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    Mayowa

    4.1 (23 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Mayowa Takeout or Delivery

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    Recommended Reviews - Mayowa

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    Egusi, Jollof Rice, Red Stew, Pepper Soup & Plantain Medley, Amala (Yam Flour) Fufu, Yam Fufu
    Ian L.

    I did a takeaway order, so I can't speak about the ambience, establishment or service. I got these as my order: Egusi with beef Pepper soup & plantain (beef) Red Stew Jollof rice Amala fufu First off, this is my first time having this cuisine! I've have Ethiopian food pretty regularly and that's been the extent of my culinary experience with African cuisine. So it was really cool trying something new from a different geographical locale within that realm. Unfortunately, it means I don't have anything to base my pallet experience on with this food so I can't compare it to anything I've had previous. But with that said everything arrived piping hot, tasted super fresh, the meats were incredibly tender, the spice levels were great, and it definitely feels like it's made with love. I think the red stew was my favourite and then the pepper stew was really, really great. Definitely had a kick of spice to it loved that! Egusi was really good, but it was definitely a new flavour to get used to and I think I might have to try it a couple more times. BUT that's not to say that any of the food I had was bad. Everything was fantastic even if it was very new for me! I really enjoyed the way of eating it too, a unique experience since my only previous was with Injera which is different. I actually perused their Instagram before ordering because I wanted to see some dishes and the chef (possibly owner too) making the food seems great and for sure seems it's made with care and love especially from the videos I saw of him cooking. I look forward to ordering new things next time I do order or mixing some things up with the order that I had previously done. Perhaps mix up the proteins and see how that changes the dishes. Really look forward to trying one with fish next! Anyway, this was a great new experience and if you're gonna get this cuisine, I think this is probably the place to do it. I know there's not many places in LA or near LA most since most seem be a bit of ways out of the city. But this one definitely I feel would be somewhere where if I did bring someone who knew the cuisine would for sure give a thumbs up. I really hope this place does well and gets more traction, which is partially why I wrote this. Well earned it's five stars!

    Egusi soup w/mackerel
    Dashawn S.

    My first time ever trying Nigerian food & this place set the bar exceptionally high. My order was placed via Doordash & the pics of the food looked so good. I was apprehensive at first only because I'd seen reviews of other Nigerian food spots that just had bad reviews but this place is new & like I said, the pictures of the food looked so appetizing. I was unsure about a few things so before ordering I contacted the restaurant and spoke with a really nice guy who explained the meal contents & what to expect. He was really understanding about it being my first experience tasting Nigerian cuisine & made sure he showed me a great experience, so thank you Mayowa I ordered the fufu & egusi soup with mackerel fish as my protein option & let me tell you, it was absolutely AMAZING . The presentation was so on point. It comes fully packaged in a heat keeping pouch & my food was piping hot & super fresh. The mackerel was very meaty & fresh, the egusi soup was very tasty & a texture that fully embraced the culture (pounded yam) I admit, I've never tasted anything like this. I ordered for my wife & she has been craving it ever since. Now our 15yr old son wants to try it & I'm going to share this beautiful Nigerian culinary experience with him. The gentleman my wife spoke with at Mayowa was so kind as to throw in a taste of a drink called sorrel as a sample for our first time & it too was top tier. We as a family would personally love to recommend this place for anyone who is interested in trying Nigerian cuisine or continuing to support our African culinary geniuses Everything was amazing and we're looking forward to trying other things in the menu. Also, you can request your spice level if you wish. I didn't initially because I wanted to taste it in it's original form however I did add a bit of cayenne pepper later because I enjoy a bit more heat in my dishes, but no hot sauce as I didn't want to ruin the traditional flavors being presented to my palate however a little sprinkle of cayenne goes a long way. Please try this place out & support our African brothers & sisters. It's really worth it.

    Boiled Yams
    Adrienne M.

