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Elysee Bakery & Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Elysee Bakery & Cafe
7.7
Opened in 1979, this corner bakery-café anchors the north side of Westwood Village with a mix of croissants, danishes, and a full breakfast-and-lunch menu. It’s a convenient stop for hearty plates, strong coffee, and a pastry case that runs from classic muffins to layered cakes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, French toast, Quiche Lorraine
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Decades-old Westwood Village bakery-café with a deep pastry case and full meals.
Who should go: Students and locals wanting big breakfasts or pastry-and-coffee breaks.
When to visit: Weekday mornings or midafternoon lulls between UCLA rushes.
What to order: Almond croissant, French toast plate, slice of quiche with salad.
Insider tip: Grab a window seat for people-watching when Gayley traffic is buzzing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Gayley and nearby Village streets is available but competitive during UCLA class changes; the Broxton public garage is the most reliable low-stress option.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — workout gear, student wear, and relaxed everyday outfits all fit the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate during peak breakfast and lunch; still easy enough to hold a normal conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the café focuses on daytime hours and typically clears out by early evening.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes depending on UCLA rush; often no wait midafternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including pastries, breakfast plates, salads, and sandwiches can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads and simple sides; baked goods and breakfast plates skew dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: A handful of salads and egg dishes work gluten-free, but pastry case offerings are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for a casual daytime meet-up with coffee and pastries, but the busy café vibe is better for low-pressure hangs than romantic ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only. Arrive outside the UCLA rush (midmorning or midafternoon) for the best odds of grabbing a quieter corner or window seat.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the menu has approachable breakfast and pastry options, and the room is informal enough for younger kids. Strollers fit best at the outdoor tables when available.
Best For
Better for: A fuller sit-down breakfast and broader comfort-food menu than most Westwood pastry shops, plus decades of neighborhood familiarity.
Skip if: You want artisanal pastries with specialty coffee or a quieter, design-forward café — this is a classic café-bakery with heavier dishes and lots of foot traffic.
Elysee Bakery & Cafe
7.8
A longstanding corner bakery at the north end of Westwood Village, Elysee pairs a deep pastry case with omelettes, French toast, and diner-style breakfast plates. Service and decor are more old-school than polished, but the combination of big portions and sweets keeps it in rotation for students and locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, French toast plate, Quiche with salad
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 6.2
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Old-school Westwood bakery-cafe combining European-style pastries with hearty breakfast plates.
Who should go: Locals wanting big portions, omelettes, and classic pastries.
When to visit: Weekday mornings or midafternoon when pastry cases are fullest.
What to order: Almond croissant, French toast plate, quiche with salad.
Insider tip: Split large breakfast plates and add a pastry to share.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Broxton and Weyburn; modestly competitive during UCLA rush hours but typically manageable on weekday mornings.
Dress code: Completely casual—athleisure, campus wear, and everyday outfits all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate during peak breakfast hours; conversational but with steady cafe hum.
Weekend wait: Not applicable; breakfast and lunch-focused spot with no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Short waits or none at all, though lines form when UCLA classes let out.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection—omelettes, salads, pastries, and several breakfast plates are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—some salads and beverages can be modified, but most pastries and breakfast items contain dairy or eggs.
Gluten-free options: Minimal—few naturally gluten-free items; no dedicated GF pastries or prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for very casual meetups—its diner-style setting and modest decor make it better for relaxed coffee-and-pastry moments than impression-making dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only, and tables usually turn quickly outside of brunch rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—ample seating, big portions, and familiar breakfast dishes work well for families with kids of most ages.
Best For
Better for: Large portions, classic pastries, and an easygoing, no-frills breakfast experience right in the village.
Skip if: You want a modern café aesthetic, craft coffee program, or a menu with strong dietary accommodations—other Westwood spots excel more in those areas.
Elysee Bakery & Cafe
7.7
Serving Westwood since the late 1970s, Elysee combines a deep pastry case with crepes, omelettes, and hearty brunch plates in a large corner space. Service and decor can feel a bit frayed at peak hours, but long hours and generous portions keep it in regular rotation for students and locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Savory pesto prosciutto crepe, French toast plate with potatoes, Almond croissant
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Decades-old bakery-cafe where full brunch plates share space with cakes and crepes.
Who should go: Groups mixing sweet pastries with classic egg breakfasts.
When to visit: Weekday mornings or midafternoon for easier seating.
What to order: Savory crepe, French toast with potatoes, almond croissant.
Insider tip: Browse the pastry case first; popular cakes can sell out by evening.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Gayley and Weyburn is the main option; spots turn over steadily on weekdays but become tight during UCLA peak hours.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed; anything from sweats to everyday campus wear fits the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate during brunch rush; quieter in midafternoon when the dine-in area thins out.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a breakfast/brunch café, and evenings are usually walk-in friendly.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait; lines form at the pastry case but seating usually opens quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid variety of omelettes, crepes, salads, and pastries suitable for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—some salads and sides may work, but most pastries and crepes contain dairy or eggs.
Gluten-free options: A few omelette and salad options are naturally gluten-free; pastries and crepes are not offered gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual daytime meetups than a formal first date; the atmosphere is comfortable but lacks the polish or quiet ambiance some people prefer for a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only. During weekend brunch rush you may wait a few minutes, but turnover is steady thanks to ample seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—large tables, simple breakfast plates, and plenty of sweets make it easy for families with younger children; strollers fit best during non-peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Bigger portions, a wider pastry case, and long hours compared to many Westwood cafés with tighter menus or limited seating.
Skip if: You want a refined brunch with craft coffee or a quieter, design-forward café—service and ambiance can feel worn during busy stretches.
Elysee Bakery & Cafe
7.8
Elysee Bakery & Cafe is a long-running Westwood Village bakery-café where students and locals stop in for croissants, cakes, and casual plates from morning through late evening. The menu leans French-inflected, with pastries, crepes, and panini alongside espresso drinks and simple pastas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Croissant and Assorted French Pastries, Chicken Panini on House Bread, Fruit Tart or Tiramisu Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Busy French-leaning bakery-café with a big pastry case and late hours.
Who should go: Students and locals needing coffee, sweets, or casual bites.
When to visit: Afternoons or late night to dodge morning pastry rush.
What to order: Butter croissant, chicken panini, slice of fruit tart or tiramisu.
Insider tip: Grab a pastry first; hot items can take longer during peak times.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking around Westwood Village; UCLA structure parking is available nearby for a fee. Spots can be tight during peak class hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; typical student and local café attire.
Noise level: Moderate — generally easy to hold a conversation, but can get lively during late-night study crowds.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait; this is more of a grab-and-go or café seating environment.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though indoor tables can fill during peak class breaks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid selection — pastries, salads, cheese-based panini, and some crepes work well.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads and select pastries may qualify, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some salads and egg dishes are workable; pastries and crepes are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups or coffee catch-ups than formal dates; the setting is relaxed and friendly but not particularly romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they don’t take reservations, and turnover is frequent. If indoor tables are full, check the patio or wait a few minutes for an opening.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the pastries, crepes, and casual setup work well for kids, though seating can be tight during rushes.
Best For
Better for: A wider pastry case and longer hours than most neighborhood cafés, plus strong availability for solo diners and students.
Skip if: You want upscale French cooking, specialty coffee, or a quiet workspace — this stays busy and leans casual.