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Novel Cafe

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1101 Gayley Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024

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(310) 208-6410
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Novel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Novel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Novel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Novel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Reviews
( 7 )
( 8 )
( 5 )
( 0 )
( 2 )

Best

So I went to the Novel Cafe on Gayley a few days ago for a early dinner/study session. I was very surprised by the FREE INTERNET and friendly atmosphere. I sat outside on the pa...

Worst

They don't allow service dogs in the cafe. Cons: Service dogs aren't allowed in the cafe.

Editorial review from GrubHub 10/26/2013

by Lai at GrubHub Provided by GrubHub
The food was ok, but they prepare food very slow. more
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Good, but nothing special 9/29/2011

Novel cafe is a cute place in westwood that get's pretty busy on the weekends and weekday lunches, but... more
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No service dogs 2/7/2010

They don't allow service dogs in the cafe. Cons: Service dogs aren't allowed in the cafe. more
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Great Place To Study or Have Lunch 10/22/2008

So I went to the Novel Cafe on Gayley a few days ago for a early dinner/study session. I was very surprised by the FREE INTERNET and friendly atmosphere. I sat outside on the patio for about an hour and then moved inside. The waitstaff was extremely helpful but at the same time understood that I was studying and gave me some privacy. I ordered a burger which was very tasty, really juicy. I highly recommend the Novel in Westwood. There were people there just for dinner so I guess its not just a study place but a real cafe. Pros: Food, Study area, FREE INTERNET Cons: A few dollars too expensive more
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awesome meal, every single time! 8/2/2008

its a bit expensive for me as a student but its so good and you get what you pay for, which is GREAT FOOD!!! Pros: great food, and i never feel awkward Cons: parking in westwood is always a challenge more
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Yummy, healthy food!! Friendly staff! Cute atmosphere. 6/27/2008

I've been coming here for the past 6 years, and the food is always delicious. It's a great place to read, write, or study - outdoor patio, very cute and comfortable indoor space with bigger tables upstairs. The food is fantastic! My favorites are the Novel Rancheros, Vegetarian Sandwich, and Tuna Melt Quesadilla, which comes with one of the best spicy guacamoles that I've ever had. The portions are generous too. Unless I'm super hungry, I usually have leftovers to go. This is one of my favorite places in Westwood, and the owner is super nice. They serve breakfast all day too. more
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Great chow, mellow, student/ intelligentsia ambience. Love this place! 5/28/2008

I'm lived in the Bay Area and Cambridge Mass, and am right at home in this spot. It's so wonderfully non- Hollywood, and with the delicious organic food and great coffees (and fabulous hot chocolate) ,is a place one can really read, study, or have an intelligent conversation.. In its category, which is casual, healthy organic food, this place is perfect. I've written here, met with students, and grabbed lunches and dinnersMy two favorite dishes are: The Chicken, Apple And Walnut Salad with caramelized walnuts, apples, red onions, homemade croutons, sliced chicken, goat cheese, and sweet mango dressing and the .Lean Plate with scrambled egg whites, sliced organic tomatoes, steamed spinach or broccoli and a grilled chicken breast, (or your choice of rosemary turkey patty, or jumbo beef patty.) Pros: coffee, free internet, healthy comfort food, outdoor seating plus cozy indoors, great for study and quiet conversation Cons: busy at prime time, great for study and quiet conversation, not for big, social groups more
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Good place to study 11/5/2007

Novel cafe is a good, laid-back place to catch up on reading or studying. Wireless is free, and there are lots of tables and nooks to camp out at. Food is a little expensive, but all organic and pretty good. Overall, a good place to chill. more
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BLEH 10/27/2007

Ive eaten here a couple of times. I only went back because I thought they had maybe made a mistake with my order the first time. Basically, they are charging 5 times as much for the food you can get at the place across the street (which in my opinion tastes better). The service was awful, the food was awful. They try to lure you in with the whole 'organic' menu... dont fall for it - its not worth it. The only upside to this restaurant: lots of outdoor seating. Pros: plenty of outdoor space Cons: everything else more
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An appetizing menu 7/14/2007

I'm actually writing my review while I'm here. A few people as it is sat. morning. Nice and quiet-I really like the music. A mellow atmosphere I really like the upstairs. More of a cafe than a coffee shop though. Very friendly service signs posted all around telling you what you can and can't do but they seem very ""cool"" about everything especially when it's not crowded. Pros: Free wireless, wide menu, friendly Cons: PARKING! more
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Cafe that isn't Starbucks or Coffee Bean! 7/5/2007

