From Chit Chat Coffee’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte to Kaz the Soba Place’s Authentic Flavors.
Sawtelle is a bustling neighborhood neatly tucked between the academic hub of UCLA in Westwood and the famed sandy beaches of Santa Monica. Here you can find restaurants and cafes ranging from the latest social media fads to decades old generational haunts. As a west LA resident, here are my top five hidden gems in Sawtelle, CA.
5. Chit Chat Coffee
Most locals in the area will probably insist on getting their caffeine fix from 10 speed or one of the Starbucks on Santa Monica Blvd, but Chit Chat has them beat both in atmosphere and selection. For drinks, you can’t go wrong with their specialty Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte, combining a traditional Latte with the sweet tooth inducing cinnamon sugar of a childhood favorite. For food, their pastries are to die for but their breakfast burritos are sneakily one of the tastiest options in the area and surprisingly affordable.
4. Melo Melo
On the corner of La Grange and Sawtelle blvd is a hotpot restaurant, but right next door is an adorable bakery featuring some tasty and (personally) underappreciated coconut treats. At Melo Melo, you can find a wide spread of tasty desserts ranging from Nutella matcha to coconut vanilla, there is something for everyone.
3. Nijiya Supermarket
Technically this is not a restaurant, but to me it is a great hidden gem for a quick bite on the move. While your friends are waiting for 45 minutes to get a table at Hide, you can sneak down to Nijiya and sample some of the best quality sushi in Sawtelle with virtually 0 lines. They have a complete cold prepared food section with all kinds of sushi, as well as a full aisle of difficult to procure japanese snacks. It’s a unique experience without the hassle of waiting- check it out!
2. Lady M Bakery
We covered sweets once in this list already, but Lady M has a special place in my heart. This is a NY based bakery and their west coast spot in Sawtelle doesn’t miss a beat- they have some really amazing cakes. They have more classic selections such as dark chocolate cake with mousse shavings, however my go to is their green tea mille cake.
1. Kaz the Soba Place
Tucked between two of the busiest spots on the boulevard is this unassuming soba shop. If you are sick of eating the same heavy and salty ramen/udon, definitely check this place out. Their soba noodles are made in house giving it an authentic Japanese flair, and their broths are incredibly satisfying. Not to mention their tempura is to die for- the jumbo shrimp are as big as my forearm!
MMM Team
Mixed Media Magazine 