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    The Small Café

    3.9 (359 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Order The Small Café Takeout or Delivery

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    THE SMALL CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Small Café

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    Angelina C.

    The cutest darn cafe that gives you that hometown diner feel but with a cool breeze because you're only a couple blocks from the beach. The food is good, and the service is great. Coffee stayed full and hot. I ordered the veggie omelet but forgot to take a picture but the presentation was great. This is my 2nd visit and whenever I'm in the area it's my new go-to.

    Evan K.

    Oof always drove by this cafe and it looks so cute and SMALL! Definitely looked like a vibe and brunch always makes me happy no matter what mood i'm in. Once we arrived we got sat outside and had our fur pup on our lap while dining. They are a dog friendly cafe! I don't exactly remember what I got, it was either an omelet or the special spud ( I think it was the special spud) which was pretty good but I was super scared I was going to get a stomach ache. The potatoes and food was very very greasy. The plate was covered in grease, I feel like they could've at least wiped some of it up but it felt like a puddle in my meal. We overall thought the cafe was average and we never have talked about it ever since :/. Looking at other reviews, they also said their potatoes were drenched in oil.

    Julia J.

    First time come here for lunch with my Lovely. I've driven past this shop for many years on my way to the beach, yet I had never really noticed it before. Today--Easter Sunday--while driving back from the coast, we found that most restaurants were either closed or opening late. When we spotted this place as we drove by, we turned around and stopped in for lunch. The shop is small and simple, yet bright and clean; with all the doors open, the natural light and fresh air from the sea create a wonderfully airy atmosphere. Upon entering, we were warmly welcomed by the very friendly staff, and the menu offered a wide variety of choices. The food was served quickly. What I particularly liked was how little grease there was on the dishes at this establishment. We thoroughly enjoyed my meal . Thanks to the attentive care of the highly responsible staff. Will definitely return in the future to try other items on the menu.

    Leslie Y.

    This cafe is small but mighty. What it lacks in size is more than made up for by service and quality of the food. We found a table inside right away on a busy Saturday morning, and we were attended to promptly even though business was already booming. After we ordered our food, we didn't have to wait long for them to arrive either. The menu might not have exotic and sophisticated selection, but the food was prepared with skill and care. I ordered the Florentine, and I loved every bite. Mine didn't come with the famous hash brown, so I sampled some from my wife's plate. It was indeed delicious and crispy, but not overdone. Parking was interesting in this tiny shopping center, and it fills up quickly. Grab a spot if you're lucky.

    Potato's

    I don't usually leave reviews, but this place honestly disappointed me. I'm embarrassed I even chose to wait and eat here before going somewhere better. I'll start with the one positive: the blueberry muffin was really good. Now the negatives. We ordered the tomato soup and it was extremely salty like overwhelming. We had to send it back. After that, I ordered a burrito with potatoes, and the portion of potatoes was really small (I even took a picture because it was that bad). It honestly made me frustrated. The burrito itself was just okay, nothing special. We also ordered a salad and it honestly sucked barely any dressing and not mixed properly. On top of that, our waitress had a dirty shirt with noticeable stains, which made the whole experience feel even less clean. To make things worse, they still tried to charge us for the soup even though we returned it, which felt really sneaky and unprofessional. The service was just okay at best they never offered refills for coffee or water. Overall, not a good experience.

    Allen G.

    Stopped by for a late breakfast and had a solid experience overall. We ordered the Corned Beef Hash N' Eggs, ABC Omelet, The Club, Biggie Small Burger, and a Michelada. The corned beef hash, ABC omelet, and the Biggie Small Burger were the standouts for me -- straightforward, good flavor, and portioned well. The place has a laid-back neighborhood feel. Staff was friendly without being over the top, and food came out at a good pace even though it was pretty busy. Seating is tight since the café is on the smaller side, but it works for what it is. If you're around the area and want an easy breakfast or lunch without anything too fussy, this is a solid option. I'd go back for those few dishes alone.

