Cafe Dulce Pop/Hold Up

Adorable place, nice people.

CLOSED, as of March 2013. Walked by today to find the space vacated and empty. Sigh. RIP :(

This little spot offers a minimal selection of drinks, however you don’t need many options if you get Dulce Latte (Hot or Iced). The flavor is very pleasing — not overly sweet for my taste. The only downside to it is the choice of size of drink as they only have one size for all drinks. They do not offer pastries like they do in their other location (I wish they did). Service is fast — at least the times I’ve gone.

This place is hipster place with roll up walls with nice earthy decors.
The latte is definitely smooth. I asked the barista what the difference is between the latte and dulce latte. The dulce latte is a latte with condenses milk used as a sweetener. I ordered the latte, because I am not a fan of condensed milk.
The latte was nicely presented. I ordered to-​go so it was given in a white paper cup with a simple logo design! The latte was finished off with a nice leaf design on the foam. Mhmmm just makes the entire experience better.

The first few times I’ve tried coming to the pop up were fails because I either couldn’t find it or the place was closed. However, I finally managed to catch them a few times while they were opened.
I don’t think they sell pastries at the pop-​up, but the Iced Dulce Latte here is better than the one that they sell in Little Tokyo. At the Pop/​Hold Up, they use Strauss milk (which is delicious…) to make their drinks whereas in Little Tokyo, they use regular milk.
They’re always pulling different espressos here as well… the times that I’ve visited it’s been Lamill, Stumptown, Handsom, Intelligentsia… hopefully I’m not making any of these up. I just know that Dulce has been using a variety of different beans over the past year which has been super exciting.
The service is great and the baristas are knowledgeable and helpful. I would totally suggest visiting this site if you enjoy drinking coffee. Even if you don’t like coffee, try the Iced Dulce Latte YUM!

I came here on a whim not thinkingit was going to be amazing.
Surprisingly the dulce latte was so freaking delicious. It also kept me awake all night and I drink Americans regularly.
It is also a very open café so bring a warm jacket in the afternoon if you always get cold like me.
I will be coming back here again!!!

I like the the simplicity and chill vibe here. The open space is different and the unassuming but convenient location at 11^th and Hope allows for a sense of tranquility yet only blocks away from the hustle and bustle of downtown LA.
I loved my iced Assam milk tea ($ 4.25) — it reminded me of a more fragrant and less sweet Hong Kong style milk tea which is exactly what I needed after an intense hot yoga session.
Bar table for doing laptop work and scattered seats around for groups. And thankfully there’s free wifi! Yay! I had no trouble finding parking with the meters in the surrounding area.
Can’t wait to return! Skip the Starbucks at the corner and stop by here.

NEVER ordered/​drank coffee before I came here and tried their Dulce Latte. It can be ordered hot or cold. either way it’s delicious and definitely not bitter nor overly sweet. Everytime I’ve gone, it seems like whatever people order, they love it. Pretty much can’t go wrong with anything you get! Don’t drink coffee? then order their Assam Iced Milk Tea.
There is metered street parking for $.50/​hour which is pretty good/​cheap considering it’s LA. or there’s a lot that is right next to it for $ 4.
The space is super cool and the guys that run the place are super chill too. Doesn’t matter if you’re a coffee connoisseur or a n00b (like myself), they’d love to share a cup of deliciousness with you.

I stopped by during lunch today just to check it out (also, I had a voucher for a free cup of coffee). I got a macchiato and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay there. The gentlemen running the place were very genuine and welcoming. The spot itself is very… for lack of a better word, cute. I’ll probably come back sometime to try other things.
Their stuff is pricey, but the quality is definitely there. I tasted it hahaha.

Masters! Every single thing i have tried so far is perfect. Perfect location. Amazing customer service and you get all the stars you can get from me.
I literally get my drink here in the am and walk across the street to Starbucks with it for the snack (since they only serve drinks here) which I also love. Be the best at what you do instead of trying to do it all!
Lovelovelove I will miss you if I ever move!

The coolest idea south of the Arts District. This is why people who have real passion should work at their jobs, because the owner of this location loves to feature artists and their art forms. One art form includes roasted beans.
You have to visit at LEAST once a month if not more. There are 3 walls of amazing featured murals and artist’s work — cannot get enough that you venture onto Hold Up Art’s page (
) for more. And Café Dulce’s website is a beaut (
)!
And I can’t rave about their coffees anymore than to tell you to try it. Not for the faint of hearts.
Baked goods come fresh from Little Tokyo, yo! Amazing little features they have, but you have to get them QUICK or they’re soon to run out. Then you’ll have to trek 2 whole miles to Little Tokyo.
More from Café Dulce, please!

cute little pop-​up.
nice friendly guys.
good lattes.

