CAFÉ TRISTE
Wine bar · Chinatown
980 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Highlights
Nestled in neon-lit Mandarin Plaza, Cafe Triste is the ultimate spot for 20-somethings to sip on natural wines and enjoy gourmet small plates in a moody setting.
Nestled in neon-lit Mandarin Plaza, Cafe Triste is the ultimate spot for 20-somethings to sip on natural wines and enjoy gourmet small plates in a moody setting.
"Cafe Triste is a wine bar situated in Mandarin Plaza, Chinatown, Los Angeles. It is part of the diverse culinary offerings in the area, known for its curated selection of wines." - Rebecca Roland
" On weekends, the sidewalk of this natural wine bar in Chinatown is a see-and-be-seen zoo. So don't be surprised if you clock people standing around with glasses of gamay until midnight. But you can also usually walk right up and claim a wooden banquette or tiny table inside their low-lit space. Wines by the glass span from French pét-nats to juicy Australian reds, with nothing on the daily rotating menu priced over $15. Because the place is run by the same people who operate Silver Lake wine shop Psychic Wines, count on Bar Triste's friendly staff to talk you through the bottle list. " - nikko duren, brant cox, arden shore, sylvio martins
" This Chinatown wine bar from the team behind Psychic Wines is mostly for Angelenos in their 20s and anyone who can pull off spray-painted jeans. On weeknights, the neighborhood hangout never gets too packed. But on weekends, the sidewalk out front turns into a see-and-be-seen scenario where people stand around with glasses of gamay until midnight. Whether you’re a self-described wine expert or don’t quite know how liquid can be described as “chewy,” the friendly staff will help you find something exciting and affordable on their condensed list (most glasses cost around $14). " - brant cox, nikko duren
"The perks of going to Cafe Triste are twofold: you get to drink eclectic natural wines, and you get to do it at neon-lit Mandarin Plaza in Chinatown. This bar from the team behind has quickly become the “it” spot for 20-somethings, wine drinkers, and anyone who can pull off spray-painted jeans. On weekends, the sidewalk out front is a packed, see-and-be-seen scenario where people stand around with glasses of gamay till midnight. If you'd rather grab a table, sit inside their moody, low-lit dining room, and look around at the paintings on the walls. You'll probably see a few people who regularly get paid to look bored in Eckhaus Latta ads doing the same thing. Whether you’re a self-certified expert or don’t quite know how liquid can be described as “chewy,” the staff will help you find something exciting and affordable on their condensed wine list. As for the food, Cafe Triste mostly serves snack-sized items, and you may find that aggravating until you try a few—they'll remind you why you still bother with small plates. The rotating menu leans into the kind of stuff you'd expect to find on a gourmet charcuterie board, and there’s usually some kind of tartare on the menu. Get it. It might arrive in a pool of deep-green olive oil, or it might come topped with thinly sliced cucumber that, somehow, you're excited to eat. Pair that with some gouda and a bottle of Pinot Gris, and this place becomes one of the best spots to hang out in Chinatown, full stop. " - Nikko Duren
"Cafe Triste is a cool wine bar at Mandarin Plaza from the team behind Silver Lake’s Psychic Wines. On weekends, it’s a packed, see-and-be-seen scenario where unemployed creative directors stand around with glasses of gamay. But you can also head inside their dining room for a proper meal. They serve a rotating list of bar snacks like fresh cheese, country terrine, and cured hams. Wines by the glass span from French pét-nats to juicy Australian reds, and the friendly staff will help you find the exact kind of bottle to pair with your food" - Kat Hong, Nikko Duren, Sylvio Martins, Brant Cox