    Corned Beef & Hash
    Sammy L.

    We accidentally stumbled upon the small cafe because they had outdoor seating so we could bring our dogs. What a happy surprise! The staff were all so nice and friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. Fluffiest pancakes ever! The corn beef hash was sooo good. So happy to have found this cozy little local spot!

    Vanilla latte with almond milk

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    2 months ago

    Cute and cozy brunch, we love this place! Had a delicious michelada to start. Food and service were perfect!

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    1 month ago

    First time coming by here, hit the spot, can definitely see us coming back, good food and service

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    Just discovered this place . Food was so fresh & yummy & our waitress, Esperanza, was very kind . Thank you

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    Great food and service! Menu had a great variety of options from American to Mexican.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - The Small Café

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    A PCH

    A PCH

    4.4
    (590 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Everything was amazing yesterday!!…read more you MUST try The whipped feta, the carrots and the chicken pot pie !

    My boyfriend and I came here excited to have a nice dinner together, but our experience was…read morecompletely ruined by our waitress, Elizabeth. From the moment we sat down, her attitude was rude and dismissive. She questioned my boyfriend's drink order after he had already told her what he wanted. Even after I told her I wasn't ordering an alcoholic drink, she still looked at both of us and asked, "Are you guys sure you're over 21?" The way she said it came across as condescending and unnecessary. After bringing our appetizer, she disappeared for a long time. We hadn't eaten all day and were starving, yet she repeatedly walked past our table to check on the tables around us without even acknowledging us. It made an already frustrating experience even worse. The food wasn't very good, but Elizabeth's attitude made it even worse. At one point, she asked my boyfriend if there was a problem. He calmly replied, "Yeah, and it's not the food." Instead of trying to understand or resolve the issue, she responded in a passive-aggressive tone, saying, "Then what is it, life?" Her comment was rude, unprofessional, and completely unnecessary. It caught us off guard and made the situation even more uncomfortable. We left feeling completely disrespected and unwelcome. Whether we were being judged, profiled, or simply treated differently, that's exactly how the experience made us feel. No customer should be made to feel that way. If there were an option to give 0 stars, I absolutely would. Save your time and money and eat somewhere you'll be treated with respect.

    Photos
    Photo booth.
    Photo booth.
    Chocolate silk pie - A rich chocolate-silk style filling served on an Oreo cookie crust, topped with mascarpone and Oreo whipped cream
    Chocolate silk pie - A rich chocolate-silk style filling served on an Oreo cookie crust, topped with mascarpone and Oreo whipped cream
    Squash blossom appetizer it's delicious.

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    Squash blossom appetizer it's delicious.
    Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar

    Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I have been meaning to write Hangout a review for some time. We just went again and this time I…read morereviewed in the same week I was there. Hangout is just great. We have been there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat in or outside. They have a full bar and sometimes it gets a tad loud on weekend nights, but it is fine. We just eat inside. The place is clean, comfortable and super cute. It is right in Seal Beach and be patient trying to find parking. The service is great with the sole exception of the hostess. She is fine, but she needs to pay a little more attention. The rest of the staff is the best. They know their large menu and all the drinks they have. You will love them. The food is outstanding. We love their breakfast items. They have a pancake that my grandson loves that is chocolate and not thanks for me, but he thinks it is great. Their eggs, hash browns, waffles and plain pancakes are perfect. For lunch they have some of the best sliders with great buns and wonderful French fries. They also have ribs and all sorts of seafood. We love their fish and chips and they are often a special. The fried shrimp is great with super dipping sauces. Their sea food pots (the BOUNTY OF THE SEA POT)is my favorite) is so good and you can get it as a starter or for your main. We also love all their shrimp dishes. There is something for everyone. We love it.

