Elf Café

Keith Vales

Wow! What a pleasant surprise…. I heard good things but I was blown away. We did baba ganoush, lamb meatballs, shishito peppers, mitake mushrooms, baquerones, halibut, lamb kebab, and spaghetti and shared family style. Put a fork in me it was sooooo good. Best of all is Katie behind the bar. She knows how to make you feel welcome! 10/10

Branden DeOliveira

Stopped in here for DineLA bc I live up the block. Never heard of this place but the menu was intriguing. It was 3 courses for $35. Every course was solid. The watermelon salad and the peach cobbler with house made vanilla are must tries! I sat at the bar and the other thing I really appreciated was how attentive the bar tender and the staff were: super friendly, multiple check ins, and quick service. All that, coupled with great chunes and a chill ambiance made for a really enjoyable experience. I'll be returning for sure.

mae noland

Come during the day for cafe service. Turkish breakfast is divine. Americano also very nice here. Really delicious croissants sweet and savory. Open 8-3.

Whitney L

Saw this place on the Clock app and decided to go for dinner. I ordered the hummus, the lamb kebab and a date cake. The food was absolutely amazing. Pretty large portions cooked incredibly fresh. My only complaint was that the date cake had too much caramel, but the whip cream on top really made up for it.

Rémi Ferrante

ELF returns, after a pandemic that cost a lot to a many restaurants and ELF was no exception.. A noticeable absence for what was for a long time what some had proclaimed to be the best vegetarian restaurant in town. Today ELF has grown, changed, evolved towards beautiful things, less vegetarian, or not just only. Delicious cheeses, anchovy candies, cuisine that speaks French, Italian, but above all that speaks to the heart, to comfort and with flawless sourcing. I was able to get a taste of few dishes that day: a perfect cheese plate, a polenta with accents from Marrakech with lamb merguez ragoût, and a brandade of smoked trout, an absolute « Proust madeleine » for me, a south of France native near Nîmes, country of the brandade (and the denim aka jeans) excellence down to the wine list whose staff knows every corner of it. An absolute pleasure to share Elf with others, or to keep secret for yourself!..

Taishi F

The pastry was very good. I wish they weren't introducing rose wines as orange though. Probably my favorite restaurant in LA.

Love the vibe of this space. Plants, wood, big windows. Very European💗

Everything about Elf is perfect. Multicultural dishes that are so flavorful, yet well balanced. Shared 5 dishes with friends, and loved all of them. Delicious drinks too. Staff is wonderful. Atmosphere is charming and unique. What a treasure, thank you!

A really lovely local bar with great tacos!

Everyone rightfully talks about the dinner but the daytime menu is unquestionably the best in the neighborhood. Both ingredients and execution are perfect, the dining area is calm and pleasant, and the staff are as good as it gets. My only complaint is I wish it was open earlier and on Monday/Tuesday.

Elf Cafe is next level! Cozy vibes, immaculate service, and incredible food! Every dish will make you slow down and savor each bite— because you won’t want your experience there to end! It’s my favorite spot in silverlake, a true gem that has stood the test of time. Open all day! Breakfast, lunch and dinner! Make sure to try dessert too…The date cake is decadent!

What a hidden gem! This spot is so cute, perfect for a date night. They have an incredible mix including lots of vegan options. Their mushrooms are so good, it’s honestly unbelievable. Also, every single staff member was just so nice and lovely. We can’t wait to eat here again!

We walked in without a reservation and while they were packed at 6:30 on a Saturday, we were able to get a table without waiting. Felt like good luck. We knew the food would be phenomenal having visited once before and Elf did not disappoint. Lamb meatballs and mushroom smash burger were fantastic. Leftover risotto made for a great breakfast next day. Our server was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, especially as we explored their amaro menu as total novices. Would be fun if they offered an amaro tasting flight for newbies like us. Elf is such a gem and I can’t wait to go back!

I just can’t recommend enough. Do yourself a favor and get exactly what you deserve! The staff at Elf are going to treat you right and you’ll also end up having one of the best meals all at the same time. A classy, perfectly executed, Elf breakfast is usually what I’m in the market for.

Anthony Oberto

Everything about Elf is perfect. Multicultural dishes that are so flavorful, yet well balanced. Shared 5 dishes with friends, and loved all of them. Delicious drinks too. Staff is wonderful. Atmosphere is charming and unique. What a treasure, thank you!

A B

Everyone rightfully talks about the dinner but the daytime menu is unquestionably the best in the neighborhood. Both ingredients and execution are perfect, the dining area is calm and pleasant, and the staff are as good as it gets. My only complaint is I wish it was open earlier and on Monday/Tuesday.

Nicholas Sappington

I just can’t recommend enough. Do yourself a favor and get exactly what you deserve! The staff at Elf are going to treat you right and you’ll also end up having one of the best meals all at the same time. A classy, perfectly executed, Elf breakfast is usually what I’m in the market for.

