Exceptional service, Shawn the owner is very accommodating. Very composed, though there's a lot of people in line. The place is so clean and a lot of plants that really add a " homey touch." Service is exceptional. Food is really good and the matcha & coffee are the best. The best part is that he talks to his customer and make them feel welcome. read more

Absolute 5 stars!! This place is so cute, cozy, and thoughtfully designed from the moment you walk in. There are lots of plants because the owner also runs a plant business! There are a few tables inside, some high-top/bar seating, and a few more tables outside. There's a library/book exchange by the front door which I always appreciate! They also have really cute and unique merch that are designed by a friend of his and drops it off weekly. DRINKS: The drinks have such a nicely balanced flavor. We were given a heads-up that they're not made overly sweet like some other cafes and were told to let them know if we wanted them sweeter so they could make adjustments. We didn't make any changes, and honestly, they came out perfect! I ordered the Manila Vanilla, their classic vanilla latte, while my boyfriend got the Kuya-Thai, their classic Thai tea. We really enjoyed both! FOOD: We ordered the Bistapa Bowl, and this was also a 10/10. We finished the entire thing so quickly! It was flavorful and satisfying without leaving us feeling overly heavy afterward. SERVICE: This is easily one of the few cafes where I've received truly exceptional service. The staff go above and beyond to check in on your food and drinks and make sure you're having a good experience. They were also very grateful that we chose to stop by and support them among all the many cafes in the area, which made us feel really appreciated. The owner shared that they also host community events and are looking to start doing open mics, karaoke nights, etc. as a way to bring creatives together, which I think is great! Overall, I loved everything about this place: the vibe, the drinks, the food, and especially the hospitality. You can really tell there's a lot of heart behind the business. Definitely one I'll be coming back to and recommending to others! read more

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Friendly owners and high-quality coffee. The shop has been rebranded by one of the previous owners. Drinks 5/5 Honestly, I think this place tops off as my favorite latte. The Kuya-Kape, $7.50, is sweet vanilla and cinnamon. We made no adjustments and it was perfect! It was a great balance between bitter and sweet. Sean (Shawn?) used Filipino beans for us. Service 10/5 They go above and beyond to make sure you're happy. There was a longer wait since Sean (Shawn?) was calibrating the espresso machine to make sure we were served the perfect shots. He also gave us some Kuya stickers - super cute! Ambiance 5/5 It's really beautiful inside. The front has seating and the interior is decorated with so many plants. The aircon wasn't working the day we came in so hopefully it fixes soon! They had some fans to circulate the air. There is outside seating and a free little library by the entrance door. We can't wait to come back and try some of their food items. read more

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Kuyas is a Filipino-American cafe located in the Highland Park neighborhood. They are serving up some delicious Filipino-inspired meals. Wifey and I tried the Kuyas Breakfast Burrito and the Bistapa Bowl. All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. Definitely drop by if you are ever in the area! read more

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Filipino fusion place with mostly coffee drinks and some food. Went for a quick lunch. Ordered the bistapa bowl, which is sort of like a bistek and tapas situation with veggies and garlic rice. Was pretty good. Unfortunately they don't really have any non-caffeinated drinks. Wouldn't mind coming back, would just preface that this is not like true Filipino food, but western style food with Filipino flavors. read more

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The spot is a must have if you live here, don't live here, doesn't matter, you must come!! Amazing service right off the bat - we were greeted by one of the owners, AKA one of the kuyas. I like that the menu isn't too extensive, but somehow it was still hard to decide. We landed on the pork tocino sandwich and breakfast burrito, and both were amazing! I'm still dreaming about it as I write this review. The pork tocino was tender, egg was perfectly runny, and I loved the amount of vinegar flavor. The breakfast burrito had that "'mushy" quality which I love, everything super cheesy and moist, and nothing dry about it. The salsa and calamansi on the side was perfect. We also ordered two drinks. The drink menu isn't too long, and we were a little surprised they didn't have anything ube on the menu! But I like that they didn't go too typical on the flavor profiles. I chose their Kuya-Thai which is their scratch Thai tea and I added a shot of espresso. So fragrant, and pretty! My husband's Kuya-Kape was also a great hot drink to enjoy with our meal. They have seating inside and outside, and even some handmade goods, merch, and coffee beans for purchase. I have already started telling people they must come here and I will continue to spread the word until I can come back again myself! read more