Like the other reviewers have said, this place is a great, quiet place to study, especially when your house or apartment is too distracting to concentrate, which, as any college student would tell you, is most of the time. Novel is the kind of coffee shop you would find in San francisco or seattle... the coffee isn't starbucks and doesn't need to be flavored with sugar to taste any good. They serve breakfast and lunch, both meals offer delicious options... the pancakes for breakfast are huge and melt in your mouth! They have all organic foods too, as well as offer egg whites for your omlette, which is always a plus for me. THis is the type of place where the owner remembers your face if you go there a lot... and he is always nice about letting studiers stay there for hours, even if they don't order much. All in all, it is one of the most quality places in westwood, especially because it is one of the only non-chain restaurants there. Pros: coffee, lighting, windows, clean, spacious more
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Good place to catch up with an old friend or read 6/16/2007

Wide variety of delicious and healthy food. The service is a little lacking - one server messed up my order and then acted a little put upon when I asked her (very nicely) to bring me what I ordered instead. The food and the ambiance make up for it though - I could spend hours sipping my coffee chatting with a good friend, studying or perusing through their many books. more
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great study spot! 2/27/2007

I think the novel cafe was a great find for me, living in Westwood. Because I occupy a space with four other girls in my apartment, it can get pretty noisy and distracting come studytime. So I like to take frequent visits to Novel Cafe, where I can enjoy a quiet study environment with great coffee drinks. There are also bookshelves on aligning the walls of the cafe, so if you get bored, you can peruse through an interesting collection of books. Also, if you ever come by during breakfast time, their omelettes are delicious too! Pros: breakfast foods, coffee, studying environment Cons: parking more
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Cute place for lunch or brunch 2/5/2007

Novel Cafe has a great selection of healthy and delicious breakfast and lunches, as well as teas, coffees, smoothies, sides, and desserts. Their sandwiches are unique and excellent. I usually order the create-your-own-omelette (you choose the cheese and 3 ingredients), which you can get with potatoes, fresh fruit, and a bagel and cream cheese. On a sunny day, the patio is great for people-watching at cute little mosaic tables. It's a little pricey, but this IS LA. Pros: food, atmosphere, selection Cons: parking, service more
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Great place to eat and read 7/16/2006

This is one of the best places in westwood to get a great organic meal and do some studying at the same time. Their grilled cheese with tomatoes is really great, and all their drinks are perfect for the thirsty studier. All the different chairs and study areas really appeal to the college student. Pros: Good food, places to study Cons: A bit pricey for what it is more
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Best organic food around! 7/6/2006

This cafe which specializes in some of the best organic food around, has great organic coffee, phenomenal desserts (Raspberry chocolate cheesecake) and free wireless. Try the Goatcheese Eggplant melt on Rosemary bread. You'll be addicted. Great place to study, lighting is pretty dim at night, but some parts of the 2 floor cafe are better lit. The upstairs is reserved for dining during the busiest hours, so students beware! more
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great, fresh california cuisine 6/29/2006

you can tell that someone thoughtfully planned out each dish here. the quality and freshness of their food is superb. too bad i cant say the same about their service. the set-up of the place makes it difficult for the staff to be attentive, esp bc they do not have set tables. but hey, the food is worth it. just dont order any smoothies or blended coffee drinks---basically, dont ask the staff to do anything too hard. Pros: fresh food, attention to detail, great place to expose out-of-town friends with cali cuisine Cons: staff, smoothies and coffee drinks more
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Great food and coffee! 3/13/2006

I love the grilled cheese, salads, breakfast, and sandwiches here. The coffee is great, too! The decor is relaxing and unique. It's a lovely place to spend a few hours relaxing. Highly recommended! Pros: Delicious food, Great Coffee, Ambiance Cons: Parking more
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Best of Westwood 8/16/2005

Far more than a coffee house. Novel produces an eclectic menu of the finest pasta, salads, sandwiches, soups and deserts you can find. The best and most healthful ingredients are combined to make every recipe a taste happening. Great service, great location and choice of outdoor streetside patio, inside lower level tables, upper dining room and pub style dining bar. They just make you happy every time you visit. And their prices are better than reasonable. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night food source. Pros: Excellent food, Terrific service, Prices = fair value more
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Amazing service 7/25/2005

Novel Cafe in Westwood is a great place to study or hang out with friends. Their menu is impressive for a cafe (reminds me of Literati in Santa Monica), with something for everyone (breakfast all day, salads, sandwiches, burgers, etc.). I'd recommend the Carrot Ginger soup and the Ahi Tuna Salad. The Tiger Chai is a great, too. The setting is nice, with mellow music lively enough to keep you from dozing into your textbook but no so loud or distracting that you can't read or chat with friends. What really sets the cafe apart, however, is the staff: the waitresses are really friendly and attentive, and they can make great menu recommendations. Pros: Ambience, Service, Variety of Menu more
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Menu for Novel Cafe


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Editorial

  • In Short
    This casual, Westwood coffeehouse doubles as a used bookstore, where local college types come to type, talk, log on or read without being bothered. Secluded nooks offer enough...

  • 7/23/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Thursday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Friday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Sunday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: West LA, Westwood
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