ilcaffè — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Il Caffé on Broadway has become one of my favorite spots in DTLA. Michael, the owner, is fantastic, always warm, welcoming, and genuinely engaged with his customers. You can tell he cares about the place and the community around it, and that vibe really sets the tone.

That said, the baristas could use a little spark. It sometimes feels like they’re doing you a favor by serving you, rather than creating that inviting coffeehouse energy. A smile or a little personality would go a long way.

But let’s be clear, the coffee and food here are excellent, the space is stylish and comfortable, and Michael’s presence more than makes up for the flat energy behind the counter. Five stars regardless, because this is still one of the best cafés in downtown...

Met an old friend here, and she chose the right spot! Place is GREAT! Drinks came out within minutes. Pretty good too! Nice selection of beverages (sodas, juices, etc...). Nice place ambiance too! Oh, if you look at the old pictures from some of the other folks, they may have outdoor seating depending on the day of the week, but when I was first here, that area had a BBQ Catering truck parked there, so outdoor seating may or may not look the same. However, when I came back 2 weeks later, the outdoor setting was restored, and the owners were personally out there washing and mopping the streets and watering the plants. That shows the amount of heart and care that goes into this place, and I think it shows in their drinks...

I was really looking forward to trying IICAFE and decided to order a double dirty chai. Unfortunately, it was a big letdown. The chai-to-coffee ratio was completely off—the coffee taste was so strong that it completely drowned out the chai flavors I was craving. Instead of a smooth, balanced drink, it was bitter and overwhelming, which made it hard to enjoy.

It’s frustrating because I had high hopes for this place, and the drink just didn’t deliver. I’m giving two stars solely because the customer service was excellent. The staff were friendly, helpful, and seemed to genuinely care about the customers.

Sadly, good service can’t make up for a drink that missed the mark so badly. I’m not sure I’d come back for...