, with a lot of information available about each drink. We got a Liquid Picnic and a Barcelonnette--just one round to close out the weekend. Both were delicious. The Liquid Picnic was a smooth, savory gin martini made with London dry gin, tomato, citron, vermouth, rosemary, and black pepper. I learned from the book that it used clarified tomato water. (There was also further reading about the clarification process.) The Barcelonnette was a mezcal sour with Suze, passionfruit, and lime, the foam made without egg white through some geeky mixologist process. Thunderbolt is not our neighborhood bar, but we plan to go back when we can to check out the rest of the menu. It's a wonderful place, well worth a jaunt on the freeway.

    Was charged three times, totaling hundreds of dollars, and waiting for the pending transactions to…read moredrop (or stay :/) in 3-5 business days is no fun. We can't all be made of money, but this shouldn't have happened.

    Photos
    Thunderbolt
    Thunderbolt
    Tropipop

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    Tropipop

    The Exchange Restaurant - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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