The Formosa Cafe

I have ordered take out twice and enjoy the food and packaging. They provide side sauces and chop sticks without having to ask, which indicates good restaurant operations.

Food: 4

Service: 4

PANDA EXPRESS IS SO MUCH BETTER! Full disclosure: I'm Chinese and from Hong Kong. I came here with white friends not knowing anything about the place. One glance at the menu and it's obvious this is an American take on Chinese (which is totally fine). I was expecting elevated Panda Express but was shocked by how poorly and distastefully the food was made. 1) The THICKEST skin I've ever had on the Xiao Long Bao, a big sign of the kitchen's skills because the thicker the skin the less skilled they are. 2) All of us spit out the cucumber salad, no idea what they were doing with flavors. 3) Unnecessarily adding Szechuan spice - which I love - but to dishes that are completely irrelevant and had clashing tastes. I suffered tremendously throughout from this bastardization of Panda Express.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

The Formosa is an iconic and historic restaurant in LA. The atmosphere was amazing and I felt like I was on a Quentin Tarantino movie. The service was outstanding, probably the best service we had on our trip. The Green Tea martini was delicious and would highly recommend. The only con was the food. Everything sounded delicious but it fell short on flavor. The Chow Mein noodles went cold fast and the chicken we had with it tasted like old oil. We had the fried potstickers appetizer and those were good. We also had the steak and broccolini main, the steak was good but the broccolini lacked flavor and went cold fast as well. If you’re wanting to dine at a historic restaurant, give it a go but don’t go in with high expectations.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Historic. However, it was noisy and not the best food.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 5

Went for dinner with my girlfriends, and it was such a vibe inside!! Was super loud though, so it wasn’t the ideal place for a chatty dinner. The food was good, and the drinks were strong. I’d be back to try something else off the menu.

I just came here to pick up an order, and after waiting 10 minutes, they told me they couldn't find it. Yes, I'm not kidding. That really happened.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Hollywood royalty history while you enjoy a delicious meal. I chose the chicken chow mein and was rewarded with flavors textures that my palate loved.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very neat restaurant with cool lighting and decor. The train car is adorable and the food is solid. We got the chow mein and walnut shrimp. We went at lunchtime on a Saturday and it wasn't very busy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Okay pros. The vibe is cool, dimly lit and great seating. The host was a bit slow but nice, and our waitress was lovely but hard to find her once she left. The food came out fast, despite our noodles being lukewarm and not great overall. The walnut shrimp was sauceless and overcooked. I’ll give it another chance, but honestly wasn’t that impressed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 2

Amazing experience! Good service and food, and obviously the historical value of the place. Just a little too noisy.
Recommended!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I visited The Formosa Cafe while exploring the Hollywood area, and it felt like stepping into a piece of old Hollywood history. The restaurant has a very vintage atmosphere with red leather booths, dim lighting, and walls covered with photos of famous actors who once dined there.

One of the most unique things about the place is the old trolley car inside the restaurant, which dates back to the early 1900s and is now part of the dining space. The whole building has been around for decades and was known as a hangout spot for classic Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, and Elvis Presley.

I ordered a few Chinese-American style dishes along with a cocktail. The food was flavorful and comforting—nothing overly fancy, but well prepared and satisfying. The cocktails were actually one of the highlights; the bar has a fun retro vibe and the drinks are creative without being overly complicated.

The atmosphere is what really makes this place special. It feels lively and cinematic, like the kind of restaurant where you could easily imagine movie stars or filmmakers hanging out late at night. It’s a great spot for dinner, drinks, or just soaking in some Hollywood nostalgia.

Overall, The Formosa Cafe is less about fine dining and more about the experience. If you enjoy historic restaurants with character and a bit of old-school glamour, it’s definitely a memorable place to visit in the Hollywood area.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Overpriced.. but a must visit Hollywood institution.
Great bar

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Diago took such amazing care of us—he was incredible. His energy, hospitality, and attention to detail made the whole experience. He truly belongs behind the bar creating that social, lively atmosphere and making everything feel special. Absolute star!

Atmosphere: 5

I ordered an egg with my food. They brought the egg out by itself without the food. That’s weird.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 1

True classic!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5