Re/creation Cafe

Restaurant · Mid-City

Re/creation Cafe

Restaurant · Mid-City

1

4500 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

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Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null
Re/creation Cafe by null

Highlights

Creative cafe & bar with live music, vegan options  

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4500 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 Get directions

recreation.cafe
@recreationcafe

$20–30 · Menu

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4500 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 Get directions

+1 323 879 9179
recreation.cafe
@recreationcafe

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 17, 2025

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@eater

Incoming Recreation Cafe Offers Art and Wine for Changing Mid-City - Eater LA

"Recreation Cafe, a new casual all-day dining space along Washington Boulevard, seeks to merge art, food, and community. The cafe, led by actor and local resident Nick Spano, is an extension of a community arts space known as 'Re/Creation'. It plans to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with coffee, pastries, juices in the morning, healthy lunch options, and a mellow evening vibe featuring beer, wine, live music, and cultural nights. It aims to open by summer, with daily hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m." - Farley Elliott

https://la.eater.com/2018/1/22/16921160/recreation-cafe-beer-wine-washington-mid-city
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Sherilyn Rong

Google
Wonderful Cozy Cafe (with a catch if you don’t mind it) So I’ve eaten here about close to 10 times usually on Friday-Sunday. My go to: cornbread waffle with ricotta and fruits, sweet potato fries with sauce, and any of the teas, fish tacos. Food consistency: 4/5 - generally the food that comes out and tastes okay like it could be cooked longer. And sometimes it tastes good. (See photos for the changes) Fish taco is a good size for a semi light meal. Sweet potatoes fries is baked then fried again- taste delicious, great for by yourself and with the crowd! Specifically since we get the waffle each time without fail we can see how much they range on the fruits.. from maybe 2 strawberries and a few blueberries and one slice of banana to 3x that amount. Sometimes the waffle comes out barely finished cooking and other times just right. 😅 I would say 7/10 times they are good. Ambiance: 10/10 - it can get loud at times. They limit computer use here. Otherwise great place to hang with friends and groups. Family welcome here too. Even seen Church groups here too. Service: 8/10 - sometimes they forget your orders or bring it when it is already cold..or ask what did you get.. and most time they remember you need your order. They try their best. Parking: Not difficult around lunch time Friday-Sunday. Street parking, can park alongside on the wide street or residential street. Restroom: Yes, handicap friendly for the most part with large space and accessibility bars. The sink height might be challenge, depends on user. They do provide toilet seat cover.

Mr Owl

Google
Beautiful designed, wonderful inviting atmosphere, and delightfully delicious food and drink. Don’t let the name fool you, this is more than your average LA corner cafe. The venue is so spacious making it great for groups. Interior design was thoughtfully designed that lends itself to big parties or groups or small intimate dates. Cool for casual hang outs or professional networking events. This is the ultimate meet up space with good food, great drinks, and excellent atmosphere. Kudos to the team who helped make this space possible.

Dylan Brittany Blount del Cid

Google
Had a delicious breakfast date here today. Went around 10am on a Saturday and there was no wait/ plenty of seating available. More people began to arrive when we were leaving. The staff were friendly and patient. The food was tasty and the presentation gave a high end feel. The coffee was delicious. I am vegetarian, and I had plenty of options to choose from for breakfast.

J

Google
housemate dragged me along for a quick afternoon smoothie, and I just thought this place was adorable AF. Very welcoming, casual environment, obvious live music, personality filled decorations and building, not pretentious at all. Smoothie was actually surprisingly delicious. I want to spend more time here. Comfortable AF Had the pleasure of meeting Nick and having a quick conversation. Feels like a place I'd feel happy to spend money. Set up karaoke nights!!

Luvenia Cone

Google
Living your best life is here. They have so many things going on like music, painting, and private party space to rent out. The food is amazing and their drinks are fantastic. I love the Reggae music night, but they do have a variety of music to offer. This is free, but you must RSVP because space is limited. The food and drinks are reasonably priced. You can even dance if the music hits you. Check em out.

