Alcove
Cafe · Los Feliz ·
American food & craft drinks in cozy, historic bungalows
American food & craft drinks in cozy, historic bungalows
"Sometimes we wake up in the morning and think about where we would be - both personally and as a city - if it wasn’t for Alcove. A scary thought, to be sure, because Alcove is one of LA’s most essential everyday cafes. Located on Hillhurst not far from Griffith Park, Alcove occupies two converted houses and has as perfect a patio as you’ll ever find. To be clear - Alcove isn’t some hidden, untapped gem. Anyone living East of La Brea knows exactly what Alcove is and uses it frequently. But despite the consistent crowds, Alcove somehow maintains a calming vibe that makes you want to just take a step back and breathe. It’s all going to be OK. Thank you Alcove, we needed that. Hangover breakfast? Lunch with the parents? Casual dinner date? Late night dessert run? All these needs can be fulfilled within Alcove’s always-welcoming confines. The expansive menu has some definite highlights, but you’ll also be hard-pressed to find anything disappointing. Prices are reasonable and portions are hearty. Plus, with Alcove’s attached Big Bar and its solid wine list and cocktails, you’ve got just about everything you need on the premises. We want to say we wish more places could be like Alcove, but that would be a disservice to what makes it so special in the first place. Alcove is an easy-peezy, California cafe where everybody can just hang out. Nobody’s trying too hard and neither should you. So grab a coffee, or a piece of cake, or anything else you see, and enjoy a sunny day or starry night at one of the best outdoor spaces in town. We live in Southern California, let’s go ahead and take advantage of it. Food Rundown Brioche French Toast Made with French vanilla and rum. We’ll say that again. French vanilla and rum. (Kinda) Classic Benedict The secret here is the maple-glazed ham. Overall, this is one of the better benedicts on the Eastside. Blackened Salmon Tacos We don’t usually condone ordering fish tacos from a place that doesn’t specialize in them, but Alcove is one of the few exceptions to that rule. The avocado salsa on top is next-level. Bean+Bean+Bean Salad Three different types of beans are piled high in this filling salad. Perfect for a post-Griffith Park hike. Turkey Hummus Melt Surprisingly hearty yet light, this is a great go-to for a quick afternoon bite. Alcove Burger Prime angus beef, bacon, and avocado make this a solid choice for any time of day. This isn’t the best burger we’ve ever eaten, but if you’ve got a craving it will definitely do you right. Lamb Burger Alcove’s lamb burger is juicy, delicious goodness. Its olives and goat cheese make it a true winner. Local Harvest Sandwich A vegetarian pride party, this overloaded sandwich stuffed with fresh veggies and pesto is a great order, whether you eat meat or not. Red Velvet Cheesecake Generally speaking, Alcove has some of the best desserts in town, but this one in particular will forever have our heart. And our love handles." - Brant Cox
"Located in two converted houses on Hillhurst, this is one of the best outdoor spaces out there — perfect for penning the next King Lear, or sweating through every fiber of your clothes. Plus, they have a really good eggs Benedict." - brett keating
"Best known for having a front patio where every social influencer in LA congregates, the trick to this order-at-the-counter spot in Los Feliz is bypassing the chaotic daytime scene and going late night instead. That’s when you’ll encounter zero lines and some excellent cheesecake. They rotate flavors daily, but just know that whatever is chilling behind the glass on the night you go is going to be very good. Open till midnight on Sunday-Wednesday, and 1am Thursday-Saturday." - brant cox
"If someone suggests grabbing lunch in Los Feliz, chances are the word Alcove isn’t far behind. The cafe/restaurant along Hillhurst is all but synonymous with its neighborhood, and while the weekend crowds can definitely get to be too much, its weekday scene is far more mellow. The large menu is always solid, the patio is unparalleled, and if you need liquid encouragement to get you through the day, Big Bar is also on the premises serving some pretty stellar cocktails." - brant cox
"Maybe you and Duke are planning a total Eastside day, walking along the LA River bike path. The obvious move is to head to Alcove afterward. This all-day Los Feliz standby has a massive outdoor patio, meaning your dog has space to spread out and have himself a Saturday. The sandwiches and salads are all solid enough, but don’t leave without getting a slice of cheesecake to-go." - brant cox