Literati Cafe

Claim
marker

12081 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025-1201
Los Angeles, CA 90025

marker
(310) 231-7484
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Literati Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Literati Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Reviews
( 39 )
( 19 )
( 12 )
( 6 )
( 10 )

Best

Once you walk in Literati it feels like you are anywhere but on wilshire. There is such a cozy atmosphere, and great bookish feel to the whole place that you can't resist staying ...

Worst

I really thought the first time I went to the Literati that the BLT was one of the best I'd had. It was a WEEKDAY in the mid day and they weren't slammed. The next time we patro...

Great dessert 6/22/2006

This is a great place to go for dessert and coffee (not sure about regular meals, though we will go back to try it out). Pros: great food, not too crowded Cons: the "this is a local place" vibe is a bit strained more
Reply | Report abuse |

WORST SERVICE EVER!!! 6/22/2006

Of the 21 reviews posted thus far, 5 users have given a ""not recommended"" rating mostly because of poor service. It will now be 6 of 22, or about 1 in every 3.5 customers. Those are extremely poor odds even in Los Angeles where one will sacrifice service for food, ambiance and fanfare. Pros: Nothing, really Cons: Service, service, service more
Reply | Report abuse |

Didn't love it... 6/10/2006

...but wanted to. After having read a great review in the LA Times a few month ago, my boyfriend and I set out to try it but were underwhelmed. Seated promptly Nice bread. we had the butter lettuce salad which was excellent, and a great, affordable bottle of wine. But our entrees fell short. My pasta, the bucatini, lacked flavor and seemed extremely oily. The pancetta it had in it was great however. My bf had the steak frites which was a generous, great looking plate, but the piece of meat had a funny taste. He said, ""well, it's not supposed to be a great cut for $19"". Price was right though. more
Reply | Report abuse |

wonderful atmosphere 6/6/2006

In world filled with starbucks and peets on every corner its so great to have a place like literati. I have plenty of room to study, coffee is great, the walls are very interesting and lastly, I am supporting organic coffee growing. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Not that great 5/18/2006

Was overpriced and the burger wasn't that great. Hostess/waitresses were snotty. I live around the corner from this place and will not return again. Blah. Pros: location Cons: expensive, aloof more
Reply | Report abuse |

FRESH, FRESH FRESH tasting food 4/6/2006

We went yesterday 4/5/06 I had the BLTA delicious (to much lettuce not enough bacon), the bf had a omelette which he said was very good, the teenage daughter had a breakfast burrito (lots of egg) - very good and the teenage friend had the Tuna sandwich (not the melt) it was by far the BEST tuna sandwich I have tasted in a while. They make theirs without mayo but with light olive oil instead. Great music the seating is nice they do have a 45 minute table time limit during busy times and ask that you are open to sharing your table I think that is neat and especially appreciate the fact that they have it on the table. Respectfully Reviewed Pros: fresh food, Service, Nice atmosphere Cons: parking, cramped space more
Reply | Report abuse |

Highly overrated 3/12/2006

Absolute WORST experience. Went because of reviews. 1st time, had to wait 20 minutes for coffee! The crab and eggs was horrible, smelled awful, had to be sent back. 2nd time, rude hostess who wouldn't speak to us because we didn't have a reservation and tables were open. She sat us near the kitchen and gave us dirty looks then asked ""is this table all right?"" And when I said, ""well, can we sit near the window?"" She looked as if I'd just asked her to strip naked and was very offended. ?? So we left. This place is not all that! Where does the attitude come from? The food sucks, the ambience sucks, the service -- SUCKS. About all you can say for it is it's CHEAP. You get what you pay for. PS - no REAL writers hang out here. (and yes, I know a few.) more
Reply | Report abuse |

AMAZING 3/10/2006

The food simply speaks for itself. A friend and I went for brunch this past Sunday and we were AMAZED. The staff was extremely polite and the gentleman server was extremely knowledgable and patient with all our questions. The chef gets all of his ingredients from the local farmers market so the menu changes daily. I loved it and Im going back for lunch on Thursday and dinner sometime next week. Pros: Valet $2.00 first2hrs, nice location Cons: crowded tables more
Reply | Report abuse |

User review by balgus 2/27/2006

A little pricey for decent food. The place can become crowded because they let customers stay and read. A good place to eat if you have a dog. You have to find metered parking or valet. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Not Impressed!! 1/19/2006

I wanted to treat myself to a latte, so I decided to try Literati's coffee. I used to run a Starbuck's for 3 years, so I've been exposed to ""each side of the bar"", so to speak. On the first day that I went, the cashier made fun of my Driver's License ('Gee, is that really you?') while laughing; and I was offended, as I've put on some weight over the last few years. The first day's latte was lukewarm, not very sweet, and I could barely taste the espresso. The barista didn't even call out my drink right either. Second day? Different cashier, same barista; when the barista saw me, he rolled his eyes. And the *second* day's caramel latte? (same as the first day's) HALF full of foam...lukewarm. When I kindly asked the barista to fix it, he rolled his eyes again.. I won't be back! Be warned! Cons: weak espresso, lukewarm drinks, no customer service more
Reply | Report abuse |

wonderful restaurant 1/15/2006

I really enjoyed Literati II. The space is very warm and inviting, humming but not too loud. I had bucatini, which was fresh and delicious. You can really tell the quality of the ingredients used. The chocolate shortcake and chicory sundae for dessert were both amazing. And, the prices at this place are really reasonable for the quality. I plan on returning to this place many times. Pros: great ambiance, reasonable prices, awesome desserts more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great Dinner! 1/12/2006

