50 Best Cafes near Van Nuys

“it was exactly what we were looking for and definitely will be back! Delicious fresh thoughtful food, something for everyone. As a vegetarian I was delighted at the options. I had the roasted cauliflower and yam salad and it was scrumptious. Not to mention they have outdoor seating in the shade which is lovely and they welcomed my doggies with a bowl of water and chunks of chicken! thanks!“

“I came only to wash my chariot.

The little café stood quietly in the parking lot, humble as a forgotten village. I expected little. But the greatest treasures are often hidden from proud eyes.

Then came the Maracú Foam Latte.

At the first sip, I was no longer standing among cars and concrete. I was carried across mountains into the heart of Peru, where the breath of ancient forests mingled with golden fruit and the songs of forgotten civilizations echoed through the valleys. The passion fruit awakened something that had long slept within me—the courage of a warrior, the wonder of a child, and the gratitude of a traveler who had discovered a sacred oasis.

Many build great temples yet cannot create a drink worthy of remembrance. But this humble café has done what palaces often cannot: it has stirred the soul.

Golden Brown Café may appear modest from the outside, but within its walls lives craftsmanship, kindness, and flavors that deserve to be sung by poets. Should my descendants ask where I found one of the finest cups ever placed into mortal hands, I shall tell them: “Seek the little café beside the car wash, for greatness often hides in the most unassuming places.”

Five stars. I would march across kingdoms for another Maracú Foam Latte.“

“Walked in thinking it was an ice cream shop, had no idea the food was healthy! Great atmosphere and very friendly people there. I came 30 mins after close by accident😬 but Lorena, Madi, and Victor were incredibly nice and took my order.

The shake I got had around 200 calories and 24 grams of protein which is insanely good for how it tasted.

Definitely come if you want a great time and great tasting, healthy sweets.“

“Delicious saltenas, we order 20 at a time for our family celebrations.😋😋“

“Love it me gusta mucho la amabilidad y tienen los chilaquiles mas deliciosos que e probado 👌😋😋“

“I wish they had more food options... but what they have is delicious and affordable! And the place looks amazing! ^_^“

“Excelente lugar y ambientes agradable.. Buenísimo café!!!“

“Stopped by Be Bright Coffee and ordered a cortado made with their Colombia Paola Trujillo Wush Wush Natural. The coffee had tasting notes of blood orange, red currant, honeysuckle, and tart cherry juice, which made it a really interesting coffee to experience in a milk drink.

The cortado itself was very well executed. The milk had a smooth, creamy texture with strong integration, and the body remained cohesive throughout most of the drink. As I worked my way through it, the espresso and milk continued to hold together nicely without developing a thick or separated layer of foam. The tasting notes had good clarity and came through well in the milk. The latte art could have been a little cleaner and more defined, but that’s a minor presentation detail and didn’t take away from the quality of the drink.

My main technical feedback would be the temperature. It was served just slightly hotter than I think it should have been. The flavors were still clear from the beginning, but the difference became noticeable as the cortado cooled. The coffee really opened up, and those fruit-forward characteristics became even more expressive and enjoyable. Starting the drink at that slightly lower temperature would have made the experience feel more dialed in from the very first sip.

I gave Be Bright four stars, and part of that comes down to the $10 price of the cortado. At that price point, I think the expectations naturally move into a different category. When you’re paying $10 for a cortado featuring a coffee like this, I’m expecting the execution to be as close to perfect as possible. The slightly higher serving temperature, along with the minor presentation detail, was enough to keep this one from reaching that level for me.

