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    Literati Cafe

    3.4 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    LITERATI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Literati Cafe

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    the interior
    Zan L.

    A solid breakfast or lunch option in a casual setting. This is not a full service restaurant instead you order at the counter, they give you a number, and deliver the food to you. Inside is pretty large, there are many different seating options and it seemed like a popular place for people to sit and do some work as well given that they have many coffee options on the menu. The staff was very polite and they do have a small free parking lot in the back however we ended up doing free street parking. For breakfast, I chose a few pastry items to start, the cinnamon churro croissant was the standout and for my breakfast I chose the Eggs Benedict, which I thought was very good. It's a quick casual version in a casual setting, but it really hit the spot and I would suggest to anyone, especially if you are in a time crunch.

    Additional Seating
    Kathryn L.

    SPACIOUS CAFE 12 of us met for lunch here, and this huge cafe on the corner of Wilshire and Bundy went out of their way to set up tables for us on their enclosed patio. Each of us ordered what we wanted at the counter. I opted for the Old School Benedict ($14.50) - two poached eggs and Canadian bacon on an English muffin with Hollandaise sauce on the side - which was served with hash browns. We were given numbers to take to our table, and it wasn't long before our food was delivered. I was having so much fun, I forgot to photograph it! It was so good, I cleaned my plate. Although this place wasn't crowded on a weekday afternoon, people were scattered throughout the establishment, working (or pretending to) on their laptops. Prefer cocktails to coffee? They've added a full bar from Thursday - Sunday. Drink in the literary decor, and book it to this novel cafe!

    George F.

    Literati Cafe is located on the corner of Wilshire and Bundy in West L.A. I stopped in just to see what the building and space had become. Ordered a Latte and took a stroll around the cafe. Huge changes from 26 years ago when I had my restaurant there. Nice outdoor patio seating. Still hard manage on a prominent corner and riff raff of people. Even during the 30 minutes there was some commotion with a person hassling some customers.

    Blueberry muffin

    I really liked the ambience of this place. So cozy and welcoming. I come here to do my homework with a side of the best chai latte ever. Great portions for the price. Service is always amazing and everyone should stop by!

    Turkey avocado, Panini with lentil soup and homemade potato chips
    Deborah E.

    This was my first time visiting this Cafe I've been meaning to try this place for a very long time. I had the opportunity to pop over today and I was not disappointed. I had the turkey avocado Panini and a cup of lentil soup. My friend also had the same sandwich and a cup of the tomato soup. It came with homemade potato chips. The sandwich was enormous we should've shared just one the bread was toasty on the outside, but soft on the inside the turkey was fresh. The avocado was perfectly soft and the ingredients married well with one another. The lentil soup was outstanding I would return just for this item. The homemade potato chips were a little bit greasy, not as crispy as I would've liked, but they were still good. I noticed everyone else was eating breakfast, even though it was around lunchtime and I was a little envious. Their food looked delicious. I will definitely be returning. The staff was courteous and everything was fresh and enjoyable. I forgot to take a picture of my food while I was there so the only picture I have is the takeout box.

    This and the patio closed 3 weeks ago
    Corey L.

    Gave this place another shot after 3 year hiatus. And it's worse!!! Came a little before noon & all the bakery items were empty and they wouldn't even make me a latte--something about barista on break...they close at 3:00 and it's 12:00! I'm literally chuckling as I'm writing this....but not in a good way

    Found a long hair in my tacos.

    Found a long hair in my tacos. I took a bite and wanted to admire the flavor but I then I saw a hair. Not my eyelashes (I have mascara on) nor my hair. It's recently highlighted blonde. So for sure a cooks hair.

    Cobb
    Serenity K.

    20 bucks for a salad and you don't even wash your lettuce..? There was dirt all over my lettuce and I ended up throwing away. I already poured some of my dressing in it so I couldn't even wash it off with water. Don't be lazy and please wash your veggies properly.... or use a prewashed salad mix at least.

    pastries that remain at 12:30pm

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    9 days ago

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    25 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 days ago

    Delicious coffee and expertly crafted cafe fare. The staff is always friendly and high spirited. Highly recommend.

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    7 months ago

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    29 days ago

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    15 days ago

    The food is amazing . The Service is outstanding. The Cafe always has a peaceful atmosphere. Literati you got it right

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    6 months ago

    Yum! Such a good breakfast with a menu with a lot of variety and impressively affordable prices for LA. Want to to try more here!!!

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    1 month ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Cozy old school vibe. In a city of new this one is a classic cozy spot for breakfast or lunch

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    11 months ago

    Business owner information

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    Brigitte K.

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Great place to meet up and enjoy a meal together. Great service and they don't rush you.

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    I loved the onion rings and breakfast sandwich with hash browns. ooo and the lemonade was refreshing on this hot day. Service was great.

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 34

    Literati Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Literati Cafe

    Can I bring my dog and eat outside?

    Yes. Dog friends are allowed on the patio and sidewalk dining area.

