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Northern Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Northern Cafe
7.9
A casual Northern-Chinese noodle and dumpling spot that’s friendly to families thanks to fast service and comforting staples. Portions are generous, flavors are bold but approachable, and the menu is easy to share across the table. Not fancy, but dependable for kid-approved carbs downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
beef roll, soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Fast dumplings and noodles built for sharing.
Who should go: Families craving comforting Chinese staples.
When to visit: Weekday dinner or weekend midday.
What to order: Beef roll, dumplings, noodles.
Insider tip: Order family-style; dishes land fastest that way.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along 7th Street and surrounding blocks; availability varies and can be tight during peak dinner hours. Some nearby garages offer paid hourly parking.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—come as you are. Families and weekday office crowds blend easily.
Noise level: Moderate during peak hours; you can still hold a conversation, but expect some bustle from quick-turnover tables.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on group size; larger families may wait slightly longer.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, with fast seating due to high turnover.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several approachable options including veggie dumplings, scallion pancakes, and noodle dishes without meat.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable dishes can be modified, but many noodles and dumplings contain egg or dairy.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal—most noodles and dumplings contain wheat, and cross-contact is likely in a small kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual comfort than romance—great if you want something low-pressure, fast, and tasty, but not ideal for a slow, lingering date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only, and quick service keeps tables turning. Arrive slightly early during dinner rush for minimal delay.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—big portions, mild noodle options, and quick service work well for kids. High chairs may be limited, so very young families should plan accordingly.
Best For
Better for: Fast, comforting Northern-Chinese staples with generous portions at friendly prices—ideal when you want shareable dishes without fuss.
Skip if: If you need gluten-free options, a quiet dining room, or polished ambiance, choose a more specialized or upscale spot nearby.
Northern Cafe
8.4
A dependable DTLA outpost for northern Chinese comfort food with a menu that leans hard on dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and chili-oil heat. Portions are generous for the price, and the kitchen’s strengths land best on soup noodles and crisp, pan-seared bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Xiao long bao, Dan dan noodles, Pork wontons in chili oil
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Handmade dumplings and noodle bowls that overdeliver for the price.
Who should go: Noodle and dumpling fans downtown.
When to visit: Lunch rush or early dinner.
What to order: XLB, dan dan noodles, chili-oil wontons.
Insider tip: Add a side of garlic green beans to balance the heat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 7th is limited during peak hours; nearby paid garages at FIGat7th and adjacent lots usually have space.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; come as you are.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch and early dinner, slightly louder during peak rushes but still conversation-friendly.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during peak periods.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even during the rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several dumpling, noodle, and vegetable dishes work well.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable noodle bowls and sides, but many items contain egg or animal-based broths.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — most noodles and dumplings contain wheat; broth bowls may not be suitable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure meetups than formal dates; the vibe is lively, affordable, and food-focused rather than atmosphere-driven.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service style and operates first-come, first-served; tables turn quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — spacious seating, fast service, and comforting noodle dishes make it easy for families, though high chairs may be limited.
Best For
Better for: Hand-pulled noodles, chili-oil wontons, and generous pricing outperform most nearby casual Chinese spots.
Skip if: If you need strong vegan or gluten-free options, or you’re looking for a quieter, atmosphere-driven sit-down experience.
Northern Cafe
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Northern Cafe focuses on hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and cold starter dishes that bring regional northern Chinese flavors to the 7th Street office corridor. The fast-casual room stays busy at lunch with downtown workers slurping beef noodle soup and sharing beef rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Roll Pancake, Xiao Long Bao, House Special Beef Noodle Soup
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Fast-casual northern Chinese spot known for dumplings and hand-pulled noodles.
Who should go: Downtown workers craving hearty noodle bowls and dumplings.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early dinners before the peak rush.
What to order: Beef Roll Pancake, Xiao Long Bao, House Special Beef Noodle Soup.
Insider tip: Ask for extra chili oil and black vinegar for dumpling dipping.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 7th Street is limited during business hours; garage parking at FIGat7th or nearby office lots is the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual and office-friendly; come as you are from nearby workplaces.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch with steady counter traffic; quieter at early dinner.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait; the Financial District slows down on weekends.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak office rush, mostly for ordering rather than seating.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several choices, including veggie dumplings, sautéed greens, and cold noodle dishes.
Vegan options: Limited; some vegetable stir-fries and cold dishes qualify, but dumplings and noodles often contain egg.
Gluten-free options: Very limited; most noodles and wrappers contain wheat, and no dedicated gluten-free prep is offered.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and unfussy; the counter-service setup and brisk pace aren’t ideal for lingering, but it works well for a low-key lunch date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes; it's walk-in only, and turnover is fast. Arrive a bit before noon to avoid the queue.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for kids who enjoy noodles and dumplings, though seating is compact and high chairs are not guaranteed.
Best For
Better for: Quick, hearty northern Chinese staples—especially hand-pulled noodles and beef rolls—served faster and cheaper than sit-down competitors in the area.
Skip if: You want a quieter, linger-longer dinner, a wide menu of regional Chinese specialties, or strong vegan or gluten-free options.