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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
Neighborhood: DowntownMon-Tue. 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wed-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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I found this little gem a few years ago when no body but the people living above it knew of it.
It realy has grown in popularity and knows it's here.
This is what living in the arts district is all about.
No starbucks stop n go here...
The sandwiches are ok, not the wow factor but the location
and vibe make for one of the better chill locals in downtown.
Still gets 5 stars. For sure.
HOWEVER. For all you AT&T/ iPhone users. NO SERVICE! It will say 4 bars 3G, but it's all a lie.
Not Lost Souls fault, not in the least bit, but thought the info might be helpful if you're trying to make and or receive business calls/texts while working here.
Love you Lost Souls. Hate you AT&T Wireless.
Downtown Los Angeles. What is this place?
Anyways, while waiting for a friend, I used my yelp iphone…
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Just had my first lunch at Lost Souls Cafe. The space has a pretty crunchy vibe almost to the point of feeling granola, but the food itself was delicious and filling. No nonsense, good sandwich.
I had the turkey basil pesto sandwich with a side salad and some kettle chips and pellegrino orange soda. The salad dressing was ok but not brilliant, and the sandwich itself was quite good.
The prices are very reasonable, and the portions are not huge. But overall it's a good value.
Bottom line: Mellow environment, quick service, good food, good value.
This place rocks. It's so artsy and such a chill place. I had the Sun Down Chicken. It was just the right size and so delicious =P The sunbread made it interesting.
Lost Souls Cafe is a nice and interesting lunch spot. I've been here few times and was never disappointed. I've tried the club sandwich, the Soulful salad and the crepe. All very good. I highly recommend the crepe.
I love the atmosphere here. It is a nice change of pace after 4+ hours of sitting in the office. It is just a nice place to relax and eat your lunch. While you are waiting for your food, you can check out some of the artworks in the restaurant.
Lost Souls Cafe was our meeting place for October's ART WALK and I loved it! The people, the cafe, the location, and the atmosphere, you name it, I loved it! We were in a hurry so we only had time to finish our beers but I'm going back to absorb the scene in this cafe.
They have sofas to lounge on, big tables for large groups, smaller tables for those who revel in their solitude and observe the view. The night we went they had a DJ but we left before the music started.
One thing to note, they don't call it "Lost Souls Cafe" for nothing. If you didn't ask for directions or know where it was, you won't find it. Just look for an alleyway with the sign pointing you in the right direction.
I can't wait to go back!
I am a type of person who loves to find hidden, secretive places to hang out throughout Los Angeles. The Lost Souls Cafe is the type of place I was looking for, a place that is random and unseen from the general public. I wanted to check this place out tonight, so I decided to drive down 4th avenue, the new revived Bank District with restaurants and bars open late at night. The street was semi blocked off because they were filming New York CSI. Across from the filming was a dark alley which you would never have imagine walking into especially at night. However, I decided to venture in the alley and located the Lost Soul Cafe.
Upon entering the cafe, you notice that the place was an old, rustic abandon complex; looks like the cafe just moved into a facility that hasn't been remolded or refurbished. Obviously they were going for the Lofty, old look which worked well. I was joking with my friends stating that the eating area looked like the place they held the SAW movie seen (the large restroom area). On one wall there were a wide variety of painting that were for sale by local artists. In addition, there is a back area where one can surf the net or play board games.
The food was great! This place is similar in to Urth cafe in terms of the food but the price of the food is 75% cheaper than Urth Cafe. The sandwiches are awesome, as they use Filipino sweet bread instead of the regular white bread. I had the:
- Ham and Cheese Sandwich: 5/5
- Mango smoothie -4/5
- Balance Tea - 3/5
-Soul Late - 4/5
- New Castle (friends)
I would suggest this place if you are looking to venture out to new locations, seeking new places to hang out. When we were there, they suddenly had a performance of people doing stand up comedy, poetry and live music. They are amateurs who come to the cafe to try out their jokes which i thought was amusing.
