M Cafe De Chaya

This haute macrobiotic bistro gleams inside with glass deli cases, smooth wooden tables and white tile while tables beneath market umbrellas. Attracting a hodgepodge of locals ranging from young moms with babies in slings to 70-something hippies to Melrose fashionistas, this is where everyone can enjoy healthy dining courtesy of the former private chefs of Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna. The menu offers macrobiotic cuisine made without refined sugar, dairy products, meat or egg. Rice bowls, salads, healthy burgers, panini, wraps and sushi highlight organic ingredients. Japanese breakfast is a…

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Editor's Tips

Look Good:: There are two registers, one for sit-down orders and one for takeout. Sushi, sandwiches, soups and a few other things come pre-packaged, and the line moves quickly.
What to Drink:: Get a vitamin jolt with fresh squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, or try the organic coffee and tea drinks. Alcoholic beverages include Eel River beer and select white and red wines by glass or bottle.
Parking:: Avoid the Pink's lot--they tow. There are usually spots in front and in back of the cafe.
Fun Fact:: Devout macrobiotic follower Gwyneth Paltrow is among the cafe's fans.

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User Reviews (27)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Cafe has a great atmosphere.”
dessert	94.44000244140625% positive	“Good food, but skip the desserts.” “I'll recommend the lunch and dinner offerings all day long (but skip the coffee - it's not that great), but if you want 'healty' desserts, go a mile or so west to Mani's.” “they have amazing desserts.” “My daughter, believe it or not, also liked the food and she would subsist solely on pancakes and ice cream if she were allowed to.” “The sauce on top was good, but the tofu cake itself was a little dry.” “That aside, the sushi is great, the salads are terrific, the lunch boxes are yummy - I loved everything except the desserts.” “The desserts are all unique and wonderful.” “The best vegan deserts in town and the kale with peanut sauce is unbelievable!” “Hard, rubbery crusts, dusty tasting chocolate, mousse that had the texture and consistency of fresh Play-Doh (tm).”
drinks	100.0% positive	“I'll recommend the lunch and dinner offerings all day long (but skip the coffee - it's not that great), but if you want 'healty' desserts, go a mile or so west to Mani's.” “also had a sip of my friends mint ice tea, very fresh.”
food quality	91.45999908447266% positive	“The salami has good spice (not as in heat, but flavor) and the olive spread and sundried tomato accent it very well.” “It's not just a sandwich place but with lots of interesting varieties.” “normally only stick to those two things because they're so delicious I don't even want anything else, but today I decided to try something new and I have to admit, it was the most disappointing lunch I've ever had from M Cafe.” “but it is a small price to pay for such delicious food.” “The sauce on top was good, but the tofu cake itself was a little dry.” “The food is so fresh and so healthy without being boring, flavorless, or ordinary in any way.” “It has tons of veggies and brown rice with a great miso sauce.” “also had a sip of my friends mint ice tea, very fresh.” “Good food, but skip the desserts.” “Even the most die-hard of meat eaters have something to order (the North Carolina pulled "Pork" sandwich is fantastic!” “The food is so darn good.” “My daughter, believe it or not, also liked the food and she would subsist solely on pancakes and ice cream if she were allowed to.” “was pleasantly surprised how tasty everything was and can't wait to return.” “The ingredients are so fresh that make the sandwiches and salad very tasty.” “all the food is so delicious and also good for you.” “Excellent food” “Hard, rubbery crusts, dusty tasting chocolate, mousse that had the texture and consistency of fresh Play-Doh (tm).” “love the salad sampler plate because it's t.” “Upon entering, I discovered a wonderful layout of colorful looking fresh foods set in simple white plates in a long display case that stretched the width of the cafÃ©.” “Good selection of vegetable dishes, i like the kale salad.” “I've been on a sandwich kick lately, in search of a flavorful spin on