Formosa Cafe

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1. MA

   MaryA

   Los Angeles

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food3service2ambience5

   The service wasn’t great. Slow. Parts or order forgotten, had to ask for utensils, sauce, sauce again when wrong sauce was brought. Appetizer was brought after entree. That sort of thing… love the decor, love the history, maybe more fun just for drinks and not dinner. Also, we sat in train and that was a mistake. Too crowded, stuffy, loud… the staff was friendly just not very effective. Food was fine, sort of a retro rendition of what sophisticated Angelenos thought Chinese food was like in the golden age of Hollywood.

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2. R

   Ryan

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Took my mother and my daughter on a Saturday (5pm). We got seated right away. The food came out quick and was amazing. The restaurant decor is stunning and our waitress was very charming.

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food5service5ambience5

   Dinner with a friend. Sat on the roof deck. Wonderful food, drinks and excellent service.

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Came here to celebrate my best friends birthday. The food is always amazing. It was a bit loud so we had to talk much louder. The staff is great and Drake was a wonderful server. They made the perfect recommendations for cocktails.

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5. MW

   MaggieW

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food4service3ambience4

   I love this place - despite the things I don't like about it. The food is seriously delicious. Walnut Shrimp is one of the best dishes anywhere. But it's always frantically busy. The food comes when it comes, and sometimes it's cold, so you know it was sitting in the kitchen, instead of in front of me. I've even had dinner served, before the appetizer I ordered to nibble on whilst we decided on the main course. So that's a major bummer, but the food is so good, it's worth it. The ambience is fabulous - very old Hollywood. And the cocktail are top notch.

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Pittsburgh

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service4ambience4

   it was all good! if can improve one thing, would recommend to make an improvement in cleanliness a bit but overall, had a great experience with the taste and also the kind service :)

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7. BB

   BourbonBecky

   Louisville

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Awesome! We loved the history, we loved the food, we loved the cocktails, we loved the photographs.......we loved everything! We will definitely come back next time we are in town!

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8. S

   Share

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   It was amazing, food was delicious! We love the atmosphere

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9. A

   Alliwan

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on March 11, 2023

   overall3food2service2ambience5

   Very poor food service in the dining area. Took about 15 minutes for anyone to even acknowledge us at our table and get us drinks, even with reservations where I specified it was my birthday online. Food came out very hot, but appetizers and main courses all came out at the same time. Chow Fun Beef was perhaps the worst I've ever had. All other entrees were forgettable. The noodles in the Chow Fun were so overcooked that they weren't even noodle-like, but rather congealed like big dumplings or gnocchi. After dining we stopped by the bar and THAT experience was awesome. Excellent bar service and wonderfully charming bartender. Recommend having cocktails here but definitely not food. Overrated.

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10. DV

    DennyV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Hostess was wonderful! Food runner was so pleasant and bartender! Waitress taking order…we’ll, she took someone who came in after us (their order before us) we had to crank our heads around until she noticed us! Food excellent!

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11. DO

    DONNIEB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fucken AWESOME. ................... .......

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    I always love coming here and bring any of my friends from out of town- but this night the host didn’t let us know that there was going to be a short film presentation. I just would have liked a heads up as it wasn’t something that was fitting for the evening. It would have been nice to have the option to watch or not- the first film was pretty awful as well 😅 But the food and service and drinks and ambience is always so spot on.

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13. LV

    LexV

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    solid joint. great and knowledgable service and food is consistently remarkable. ambiance top notch! great for solo/date/pals/guests.

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Birthday dinner, excellent food and service. My favourite place in LA ❤️

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15. JW

    JoeyW

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Overall, great evening out with my husband and kids. We’ll definitely be back.

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience5

    The food was good, not great but good. The place itself is beautiful. The service was not the best. I would have loved to try other drinks if our waitress would have stopped by to ask us if we were ready for another drink instead of asking when we were already ready to pay.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our first time at this restaurant. Food (flavor and quantity) and service was SO GOOD!! Would totally recommend to others!!

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18. AD

    AmaDines22

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love Formosa Cafe! Food is delicious, high quality every time. Everything I’ve ever ordered there tastes amazing. Staff has always been great to me.