I've started an LA cafe tour for myself, and Lost Souls Cafe was my first stop! Luckily, I read Yelp reviews before going, so I knew I had to walk down an alley to get to the hidden gem, but really, that kind of just adds to its mysterious charm, doesn't it?
It's a great use of space: open yet really cozy. I came in on a rainy afternoon, so it was a nice refuge from the wetness outside. As my eyes settled onto the menu, I decided on a turkey pesto sandwich and a pomegranate/mango smoothie--adventurous, I know. I don't have much of a discriminating palette, and the turkey-pesto was yummy while the smoothie was tart just how I like it.
I was reading at my table and when I occasionally glanced around the room, I couldn't help but feel oddly overweight amid all the young waif-like figures that clung onto the walls hiding behind their stringy hair--until this big beefy construction worker walked in (whew!). While I may have felt a little too commercial or mainstream for this hip crowd, I did enjoy my meal and the thumping sounds of Sia and Ingrid Michaelson playing in the background.
If you're a Mac user, you'll find yourself in good company. And, if you happen to stop by on a clear day, order your food to go and eat at Angels Knoll Park--the park from 500 Days of Summer--because it's only a block away!
LA hipster cred fosho.
My friend and I went during the day time so it was really chill and empty with a few customers here and there. I didn't mind it. I think it's a good place to go and study. It's a little dark but I saw two people studying. Go early and claim the lamps. :))
I'd definitely love to be a regular here if transportation allows me to be. (since i don't drive and LA public transportation sucks..) Their food was really really delicious! Simple and just honestly lovely in my mouth. I ordered the Turkey Berry sandwich with the Raspberry Kiss, coffee drink, and my friend got the chicken one.. i forgot the specific name with the iced oolong tea. EVERYTHING WAS FREAKING DELICIOUS. The only bad thing was how small it was. I think it was perfect for girls but for guys.. it's going to be a problem. Although it was pretty cheap too. Four bucks ish for a sandwich. I paid around $9 for my sandwich and coffee drink. I guess it's a little more on the expensive side if you only count the quantity with the price. But it was really good.
I'd like to go back at night to see what the atmosphere is like then. But either way, I'd LOVE to go back sometime soon.
The other thing i really liked about this place was the fact that it is hidden in an alley way. It definitely made it seem a lot cooler that I've been to a "hole in the wall" type of place in downtown LA. :))
ALSO!! last thing i promise. :))
i think it is usually decorated with paintings along the walls. When I went there was nothing but i think there usually are. All I saw was two chairs and a coffee table glued along the side of the walls. art? i think so. HEHE.
I am saving room for improvement in this review since I have only visited this hide-away twice. It is located on 4th between Spring and Main near Rocket pizza down the alley. Both times I had an Ube shake( purple yam/vanilla-e goodness) and a sandwich. Filing. The sandwiches aren't amazing or something new but are made to order so are fresh and just plain good : ) Some items are a little pricey. There also is a suggestion box for menu items and such, so they actually care to hear what you want. So far the staff is awesome, they like to talk and are knowledgeable about the local scene. I've only talked with two of them though. I plan to visit on the weekend when possible when there is live music/DJ's/poetry/spoken-word and such.
Ohhh yeah, they also serve some beer ; )
Nom Nom Nom
My favorite place in DTLA to get a quick snack to munch on.
Ube shakes are delish even though my lactose intolerance self shouldn't be consuming them!
What a cool find. Downtown LA has some really awesome spots to hang out and this is definitely one of them. One drawback is trying to find street parking, which is free on Sundays, otherwise there are nearby lots that charge $5 on the weekends.
The cafe was a bit difficult to find at first, but I saw the sign on the sidewalk that pointed toward the alley and through the gates I found the cafe. The name of the cafe is very clever considering its location. Inside is very urban, artsy and I really liked it. There is artwork on the wall that contributes to the awesome ambience. To beat the heat I ordered an iced mocha latte which was very good and my sweetie ordered the iced toddy which is coffee with caramel and white chocolate. I didn't know they had ube shakes until after I had already ordered my drink, so I guess it will give it a try when I come back next time. We'll see if it s as good as Oinkster.