    I drove from San Diego to LA for Chef Tanto's food. This is the best Nigerian food around. 10/10 Upon first bite, my eyes rolled back on my head. The jollof rice, beef and plantains was amazing! The yams&egg sauce is wonderful! The fried rice with the sautéed onions and peppers is delicious! Fried sweet potatoes- yes! The Zobo - I'd buy it in a gallon size, it's great!! Highly recommend Mayowa!! Chef Tanto's service is top tier. Good mood Nigerian food for sure!!!

    fufu and jollof meal

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    4 months ago

    They have a forever customer now!! Their egusi is really good.. they know what they're doing!!

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    6 months ago

    the suya wrap and okra soup combo was amazing !!! 5/5 will be coming back. service was great

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    5 months ago

    Never received food and they never answered the phone when called. Called the Uber and never got an answer from them either

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    Timi O.

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    1 year ago

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    Timi O.

    Thank you so much for the review. We truly appreciate your support

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    Ask the Community - Mayowa

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    Joyce

    4.2(675 reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
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    Joyce Restaurant in downtown LA is definitely worth a visit. I love supporting a Black-owned spot,…read moreand this one did not disappoint. We went for Lunch and ordered the seafood platter with scallops, shrimp cocktail, crab dip, and oysters, and everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The biscuits with gravy and strawberry jam were a standout, perfectly balanced between savory and sweet. We also tried the country potatoes and the crab and shrimp Benedict, which were both delicious. Drinks were on point too. We had two cocktails and a mocktail, and all were refreshing and well-made. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed, service was attentive, and the overall experience felt welcoming. Good food, good drinks, and good vibes. I would definitely go back.

    Brilliant interior design and great collab with showcasing artist live weekly showcasing. However,…read moredespite the witty menu, the food was lackluster. Attended this eatery for the live showcase, great atmosphere but the service wasn't spectacular. Not attentive and the food was something I could've made better at home. The best thing I ate was the cornbread, everything else including the drinks was bland. Needs a new chef and serving staff. The host was the best service the entire event. I'd probably return just for the corn bread and the n/a beer only. Would not recommend the food unless you're hungry. Toilet is located next to kitchen. All in all, I like the inclusion and atmosphere.

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    Uncle John’s Cafe - Inside of restaurant

    Uncle John’s Cafe

    4.1(1k reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
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    When we walked in, we were greeted by the female at the register. I think her name is Marley. She…read morewas very nice. She explained the menu and that if we were first time customers, she went more in depth with the menu and customer favorites. She was very helpful and courteous. The ambience is not too extravagant, but not boring either. There is bottom area seating separated with six steps and top seating area as well. All tables faced the storefront, which all windows look out to the downtown LA Street. The food I ordered was the spicy pork chop plate, which comes with, two eggs, and your choice of rice. I chose fried rice. The pork chops themselves are not spicy. It's the jalapeños they put on top. I wasn't expecting them to be as hot as I'm used to. But they were scorching hot and that first bite with the jalapeño was extremely hot. LOL. Overall, the pork chops are crispy on the outside and still juicy on the inside, which is amazing and their pork chops are seasoned just right. Very flavorful. I ordered my eggs over easy, and they came out perfect. It does come with toast, but I chose not to get toast today. I paid $ 21.33 well worth the money!!! My friend ordered the sweet-and-sour shrimp plate which comes with the same items as my pork chop plate. Just the entrée is different. I was able to sample his sweet-and-sour shrimp and it was very delicious. The batter had a great flavor and it was just enough batter to cover the shrimp. It was awesome. I will definitely return for either breakfast lunch or dinner. Any time I'm in the LA area. This is just my opinion you will have to go there and try it for yourself. Well worth it!!!!!!

    Uncle John's Cafe is one of those hidden gems in DTLA that keeps you coming back. The place has a…read moreclassic diner feel, but the food has a unique Asian-American twist that really sets it apart. I ordered the spicy pork chops with eggs and fried rice and it was incredible. The pork chops were crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, and the fried rice was packed with flavor. Portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable for downtown. Service was also great. The staff were friendly, attentive, and the food came out quickly even when the place was busy. It's the kind of spot where you can tell they've been doing things right for years. If you're in the area and want a solid breakfast or brunch with big portions and bold flavors, Uncle John's Cafe is definitely worth checking out.

