South LA Cafe - Los Angeles, California

South LA Cafe: A Vibrant Hub in the Heart of Los Angeles

South LA Cafe stands as a beacon of community spirit and exceptional hospitality in the bustling city of Los Angeles. Located at 1700 Browning Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90062, this establishment offers more than just a place to enjoy a beverage or a meal; it provides an immersive experience rooted in quality, comfort, and inclusivity.

Owned by visionary minds, South LA Cafe proudly identifies as both a Black-owned and women-owned business, reflecting its commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering entrepreneurship within its community. This identity is central to its ethos, making it a notable destination for those seeking not only great food and coffee but also supporting businesses that champion representation and empowerment.

Location and Accessibility

Nestled at the intersection of vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, the cafe's address on Browning Boulevard in Los Angeles' diverse South region places it conveniently within reach of various parts of the city. Its strategic location makes it easily accessible for locals and tourists alike.

South LA Cafe is exceptionally committed to ensuring all visitors can experience its offerings comfortably. The venue features comprehensive accessibility provisions, including a wheelchair-accessible car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating areas, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. This dedication to physical accessibility underscores its welcoming nature towards patrons with various mobility needs.

Furthermore, the cafe champions inclusivity beyond physical access. It explicitly states it is a gender-neutral toilet facility and is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly and a safe space for the transgender community, reinforcing its reputation as a welcoming establishment for everyone. Its atmosphere is described as cosy, quiet, trendy, and family friendly, making it suitable for a wide range of visitors, including families with children and groups of all sizes. High chairs are available, catering specifically to the needs of families with infants.

Specialties and Offerings

At its core, South LA Cafe specializes in providing high-quality coffee and a delightful tea selection. It successfully blends the energy of a traditional cafe and coffee shop with the comprehensive service of a full-service restaurant. Patrons consistently praise the exceptional quality of its coffee, often comparing it favorably to national chains.

The menu is thoughtfully curated to cater to various preferences and occasions. It offers a satisfying breakfast, perfect for starting the day, and a robust lunch menu for midday refueling. The cafe is also a popular spot for a quick bite, providing convenient options for busy individuals. For those seeking something more substantial or celebratory, catering services are available.

Desserts play a starring role on the menu, with items like the highly-regarded coffee cake being a customer favorite, evoking cherished memories for many. Beyond indulgence, the cafe also focuses on healthy options and offers vegetarian choices, catering to diverse dietary requirements. On-site services include dine-in, takeaway, and delivery, along with the option for no-contact delivery to accommodate varying comfort levels during service.

The cafe provides free of charge street parking and a free parking lot, offering convenient options for visitors. It is also equipped with Wi-Fi, making it an ideal spot for working on a laptop or simply enjoying the internet. The ambiance supports this, being described as quiet and good for working. Seating is plentiful, featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, ensuring a comfortable spot whether you're here for a quick coffee or a longer stay.

Customer Experience and Recommendations

With a commendable Google My Business rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 441 reviews, South LA Cafe has established a strong reputation built on positive customer feedback. Reviews frequently highlight the exceptional quality of the coffee and tea, noting that it justifies the prices set, as the value lies in the superior beans and attentive service.

Word-of-mouth and online reviews consistently praise the great coffee, the surprisingly delicious food options (including breakfast, lunch, and desserts), and the welcoming atmosphere created by the staff. The coffee cake is often mentioned with enthusiasm, transporting customers back to fond memories. Blended drinks, such as the Caramel King, are also lauded for their quality, often surpassing offerings from larger chains.

The staff is repeatedly described as helpful and welcoming, adding significantly to the positive customer experience. The cafe's inclusive environment, where everyone feels comfortable and valued, is frequently noted. It's not just a place to eat and drink; it's recognized as a community hub and a safe space.

When visiting South LA Cafe, customers are encouraged to explore the full menu, which caters well to solo dining or groups. Reservations are accepted, ensuring a smooth experience, especially during peak times. Payment options are convenient, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. For those seeking convenience, delivery services are available.