Stopped in for lunch, and the "sun sandwich" on sweetish "pan de sel" was probably the BEST ham and cheese sandwich either of us has ever had. For around $6 it comes with fruit salad and a 16-oz iced tea or iced coffee. It's a small sandwich, though, so keep that in mind if you're really hungry.
We had the "classic" sweet crepe for dessert and it was fantastic. A little touch of condensed milk in the topping makes a huge difference. OMG my new crepe fave, even more than either Nutella or my usual lemon-and-powder sugar choices.
They have Stella Artois and other good beers, and the waiter told us they're only $3 between 5 - 7 pm.
I love the atmosphere, the tiles, the high ceiling. Must come back in the evening. BTW, if you don't see them right away, keep in mind they're down a narrow alley off 4th, between Spring & Main; find Warung restaurant and look to its right. Sometimes there's a board out on 4th, sometimes not.
Totally worth it.
DISCLAIMER: This review is for the ambiance only.
I'm a simple man with simple needs. I just moved and needed a quick wireless connection. I walked into this place during our little heat wave and found it to be about 20 degrees warmer with a fiddler tuning up.
No thanks, sirs. Which leads me to my next review.....
It was dark inside and sunny outside, so I took my ube shake to go. The ube shake was creamy, smooth and wasn't overly sweet. It was perfect and can only improve by taking away that gawd awful whipped cream and upping the ante on the pinipig (crispy, toasted rice).
I also suggested a Filipino-style "Arnold Palmer" by using calamansi juice instead of lemonade. Let's see if it's on the menu in a few...
I love coffee. Iced or hot, it's makes me complete...and drinking a well made drink in a venue such as Lost Souls makes for a great experience...Starbucks can give you a good drink but Lost Souls can serve you an awesome drink and provide you with a great experience...no iTunes pop music played in this lounge...get ready to get lost...and love it...
The cafe manager (one of the owners) was more than accommodating in correcting the amount that my credit card was overcharged.
I revisited Lost Souls Cafe and had a sandwich that was a special of the day -- roast beef, mixed greens, pesto, mustard, tomato and onion on a long roll. It was pretty good. And it was also what the co-owner, Meli, ate for lunch, so that's always a good sign of good food.
BEWARE of fraudulent credit card charges. Save your receipts and/or pay cash only.
I came for the…
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The first time I came here was while walking around for LA Art Walk. A sign advertising $3 sangria and chicken quesadillas drew me and my friends in to the alley, where they usually have live music playing outdoors.
Inside, there's also usually live music. Sofas and tables with chairs around the stage, but those fill up quickly. I generally head toward the back, where, if the back tables are full, there's always bar seating.
The food's better than you would expect and the sangria (though very weak) was tasty. A very chill atmosphere. It sort of feels like you're in a college rec center basement, or at a coffee shop up north where people bring poetry to read out loud.
Everything is barebones, though, and if you don't like the scene, you won't like the place. Some of my friends loved it, some hated it, and everyone was able to form opinions immediately upon entering. So take caution.
This is my favorite place to grab lunch downtown. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, interesting customers. The food has never disappointed, and the Reese's peanut butter cookies are amazing. My only complaint would be the heat, if you happen to go in there on a hot summer day. It's not bad near one of the fans, but it does get pretty warm.
This is the place to bring your visiting friends for coffee, tea or UBE SHAKES in downtown. The food and drinks are consistently phenomenal and the atmosphere is consistently unpredictable. The history of DTLA sweats from the ceilings and gritty mosaic tiles here. Look around and soak it up. Urban art adorns the walls and changes frequently. Spoken word, eclectic local bands, electronic DJs make this a hub for culture and "Lost Souls" on this non-Southpark, non-manicured part of DTLA.
