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Cafe Upper

4.2 (454 reviews)
Open • 10:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Cafe Upper Photos

CAFE UPPER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for working

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Recommended Reviews - Cafe Upper

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Mango ice dessert, Matcha einspanner, Strawberry milk
Megan D.

I absolutely love the vibes of this cafe. I love that it stays open later than other spots, so it's a perfect way to end a night out. I usually order the mango ice dessert, don't know the exact name, but it's always topped with only sweet mangos. Not the biggest fan of the strawberry milk, but i'd still come back for their other desserts. Also a great place to get work done in. I always see students studying as it isn't too loud. Servers are also nice, nothing too crazy.

Pistachio Espinnar and almond pastry yummy
angela l.

Loved the pistachio einspanner and that almond pastry.Delicious and cute cafe.Believe the hype.Great place to grab coffee and pastry.Staff very helpful and fast.

Joseph C.

Dirty Matcha Latte (4/5) So thankful they had this option because I couldn't commit to either side of my personality: earthy or caffeinated. The espresso came in with a noticeable presence, slightly more assertive than expected, but it didn't bulldoze the matcha. Instead, it created a layered profile: grassy, lightly sweet, with a roasted backbone that lingered at the end. Not the most delicate dirty matcha I've had, but still enjoyable to drink.   What elevates the experience is the space itself. The interior feels intentional! Clean lines, open layout, neutral tones. There's room to breathe. You could comfortably camp out with a laptop to study, work, or catch up with friends. It's naturally aesthetic. And here's the unsung hero: parking in the back. In Los Angeles, that alone deserves recognition. Just pull in and proceed to caffeinate.   I didn't dive into the desserts this visit, but the croffles and bingsu were visually persuasive. If they taste half as good as they look, I'll be adjusting my rating accordingly on my next stop.   Overall: strong beverage program, thoughtfully designed environment, and logistical convenience -- a trifecta that's surprisingly hard to find. I'll be back for round two.

Maddy M.

Cute cafe! We stopped by just to grab a quick cold brew but they had a lot of really yummy looking pastries! Plenty of seating inside so it would be a good place to hang out for a bit. Cold brew was solid, and served quickly. Also appreciated the parking lot! Definitely a solid option to grab a coffee in the Ktown area!

Blueberry matcha latte with oat milk
Bianca C.

I was in town for a quick over nighter and I wanted some matcha. I looked to Yelp and found this cafe. I decided to stop in and enjoy my matcha inside since I had time to burn. Inside the cafe is super cute. Lots of seating and has free parking in their connected lot. The service was quick and the baristas were really sweet. I ordered the blueberry matcha with oat milk and it was so good. I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for a cute shop to support and visit. They also had some small bites and shaved ice treats. Good music and a very clean restroom inside.

Kristine P.

Atmosphere was great -- we stayed there for a long time just catching up. I got the matcha einspänner, and it was creamy, not overly sweet, and the matcha flavor was actually really good. The croffle was also definitely worth trying.

Taro Einspanner $8.50 (8/2025) NOT WORTH IT!
Kat T.

Nice place with parking. BUT not ky cup of coffee. I tried the UBE/Taro Einspanner ($8.50) and I was NOT impressed with it. Barely tasted the taro and espresso. What I tasted was Milk flavored coffee. Which is not worth paying $8.50 for milk. I could have gotten a pint of milk at the market. I will say it's a good try but doubt I will be going back. This place is cute for social media drinks, dessert taking but for me who just wants a good Einspanner and with that price I'm going to have to say HARD PASS. Parking on the street or back lot.

orange espresso tonic
Monica T.

Great coffee spot! If you come before 2 PM, all drinks are 20% off, which is such a nice deal. I've been here many times, mostly to study -- it's quiet and calm in the mornings, though it does get a bit louder later in the day (headphones help!). It's also a great place to catch up with friends. The service is always nice and helpful. I got the Orange Espresso Tonic, I personally love it, but my friend didn't since they're not into orange and espresso together. Their Butterscotch Latte is one of my favorites, and the Matcha Latte is really grassy (which I enjoy but if you don't like the grassy flavor than this isn't for you). Forgot to take pictures of those, but everything I got looked and tasted great. Plus, there's free parking, which is always a bonus!

Cappuccino
Tristen S.

Really cool place with friendly service and parking. The drinks are just okay though! Not bad, but nothing mind blowing. Still worth trying!

Katy C.

What I Ordered: Taro Einspanner Rose Lemon Tonic * pricey for drinks that did not particularly stand out in taste or quality * more ideal for late-night hangouts than to study at (open late!) * clean and spacious interior * easy access and free parking 6.5/10

Vienna latte
Dadli Y.

