Literati Cafe

I went to this quick-service coffee shop for dinner, coffee, and a chat with some friends and loved it. I had one of the day's specials--turkey chili--and it tasted great and was reasonably priced. I will say that I'm glad I went early (at about 7 p.m.) because by around 8:15 p.m., it was packed and a table would have been hard to find. I thought the service was fine, although the only time I interacted with them was when I ordered my food. Try the mint lemonade! Pros: great food, cute atmosphere Cons: it gets packed easily more

Literati is another cafe, in a similar style to Urth and Coral Tree, that serves good tea & coffee, and... more

Literati is another cafe, in a similar style to Urth and Coral Tree, that serves good tea & coffee, and organic fare. You order at the counter, gr... more

I've had their soups and salads, and their lemonade's really decent too! I liked their chicken pesto sandwich. There's a supermarket behind Literati where you can park for free. more

I've been here about 5 times because my office is nearby. EVERYTIME, the service is really slow and they don't bring the entrees out all at once. It's just not worth it to spend 20+ on an entree and feel like you could've ordered something better down the street, and not wait forever for it. Oh, and when we've waiting, about 1/3 of the tables were full. Pros: Sweet Potato chips Cons: Service, Food Prices more

ok, so we went here mainly to try their churros. my boyfriend has been looking all around for genuine spanish churros y chocolate, and literati II had some that came a BIT close to them, but not quite. we ended up ordering dinner also. the food was good, but i dont think it was worth as much as it cost. more

A clean, well-lighted space, the Literati specializes in light (healthy) meals (soups, salads, sandwiches), coffee, tea, pastries and creating a warm environment for sitting and chatting or studying for hours at a time. For those wielding laptops, be aware that there is a time limit for just sitting around when it is crowded. I much prefer this informal venue to the more upscale sister restaurant next door, Literati II. more

I understand they are supposed to be a health oriented restaurant, but...you can still season your food. There are some dishes that are ok, but overall, it is very expensive for the quality of food you are served. There are better places to go for breakfast/cafe experiences....and not far from this place. Cons: food, service, and small tables more

This place is trying to be Urth cafe for some reason, so they make you wait in a line and seat yourself. For a $8 sandwich and a $4 coffee, that is a rip off. Especially when the service is bad and the chairs are uncomfortable, and the patio situation is a joke. Dont waste your time going here, there are a million better breakfast/lunch/cafes around town. more

My husband and I have been visiting Literati Cafe for a long time and we finally had our first visit at Literati II. The decor is very similar to its neighbor. There are great images, books and literary items adorning the walls and the ambiance is very chill. We were there VERY early so the noise level was perfect. Well that changed once the family of 8 stopped by and the polished concrete floors did not help. Our food was wonderful, the crab cakes were my favorite (a little salty) and the halibut just seemed perfect! Our service was wonderful as the evening began, but as our dinner heightened in excellence, our service began to dwindle. Too bad, I really wanted another bottle of Chimay ($8 - not a bad price!) We will most likely go back. Pros: Food, Ambiance Cons: Service, Noise more

I was really looking forward to eating here due to the good reviews, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed. I thought the restaurant was quite cute (quaint patio area, but right next to a busy and noisy street) and the service was attentive, but the food was just average and overpriced. I had pumpkin soup (good, but not particularly exciting) and the roast chicken with fries (both a bit too salty). My friend had the apple salad (grapes in balsamic vinegar (i think) tried to be creative but just seemed odd with strange mushy texture) and sand dabs (which she enjoyed a lot). I ended the meal with an espresso that wasn't hot enough and wasn't particularly good. Overall, I'm not sure I would try this place again of my own volition. Pros: Cute restaurant; Attentive service Cons: Mediocre Food; Slightly overpriced more

Literati Cafe is a great place for good food! I love to get stuff to go, and it's great that they allow free parking for pick up orders with the valet. The staff is always friendly, and I never knew it offered Vegan entrees until I read the description. Definitely a Brentwood favorite! Pros: Great Food, Quick Service, Friendly Staff more

so reminiscent of the coral tree cafe in brentwood. one mirrors the other. either or. except the clientele differs greatly. this one is packed full of students and yuppies. Pros: you can park your class work here for hours. Cons: people park their class work here for hours... more

i went here for lunch and had a wonderful time! the decor is really fitting and very unique. great, friendly, quick service and a great meal to boot. will definitely come back! more

Its hard to find a place in LA where the food is great all the time, not too pricey and excellent service! But I have found that kind of place!!! Literati is soooooo great. more

Literati II is a great restaurant. It is a perfect combination of upscale dining, and neighborhood friendliness. The atmosphere is so pleasant you forget you're on Wilshire boulevard even on the outdoor patio that faces the street (great soundproofing, nice plants and umbrellas). The food is expertly prepared, and all the menu options are enticing (far more exciting than many more expensive spots nearby). This place is not cheap by any means, but portions are large enough to share in many cases. This places is as good for a weeknight family dinner as it is for a special occasion. The food is very slow in coming out of the kitchen (so leave some time to eat here), but that almost adds to the relaxing nature of the restaurant- we felt as if we were on vacation sitting on the patio! The salads are amazing, the fish (sand dabs) was perfect, and the dessert list is one of the most appealing I have seen in an LA restaurant. Note: even though the valet parking is cheap, it's easier to park in the Ralph's parking lot just behind... there are always a ton of spots so I wouldn't worry about getting towed. Pros: pleasant patio, great menu and desserts Cons: slow (but good) service more

LOVE their salads and soups! The ambience is great for catching up with a friend, grabbing a quick lunch, or lounging for hours with a book. Just perfect. Healthy food with a great crowd. more

We keep coming back because we always have a great meal. I actually much prefer it to the cafe: I haven't ever been impressed by the food at the cafe. As one of the other post-ers said, the menu is not risque but it's very well done. I seem to gravitate over and over to the bucatini, this is a simple but effective pasta dish with pancetta that is a complete calorie-fest with parmesan cheese, olive oil and cannot be replicated at home. But I can't help it.... Then there is the hickory sundae which is outrageously... great. I was a little underwhelmed by the fig appetizer. But other appetizers I've had there have been great. I like the waitstaff. They are always courteous and I've never found it to be slow. The maitre'd is always pleasant. On the weekends you can park on the street on Wilshire if you cross bundy (ie not right outside). The other night we went with friends and bought wine with us. Ask what the corkage is, but I think it's reasonable. It's loud inside, so don't bring grandpa unless he hears well. The patio, believe it or not, is quieter! Pros: Great food; excellent service; Mediterranean food in a warm inviting atmosphere more

A bit pricy for what you get, Food is Ok++, Service absolutely not good. I was expecting so much more. I did like the atmosphere. I was able to find a nice corner to hang out. Because of the high prices, mediocre food and coffee and I will not return. Pros: Ambience Cons: Pricy, small portions more

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