Basil & Cheese Cafe

BRING THE COOK OUT 🗣️ We’re here for the first time in LA, visiting from Chicago. Basil and cheese was down the street from where we staying. Stopped by and got bagels and they are so good!! I got the smokes turkey avocado with arugula and cheese and my bf got the bacon and cheese with egg. He says this is one of the best bagel places he’s tried and he’s very picky. There was a small wait but it was worth it, I’d wait again and can’t wait to go back! I also tried the honey cinnamon latte iced with oatmilk and it was made perfect! There’s not many places out there that sell a variety of unique drinks but this place is the spot to go to! ❤️ s/o to the workers at 7:30 am on 5/29

The food was decent, nice omelette. The coffee was poor. Flat white was not on the menu but they were nice enough to make one for me. What I received was nothing like a flat white I would have preferred them to say no. Truly unenjoyable coffee

Breakfast was delicious! Fast and courteous service. Bacon breakfast burrito was great! Will definitely be back for more. I highly recommend 👍

Big dissapointment. Nice store, clean and well decorated. Staff looked bored and not very welcoming (serious, didn't talk much). Considering the prices, food was below standards. We ordered power omelette and a cheese and ham croissant. One came in a plate and the other in a box eventhough we were dinning in. The eggs were overcooked to the point that we're dry, same with the ham. It was leathery. Lack of seasoning on both dishes. I hope they improve because small businesses are important for this city.

Great spot! Their arugula salad was a standout - fresh and perfectly balanced. The coffee is next-level, made with a La Marzocco machine, one of the most luxurious coffee makers in the world. The best part? The prices are reasonable for how good everything is! It’s a gem you do not want to miss!

A classic case of doing a lot, but none of it well. Most of all, the coffee beverages are really bad—and they’re really expensive at that. I paid ~$7.50 for a 24oz “cold brew” that tasted *sour*. It was clearly just leftover old coffee from the day before (or worse). Undrinkable. The person there was nice enough to swap it for an iced dirty chai, but that wasn’t much better. Way too sweet, not good quality chai, and their espresso is made just like you would make it at home with a simple machine. I couldn’t drink more than a few sips. I love coffee, and I would NEVER order it from here again, even if I was desperate. I really don’t like how they call themselves a cafe and charge high prices without bothering to become an expert at it—or even moderately good. Either lower your prices for cheap drinks or learn your craft. The people behind the counter are kind, but management has done them a disservice by not training them well. We asked about gluten in dishes and they were very unfamiliar with the menu, even on a basic level of knowing what dishes were (had no idea what quinoa was even though it’s in several items). The wrap I got was pretty good, but the salmon we got was way overcooked and way too salty. The tables were dirty and covered in crumbs. We had to clean them before sitting down even though staff wasn’t doing anything. Again, training. There are too many wonderful cafes in LA to consider this place.

Easily some of the best breakfast/brunch food I've had in all of LA. I've been to all the fancy popular places all over the city but the quality of food and price of this place does not compare. The service is lovely, the vibes of the place were so warm and welcoming, and they have the best selection of food and drinks. Everything was so well portioned for the price, but more importantly, the taste exceeded any and all expectations. Everything was so well seasoned but not heavy at all. Easy on the stomach but so filling and so delicious. The coffee was also superb, and the chai tea latte and matcha latte were perfectly sweet and had the most amazing depth of flavour. I wasn't able to snap a picture of their vast pastry menu, but everything I dried was mouthwateringly good. I had the almond croissant, maple scone, and one of their muffins. They have a great vegan and gluten free menu as well. I'm easily going to become a regular here!

Highly highly recommend. The dining environment is comfortable. I ordered ABC bagel, it was impressive. The bagel was crunchy outside but soft inside. Out of my expectation, the price was not expensive. They use togo box for their dishes so it's also easy to bring with you. I will revisit if I have a chance.