Holy moly..that is one delicious latte! The cream top isn't overly sweet and thick enough that it doesn't immediately get watered down in the drink. I'm coming back to try the other items and dessert cause they looked mouth watering. The space is huge! And best part, parking in the back. The girls at the register were super friendly and patient which was great as I was exploring the menu.

Erika C.

Chill café that's become my go-to for late-night dessert + coffee. Cafe Upper has become one of my usual spots after late dinners with friends, and for good reason. While LA is full of trendy cafés that are often overcrowded or hard to get into, this place has stayed refreshingly low-key. It can get a little busy, but I've always been able to find a seat whenever I've gone. One of the biggest perks? They have a parking lot. That alone is gold in Los Angeles. Another major plus: their late-night hours! They're open until 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and midnight on other days, making it the perfect post-dinner chill spot. Places like Spot Dessert Bar or M3 (formerly TPO Café) also stay open late, but they're small, packed, and parking is a nightmare. At Cafe Upper, I've always been able to find a seat, and I never have to stress about where to park. As for the drinks and food, I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5. The menu has grown recently (hello, hojicha!), and while it's not the best café in LA, the drinks are definitely above average and consistently good. My personal favorites: Pistachio Einspänner - creamy, balanced, nutty goodness. Vienna Latte - smooth and rich. A dependable go-to. My husband usually sticks with the Vienna Latte, but he tried the new Hojicha Latte and wasn't a fan--he said it had a strange aftertaste. On the other hand, my brother-in-law loved it, so it really depends on your palate. Overall, Cafe Upper is a cozy, reliable, and unpretentious café that I keep coming back to. Whether you're grabbing dessert, meeting friends, or need a quiet space to wind down late at night, this place delivers without the hype or the hassle.

pistachio einspanner $8.5 + buttercream latte $8
Rachel Z.

we came around 7p on a saturday and it wasn't too busy at the time, but got crowded over the next two hours. it's a great spot for studying, working, or just hanging out. if you do plan on doing work, just be mindful it can get loud when it gets busier. there's plenty of seats, spacious, and has a few outlets around. as long as someone was available, i noticed they would frequently walk around and wipe down tables which is always appreciated. there's a single bathroom that requires a code but is nice and clean, spacious, and even has mouth wash inside. no complaints about the service. drinks came out fairly quick and were presented very nicely as well: pistachio einspanner $8.50 / the cream had a nice pistachio flavor that became very subtle once mixed into the coffee itself. i like the touch of pistachio pieces. i'm not a fan of ladyfingers personally but it is definitely a nice addition for those who do. buttercream latte $8 / delicious, no overpowering flavor in terms of either the buttercream or the coffee. balanced very nicely for both drinks (probably applicable to most) are catered to those who do not like sweeter drinks which was perfect for us. it comes at probably half the sweetness of typical cafe drinks which we enjoyed. they have free water and cups available next to the pickup counter for convenience one of the highlights is the free parking located in the back. there is security that guides you in. they also have the front door of the cafe locked (at least when we went) which may be to deter people from leaving and coming back in without actually staying at the cafe to take advantage of the free parking? (i'm guessing) although these drinks were pricier, which is somewhat typical for the area anyway, the trip is much more reasonable for not having to pay for parking. also loved that they stay open late since many places don't

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Coffee was great, desserts just meh. It was pretty crowded on Saturday afternoon. Parking was free

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

The workers at the restaurant are very nice. There was no problems with my experience here.

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Grace K.

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2 years ago

Desserts and coffee are delicious! There are variety of flavors to choose from. The cafe has great atmosphere!

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Great service, great variety of drinks ! Very busy atmosphere. Fast service . Cool chairs :)

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I like the cozy vibe here, matcha is great just a bit pricy, variety of drinks and always crowded

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2 years ago

Great service definitely recommend, some of the best matcha I've tried . They have several options

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2 years ago

Cool ambiance and friendly staff! I ordered the cocoa bar which was very good. Would come back again

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Cafe Upper Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Cafe Upper

I tried looking at the menus to see the food items but could not find any but I do see pictures of pastries just wondering what items are their to eat?

