Lost Souls Cafe
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhood: DowntownHarlem Place Alley
124 W 4th St
Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 617-7006
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Alcohol: None
36 reviews
Neighborhood: Hollywood
"After not having time to eat breakfast at the hotel, I was very happy to stumble upon this unique coffee shop. We were promoting our new…" read more »
81 Reviews for Lost Souls Cafe
My friends from college own and run this place so I'm a little bit biased, but all the positive things everyone else says about this joint is absolutely true! The vibe is chill with it's casual lounge setting, and the dessert snacks and drinks are great! You can come in and hang out, study, check out some art, listen to music, and just mingle with some cool people you probably will never get to meet if your social bubble is limited to Starbucks.
If i lived closer to downtown LA, i would hang out here constantly...bravo Lost Souls!
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The best Iced Chai Latte I've had thus far. The venue itself can't be beat, like you're hanging out in someone's garage. If I worked in LA like the people who took us there, I would definitely make this place a daily stop, if not my second office.
-1 star because I was sweating my nuts off. The ventilation wasn't too great... I ended up inhaling my drink because it was so ridiculously warm in there.
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This caffeinated speakeasy strikes me as a great place to have a rave.
That's all I have to say about that.
_C$
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This is the kind of place Yelp was made for, because without the intertubes, I would probably not be wandering down the forbidding Harlem Place Alley. Lost souls indeed. It's like going into a coffee speakeasy, or maybe an opium den. The inside sports walls crowded with art of an urban vibe, a spacious floor with a stage, some tables, a counter with bar stools, and a couple of couches. I had the sublime Soul Latte with condensed milk, so smooth and tasty, and a mighty fine sandwich. You can leave your mark in the house sketchbook that's on the counter, and wander out feeling like you found a secret piece of true LA.
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I F**cking Love This Place!! It's so cute and unique, love the fact that you have to go through alley to get to it!! Total gem of downtown. The "Nutty gorilla" is really good and I don't even like bananas as are the Reese's Peanut Butter cookies, ask for them warmed up..Yum Yum! Oh yea my lil bro loves the "Cookie Monster", says its the "best thing ever". Oh yea, the baristas are super sweet and nice!!
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Studying for the LSAT is chipping away at my soul. I have become a robot who knows and feels nothing but logical reasoning and reading comprehension (yet, not totally robotic because I can't seem to stay awake). Luckily, I found a place where my #2 pencil and lack of soul are welcome. Hip hop and darkness sound like they might hamper your ability to concentrate, however, I noticed everyone around me was alone and deeply engaged in Internetz or reading. The barista was so friendly and quite keen (he noticed the ice in my iced coffee melted... fucking heat wave). The coffee was a good strong brew. It's worth the 20 minute bike ride from my 'hood, even in the ridiculous heat.
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A gem in downtown L.A.
Aside from the good coffee and food, great service and familiar no-nonsense ambiance, the back alley entrance reminds me of what L.A. could and should be.
Try the taro (purple yam) shake.
I love this place! I pretty much visit once a week, if not 2 or 3 times. The coffee is DELICIOUS, the vibe is great. Make sure you check out the Talking Drum events...I've never experienced a spoken word event where every single performer was awesome. The service is great. I seriously just love this place.
The only bad thing was this one time my two girlfriends and I came on a Friday night with nothing else to do, and there was this performer who sat on the floor with his guitar and a bunch of electronic synthesizers and stuff. He made a horrible racket...it didn't even sound like music. For a college girl that listens to loud music on the norm, this dude gave me a headache and we left before closing time (which doesn't usually happen!)
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Great, now within 2 months all the idiots in purple ties and periwinkle shirts that are too young to go to the Pacific Dining Car or the Bonaventure restaurants for lunch are gonna be swarming this place in packs.
Real nice folks here! Pleasantly surprised. You can usually expect a bit of attitude at smaller cafes, which I've gotten used to and don't really mind altogether.... but this place is definitely worth going back to, even just for the customer service.
The chocolate soul with soy tasted much like chocolate silk, but I didn't mind and lapped it up like a dog.
I was fearful when Scott P. led me down a dark alley in downtown LA claiming there was a "hidden cafe". I stopped shaking in my boots when I opened the door to Lost Souls and discovered an artsy fun vibe in this cafe filled with board games and Oreo milk shakes! That's right, I said OREO people...not the cheap generic brand cookies & cream.
Staff was really cool and gave me a sample cup of the "Nutty Gorilla" shake. Oh my! That was pure peanut buttery goodness! This place is very cool and I would definitely go back.