I've been coming here for the past three years. The food and the drinks are amazing! I recommend that breakfast bacon burrito, and an ice Matcha! Great vibes, super friendly staff and the owner is also super cool! 20 out of 10 recommend basil and cheese - @_chrisurias

This is one of my favorite coffee shops in LA and their food menu remains unrivaled. Not only is everything is made fresh to order, but the owner and staff are warm, kind people. The brew is delicious, and the chorizo breakfast burrito with tater tots is insane. Fresh bagels and pastries too! If you're with friends or just riding solo for a book read or some work Basil and Cheese is the perfect place.

Took way too long to get our food, it almost felt as if they completely forgot about our order. We ordered two burritos & and omelette. The establishment was full, but for what they were serving I don't believe it should've taken 30 min to get our food It was hard to find seating as well since they were so busy. The food was alright, definitely lacking flavor, maybe more salt would help?? It's a good place if you want basic food and maybe a healthier option than other places. Would not go back

Was in dtla this sunday and stumbled upon this place. I was looking for a place that specifically had two things: blueberry matcha and a healthy breakfast option. This place absolutely satisfied both. The inside seating is nice, there were plenty of people waiting,ordering, working and catching up with friends. There is also outdoor seating. Food was phenomenal and came out quickly. My friend ordered a bagel sandwich and it looked just like the photos! I opted for the veggie avocado omelette and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity. You also get a side of toast with jam, making this a filling and healthy option. I can't wait to come here again. Thanks to the workers and amazing cooks!

A delightful experience 5/5! Located in the heart of DTLA, Basil & Cheese cafe is a genuine island of culinary comfort amidst the vivid contrast of Late Victorian era architecture and new constructions reflecting the spirit of hustle culture and evolution. With simple yet elegant decor, each subsequent visit to this enchanting café is more like being in a different world surrounded by the noises of the outside traffic. The interior is fine and gives a homey feel making it suitable for a coffee break or a sit-down meal. Interesting choice of furniture and equipment allows one to achieve elegance of modern facilities with some features of the countryside comfort. As can be expected, Basil & Cheese's primary differentiating factor is delicious food, but it is the establishment's excellent service that stands out. Even from the time I first visited them (coming from an hour of train ride from OC), I thanked Mary and Emily, and they were very welcoming to me. As I sit and wait for my order, I can see that the customers are treated with immense respect and are even personally advised on what to order. From the encounter I had today and on my previous visits, one can tell that they are devoted to their clients, and a standard that is well maintained throughout the different hours of the day is something I have not complained about. The menu at Basil & Cheese can be divided into categories most commonly associated with breakfast and lunch; it is prepared with natural, fresh ingredients of the highest quality. Used in their vegan meals, I always appreciate the fact that this restaurant understands and cares for the vegan diet (I try to be vegan every once in a while). Not to mention if you are looking for something sweet or a bite, they always offer fresh baked goods and their own version of granola. IMO, despite the small size of the cafe, I would highly encourage people to try a taste of this delicious local hidden treasure.

My daily go to spot for great coffee, great food, and a smiling face from Mingku and the staff! The space as well, is a great place to sit and enjoy your coffee or meal with your friends or family or by yourself. Favorite items for me on the menu are the ABC bagel, the Bulgogi Bowl (the sauce is to die for), the club sandwich, and the breakfast burrito (get extra salsa! It's sooo good).

Food: avocado toast (9.2/10), Machaca burrito (9.3/10), Service: excellent (10/10), Ambiance: chill, Clean: 10/10 Both the burrito and avocado toast are delicious. You can't go wrong with either one. I think I can eat but just one of these had me stuffed.

Really tasty bacon burrito. Had a side of tots too, yum! Nice interior but I ate outside on the street, chill spot. Fast, friendly service!

