0 Followers
Lemon Poppy Kitchen
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Lemon Poppy Kitchen
7.8
A friendly bakery-café on Verdugo Road pairing homey sweets with a daytime menu that makes it an easy neighborhood hang. Pastries and baked treats are the anchor, supported by coffee and light brunch plates. It’s a dependable stop for a casual morning sugar fix or a simple lunch with something sweet after.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lemon poppy baked treat (seasonal rotation), Daily pastry selection, House-made cakes or bars
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Bakery-café comfort sweets with an easy daytime rhythm.
Who should go: Locals wanting pastries and coffee.
When to visit: Morning or early afternoon for freshest bakes.
What to order: Pastry pick, cake/bar, coffee.
Insider tip: Look for the daily baked specials before they’re gone.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Verdugo is usually available but can fill during weekend brunch; neighboring residential blocks offer additional spaces with mild competition.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—athleisure, jeans, and weekend wear all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch hours, otherwise easy for conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—this is a daytime café and bakery with no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait; short lines during rushes but tables turn quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pastries, breakfast plates, and café items are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—some drinks and select baked items may qualify, but options rotate.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free treats or plates appear seasonally; availability varies day to day.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual morning date than a formal one—light, bright, and low pressure with easy conversation flow.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-in only. Arrive before peak brunch hours for the quickest seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—informal setup, approachable food, and plenty of families in the area make it suitable for young kids.
Best For
Better for: A relaxed, everyday pastry-and-brunch stop where consistency and comfort trump trend-chasing.
Skip if: You're looking for high-end brunch, specialty coffee geekery, or a fully gluten-free bakery experience.
Lemon Poppy Kitchen
8.4
A small Glassell Park cafe with Romanian touches and a breakfast menu that feels both homey and distinctive. Pastries and egg-forward plates are the draw, with flavors that set it apart from standard neighborhood brunch. Strip-mall setting, destination-level cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
House-made pastries, Romanian breakfast plates, Daily special sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Romanian-tinged breakfast that feels unique for the Eastside.
Who should go: Brunch explorers and pastry fans.
When to visit: Weekdays or early weekends for easier seating.
What to order: Pastries, breakfast plate, daily special.
Insider tip: Ask what’s just come out of the oven.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small lot shared with the strip mall plus generally available street parking on Eagle Rock Blvd; fills up during peak brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; weekend brunchers often lean slightly stylish due to the café’s photogenic dishes.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch, but still workable for conversation; quieter on weekdays.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the café closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; a few minutes at most unless a pastry drop just happened.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several egg dishes, pastries, and vegetable-forward plates.
Vegan options: Limited — some pastries and sides may qualify, but options change seasonally; not a dedicated vegan spot.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be made GF and certain pastries rotate in GF-friendly versions, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a daytime, low-pressure date — cozy seating, high-quality food, and a relaxed vibe. Not ideal if you want long lingering conversation due to small space and occasional brunch rush.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — the café operates largely on walk-ins. On weekends, expect a short queue; weekdays are typically open seating with minimal wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for younger kids if they’re comfortable in tighter spaces. No dedicated kids menu, but pastries and simple breakfast plates work well.
Best For
Better for: Uniquely flavored Eastern European–influenced breakfast plates, standout pastries, and a more boutique, handcrafted feel compared to larger brunch spots nearby.
Skip if: You want expansive seating, fast turnover, or a fully vegan or gluten-free brunch — the café’s strengths lie in crafted, pastry-centric plates, not broad dietary customization.
Lemon Poppy Kitchen
8.5
A small Glassell Park cafe with Romanian touches that make brunch feel both homey and distinctive. Pastries and egg-forward plates are the center of gravity, and everything lands with a quiet confidence that’s earned repeat locals. The strip-mall setting hides destination-level cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Daily pastries, Breakfast plate specials, House benedict / biscuit benedict
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Romanian-leaning brunch with standout pastries and egg plates.
Who should go: Brunch explorers and pastry fans.
When to visit: Weekdays or early weekends for easier seating.
What to order: Pastry, benedict, daily breakfast special.
Insider tip: Ask what just came out of the oven.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small shared lot out front with a few tight spaces; street parking on Verdugo is usually available within a block.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; weekend brunchers mix simple daytime outfits with light, Instagram-friendly touches.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch hours; easy to hold a conversation at off-peak times.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — brunch and daytime only.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal waits; you can usually walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — many pastries and egg plates work well, plus rotating specials with veg-forward touches.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of items can be adapted, but pastries and egg dishes dominate the menu.
