Upside Down

Super cute cafe! Donation based! No price set for any drink! You are immersed in the Bruins community and just simple kindness of strangers who offer a smile. Such a warm and lovely place, just like the LA sunshine outside. Go get a coffee and grab a seat by the window, I bet your friends would envy your work setup!

Upside Down is a great coffee shop for relaxing, studying, or enjoying community events. They have incredible drinks, from delicious black coffee to an ever changing menu of seasonal drinks. The staff is friendly and excellently trained. The space has incredible local art and hosts gallery openings.

Rose latte & a banana pecan muffin. The latte with Rose was very delicious, slightly sweet with a very mild hint of rose but it tasted great! They have some cool lids too that let out a good amount of drink. Got it iced as recommended. The banana pecan muffin was awesome, very fluffy soft with delicious flavor. It was very busy when I went but they work fast. Parking available on the streets and some parking lots. Plenty if tables and seats inside. Prices are fair & staff was pleasant.

Their mocha is the best I’ve ever had. I always come here for it, and I really like the events they have, like unplug nights and challah bread making! It’s really focused on community and that comes through in their concept design. So happy UCLA has this place next door!

It’s a nice open spacious lounge area and is a way better deal and theory than Starbucks. The employees here are super friendly and make my day as I’m getting to know them. I stop by here regularly to say hi to the employees, hangout, and possibly get a drink. They even have a table with legos and puzzles which is a good way to cope with stress. The people I’ve met here such as Kara, Abigail, Alexa, and Rachel are amazing and make my day. They even remember me and they say my name. For those who want a coffee in Westwood, come to Upside Down and don’t bother going to Starbucks.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! the concept is so cool and the cappuccino I ordered was also really good. The idea that everything is a donation is really special and I've never encountered anything really like this place before. The baristas were exceptionally nice and warm which contributed to the atmosphere even more. I hope that I can come back here again once I'm in the area. I'd recommend everyone check this cafe out.

Great space, great energy, gratuitous seating. Super friendly barista, creative drinks. The coffee looks and smells amazing though I got a hot chai and it tasted so authentic - not the syrupy nonsense you’ll get from chains. Solid pastry selection, the morning glory loaf was delicious. Prices are based on donation.

Experience was cool. I liked the coffee. The concept is cool. Aside from my political reasons, the people there were nice. And if I’m ever in the area again, for that fact alone, i will consider returning.

Came here - it's great cafe and I see what the hype is about/why ppl rated it highly! It's a community cafe that feels like a nice purposeful place inside - the first time you visit, they'll let you have a coffee/drink on the house and then after that, you pay what you feel your drink and bill should be. They offer additional seasonal activities like art classes, creative things to do in this space - would def love to support it more and the coffee is great here! I got their seasonal/monthly latte: when harry met salty. Very good coffee! Hope this place sticks around and ppl support it! Can't wait to come back for another coffee or tea drink! If you go during prime time, there's a long line.

Absolutely favorite place to study at in Westwood :) One thing to note is that there are sparse amounts of outlets to connect to, but plenty of seating and friendly staff. The drinks themselves are satisfactory. Nothing extremely delicious or special that I would put on a pedestal, but gets the job done and satisfies the caffeine fix. Specifically, the matcha here is also just average-- nothing extremely delicious, and I feel like the brown sugar syrup has less flavor than the others. I think where Upside Down shines is their monthly specialty drinks. They've had a key-lime matcha latte and so much more, they're ALL worth a try! Overall, Upside Down is a great place for students looking to study, or even for community! They hold a lot of events that I feel foster a great ambiance and environment :)