Jesse Meeker

Elf Cafe is next level! Cozy vibes, immaculate service, and incredible food! Every dish will make you slow down and savor each bite— because you won’t want your experience there to end! It’s my favorite spot in silverlake, a true gem that has stood the test of time. Open all day! Breakfast, lunch and dinner! Make sure to try dessert too…The date cake is decadent!

Lizzie Vance

We walked in without a reservation and while they were packed at 6:30 on a Saturday, we were able to get a table without waiting. Felt like good luck. We knew the food would be phenomenal having visited once before and Elf did not disappoint. Lamb meatballs and mushroom smash burger were fantastic. Leftover risotto made for a great breakfast next day. Our server was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, especially as we explored their amaro menu as total novices. Would be fun if they offered an amaro tasting flight for newbies like us. Elf is such a gem and I can’t wait to go back!

Chloe Mays

What a hidden gem! This spot is so cute, perfect for a date night. They have an incredible mix including lots of vegan options. Their mushrooms are so good, it’s honestly unbelievable. Also, every single staff member was just so nice and lovely. We can’t wait to eat here again!

Really great food. Busy so get a reservation. Too loud to really talk much. Efficient and attentive staff.

G. Christensen

Really great food. Busy so get a reservation. Too loud to really talk much. Efficient and attentive staff.

Service was friendly, genial though not the most knowledgeable, but this is not a restaurant aspiring for a Guide Michelin Étoile. Food here is of good quality, and the style of cooking is closer to an eclectic, rustic style based mostly on pan Mediterranean cuisine filtered through a New American lens. 4- stars PS I heard from the waitress that Elf will close at the end of May 2025. If you have any curiosity, go now!!!

Gary I.

Service was friendly, genial though not the most knowledgeable, but this is not a restaurant aspiring for a Guide Michelin Étoile. Food here is of good quality, and the style of cooking is closer to an eclectic, rustic style based mostly on pan Mediterranean cuisine filtered through a New American lens. 4- stars PS I heard from the waitress that Elf will close at the end of May 2025. If you have any curiosity, go now!!!

Adam Croce´

Love this place. Wish they would bring back the crispy harissa oyster mushrooms. Those bad boys were off the hook. Little pricy, but the food is phenomenal and they do have a little happy hour, which is awesome but I wish they had more happy hour snacks. Def make a rezzy.

Emma Matsuda

I would recommend coming at night, when the vibe is a bit more cozy. I went during the day (for happy hour) and the mood was slightly sterile. The deal was pretty decent for happy hour, however the service was a bit plasticine and the waitress didn’t know which drink to recommend with X or Y dish, which overall took away from the dining experience. Other than that the food was solid.

Unfortunately we didn’t have a great meal here. The Amari spritz from their Amari menu lacked the flavors the menu listed. The baked feta was fine but small, and needed more of the honey or dates. The lentils were perfectly cooked and salted but no flavors were added, so the dish was fine but pretty boring. The vegetable tagine had a great flavor but all the veg was way undercooked. The worst dish was easily the risotto, which we couldn’t finish. It had an unappetizing taste, was very grainy, and basically solidified within 5 min of hitting the table. We are speculating but believe this was a vegan dish and the fake dairy may have contributed. Service also was overwhelmed. Took 90 min from finishing entrees to getting check.

Daniel John

Unfortunately we didn’t have a great meal here. The Amari spritz from their Amari menu lacked the flavors the menu listed. The baked feta was fine but small, and needed more of the honey or dates. The lentils were perfectly cooked and salted but no flavors were added, so the dish was fine but pretty boring. The vegetable tagine had a great flavor but all the veg was way undercooked. The worst dish was easily the risotto, which we couldn’t finish. It had an unappetizing taste, was very grainy, and basically solidified within 5 min of hitting the table. We are speculating but believe this was a vegan dish and the fake dairy may have contributed. Service also was overwhelmed. Took 90 min from finishing entrees to getting check.

Terrible experience: We came w a reservation of 4, but when we arrived were told it’s a 15 min wait. We patiently waited…and waited…and waited. For 45 minutes. They gave us bar seats but rarely came back to update us on the table. And another party of 5 somehow got a table before us. And finally when we did order, guess what, the veggie entree and sides were sold out. Total waste of time. Ended up leaving and getting pizza next door (btw very good pizza). Elf may have a Michelin plate but zero points for abysmal service. I expected a lot better!!

Harsh Bhundiya

Terrible experience: We came w a reservation of 4, but when we arrived were told it’s a 15 min wait. We patiently waited…and waited…and waited. For 45 minutes. They gave us bar seats but rarely came back to update us on the table. And another party of 5 somehow got a table before us. And finally when we did order, guess what, the veggie entree and sides were sold out. Total waste of time. Ended up leaving and getting pizza next door (btw very good pizza). Elf may have a Michelin plate but zero points for abysmal service. I expected a lot better!!