Cancel

Open app

Search

Pizza Cafe LA

4.6 (255 reviews)
Open • 12:30 pm - 8:30 PM
Updated 1 week ago

Order Pizza Cafe LA Takeout or Delivery

Pizza Cafe LA Photos

Business Info

PIZZA CAFE LA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Hipster
Casual
Dogs allowed

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Pizza Cafe LA

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Pizza
Samantha M.

Amazing service, quick with the service! delicious pizza!!! Would come back here again.

The Margherita and New York with mushrooms and spinach
Cynthia W.

This place is located on one of the most annoying traffic sections of Los Angeles. Thankfully, we were there on a Monday, and parking wasn't too bad, but I can imagine that parking would be a nightmare during other times. This place feels like those old pizza joints in NYC - sparse, with good pizza. We got the Margherita Neopolitan pizza and an NY pizza with mushrooms and spinach (drizzled with hot honey - actually, my partner was saying there was a hot honey pizza, which I didn't see on the menu and thought it was just the drizzle, so will have to come back for that next time). The pizza was really fresh - we had it there. Also got the first timer's discount, which was a nice surprise! I'm looking forward to trying some other other pizzas - they have so many styles of pizza, so I'm curious how well they do all of them. They do have a bathroom in the back, but I didn't get a chance to check it out this time.

Detroit style full brick pepperoni pizza
Vickie V.

Had a craving for pizza today and it turns out most pizza places (except chains) are closed on Mondays. Found this place on Yelp and it had high ratings so despite my hating going to Silver Lake because of the parking, I trekked over after a review mentioned they have a parking lot. Let me start off with the so-called parking lot. It is a small lot and it was full. Street parking was impossible but across the street was a sizeable lot and since I was taking the pizza to go, I chanced it. The person who took my order said I would be fine but please note there are signs you can be towed if you're parked there for another business. Now onto the pizza. I wanted a delectable pie, not something from a pizza chain. A Detroit style pizza was what I was really craving. The reviews said this place was delicious but I beg to differ. To me, this was just a step up from a chain. This pizza did not live up to the standards of Quarter Sheets, which would be my top Detroit style pizza. The dough was lacking in flavor and there were no spices to complement the overall taste of the pizza. While it did the job of fulfilling the pizza craving, it was far from meeting the standards of a tasty Detroit style pie. Quarter Sheets & Fuji & Vi's Pizza are superior to Pizza Cafe LA. To me this was just an average pizza and absolutely not worth the trek or the price other than to satisfy my need for pizza on a Monday. Kudos to the guy tending the restaurant and taking orders as he was very pleasant to chat with and nice. If you're looking for Detroit style pizza and already willing to go to Silver Lake, just go to Quarter Sheets and subject yourself to their polices and high prices - in the end, you'll be satisfied with your choice.

The Classic Pepperoni with spinach
Crizelda I.

Love their pizza! We got the Hawaiian toppings yes we like pineapple on our pizza lol and a pepperoni one, both were good. They also have wings and pasta. Come and check them out and support small businesses

Large 8 piece Detroit pizza (we already dug in )
Dawn A.

Was introducing a friend to Detroit pizza. As someone who has lived it the D, this place doesn't get it quite right. The crust and corners they got down, but they need to pie more sauce on the pie!! Otherwise good flavor. We also tried the honey hot chicken wings. They were spicy (breaded). Good flavor but not my fav. Feel like the breading/flavor to meat ratio didn't work. Not enough meat on little wings. But interesting concept. As many others reported. The lot of very small so parking could be an issue. Lastly, not sure if the older gentlemen there was the owner, but don't think it's in good taste to engage in conversation with what seemed like regular customer about controversial political conversations. Huge turn off for us and between that and the underwhelming taste of the Detroit pizza, we won't be back.

Chicken Caesar Salad
Ann C.