Upside down cafe has to be the best coffee shop in Westwood yet. Amenities: To get here, you can park at the Broxton parking garage for 2 hours free before 5PM. After 5PM it is $5 flat rate. Otherwise, the parking in Ralph's and Target are free for 2 hours with validation, which is an automatic scanning validating machine that doesn't require you to purchase anything The cafe is spacious with many indoor and outdoor seatings. It also converts into an art gallery or is hosted with events once in a while. For example, I attended its 5th birthday anniversary where I paid $5.17 for 5 8-oz coffee drinks. The shop is super crowded though and the staff takes a while to make each drink. If you don't mind waiting for at least 30 minutes for your drink at 1PM, you can come. I do recommend don't come during rush hour (which I have no idea when). Drinks Keylime pie matcha latte is my favorite drink. The added pie crumps add additional crunch to the drink. It is sweet and doesn't taste much of matcha which is fine with me because normally I despite matcha. 5/5 Tiramisu latte: this is my second favorite drink. It has a hint of bitterness with additionally cocoa (maybe) powder on top. 5/5 Birthday cake latte: I think this drink tastes so so. It is like any other latte I've had. The foam didn't have a flavor to it. It is more sweet than regular latte (or tiramisu latte). 4/5 orange vanilla cappuccino: I don't think orange vanilla goes well together with coffee. It has a hideous, sour taste due to the orange. I couldn't sense the vanilla it in. I ended up throwing away the whole drink after 2 sips. I wouldn't buy this nor drink it for free/ 0/5 Service: ‍Staff are friendly and welcoming. They can be slow though so take your time to order and enjoy the drinks. I don't recommend coming before class because you may run late to class.

Love the menu options Great service Cute shop Quality coffee Donation pricing which I've never really experienced before

I absolutely love this place and I come just about everyday. Never once have I had a bad drink and never once have the baristas not been smiling. This place is so full of light and joy, you will always have a good time. I also really love that they have designated tech free zones, I think encouraging conversation and connection is so beautiful. The line is usually long (because everyone loves it here) so be prepared for a little wait, you won't regret it!

The coffee at Upside Down was excellent- i had the Cafe Hafookh and it was amazing. It had an exquisite sweet cinnamon finish with each sip. I did order it as a quad shot because i like a more bold coffee flavor- and it was so good! The service was great too- very friendly and hospitable. They actually even gave me my coffee for free the first time i was there- i appreciated that so much i came back and will return again whenever I'm in Westwood. I also love that they have ample areas to sit both inside and outside. The Hebrew mural on the wall is also really cool i love Upside Down!

The concept of paying for coffee at any price you want is cool. But I just wasn't a big fan of the drinks themselves. Very busy place and super friendly service

One of my favorite cafes in Westwood! A nice place to study, work, or read a book. Sometimes all the seats are filled, the line gets long, and it could take ~20min to order + get your drink. Some of the drinks I had were very good, others were ok (a bit too sweet, etc.), it depends on the specific drink. But each time I was met with friendly service. They are a donation based cafe, which makes them unique and have more affordable prices. Makes me wish they were open more days/longer hours!

Wow, this place I's FIRE too. Coffee heaven here. My girl has girlfriends that attend college and live on campus here. We came out to visit them, and they took us to this Upside Down coffee shop. I went for the Lavender Laite tea coffee. They have some other flavors I have had too at other places. But Upside Down is the best. Nice big place full of college students kicking it here. Makes me feel old lol. But love the vibe, and baristas here are friendly and happy. We will be back for more.

What a delightful gem to stumble upon on my lunch break! I recently started working in Westwood and was on the hunt for good local cafes. After seeing the Yelp rating, I had to come see for myself. The cafe is cute and unassuming, not too much decor but definitely a good vibe. We walked up to the counter and asked where the prices were, and Abigail the cashier kindly informed us that this is a donation-based cafe. What?! She told us a bit about their story and how our first drink was free. Not only was the coffee delicious, but both Abigail and Ben behind the bar made us laugh and feel super welcomed. So excited that I found my new go-to for an oatmilk latte!

Delightful donation-based coffee shop located in Westwood. The staff and service here are the best, and they're always super friendly and accommodating. You'll usually see lots of students getting work done in the cafe, so it can be difficult to find a seat, so I'll always get a drink to-go. The coffee is pretty good, and I especially liked the Hojicha latte, but it seems it's been discontinued recently.

Such a cute study/coffee spot in Westwood! The line can get long sometimes, and the tables usually fill up pretty quickly. They have seasonal drinks for fall, winter, etc., but their main menu has quite a lot of options with different customizations (syrup, milk, etc.) Of course, we love the pay your own price. Upside Down also hosts a lot of community events around the holidays with free drinks and pastries. Definitely one of my favorite spots to show people and go to in Westwood!