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My husband and I were headed to LA for a day out early and stopped by Kuyas for the first time to get breakfast and coffee. This hidden gem is not only a cafe, but also sells house plants at an affordable price for any plant lovers out there. The food menu is small and straightforward, but we love places that specialize on a few staple items. We got the Bistapa Bowl and Pork Tocino Sandwich with the House Drip and Manilla Vanilla for drinks. Every ingredient and bite of each food item we ordered was so flavorful! The calamansi to squeeze onto the bowl gave it even more aromatics and flavor, and the protein on both items were so tender. We both enjoyed the coffee as well, and to complete the order, we got the Kuyas Kassava for dessert and we were so glad to have ordered this as well. You can tell the quality of the food it excellent when you don't feel sluggish or bloated afterwards. Sean was so helpful and took the time to make sure we had a memorable time here. You can tell the amount of thought and passion that goes into the business and the product that they serve, I can't recommend this place enough. If you haven't been to Kuyas yet and you're hungry, please give them a visit. This spot will no doubt be added to a list of favorites when you're in LA. read more

Kuyas - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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When I heard there was a Filipino cafe opening in the Highland Park area, I immediately needed to show up for my own culture! As someone who grew up in Eagle Rock, this was huge news knowing Philippine culture is being represented in the community. The family who owns this spot (Sean & his family) are extremely welcoming and nice. Right when I walked in, I was greeted with warm kindness, making me feel just right at home. Pork Tocino Sandwich (5/5) They weren't kidding when they said this was one of their best items on the menu. The pork was juicy and extremely savory. The cucumbers added a nice hint of sweetness - all while being topped off with an egg and wrapped up in a pan de sal bun! Each bite was addictive and I'm sad to say I finished the sandwich in under 5 minutes. I wanted more of it! Kuya's Kassava (5/5) For my fellow Filipinos, each bite felt like I was back home in the Philippines. Something like my grandmother used to make (and probably biased to this review because the batch I had was fresh out the oven). It had a butter mochi consistency, all while tasting the flavors of the cassava and macapuno. The caramel glaze on top was just the perfect touch to this dessert. Kuya Kape (5/5) Couldn't leave without getting some coffee! This coffee has notes of vanilla and cinnamon - all which I love. Basically, it was like tasting a churro ice cream in a cup. The sweetness didn't overpower the coffee though. Just the right balance between the coffee and the vanilla profile. Please give this place some love. The owners put their heart and soul into this establishment and you can tell with their interactions with their customers. Highly recommend and would definitely go back again! read more

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First of all, staff is so friendly! It was like walking into your barkadas house. Food was soooo good! Super Sarap!!! And when they playing Original Filipino Music with an R&B mix, you know this place is legit reppin Pinoy!!! Will be back and recommending this place to my friends. read more

Kuyas - Tocino sandwich, dirty Thai tea and cassava!!! - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I love Kuyas!! Super friendly staff and well curated decor as well as hand crafted drinks. We got the dirty Thai's which was an amazing combination of well spiced Thai tea and a shot of espresso. Will be back read more

Kuyas - Dirty Thais - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

When the owner of Kindness & Mischief (Mo Maravilla) decided to leave to pursue her passion of coffee roasting, two of her employees Sian Balauag & Arnold Basingat took over and transformed it into a Filipino-American café & community space called Kuyas. Kuyas means big brother in Filipino, so perhaps it's a representation of their friendship. I stopped in on a Sunday morning. I was immediately greeted when I walked in. The place is so cozy and adorned with plants from Urban Tropicals that add to the charm. The plants are for purchase along with merchandise, coffee accessories, and other neat items that would be great for gifts. There are plenty of places to sit & soak in the tranquility. Turns out the sweet man that greeted me was one of the owners, Sian. He grew up in HLP, which is fantastic! Arnold is the chef in charge of the tasty food creations & desserts. I decided to try one of their signature drinks, so I requested the Kuya-Kapé - a latte with sweet vanilla & cinnamon. Sian mentioned that the drink is a bit sweet & asked if I wanted to adjust the level of sweetness. I told him that I wanted to try it the way it was intended to be served. He asked what type of milk I wanted and mentioned that there is no extra charge for substitutes, which I appreciate. They also make all their syrups in house and proudly feature Mo's Studio Tigre as the signature roast. Sian & I had a delightful conversation while he prepared my beverage. He has a warm & friendly personality. The Kuya-Kapé was delicious! I could taste the quality of the beans. The milk to coffee ratio was perfect. I typically drink my coffee black so the sweetness level didn't bother me. In fact, it was just right. If you're looking for some superior quality coffee and tasty Filipino eats then stop by Kuyas and show them some love. Wishing you guys lots of success. *Metered street parking. read more