Mariah Johnson

Google
Surprisingly huge. Received such great customer service. As we were leaving, every staff member said bye/have a nice day/thanks for coming. They have a strict policy about laptops - they do NOT want this to be a working cafe but rather a restaurant. Lots of non coffee options like maca, charcoal, chaga and more. We opted for a vanilla matcha latte, initially surprised at how small it was. And that a hot matcha was served in a glass cup? They did have a sign/warning to stop stealing their mugs so maybe they didn’t want to give us a mug bc they’re low on inventory or we look like thieves who knows. Overall great time.

Jennifer P

Google
I love trying new ( to me ) coffee shops and this place definitely will be my go to when in the area. Cozy, inviting where exceptional coffee and food meets impeccable service. A true gem and a beautiful designed space. I couldn't leave without getting a dope t-shirt. I didn't have to edit photos....the food and place look picture perfect :)

ZEENA KODA

Google
If you’re looking for a place to work in the day, a good breakfast burrito + a friendly working staff — this place is nice. There aren’t a ton of spots like this in Mid City/West Adams and the outdoor / indoor mix makes it unique. It’s overpriced for the area + lacks a good parking option, but it’s OK as a restaurant. If you’re looking for a “community space” like this spot touts itself, to hold a meetup — this isn’t it. In fact, my attempt to do one here on a Thursday at 6 PM, a time where there were only 3 other tables occupied in an open seating layout of a huge space, was met with the owner cornering me to reprimand me for having people sit down to introduce themselves and moving tables that weren’t occupied and aren’t even assigned since you pay in front and get a number — it’s open seating with no waiter. For context I co-run a national Asian American creative nonprofit filled with members who work in entertainment marketing, events and live music who would potentially pay to use this space in the future too. I picked this spot for our meetup in an effort to invest more in local biz. I’ve eaten here before and thought was cute. I also wanted to provide a spot for the meetup that wasn’t liquor focused. I emailed several times with the owner Nick to explain what I was trying to do, a mentorship meetup with 10-20 people. We always make our meetups casual so people can come + go as they please. We spoke on the phone and it seemed fine. I got there and the staff was nice and accommodating, but surprisingly the owner Nick who I was in contact with accosted me after being cordial at first, and went out of his way to make me feel uncomfortable for bringing a community event to a space that brands itself as a community space. I was hosting the event so I didn’t have time to survey the seating patterns of open seating as I was facilitating intros with the members. He asked several people who came in to join our group “when is this over” and upon accosting me, we fixed the tables and chairs that were moved and apologized to him, letting him know there was no malice we were just introducing each other. Instead of being cool and moving on — he doubled down and accused me of lying about what type of event this was which was untrue — this was a happy hour meetup at an open seating restaurant with no waiters and at that time, barely any customers other than us who were segregated to the back in our own little area of a huge space. He then said I misrepresented the amount of people which cracked me up — dude, it’s LA at 6-8 PM, no one knows who will and won’t show up at that time because of traffic. Also, I’ve never heard the owner of a local biz on a dead night complain that people came into their establishment and purchased food and drinks. I brought him business and he literally made me feel like we were trying to swindle him. I attached some pics here to show you us sitting down to intro each other + then when we got up and bought food and drinks. Since the prices are not cheap - I’d estimate they did OK from the 20+ people who ended up coming. I’ve never had a biz owner speak to me that way and the cocky pompousness he hit me with when I apologized, was even crazier. He mentioned “we would never allow this to happen, you could have purchased our event space” — look at the pics, they speak for themselves. This spot is the furthest thing from a community biz + frankly, just bad management. I’ve worked in service before and currently run multiple yearly events in NYC + LA — we’ve never run into this kind of issue. During a time where small biz needs the boost more than ever — I couldn’t believe he not only acted like that, but couldn’t get over his ego enough even after I apologized, to rectify this non-issue. This is NOT a community space and I’d rather give my money to Highly Likely or another biz in the area that doesn’t treat the people of the community who actually live in it, like trash. Based off that interaction: a hard pass for me. I’d rather take my money elsewhere and you should too.
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Ruth V.

