Little Next Door

Little Door's little sister finds its way to 3rd Street as an adorably charming, casual French-Med patio cafe and artisanal gourmet market.

(323) 951-1010

8142 W 3rd Street (La Jolla Avenue)
Los Angeles, CA 90048 34.0723 -118.3671

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Beverly Center, Central LA

thelittledoor.com/lndhome.htm…

Hours:

Monday - Thursday 11AM-11PM

Friday -Sunday

8AM - 11PM

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.14.11

Category:

Catering, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Breakfast, Family-Friendly Dining, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Business Breakfast, Notable Wine List

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Mediterranean, French

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Little Next Door

The Owner

Little Next Door

Owner

Bakery - Pastries - Wine Shop - Gift Baskets - CateringLittle Next Door is a natural extension of The Little Door, a place to enjoy a selection of healthful indulgences that bring stories and traditions to cooking, with a fresh twist.Our chefs use farm fresh and organic ingredients to handcraft our house-made sandwiches, salads, fresh baked breads, pastries and more. We also offer an exclusive variety of house-made jams, condiments, terrines, and charcuterie along with a selection of artisanal cheeses and cured meats. All of this is complimented with a vast and unique cellar of fine wines.…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Martha Burr

Contributor

The little sister of the Little Door, one of L.A.'s most beloved restaurants, this idyllic Parisian patio cafe and haute gourmet market is where the city's eclectic crowd heads for breakfast, lunch and takeout. Inside the bustling cafe's azure walls, a gleaming case displays a dazzling cornucopia of pastries, artisanal desserts and a wall loaded with bottles of wine. The intimate sidewalk patio exudes rustic charm with lots of greenery, wrought iron tables and shady umbrellas. Seasonal, organic farmers' market ingredients comprise the long list of sandwiches, salads, breads and pastries,…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Get there early for lunch--peak hours can be crowded, and there are only 10 first-come, first-served tables.
What to Drink:
The two-story wine selection is first-rate. The cafe serves 3-ounce pours of specially selected reds and whites, and the beer case offers hard-to-find labels from around the world.
The Extras:
Seasonal catering specials like "wild harvest at your home" includes choices such as rabbit terrine, beef Wellington, roasted guinea hen and pomegranate pecan stuffing.
ambiance
93.75% positive
  1. “That said, don't go to the Little Next Door if you're not ready to sit down and enjoy the spectacular food, drinks, and atmosphere.”
  2. “Other than the ambiance and the cozy Euro cafe feel, all I can say is this: I DON'T GET IT.”
  3. “Just pick a table and enjoy a very pleasant service in a great ambiance.”
  4. “was attracted to the nice french decor and bright blue walls while driving on 3rd st. Decided to give it a try and it was delicious!”
  5. “We love the atmosphere that comes with outdoor eating and French cafes are usually on the top of our list.”
  6. “Pretty decor, could be romantic, but rude, unhelpful and incompetent wait-staff.”
  7. “The decor is very attractive and makes the interior environment very pleasant.”
  8. “But i will continue to go because the food & ambiance are amazing!”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “For dessert, we tried a small kumquat tart which was delicious but didn't wow us.”
  2. “Also, the hot chocolate is incredibly rich and creamy, perfect for chilly nights.”
drinks
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “That said, don't go to the Little Next Door if you're not ready to sit down and enjoy the spectacular food, drinks, and atmosphere.”
  2. “casual, great food, wine, beautiful people!”
  3. “since we were there at 4pm we took full advantage of wine and dine special with help from the most attentive waiter who recommended gnocchi with truffle.”
  4. “it gives you a chance to relax and enjoy great food and wine.”
food quality
88.24000358581543% positive
  1. “I'm not hard to please, but this was awful, incompetent service, mediocre food, small portions, and overpriced.”
  2. “Honestly, I prefer to enjoy my food rather than to scarf it down and obsess over how quickly things could happen.”
  3. “That said, don't go to the Little Next Door if you're not ready to sit down and enjoy the spectacular food, drinks, and atmosphere.”
  4. “The French pastries are wonderful and authentic, as good as the ones served in Paris.”
  5. “All were excellent, the soup and tart were a step above excellent.”
  6. “But i will continue to go because the food & ambiance are amazing!”
  7. “After 10 minutes the waitress came over and said that it was on the way, after another ten minute wait it was finally brought to the table (a cold salad with no preparation).”
  8. “Upon first site - it's very cool - until you reach the counter to order you way over-priced meal -- all that greets you is 'pretentious - pretentious - pretentious - wannabe's at that).”
  9. “For dessert, we tried a small kumquat tart which was delicious but didn't wow us.”
  10. “The goat cheese smelled like a petting zoo -- granted, I love smelly cheeses, but something about these dishes mixed with the arrogance of the service/environment of this restaurant really bothered me.”
  11. “Fresh lettuce, perfectly seared tuna, crisp beans.”
  12. “We enjoyed all the dishes thoroughly and we all agreed it was like dining in France all over again.”
  13. “The roasted veggie sandwich on baguette is delicious and so are the lentils.”
  14. “Small portions, but tasty and creative”
  15. “French goat cheese sandwich and Roast beef sandwich was very good.”
  16. “Otherwise, it's a wonderful salad.”
  17. “casual, great food, wine, beautiful people!”
  18. “The portions are small but the food is flavorful, perfect for a light lunch.”
  19. “the dish was perfection!”