The customer service was excellent. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and the person working the register was especially nice and made the experience feel inviting. Overall, it was a very good cortado with quality coffee behind it, and I’d definitely return to try some of the other beans they offer.“

“Great atmosphere, Hector was great!“

“Lee’s cafe is a Taiwanese-style cafe with a hint of Hong Kong sparkle, serving the perfect mix of Taiwanese and Hong Kong food. The toast is absolutely marvelous, and I truly believe it is worth every penny. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the other dishes. The sesame cold noodles were good, but missing something—I felt they didn’t quite hit the mark. The wontons were delicious, but the braised pork belly rice was your typical run-of-the-mill rice. Nothing terribly special, but delicious nonetheless. The HK milk tea, however, leaned very watery and missed the signature strong tea taste of a HK milk tea.
Also, their bathroom sink was broken and put as a “use at your own risk”. Hopefully they have fixed this since my visit!
Yet, through all this, I would still return to Liu’s kitchen—for their toast!“

“Milly was very respectful and attended to our needs. She was very quick to attend to my big party of 12 people. 10/10 service.“

“Hot day. We had a relax time with amazing tea!!!“

“🍑 I stopped by and tried the Sweet Peach Smoothie from the Lawless pop-up, and it was absolutely delicious! The smoothie had banana, peach, pineapple, strawberry, agave, hyaluronic acid, and your choice of milk. Everything tasted fresh and the peach flavor was so good! 🥤🍑“

“Everything so delicious, and owners so nice“

“Had a great experience visiting this place. The atmosphere was pleasant, and everything was well managed. The staff was friendly and helpful, making the overall experience enjoyable. Definitely a nice place to visit and would recommend it to others!“

“Love the atmosphere, great place to try authentic Turkish dishes ( İskender , dolma , mercimek çorba, Lahmacun) 😋😋😋🇹🇷🧿“

“Great spot and everything about it screams great marketing and fun ideas you want to spend money on. I know. I bought the mug 😬 It’s small and very busy but the staff are somehow quick but relaxed. They’re happy to pause and check on you but they’re also really quick to get you your order. I was hoping I could try the add on cotton candy with my peach bellini but they were out of cotton candy. Sad. The lox waffles was surprisingly tasty given the swap from bagel to waffle. The name made me want to try it but would absolutely eat here again based on food and staff. If you’re looking for a quieter spot, this probably isn’t it. They do have music inside and it’s right on the sidewalk if you’re seated outside. The noise would prohibit taking a call and understanding every word. If you’re there to chat up the person across from you and you don’t mind a little background noise, then this is definitely your spot.“

“Cool place to get Argentinean goodies... Gaby, the owner, is the best! My family loves her 🥰🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷“

“Great Vibes ~ cool 😎 peeps ~ delicious food“

“We went for a late breakfast before a matinée show. The sandwiches were great, service nice and ambiance nice. Even though I prefer full service places, I sure would, when in the area, go again and can recommend the place. However, I doubt that I would do a 30+ min detour just to eat or drink here - mandatory in my rating scheme to achieve five stars. So it is a heartfelt, recommending ★★★★ out of five stars.“

“We walked the Fern Dell trail to the playground and the coffee shop and had a wonderful morning. Easy hike for the whole family mainly inclining but doable. The kids had a great time and the adults enjoyed the iced coffee and treats. Absolutely will do it again“

“Went with some friends who were vegetarian and we opted for the hummus wrap with tofu and it was SO good. I’ll always go for local food versus chains and this hit the spot. The owner was also really cool and chill (loved the condiment sides he suggested). Highly recommend this place! The next time I’m in LA I’m definitely gonna come back here.“

“I have been going to Porto's since the 1980's..the one in Glendale. How elated I was with having them being in Northridge where I live. The food is terrific and the lines go fast due to a tremendous quick system they have. The catering for parties has never let us down and people you have invited that never have experienced Portos are thrilled. The cakes are delicious. What I do miss is not having the individual cake slices for purchase so you can experience the taste. They only have the neapolitan, Parisian, and carrot for slices. I've seen the menu change over time and do miss some of the items.“

“Food was good! We ordered the Crispy chicken wrap with curly fries and the steak salad. Both were good, I don’t like blue cheese and there was some in the salad.