Yelp
I love this place! The food is great, the vibe is outstanding, and there is always something fun and entertaining going on. The staff are friendly and the service is excellent. Re/creation Cafe is a gift to our community.
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Mike R.

Yelp
I really love the community feel if this place. Not just the staff is friendly but the customers are too. I do coffee meetings there a lot and I've just struck up conversations randomly with people. I have only been able to try a few things on the menu so far (all breakfast items), but everything has been very tasty. Friday and Saturday nights there are great if you're looking for something to do. Friday is always an art themed night with painting classes or other activities, and Saturdays are free live music. This place is a brand new gem in Mid City.
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Brian W.

Yelp
I came here on a Saturday afternoon to do some reading with some coffee. I love that this is open later on the weekends so it's a perfect place for that kind of afternoon. I got a decaf americano. Was yummy and not overpriced! Also was not crowded at all and parking in the area was easy. Overall the ambiance is really casual and seems like they have a lot of community events that go in in the space, which is very spacious! I didn't get a chance to try the food here but they have a solid pastry selection and a nice dinner menu, I'm definitely planning to be back some time!
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Catrina R.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places to have work breakfasts and lunches! Now let's get one awkward thing out of the way: yes, they have specific policies on working on your laptop here. During weekends they don't let you at all. During the weekdays you can only work for one hour at a time. Personally, this has never bothered me as I love to go here to eat and talk to someone but just throwing that out there for people who want to come work here. On to the coffee and the food! I've had their lattes and their Vietnamese coffees and everything inbetween. Each one has been rather tasty! As for the food. I'm a sucker for their biscuits. I always get a side of them with whatever meal I'm having. Special shout out to their baked goods too. LOVE their cinnamon roll! I personally love all their breakfast items, particularly their English breakfast. Their fried chicken sandwich is also very tasty. All in all everything is fresh and handmade. Can't really go wrong! The service is always phenomenal, fast and friendly! Everyone enjoys working there - you can tell! There are lots of cozy places to sit inside but also a lovely back patio that provides plenty of places to chill and eat. Also the place is rather multi purpose. I know someone mentioned they do movies in the outdoor area and they do paint n sips with wine sometimes too. But again, I just really like coming here for good food and networking meals. For parking I've never had an issue finding a spot on Hillcrest, the street west of the location.
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Jewel L.

Yelp
I went for my first time last night. What incredible music! Love the venue. I'm looking forward to going back and seeing more live music and enjoying the atmosphere.
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Mallory C.

Yelp
I stopped in here during one of its first weekends open. It's a wonderful and beautiful space (indoor and patio) for eating and there's also areas for live music and for painting, which I thought was so cool. They were out of a lot of food items when I got there, so I ordered the West Coast crispy chicken tacos, which were pretty good, and I got kombucha to drink. The food was really good, but the vibes were even better. This place has the potential to be a great community space. Excited to come back to try the other food and experience a painting night!
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Leslie Y.

Yelp
Super dog-friendly cafe with a relaxed but hip vibe. They have a lot of beverage options even for non-coffee drinkers. I ordered the bee pollen tea with oat milk, and it was mildly fragrant and creamy. I loved the texture created by the actual pollen, and the experience blossomed even more with each sip. The staff was friendly and helpful at explaining the menu. The indoor dining area was decorated with eye-catching eclectic collection of plants and art. There was an outdoor patio in the back that's completely enclosed to keep your furry friend safe.
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Jason B.

Yelp
This place is a vibe! Whether we're hitting it for an early brunch, a live music show, or dinner, every visit is an escape from the hustle and bustle of life, surrounded by great ambiance, caring and intentional service staff, and a great mix of people of all ages, backgrounds, and styles. Looking for your local oasis- this is it!
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Christine H.