My first time here! Been wanting to come and my friend finally brought me along and I can say it didn't disappoint! He got the cortado which was really nice and strong in coffee flavor and I got the brown sugar latte which wasn't too sweet or bitter or bland. The girls there were very sweet to us as well. Love the open space to actually breathe and not feel overcrowded or claustrophobic. Great vibes for me personally to sit and do work

Love the name and I am guessing that it comes from the fact that this coffee shop/art gallery is run by "Jews for Jesus." Not sure what that is? People who are 100% Jewish and 100% Christian. Jews who believe the Messiah has come. Located near the UCLA campus, this coffee shop was packed with students and locals. Ben greeted us at the counter and took our order. I got a hot tiramisu latte that was so good!!! Not too sweet. My daughter got an iced matcha which she also liked. We tried the coffee cake & banana nut muffin. Yum!!! Very moist and light. *First timers only, get their coffee for free. (I paid any way. $15 for the 2 drinks and the baked goods plus a $5 tip to Ben and Alyssa behind the counter. *returning customers pay by donation. *Baked goods are not free since they are outsourced. *Plenty of seats inside, some outside tables along the sidewalk. *Art Gallery inside Highly recommend! Will definitely go back the next time I am in Westwood.

Great place to stop in Westwood for coffee. Hours are some what limited, but that coffee is well made. I love getting an iced latte here. They have some fun drinks too. They have a cool concept of donating to their nonprofit organization and so you can decide how much you want to donate (the price of your cup of coffee). The staff have always been super friendly and nice to talk to.

Unbelievably kind people working here, my first time visiting and she explained who they are and even comped my drink. Took me back at first, I'm not used to kindness like that from the jump. Will absolutely be returning and just told a lot of friends to come check them out and support -- thanks again!!

The Upside Down is a gem of a cafe here in Westwood! The matcha latte I got was smooth, creamy, and had a pretty strong matcha flavor. The workers are all super friendly too. Limited seating when crowded but at 9:30am it was nice and empty. Highly recommend!

I got the matcha latte and it tasted mostly like milk. However, I can't complain because you can price the coffee at whatever price you want so the drink was very cheap.

Really good coffee, good service from staff, super friendly. They are just closed periodically at random times! But again coffee and matcha very high quality!

The drinks are delicious! The cashier let me know they are donation based which I've never experienced. Truly a great experience. considering the excellent service and phenomenal drinks I would highly recommend this coffee shop

I'd been meaning to come here since I live close, and I finally made the walk down today. I was pleasantly surprised by the drinks and the atmosphere! The space was open and lively, and the seating right outside was adorable. I read up on the donation payment method before coming here so I was prepared, but just be ready to make a donation in lieu of pricing. I chose to do 5.50 a drink, which seemed average to me, but there was no shame for doing less or more. I tried the tiramisu latte, but I've heard great things about the espresso tonic. Looking forward to coming back in the future and giving that a try too!

love this coffee shop!! if its your first time you get your coffee for free but after that you get to decide how much you pay! while the coffee is sometimes watered down at times i still think its a very affordable spot in westwood. the lines get very long though especially during midterms and finals week

Nice little donation-based coffee shop right near UCLA. They're affiliated with a charity so you pay what you want. Note that whatever you choose to pay is inclusive of your tip. I didn't realize and ended up paying less than I would have liked. Good drinks and a nice energy. The staff are friendly and the vibes are nice. The place is pretty packed, largely with undergrads studying. They could probably do with a little more seating, it was tough to find a seat next to an outlet. Once I found one though, this was a nice (albeit slightly noisy) place to get some work done and enjoy a good coffee.

-Food- I'm obsessed with this coffeeshop!! I love their popular latte (vanilla latte) and tiramisu latte (tastes more chocolatey/cinnamony), and I really love their concept of pay as you like. -Service- Everyone here is so sweet! -Looks- There is plenty of indoor (5-7) and outdoor (5) tables to study at. This is the perfect study spot with a lot of outlets near the walls. There's even outlets under the tables by the window. The inside is also super aesthetically pleasing and sometimes they have art gallery events here which is cute! -Other- Hard to find parking... street parking is the best option but it's pretty hard to get.

