Figtree's Cafe Review by TravelQueen2001

A cozy little cafe right on the beach boardwalk, Fig Tree's is a perfect excuse to go spend the morning (or afternoon) in Venice Beach. Only a few minutes away from Santa Monica (you could walk on the beach, or rent a bycicle if you have no car), you NEED to see Venice Beach before you leave Southern California. Great beach, lots of strange people walking, jogging or selling esoteric stuff, and some great houses particularly if you walk inland a bit (take Rose St., for example).

All right, back to the Fig Tree's Cafe -- small, friendly place, with great cakes and pastries (last night I went there and had the most delicious apple and pear cobbler served warm with vanilla ice cream on the side), and also many tasty sandwiches, pastas, and breakfast items. The far eastern ginger noodles are excellent (great udon noddles in a light ginger sauce with peanuts and grilled tofu), and so is the burrito (the latter is served with a perfect green salad). The chai is amazing, and it comes in a nice big cup, like you're at home. They also serve beer and wine, and they close at sunset, so go early. I actually watched the sun going down on the Pacific there last night while sipping my chai and munching on the cobbler -- what a view, and a happy belly, too! by TravelQueen2001 from Los Angeles, California

Figtree's Cafe Best of LA

A day at the beach is always a must for a Native Angelino like me.

MS and I decided to have a beach day and headed down to Venice on the Big Blue Bus. After a quick coffee run to the Literati Cafe, we deposited our 75 cents fare and carried our joes on board. This was quite the adventure for me because it was my very first time riding a bus in LA. And although our city's mass transit system isn't the same as those found in Chicago, SF, and NYC, I found the ride to be most enjoyable. The buses were clean, friendly, on time, and a great alternative to driving - thus, also good for the environment.

We got to Venice, walked along the Boardwalk, and had lunch at a fabulous corner cafe called the Figtree. Established in such a fabulous year - 1978 - the Figtree had an open restaurant with tables out in the patio area. We chose a two-seater by the Boardwalk with a nice view of the sand, waves, and palm trees - not to mention a great place to people watch as well.

Every table in the restaurant was filled by the lunch hour, and there were lively conversations all around. A French speaking couple tied their Boston Boxer next to us, and a well-behaved friendly companion joined us for lunch [see below picture]. The sandwiches we ordered were perfectly made - lightly toasted la brea sourdough bread, swiss cheese, a light coating of horseradish mayonnaise, sliced roasted turkey, sweetened sun-dried tomatoes, smooth avocados, crisp romaine lettuce, and just enough red onions to give it a kick. The sandwiches also came with a side salad of organic greens with balsamic vinaigrette. Healthy and incredibly delicious, lunch at the Figtree was a fabulous delight on a most beautiful and sunny summer day at the beach! BoLA

From Silverlake to Venice Beach by snapla

From Silverlake to Venice Beach - I changed the scenery to spice up my digital and work flow knowledge at Julia Dean's Photo workshops, right by the Venice board walk. After exercising our new wisdom, the group had lunch in the rather cool, meaning not so touristy and partially organic, Figtree Cafe on Ocean Boulevard. Some of us produced some accidental art work. by snapla

My friend and I both ordered the eggs Lulu with egg whites. by Ashley D.

Came here last Friday for a late breakfast. It was a perfect sunny day complete with perfect sea breezes, and the patio was the perfect location for a beautiful afternoon on the Venice boardwalk. I'm not sure if this place is the best restaurant on the boardwalk, but it's pretty good for this summer tourist trap. If you can stand the tourists. They were bearable on a Friday at noon, or at least THIS Friday. When I actually venture out onto the boardwalk itself (mostly during the summer time or on a particularly warm day) I usually end up going to On the Waterfront, mainly for their tall (I think 18oz) glasses of golden Erdinger( with lemon mmmm). But I'll pass on the grub. Which is what led me just a bit farther down (south) to Figtree's.My friend and I both ordered the eggs Lulu with egg whites. I added swiss. They came with breakfast taters and your choice of bread for toast. Eggs Lulu is basically a scramble with chicken apple sausage, spinach, and pesto. I liked how they had chopped the sausage into smaller pieces instead of huge chunks, but I didn't like how they just melted pieces of the swiss over the top. I want my cheese mixed into a scramble damnit! Overall the food was good, but nothing to write home about. Same goes for the service. Come here for breakfast or lunch with a view. A view which can be both good AND bad, depending on who's out on the boardwalk that day! Ashley D.

Figtree Cafe is great. by Jen B

Figtree Cafe is great. We were seated right away on a Sunday of a holiday weekend at about 1 PM. I had the breakfast quesadilla which I liked even though I'm not much of a feta cheese fan. One of my friends raved about the Avocado Chicken Melt sandwich and another had the organic granola. My friends who live in the area also recommend the Eggs Bandalier and the Eggs Lulu. Figtree buys their ingredients locally and use La Brea bread and Chino Valley Organic eggs. The patio seating wraps around the building on the boardwalk and a side street. There is great people watching, of course, in Venice, as well as a great view of the ocean. Jen B.

great food... great scene... by tofutratra

my bf & i had a great friday morning breakfast at figtree's this morning. not only did we get served by a cute waiter w/ great service, the food was amazing delicious. on top of the yummy taste, the portion of our breakfast was huge. couldn't believe how full we were after just breakfast dishes. it was a nice sunny day to be sitting outside and having a nice view of the ocean and all the scenes happening on the ocean front walk. we would definitely go back for a nice relaxing breakfast, lunch, or dinner anytime. tofutratra

Favorite Place by athenart

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Santa Monica / Venice / MDR. The food is great, and there are always lots of veggie/vegan alternatives. Location right on the boardwalk is also fun, though can get pretty busy on the weekends. Only downside is the service, which is friendly but slow and consistently under-staffed. Just bring your patience with you, and you'll love it! The food is worth the wait. by athenart