First time here we got the pesto chicken sandwich, bacon egg bagel, and the matcha latte float. The pesto chicken was nice and toasted w/ side of crispy fries. Both sandwich and bagel were good. The matcha float was alright. Wish they added more of matcha powder on top of it. It's also not on their paper menu, but it was on their instagram page so you have to ask for it. The parkings are by the coin meters , or they have those paid $10 parking. Overall, I would come back for their sandwich

Was at the flower district and decided to walk over and grab an early breakfast seeing as this had some good reviews. Their matcha latte was fantastic and the breakfast sandwiches are insanely good. Plenty of seating and lots of natural light. Next time I'm in the area I'll likely be back

Basil & Cheese Cafe a go to spot for a quick tea or coffee and a delicious meal. Enjoy a healthy and satisfying breakfast or lunch in a vibrant, open atmosphere and don't forget to grab a treat from the bakery! They have an extensive tea and coffee menu, so there's an option for everyone. There's also dairy alternatives such as oat and almond milk. What we tried: * Iced matcha latte * Iced vanilla honey coffee * Swiss ham & egg croissant * Avocado & Burrata toast (highly recommended) * Chorizo breakfast burrito

3.5 stars. Got the provolone spinach mushroom omelet and my friend got the Korean beef bowl. I also asked for a side of burrata for my omelet. Everything was a-ok. The burrata wasn't very creamy. The omelet was a little overdone. The Korean beef had a nice flavor but meat was tough.

Service was great! Very friendly and polite! Ambiance is cute! Def would come back! Food was good! Machaca burrito was flavorful and the chicken pesto grilled sandwich was yummy! What I wouldn't get is the blueberry matcha. I think it was just blueberry syrup. The horchata latte was good!

The food was decent, everything was clean, but this place is expensive without you feeling like your money's worth. You leave feeling like "what did I just pay for?" Let me explain. I ordered their breakfast omlet, my friend ordered the breakfast burrito - neither was cheap!! $20+ The omlet was supposed to come with a side green salad, it just came with a little bit of lettuce, not tomatoes, no dressing, just lettuce. And if you want potatoes, that's extra!! My friend's burrito was just a burrito on a plate - nothing else, just a $20+ burrito.... Come on guys, just because your restaurant looks fancy, doesn't mean you can get away with little food for lots of $$$. At least not with me. The service was decent, and the place was nice and clean, so I gave them 3 stars instead of less for those reasons.

Perfect breakfast cafe in DTLA. Extremely dog friendly as they have treats for your fur babies. Our go to favorite breakfast item is the machaca burrito and I got the matcha lavender latte today! Would come here every weekend when I lived in DTLA. Now I come and visit whenever in area. The owner Mingo is also very friendly & always has a smile on his face

We love Basil and Cheese, it's a great place to come and grab your coffee and even breakfast! I love the machaca breakfast burrito, highly recommend it! The owner is dog friendly and always has dogie treats! Cute and ambience great place to grab your lap top and get some work done.

Basil & Cheese Cafe is one of the best cafes I've ever visited! We were looking for a breakfast spot while we were visiting Downtown LA, and came across this cute cafe. The interior is adorably decorated with Basil & Cheese art, and the staff was incredibly friendly! We ordered the Tiramisu Latte, Iced Cafe Nopali, Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Avocado and Burrata Toast and a Chocolate Croissant. Everything came out so quickly; all the food had great presentation and tasted delicious! The Avocado and Burrata was honestly one of the best I've had, perfect amounts of each ingredient made every bite as good as the last. The croissant was also baked to perfection: flaky & full of chocolate. If you're looking for a cafe in DTLA, definitely check out Basil & Cheese!

Great staff, pet friendly, and good matcha, delish brekkie burritos and coffees. I feel the burritos could have a bit more egg in it but it's fine. Only thing is Basil & Cheese is named after the owners doggies. I'd love to see a photograph of the owners (Basil & Cheese) somewhere in the cafe at some point lol ^_^ lol

Super cute little cafe , good drinks and food. Friendly service. We pop in regularly on our morning walks with our dog. He loves it too as he knows he'll get treats. :)

Yum. Macadamia nut milk matcha latte 10/10! Salmon avocado toast 10/10! Fast efficient service and great food / drinks.