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    Prank - Boneless Chicken Tenders

    Prank

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
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    We recently hosted our first cocktail party in LA, and Dave from Prank was an absolute angel. He…read moresupported us from start to finish, offering thoughtful suggestions on how to make the event even more unique and special. I had many questions, and both he and his team addressed every single one with patience, care, and attention to detail. It's clear that Dave was born to host events! That level of guidance makes all the difference when you're nervours... that patience and guidance it's exactly what you want in a venue partner. Prank was an excellent choice for our event. The location is fantastic, the staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, and the drinks and food were outstanding. Thank you so much. We will absolutely recommend Prank and keep it on our radar for future events in LA.

    This is one of the coolest spot in DTLA in my opinion. Here's why... there is an easy feel to the…read moreatmosphere as soon as you walk up to the entrance. The open patio, the bar area and how it wraps around the corner where there is a smaller intimate section. The music was awesome, the bartender has a great pour and the people seemed to be really having a great time. As I look around I see there is an open upstairs area that looks down onto the first level. So cool right? I had a conversation with two regulars and they swear by the menu. Plans are made to come back and I must try the food when I do. Cheers!!

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    Poppy + Rose

    4.0(3.6k reviews)
    1.4 miDowntown
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    Locally owned & operated
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    Came in during Saturday 12:30pm for their peak hour. We had a reservation at 12pm thru their Open…read moreTable link, but unfortunately ran late from typical LA traffic. We couldn't be seated right away given that we were late, and the wait ended being an extra 15 minutes longer for our party of 7. They really made it work for us, so we were very appreciative. Parking: Our group split up between $8 and $10 nearby lots for the whole day. All within a 5 minute walk away. Location: Right across the street from the Original LA Flower Market warehouse. Fun activity to do after eating. Also had a bunch of other flower and plant shops nearby. Restrooms: Shared with the Flower Market. Clean, and no need for a code. Just push the door. Food: Last but not least - scrumptious food! Plating is beautiful, and food was very satisfying. I got the chicken + waffles, and it was delicious with the honey and butter glaze. If you're looking for more leafy greens, I also highly recommend the Fried Chicken Egg Benedict.

    Came back to Poppy + Rose after years of thinking about it, and it did not disappoint…read more Ordered the pulled pork hash again and it was everything -- a crunchy brick hashbrown, flavorful and tender pulled pork, with a sunny side egg that just ties the whole thing together when broken into. The flavors and textures all worked so well with each other, it's the kind of dish that sticks with you. It was literally the dish that converted me into liking breakfast/brunch. Service was friendly and the space is cute and cozy -- exactly the vibe you want for weekend brunch. I do miss their rooftop seating though. Some street parking and nearby parking lots you have to pay for. It does get busy, so make a reservation in advanced! Enjoyed this meal, and will not be waiting years to return this time.

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    JinCook

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    4.6(205 reviews)
    2.1 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
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    I've visited a JinCook at the Glendale branch, but it's nice to see that they opened one up in…read moreLittle Tokyo. My favorite part about this place is that their restroom is SO CLEAN (for little tokyo!!). Never felt so comfortable in a restroom in LA until here lol. We visited during a Sunday lunch and it was not busy at all. Plenty of tables were open. We ordered quite a few things to share, we got to try the sweet potato cheese curry katsu, garlic suyuk, and the seafood pancake. Everything was so delicious! The garlic suyuk came out first and we all really enjoyed this one. The pork was so soft! The sweet potato cheese curry katsu was also really nice, everything was such a nice balance between the sweet potato, cheese, and curry was all a nice touch. The katsu was also very nice and crunchy! The seafood pancake was also pretty good too, very hefty. I would say it's a bit undercooked(?) so you can taste the batter a bit and everything inside of it, but I thought it was still pretty good since the top layer has a very nice crisp. Generally, portions are pretty huge so it's great we got to share everything. Overall, wonderful lunch here and 10/10 restrooms. Interior decor also very cute.

    Phenomenal taste and ambiance! Very authentic and cozy…read more Service is very prompt and professional. The only miss was that my brisket plate came with such little meat. I wish that for the price it would at least have a decent amount of protein for the prices here. Overall not a bad experience

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    Mayowa - comfortfood - Updated May 2026

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