My girlfriend & I joined another couple for dinner tonight and had a great time. Food was good, and service was unobtrusive and professional. They have some of the best bread, especially the parmesean rye crisp. Everyone was extremely satisfied with the meal. Desserts are great and the Caesar Salad with black mission figs is quite unique. One member of our party arrived 45 min late, but the staff was extemely patient with us. Pros: good food & service, appropriate pricing Cons: loud - low ceiling, a little cold more
Reply | Report abuse |

Very Disappointed... 1/3/2006

I've been wanting to try Literati Cafe for some time now and was sorely disappointed when I finally did. I think other coffee house/health food places have spoiled me. I was expecting so much more. The food was just okay and the coffee was terrible! And, it's expensive! While I was eating my lunch, I still felt hungry. The only thing I did like about this place was the atmosphere. I was able to find a nice corner to hang out. Because of the high prices, mediocre food and subpar coffee and I will not return. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: Bad coffee, Mediocre food, Valet Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Service was terrible 12/20/2005

My husband and I went with another couple to try the ""wonderfully new and aclaimed"" Literati II in our neighborhood. We made reservations but were made to wait 20 minutes outside the patio. When we were finally seated, I realized that a heat lamp was on full blast outside that was cooking the windows near where we were seated and making us all sweat. We asked them to turn the lamps off and it took 40 minutes for them to finally listen. We then waited a half hour for our appetizers and an hour and 15 minutes for our main course. Our waiter asked my husband if he wanted his fish deboned and then came back to the table with the boniest fish my husband had ever eaten. Not impressed what so ever with this ""Gem"" of a supposed restaurant. Pros: ambiance Cons: service, food more
Reply | Report abuse |

Excellent 11/29/2005

My wife and I had Thanks Giving dinner with Literati II. I hope Mom, Dad, Grandma and my Aunts don't catch this... but this was the best turkey I've ever had in my entire life. The sweet potato fries were awsome. Desert was delightful as well. I know this turkey may only come once a year but if the chef makes turkey this great. I can not wait to try out the regular every day menu!! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Yummy afternoon coffee break 7/2/2005

I went to Literati on Sunday afternoon (around 2:30) for Chai Tea and a Caramel Brownie. Both were DELICIOUS. The Chai tea's flavor is really unique and the brownie was the best one I remember ever tasting. I highly reccommend both of these items. I can't wait to go back and try more! The staff was friendly, the mood was mellow... this is a great place! Pros: food, staff, mood more
Reply | Report abuse |

A great place to visit 6/30/2005

The food is delicious, the decor is outstanding, and service is satisfactory. The ambience is like an artistic masterpiece. That chef of theirs is amazing. The Dungenous Crab Sandwich at this restaurant is so good. I heard the produce is purchased every week at the Farmer's Market, which explains the freshness. I'm not a big fan of white meat because it usually taste dry, but at Literati II, the white meat was moist and delicious. The deserts are excellent. The Churros dipped in chocolate is very good. Maybe too good. Never in my life have I had Churros tasted so good until now. The place gets so packed that you have to make reservations to eat during lunch and dinner. So if you plan on eating at Literati II, you better plan ahead and make reservations. This is one restaurant that you have to experience eating sometime in your lifetime. Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service Cons: Not Enough Seating, Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Literati 2 is delicious 6/30/2005

Literati 2 is a really good addition to our neighborhood. The best thing is the food. The service is fine, the decor is interesting, and the location and parking are convenient, but the reason to go here is to eat really tasty food. What I like about the cuisine is that it's somewhat standard items, but with little twists and details that set them apart. I live nearby so I've been able to try about 50% of the menu, and so far everything was good or excellent. In general, the steaks, burgers, and sandwiches were my favorites. I especially recommend the ""hangar steak"" which comes with amazing fries. The food is made with care and the ingredients are always really fresh, so much that they seem to change almost daily. Pros: delicious, fresh, reasonable more
Reply | Report abuse |

MY NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT 6/25/2005

The food at Literati II is marked by quality and freshness, the food was spectacular, the dessert was yummy, the decor is cozy, unique and inviting, the service was professional, friendly and welcoming. I had the dungeness crab sandwich which was a great value, my date got the salad with chicken and it was the biggest, freshest salad he had ever seen (there were left overs). To me this restaurant has the quality of the west side, the pricing of the east side, and the feel of manhattan. My new favorite restaurant!!!!!!!! more
Reply | Report abuse |

I'm YOUNG & CUTE and I LOVE this restaurant! 6/23/2005

A few of us young professionals decided to try Literati II. I am glad we made reservations, they were PACKED. The crowd was diverse and I didn't feel a bit of pretension. The first thing I noticed was how inviting the HOSTESS was, even with many people trying to negotiate a table, very friendly and accomodating. We waited only a few minutes on the lovely patio for our table. I found the service prompt and the ambience spectacular. I tried the Literati salad to start it was a large portion of fresh ingredients like fennel and endive, really good. I followed it with the yellowtail tuna special, which I loved. I am tired of overpriced restaurants with teeny portions and chain restaurants that pour heavy sauces on everything.Literati II is different the fresh food speaks for itself. Even after trying a HEAVENLY Churro I floated away full, but invigorated. Pros: Photography Visuals, Attentive Staff, Nice Portions more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next >
Menu for Literati Cafe


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • The Scene
    High ceilings and exposed brick walls plastered with black-and-white photos of literary heroes lend this coffeehouse an airy, industrial look. Lunch draws a chatty business...

  • 8/14/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: M-F 7am-11pm, Sat/Sun 8am-11pm
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Discover, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: West Los Angeles, West LA
badge