For individuals seeking a memorable coffee experience combined with quality food in a welcoming and accessible environment, South LA Cafe at 1700 Browning Blvd is highly recommended. It offers a blend of excellent comfort food, diverse options including healthy and vegetarian choices, and a cozy ambiance, all under one roof in the heart of Los Angeles.

👍 Reviews of South LA Cafe

Tiana R.

5/5

LOVEE! 💖💕

A little on the pricey side compared to other coffee chains. But as far as quality and support, that's where the extra coins going to - and I'm ALL FOR IT!

Yummy food!
The coffee cake ..... HOW It takes me back to my middle school LAUSD days - it tastes JUST like them and brings back many memories. 😍😍

The blended Caramel King was amazing! Better than any other Frappuccinos I've tasted before.

Staff was soo helpful and welcoming.
Definitely will be back.

Christal Y.

5/5

I had been looking forward to coming to support this place and I'm so glad that I finally did (and it surely won't be my last time!). The service was top notch. Everyone was so professional and friendly, you can really tell that they take pride in their work. As a vegan, I made some modifications to my bagel to add guac and vegan cheese. It was so yummy! And my coffee was non-dairy milk was also prefection.

The space isn't super huge but that's ok because the ambiance is cozy and they really mazimize the seating. The music playlist was great too! I was able to get some reading in and some work done. Such a great cafe in the community.

I wish them much success and I look forward to my next visit.

Mari R.

5/5

This cafe offers a delightful dining experience, featuring delicious food and an impressive atmosphere. The setting is reminiscent of upscale venues found in Beverly Hills, showcasing a sophisticated ambiance that enhances the overall experience.

R. R.

5/5

Decided to pop into this little cute cafe located on Western and MLK. Easily a lovable location venue. The menu items are fairly priced at accessible prices so that all may be able to enjoy. I ordered a regular size hot chocolate for my kid ($3) and a regular chai latte for myself ($4). I really enjoyed my chai latte it had a very distinct flavor and wasn't watered down like Starbucks tends to be. There are very few places that are able to make a really good chai latte and I am very happy to have been able to locate another. My kid enjoyed his hot chocolate but, complained that it was not chocolatey enough. The barista welcomed us upon entering and seemed excited about making our first visit a memorable one. Everyone introduced us by name and welcomed us. We were also invited to take an " I LOVE SOUTH LA CAFE" button. (We love buttons.)

Aesthetically, I found this place to be really cute. Black, white, greenery on the inside and yellow, greenery outside seating. On the table there were little slidable placards to indicate if a table is "dirty" or "clean." Outside of existing COVID precautions I think this is a cute little detail that other businesses should invest in to support their self seating areas.

We will definitely be returning! Love the prices, the vibe, location, and the community engagement!

J C.

5/5

Eddie was working on making drinks when I walked in. He said hello and let me know he’d be right with me. Once done he greeted me with a smile and was polite, helpful and I wasn’t sure what I wanted and he recommended me of his favorite drinks. His service was beyond top tier! He even told me about the food drive each Wednesday that the company does for the public. He was very enthusiastic about it. I’d recommend this coffee shop to others and even though I’m not a local I’d make the trip back over this way due to the great service and good vibes.

Androj N.

5/5

Congratulations to this family to serve the community it’s really good to see nice & clean business like this one around the la .

Heidi M.

1/5

First time here and as soon as you walk in there’s this weird smell it’s not pleasant. Costumer service was not great. My husband and I walked in and we were not greeted. We didn’t feel welcome. The employees were talking between each other, and we were ignored. We both ordered the bagel salmon and the quality of food was so disappointing not tasty at all. The salmon did not taste fresh! I ordered the matcha latte. I love matcha but this was just bland no flavor again no great taste! 🙁 They also took forever for our order!

Almaz I.

5/5

The coffee was good, I also ordered an avocado toast and a carrot cake, both were delicious.
Very friendly staff, there’s some kind of deal with pins but I didn’t get it.
Affordable prices too, not like a bunch of overpriced coffee shops in LA. I would definitely recommend this place.