Yelp
Nice community cafe with an open air and fresh vibe. The patio offers shaded dining. The main dining room has plenty of seating mainly for small parties of 1-4. I guess tables can be pushed together to seat larger groups. Orders are placed at the front counter and your dishes are brought out to you. The service was great. The menu options were plentiful. We ordered the Chicken and biscuit sandwich, a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin, and a Hamburger w/ a salad. The burger and sandwiches were too tall to eat normally, so we settled for using knives and forks. A nice thing is that they had a basket full of blankets that you can borrow, since it did get a bit chilly inside and on the patio w/ the breeze running t

Vanessa T.

Yelp
Amazing food! Best ambiance! Community vibe is amazing. Every time I go I end up meeting new locals. Saturday night FREE music is my new go to. All the bands are ! Try to snag the couch at the front or the table with fire pit in the outside area. Saturday morning yoga + soundbath There is always something dope going on! Paint nights, comedy, music...all the things! Love this gem!
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Mel D.

Yelp
We live in the area and I've been trying to check out all the new local businesses. I've been following several places on instagram and always noticed events going on here whether it be an art night, live music and most recently, they showed the dodgers game and gave out a free beer whenever Shohei hit a home run...now this caught my attention being a huge Dodger fan. We love going out to places where local LA people congregate to watch the game and so glad we made it out to re/creation cafe. We found parking right on West - they don't have a parking lot but there was plenty of street parking. I noticed how much personal touches there were the moment I walked in, it reminded me of my house, I hand picked the tiles, flooring, vent, etc., re/creation cafe felt like home and built with a lot of love. I chose to sit in the community table where I met several people from the neighborhood - and since they were showing the dodger game, follow fans and a few well behaved doggies. There were plenty of seating inside and a cute outdoor patio where you can enjoy a nice meal with your family, friends or colleagues. I actually think the outdoor area is really nice to do lunch with a colleague during the weekday or enjoy $2 off drinks for happy hour from 3-5pm. They seem to have live music every Saturday night, something I'll definitely be checking out soon. Food was the best! OMG the fries were so good! So was their chicken strips! We drank several local beers on tap. I love that they have plenty of offerings whether you enjoy coffee, unique non-alcoholic drinks and beer/wine. I see a lot of complaints about their laptop policy which I actually love. I'm a remote tech worker but I work from home (or hotel if traveling) where I can focus, I definitely can't concentrate in a cafe and question the efficiency. I never understood what was so appealing about sitting alone in a cafe typing away - you're not meeting people, taking up valuable real estate and most people buy 1 coffee and sit for 5-6 hours, it's rude and selfish. They do allow weekday laptop use for 1 hr, they frown upon use on weekends but if it's not crowded I doubt you'd get kicked out. Just be considerate and sit at a community table rather then a regular table. Staff was awesome and the owner Nick was very engaged and working his butt off the entire time. I can tell there were a lot of regulars and Nick treated everyone like family. Thank you for creating such an amazing community space for us!
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eric s.

Yelp
What an incredible, vibey space! The energy here is amazing. The food is even better. It's a creative atmosphere with interesting people from all walks of life. Live music. Live painting. I can't believe this exists in mid city! Definitely going to be a regular haunt.
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Melanie H.

Yelp
Stopped by to get a little work done and found out they have a no computer policy on the weekends so that there's more personal interaction, which is honestly a really smart idea. I was so drawn by the fun and eclectic ambiance of the place, that I knew I had to stay regardless and I'm so glad I did! I got the west coast tacos which aren't your typical street tacos, but were so unexpectedly bursting with flavor and very vibrant, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Everyone working and eating here was so nice and open and I love how they're using this cafe space as a way to socialize with other people and build a community! The owner was also super friendly and intentional on making people feel at ease! I'll definitely have to come back and stay longer next time to soak in the live music sets they have on the weekends to get the full effect of the place! I can see this place easily becoming one of LA's top hidden gems if not already!
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Carlie C.