Wandering around the DTLA area, I remember that I had bookmarked this place and Felix L. had reviews this place as a great. Also, I think I read somewhere that it was run by the same owners as Café Dulce, the little place in Little Tokyo.
I was on foot, walking down 9^th Street from Main, trying to figure out where the heck the place is, since there wasn’t any flashy sign saying «CAFE DULCE». I did see a Starbucks and got confused for a slight moment, thinking there’s no way that Café Dulce would be neighbors with a Starbucks. Walked down a bit more, and saw a random photo shoot with some hot girl and guy on motorcycles, still being thrown off but decided to pursue this and found that Café Dulce is behind the photo shoot.
Amazed with the artwork surrounding the place, I didn’t know what kind of drink to get (even though the menu was REALLY simple) and asked the server if he had anything «iced». He recommended the ice brew, which takes about five hours to make, since the beans have to soak.
Having munchies too, I decided to pick up a small package of something that looked like a black and white cookie. I asked the server what it was, and he said that it was their version of the choco pie. That won me, and was added to my purchase.
Now, I always give the warning that I’m no coffee expert, but I can’t handle coffee black. I need to have some sort of sweetener plus some milk/​cream. The good thing was that the server wasn’t offended when I added sugar and asked if I needed some cream. The coffee itself did what it needed to do, keep me up for a few hours to get through the day. I do like that even the amount of milk/​cream and simple syrup I added, the bitter coffee flavor still shone through.
Not being too far away from where I was working, it’s not a bad place to check out. But don’t expect the same décor as what you see in Little Tokyo.

This place has character! There’s never a long wait to order or receive my cup of joe. I love how this is in a warehouse-​like building — its very open & the menu is short but sweet. It has all the usual suspects up there along w/​a couple personal touches like the dulce latte and the milk tea. The staff is also very friendly and makes sure your drink is to your liking.
My goal is to try everything on the menu at least once! Here’s what I’ve had thus far…
— Cold Brew
— Iced Latte
— Cappuccino
— Milk Tea
— Dulce Latte
The coffee is soooo much better than Starbucks which is down the street & you’re literally in and out majority of the time. The only thing I wish they had was food/​pastries/​breakfast treats b/​c I get hungry, haha.

On my way to Starbucks I couldn’t find parking and stumbled into this hipster coffee joint… so the addiction begins.
Having stopped in twice this week Dulce’s Iced Soy Latte hits the spot. It’s now my GO TO coffee joint because it’s quick, easy to access and delicious. Starbucks is overrated, inconsistent, burnt, overpriced and just a pain in the butt. So I’m happy to recommend this little joint to anyone who loves coffee like a wine connoisseur loves wine.
I can’t imagine anyone finding this spot unless you Unilocal’d it or really looked for it since it’s on 11^th & Hope Street where there isn’t much foot traffic. Lucky for me it’s down the street from my office.
Their coffee tastes like it has a Vietnamese/​French influence. It brings me back to Lee’s Bakery in Westminister except not as overpowering and minus the condensed milk making it lighter and healthier.
The employees are helpful and young. This place has character and I hope it does well!
A Dbl Shot Café Latte cost $ 5.75 which is probably the same I’d pay at Starbucks for a Tall Dbl Iced Caramel Macchiato. Only difference is Dulce’s regular size is about the size of Starbucks’ Grande and tastes much better.

Space is pretty cool, but location isn’t ideal.
Coffee wasn’t amazing, but cost more than the Starbucks across the street. The service was very friendly so didn’t mind paying a little more for that.
First time we stopped by, they didn’t have decaf so left empty handed. Stopped by today because I wanted to try some pastries, but they didn’t have any. I guess we need to call ahead to see what they have… but not sure they have a phone.
Cool idea, but doesn’t seem very practical.

Café Dulce’s DTLA pop up coffee shop.
Located on on 11^th between Hope & Grand, a few miles away from Café Dulce in Little Tokyo. Beautiful open space with an industrial feel; reclaimed wood, exposed openings and minimalistic design. Artwork from Hold Up Gallery is displayed along the walls.
They brew Stumptown here and also sell beans. Baristas are friendly and good at their craft. As of now, the pop up space is temporary but they noted that a permeant residence is a possibility.
Stop by if you’re in the area!

Cool pop-​up coffee shop in DTLA.
Aesthetic artwork was found along the wall.
Free WIFI but not an ideal place for laptop camping.
Ethiopia Merdecofe brewed on V60 in exchange for $ 4.5.
Did not find any pastries during my visit, a bit disappointed.
Unexpected large crowd on a Saturday morning.
LA Mill beans used in Little Tokyo, Stumptown beans here (for now).
Communal wooden table available for use in the back of the shop.
Eleventh and Hope, stop by if you are in the area.

Café Dulce has popped up across from Starbucks and thank the coffee gods for that.
Why go?
They are brewing and selling Portland’s Stumptown Coffee.
They are using 24g — 28g of coffee per brew.
They love their craft and are happy to answer all your questions.
They take credit cards.
Unfortunately they do not accept Fivestar @ this location.
Relaxing atmosphere while you drink your coffee /​latte /​cappuccino /​cold brew.
I think the pop up will be around for 6 months from what they have said.
Hours: 7am — 5pm

Great coffee, great people and a nice atmosphere.
It’s across from my building so I stumble across the street with my cup (I like to bring my own cup to save the planet) and stumble back home.
CHECK IT OUT NOW!