If you're in Los Angeles, a visit to the Formosa Cafe is an absolute must! This historic gem has an amazing atmosphere that truly transports you back in time. Whether you're a tourist or a local, you can't miss the chance to sit in Elvis Presley's booth or check out Bugsy Siegel's hidden vault--it's like stepping into a classic Hollywood movie! We stopped by for happy hour, and I was pleasantly surprised by the great prices on both drinks and food. Everything we ordered was delicious, but what really stood out was the exceptional service. The staff were friendly and attentive, making our experience even more enjoyable. The blend of history, good vibes, and tasty offerings makes the Formosa Cafe a standout destination. Don't just take my word for it--make sure to stop by and soak in the charm of this iconic spot! You won't regret it!

Formosa is such a romantic and cute little spot. Great for date night. Dim, warm, ambient lighting. Food was pretty good. Crispy potstickers were crisp and flavorful. Chicken Chow Mein was full of flavor. I'd pass next time on the Veggie Bao Dumpling, nothing special. Orange chicken was really the star of the show. Sooooo good, tangy, crispy. El Vencido & Secret Garden cocktails were delicious. Our server was delightful, constantly topping our waters off and checking in with us. Highly recommend.

Such an incredible spot in the neighborhood! The inside is super cute and worth sitting down to dine in. If not, they do takeout as well. I love coming here for their beef broccoli, which has a great portion of filet mignon and an incredible flavor. I also enjoy their wonton soup, which tastes similar to pho. The dumplings and noodles are a hit as well. The staff is warm and friendly and super accommodating. The prices are on the high end, but the experience and incredible food make up for it.

10/10 experience would definitely recommend ! Great food great staff! Staff was really nice made the whole experience amazing. One in particular server that stood out to me was Gelberth. Hard working nice young man :)

The food here was pretty good, I really liked the crab Rangoon dip and the orange chicken, I think they were my favorite dishes. I went with a slightly larger party so I got to try a lot of dishes. The ambiance inside is actually so cute, I really liked the art and the design of the whole restaurant. I do think our server could have been nicer to us, they also spilled water on my friend. It wasn't a big deal but they just seemed fed up the whole time we were there. I think it's a really cute place to share a meal with some loved ones!

The service is usually very good, staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable for the Hollywood area. It's become a regular spot for me when I have meetings or events in the neighborhood. I usually book a table through Open Table and there are usually openings even with short notice. The decor is pretty cool inside. Ask for the Elvis booth when booking if your a fan of the King.

My husband and I had a fantastic meal here! They have a really great happy hour, I love their drinks as well as the food. Much better than expected, the kitschy theme makes for a fun night out. We try to variety of their dishes and they were all very good. High-quality Chinese food, beautifully presented. Service was very friendly, fast and efficient. The food was beautifully presented, and ready within minutes. We will definitely be back, highly recommended if you were looking for a fun night out!

Came here with some coworkers after work. The vibes were super cute! The staff were super friendly and helpful, and patient as we were somewhat of a large party. We each got a bunch of different dishes and tried each others food. I got the beef and broccoli and it was really good - just wish there was more beef than broccoli. We also got some appetizers - the egg-roll I got had a hair in it but I didn't say anything. Other than that - it was a nice experience and good food ! Parking- there is either street parking and a structure.

When the last decent Chinese-adjacent restaurant closed near us, I embarked on a mission to find one, anywhere, that was half as good. Now, you may think Chinese-ish fare is available on every street corner, but no, not in Los Angeles. Spoiled (I apologize in advance for this, Ange-philes) by the deep bank of regional, hole-in-the-wall-mom-&-poppers in NYC, I have been disappointed to find that, while there is the errant Hunanese or Szechuanese venue near Monterey Park and environs, they are not only a hike for us, but the menu will have things like pig's eyeballs and pigeon ears that I envision being prepared next to my elegant peppered vegetables and egg fried rice. Not for me, that possibility. So, I have to revert to Cantonese food that I believe will be the best in its class. And, that is where Formosa Cafe comes in and tops them all! What a treasure. From 1939 to this day, serving the best and doing it in such a way that you feel it is their honor to have us (when it is really the other way around, imho). I don't know what took me so long. Formosa Cafe is legendary but it escaped me. It is even featured in an awesome coffee table book on the historic restaurants of Los Angeles that we received last Christmas, but I still didn't pay attention. I feared a musty, dated, sleepy, barely sanitary fossil of a place, the way I imagine some restaurants that are rusting on their bay laurels from long ago are. Nope. This place is fresh, bright, smells wonderful, spotless, cheerful, and with a decor that made us feel as if we should have dressed for the Red Carpet, circa 1939 itself. See my pictures. How about the food, for vegetarians? The choices were limited, I admit. But we got to choose from the breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner menus and there was enough that we didn't get to sample everything we wanted. Every dish was clearly made to order (and yes, you might wait for some of them but not others). It all came to the table piping hot, in beautiful serving bowls offsetting the rich velvety reds that dominate the atmosphere. The vegetables were crisp, perfectly seasoned. Nothing was dull and nothing was painfully hot -- all just right. The walls entertained us while we waited. Dozens of stars have signed pictures that festoon the ceiling area and talked to us in our very own booth. While I am at it, there are several areas in which to dine. I wanted to be in the middle of the action, so we sat in the main room flanked by the mile-long bar. Everyone was super nice and welcoming, from the woman who greeted us warmly and promised us we would not leave hungry (she was right -- the portions were beyond generous), to the gal who prepared our beverages, to other staff who came by with a smile to be sure we were happy (yes! delirious, actually), to Bryan, our personal attendant who was accommodating, helpful in making suggestions and who, upon inquiry, confessed that he loved the food at Formosa and had a number of favorites to recommend. The dessert was just as delicious as everything else. I know we will be back every time we want Chinese food. Now, if they could just open a branch in Santa Clarita, it would be heavenly.