Gluten-free options: Some items are naturally gluten-free or can be modified; pastries are mostly wheat-based, so options are modest.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate, quiet-lively energy and standout pastries make it a great low-pressure daytime date that still feels special.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they operate on a walk-in basis. Arrive early on weekends to avoid a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for younger kids who do well in small spaces. There’s no dedicated kids’ menu, but portions and pastries suit most families.
Best For
Better for: Inventive pastries and Eastern European-influenced brunch plates you won’t find at more standard neighborhood cafes.
Skip if: You want a big, spacious patio or a fully vegan brunch — the room is cozy and the menu leans heavily on pastries and eggs.
Lemon Poppy Kitchen
8.0
A cozy all-day café with a dog-friendly patio tucked beside the strip-mall storefront. The menu jumps from brunch to lunchy comfort plates, and the outdoor setup makes it a neighborhood default for sunny hangs. Come for a relaxed, reliable patio meal rather than a scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
French toast, Turkey avocado sandwich, Seasonal frittata
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: All-day café with a sunny, dog-friendly patio and broad comfort menu.
Who should go: Brunch crews and casual patio regulars.
When to visit: Late morning for the full patio vibe.
What to order: French toast, frittata, turkey avocado sandwich.
Insider tip: Bring the pup and aim for a shaded patio table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared strip-mall lot out front with generally easy availability; street parking on Eagle Rock Blvd is a reliable backup on busy brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—patio-friendly clothes, athleisure, or relaxed weekend wear all fit right in.
Noise level: Light to moderate—outdoor tables feel breezy and conversational even during peak brunch.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—they close before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though patio tables can fill around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several brunch and lunch dishes can be made vegetarian, including frittatas, toasts, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 items may be vegan or can be adjusted with substitutions; best to confirm day-of.
Gluten-free options: Moderate—some dishes can be prepared gluten-free upon request, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for low-key, daytime dates—think coffee, brunch, or a casual get-to-know-you meetup. Not ideal if you're aiming for evening ambience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—they operate mostly on walk-ins. On weekends, expect a short queue for patio tables, especially between 10am–1pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—space for strollers, patient staff, and a menu with approachable options make it a strong choice for families with young kids.
Best For
Better for: Relaxed daytime meals with dogs and kids, plus a flexible brunch-to-lunch menu that’s more reliable than fussy.
Skip if: You want a destination brunch with trend-driven dishes, a lively scene, or any form of evening dining.
Lemon Poppy Kitchen
7.9
An all-day Glassell Park cafe that leans into bright, produce-forward cooking with a seasonal tilt. Brunch and lunch plates highlight clean flavors and fresh market staples, with baking as a quiet strength. Best for casual farm-fresh eating on a sunny patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal frittata, French toast with house touches, Market salad with a rotating add-on
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Seasonal cafe cooking plus reliable in-house baking.
Who should go: Brunch crews and patio regulars.
When to visit: Late morning for full menu and patio flow.
What to order: French toast, frittata, market salad.
Insider tip: Weekdays are the move for a quieter patio.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Verdugo Road and neighboring residential blocks; generally available on weekdays but tighter during weekend brunch rush.
Dress code: Casual and patio-friendly; comfortable daytime wear is standard.
Noise level: Moderate during brunch peak; easy conversation on weekdays or later lunch hours.
Weekend wait: N/A – primarily a daytime brunch/lunch cafe.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait, even for patio tables.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Plenty of options—most brunch plates and salads skew naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Some viable options, especially market salads and certain bowls; modifications typically available.
Gluten-free options: Several gluten-free-leaning dishes; baked goods rotate with some GF availability, but no dedicated gluten-free prep zone.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual daytime first date—bright patio seating and approachable plates make it easy to talk without pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-in friendly. Arrive earlier on weekends to secure a patio table without a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—broad, comforting menu options and outdoor seating make it welcoming for families with young children.
Best For
Better for: Fresh, seasonal daytime plates with strong in-house baking and a relaxed neighborhood patio.
Skip if: You want a nighttime dinner setting, full bar program, or upscale service experience—this is a daytime, cafe-led spot.