    Any plan on extending business hour anytime soon? I remember this place opening til 10-11pm before covid :)

    We would like to eventually but we are not extending our hours at this time.

    Am I able to work here with my laptop?

    Yes absolutely. Although according to the current regulations, when not eating, you’re required to wear a mask.

    How do you contact the owner or management?

    Call the restaurant and ask for the manager.

    Is this place good for small to medium-sized meet-up groups (~5–15 people) with light discussion?

    Absolutely! Word to the wise: check out the seating opportunities first. It’s first come, first… 

    Where is parking?

    There is a small valet lot directly behind the building. It's a little expensive so I often park half a block up on Bundy (free street parking) and walk from there. There is also a large grocery store parking lot directly adjacent. You aren't… 

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    Chitchat Coffee + Matcha

    Chitchat Coffee + Matcha

    4.2
    (542 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Matcha Rose Latte and Banana Bread Matcha Latte were both smooth and good. Staff was friendly and…read morehelpful. Sitting outside under the shade with a relaxing breeze was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends and family!

    Sawtelle is full of cool restaurants and shops and ChitChat fits right in…read more We were waiting for a few stores to open, so we wandered down the street away from the main stretch and found ChitChat. Worth the short trek. It was a cold Sunday morning, but the place was busy with families, Gen Z'ers, young couples and lots of dogs. Out front, two girlfriends were hanging out with their matchas deep in gossip and clearly enjoying the morning. The matcha seemed popular, but I needed something hot. I appreciated that their drink menu had some personality, because a lot of coffee/matcha spots feel like they're copying from the same boring menu. I got the sea salt mocha and it was delicious. Smooth, chocolatey and just salty enough. My wife got some type of cereal milk latte, which sounded epic but was apparently just mid. Still, we didn't regret the walk. ChitChat is a cool little Sawtelle stop with good drinks, good energy and plenty of dog-friendly vibes. Pro tip: Afterwards, swing-by Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery kitty-corner from the coffee shop. The bonsai garden is insane.

    Photos
    Chit chat at Chit Chat
    Chit chat at Chit Chat
    Iced Strawberry Macadamia Milk Matcha Latte
    Iced Strawberry Macadamia Milk Matcha Latte
    Iced Strawberry Macadamia Milk Matcha Latte

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    Iced Strawberry Macadamia Milk Matcha Latte
    Coffee Tomo

    Coffee Tomo

    4.0
    (1k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Disappointing end to 15 years of loyalty…read more I have been a loyal customer of Coffee Tomo since 2011, frequently recommending it to friends. Sadly, that ends today. Over the last couple of years, the charm of this café has faded, culminating in a truly awful experience this morning. The solo staff member working today was incredibly discourteous. Because I had my leashed dog with me, she practically threw me out of the store. While she pointed to the "no dogs allowed" sign, I explained that I was only inside to order and planned to sit outside, something I have done on countless previous visits. After being forced to wait outside, my drink was left sitting on the counter for several minutes. The barista never bothered to let me know it was ready, despite the café being slow. To make matters worse, the beverage was poorly made, with coffee spilled all over the saucer. This isn't the first time I've experienced bad service here, but it will definitely be the last.

    I absolutely adore this place and have been going nearly everyday for about a year. The service is…read morewonderful and it's easily the best coffee in Sawtelle. However, recently they've been playing AI generated music and it's very disappointing to hear. I would much rather hear one song on loop over and over again, than a playlist of AI slop. This coffee shop is so warm and cozy but the change in music really takes away from the space and makes me not want to come in. If you're cutting corners with AI, where else are you cutting it short? I hope this is something that changes because it is my favorite cup of coffee in town!

    Photos
    Recommending Tomo Latte (X3) to friends
    Recommending Tomo Latte (X3) to friends
    Latte and Americano
    Latte and Americano
    Inside

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    Inside
    Malou Coffee

    Malou Coffee

    4.2
    (153 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Amazing, spectacular, and delicious are the three words that immediately come to mind…read more I had a meeting nearby, so my wife, my son, and I decided to stop in for breakfast. The drinks were very good and exactly what you'd expect from a quality café. But the food presentation--wow! It completely exceeded my expectations. We ordered the avocado toast, the breakfast burrito, and the egg on brioche. Every dish was beautifully plated, garnished with edible flowers, and served with a fresh, delicious salad. I honestly wasn't expecting this level of presentation from a café. The portions were generous as well, leaving us completely satisfied. I also tried one of their pastries that reminded me of a cinnamon roll. It was enjoyable, though as a professional baker and pastry chef, I felt the pastries were the one area with room for improvement. In my opinion, they seemed to prioritize elegance and originality over achieving the best texture and flavor. Even so, they were still good, and I appreciated the creativity. Overall, this was an outstanding breakfast experience. Beautiful presentation, delicious food, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere. I would gladly return.

