Joseph's Cafe

(323) 462-8697

1775 N Ivar Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028 34.1033 -118.3282

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Neighborhoods: Hollywood, Central LA

JOSEPHSCAFE.COM

Hours:

Monday To Sunday From 09:00 PM To 02:00 AM

Last updated 12.03.11

Category:

Restaurants, Nightclubs, Singles Bars, Catering

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard, Travelers Check

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Outdoor Dining, Business Dining, Lunch Spot, Group Dining

Cuisine:

Mediterranean

Bar & Club Special Features:

Outdoor Seating

What People Are Saying About Joseph's Cafe

Featured Review

Tara Lis

Contributor

In Short – A nondescript white facade belies a tasteful main dining room dressed in billowing curtains and refined lighting. Outside lies the smoker-friendly retractable roof-covered patio. By day, Capitol execs filter in for alfresco lunches, followed by low-key happy hour revelers. On club nights, it's often bursting with A-list stars like Lindsay Lohan. The full menu includes Greek staples like baked dolmades and moussaka, as well as lighter fare such as broiled salmon.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Take advantage of happy hour specials on cocktails and tapas weekdays from 3pm to 7pm.
Where to Sit:
Patio table six affords comfortable bench seating for up to four people. Inside, the booths are prime spots.
Parking:
On slow nights, the $5 valet ends at 9:30pm. Request that your car be moved into a reserved metered space in front when they close, if you plan on clubbing afterward.
ambiance
93.00000190734863% positive
  1. This is a great restaurant for atmosphere and friendly and attentive service.
  2. Overall the food and service was just ok but the decor, music and atmosphere was more impressive.
  3. The atmosphere was not welcoming at all, especially the ugly doorman who had his thoughts on money over good manners and basic ethics.
  4. Great music, fun atmosphere with good looking people and strong drinks which is always Guarenteed a great nite.
  5. The price for the quality of food and ambiance was very reasonable.
  6. The atmosphere at Joseph's is great--I was able to relax and enjoy my friends without overbearing music etc.
  7. The ambiance was very romantic from the patio dining to the sound of a waterfall in the background.
  8. Our waitress was especially sensitive to our particular needs from making sure that we were in a comfortable seating arrangement to making sure our glasses were continually full.
  9. The restaurant was very inviting with a beautiful atmosphere.
  10. was referred to Joseph's by a friend who mentioned the fabulous outdoor patio (with view of the stars), delicious Greek-Mediterranean cuisine (the taste of joseph's, saganaki, and lamb skewers are to die for!)
  11. what a great place, very cool atmosphere, great food and the drinks!
  12. The food was incredible, the service was excellent and the atmosphere couldn't be hotter.
  13. The decor is very nice with a bar to one side of the restaurant and an outdoor patio as well.
  14. The decor is unique - Mediterranean, which is a nice change from the typical hollywood
  15. Always was fun place to be, but now the service really makes you feel wanted, that's new, and the food was great.
  16. While the decor is cool, the outdoor patio is full and fun on a weekend, and the music's decent, the service is shockingly bad.
  17. Such a great atmosphere!
  18. chic atmosphere and tasteful decor accentuate the positive vibe from the crowd.
  19. The crowd there was so much fun, everyone was dancing, and the bar prices weren't terrible either.
  20. It was a mistake to think this would be a nice respite for a midday lunch the patio was littered with construction materials and there is no valet during the day so good luck finding a 2 hour parking meter in Hollywood and if you do find one make sure you
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. ordered the hummus to start off with as well as the crab cakes which were both excellent!
  2. hours to have everyone show up, get their appetizers, get their drinks, place their orders, get their food, eat their food, order their desserts, and finish their desserts?
drinks
85.29000282287598% positive
  1. Great bar also.
  2. The 2 bar tenders were good, just TOO many people.
  3. The decor is very nice with a bar to one side of the restaurant and an outdoor patio as well.
  4. The bartenders make the best concoctions are always willing to top of your drink of choice.
  5. hours to have everyone show up, get their appetizers, get their drinks, place their orders, get their food, eat their food, order their desserts, and finish their desserts?
  6. Brenda (the bartender) introduced me to my new favorite drink a French Martini.
  7. Best drink in the house: Grey Goose and Tonic -- hold the tonic.
  8. We were a group of six with plans to have dinner, drinks, and enjoy their supposedly great music and nightlife.
  9. ordered a lemon drop martini and it was the worst drink ever.
  10. The drinks are bad and expensive for the quality.
  11. If you are looking for great food, a few drinks at happy hour, or a great time on fri, sat or monday night, jospehs is the spot.