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Been going since they opened three years ago, and this is my favorite coffee spot in LA. LOVE their coffee, blended drinks, panini's, baked goods, and staff. I also love the art work and staff. I only wish they were open later and did a little more with that outside alley area.
You guys, I work with a bunch of hipsters. Like, Silverlake pre-2005, indie rock hipsters for real. It's neat for the most part, but not really when you're the only brown person in the building who grew up in an ethnic, slightly ghetto Los Angeles suburb. I need color!
So when I walked into Lost Souls for the first time, it was like a breath of fresh yet familiar air. Diversity! Hip hop music! Or whatever you call that stuff now. Like I said, I've been around hipsters for too long.
It's a very unique space with a different but much welcomed energy and vibe. You can walk in pretty much any time and something's going on inside.
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You guys- NUTTY GORILLA- must be tried by all. It's a delicious concoction of chocolate, soy milk, peanut butter and magic. It's amazingly good. Though it isn't a good place to come to in a rush, the service is so friendly and the vibe is relaxing. I really love the down home feel of the place.
The PB&J on their sun bread is soo tasty. If you don't eat meat they have some veggie sandwich options or a plain salad.
I come here at least once a week.
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This spot is so cute & so lax. Free wi-fi, a set up for bands or spoken word and some dope underground hip hop playing.The people there are super nice and the food is good.
They have a variety of sandwiches to choose from & some salads, etc. Of course their coffee is good too. Its just a nice spot to go with a few friends to catch up or do some homework.
I like to come here after work in the evenings on Mondays to do crossword puzzles and drink chai. The floor tiling is beautiful. May they never tear that out.
I always feel like such a loser with no social life whenever I run into groups of my friends across the street smoking outside of Bar 107.
Me: "Oh, Hey!"
Friend: "What are you doing"
Me: "Crossword puzzles at Lost Soul, but they just closed."
Friend: "By Yourself?"
Me: "Uhhh, yeah."
Friend: "I know a guy I could set you up with."
Me: "Don't worry about it."
Friend: "You're not going to meet anyone hanging out by yourself all the time."
Me:".........
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Message to Lost Souls: of course I have loved you and the crew forever. But PLEASE i beg of you- bring back the PANINIS. How I miss the tuna with artichoke panini that was so cheap i could afford an additional egg mushroom and parmesean panini. We need the paninis! The current sandwiches are just not as good and slightly boring
Walking in the door from that back alley doorway makes this place feel like such a special discovery, and that back alley doorway keeps the riff raff out, and by riff raff I mean the Starbucks-drinking, Panda Express-eatin' crowd. Actually, the Lost Souls Cafe is a welcoming, low-key, friendly, creative, independent, artsy, all around awesome place. Good lighting, slouchy old couches (in the back), chill music, local art - free yourself from franchise coffee shops. The kind of place you can finish your great American novel. Go there.
cute little artsy cafe.
it's around a little alley, so you feel like you're entering in a new world. cool artsy place with artwork and good desserts and green chai lattes. You feel like you just stepped into a brooklyn cafe in newyork.
i heart this place. ...oh yeah, and good chocolate cake. they heat it up for you too. ;)
I went to see a great Brazilian artist play here, Grecco Buratto. I had Chai Latte - not much to say about it. Didn't like the unwelcome look on the face of the guy who helped us. They obviously choose who they will smile and be friendly with, unless they were just having a bad day - who knows! But the place was great otherwise. Very laid back atmosphere. Thanks to these reviews I had no problem finding it. Found free parking (at 8pm-Wednesday). I would never come here again unless they had Brazilian night again.
Awesome spot, kinda hidden, but it makes it awesome. The place is spacey, free wi-fi (hell yeah), good selection of munchies, art on the wall that is pleasant to look at, the music is great. they used to have live music in that place and i hope they do it again. the owners, management and staff were all smiles and hella cool.
check it out.
my soul was lost, but now it's found!
well, it's still lost but it was spotted briefly last night at lost souls cafe, enjoying their hummus plate (delicious, slightly sweet bread that they cut up into sticks & toasted perfectly) & sipping on an outstanding green tea latte.
my band was actually there for a gig & the staff couldn't have been more helpful, friendly, gracious & just totally rockin' when it came to accommodating us. one of the girls even offered to write down the name/info for the bakery from which they buy the above-mentioned bread, but i forgot to grab it at the end of the night.
yes, the alley bookended by tall, black iron gates is way cool. the lighting in the ladies' room (didn't get to peek into the men's!) is even cooler.
food is very decently-priced & they had a long list of shakes that i didn't get to try. boo to that.
just wish parking were a little easier & the sound system could use a tiny bit of adjusting. overall, it's my new favorite place to gig.