My BF wanted to try a new pizza place and boy...he picked a good one. Pizza Cafe LA's Detroit style pizza was delicious. The pizza crust was pillowy yet crunchy. The sauce and the toppings were on point. Chicken Caesar salad was great as well... love their homemade croutons and their version of Caesar salad dressing. My BF and I really love their buffalo wings... We only got six to try but definitely will order more next time... They were just that good. The only reason I didn't give him a five was because of the location... we ordered their garlic knot (not pictured) and it didn't have much garlic flavor. Also was hard getting in and out of their small parking lot and their prices are a little bit higher than most, but their food quality makes out for it. So we'll definitely be back to try other items.

Brick oven Style, Medium , pepperoni with mushroom and jalapeños!
Samantha P.

Great pizza, staff and restaurant! Thank you so much for wonderful service and delicious pizza! I tried Brick oven for my first time here and I'm so glad! I'll be back to try the New York style!

Burned Food
Jose C.

I rarely leave reviews, but this experience was beyond disappointing. I paid over $80 for three pizzas and was told they would be ready at 4:21 PM. I arrived at 4:22 PM and they were not ready. I didn't leave until around 5:00 PM. To be honest, I should have taken the atmosphere as a red flag. The location feels like a cramped hole-in-the-wall with virtually no parking available. Getting in and out of the area was gridlocked and stressful. For the prices being charged, the overall setup and experience did not match expectations. After driving back to Boyle Heights to feed my three hungry children, I opened the boxes and discovered that all three pizzas were completely burned. Not slightly overcooked -- burned black and heavily charred to the point of being inedible. Spending over $80 for food that cannot be eaten is unacceptable. What makes it worse is there is no way to contact the restaurant. The phone numbers listed online are disconnected, and there is no working contact option on their website. That shows a lack of accountability and customer care. Long wait. Burned food. No communication. Poor overall experience. This was my first visit, and it will absolutely be my last.

NY style with ricotta, pep, garlic, red onion
Larissa P.

Been here three times now - always amazing. Best NY style pizza ever. I have yet to try other kinds because I haven't been able to want any others. Becoming a chill Friday night ritual to order pizza here and eat it somewhere at a park. Ate on the patio tonight and it was cozy and lowkey. The owner is nice and he clearly puts so much love into this food. Such a humble gem in the wall thank you Pizza Cafe for the best way to end a busy week

Pizza

Loved the pizza! It was really good and the service was very accommodating, aswell as the outdoor seating area to enjoy and lounge.

The Margherita Pizza (+ pepperoni)
Ohmar G.

On ever growing pizza journey that I am on, eating the pies at Pizza Cafe LA is a milestone for me! Delicious! The cracker thin NYC style crust is crispy, thin. The margarita has a much appreciated 2-step garlic process that slightly roasts basil leaves and they have the brilliance to add fresh raw basil on the way out of the oven. This is the craft of pizza design in all its brilliance. Staff are genuinely passionate at what they do and care about customers immensely. I'm coming back until I've knocked out the entire menu, then I'm repeating everything!

Have been coming to this place for 3 years . Love the pizza and the owner ! Unfortunately, the past two times I came to eat here were unpleasant. I recently came when two new employees were working , I waited over an hour for my pizza and was given the wrong order. The pizza was burnt and they forgot the extra ranch I paid for. I spoke to the owner, he was kind and offered to remake it. It seemed like it was very disorganized that day as multiple people were waiting along time. This last time I came, I tried to use a coupon for 15 dollars off ( it said valid until feb 2026 instore or online ) and they did not want to honor it. The worker said it was for the next time I came and online orders only ; he then stated that the owner actually didn't teach them how to add it. They also forgot my extra ranch again :(! Very frustrating, I got that coupon 12/6 and tried to use it later that day . Nothing wrong with the food just the service has declined since the new staff has started. I hope things improve because I really do love this place.

D town pie with pep and jalapeno
Vince R.

Well deserving that 4.7 stars...this place delivers at least on the Detroit style pizza. The crunchy cheese edge makes for a pretty damn good pizza. It was my first time here so I asked the quirky (owner i think)what's the most popular pie and he said we don't have a popular. Well, now you do have a popular at least for me. The Detroit was giving 'most popular' vibes and I would recommend that. He must've warmed up to me as a pizza cooked because he asked how I heard of the place... of course I gave the nod to yelp. Yup it's always on point.