  12. Fine food, cocktails, the best service in LA and great company.
  13. what a great place, very cool atmosphere, great food and the drinks!
  14. Cover charge is reasonable ($10+) and drinks are mediocre, but the smoke-filled rooms and cheesy crowd makes this joint b-grade regardless of all the celebrity sightings; remember, most celebrities are former midwest transplants who are convinced they
  15. Great music, fun atmosphere with good looking people and strong drinks which is always Guarenteed a great nite.
  16. The crowd there was so much fun, everyone was dancing, and the bar prices weren't terrible either.
  17. Socializing was at it's optimum and the drinks were really good.
food quality
90.0% positive
  1. Saturday night i had a party at Josephs and the food was GREAT the bartenders were really nice, my friends had a wonderful time.
  2. The food was better than expected - I would highly recommend the Moussaka - huge portions and very tasty.
  3. The price for the quality of food and ambiance was very reasonable.
  4. Then we ate, the food was great.
  5. Good crew, good food, great times.
  6. Fine food, cocktails, the best service in LA and great company.
  7. suggest Joseph's to anyone who is having a party or meeting up with friends--its a great place, the food is awesome and the nightclub is a good time:)
  8. Overall the food and service was just ok but the decor, music and atmosphere was more impressive.
  9. The food alone is good enough to endure any sub-par service issues.
  10. The food was incredible, the service was excellent and the atmosphere couldn't be hotter.
  11. hours to have everyone show up, get their appetizers, get their drinks, place their orders, get their food, eat their food, order their desserts, and finish their desserts?
  12. We were all middle aged professionals simply trying to have a good meal and a good time at a restaurant.
  13. The food was good, the tiramisu was wonderful!
  14. Always was fun place to be, but now the service really makes you feel wanted, that's new, and the food was great.
  15. was referred to Joseph's by a friend who mentioned the fabulous outdoor patio (with view of the stars), delicious Greek-Mediterranean cuisine (the taste of joseph's, saganaki, and lamb skewers are to die for!)
  16. ordered the hummus to start off with as well as the crab cakes which were both excellent!
  17. The food was good although the lighting was a bit awkward in the booth room.
  18. Our server was quite funny and very passionate about the menu--I can see why--the food is amazing.
  19. we went for dinner and the food took to long to get to the table, the service was ok, the food was cold and horrible!
  20. what a great place, very cool atmosphere, great food and the drinks!
  21. Another excellent dish served with rice pilaf.
  22. The food was not that great but it may have just been that I ordered the wrong dish.
  23. The food was some of the best greek I have ever had in Los Angeles.
  24. You wouldn't tolerate the poor service and $10 valet for a decent plate of chicken and cous cous.
  25. Literally a favorite place of mine - the food is great (The Taste of Joseph's is fantastic and comes in smaller portions if you ask), the staff is always willing to help out, and while quiet - they do have a pretty good brunch on Sundays.
  26. peaceful Mediterranean patio with decent Greek food (really good hummus platter with grape leaves, actually).
  27. The food was delicious and presented artfully.
  28. The service was good and after the meal, the staff reset the table with black leather tablecloths.
  29. Dinner: Decor was average, a bit dark, fish & steak were dry, only the mashed sweet potato was good.
  30. If you are looking for great food, a few drinks at happy hour, or a great time on fri, sat or monday night, jospehs is the spot.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The crowds are cool, and theres always a dinner or birthday part there to make it even more interesting and diverse crowd.
  2. Our server was quite funny and very passionate about the menu--I can see why--the food is amazing.
  3. The happy hour menu is great!
  4. large selection for "Bottle service" allow you to feel like a VIP and the finger foods are great during club hours.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. Nice place to hang out or party but not a great place for dinner parties.
  2. what a great place, very cool atmosphere, great food and the drinks!
  3. All in all a great place for dining and dancing.
  4. suggest Joseph's to anyone who is having a party or meeting up with friends--its a great place, the food is awesome and the nightclub is a good time:)
  5. This is a great restaurant for atmosphere and friendly and attentive service.
  6. The decor is very nice with a bar to one side of the restaurant and an outdoor patio as well.
service
68.48999977111816% positive
  1. Service: New waitress was pretty good.
  2. Everyone was in great spirits, and our server, Guinevere was a delight.
  3. Went there for a birthday, the service was terrible.
  4. The crowd was weird- a lot of older guys and strange looking people.