Hi there:) We do have croffles, pastries, cakes and donut. Its all like desserts than food here

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DAMO - Strawberry matcha einspanner and latte einspanner

DAMO

4.5(1.2k reviews)
0.8 mi•Koreatown
•$$

quality is TEAAA (literally..)…read more There are so many cafes that serve matcha lattes, but as someone who is VERY picky about their matcha blend, I can tell when the cafe uses ceremonial grade matcha. DAMO 100% uses ceremonial grade quality and probably 5-6g of matcha per serving!! I prefer my matcha unsweetened (occasionally having some sweetness added from the syrup/puree/cloud foam a cafe uses) and whatever blend DAMO uses..chef's kiss!! I've been here 4 times, and the quality is consistent each time! Service: quick Parking: lowkey horrible (but that's all of k-town...) Shop design: aesthetic--very minimalistic and pretty. They also have a restroom and free WiFi! Limited seats when busy :c Drinks: BOMB.com will always come back :)

I don't often get matcha, but when I do... I make sure that it's somewhere good. DAMO had really…read moregood reviews, so here I am! Parking here may be difficult to find on the street, but they do have valet, too. On a Saturday afternoon, this spot is packed and quite hard to find a place to sit. Wi-Fi is available, though note that plugs and seating may be another issue. Not every spot comes with a plug, and it's going to be full, so you may need to wait 15-20 minutes. It is indeed a small spot, so if you're looking for a quiet spot to work, this might not be it. The interior decor, though, is quite clean aesthetically and is relaxing to work in. The Matcha Latte, though, let me say if you're in need of an afternoon pick-me-up, this will keep you energized, even without the sugar! A few sips in and a half cup later, I had so much energy I could probably run a marathon if I had the right shoes (and I don't even like running).

Photos
DAMO - Matcha einspinner

Matcha einspinner

DAMO - Matcha Einspener | Strawberry Matcha

Matcha Einspener | Strawberry Matcha

DAMO - Hojicha einspanner and chocolate forest (matcha with chocolate foam)

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Hojicha einspanner and chocolate forest (matcha with chocolate foam)

Archives Of Us - Matcha Einspanner

Archives Of Us

4.5(466 reviews)
3.8 mi•Downtown
•$$

Came here on a Monday morning so I could get some work done while my husband studied, and it was…read moresuch a great experience. The café is located within an apartment complex and offers underground parking, which the coffee shop validates the first hour is only $3. Street parking is also available. You follow the café signs to an elevator, and once you arrive, you're welcomed into a moody, beautiful space. DOGS ARE ALLOWED which is awesome. There's plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor area feels like a balcony terrace combo with a small but lovely view of the LA skyline. We sat here and our doggo enjoyed a nap in the sun. It's a great spot to work, study, or catch up with friends without feeling cramped or rushed. The staff was incredibly kind, welcoming, and friendly. They offer a nice variety of drinks, and we ordered an iced matcha latte and a hot Madagascar vanilla latte. For pastries, we chose a guava madeleine and a cookie butter madeleine. Everything is made fresh, and they actually whisk the matcha for each drink, which really shows in the quality. Our drinks came out quickly and were delicious. I loved my matcha, and my husband really enjoyed his latte. The pastries were also great, especially the cookie butter madeleine. This café is dog-friendly, which is a nice bonus. Overall, it was such a pleasant experience, and we'll definitely be back.

Archives of Us reminds me of some of the restaurants and cafes you find inside the city areas of…read moreTokyo. Integrated within the city itself, but designed and curated to still be apart from it, Archives of Us feels like a space perfect for studying, working, and just vibing if you have the time and you're a local while as a tourist or passerby it's a neat stop by as you continue on your itinerary. Design - Private but Open Located just on the boundary of Chinatown and inside the new shopping plaza under new apartments, Archives of Us has its own separate entrance utilizing an elevator to get you to the second floor. This simple detachment allows Archives of Us to have a private space in such a public location. The interior has exposed concrete, ventilation ducts, and wiring to give the industrial design that's currently popular whilst integrating soft tones of wood, stones, and simple plants in the same space. It makes the interior feel less brutalist by incorporating nature where it can. In juxtaposition, the exterior is a large balcony space with planters of leafy plants on the perimeter to provide semi-private screening as you look out into the city. Though you're close enough to people's apartments where you can snoop on what they have on their balconies it provides enough privacy where they can't look at the TikTok's you're watching. Drinks - Matcha & Espresso Archives of Us has a reputation for its matcha. Like so many places these days they proudly utilize ceremonial matcha for their drinks (although ceremonial grade doesn't mean it's good for lattes but that's a whole different story for a different time). They also do Einspänners, cream lattes, and more traditional drinks like flat whites. All these come in one size, ensuring a consistent taste for each drink. Although I did enjoy the banana tiramisu cream latte I had I don't know if paying an average of $7.50-$9.00 is worth the price. The quality of the ingredients can be tasted so it's up to you to decide if that price is worth paying. Food - High Quality for Simple Design Following the same rhetoric as the drinks, the food they serve here aren't complicated but they do have a high standard to their ingredients. The Wagyu Egg Sliders is executed well with toasted Hawaiian rolls, perfectly cooked Wagyu beef patties, and a hand chopped egg salad between them all. The egg salad part especially feels like the same type of flavor you would get if you got an egg sando in Japan. The ingredients taste great and as a simple recipe it is executed well. However, for the price of $17 you might be looking for more than "simple done perfectly". If you're looking for a kick or accent to their food you'll have to look for outside sources. I recommend asking them for condiments like their salsa they use for their breakfast burritos. Their breakfast burrito also falls under the same umbrella of well executed with simple ingredients. I especially loved how fluffy the eggs were and the ratio of potato to all the ingredients was fantastic. Final Thought Archives of Us can be seen as a hip location you have to try because of all the buzz and hype you've heard of or it can be seen as a place to make your own if you're a local of the area. It can be considered both overly hyped and a well loved secret. Whatever perspective you see it as what is unarguable is Archives of Us is quintessentially LA and you can love it or hate it for it. Try it for yourself to see where you stand.