Hands down my favorite coffee shop in LA. Their matcha latte is incredible and every single one of the staff is so friendly and welcoming. Super great place to read a book or meet someone for a little coffee date. Love Upside Down!

I ordered an Iced Rose Matcha Latte w/oat milk, and it was really refreshing. There's a small hint of the rose so it's definitely nit too overwhelming, and the matcha isn't too light. The consistency is probably on the lighter side and not too thick. I think it's cool how you pick your own price, especially for broke college students, or if you just don't have the budget but want to treat yourself. I didn't see a tip option, but def would've tipped the baristas because they were really nice!! Will 100% be back to try more things :) This $3 treat was well worth it.

I went here today. The place is beautiful inside and out. Samson was my barista and he was very polite and welcoming. I tried the Kenya pour over. It was so-so. I will try to come back to this place, both because I liked the vibes and atmosphere a lot, as well as the artworks and books. I would say that the coffee side of it can improve a bit, like so many other cafes in the area.

Felt like walking into a contemporary museum. Everyone is so nice in here. Also your first coffee is free ! Woah.

Such a gem in westwood!! As a UCLA student, I've been here a number of times to study or do work. They have lots of options on the menu, but I am a big fan of the brown sugar hojicha latte (seasonal) and the tiramisu latte. There are no prices on the menu because what's special about upside down is it's donation based, so you can pay what you want. The drinks are actually really good and it's very affordable for college students. There are a decent amount of seats inside with some outlets but I recommend coming early as it does get super crowded. It can also get loud but they do offer special study nights during finals week which you can sign up for. That envionment is amazing and the people who work here are super kind. Highly recommend stopping by to support this coffee shop!

Stopped by to grab a coffee. Placed my order and never having been here before I was confused when the girl at the cashier asked me how much I wanted to donate. My first thought was that I don't want to donate to any charity, just let me pay for my coffee. The very sweet young lady then explained to me that it was a donation based purchase for a nonprofit organization called Jews for Jesus. I remember seeing the Jews for Jesus sign in that location for years and I didn't realize that the coffee shop was connected to them, whereas I had thought it just replace them. I felt awkward and didn't really know what to pay because I've never been in the situation before so I paid $4. The sweet employee spent a good amount of time chatting with me and telling me about how the organization works and really made my day. I received my coffee and it was definitely delicious. I ordered the seasonal special, honey lavender latte with oat milk and although I do feel like the honey lavender flavor was too mild, the coffee itself was delicious and refreshing. I can't wait to come back and try the seasonal tropical latte with coconut milk.

Adorable little shop! I stopped by for the first time around 11am on a Wednesday hoping to sit down w/ friends but it was packed both inside and outside. Will need to come earlier if we want a spot next time! I ordered a hot tiramisu latte and it was insanely good. The drink was not too sweet, which I appreciated. My friend ordered a cold chai tea latte, and she really enjoyed it too. The workers were all really friendly, and they worked quick! There was a constant line of people ordering drinks and I waited for less than 5 minutes for mine. Like other reviews have been saying, you pay what you want (only debit/credit though!) -- basically, after you order, the cashier will ask you how much you want to pay so that they can charge it to your card. Definitely a very clean and cute space, and with most of the customers as students, I saw that everyone including staff were all properly wearing masks (since they're there for long periods of times studying) unless they were drinking their drinks. I already have plans to head back soon!

Probably one of my favorite places in Westwood! I wish I was less lazy to work or study so I can go here more often LMFAO. I believe off the top of my head, this place is open like Tuesday through Thursday in the week and it closes early afternoon, so... it's not open a lot unfortunately. However, do try to visit! The drinks are for charity and you can pay any price you want, and I like the drinks here more than Starbucks :) I'm not a coffee person, so my favorite thing on the menu is a tea latte, the London Fog. I'm definitely going to try all the drinks here though, including the coffee, because I think it's really solid for a charity coffee shop. The service is great as well! All the workers are really nice and I've never had a complaint here. Definitely come to do some work/studying and to vibe with some friends