    No stroller / baby car seat friendly. Well at least the hostess needs more training on how to speak…read moreto customers that have them instead of being rude. Perhaps she should ask if the stroller can be stored on the side instead of assuming it needs to be at the table causing longer wait time and then have a condescension tone when asked how much longer. Once we were called to be seated she threw the tablet on the stand and the menus in the table. Completely unnecessary and awkward. Pretty much killing the mood for a simple bite to eat on a nice day at the beach. Then she had the nerve to lie to the manager and say she was cussed at when we asked to speak to the manager. No one deserves to be treated with such attitude. The manager mentioned that she was only 17. I said well hopefully this is a teachable moment for her. The server was great aside from that. Chicken pesto sandwich was ok chicken lacked a little flavor. Prices were reasonable

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    Deviled Eggs with Bacon
    Deviled Eggs with Bacon
    Taco Thursday Street Tacos
    Taco Thursday Street Tacos
    Vodka Martini

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    Vodka Martini
    Saint & Second

    Saint & Second

    4.3
    (3.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Great food and service. Ate there for breakfast…read more Lovely crowd and the wait staff are attentive and friendly.

    Upscale Restaurant on 2nd Street with Delicious Food…read more I've visited Saint & Second on multiple occasions: for drinks, a casual lunch, and my birthday dinner. Reservations are fairly easy to get, which make it an optimal choice if I'm looking to have a nice meal. The ambiance of Saint & Second is what sets it apart from other Belmont Shore restaurants. There's indoor seating and rooftop seating upstairs, and both areas are designed impeccably. The food menu changes every few months, which is great because it allows the chefs to experiment with new menu items, but I have been left missing past items. When I returned for the third time for my favorite hummus, I found that it was discontinued for a nice, but less tasty green hummus (which leaned more into an avocado flavor than traditional hummus flavor). Overall, if you'd like to return to Saint and Second, you should expect some changes to menu items every few months and plan accordingly. One appetizer I'd recommend is the tuna on crispy rice. This is a consistent item with great flavors that trump other tuna crispy rice dishes I've had at other restaurants. The amount of fish on this item is generous. If you are celebrating your birthday here like I did, they offer a delcious smores-flavored dessert. However, this dessert is not complimentary, and we were charged without the server informing us of the dessert's price. Overall, in terms of food, this restaurant offers a fresh array of menu items. I believe the server told us that their kitchen is a scratch kitchen, which contributes to the great quality of the food.

    Photos
    Private Dining Room
    Private Dining Room
    Pistachio
    Pistachio
    Shirley Temple and fruity non alcoholic drink

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    Shirley Temple and fruity non alcoholic drink
    Tantalum Restaurant

    Tantalum Restaurant

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    What can I say? Tantalum = tantalizing…read more From start to finish, everything is brilliantly curated: atmosphere, menu, staff, and service. They've a waterfront location with the most lush environs and sumptuous atmosphere. Dark & tranquil with a hint of sexy and the bay views - come on now. The menu is so fresh and bursting with Asian flavors, and nothing was too heavy. Do try the hoisin ribs - so tender - and the chicken wraps, which were so bright; the burger was also a hit. For the table, the Buddha Rice - hearty and perfect to split. Their staff was all fantastic and it starts at the top. Manager Joe brings a genuine touch to every guest encounter -- he's rich for conversation, so grab him when he makes his rounds and allow him to suggest a fantastic wine pairing. Beautiful service all around. Also worth noting: while they're perfect for enjoying date night, they can easily accommodate larger groups as well. It may have been a rehearsal dinner or joint bachelor/ette they were hosting, but either way, they were entertaining a large party who were also having a blast. Wonderful energy, great vibes. Looking forward to visiting with friends soon!