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19. w

    wink

    Los Angeles

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Gluten free Chinese food items in an old hollywood hangout!

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Had a business dinner from out of town and they loved the place, taking pictures the entire time. 10/10 for visitors

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21. D

    Dennis

    Los Angeles

    48 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The famous Formosa Cafe is quite a night out! Fun, energetic, people watching g and really good food! It is not too pricey but it’s definitely NOT the Chinese restaurant “down the street” that most of us know. I have TWO recommendations: 1. If you want to talk sit in the back in the dining room area. We sat at a booth in the bar which was fun but we ended up shouting g to each other 2. Order your food in phases. Like every Chinese restaurant- even though we asked the waiter and he agreed - ALL the food came at once. We sent the entrees back while we had Spivey wonton soup and egg rolls. I will definitely go back!

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22. CS

    CarenS

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Fabulous iconic restaurant in WeHo!

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food with knowledgeable

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Food was amazing. Ambiance was everything we hoped it would be. Service was pretty average post Covid service but certainly really fast! Can’t wait to come back.

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25. PV

    PattyVGarcia

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5

    The service was great and the ambience was fantastic. It was a bit pricey for what you get, for example an old fashion cocktail was $19. The good was a bit salty, portions were shareable.

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was one of those places that was better than I hoped, great food and the staff was absolutely amazing. Highly recommend everyone give them a try Will definitely be back

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27. M

    Michele

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    They were packed - make a reservation. Service was good they seem to want to hurry you at the beginning- but once he realized we wanted to go a bit slower the server adjusted. Parking is in the building you need to pay for - no validation. Lot of little places around to grab a drink before or after.

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5

    We called to see how we can request the booth that Elvis used to sit it and after being on hold for about 10 min I was told by the manager to just put it in the notes on OpenTable and they will honor the request. I did just this and guess what - not able to ge the table we requested. Since this was the only reason we wanted to come here it was a let down. The food and drinks were good.

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29. SF

    SolerFamily

    Charlotte

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service1ambience5

    First time in LA

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30. L

    Lynnie

    Los Angeles

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We love this nostalgic place it’s a gem. Food is always fantastic! Drinks are curated lovely!! Vibe is romantic and fun 🫶🏽

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delightful. Food runs spicy - beware! Fab server, angel and great bartenders!

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32. TT

    TryThisMaybe

    Chicago

    185 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    185 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience5

    This is an iconic Hollywood restaurant with lots of history- although you won’t learn about the history there ( you need to do your own homework to know about Frank Sinatra and so many old-time stars that frequented this restaurant ) across the street from one of Hollywood’s original Douglas Fairbanks & Mary Pickford studios ( still in operation today, owned by others of course). The restaurant is decorated as an old Hollywood Chinese joint— lots of red tassels. It’s fun to see decor, Hollywood photos and all. The service was delightful. The waiter could not have been more attentive, pleasant, charming, friendly — he was terrific! The best part of our visit! The food— not good. I think they stir-fry everything in the same overcooked ( burnt) oil. Please— note to chef— change the oil! The orange chicken looked black/burnt. The Kung Pao chicken looked black/burnt. Neither should be (!). I don’t think a lot of people come for the food- or maybe we ordered poorly. Fix the food and it’s a fun place for lunch/dinner. It’s history. Save this place- just fix the food, please.

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33. j

    jacquelinel

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a great lunch meeting. Our server was fantastic and so was the food.

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34. A

    Alexandra

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing service and food! I highly recommend Formosa :)

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Birthday dinner for a friend.

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36. AF

    AndreaF

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic food and ambiance! I can't believe it has taken me this long to try this place. We enjoyed this whole experience in the Red Caboose.

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37. l

    luv2eatgdfud

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My husband’s birthday.

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38. LM

    LouM

    Miami

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic!

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39. MB

    MichaelB

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    The food was a 10 out of 10 I am so happy. We finally went here because we always drove by it and it looked cool. We will be back again very soon and many more times. The chow fun and the orange chicken are must orders.

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Chic ambiance, delicious drinks, great food! Fun atmosphere. Cooool place!

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