Menu as of 6.26.24

See all

Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the variety of pizza styles, fresh ingredients, and friendly and helpful staff. The welcoming old-school ambiance and options like vegan and gluten-free pizzas are also appreciated.

Read the full review summary in the app

Photo of Cookie W.
78
134
840

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rob W.
0
10
5

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of David C.
1257
872
5395

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 3
Photo of Ann C.
112
302
1533

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jose C.
0
16
19

8 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Derik V.
313
33
11

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Larissa P.
370
44
12

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Debbie W.
82
47
29

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Vince R.
87
193
88

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Diego G.

Diego G.

Helpful 27
Thanks 3
Love this 9
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Will B.
105
31
14

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 7

Ask the Community - Pizza Cafe LA

You might also consider

Pioneer Chicken - Amazing!

Pioneer Chicken

4.2(723 reviews)
5.4 mi•Boyle Heights
•$$

You walk in, greeted by, "Welcome in" by friendly staff…read more Atmosphere is a time capsule, which gives a one of a kind experience. Original crispy fried chicken, warm biscuit, creamy macaroni salad, mashed potatoes with a golden gravy. I'll most definitely come back, they have Orange whip!

Pioneer Chicken is an iconic piece of Los Angeles history! Once a thriving fried chicken chain with…read morelocations scattered throughout LA, Pioneer Chicken is now down to just two remaining restaurants, including this longtime Boyle Heights location. For many Angelenos who grew up eating here, Pioneer Chicken holds a special place in their hearts. It's more than just fried chicken; it's a taste of their childhood! I've been wanting to check this place out for quite some time and finally got around to giving it a shot! Walking inside felt like stepping back into the 1970s! I absolutely loved the retro aesthetic, vintage advertisements, historical photographs, and iconic rotating sign outside. There's something charming about a restaurant that has preserved so much of its original character. It's easy to see why nostalgia keeps this place alive! **THE FOOD:** The employee working the register was incredibly friendly and helpful when I asked for recommendations. I ordered the **3-Piece Chicken Dinner ($14.99)**, which includes two sides and a biscuit. I was undecided about the sides, so I asked for suggestions and went with the Spicy Rice and Mashed Potatoes. **Spicy Rice:** Probably the better of the two sides. It had a nice little kick of spice and contained a few small pieces of chicken. It wasn't bad, but nothing particularly memorable either. Just okay. **Mashed Potatoes:** Unfortunately, these were a major disappointment! They were incredibly dense, and not in a good way. The texture was unpleasant, and I really didn't enjoy them. I almost always feel obligated to order mashed potatoes with fried chicken, but these weren't worth it. I wouldn't recommend them! I was also disappointed that mac and cheese wasn't offered as a side. **Fried Chicken:** Now for the main attraction, and unfortunately, the biggest disappointment! At first glance, the chicken looked promising! It had a beautiful golden-brown exterior with a thick, crispy, almost kettle-cooked-looking crust. Visually, it looked delicious! Sadly, looks can be deceiving! The chicken was **INSANELY GREASY!** I honestly lost count of how many napkins I went through. The breading was excessively thick, making it feel like I was eating more batter than actual chicken. The meat itself wasn't particularly flavorful or enjoyable either. I reached for their hot sauce, hoping it would add some much-needed flavor. While it helped slightly, it wasn't enough to save the meal. Between the excessive grease, overwhelming breading, and underwhelming meat, I just couldn't get into it. I hate wasting food, but I ended up throwing away most of the chicken and mashed potatoes because I genuinely wasn't enjoying them. **THE SERVICE & ATMOSPHERE:** Thankfully, the service and atmosphere were the highlights of my visit! The employees were polite, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. One thing I found interesting was that the credit card machine prompted customers to leave a tip. That's not something I typically encounter at fast-food chains like KFC or Popeyes. That said, I'm happy to tip when I receive good service, and the employees here certainly deserved recognition for their friendliness. One of my favorite discoveries was the pair of old-school, coin-operated baseball pinball games! For just a quarter, you get to try hitting a home run by landing the ball in the hole. The best part? Regardless of whether you succeed, you still win a bouncy ball! I absolutely loved this little attraction! The employees were even happy to break my dollar into quarters so I could play. It's these little touches that make visiting a nostalgic establishment like Pioneer Chicken special. I also enjoyed looking through the old photographs and advertisements documenting the chain's history. There's something fascinating about seeing how a once-popular LA institution has evolved while holding on to its identity. **FINAL THOUGHTS:** From a food standpoint, Pioneer Chicken was a **2/5 experience** for me. The chicken was excessively greasy, the breading overwhelmed the meat, and the sides were disappointing. For a restaurant built around fried chicken, I expected much better. However, I'm bumping my overall rating to **3/5 stars** because of the friendly service, wonderful nostalgia, and preserved retro atmosphere. I think Pioneer Chicken is one of those places where the emotional connection is stronger than the food itself. People come here to relive childhood memories and experience a piece of LA history that has largely disappeared. I'm genuinely happy Pioneer Chicken is still around, keeping its legacy alive for longtime fans and curious first-time visitors like myself. I'm glad I finally experienced this iconic LA institution, but unfortunately, the food didn't live up to its nostalgic charm. **Would I return?** Sadly, probably not. While I loved the atmosphere and appreciated the employees, the chicken simply wasn't good enough to bring me back.