Great coffee and concept of donation is cool, but I'm not sure how I feel about the donations going to efforts to actively convert people from one faith to another. I really wish the donations went to an actual good cause (housing and employing the homeless, helping veterans, funding college students educations) but that is none of my business. The servers are kind and quick, the coffee is some of the best I've had in LA, and it's super convenient place to visit. I tipped what I could and was in and out in minute. Would highly recommend you check this establishment out for their coffee (not their odd religious mission)

Open only three days a week for a few hours midday, the Cafe at Upside Down might take a bit of flexibility in order for you to get your coffee from here. The hours is because this place is a only a part-time cafe. Other times, it is an art gallery. Other times, an educational center. I would never have found out that this organization if I didn't have an appointment on the right day, at the right time, and was parked on the street in front of this building! I'm glad the stars aligned though because the coffee is really good. I ordered a plain ol' Hot Latte to begin with so I could get a good taste of the coffee they were using, which was Golden State, by the way, if you're interested. I gave my order and asked how much and the cashier explained, there actually isn't a price - you give what you feel like giving and it goes to a non-profit organization. Perfect! There isn't a description of the drinks in the menu so let me see if I remember what the cashier told me: L' Chaim - is a dirty Chai Winter Wonderland - is a peppermint mocha Cafe Hafookh - is an upside down latte which I found out is when the milk is poured in first and the espresso is poured on top Gelty Pleasure - I can't remember that this one was but I remember thinking "well that makes sense". C'mon over, grab a coffee, support a non-profit and chat with someone at a "cafe" again. With the cashier actually stationed outside, it's easy to do so.

I tried the iced chai latte with oat milk and it was really good and had a gingery flavor. The spices did tend to sink down and gather at the bottom after a while, but otherwise really great. The cafe space is really cute with places to work inside and outside. The drinks are donation based, so you can pay whatever you want. They also had some pastries that looked really great and are $3.50. We came around 11 and there was no available seating, so I think if you want to guarantee seating you should go early or at an atypical time. The service was also really great. The cashier was a student herself and was really sweet, and my drink was ready really quickly. I would definitely come back! Upside down is a great cafe for studying or for getting a delicious treat.

I am so happy I was able to finally try this place. Loved their vibe and super friendly staff. Their cardamom speciality latte was fantastic. My friend had the tiramisu latte and loved it as well. Will be going back for sure.

Rose latte & a banana pecan muffin. The latte with Rose was very delicious, slightly sweet with a very mild hint of rose but it tasted great! They have some cool lids too that let out a good amount of drink. Got it iced as recommended. The banana pecan muffin was awesome, very fluffy soft with delicious flavor. It was very busy when I went but they work fast. Parking available on the streets and some parking lots. Plenty if tables and seats inside. Prices are fair & staff was pleasant.

This is one of my favorite go-to coffee shops for meet ups, studying, and just good coffee!! The baristas are all super sweet and the whole shop is donation based (so you decide how much you want to pay for your coffee). The coffee is amazing, and the ambiance of the place is just so comfy. I love Upside Down!!

Ordered: Cold Matcha Latte with Regular Milk - perfect sweetness levels! Upside Down is a donation based store in Westwood swarming with college students, meaning you pay what you want. I loved the vibes - there was a super cool message board on the right side that would flicker every so often with updates of the cafe. The music was nice to study to and the people working are super friendly! They'll try to get to know you and start conversation - I think overall it's a really positive and warm atmosphere to be around. It tends to get a bit crowded around lunch time and it's hard to find a spot at a table so I recommend getting there earlier or preparing to sit in a seat without a table. If you get the drink "for here", they'll even serve it in a glass bottle. There's a lot of other drinks on the menu so I will definitely be back to try more.

my friend and i came to do a WFH day and i got the lavender matcha latte with oat milk which was delicious. it was our first time so they gave us our drinks for free, normally it's donation based. really cool spot! they do shabbat dinners once a month too

This cafe is extremely friendly to broke college students. Instead of having set prices for their coffee, this coffee shop allows students to pay whatever they want for their drink. While the coffee is not top tier, the ability to pay whatever you want makes the drink worth it. They are inclusive of everyone's dietary needs in that they offer milk substitutions including oat and almond. Not only is this coffee shop mindful of college students' financial barriers, but it also offers an ideal environment for catching up on work. I always get a cappuccino and pay 3-4 dollars for it, even though someone could theoretically pay 1 dollar for it. If you drink it in the store, the workers will put your drink in a cute mug and even attempt foam art. While the cappuccino is on the bitter side, it is still worth it for the price and experience of enjoying coffee in a homey, LA-coffee shop.