vegetarian sandwiches.” “The staff has always been friendly, the food is not only tasty and healthy, but I FEEL better after I eat there.” “hands down the best vegan food in la. the restaurant is actually macrobiotic so its vegan but they serve fish.” “don't know how they make vegan so tasty!” “My friend loves the M Chopped Salad and gets it almost every time with a side order of fries.” “The best vegan deserts in town and the kale with peanut sauce is unbelievable!” “Good food without guilt!” “Best Vegan food in LA” “love their bistro salad with red beets, pecans, and warm tofu chevre.” “The food didn't taste fresh, portions were smaller, we actually had to return the inedible tofu scramble to the kitchen (to their credit, the new dish was much better), and prices had been raised, perhaps because of its recent mention in US Weekly.” “My fav is the Gado Gado salad and I recommend everyone try it.” “That aside, the sushi is great, the salads are terrific, the lunch boxes are yummy - I loved everything except the desserts.” “The Carolina Style BBQ Seitan & Seitan Katsu rice bowl are awesome!” “just love the food here.” “Given that the chefs have cooked for a long roster of A-list celebs, including Gwyneth, Madonna and Leonardo, it's not surprising that the food was excellent.” “not really sure the exact theory of macro although the food is fresh, organic and has no additives or artifical sugars.” “lunch: the big macro (veggie burger) or club sandwich, m chopped salad is a favortie too.” “This is an excellent spot for a casual meal or pickup on your way home from work.” “The food was amazing.” “had the ahi tuna burger (which has a great crispy bun) with a quinoa salad, a bowl of squash soup and inari with heirloom brown rice and sliced burdock and carrots.” “The food was delicious, so fresh.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Good selection of vegetable dishes, i like the kale salad.” “Tasty selections from the deli include the Scarlet Quinoa, Broccolini Pepperoncini, and Kale with Spicy Peanut Sauce.” “It's not just a sandwich place but with lots of interesting varieties.” “I've tried almost all of their menu- I am a very picky eater and I LOVED everything.”
overall	100.0% positive	“hands down the best vegan food in la. the restaurant is actually macrobiotic so its vegan but they serve fish.”
return potential	83.33000183105469% positive	“Overall, I liked the vibe (unpretentious, friendly, healthy, and appetizing) and we plan to go back.” “was pleasantly surprised how tasty everything was and can't wait to return.” “The food didn't taste fresh, portions were smaller, we actually had to return the inedible tofu scramble to the kitchen (to their credit, the new dish was much better), and prices had been raised, perhaps because of its recent mention in US Weekly.”
service	70.0% positive	“service is good, everyone is so nice and helpful.” “The only complaint I have is the service is a bit slow, especially when I'm picking up to go.” “The staff was friendly, and offered great service!” “The staff has always been friendly, the food is not only tasty and healthy, but I FEEL better after I eat there.” “Overall, I liked the vibe (unpretentious, friendly, healthy, and appetizing) and we plan to go back.”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“The food didn't taste fresh, portions were smaller, we actually had to return the inedible tofu scramble to the kitchen (to their credit, the new dish was much better), and prices had been raised, perhaps because of its recent mention in US Weekly.” “but it is a small price to pay for such delicious food.” “wish the prices were a little lower b/c of my budget, but I understand that they buy the best organic ingredients, and that costs more.”
wait time	50.0% positive	“Given that the chefs have cooked for a long roster of A-list celebs, including Gwyneth, Madonna and Leonardo, it's not surprising that the food was excellent.” “The only complaint I have is the service is a bit slow, especially when I'm picking up to go.” “Upon entering, I discovered a wonderful layout of colorful looking fresh foods set in simple white plates in a long display case that stretched the width of the cafÃ©.” “I'll recommend the lunch and dinner offerings all day long (but skip the coffee - it's not that great), but if you want 'healty' desserts, go a mile or so west to Mani's.”