I used to get their iced vanilla latte religiously almost everyday then I tried other places and realized Aroma’s lattes are very milk heavy and I can barely taste the coffee. If I get coffee from them it’s a cold brew now.

Dessert is delicious! The chocolate chip cookies are goey and have a crunch .

I love the location it’s beautiful inside and out. It usually gets packed and there’s a line you have to wait in, but we went in at 5pm and it was pretty quiet. Found seating inside no issues, tables were clean, bathroom was clean. Service was quick!

You can also place orders for pick up through Chow Now App.“

“Came in for the first time and the cafe had such a nice atmosphere surrounding it. The latte I ordered was delicious and had a wonderfully tasting espresso. I also got one of their lunch sandwiches along with some fries which were both crafted beautifully and not what I was expecting from a cafe. I had to end it with a pastry because they all looked so yummy and the one I chose definitely met that standard. Staff was friendly and helpful as well. From someone who also works in a very similar environment and can be picky, it was very much worth it. I do recommend and will 100% be back!“

“WoW , the food , the view, Supernice Crew . Worth everything ! We come back . / Swedish Guests“

“Good breakfast. Hamburgers are great.“

“I have been looking for a local coffee shop that was a 10 all around. One thing I noticed was that they care about their customer service. Its hard to find a place that genuinely is always giving attention and care to everything they do. The pastries are very much well made and taste very fresh. My favorite pastry is the Almond Danish. Now the coffee is so well done that you will never be disappointed. Overall the atmosphere is great . I have tried so many places and this is a winner. Their prices are reasonable and the quality makes it worth it.“

“My husband and I stopped by for a late breakfast and were so happy we did. The food was delicious, the coffee was really good, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. You can tell this place is made with a lot of love and care.We’ll definitely stop by whenever we’re in the area.“

“I grabbed a coffee before heading to the airport and appreciated the quick service. The line moved steadily, my order was correct, and the cup was securely closed for travel. It was an easy stop that didn't add any stress to the morning“

“Nice folk. Refills on coffee! What?!!“

“This was a pretty cool, quaint cafe that's buzzing with energy. I especially like the outdoor patio when it's not too hot outside.

We ordered the Falafel Wrap, that Dahab Breakfast special featured on the counter, Matchanade, and Cortado.

The Falafel Wrap was pretty good, but the side of potatoes with that aioli was the real highlight. There's a nice tang and acidity to it that went well with the roasted potatoes.

The Dahab Breakfast special is a bit more subtle plate, especially with the goat cheese and olive oil playing well with the bread and scrambled egg. It's not a knock-your-socks off type of dish, just clean and easy going.

As for the drinks, the Cortado is as good, but I especially love the matchanade, aka Matcha Lemonade. There is a nice balance of the subtle umami of the matcha and the citrus brightness of the lemonade and a hint of sugar. Overall, that drink is something I would have again here.“

“Great place to have a good boba and they also have some good food in their menu. Good service too and friendly staff.“

“Wish I lived closer. As a first time customer I got a drink on the house, and they have a utopic pay-what-you-can model for future drinks. The cafe is spacious, and it’s the perfect place to either get work done or chat with some friends—it doesn’t seem dominated by either group. The baristas are very friendly and clearly excellent at their craft. They use high quality espresso, and the brown sugar latte was divine.“

“They needed better air conditioning and accurate time for pick up food was cold.“

“The food was really good and so delicious. The flavor was fantastic and they have great options of coffee. This is one of the best coffee spot I go to. I stopped there and ordered the cappuccino latte sub almond milk which taste really great. The bacon cheddar quiche taste really great and so delicious too. It has nice flavor and taste so fantastic.
The place has nice setting with good ambiance. Nice customer service.“

“This Bakery is Beyond amazing 👏 😍 They make fresh fruit smoothies :^) they have multiple milk options 😋 They offer fresh juices that are healthy, yet delicious. They have delicious sandwiches. Their homemade cookies are amazing 👏 They go above and beyond to make you feel at home 🏡 they have AC and it's comfortable. The bathroom was very clean and provides a sound blocking experience. I will definitely be coming back. 😌 Thank you all for providing us a healthy energizing breakfast!“