  5. Its just too unpleasant The service is really terrible and apparently feel they are worthy of 50% tip as they never returned with our change.
  6. The service was good and after the meal, the staff reset the table with black leather tablecloths.
  7. wanted to thank Joseph's Cafe and their amazing staff for making my holiday party a success!
  8. Unlike other users experiences, the host working was friendly and attended to us promptly.
  9. The 2 bar tenders were good, just TOO many people.
  10. Saturday night i had a party at Josephs and the food was GREAT the bartenders were really nice, my friends had a wonderful time.
  11. had read reviews about poor customer service but had a hard time believing it since the lady who took my reservation seemed very nice over the phone.
  12. Our waitress was especially sensitive to our particular needs from making sure that we were in a comfortable seating arrangement to making sure our glasses were continually full.
  13. This is a great restaurant for atmosphere and friendly and attentive service.
  14. We love Josephs on a Monday, great crowd, great people.
  15. Our server was quite funny and very passionate about the menu--I can see why--the food is amazing.
  16. we went for dinner and the food took to long to get to the table, the service was ok, the food was cold and horrible!
  17. The service was unacceptable and the staff was clearly not interested in serving us.
  18. Even though we aren't black, all people were cool.
  19. She seemed quite busy, but handled the restaurant well and provided fabulous service.
  20. The waitress took our appetizer orders, walked away before we could order our entrees, the appetizers arrived and when we were almost finished she took our entree orders.
  21. Brenda (the bartender) introduced me to my new favorite drink a French Martini.
  22. that was a great night, with great people.
  23. The bartenders make the best concoctions are always willing to top of your drink of choice.
  24. Literally a favorite place of mine - the food is great (The Taste of Joseph's is fantastic and comes in smaller portions if you ask), the staff is always willing to help out, and while quiet - they do have a pretty good brunch on Sundays.
  25. You wouldn't tolerate the poor service and $10 valet for a decent plate of chicken and cous cous.
  26. After sitting down our waiters were attentive and polite.
  27. There was only one waiter; service was slow incomplete.
  28. The service is terrible!
  29. While the decor is cool, the outdoor patio is full and fun on a weekend, and the music's decent, the service is shockingly bad.
  30. let the slow service bother us and tried to have a really good time.
  31. Great service!
  32. Always was fun place to be, but now the service really makes you feel wanted, that's new, and the food was great.
  33. Great music, fun atmosphere with good looking people and strong drinks which is always Guarenteed a great nite.
  34. The service was good, being that there was only one waitress for the whole spot.
  35. Overall the food and service was just ok but the decor, music and atmosphere was more impressive.
  36. The food alone is good enough to endure any sub-par service issues.
  37. The food was incredible, the service was excellent and the atmosphere couldn't be hotter.
  38. If you enjoy hanging out with a primitive group of people with bad taste in music and clothing, then it is the place for you.
  39. Fine food, cocktails, the best service in LA and great company.
  40. ordered lunch for very important people in Hollywood and was basically "yelled" at by the woman taking the order because I called a few times to make sure the order was correct (which by the way was wrong all three times that I called) Definitely will n
  41. And ended up with THE worst service imaginable.
  42. large selection for "Bottle service" allow you to feel like a VIP and the finger foods are great during club hours.
value
62.5% positive
  1. The atmosphere was not welcoming at all, especially the ugly doorman who had his thoughts on money over good manners and basic ethics.
  2. Drinks were pricey as everywhere in Hollywood.
  3. The price for the quality of food and ambiance was very reasonable.
  4. The drinks are bad and expensive for the quality.
  5. The food was better than expected - I would highly recommend the Moussaka - huge portions and very tasty.
  6. The crowd there was so much fun, everyone was dancing, and the bar prices weren't terrible either.
  7. Drinks are pricey and not good.
  8. Literally a favorite place of mine - the food is great (The Taste of Joseph's is fantastic and comes in smaller portions if you ask), the staff is always willing to help out, and while quiet - they do have a pretty good brunch on Sundays.
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. let the slow service bother us and tried to have a really good time.
  2. we went for dinner and the food took to long to get to the table, the service was ok, the food was cold and horrible!
  3. There was only one waiter; service was slow incomplete.
  4. They are quick to recommend local businesses for change.
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/01/09