    At first I was mad at myself for forking up $19 on a fried chicken sando ‍. How did we get here,…read morela? Surprisingly though, it was a very special sandwich. It had some really great well balanced sauces throughout, I actually wanted more of the sauce, but was afraid to ask. It came with a salad that had some pickled onions, and again, a really great refreshing well thought out dressing. I can't really complain. Actually yes I can, the flies!!! As soon as I took the sandwich out the huge flies would not leave it alone. Be aware. I found free street parking pretty easy on a side street. I thought I'd come here to read but they are kinda blasting the music so maybe it's not the best environment for that. Too much noise. I did not like the butterscotch latte. It was kind of weak, in my opinion. Thank goodness they let me exchange it for the Okinawa cold foam matcha drink, which was amazing. I think it's unique and cool to have a cold foam Okinawa flavor. They actually don't sweeten the matcha at all under the cold foam, so that was interesting. I might have to add sugar to it. Overall, everything was good, I just wouldn't order espresso lattes here.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Malou Coffee
    Okinawa matcha

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    Okinawa matcha
    Dialog Cafe

    Dialog Cafe

    4.4
    (54 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    This Chicken Caesar Wrap.. MY GOD. It is the BEST CCW I've ever eaten, and I thought nothing could…read morebeat Milano market in NYC. WOW. I've ordered it twice, both on uber eats so it was delivery (so unsure what in store vibe is as I haven't been in person). I can say, both times, the wrap has been F****G sensational. The second time I got my cousin to try it with me, and she said it was the single best thing she's ever eaten. I am not a troll reviewer and I've only ever given one other 5* review... and I'm a HARSH critic, but this is without doubt deserving of the 5 stars. Just look the cross section. Dialog cafe, you are a hidden gem.

    chicken caesar wraps are one of the most overhyped food items on social media... dialog cafe proves…read moreotherwise once upon a time i was a bitter hater too... until i tried dialog's. it's crunch and flavor and elevates the classic caesar salad from a simple side dish your mom forces onto your plate at a family function to the main star that you dream about, wake up for, and work towards. all of the flavors in the wrap work together and the tortilla itself is lightly toasted to hold shape. the salad is well tossed so with every bite you get a little of everything. pro tip: sub the chips for the fries (+ $3.50 i think but worth it) for take out, the thoughtfulness of cutting out a hole into the takeout container keeps the fries crispy and fresh, and they are so well seasoned. i could not recommend a better work lunch, for those days you could not bother to bring anything. it's filling, but not too heavy to the point that you're in a food coma and nodding off at 3pm. and it's still good, by some miracle it doesn't get soggy, if you want to eat half and save the other for later. dialog cafe, i love you forever, you are my favorite lunch and what gets me going through a work day (and also what makes me happy on a lunch date with my boyfriend) side note: this location is located inside of an equinox, just show your id at the front and parking is valet but i typically just tell the workers that i'm picking something up real quick to avoid paying LOL

    Photos
    Custom KB90
    Custom KB90
    ColourPop Strawberry Kiss: Strawberry, Banana, Avocado, Dates, Dragonfruit, Almond Milk, Collagen Peptides, Whey Protein, Coconut Cream, Map
    ColourPop Strawberry Kiss: Strawberry, Banana, Avocado, Dates, Dragonfruit, Almond Milk, Collagen Peptides, Whey Protein, Coconut Cream, Map
    ColourPop Strawberry Kiss Smoothie

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    Teaspoon Sawtelle

    Teaspoon Sawtelle

    4.0
    (266 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    This is one of my favorite Boba tea shops in Los Angeles. One small snafu on the most recent visit…read more- I ordered online and waited in the shop. They made the drinks but kept them behind the counter without calling the order aloud... finally went to check and found them there - so approach and ask for your drinks. Ordered the Black Sugar Assam - flavor was smooth, it was surprisingly sweet but not overly so (this drink has no sugar level to adjust). Boba were cooked just right and had great chew. I ordered it with less ice as my usual. Also ordered for a friend and didn't realize her drink came without boba so be sure to double check the menu as you order so you get toppings (or not) as you wish. FYI - they have a rewards program, join earn points, and get a birthday drink (discount) too! There's a small seating area inside, quiet music playing, and people working/studying (with a sign to use your indoor voice). Vibe is quiet and chill.

    Decent boba spot if you want a more "classic" drink! They have an online ordering system where you…read morecan pre-order beforehand and pick up! It was clean inside when I went by at 8 PM, not super busy, decent amount of seating/tables. There are a bunch of board games as well so seem like a nice place to drink boba and hang out. I got the creamy jasmine -- it's essentially a jasmine milk tea. The tea flavor is okay, nothing super crazy but nice and floral. Boba has pretty good texture -- not super mushy/overly soft, decent qq.

    Photos
    Honeycomb Banana Latte
    Honeycomb Banana Latte
    Honeycomb Banana Latte
    Honeycomb Banana Latte
    Peachy Twist, Lychee Zest

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    Literati Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026

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