Basil & Cheese Cafe is a cute cafe located in DTLA. I stumbled upon it about an hour before their closing on a Thursday, and the shop was pretty empty. It has a cute interior with a few seats as well as some outdoor seating on the sidewalk as well. The staff was friendly and helpful in answering my questions about the menu offerings. I ordered the Harvest, which is their most popular drink. It's a latte with pumpkin and white chocolate, which I think would be a perfect fall drink. Overall, it was yummy. I came on a hot summer day and wasn't really feeling the drink's vibe, but I'm sure I would love it when it's sweater weather and pumpkin season. Their other drinks sound really delicious as well, so I do hope to come back to the Raspberry Matcha at some point. I also wanted to try some food, but by the time I came, the kitchen was already closed. They did have some already prepared items like sandwiches and baked goods. Unfortunately, I saw some fleas flying around in the pastry display (perhaps due to the hotter day?) and didn't feel particularly inclined to try anything. A drawback is there appears to only be metered street parking near the cafe. I managed to snag a parking spot right across the street, but it definitely is tricky finding parking. I believe they also have free Wi-Fi, so it could be an aesthetic study spot for sure. In general, I liked Basil & Cheese and could see myself realistically going back!

Pricey for the sizes and it being downtown... the parking sucks. Service was mid nothing stood out, it wasn't bad either.

This is our second time eating here. It's a small space, but large enough to accommodate about 10-15 people. You order at the register, no waiters/waitresses. The owner has taken our order both times. He was and is a pleasant person with a good disposition. I think his customer service skills are very strong. The food both times was great. I honestly can't remember what we ordered the first time, but this time, I got the burrito, my guy got a turkey sandwich with chips, and we both drank OJ. The food was really delicious, well made and came out really quick. It's not fancy, it is just well made favorites. If you want a good breakfast/lunch spot downtown, this is it for sure. I'm excited to go back and check out the sandwiches :)

I LOVEE this place!! It's super cute/aesthetic and the food/drinks are amazing. I got the Avocado & burrata Toast and Matcha Latte. The toast was huge and flavor combinations were excellent. The match also really hit the spot. Service was quick! If you want food, make sure to check their kitchen hours because I think it closes at 3 or 4 PM.

10/10 !!! Just recently moved to downtown and stopped by this cute cafe ! And the burritos are AMAZING !! I've tried the chorizo and egg it was so good with their fresh salsa ! And I recently tried the bacon egg and cheese burrito 10/10

Holy icebox, Batman! My fingers are barely functioning as I type this sitting inside Basil & Cheese Cafe. I'm wearing a sweater and it's so cold inside, not cozy and inviting like I prefer in my coffee shops. I'm so sad because I wanted to love Basil & Cheese...but I won't be back. I arrived at the shop just after opening and it was quite busy. I felt bad for the person working having so much to handle on their own, so I sat and waited for awhile before ordering. Prior to 8am, it was just people grabbing and going though so cleared out pretty quickly. I ordered a cold brew and got hot coffee. I order a bagel breakfast sandwich and 30 minutes later, it hadn't come out but I saw others receiving their food. I went to the cashier and they were able to handle it quite quickly for me. But they messed up half my order and forgot the other half. Oy vey. The coffee was fine. The sandwich was fine, fresh ingredients. But it was just a disappointing experience. I did some remote work from the shop for a few hours and there Wifi was not strong enough for my VPN connection, so I had to use my hotspot to be online. That was a bit disappointing, as well. And the shop was so darn cold, not conducive to an enjoyable experience. I'm so sad because I swear I wanted to love them...but nahhhhhhh!

10/10 !!! I recently visited with family and stopped by this cute cafe. The drinks and burritos are delicious! I tried the machaca burrito with fresh salsa. I would return again. I highly recommend.