CLUB is TERRIBLE! SMALLEST DANCE FLOOR EVER!

by Sunscape

My husband and I went because of all the advertisement they were making over the radio! We called in advance to ask for the cover fee and they said before 10pm it?s free and after 10pm it?s $10/person. We thought that was cheap! We got there before 10 but there?s no parking around there so we had to use Valet and that was $15!! We waited in line for a while. The place looked small from the outside it?s right on a corner but we thought it would be bigger inside (NOT REALLY). By the time we got to the entrance it was after 10pm and they charged $20 for men and $15 for the ladies.. I told them I called before hand and they were rude and disregarded my comment. We thought we would just forget about it and have a good time so our first stop was the Bar. Drinks were pricey as everywhere in Hollywood. The place is TINY We headed to the dance floor and even though the DJ was playing nobody was dancing yet.. We waited until a few people started and began to dance. Within a few min the entire floor (which wasn?t that big to begin with) was packed.. So uncomfortable!! People were stepping on me.. pushing us as we danced.. almost Closter phobic!! Terrible. The people at the entrance were still charging and letting people in. Shouldn?t there be sort of limit! It was seriously exaggerating how many people were there! NEVER AGAIN!!

  • Pros: Valet people were nice
  • Cons: TINY place and sweaty people
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/21/08

Revamped jOSEPHS CAFE

by cabdkc

Grand Opening at Joseph's by a Company Called East West Entertainment was off the chain. I think the name of it was CLUB CHAOS. Mixed crowd. Great DJ. There were to rooms of Music old school and new school. Door guy/ promoter Deshawn was very nice! no problems at the door if you were on the guest list you got in. No waiting in line. Guest list price was $10.00 dollars I WILL BE RETURNING. DRINKS WERE CHEAP. DJ PLAY TO 1:59 A.M.

  • Pros: crowd dj door charge
  • Cons: parking was kind of high. more then the door charge of the club
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/21/08

Bringing it back!

by dizzleizzle

We went to Josephs a few weeks ago to check out what they were calling a grand opening for a new event there and we were vary pleased by the results!! The crowd there was so much fun, everyone was dancing, and the bar prices weren't terrible either. Hollywood Attire Events was the company that brought the place back to life, and the crowd was young, hot and happening and we cant wait to go back next Saturday! we are just happy to find a spot that has new faces and lots of great music and different music styles

  • Pros: great music and atmosphere!
  • Cons: parking
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/22/07

Horrible Service and Dance Floor

by gomachan5

I was there for Bacherolette Party. They told us their dance floor is open until 2am when we made an arrangment. At 12:15pm, the DJ suddenly stopped the music without informing us. There were about 15-20 of us on the floor and had no idea what happend. DJ told us that the owner of this place decided to stop the music. It turns out that the owner was not satisfied with DJ since they were not briniging people in, so he decided not pay them after midnite. SO DJ decided to pull the plug. We were ???? on the floor since we were given no info. We got those info after complaining to the owenr that it is not professional to do so. His reponse. Sorry Ladies. No sincer apologies or anything like that. They did not tell the rest of the guest any of the exploation. Does he know that maybe he can just let the customers know that they are ending the music?? We were furious. We had plans to come back for happy hour but NO WAY!!! Better to go to the club down the street called FACCADE. We went there after we got kicked out and the guys there gave us free amdission since it was bacherollete party. Too BAD some of the restaurant just does not have common courtesy.

  • Pros: NOTHING When they close the floor without letting people know.. That is ridicurous.
  • Cons: Absolutely not a good place to go for anything.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/09/07

Great Happy Hour!

by regalmama

I came here with a big group on a Friday. The happy hour menu is great! Mostly everything is less than $5. The service was good, being that there was only one waitress for the whole spot. Her name was Jenny and she served us really well and was really pleasant! She makes a yummy peach martini! The spanikopita is the BOMB here! Try it!

  • Pros: Good happy hour menu
  • Cons: only metered parking

The Details on Joseph's Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great greek food
  • pricey drinks
  • slow service
  • good service
  • great music
  • great place
  • cool crowd
  • great fun atmosphere
  • great many people
  • very nice decor
  • fun outdoor patio
  • really nice bartenders
  • cold food
  • highly suggest moussaka
  • very inviting restaurant
  • favorite nite
  • polite waiters
  • bad taste
  • great spot
  • whack music
  • bad european club
  • very nice reservation
  • suggest joseph
  • fantastic dj
  • great happy hour
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