Photos
Pioneer Chicken - Chicken

Chicken

Pioneer Chicken - Large orange whip drink with combo

Large orange whip drink with combo

Pioneer Chicken - Full frontal exterior

See all

Full frontal exterior

kodo

kodo

4.3(568 reviews)
5.1 mi•Downtown

The inside is low lit & gives an elevated ambiance. Service was fantastic and very attentive. We…read morestarted with the pacific oysters & spicy tuna crispy rice. The pacific oysters are a good size and I really enjoyed the yuzu-kosho ponzu sauce on it. The spicy tuna crispy rice have a good amount of spicy tuna on top & I loved how crispy they made the rice underneath. The Kodo trio comes with uni, toro, & wagyu and the Toro sampler comes with o-toro, chu-toro, akami. All of these handrolls were phenomenal & just left you wanting more. The Wagyu katsu you cook on a hot stone at the table which I liked as an interactive dish. The Wagyu cheeseburger was dripping with juice but still had those crunchy edges. The Uni pasta was beautiful & delicious. The Chimichurri prawns I could eat multiple plates of- the shell comes sliced down the middle so you just have to peel it off. For dessert we ordered the Kodo basque cheesecake & Miso chocolate torte. I love a basque cheesecake & the sesame crumble added great texture. The miso chocolate torte made me wish I ordered my own. Everything from start to finish was amazing, it's hard to pick favorites. Parking- valet $13

I really enjoy eating here because service is fast and friendly. You get a lovely meal and every…read morestaff member you meet is always so friendly. Food is delicious, drinks are good, and parking isn't hard to find if you're willing to walk a little. The design kinda dark inside, but the patio is always nice. The best part? I can be in and out in less than an hour if I wanted!

Photos
kodo - Inside Dining Area

Inside Dining Area

kodo - Toro carpaccio

Toro carpaccio

kodo - Entrance Seating

See all

Entrance Seating

Pikunico - Golden Spicy Chicken Sandwich

Pikunico

4.0(414 reviews)
4.9 mi•Downtown
•$$

What a great little place. Awkwardly settled in a modern design downtown strip mall, this little…read moredining establishment is adorably decored, staffed with amazing people, and they're fried Chicken is the long. I got the mixed plate which gave me a thigh, a wing, and two tenders. The accompanying pickles are positively delicious. The sauces are made in-house and totally fire. You got to try the aoli. The fingerling potatoes are tasty and cooked perfectly, and I cannot wait to dive into that beautiful cookie. I can't express how grateful I am right now, so I found a place with delicious gluten-free fried Chicken. And at a truly Fair price. I will be back again and again and again