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Taking over a former Filipino cafe, Kuyas recently opened its door offering Filipino bites and drinks. We stopped by right after brunch so we didn't get to try their burritos or other heavy meals but tempted to get our hands on their Cassava, chewy sweet butter mochi that's decently sweetened with condensed milk and caramel topping. Some people knew it as bibingka. The owner was extremely friendly, making genuine effort to get to know the customers and personally thank everyone for coming and supporting the business. We got their Kuya Cafe - their version of Vanilla Cinnamon Latte and Manilla Vanilla Latte. Plus plus points for not charging for alternative milk, which became more and more rare to find in LA nowadays. Coffees were well-made, giving us enjoyable weekend caffeine kick amidst the green refreshing cafe setting. read more

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Found this spot while searching for breakfast to take my family and I was not disappointed! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great and the service was top notch! I met the owners and they were so welcoming which made the whole experience even better! I had the Pork Tocino Sandwich which hit the spot! My girlfriend had the Bistapa Bowl and she ate every last bite! Come out and try this new coffee shop- you won't be disappointed! read more

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Beautiful coffee shop with great drinks and a warm atmosphere. I didn't get a chance to try the food this time, but I'd definitely come back for it. The owner was incredibly kind and attentive, which made the experience even better. They also had a beautiful selection of plants , there was one in particular I absolutely loved and still regret not buying. Only thing to note: the coffee was good, but definitely on the pricier side. read more

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Kuyas is such a great spot for flavorful coffee, delicious food and catching up with friends. First time at this cafe and eatery, thanks to the recommendation of a dear friend. Kuyas is nicely located in Highland Park where all these new eateries, bakeries and retail shops are established. Plenty of parking available both on the streets and public parking lots with meters. Visited on a Friday afternoon. As soon as we walked in Kuyas the sweet aroma of coffee welcomes you. The cafe is very modern, open, spacious and welcoming. Plenty of tables and chairs for seating and dining. Love the ambiance. During this visit we ordered the House Drip Latte with oatmilk, Cinammon Latte with oatmilk, Lavender Herbal Tea and Kuyas Kassava. The House Drip Latte was perfect. It was flavorful. You can taste the coffee and espresso. It's rich yet well balanced with the oatmilk. Found out that their coffee beans are hand picked, sourced and imported directly from the Philippines. My husband and I are coffee fanatics. We love all kinds of coffee. Lavender Herbal Tea is also on point for all the tea lovers. Kuyas Kassava is a desert made of starchy root vegetable known as Yuca with coconut and coconut milk. It's so good! We plan to come back in a couple of days to try other items on their menu like the Bistapa Bowl and Pork Tocino Sandwich. They also have a vegan item on the menu which is one of our friend's favorite meal. Kuyas provide flavorful coffee, delicious meals and excellent customer service. We look forward to our next visit this weekend. read more

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This place is so cool! Filipino-owned cafe right off Figueroa. I came in around noon and unfortunately the matcha and hojicha were already sold out. I got a different drink, and the best part is that there's no additional fee when ordering alternative milk. We also ordered the Kuyas breakfast burrito and pork tocino sandwich. They both tasted great! Loved the vibe overall. Definitely would come back for their hojicha and matcha. read more

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Always excited to see a new Filipino restaurant, of course, we had to come check it out. The breakfast burrito was just okay, nothing special about it, felt it needed salt/seasoning, didn't really taste the garlic fried rice and didn't feel the spicy salsa helped it out. The pork breakfast sandwich, on the other hand, was outstanding, flavorful, and wall seasoned! We will definitely come back just for the burrito! Customer service is welcoming and friendly. Restaurant is small with limited seating. Only street parking available. read more

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The owner Shawn/Sean is so incredibly nice and he remembered my name and order by my third time in. The Thai tea is amazing and the service is very quick. Every time I come in I have to order to go, but the vibe is very chill in here, lots of plants and calm music. 10/10 would recommend and I wish there was a Kuyas closer to me!! read more

First time at Kuya's, and I had a great experience! I ordered the Bistapa Bowl, and they gave me a realistic wait time, which I appreciated. I also got the hoji tea and cassava cake, but they were so good I forgot to take pictures! The Bistapa was well balanced with savory flavors and fresh ingredients. The garlic rice could have used a bit more garlic, but it was still delicious. Cassava cake is a childhood favorite of mine, and this was easily one of the best I've had. I'll definitely be back to try more! read more