Photos
Archives Of Us - Tiramisu cream top, matcha cream top

Tiramisu cream top, matcha cream top

Archives Of Us - Iced matcha + orange mint latte

Iced matcha + orange mint latte

Archives Of Us - Orange mint matcha / Banana cream matcha

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Orange mint matcha / Banana cream matcha

3Thyme - Sweet Cream Matcha, Sugar Croffle, matcha date pastry, Rose Cream Latte

3Thyme

4.5(382 reviews)
0.4 mi•Koreatown, Wilshire Center
•$$

5/5 Parking sucks…read moreas is expected in k-town but the drinks and ambiance make up for it! We got lucky with street parking, but the attached lot has valet for $4. If you get there early enough no one is there so you're free to park. We got the banana cream latte, coconut cream matcha, strawberry cream latte, and orange bianco. All were super creamy without being too sweet. We wish they came in larger sizes. There's plenty of space to sit, we sat outside and enjoyed the nice patio.

Tons of coffee shops within blocks from each other in Koreatown. Had high hopes for this spot…read moreseeing all the amazing reviews, drinks were just ok to me. However, I do love that it's dog/pet friendly they even have dog treats at the pick up counter. There's an outdoor shaded patio area, perfect for an over casted day. We visited on a Monday around noon and were able to park in lot for free because we were grabbing coffee to-go. Seems like lot might be valet only during other times. Orange Bianco- wasn't bad but not my favorite. It tasted like coffee with orange juice. Injeolmi Latte -tastes just like what you expect it to taste like. If you're a slow drinker like myself, this drink thickens as it sits. In the beginning it was great but personally the thick roasted soybean powder was too much texture.

Photos
3Thyme - Inside Seating

Inside Seating

3Thyme - Sweet Cream Matcha, Rose Cream Latte, Sugar Croffle, matcha date pastry

Sweet Cream Matcha, Rose Cream Latte, Sugar Croffle, matcha date pastry

3Thyme - Sweet Cream Matcha

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Sweet Cream Matcha

Alchemist Coffee Project - Basque cheesecake

Alchemist Coffee Project

4.3(1.5k reviews)
1.0 mi•Wilshire Center, Koreatown
•$

Drinks: - Matcha einspanner has a good balance of sweet and…read moreearthy flavors - Tiramisu latte is alright, too sweet Parking: - If you come before lunchtime, you can park in the lot for free! - If you come after/during lunchtime, good luck finding street parking or you can pay valet Seating: - Plenty of seating all throughout the store - Many outlets! Of all the alchemist locations, this one is superior because of the abundance of parking and seating

While the coffee was undeniably delicious, it's the experience--and how it made me feel--that will…read morelinger... I ordered a pour-over to enjoy in-house. When I went to pick it up, I grabbed a saucer to avoid spilling on my way back to my seat. Before I could even walk away, one of the baristas snatched it from my hand and said, "You're not allowed to use that. The saucers go with the latte mugs!" I paused, glanced at the empty café behind me, and replied, "There are plenty available--surely I can use one." He continued, in a dismissive tone, speaking to me in a way that felt unnecessarily disrespectful. I chose to walk away and still enjoy my pour-over. But it's not just about serving good coffee. As Maya Angelou reminds us, people will always remember how you made them feel. And in this space, I felt unwelcome. As a paying customer--one who tipped in advance--that behavior felt undeserved and unwarranted. For that reason, there's no need to return.

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Alchemist Coffee Project - Inside

Inside

Alchemist Coffee Project - Iced Misugaru Latte!! (Misugaru is Korean traditional mix of whole grains blended) highly recommend.

Iced Misugaru Latte!! (Misugaru is Korean traditional mix of whole grains blended) highly recommend.

Alchemist Coffee Project - Matcha Latte

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Matcha Latte

Cafe Upper - cafes - Updated May 2026

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