Yelp
Beautiful cafe! Where do I start? This place is absolutely lovely and very intentional. Industrial design, lots of natural lighting, and tons of seating options. There was lots of street and neighborhood parking. The staff was kind and helpful, very attentive. I love that they have a laptop policy, 1 hour limit M-Th and absolutely no laptops Fri-Sun. They have creative stations and encourage you to do that or socialize or read instead. I had the LA dog and it was delicious. The oatmilk latte was perfection and the Heart Tea Heart hibiscus tea divine. Will definitely be back for some creative time and to hear the live music on the weekend!

Cyn P.

Yelp
I wish I could give this place 10 stars. The vibe here is everything. Staff is so friendly. Their food is delicious. What a great addition to the Mid-City area.
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Yvette S.

Yelp
Outstanding service- real genuine people that connect with you from the very second you walk in the door. Imagine stopping in your best friend's place to say hi and grab a cup of coffee and meet their friends too- that's the vibe check here. The food and drinks were so tasting- almost like they were made with love- no exaggeration. My friend and I shared a breakfast burrito that was super filling but not greasy or leaving you feel bloated. My iced latte was just what the hot summer weather ordered. The ambient music was soulful and uplifting- overall the energy in this place is a big energy booster if you're looking to get a big dose of happiness. Nick- the owner was super relatable and down to earth- I loved his vision on community and bringing people from all words, music, and arts together. I can't wait to return and participate in more upcoming events on the calendar. A must try & bookmark for the future!
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Jane L.

Yelp
Totally blown away by the deliciousness of their food. The atmosphere is great too. It's casual and cozy with seating both indoor and outdoor. Their latte was yummy and their breakfast plates are so well done. But I was so pleasantly surprised at the Hollywood burger. This vegan falafel burger was actually one of the best burgers (vegan and non-vegan) I've had in LA. Truly! Staff is friendly too. What a gem
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Milosz K.

Yelp
This is probably my favorite Cafe I've ever been to, but the live music takes it to the next level. The food is incredible and I had a perfect mocha. If you're into tacos definitely try the crispy ones they have!
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Annmarie M.

Yelp
Super friendly place with ambiance to spare Lots of open spaces, lovely patio, elegant decor. Recent visit with a dear friend was a smashing success. We both devoured our delicious breakfast. I had the egg sando with greens. Egg perfectly poached, and I could have eaten a bucketful of those amazing greens. The piquant flavor and slight spicy note of the greens paired so nicely with the richness of the egg and cheese. An inspired combo. Companion enjoyed the Breakfast Burrito- it was not the usual heavy sodden type that weighs you down- this was light and bright with a fluffy egg inside and amazing salsa verde. A winner. We loved this place! A wonderful space to linger or grab a quick bite. Kind and friendly service all around.
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Sharon H.

Yelp
Super cute cafe/restaurant. I loved the open space, the artist's painting corner, and the backyard space. Order at the counter- coffee/espresso drinks were great, loved our food, and definitely get the desserts in the pastry shelf! the cookie was perfect! They have breakfast items such as avo toast, breakfast sandwich, cornbread waffes, oats etc, and lunch dishes with salads, sandwiches etc My gem salad was huge, complex and refreshing. My kids loved the turkey burger entree. The burrito was also very flavorful, along with being plated beautifully with tiny flowers.
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Erika G.

Yelp
One of my favorite LA cafes I've been to!! FOOD: Ordered the fries, Cali toast and LA dog. All were good! LA dog has a kick to it, Cali toast was nice and light, fries were bomb with some herbs mixed in. Drinks: ordered Vietnamese coffee and an iced matcha americano with soy. Both good, Vietnamese coffee wasn't as authentic as I hoped but still good - not too sweet. Matcha was pretty good! AMBIANCE: Loved it. Big open space, high ceilings. Cute patio, loved the music choices. Ample space for seating, only down side was that there wasn't a lot of plug ins to charge (only by the big sofa by the entrance). SERVICE/PRICE: Both good! No complaints. Food & Beverages: 4 Ambiance & Cleanliness: 4.5 Price Point: 4 Overall Experience: 4.4
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Debbie G.

