Highly Likely Highland Park — Restaurant in Los Angeles

As one reviewer put it, "This place is a whole vibe". I don't disagree. But, several things were not so great. Start with the great: Great look, especially outside. Very good service, with one exception; getting to that shortly. Limited menu; do a few things well is fine. And, the food was really good. Good portions, meat perfectly cooked to order, good flavors. Emphasis on drinks for sure. Now to the challenges: The outside area, as noted, has a very nice, casual look and feel. However, seating is not comfortable. Several large blocks of wood serve as benches, with no backs. I noticed several guests squirming and shifting, a lot, as they sat. Even the banquet benches are deep so that you don't benefit from the backs; you would have to lean quite far to rest on them. The chairs are likewise not super comfortable. Lighting was in short supply as the sun set. Tables had a mix of LED table lamps, or LED candles. Some up lighting/landscape lighting, but at a point in the evening, phone flashlights came out to read the menu and food was not as easy to see as it should be. Lastly, cocktails: Our first drinks were perfect, chilled, great, stylized garnish and perfect pour. The second was very different: I witnessed the bartender mixing our drinks and it was clear that there was not enough for two drinks, The bartender poured straight alcohol into a pitcher, stirred it with ice and attempted to top off the drinks. They still arrived under poured and the garnish was a sad thing to see when compared to the 1st drinks. Little things add up and if you are spending not a small amount on your dining out experience, you hope to find everything meets or exceeds...

In the heart of Highland Park, nestled among the eclectic mix of shops and street art, is Highly Likely, a cafe that feels like a well-kept secret. As you step inside, you're greeted by a warm, inviting ambiance that immediately tells you this is more than just a place to grab a quick bite. It's a space that encourages lingering, with light streaming through large windows and plants dotting every corner, lending a lush, almost verdant air. Out back, they offer a chic, California-style outdoor eating space that feels like an oasis. An old olive tree stands at the center, its gnarled branches providing dappled shade over rustic tables and comfortable chairs. It’s the perfect spot to savor your meal, wine glass in hand, as you bask in the laid-back, sun-soaked atmosphere.

The menu is simple yet thoughtful, with each dish crafted to highlight fresh, local ingredients. One of the stars here is the humble egg, its yolk a rich, deep orange that speaks to quality and care. Whether served over toast or as part of a more elaborate plate, it’s a reminder of how good the basics can be when done right.

But what truly sets Highly Likely apart is its wine selection. It's not the largest, but it’s curated with the discerning drinker in mind. From crisp whites to robust reds, there’s a bottle to complement every meal and mood. It’s this attention to detail that makes Highly Likely not just a cafe, but a culinary experience that beckons you back,...

What’s highly likely here? If you order many dishes, either over several visits or in a larger group, some will be outstanding, most will be interesting, a few mediocre, and maybe a couple of “misses”.

You will LOVE the back patio, and even like the indoor tables and bar.

And you will notice that service is, at best, uneven, from super friendly and proficient to downright bizarre and incompetent. Are they even trying? Maybe. Certainly some are, and others aren’t. A subset of staff is highly likely to be high on something or another, evident by forgotten orders or modifications, blank stares, awkward pauses, and deadpan responses that don’t even pretend to care about standards of hospitality. Still, there is something comical about it, something almost (but not quite) endearing about service that doesn’t try too hard to pretend that you, the customer, are so important as to deserve flawless service.

Comments on challenging street parking are true, depending on time and day. Comments on the gritty neighborhood are mostly misguided— this end of Fig is lively and urbane, gentrifying but not fully gentrified (in a good way, that is.) If that makes you nervous, you should probably head up to Old Town Pasadena, Americana,...