The coffee and pastries here are to "die for." I really like the design and music selection. It's a really comfortable place to study and get some work done.

Ordering coffee at a cafe is a much needed (but unfortunately often financially irresponsible) move as a student, which is why my world was turned UPSIDE DOWN after trying out @upsidedown_la . I've been coming to this cafe regularly since I was an undergraduate student at @ucla , and I'm in love with their donation-based system, which allows you to pay as much as you would like for any drink in their cafe. Their lattes are also beautifully crafted from high quality, wholesome ingredients, and I love how they often a basic menu with your choice of flavor customizations, as well as delicious seasonal drinks such as their pumpkin spice and tiramisu lattes. Best of all, there's often ample seating, tables and fast Wi-Fi available, despite the obvious popularity of this cafe with UCLA students. Definitely make sure to check out Upside Down if you're in the @westwoodvillage area, and support one of my FAVORITE cafes in LA!

The best cafe in Westwood! I love its atmosphere, staff, and location. I can't help exploring other drinks.

COVID review* This is a coffee shop I always wanted to sit and study in and enjoy in all its full art gallery glory :( but I'm glad I got to finally stop by anyway! There is a full menu of cool specialty drinks so I decided on the L'chaim which I believe is basically a dirty chai. It wasn't too sweet and woke me right up! The baristas were really nice too. Will definitely be back when I'm in that side of Westwood.

10/10! Their coffee and drinks are great and they make one of my favorite iced vanilla lattes. Also, the staff is extremely nice and welcoming. Indoors is perfect for studying and there is plenty of space. This place is amazing and I highly recommend trying it!

I'm really mixed. The drinks here are very good but the prices are a donation to a charity. I was instantly confused and skeptical. And there isn't a clear idea of who the charity is. But then you see from the other comments it's called Jews for Jesus. I did finally notice a sticker on a door inside of the coffee shop but it's only after you are about to leave. But it's definitely not clear at the register. I think the cafe should display the charity that the donations are going to. I didn't see any blantant sign of this in the coffee shop nor at the register.

I AM SO HAPPY A QUALITY COFFEE SHOP OPENED IN WESTWOOD! Profeta who??? Starbucks who???? Coffee: GOOD! The first time I went, I ordered an iced non-fat caramel latte and man this is a really good caramel latte. It's not overly sweet or bitter, just the right flavor. I'm usually hesitant to order caramel lattes cause if done right, it can be amazing but if done wrong, I'll get tired 3 sips in. This one was done right :) The second time I went, I ordered a mocha. This was not too sweet, a nice texture. Very nice :) Service: GOOD! The barista who took my order was so nice and friendly. Asked me how I was doing with a smile and asked me lots of questions on how I wanted to customize the drink. When she asked for here or togo, she noticed I looked around and saw there was no seating and very perceptively suggested togo just in case. I like that attention to detail :) Study atmosphere: -Seating is rather limited on both occasions I've come but I was able to find a seat the second time. -I didn't need to use an outlet but many of the tables seem far from a wall. -Wi-Fi is great! No issues with its speed. -It doesn't get too loud and the music isn't obnoxious; some nice jazzy cafe tunes. -I really like how it is decorated; very clean and modern. Pricing: you do yourself!! I love this! No more overpriced coffee, unless you think they truly deserve it, which they do! I paid $5 for my drink. Only problem is that it's open at relatively limited hours :( Parking: There's a parking lot on Broxton that is free for 2 hours if you park before 5pm, and there's metered street parking.

What a wonderful place! Matcha latte with oat milk and a warmed pecan banana muffin was so yummy! Such a happy place to walk into and enjoy some happiness to start the day. Definitely recommend!