This is a cute cafe with good food and excellent coffee (if they make it right). So why only three stars? The last time I was there, I was repeatedly hit on by some guy who didn't care that I have a boyfriend, the electrical outlet nearly zapped me, and I was hassled by some guy as I was leaving who claims "That's my favorite table, and I'm really territorial, but I haven't peed on it." Thanks, buddy.
The service is friendly. The guy ringing me up this weekend was clearly new, but learning fast and pretty nice. Whoever was working the bar must not have heard me ask for "iced" several times over. But the drink was still good hot. And whoever made my cappuccino a few weeks ago should be given the "Best Foam Ever" award.
Anyway, totally worth trying, just bring a friend so you're not hassled by territorial table owners or guys who can't take "No, thanks, I'm seeing someone" for an answer.
Take the red/purple line, get off at Pershing Square, and it's only about 2 blocks away.
I came back on a random lazy Tuesday, early evening, and my impression of this place improved a bit.
FIrst, the service was great. We ordered our drinks and desserts and got them delivered to our table pretty quickly. THe people were very friendly too - I left my friend's keys (replete with oversized stuffed animal keychain) on the counter and the lady brought it to us with a smile on her face.
The drinks were great too. I had the capuccino which was actually pretty plain, but my friend had their "Soul Drip" - their house blend - and it was excellent. We both liked it a lot.
We also got the red velvet cupcake. It was a little bit dry, but nonetheless tasty. I'd say it was an above average cupcake. It was also humongous - bigger than a Sprinkles cupcake.
Costs - my 16 oz capuccino was $3.50. A 12 oz. soul drip was about $2.00 or so, I THINK. I just know that with the cupcake thrown in, the total was $8.70 or so. Basically, it's not that bad, actually.
Ambiance - I love it. It's definitely not a typical coffee shop. Like I said in a previous post - the place has high ceilings and is very roomy. This time, it wasn't open mic night, but there was a live DJ who was actually spinning beats from song to song, despite an audience of maybe 4 people total in the cavernous coffee shop. You definitely couldn't study there. With the dim lights, it seemed even more like a lounge. Still, the 3 other people there were indeed gazing intently at their laptops, so hey, maybe that's the perfect studying environment for them.
Anyway, this is definitely a place to take someone if you're in the downtown area, looking for a place to chill.
I yelped this when I saw a facebook picture of a friend sitting here. I yelped it because the… Read more »
Service is good and friendly. Plus they have a great breakfast deal; Sunrise sandwich and coffee for $4.25 tax included. The sandwich is a little weird. It's on a sweet bun with egg, tomato, cheese and mayo. Tasty albeit tangy. I'd prefer a different bread option.
The atmosphere is it's shortcoming. It's really not a daytime kind of hangout unless you're a vampire. There is no natural light in the place yet it was still quite warm. It's best suited as a nighttime haunt.
Still, the place is quality while being hip which seems hard to do in this town.
This place is right up the alley from me. I recently discovered their $6 lunch specials (offered all day) that include sandwich, salad, iced tea so I'll definitely be here often.
Every time I've been here there's a live DJ, band, or spoken word show going on. Only gripes are that the inside atmosphere feels kind of loud and echoey and seems to never have enough tables and chairs inside or outside.
Good food. Good service. There's not much of a store front. The entrance is in an alley. The vibe seemed off. Something didn't seem quite right.
Love Lost Souls Cafe. It doesn't get any better downtown for cold coffee drinks and a hipster alleyway cafe.
I loved the mango smoothie there beyond belief. Sat outside with a friend, tried the crepes as well, and had such a great time. A little hidden, but the place is well worth a little investigation.
I am a big fan of lost souls, I just went to their website though and it is down - are they still in business?
Worried semi regular...
I think this place is not that bad... But I don't think its great either.
Its a humble little space that's cozy.
And sometimes that's all you want.
But sometimes a place can be too dark.
Lost Souls was just a bit too shady for me.
If you are going to be dark go all the way.
I don't like that confused twilight effect. My eyes can't tell if they want to take in more light or take in less light. Its irritating.