Yelp
A space for the mid city creatives! I am so thrilled we have a place to come unwind or create some art. They also host book readings and artist performances. This Fourth of July they had a band on their roof hehe I tried their breakfast sandwich and it's a 10/10 for me. It was beautifully adorned with edible flowers. Definitely a new mid city treasure
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V. M.

Yelp
Excellent food, vibe and service. Highly recommend. They also have on site yoga classes and other community events.
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Amber D.

Yelp
Nice cafe to grab lunch, do some work, catch up with a friend, etc. I see they have a drum set up so they also have live music. Came in on a Saturday just to chill for a bit. I ordered the charcoal latte and avocado toast. The latte was really good and they have oat milk which is a bonus in my book. I enjoyed the avocado toast as well. The service was quick and friendly. Knocking off a star mainly because I wanted to have my egg scrambled or fried hard and it wasn't. I'll be back to try something else though

Kenneth P.

Yelp
Food and ambiance is really cool. I'm glad this location is in my neighborhood. I can walk to it.
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Jacquie R.

Yelp
Funny enough I came here with friends to eat and someone had mentioned the food not being super great - well they were wrong! I got the Crenshaw cowboy fried chicken sandwich with fries and the aphroditea. The sandwich was 8/10, fries 10/10, and tea 10/10. I can't really place why the sandwich wasn't a 10 - it was just a little off all around. A bit too tall, the biscuits were a little dry but it was combated by the fixins' inside which were good, and the flavor was great but I maybe wanted just a little bit... MORE? It was still EXCELLENT and I'd be hard pressed to order something else if I end up here again. (The hotdog looked GREAT so maybe that!). Fries were just how I like them - thin and extra crispy. I'm incredibly picky with tea because I drink it all day long. I find a lot of places have lower quality teas and often off-set by sweetening them to high heaven. My favorite is plain ol' green sencha tea NEVER sweet. The aphroditea was PERFECTION. I doesn't taste like they add any sort of sweetener like simple syrup; it's likely made lightly sweet by whatever they have in it for flavor (the cocoa maybe) and that's JUST RIGHT. They also offered more hot water so you can rebrew your tea which I just loved! Gosh I raved about the food so hard I almost forgot the ambiance! We went at night and the lighting was low and set the mood for a really relaxing dinner. It was a bit crisp out so we took advantage of the blankets which for me is always a treat. (Gotta love feeling snugglie!) I really, really wanted to be at the fire pit but other patrons were enjoying it; that outside area is simply gorgeous with the lights, fire, and projection. Inside is lovely and offers a few different vibes. There was bar seating that faced the street (which on this night was quite pretty), big open inside seating, and we snuck in the in-between area. That choice may have been a bit busy if the place was packed since it's between inside/outside and right next to the bathrooms but it was slow so we weren't bothered at all. Parking - My nemesis! My local friend who took me here prewarned that parking is cruddy in the area so we ubered as all drivers in the group are neurotic about circling for spots. Incredible place! Highly recommend.
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Review Z.

Yelp
I love the vibes! Friendly staff and awesome work space. I must say I'm disappointed at how small my chocolate banana smoothie is. $12? :( I enjoyed it tho. It has a very subtle, clean ingredient swag. The scone was awesome.
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Jennifer V.

Yelp
Food was beyond amazing! Service was great and the ambiance set the tone for the rest of my day. Let's just say my day was far beyond great after having brunch at this hidden gem.

Tina C.