02/25/10

Fast, easy and amazingly awesome

by LynnSF

I love this place and it's about time I wrote a great review. I have tried so many things there and I have loved everything! My fav is the Gado Gado salad and I recommend everyone try it. Parking is pretty easy with the back lot and if you are in a hurry it's simple to pull in and get something to go. Sure beats fast food! I think I'm gonna head over for lunch today!

Pros: best healthy food in the area
Cons: none that I could find

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04/17/09

Delicious Health Food

by wonderlily

Thankfully, I discovered this wonderful establishment a few years ago while hungry and scouting for food on a Saturday afternoon. Upon entering, I discovered a wonderful layout of colorful looking fresh foods set in simple white plates in a long display case that stretched the width of the café. Inside, the seating consists of small round tables with French bistro wicker chairs and a long wooden communal table. The small tables outside are coveted among its patrons in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Come lunchtime and the place is packed with a variety of people: vegans, vegetarians, macrobiotics, celebrities, hipsters, people coming in from a work out and locals like me who are not vegan nor macrobiotic but looking for a healthy meal. My favorites amongst the menu items are the California Club, The M Chop Salad, the Spicy Tuna and Spicy shrimp sushi rolls, Organic Fries, Big Macro, the Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup, Carrot and Barley soup, Bi-Bim Bop and Brown Rice Pudding. Tasty selections from the deli include the Scarlet Quinoa, Broccolini Pepperoncini, and Kale with Spicy Peanut Sauce. I’d recommend you taste the deli items before ordering if visiting for the first time. I made the mistake of ordering the Falafel wrap on my second visit to M Café and I almost never came back; it was incredibly dry and disappointing, stay away :>

Pros: healthy, no processed foods, friendly staff, clean displays
Cons: parking, lack of seating on busy days

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07/02/08

Delicious food!!!

by Jokats

I absolutely LOVE M Cafe. I work nearby and it's my favorite place to get lunch, although I can't really afford to get it as often as I'd like. My favorites are the California Club sandwich and the Grilled Tuna Burger. They are SO good. I normally only stick to those two things because they're so delicious I don't even want anything else, but today I decided to try something new and I have to admit, it was the most disappointing lunch I've ever had from M Cafe. I got the Tuna Tataki salad. I thought they would make it fresh when I ordered, but they have those salads already made. I wasn't a fan. But now I know for next time! My friend loves the M Chopped Salad and gets it almost every time with a side order of fries. I'm not a vegan or vegetarian by the way...I just love the food here. It's so fresh and healthy and guilt-free! Wish I could have it everyday.

Pros: Healthy, delicious food.

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02/28/08

I LOVE M!

by sueinthepark

I am a vegetarian (sometimes vegan) and I love, love, love this place! The staff has always been friendly, the food is not only tasty and healthy, but I FEEL better after I eat there. With that said, I take visitors here whenever they're in town (sometimes kicking and screaming) and I have yet to have anyone who hasn't fallen in love with the place. Even the most die-hard of meat eaters have something to order (the North Carolina pulled "Pork" sandwich is fantastic!

Whenever I haven't been feeling well, I go in and ask what I could order that will help. (This isn't a service they offer, but the owner KNOWS HIS STUFF!) The miso soup is magical, in my opinion.

I wish the prices were a little lower b/c of my budget, but I understand that they buy the best organic ingredients, and that costs more. If I could, I'd be there every day. Try to treat yourself at least once a week for your health!

Pros: Food, staff
Cons: Parking, sometimes not enough seating.

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02/06/08

surprisingly good!

by jstemps

I am by no means a vegetarian or vegan so I wasn't really excited when my mom wanted to go to this macrobiotic joint. However, i had a veggie burger and it was delicious! i don't know how this was macrobiotic or vegan, it tasted better than a real burger!! delicious!!! and its right next to pinkberry!

Pros: great food, even for non vegetarians, trendy melrose location, order to eat in or grab from takeout case
Cons: parking, my lemonade wasn't good

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Organic Food

M Cafe De Chaya

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Martha Burr

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