Note that the food and the drinks are good, especially the lunch time deals.
If you are in the area give this spot a shot.
I don't dislike Lost Souls - I just don't like the lighting. at all.
If you want a good toddy coffee, go there!
The iced toddy and the toddy way are so good. If you like iced, sweet coffee drinks, it's a must.
As for the food...if you want something off the sweets, you can't go wrong with the cookie monster. If you want a sandwich, get the Sun Down Chicken.
The ambiance is super causal and chill there. They play good music. I also like hanging out there playing one of the board games that they have on the shelf in the back. They also have art from local artists hanging on the walls which also adds a cool element to the atmosphere.
The location is somewhat hidden and you might miss it walking by on the sidewalk but it's in the alley. Don't miss it!
For a nice lunch hideout that is out of the heat and bustle of downtown, try this place out. They also have free wi-fi and good lunch specials, this is a great find and I will be going back for sure. Good chicken pesto sandwich with salad and tea for about $8, they also have the downgraded sandwich combos for $6
They also have happy hour from 5-7 with $3 bottled beer and sangria. Sound like a deal to me!
I completely, whole-heartedly love this minimal artsy quiet cafe that serves (which you don't normally find in sucha cool place like this one!) good food. The decoration is very funky, dirty white bricks in one corner, and chairs hanging on the ceiling in another corner, free cds from different independent bands opposite the front counter, and the best part is when u're there.... no one will be looking weird at anyone, everyone's just minding their own businesszz!
I tried the Ube shake, its basically a Taro shake. To me, its a lil too creamy, well its a shake after all! I prefer lollicup's taro slush or yogurtland's taro froyo. their crepes was really nice though, we got the basic sweet crepe with an ice cream and yes it wasn't super delish but it was good. If u're comin here, you should be studying or reading or working why do you have to care so much about the food anyways! hah!
It's a quiet, perfect place to study. Also, located in the non-shaddy part of downtown! If only parking is free... street parking IS a hassle.
Can't find it? Look for the lost hipsters walking back and forth around an alley on 4th street. People walk right by this place because nobody believes something this good can be in such a shady looking alley. Everything I have had here was impeccable. I have had sandwiches, bread pudding, and espresso. The staff is down to earth and the environment is as chill as humanly possible. There is usually a well managed playlist, dj going. Sit on a couch and take in the setting, the art, and the people.
The most charming part of this cafe is its location--in an alley. Come here when the sun sets and fairy lights illuminate your walk to its otherwise understated entrance. At the backdrop is the grandeur of the Old Bank District, and a reminder of the city's misguided development.
Lost Souls is more of a place for mood than food. Its wall art, photos, dim lighting, and industrial interior evoke your inner emo, after which you might want to order a coffee, wrap, and cookie for dessert. The service is slow, but you won't care. "Just chill."
Nice place to go read a book or chat with your friends. The place is a bit difficult to find so look for the sign Lost Souls Cafe and then go toward the alley. The inside is very artsy and unique. I like the blue light on the girls' bathroom hehe. We came for the $3 sangrias which were REALLY good. I also ordered myself a chicken quesadilla and OMG it was really really good. People there and staff are friendly. They have bands playing sometimes or people reciting poetry. Smoking is allowed outside. Parking may be a little bit hard to find. Oh.. and.. you can play Scrabble or Monopoly... cool place. I will go again.
Due to the high rating, I could not help but hope for something brilliant. However, this place just reminds me of San Francisco. There are tons of venues like this up there, though they are not necessarily converted into cafes. What the space feels like is an underground venue where you provide a can of soup instead of money to be granted entry into a helluva party. Voila, friends, you have stepped into a rave! Guys are wearing knitted beanies and thermals and girls are donning their Sunday best from Goodwill, glow-in-the-dark sticks flail everywhere, and people are tripping out, pointing to the chairs and small table cemented to the ceiling with their mouths agape, "Whoa" (say it to yourself like Keanu Reeves).
