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Crave Cafe Studio City
Master Critic Review
Crave Cafe Studio City
7.6
Family-owned 24-hour cafe serving upscale comfort food with extensive breakfast options available all day. Established in 2009, this Studio City Plaza fixture has become a late-night staple while maintaining quality execution on classics like Chinese chicken salad and chocolate chip pancakes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Chinese Chicken Salad, Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: All-day breakfast with late-night hours and organic Groundwork coffee
Who should go: Night owls and families wanting brunch anytime with vegan options
When to visit: Late morning to avoid peak weekend crowds
What to order: Breakfast Burrito with hash browns, French Toast, sweet potato fries
Insider tip: Plenty of parking in plaza; order at kiosk to skip register line
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free plaza parking with 100+ spaces - never an issue even during peak hours
Dress code: Ultra casual - gym clothes, pajamas at 2am, whatever you've got
Noise level: Moderate cafe buzz - fine for conversation but not romantic quiet
Weekend wait: 10-15 min typical, longer during Sunday brunch rush (10am-1pm)
Weekday lunch: Seat yourself immediately - fast counter service
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie burgers, salads, breakfast items
Vegan options: Yes - dedicated vegan section with 8+ items including Just Egg scrambles
Gluten-free options: Limited - can modify some dishes but no dedicated GF bread or pancakes
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for daytime coffee dates or late-night casual hangouts. The kiosk ordering and cafeteria-style seating lacks romance, but it works for relaxed getting-to-know-you situations where you want an easy exit.
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first-come counter service. Weekdays and late nights are wide open. Weekend mornings (9am-1pm) expect 10-20 minute waits, but turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - it's a family operation with high chairs, kids' menu, and the casual vibe means screaming toddlers won't turn heads. The kiosk ordering keeps kids entertained, and pancakes arrive fast.
Good for solo dining? Perfect - counter service means no awkward waiter interactions, free WiFi, and the 24-hour schedule accommodates any work-from-cafe schedule. Plenty of solo laptop warriors here.
Can I work here on my laptop? Yes but not ideal for full workdays - seating is cafeteria-style and turnover-focused. Fine for 1-2 hour laptop sessions with good WiFi and Groundwork coffee, but you'll feel the rush during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Late-night munchies after 10pm when most brunch spots are closed, large groups who can't agree on cuisine (huge menu variety), families with picky eaters who need reliable American classics, budget-conscious diners wanting upscale ingredients without fine-dining prices
Skip if: You want Instagram-worthy presentation or trendy fusion brunch - this is straightforward comfort food execution. Skip for romantic dates (too casual/bright) or if you're seeking adventurous chef-driven dishes. Choose Republique or Blu Jam for special occasion brunch; this is your reliable 2am pancake fix or Sunday hangover cure