Pikunico is what happens when fried chicken goes to art school but still remembers where it came…read morefrom. I came for the chicken and stayed because every bite made me pause for a second. Crispy, juicy, and somehow not as heavy as fried chicken usually feels. It's the kind of meal that makes you think, "Maybe I should eat better," while actively eating fried chicken. The place is small, the menu is focused, and nobody is trying to reinvent food with foam or tweezers. They're just making really good chicken. It gets busy at the Row, but that's because people have figured it out. You walk in hungry and walk out wondering if it's too soon to come back tomorrow. I left full, happy, and with exactly zero regrets.

Photos
Pikunico - Seating & Lighting  05-10-2026

Seating & Lighting 05-10-2026

Pikunico - Golden Chicken Sandwich (spicy)

Golden Chicken Sandwich (spicy)

Pikunico

See all

Sampa - Crab fried rice

Sampa

4.4(733 reviews)
4.5 mi•Arts District, Downtown
•$$$

Amazing experience. My wife and I decided to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary at Sampa. Peter…read moreand his staff were super gracious and friendly hosts for the evening. The food was incredible too. The duck and crab rice blew us away. They take a lot of pride in their craft cocktails which also stole the show. Ube clarified drink was 1 of a kind. 10/10 must try!

The daughter mentioned Sampa during one of our planning conversations. I then recalled seeing it…read morefeatured on a Food Network show highlighting Filipino cuisine. After checking out their menu and reviews, we made reservations. Parking was tough on a Saturday night in the LA Arts District. We opted for a lot just a short walk away for $10. We arrived to an empty host stand so we walked in. We stood awkwardly by the door waiting to be acknowledged. The bar staff glanced at us but didn't say anything. It wasn't until a couple came in behind us, that one finally said, "the hostess will be with you". The hostess arrived a few minutes later. We were then seated at a nice quiet table by the bar. Matthew A. was our server. He was polite and friendly, but not attentive. Iceless, lukewarm "house water" was served in small drinking glasses and refilled only when he delivered parts of our order and noticed them empty. It would have been better to leave a cold bottle of water at the table, as other restaurants often do. We ordered the Kare-Kare Tamales, Manila Mais, Lamb Shank Kaldereta and Bicol Express Mezzelune. The Kare-Kare Tamales were our favorite. The moist masa was filled with tender braised oxtail and covered with the subtle, perfectly balanced peanut butter velouté. The bagoong dust provided just enough salty shrimp notes. A must try! The Manila Mais brought me back to the night markets of Pampanga where vendors would fan flames as rows of corn are grilled to a beautiful char. Sampa took it to another level with the bagoong butter, coconut crema and chili oil. Unfortunately the Lamb Shank Kaldereta was underwhelming. Aside from the super tender, fall off the bone lamb shank, the jus did not have much flavor. The crispy confit potatoes were not crispy at all and looked off (gray and wrinkled). The sliced carrots were better. We didn't get to try the Bicol Express Mezzelune. Our server came mid-course to tell us it was no longer available. He offered to sub for the Filipino Bucatini, which we accepted. This was our second favorite. The longanisa XO sauce was well executed, craveable and super tasty! For dessert, they only had the Ube Cheesecake left so we went with it. That took quite a while to arrive. It was ok. My last gripe of this experience is that most of the greens decoratively scattered over our dishes were wilted, which took away from the overall presentation. Even the garnish of mint leaves on the dessert was sadly limp. I'm not sure if these were just old or not stored properly. For the price point, this detail should matter. Plates are all shareable, just enough for two. The Sampa menu is creative and nostalgic. We talked about possibly giving them another try. If we do, hopefully service improves.

Photos
Sampa - Bar area

Bar area

Sampa - Kare-kare tamales

Kare-kare tamales

Sampa - A perfect bite of the ube cheesecake

See all

A perfect bite of the ube cheesecake

Pizza Cafe LA - pizza - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...