Clearly decorated by a pothead, Christmas lights hang across the counter like a clothesline. Like an artist's loft, it is absolutely bare bones except for art by the featured artist of the month. Everything from small to large canvases of acrylics, watercolors, and oils that you can buy. Lost Souls promotes the artwork without charge, but receives a small percentage of the gallery sales. I think it's wonderful that they do this, as everybody, especially struggling creative talent without contacts, deserves a break.
From a makeshift stage, they also hold poetry readings, provide live music, feature DJs, and participate in Downtown Artwalk.
The menu is typical small cafe stuff, but there is a personal touch to everything so that it feels like your friend fixed you a cup of tea, coffee, or a sandwich just for you. In fact, from the street entrance with the lack of signage and just an iron black gate leading to an alleyway, it kind of feels like you're popping on over to your friend's place for a small house party and you're just super early.
The people who work here are very cool and they whip up some nice goodies. The latte, plum oolong, English breakfast tea, hummus and chicken sandwiches are my staples. All of the teas and food are quite tasty.
The seating is beyond simple; it's spartan. Small tables and chairs are arranged with some distance between them, so that you can read, write, surf the net (there is free wi-fi), or work in relative quiet and ease. Some music plays in the background, but the effect is very chill. Lost Souls is just about the most low-key, laid-back place I have set foot in in Los Angeles. Is it out of this world? No, I just feel like I stepped into "the wardrobe," as in"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and I am suddenly in S.F.'s Mission.
I used to work right around here and it was the one thing I looked forward to during the day. The people who worked there were friendly and the prices were great!
I was probably there twice a day (morning coffee) + wrap for lunch. Mmmm. The place also had a great neighborhood coffee shop kind of feel you don't get in the franchised filled plazas of OC. Even though I don't work in the area anymore, the one thing I definitely do miss is Lost Souls!
With the stimulus deal coming up, I was assigned to work in another location, closer to LA. I didn't feel like eating taco truck, Jack's or Mickey's so I decided to drive downtown. I'd planned to go to L.Tokyo, but
I saw a parking space before I could get there (and you know DT parking blows hard), so I just parked and figured I'd have whatever was nearby.
The tall cast iron (looking) gate doors weren't inviting, but there were people with dogs walking in there. If people can walk dogs in mysterious alleys guarded by cast iron gates, I can eat there too, right? Right.
So I made a right at the small cafe sign and found Lost Souls.
Yeah, it's kinda dirty where you can't reach. Don't look up unless you like the ropes of dust bunnies dangling from air ducts.
There were plenty of tables and chairs spread about in the spacious cafe; a small stage in the front with instruments and speakers already connected, beatniks sitting on the couch. And yes, they wear knit hats. This place is so chill.
The (very down-to-earth) cashier suggested the the turkey pesto sandwich, which I had my eye on, along with a regular Pom juice. It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't outrageous either. The sandwich is comparable to that of Panera's. They don't bake the bread there (I don't think), but there's quality. Love the Pom juice. The red velvet cake was hollering at me from behind the glass, but I managed to resist. I'll get you next time, Red.
This place is so kick back, you'd hardly expect it to be hidden away in an alley in DTLA. Walking down the alley and into the cafe, it felt really familiar, but not because I'd been there before. But maybe that's just me reminiscing about somewhere else quaint and far away.
Okay, I went off on a dreamy tangent there.
Anyway, this place is def worth checking out.
It tastes good.
Its dirty.
People there are nice and most have knit hats.
This place is the ultimate escape... literally hidden in an alley. I love to go here and read or draw.. I don't usually enjoy drawing or reading in public but the atmosphere here is perfect (except for the occasional John Mayer song)... high ceilings, great music... friendly staff... art on the walls... great energy... and the coffee and food!! Try the Hummus Sol Sandwich with chicken or the Sunrise sandwich!! A-MAZING! The lemon bars are exquisite, the yogurt parfait is delicious with large chunks of fruit...
I want to keep this place a secret but also want to tell everyone about it!!!
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