  20. “was attracted to the nice french decor and bright blue walls while driving on 3rd st. Decided to give it a try and it was delicious!”
  21. “She ordered the steak frites which was good.”
  22. “it was a rich and decadent meal but that was exactly why we were there for.”
  23. “after reading the comments with negative reviews, i think its safe to say that these people know nothing about good food and service.”
  24. “The mushroom and onion soup was very good, then it went down hill very fast from there.”
  25. “The food was not very tasty and the service was horrible,the worst I've had in a very long time.”
  26. “Apparently a lot of locals agree with our assessment of their wonderful food, because the place is always busy, but well wort the wait.”
  27. “Come here to enjoy the taste of the food in true french style (i.e. portions are small).”
  28. “the delicate texture of gnocchi and creaminess of the sauce toped with black truffle made the perfect transition to something light.”
  29. “That place might be the most stunning spot to enjoy a meal.”
  30. “it gives you a chance to relax and enjoy great food and wine.”
  31. “love the food here.”
  32. “Then I shared a beet salad with my friend which feature both red and golden baby beets and a smooth crumbled cheese: delicious.”
  33. “enjoyed my food but I think my expectations were a bit heightened.”
  34. “Will not return for the lame service and marginal, overpriced food.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Many of the options behind the counter are pretty traditionally french, and are in the very rich style.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “great new place for lunch.”
  2. “The best place in LA to relax and take a break!”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “Will not return for the lame service and marginal, overpriced food.”
service
68.94000053405762% positive
  1. “have been to the little next door since they opened and i think this place has the best quality, price, service, and energy in town!”
  2. “never experienced bad service there.”
  3. “service is friendly though a bit spotty”
  4. “Will not return for the lame service and marginal, overpriced food.”
  5. “I've had lunch at Little Next Door on several occasions & I have never encountered bad service.”
  6. “It used to be counter service but they are now going full service.”
  7. “the service is friendly and cool, no stress here.”
  8. “It has been crowded, yes, but the staff was always as attentive as they needed to be.”
  9. “The goat cheese smelled like a petting zoo -- granted, I love smelly cheeses, but something about these dishes mixed with the arrogance of the service/environment of this restaurant really bothered me.”
  10. “The service was pretty quick, the staff was very friendly.”
  11. “There is usually a line outside with people waiting, but the wait is reasonable and the staff is always helpful.”
  12. “Worst customer service I Have Ever Seen (Which is saying a lot given the usual LA service!)”
  13. “After 10 minutes the waitress came over and said that it was on the way, after another ten minute wait it was finally brought to the table (a cold salad with no preparation).”
  14. “The food was not very tasty and the service was horrible,the worst I've had in a very long time.”
  15. “after reading the comments with negative reviews, i think its safe to say that these people know nothing about good food and service.”
  16. “casual, great food, wine, beautiful people!”
  17. “Pretty decor, could be romantic, but rude, unhelpful and incompetent wait-staff.”
  18. “we started with fois grass which the waiter recommended and he couldn't have been more right!”
  19. “since we were there at 4pm we took full advantage of wine and dine special with help from the most attentive waiter who recommended gnocchi with truffle.”
  20. “Just pick a table and enjoy a very pleasant service in a great ambiance.”
  21. “The service was good,.”
  22. “I'm not hard to please, but this was awful, incompetent service, mediocre food, small portions, and overpriced.”
value
46.4300012588501% positive
  1. “have been to the little next door since they opened and i think this place has the best quality, price, service, and energy in town!”
  2. “Will not return for the lame service and marginal, overpriced food.”
  3. “Small portions, but tasty and creative”
  4. “I'm not hard to please, but this was awful, incompetent service, mediocre food, small portions, and overpriced.”
  5. “There are so many great brunch places in LA (la conversation, doughboys, cafe venice, campanile, lulu's cafe, etc etc) that you really don't want to waster your time and money here.”
  6. “We got specials but the bill showed full prices.”
  7. “Macarons are expensive, but I prefer them to Boule.”
  8. “The portions are small but the food is flavorful, perfect for a light lunch.”
  9. “and the price was not bad.”
  10. “Yes, the portions are tiny and things can get pricey, but I love how they offer free samples (as well as pre-measured spoonfuls of things like the cold lentils) to try things out before ordering.”
  11. “It's expensive and the portions are very small but the look ofthe place is so cute we went back even after we had a bad experience the first time.”
  12. “Come here to enjoy the taste of the food in true french style (i.e. portions are small).”
  13. “My boyfriend and I are huge fans of The Little Door, but are sad to say that The LIttle Next Door is truly disappointing.”
  14. “The portions are grossly overpriced for their tiny size.”
wait time
40.0% positive
  1. “Expect a French treatment, slow and unfriendly, just like Paris.”
  2. “Their are many great places to eat in L.A that don't really care to make you wait 30 minutes for a table standing up on the sidewalk, there they bring chairs and treats!”
  3. “The service was pretty quick, the staff was very friendly.”
  4. “The food was not very tasty and the service was horrible,the worst I've had in a very long time.”
  5. “After 10 minutes the waitress came over and said that it was on the way, after another ten minute wait it was finally brought to the table (a cold salad with no preparation).”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/11/12