“Excellent food and service! Absolutely perfect breakfast. Hot, delicious, HUGE portions. The best chai tea latte I've ever had it - it puts Starbucks to shame. The meal was esthetically a work of art (see photo). The menu said two eggs, but it looked like five. Great French toast - better than I can make myself. Needless to say, I highly recommend Joey's Cafe!“

“Amazing!!! Worth the wait! Definitely my favorite brunch place now! My friend and I have been brunching our way thru LA haha and this is probably the best brunch spot we have found so far! It gets crowded bc it's so delicious and the coffee art is so much fun! You scan a QR code and upload your pic for your latte :) Such an extensive menu and lots of boozy options if you're looking for a drink. Our server was very attentive and made excellent recommendations too.

I got the Fried Chicken Lemon Velvet Waffle which was SO good - literally tastes like lemon cupcakes yummmmmmm! And the fried chicken was so tender you could cut it with a fork.

There is a parking lot in the back which gives you 90 minutes free with validation and then $2 for each 15 min thereafter. If the lot is full, drive around and you may just luck out and someone is leaving so you can get a spot. Also definite put yourself in the online waitlist before heading there - it will cut down on the wait time.

I'm looking forward to trying the other items - definitely will be back :)“

“This place is pretty amazing !!! They know all there products very good willing to help you find just what you are looking for very good service“

“This place is amazing. I had one of the best tuna sandwiches of my life. The bread is so fresh and soft and the tuna salad has like chickpeas in it and it’s just so flavorful and delicious. I love coming here and I always get the Matcha too!“

“Love the coffee, the snacks, and an amazing staff. One of the baristas came after me and returned my debit card the other day after I absent mindedly walked off without it while I was there. Obviously right thing to do and all, but that and their friendliness and answering questions about menu items beforehand left a positive impression.“

“Delicious food and drinks. Perfect place to stop in for a snack on break, in between classes or just because.

The owners are the sweetest people on this planet. They do their very best to give you the best service and food/drinks. I’ve been coming here for years and will continue to do so.“

“Yummy! I had the Impossible Burrito with avocado. I was afraid it would be too spicy or greasy..sooo not the case. It was so delicious 💕 The flavor was multi-layered, surprisingly outstanding and it had some crunchiness. I will definitely be returning soon. The bonus is the staff that was welcoming and most helpful.“

“Tastes great, not expensive, good service“

“Ordered my wife the 36 piece box for the birth of our son. Truly, every piece she has said has just been incredible! AND to ship with such care from Beverly Hills to Columbus, Ohio in the MIDDLE of a July heatwave.... not a single crack in ANY piece. Just true care and quality. This will be a special occasion staple! Shot out to H3 for keeping &sons in our line of sight for so long!“

“This is a lovely cafe for lunch and/or coffee. There staff is very friendly and helpful accommodating our requests for additional salad dressing. However it closes at 3pm, at which time you can no longer refill your fountain drinks. The view and the ambiance is absolutely amazing. The outdoor seating areas are well spaced out and shaded. The Villa Burger is a good balance of gruyere cheese, beef patty, Arugula, onion jam and brioche bun. Three garlic fries are perfectly seasoned with garlic and parsley. The Market Salad with apple, quinoa and chicken is generous and well dressed with shallot vinaigrette. The prices are definitely 10-20% higher but the ambiance is worth it.“

“Omg! I was really surprised when I got there to have a cup of coffee,that the place has changed. The two ladies they’re there are amazing. Their food is excellent and I’ll tell you something. The coffee is from Italy best cup of coffee I have, I haven’t had such a good cup of coffee for a long time. I believe they’re from Bosnia, it is worth it, go have a coffee a conversation with them and a great meal.😊“