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I'm using their wifi and sipping on "the red pill" as i write this review. I got here about 4 hours ago and had the turkey pesto on sourdough while my friend had the hummus sandwich (no meat for ash wednesday). i was kind of disappointed that they only had one salad on their menu, and it was tuna. yikes, my imagination runs wild as i think of mercury toxicity, autism, old-age and parkinsons dx.
anyway, i wish they'd expand it to include some staples like a cobb or chicken cesaer. however the sandwiches were your typical coffeeshop fare and killed the beast in my belly. they're not the pre-packaged starbucks kind so no worries...
i've seen an electic bunch roll through here. a couple bearded red neck types mixed with ppl on skateboards. everyone looks like an art student or working professional as they grab a seat and bust out their macs.
i think that the first barista i encountered forgot about our order because i went to ask about our drinks and sandwiches 30 minutes later. he looked puzzled and surprised but they scrambled and delivered them to our table in a few minutes. everyone has their days...
the 2nd barista asked if i was studying and needed to load up on caffeine. he recommended that i try to green tea macha next time. he swears that it wakes you up and keeps you there, instead of making you crash like espresso/coffee. he recommended a scoop mixed in soy milk with a teaspoon of honey... must try next time.
on rotation today was a couple reggae albums. there's some hip hop spinning right now. oh...there it is, i hear atmosphere's gold loves ugly now. i'm jittery as hell from the caffeine but thank the gods i didn't opt for a beer or else i'd feel like dancing (or crying to slug's emo-rap).
p.s. the alley is across the street from bar 107.
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I feel so "Sex in The City" when I go to Lost Souls. It feels so New Yorkish because the entrance is in a back alley. I have been here a couple of times and totally dig this place. The vibe is laid back but artsy at the same time. Their coffee is pretty good. They have the best shakes around. I had their Funky Monkey something or another, I forget the actual name. It's a mix of banana, chocolate and peanut butter totally out of this world. The staff is super friendly. I only wish they had more comfortable seating like Starbucks ;-)
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Sun bread and great people who bring great music, art, and conversation. A place to make observations. And the after-school events are very charming indeed :)
P.S. Hire Emily NOW!
UPDATE: Emily has been hired! Yup, all thanks to my yelp review... and all her rockin' tatoos!
I am a lost soul. Or a San Francisco transplant. The difference is immaterial. Wandering in here was like coming home, and the Ube shake was better than Mom's apple pie (sorry Mom). I loved the art on the walls, and the people in the back playing chess on a handkerchief.
My Robert Burn ode to the best menu item:
A Purple, Purple Yam (Milkshake)
O my luve's like a purple, purple yam
That's freshly juiced at noon;
O my luve's better than hot coffee
Whos't caffeine I not immune.
As fair art thou, my drinkin' glass
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a'the glass goes dry.
Till a'the glass goes dry, my dear,
And ice creams melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
Whilest baristas dost make fun.
And fare thee weel, my only luve
And fare thee weel, awhile!
And I will come again, my luve
To sip betwixt a smile.
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Don't go here, I don't want to share this place with you. It's like that, really....
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Lost souls cafe perfectly matches the feeling of the place. It is quiet mysterious, and the alley makes it seem like you are walking through the gates of death.
I haven't had enough food to write an in depth review, but try the keesh, its like a slice of cheese spinach wrapped in dough. The staff are very helpful and genuine, no "I wish you would die, but I'm smiling because my boss will write me up if I don't" kinda smiles, these are the real deals. Drinks are what you would expect.
Seating is not a problem, but my only drawback for this place is also what I like, the decor. The art is great especially because it is always changing. I just feel that lost souls has a communal shower feeling. The walls and the floor are white tile and since white floor tile gets a little dirty, the dirt reminds me of mildew, but otherwise it's awesome! :)
The best thing about this place is the Live music. On any given night there might be performers, and the stage is large enough so the artists aren't sitting on your lap. A great place to draw some art or write some poetry.
Lost souls cafe I like you, can we be friends?
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This place is rad. It has a great vibe to it, good lighting, decor, music etc. I came here when it was a special event for an art and music show.....totally appropriate for a place like this. The served free wine and beer and had free Mediterranean food too!!! I cant wait till another even like this, this place is made for art and performing artists.
Oh and most importantly there is a huge pile of various board games to play with for free. This is a great idea if you are broke and need something fun to do on a Sunday.
Go to Lost Souls and drink coffee served by rad people and cheese it up with some board games. Sounds like heaven.