    First off, I want to say the manager and the receptionist was outstanding, best service I've had in…read morea while, and our server was awesome, they were friendly, genuinely nice and they really enjoy their job, very attentive, efficient and courteous. Ambiance is nice, very romantic by the water, you can see the sunset while enjoying cocktails or a glass of wine. Food was good, I had the miso glazed mahi-mahi, I would prefer a side of salad instead of 2 cups of mashed potato, sauce was a little on the sweet side for my taste. My husband had the Scottish salmon, and he cleaned his plate, the sweet potato hash w/ pancetta was yummy.. it enhanced the taste of the salmon. My sister in-law had the pan seared scallops, I also think that the side should be optional instead of rice and there was only a few pieces of the scallops. My brother his friend had the Wasabi crusted filet mignon, which they've enjoyed but also should have options for the sides, not everyone like mashed potato, the mushrooms was a bit salty, maybe better with shitake & asparagus. We have the calamari and warm fried brie which were delicious :) Maybe they can add the fried tofu as an appetizer instead of brussels, just a suggestion. I've had the Tahitian Sunset which was too sweet for my taste but you can taste the flavor of the passion fruit , the strawberry fields was better, maybe next time I will try the cucumber crush... I will highly recommend this place, you will definite enjoy yourself with a singer/band performing while you enjoy the food.

    Photos
    Stage area with Live band
    Stage area with Live band
    Beef and Chips
    Beef and Chips
    Hoisin Ribs

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    Hoisin Ribs
    The 908

    The 908

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    We decided to celebrate my son's birthday at The 908 and really glad we did. The restaurant has a…read moremodern look and felt welcoming. We had a reservation for six and the hostess greeted us and sat us right away. Our server, Nate, was fantastic. He knew the menu and answered all of our questions. He even explained how some of the drinks were made. Later we found out he was actually one of the bartenders helping out as a server for the night. Which made sense considering how well he knew how the drinks were made. He was attentive and checked on us often to make sure everything was going well. One thing that made him stand out was, he actually conversed with us rather than just asking if we needed anything and then leaving. The Old Fashioned was one of the smoothest and best I've probably ever had. My nephew ordered the Ube Painkiller after Nate described how it was made. I had a sip, and the ube flavor really came through without overpowering the drink and it was perfectly matched with the dark rum, which Nate said came from the Caribbean. The Brussels sprouts had a nice mix of tender and crispy pieces that gave additional texture. The calamari was tender and the pesto style sauce paired real good with it. The Thai curry sea bass was flavorful, flaky, and had the right amount of spice. The cioppino had a rich shellfish flavor in the broth and I appreciated that the tomato base didn't have such an acidic taste. We also shared the tomahawk, which was juicy, cooked perfectly, and had a sprinkle of coarse salt that really brought out the flavor. Overall, we had a great experience. The food was excellent, but Nate's service really made our night special, making us feel right at home.

    First time here which was great. I've walked by a few times while at the hangers. It was still…read morepretty early when we stopped by which also happened to be happy hour. The hostess was quite sweet when we walked in. As we had our little fur baby with us, we were seated at one of the tables on the patio. It was still early and that in-between time so it was pretty quiet. A large party was set up next to us. Melinda took care of us and she was the sweetest. Happy hour was happening which we took advantage of. It was 4.00 off appetizer, 2.00 off draft wine and beer. Also, they made sure that our little pup was well taken care of as well. Food wise, an order of the poke wrap. Nice chunks of ahi with a scoop of rice, lettuce, avocado and wasabi sauce. It was good but a little messy. As it would be with all of the lettuce wraps. The steamed mussels which is a must. The broth was delicious and served with two nice thick slices of toasted bread. Decent size mussels cooked deliciously in the broth. A must try. Lastly the calamari which was tossed with jalapeños. Both deep fried and quite tasty. Nice crunch to it but not overly cooked. That was also served with two dipping sauce. Everything was delicious. Towards the end of the meal, Melinda noticed that a bug was in my wine which she was very sweet about and made sure to take care of it. The simple little gesture was greatly appreciative. The whole experience was excellent. Everyone was the sweetest and friendliest. Will definitely be back.

    Photos
    The 908
    Knife and Fork Burger
    Knife and Fork Burger
    Ube Painkiller

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    Ube Painkiller

    The Small Café - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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