Christmas Day Breakfast

by solam007 at Citysearch

Check out my full review on buenprovechola.blogspot

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/04/10

like a street cafe in paris

by laurie87 at Citysearch

this streetside cafe is great to feel like you're in Paris

the details are incredible including the beautiful front doors

service is friendly though a bit spotty

everything i've tasted here is great quality

go early on a weekend and eat something before since portions are very small

  • Pros: cute patio, great food
  • Cons: long wait sometimes, portions are tiny
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/17/10

Perfect little slice of Paris for lunch!

by jacqueline Potter at Citysearch

This is such a great spot to go visit with a friend have brunch, lunch, dinner... casual, great food, wine, beautiful people! I love this place!

  • Pros: Food, wine, people, french
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/01/10

france's gift to LA

by IlariaK at Citysearch

i love this place!! it gives you a chance to relax and enjoy great food and wine. we started with fois grass which the waiter recommended and he couldn't have been more right!!! so needless to say we left it up to him to suggest the rest!! he followed with escargot ...they were delicious!!! the smell of garlic and herbs served in these cute plates was superb and went very well with my glass of french chardonnay. since we were there at 4pm we took full advantage of wine and dine special with help from the most attentive waiter who recommended gnocchi with truffle. the dish was perfection!!! the delicate texture of gnocchi and creaminess of the sauce toped with black truffle made the perfect transition to something light...in this case our knowledgble waiter recomended the endive salad with blue cheese and walnuts.

it was a rich and decadent meal but that was exactly why we were there for. the way the flavors complimented each other was absolutely merit of the waiter who obviously knew what he was talking about. he was french but it takes more than that to know food. i have to give him alone 5 stars!!! his name is Stephan....ask for him next time you go there. i sure will:)

  • Pros: great food and amazing service
  • Cons: none
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/15/10

Best Nicoise Salad

by theminty at Citysearch

Can't or won't go to Little Door? Try Little Next Door. I've been in several times but the last time, I had the French classic Nicoise Salad and it was absolutely wonderful. Fresh lettuce, perfectly seared tuna, crisp beans. The only weird thing were the potatoes because they looked like mango wedges. I kept expecting to eat mango (hello, it's Nicoise!) but now I'm wondering if that could be a California take on the classic. Otherwise, it's a wonderful salad.

  • Pros: Nicoise salad
  • Cons: can be very busy

The Details on Little Next Door

Place Categories:

  • never bad pleasant service
  • enjoy spectacular food
  • great new place
  • creative small portions
  • awful incompetent service
  • rude pretty decor
  • always as attentive staff
  • bad experience
  • great quality
  • mediocre food
  • decadent meal
  • unfriendly french treatment
  • very good roast beef sandwich
  • amazing little door
  • authentic french pastries
  • delicious small kumquat tart
  • cold salad
  • incredibly rich hot chocolate
  • clean layout
  • great wine
  • enjoy atmosphere
  • perfection dish
  • great ambiance
  • great spot
  • full price

Message from Little Next Door

  • Local
  • Farm-Fresh
  • Organic

Bakery - Pastries - Wine Shop - Gift Baskets - Catering

Little Next Door is a natural extension of The Little Door, a place to enjoy a selection of healthful indulgences that bring stories and traditions to cooking, with a fresh twist.

Our chefs use farm fresh and organic ingredients to handcraft our house-made sandwiches, salads, fresh baked breads, pastries and more. We also offer an exclusive variety of house-made jams, condiments, terrines, and charcuterie along with a selection of artisanal cheeses and cured meats. All of this is complimented with a vast and unique cellar of fine wines.

Catering, curbside delivery and take-out is also available.

Visit us seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch and dinner to go.

Little Next Door
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