My boyfriend introduced me to this place and I loved it. I was a little skeptical at first since it was hidden in an alley, but it was such a rare find in downtown.
Delicious coffee and other drinks, friendly staff (they actually remembered my boyfriend who came in a couple weeks before), free wifi, plenty of tables and couches, live music (not to mention great music when there's not live music), clean bathroom, what more can you ask for in a coffee shop?
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I never noticed Lost Souls bc it is located down a little alley. It's an eclectic place (they also have free wifi) with a fairly extensive coffee menu. My drink was not so good, an Iced Toddy (basically iced coffee), but the Chocolate Banana shake was mmmm good. I didn't like the Cookie Monster shake very much (coffee blended with cookies and milk...sounds much better than it tasted). Desserts were average - - tried a muffin and some rich chocolate cake. Staff was not very friendly and prices were no bargain, so it gets 3 stars instead of 4.
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i'm not sure how I would manage driving here if I came on a non-sunday because there's no real free parking nearby, and I can't rationalize paying to park for a coffee shop. I suppose that explains the lofties patroning the cafe who probably walk over.
I don't know what I was expecting, and it was cute and a great space, but I was left a little dissapointed for some reason. I think it's because I know I couldn't just come whenever I want (because of parking) and it's not open late enough for me to study at regularly.
My drink was alright. The panini's are kind of pathetic, as far as panini's go (and on the expensive side for the quality of the sandwich).
For a sunday afternoon, the customers were half yuppie starbucks type (lofters), and half normal people. I guess I am somewhere in between - not a loftie, not white, not quite normal. =) My ipod ran out of battery power and left me to pick up conversations around me - I just couldn't handle it so I left.
I would totally go back another Sunday, ... make sure my ipod is fully charged.
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my new addiction since the day i started working down the street from here. i enjoy the soul drip which is coffee with a dab of condensed milk and half and half. the ube shake is great too...
pb&j is my food of choice. i am here about 4-5 days a week.
lost souls is crack - one drink and you are hooked.
We were roaming the streets and found this place... Walking through an alley to get here which by the way does not seem to pose a threat at all hence there are patrons chatting up outside, we stroll in. I needed food. But, nothing looked good. I was hoping to order a fresh sandwich or something cooked. Nope, not here.. The sandwiches were in a small like deli fridge. So, instead I bought a bag of jalapeno chips and a bottled water.
Had it of not been time for dinner then I may have eaten here. Perhaps for lunch..
The ambiance is like that of a loungey coffee house. It's cute.. Just not for dinner..
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I stumbled across this after stumbling across it in Los Angles magazine or something online. I ate at Joe's on and then walked back and just felt like I was in the right area and found it.
Upon entering the place is a little more ordinary than you would expect. I was more fascinated with tile on the floor and what the space used to be other than the actual cafe its self.
Lots of Mac users here so, it must attract an artistic crowd (surprise).
I like the place. They serve good tea, and had some interesting things to eat if you are a foodie like me.
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Hidden in an alleyway next to rocket pizza, I was lucky to have my (quite strange duck) roommate choose this place as our initial meeting point.
Exposed roof giving a ny/brooklyn warehouse coffeeshop vibe, kids on laptops, baristas who care about the coffee they're serving, frequent perfomances. in short: a REAL coffeeshop. Worth hunting for.
'Nuff said.
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I went to see a friend's band play here last night. The place is dirty and oddly laid out considering that they seem to frequently have performers in there. I can't say the fact that it's confusingly located in a gated alley helps it at all. I also didn't think the tea they served was very good, so I guess I'll give it 2 stars because it's quaint.
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reasons why you may like lost souls:
1. Coffee is great!
2. you'd never find it if u don't know where ur going
3. its not crowded
4. it makes you feel like you're NOT in LA
5. food/ dessert is great
6. wall art, music, live-band...
seriously~ why wouldn't you love this place?
First time there yesterday, the connection died on me twice in 1.5 hours, uploading something so it sucked.
I don't know if I was just experiencing some troubles with the connection that day or what, the internet seems kinda slow too, I couldn't work with the websites that are slow, could barely worked with the websites that run fast.
It is spacious and nice decor, I like that.
The AC was either not working or they don't don't have it on, I'm a very skinny girl with tank top and mini on that day and I was sweating there!
Had the ube shake for $4.35, it was ok, not frozen enough. Might give this place a second try since everyone seems to have good experience.
8/06/2007
This time the connection just DIED. The guy said he re-set the router but it didn't work for another 45mins or so....and it's just TOO hot there. They said the AC is on but is broke? what?
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