Yelp
Food was great and loved the ambiance so I'm giving it 5 stars. However, I wish they would enforce their laptop policy. On a weekend day, there were two people with their laptops taking up the entire picnic/bench table area with all their stuff spread out and their FEET UP ON THE TABLE and our party of four had nowhere to sit outside with our dog. When we asked them if we could sit with them, they barely acknowledged us and refused to move their belongings so we could sit. This is they type of laptop behavior they should not allow. We stood there awkwardly until another table opened up for us. There's a laptop policy for a reason but they don't seem that interested in enforcing it.
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Gloria W.

Yelp
Recreation Cafe is so gorgeous and is perfect for doing work. There is seating both inside and outside (with umbrellas for shade) and with a very rustic, bohemian vibe. The coffee I ordered was so delicious, and the cali toast was amazing and in beautiful plating. The prices are a bit high, but I would argue it matches the quality. Free wifi and cozy seating made it an ideal place for me to take meetings and complete assignments!

Sydney H.

Yelp
I've tried coffee, smoothies, and various food items and it's all been delicious! The fish tacos are particularly yummy. Beautiful atmosphere! Friendly staff.

Gabe T.

Yelp
This is one of the most unique and relaxing sport to eat, drink, enjoy music. The vibe is laid back and friendly, artistic. The food is amazing. And the revolving variety of event nights is incredible. I love going on a Saturday night for the music artist. Been discovering some great new talent. Seek this place out. It will be come a regular hang, like it has for me.

Paula Y.

Yelp
A great neighborhood place with a fun, friendly vibe. Saturdays often showcase musical entertainment. There's a lovely outdoor patio, too.
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Angel O.

Yelp
Delicious food and presentation. the opening was very busy. the breakfast sando has a nice char to it but it can impact the flavor if it's too burnt. the coffee options are plentiful. they serve wine, teas, coffee, international coffee options, and plenty of other items. many vegan options. they ran out of stock for one of their vegan cold foam, so i was a bit disappointed. But nonetheless, was still happy with food. it can get loud here and patio seating is here as well. dog friendly for patio area.
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Ray L.

Yelp
Recreation is a gem, love this spot! Coffees and pasties are on point, and really curated menu. The design and vibes are strong, extremely relaxing to eat and hang here. We really needed this in our neighborhood.
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Julia J.

Yelp
Cozy, delicious, friendly and welcoming atmosphere! I will be coming back here for sure and will recommend to everyone!
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Nicole L.

Yelp
A neighborhood gem! What a beautiful space to gather with friends and create art (they have easels for painting!). Often has live music. Family friendly but also perfect for a casual date. Kind staff. Delicious drinks and food (vegan options). We Loved the band tonight!

Ann Z.

Yelp
Great atmosphere. Imaginative menu. Friendly staff-- but not intrusive. The cornbread waffle was totally amazing. I've never had chicken before that was so crispy outside and tender inside with a great flavor. I'll be back! Thanks, Nick!
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Suzanne H.

Yelp
Only a short drive from Culver City. Glad to find this fantastic cafe in the mid-city area - beautiful interior and great food. The staff are friendly and helpful, after ordering at the front counter you can seat yourself anywhere and your food will be brought out. The cheerful orange umbrellas and benches with cushions on the rear patio make it almost seem as though you're in someone's home. Totally cosy set-up. The food was excellent: the avocado toast on a somewhat dark 'rustic' bread, was chewy and strewn with flower petals and pickled red onions and cherry tomatoes which is lovely plate presentation served . The chai latte was yummy, though in a rather small glass & I wished it was much larger! My friend found her tomato flatbread delicious . I read in previous reviews that the owner has a 'no-laptop' policy in his cafe. All I can say is: I totally appreciate the policy. Walking into cafes where EVERY table is taken by a solitary person staring down at a laptop is a depressing sight. Thank you to the owner. My experience was great and I'll be back!
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Meg W.

