The Beachwood Cafe - by Ben Mullen
A few years ago, amidst a breakup, I found myself couch-surfing all over Los Angeles as I looked for my next abode. At one point, I was lucky enough to stay with good pal Ed Herrera in Beachwood Canyon— he had a spare room that he let me live in rent free while I got my bearings.
The room I stayed in was gorgeous. Wrought Iron windows, teak furniture, and gorgeous light at every time of day. It was my first real introduction to the neighborhood, and I finally began to understand why so many celebrities decid to live up in the hills, secluded from the busy ongoings of LA. It was just a week or so in that I realized the downside of living so far away from ‘civilization’— there’s nowhere to eat! Unsurprisingly, I quickly stumbled upon The Beachwood Cafe.
Location, location, location. That’s what this cute little restaurant has going for it, being just about the only place to find a sit down breakfast if you live in the neighborhood. The spunky and colorful brunch spot was a best kept secret to the Angelenos that lived in the Beachwood Canyon, until the über-famous Harry Styles name dropped it in one of his recent songs.
I became a regular— frequenting the cafe nearly every other day. The barista knew my order and greeted me by name. I’d never really been a regular anywhere before, and this little feeling of community gave me a pep in my step as I navigated the post-breakup blues. The coffee is absolutely fantastic here— strong, not acidic, not bitter. If you’re into the more experimental coffee drinks, The Beachwood Cafe doesn’t disappoint. They have offerings like the Rose Water Latte, or the Iced Mint Matcha.
The food is pretty spot on, too. It’s American (new). It’s mostly standard diner fare, but made with extremely healthy ingredients, as might be important to the celebrity regulars I’d often see here in the early mornings. People like Christopher Nolan, Mila Kunis, or Jack Black— all waiting in line for their morning coffee like the rest of us.
Fair warning: ever since the Harry Styles song, this place has been packed. Tourists line up outside to eat here, desperately hoping to see the man himself. When I went here to take these pictures, a woman was convinced that I was Harry Styles when she heard me talking about shooting a music video. She insisted that I show her my chest to prove that I wasn’t the man in question (as his is covered in tattoos). I obliged, and despite the fact that I had none, she still asked to take a selfie with me. I’m not sure if this attention bodes well for the future of the restaurant, but I am certain that as the song’s popularity dies down, the neighborhood regulars will re-emerge to their only real breakfast option.
If you’re interested to hear more about who runs the shop, and the history of The Beachwood Cafe, I recommend this Eater article.
Beachwood Cafe 2695 N Beachwood Dr Los Angeles, CA 90068 Mon 4:00PM - 9:00PM Tues - Sun 9:00AM - 9:00PM$$
Parking: Lot
My order: Iced Americano, Detox Greens Juice, Breakfast Burrito
Pro tip: Go early, or go late. If you go at primo brunch time, you’ll never get a seat. Early is easy, and they have a dinner menu for the afternoon.
Pairs well with: The Daily Planet Book Store (1.2 miles), Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead (1.7 miles)
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