Kuyas - First time at Kuya's! Loved the Bistapa Bowl, hoji tea, and amazing cassava cake. Fresh, flavorful, and worth the visit! - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Dropped by and ordered the Bistapa Bowl and Kuya Breakfast Burrito with a Kuya Kape. The bowl was savory with a little tang to it. Very good! The burrito was really good and crunchy with every bite. Loved the crispy bits of meat. It comes with salsa which is sweet and a nice compliment to the burrito. The Kuya Kape was perfect. Not too sweet and unlike other coffee drinks, the sweetness does not overtake so you can still taste the coffee. As before it was a great time and the owners really make sure everyone is taken care of. Thank you! read more

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I had friends who suggested this Filipino fusion coffee shop and I'm so glad we checked it out! The aesthetic is super chill with beautiful plants everywhere which makes for an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. I had the Manong-Cha coffee which was brewed to perfection PLUS they don't charge if you need to swap out your milk. This is a small local joint and the owners were there making the food and coffee. Both owners were so friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome and made sure everything we ordered was on point. I had the Kuyas Breakfast Burrito which I highly recommend. My husband had the Bistapa Bowl and my brother and dad both had the Pork Tocino Sandwich. Everyone loved their food! This is a must stop if you're in the area!! read more

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Went into K&M and was surprised to see it rebranded as Kuyas but loved the tropical vibe and I zeroed in on the cassava cake on display. So glad I got it! It was so good and not too sweet. The drinks are great too. Very creative. read more

So so so good! Everything we had today was so delicious - breakfast burrito, bowl, and Thai tea were all 10/10. Also the cassava cake is a must. We are thrilled Kuyas is in the neighborhood and are filling in the gap left by K&M. The inviting atmosphere and vibe is still so wonderful here. Plus they have the friendliness service! read more

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Kuyas is a hidden gem and such a great addition to the neighborhood! We went for lunch and got the breakfast burrito, the bistapa bowl, the kuya kape latte (cinnamon vanilla) & the cassava cake. The latte was a 10/10 and the food was great too. All super fresh and made to order - we could tell it was going to be good by how amazing it smelled when we walked in the door. And the salsa that came with the breakfast burrito was delicious, I would straight up drink a cup of it by itself. The cafe is beautiful inside with tons of plants and a good amount of places to sit, and the folks working there were so lovely and welcoming. It feels like such a rarity nowadays to go to a cafe that clearly cares so much about their customers and the quality of their food. Go support this Filipino small business, it's truly such a special place! read more

Kuyas - Breakfast burrito - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

A true diamond in the community! Awesome Filipino coffee shop in the area! We were visiting villa tacos a block over and saw Kuyas within walking distance. Had to come and check it out so glad we did. Warm welcoming service, taking time for personable and genuine care for each of their guests. Coffee tea and food items sweet or savory. Tried the hoji drink. They were able to adapt and provide a perfect drink. It was a great balance of flavor without being overly sweet. Iced without being watered down. Just right! Bibingka cassava cake were so scrumptious. That coconutty sweet note leaves a smile on ur face. Merch, Whole bean coffees and teas, ceremonial matcha accessories. The plants throughout the cafe brings that fresh life to the space with tasteful tropical flair. High or low top tables inside with patio area along sidewalk. Parking is available within a block. Will definitely make it a priority to stop by when in the area. read more

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Stopped in Saturday to try out what used to be Kindness and Mischief coffee. Everything we had was phenomenal, the owner was working the register and was incredibly helpful, nice, and even provided us a few free samples. I think my biggest compliment I can give it though is the breakfast burrito. I am not usually a breakfast burrito person (they always have way too much egg and not enough flavor and over rely on salsa to make up for it). The breakfast burrito at Kuyas was a 10/10, no notes, unbelievably good. read more