Yelp
Went to the grand opening tonight. Re/creation cafe is a beautiful space with super delicious food & drinks. So excited to have this new addition to the neighborhood! You order at counter, they give you a number & you can sit indoors or out. Their patio is a vibe and amazing. What we had: Zucchini bread - yes! Delicious Chicken tacos - you get 3. Bbq flavored, so yummy! Eggplant Parmesan - so delicious!!! Elixirs aka mocktails ($12 each) Happy Baby - it's like an old fashioned No Stress - this was citrusy & sweet Love Drunk - hibiscus forward & tangy They also had live music. Can't wait to try them for breakfast. Highly recommend!
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Yesenia G.

Yelp
I was born and raise down the street from this place. It use to be my local dry cleaners. Decided to give it a chance and a try. Got treated like shit by the OWNER NICK wow Welcome to my neighborhood I guess? If you are a Midcity local or not do not go there! I guess we (Midcity natives) do not fit their demographic they looking for as customers. The employees don't get me wrong we're not bad. As a brown Latina woman In my own community I did not feel welcome for the first time ever in MidCity. With I could leave zero star
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Kierstyn B.

Yelp
Great vibe! And amazing food and service. Creative decor Outdoor patio - great community and work spot (1 hour max on WiFi)

Christian H.

Yelp
Lovely ambiance with great indoor and outdoor space. Really nice drinks. Food is just okay, definitely overpriced. Unfortunate that they are so strict about computer use because we need more cafes for working in the neighborhood.
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Melissa N.

Yelp
I am clearly in the minority here, which is fine. The ambiance/drinks are nice, but I hate the laptop policy. No laptops on weekends, and a 1-hour limit on weekdays. If the worry was a lack of people patronizing appropriately, I'd rather them enforce a one order per hour with a laptop or something. But my suspicion is that it's some kind of "be present" mission statement of some kind. Which they're entitled to push. I just wish it was different. Personal opinion. Update: Owner reached out and explained, "Whether it's on a weekday or weekend we allow people to be on their computers. We just ask that computer users be mindful not to take up space when space is needed for other customers coming to dine with us." Adding a couple more stars accordingly. I appreciated the extra clarity after the fact - just wish the sign on the counter was clearer as this caveat is not mentioned (at present). Thanks Nick.

sherry j.

Yelp
Talk about getting it right! Customer service is great here. People are easy going and kind. This place screams community. The music is great, loud enough to enjoy, but you can still hear eachother. It was my first time here, and I will be back. Tip the people because they bring the food to you and are super attentive. The food is qualitive and prepared with love. This is coming from a super picky person. There is a lovely man here who makes it a point to talk to people. I cant wait to bring more of my friends here.
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Mia G.

Yelp
I LOVE this place! This was my first visit of many. The food was very good, and the service was top-notch. The set-up and feel of Re/Creation are similar to being in your best friend's rec room. But the best part was the owner, Nick! He greeted us upon arrival, chatted with us throughout the evening, and gave us a warm hug as we left. My new go-to cafe!!!!
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Erika S.

Yelp
So fun and delicious! I like bringing my dog and having a nice lunch or coffee. Sometimes I bring a notebook for some brainstorming time. I like that the space is creative focused, the team is super welcoming and shoutout to the non-alcoholic cocktails! The fish tacos are really good! Also, you can't go wrong with the classic avocado toast!

Matthew R.

Yelp
Absolutely love this place! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the community vibe is unmatched. Perfect spot to relax, connect, and enjoy amazing Breakfast and coffee! Service was excellent as well!
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Melissa B.

Yelp
So happy to have this beautiful cafe in our neighborhood! It's so welcoming and the food is excellent. The price point is very accessible, especially considering the high quality. I am personally hooked on the Caesar salad but everything we have tried here is really good! The burger (omg the fries- magic!!), breakfast burrito and sando, pasta, roasted vegetable plate- everything has been absolutely delicious. We have been multiple times since it opened, at all different times during the day, and every time has been a great experience. The space is so thoughtfully laid out, beautiful details throughout. Also feels good to support a business determined to make a difference - kudos to Nick, the owner, for his vision and passion. Grateful to have this within walking distance, but I have friends who happily come from other parts of the city as well. Highly recommend!!!