Northern Cafe serves up crave-worthy, flavorful Chinese dumplings, noodles, and cumin lamb in a casual spot perfect for Westwood food lovers.
"It’s not news that a lot of the food inside Westwood Village exists mainly to service drunk college kids, but one major exception to that rule is Northern Cafe. The order-at-the-counter Chinese restaurant has a massive menu full of everything from dan dan noodles to cumin lamb to beef rolls, and while everything is good, you’re in line for the dumplings. Whether they’re stuffed with juicy pork and crab or shrimp, egg, and chive, these are some of the better tasting dumplings you’ll find on the Westside." - Brant Cox
"Northern Cafe was one of the first San Gabriel Valley restaurants to expand this far west, serving noodles, dumplings, and cumin lamb plates that pack a flavorful punch at reasonable prices." - Matthew Kang
"The rumors are true: soup dumplings indeed exist on the Westside. We may sound like a broken record at this point, acting shocked whenever decent Chinese food crops up outside the SGV, but in our defense, it is genuinely rare. Which is why Northern Café feels like such a relief. This spot has multiple locations across the city, but for Westsiders, you'll want to know about their Westwood and Brentwood locations, catering to hungover UCLA students, with a wide-ranging menu including fried beef rolls, mapo tofu, and super sticky orange chicken. The XLB here are similarly fine, a bit soft and glutinous, served in traditional metal steamers. Definitely not worth driving across the city for, but if you’re on the Westside and not within 100 feet of a Din Tai Fung, Northern Café is a more than acceptable option. " - kat hong
"It’s not news that a lot of the food inside Westwood Village exists mainly to service intoxicated college kids looking for the next party, but one major exception to that rule is Northern Cafe. The order-at-the-counter Chinese restaurant has a massive menu full of everything from dan dan noodles to cumin lamb to beef rolls, and while everything is good, you’re in line for the dumplings. Whether they’re stuffed with juicy pork and crab or shrimp, egg, and chive, these are some of the better tasting dumplings you’ll find in the neighborhood." - Brant Cox
"You felt it coming on yesterday and it’s here. Sore throat, stuffed up nose, chest congestion - time for a sick day. But after one Law & Order episode turned into five, you’re all of sudden starved and nothing is open. Except Northern Cafe. The tiny Westwood spot is open all day and cooking up some of the better Chinese food west of the SGV. Think dumplings, Dan Dan noodles, and plenty of hot soup. Time to cure the soul." - brant cox