The lavender matcha tea is everything and more. I think I maybe lowkey addicted and can't wait to go back. Got the jalapeño bagel breakfast sandwich and added avocado and mushrooms too!!! Let's just say every morning I'm in the area, I'll try to make a run here. The customer service was wonderful and they were knowledgeable about their menu The parking is DTLA so ofc it sucks lol There's an indoor seating area but I had mine to go

First time checking out Basil & Cheese Cafe for a quick brunch and it definitely did not disappoint. This place is pet-friendly so my dogs were able to sit indoors too! Ordered the provolone avocado spinach mushroom omelette (served with choice of bread) and an OJ. Omelette was a bit dry but it was still flavorful. It looked just as advertised on the picture menu. The 100% OJ was a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it - sweet, pulpy, and fresh. No complaints! Solid neighborhood cafe!

Cute inside, the toast I got was absolutely delicious and well as the matcha I purchased. Won't lie I wasnt really impressed with the yogurt so I'd probably pass on that next time. But if in the area again I'd definitely stop by.

One of my morning favorite breakfast is avocado toast ! I love the avocado barata toast it had a drizzle of balsamic, cherry tomatoes and micro greens . It's a refreshing light breakfast toast . Definitely recommend this cafe ..the staff is always kind along with great service. Indoors is bright and cheerful a lot of windows and plenty of indoor seating and limited seating outside along window.. to catch some morning sunshine. I would definitely recommend this cafe for pastries and lunch menu. I've eaten here several times .. I love the breakfast burritos & hummus breakfast toast too ! Hot coffee and teas.. And to go salads and sandwiches for a quick lunch on the go. Thank you for being part of the neighborhood !

Excellent food and service! The machaca burrito is the best in town! The place is also very clean and organized. I also enjoy the teas and coffee. Just wish they did not close so soon. Will definitely be back soon for more great food.

I have visited Basil & Cheese on two different occasions now. The first time I visited, I tried their Machaca Burrito. The shredded beef was juicy + tender, the tater tots - crispy, yet soft on the inside. The bell pepper, egg, & cheese rounds out what turns out to be a very good breakfast burrito. The salsa, while a bit mild for my taste, is very tasty. The second time I visited, I tried the ABC Bagel Sandwich on a jalapeno bagel. The bagel was light and easy to chew. The arugula & bacon nestled in between a nice ratio of cream cheese and avocado combined to make a nice bagel sandwich. The coffee available here is also very good! They have both single origin and mixed blends available to drink from. So far I have tried the Americano and Cold Brew, and both were great! There are a decent amount of seats in the cafe; the window spots provide a nice view of the city while you enjoy your food/coffee.

Delicious breakfast food! The service was nice and quick, it is a smaller cafe. I loved the seating inside and overall vibes inside. I had one of the breakfast burritos, one of my favorites I've eaten.

Absolutely incredible. My husband and I came to Los Angeles as a part of our honeymoon, and this is the first café we've been to. It was a 3 minute walk from the place we are staying, and decided to try it out from all of the positive reviews and the menu selection. Basil & Cheese Cafe did not disappoint! Hands down the best matcha and breakfast burrito we've ever had. I was tempted to order another matcha on my way out. 10/10 would recommend. Everything was made perfectly, tasted fresh, and my special request to make my matcha extra sweet was executed perfectly. If we lived in the area, this would be our go-to spot!

This is a great place for breakfast. We ordered two different avocado toasts, french fries, and an iced cardamom latte. The toasts were delicious and piled high with toppings, as you can see in the picture. The fries were lightly seasoned and delicious. The latte was quite tasty. Service was attentive, but just took a moment to get cups of water because they were busy. The ambiance is comfortable, and there's lots of seating. I'd gladly eat here again.

Always pleased with the bolgogi rice bowl - always full of flavor in each bite with decent portions

The staff here is incredibly friendly. The ingredients are high quality and fresh. The combination of ingredients is carefully created and tastes amazing! I can't compare it to any other sandwich spot because it doesn't compare. I love these sandwiches so much! I look forward to visiting Basil & Cheese Cafe again!