This has become one of my most recent favorite experiences thus far. Saw them on Yelp and noticed they only had 7 reviews so I wanted to come check them out and show my support. All the reviews were good. I love the whole interior design and ambiance this unique coffee shop offers. It is very welcoming. Beautiful plants decorated around the shop giving it a tropical feel and vibe. Ran and operated by locals who grew up in the community. I had the pleasure of meeting both; Sean the barista and Arnold the cook during my visit. The service was phenomenal. Everyone is invited. All ethnic groups and backgrounds. Community and unity are highly embraced. Found my self networking. Customers are approachable and friendly. The shop is also dog friendly. Definitely a great space to meet up or chill. Great spot to grab some coffee to go. Great spot to sit and enjoy your coffee and food alone. I can see myself pulling up to grab some coffee and chill for a min. Or Interact with different customers and people of the community. They do give discounts so that's dope. Not sure if it requires signing up tho. If so, it's worth it. I asked Sean what was poplar and he recommended the "Kuya Kape". When he told me what was in it or how it was made I said that sounds really good lol. I'll take it. Being warm outside, i decided to go with the iced version. Which also happened to be most popular. Man it was good !!! and just what I needed for this current weather. A signature latte with notes of sweet vanilla and cinnamon, the perfect mixture. Make sure you stir it up real good so you can taste all of the flavors mixed together. With several different options of milk, I chose oat milk. Next time I will try something different. Found myself almost finishing my drink while having an awesome conversation with Sean. I also ordered a breakfast burrito. Surprisingly it was way better than I imagined it to be. Hot and fresh just the way I love it. Cooked to order. The beef was amazing. Juicy and tender. The cucumbers were something new and different. Glad I kept em'. Don't know what type of cheese it was but it was also good. Good sized portions. A nice size for a burrito. I mean everything in it was good. I would definitely buy it again. He also confirmed that it was really good. Prices are reasonable giving the atmosphere, service and experience you're bound to receive, I'd say it's all worth it. read more

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Homemade Cassava Cake - yummy coconut Filipino dessery. Dense and chewy in a really satisfying way - like mochi but more delicate. I could live on this treat. Kuyas Breakfast burrito - delicious! Hard to separate all the flavors but the combo was stellar. Loved the mildly flavored garlic rice. Cucumbers added a tasty freshness and crunch. I was greeted and served warmly. read more

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The food tasted AMAZING and freshly cooked -- I loved all the toppings! Everything tasted really fresh and flavorful. The inside of the restaurant is also super cute. They have lots of plants throughout the space, and the lighting makes the whole place feel really warm and relaxing. They're dog-friendly which I loved seeing! I also tried their drink, the Kuya's Cape, and it was sooo good -- really smooth, milky, and refreshing. Definitely a spot I'd come back to. read more

Kuyas - Bistek Bowl and Kuya's Cape - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Full of plants and cute designed made merch. First time trying this dessert and it went perfectly with coffee. I remember how friendly the barista was and that remains the same. Very welcoming place and they don't charge you extra for non-cow milk. Why isn't everyone doing this?! read more

Kuyas - A perfect cortado and this Filipino dessert was outstanding. - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great service, friendly people, cute interior! The bowl was absolutely incredible. Every single ingredient tasted amazing and the portion was exactly right. The thai tea wasn't overly sweet or syrupy which was definitely a plus for me. I'm looking forward to coming here many times in the future. read more

Kuyas - Bistapa bowl and a their thai tea - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Really good bistapa bowls! Tastes great and hits the spot! Great atmosphere and really nice staff! read more

Cozy atmosphere. Staff were friendly and the food was delicious. I'll definitely come back soon. read more

Kuyas - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Got one of their signature drinks I think the one with vanilla and cinnamon! It was so delicious and had just the right amount of sweetness with spice! Everyone working there is super sweet and the music and ambiance is 10/10! Definitely will be back to try more drinks and their food! read more

Kuyas - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I had the cold brew, the pork tocino sandwich, and the cassava. Cold brew was solid. Pork tocino sandwich is really craveable. The cassava was delicious too. Service was really friendly, I highly recommend everything. The cafe looks cool too read more

Come here for the hospitality, stay for the drinks. I came in with my dog, they were so nice about it. Then I was having trouble with my Apple Pay and they helped with that. Just extremely kind humans. And the music, fire. Plants everywhere, just a great environment. 10 out of 10. :) read more

My wife stumbled upon this spot just by chance and we were glad that she did. Sean was very welcoming and nice from the moment we walked in. We got the bistek bowl and pork sandwich for our breakfast and boy were they delicious! Do not sleep on the cassava dessert! Its to die for ! Another great plus is that they are also big plant lovers and have an assortment of plants for sale and viewing. Its really comfortable spot to relax and have a nice breakfast. We are really glad we came across this Cafe and will definitely be back again read more

Wow! What an amazing place. The people working here could not be nicer and more welcoming. They recommended the Kuya-Kaye' and it was so good and fresh and I'm officially obsessed with the Breakfast Burrito. I'll be coming back! read more

Delicious! There are several good coffee shops up and down Fig but I would go out of my way for the Kuya-Kape' coffee. It is sooo good. I will come back to try more drinks and food. read more

Bistapa Bowl is what I had ordered! It looks so delicious AND tastes delicious!! The environment is really cozy & feels welcoming. When taking my order, the cashier was really nice and energetic! read more

Kuyas - Bistapa Bowl - Cafes Near Me - Los Angeles, California