I would say it's really delicious and I loved the breakfast if you go to La try this place you will not regret it

Food is excellent good flavors all coffee are bomb, super friendly, yes I recommend this little cute place,

I have a friend visiting LA and this was my top recommendation for her to try in DTLA. I used to live around the corner and spent a lot of time at this cafe. The owner and his wife are incredibly nice. Breakfast burritos and bagels are the bomb. The salsa is chefs kiss. Reading the other reviews that are not 5star- they talk about food wait times and the small cafe size, while I agree that sometimes wait times were long and it was hard to find seating, the food to me was still always worth it. I miss it so much- I would still be here several times a week if I was still in LA!

New cafe/restaurant in town? Sign me up! I came here on a Saturday morning to get coffee and grab breakfast. I got the cold brew, which was good - they get their beans from somewhere in Orange County. I decided to try their Chorizo burrito, Avocado Spinach Mushroom burrito and Machaca burrito. My favorite was the chorizo one, although it was a little oily. The salsa it came with was really good! The Machaca was my least favorite, it was lacking flavor. The owner as well as the staff was super helpful and friendly. All the stars for the staff! I can totally see myself coming back and working there because they do have a few tables and outlets. Love seeing new cafes opening in downtown!

I've ordered this exactly three times. The quality has been amazing each time. On the third day, I got the bagel plain and it was just as good. I like the everything bagel better but it wasn't a quality issue, just personal preference. The ingredients taste so fresh and delicious. As a New Yorker, I have had bacon,egg, and cheeses consistently since grade school and from many different kitchens. This is the best I've had in LA. I really don't even mind the price tag, which to be fair, are normal LA prices and honestly the quality assurance by far feels worth it. Back home, the sandwich costs about half the price but this is a different city and that's irrelevant to my review. Just some context and an ongoing gripe I have with LA. Anyway, I hope to visit in person some day. Support this local business.

Delicious food!!! I tried the Korean bbq sub. 100% recommend. I went there with my cousin and we both enjoyed it!

Ordered the Mediterranean Tuna sandwich and a bottle of water. Plus tip. $18 Sandwich was delicious and filling! The employees who handout the order from the counter, could be nicer. I was given the wrong sandwich and immediately returned it to them. The manager/owner? apologized and asked my order again. Then the employee spoke rudely to the manager/owner? and blamed him for giving me the wrong order. I was not upset by the error but found it unsettling how she spoke to the man that was in charge. Will I be back? Probably not. Was the food good & should you give it a try? Yes.

Delicious breakfast spot! A large variety of pastries definitely going back. Two large tables for groups. Friendly service even for your fury friends.

THE CUTEST LIL DOG FRIENDLY CAFE IN DOWNTOWN. I've been here several times now and have loved it each time. The ambiance isn't super quiet so taking virtual meetings isn't the best. However, it is quiet enough for meeting a friend there and chatting. Interior is very cute and nicely lit. Also since this is a small cafe, have a little patience with the service. The owner is usually helping out behind the counter and running around but we love supporting a local small business Dogs: yes! And they offer dog treats at checkout Parking: paid street, better to park at a paid lot nearby and walk here Seating: indoor table, high top Wifi: yes Payment: cash and card (accepts Amex) Vibe: casual cafe Dress Code: casual

My fiancé and I ordered $55 worth of food and coffee with 20% tip up front. As soon as we sat down at a communal table (before we received our food) the owner said the table was reserved for a large group in 20 mins and we had to give it up. Terrible experience when you are a paying customer and immediately told you matter less than other customers. Especially before we received our food! This was our first and last time coming here. Food and coffee was decent but not worth being treated this way. We'll take our dollars elsewhere. I will note that the owner was very apologetic when we were leaving.

I was in a search for a Jalapeño Bagel and I'm glad I encountered this spot! Very good bagel, indeed.