Croft Alley

Ideally I’d give 3.5 stars.
The house made yogurt is what dreams are made of. My friend and I kept saying how we could probably eat 5 more each in a single sitting.
Restaurant itself is very very tiny. Expect to be sitting very close to strangers, or possibly even sharing the communal table with them.
Staff was aloof. It’s not like I expect hugs and kisses… but for a restaurant so small and intimate, it’d be nice to see some smiles and hear some hello’s. Our waitress kind of gave off a «Ugh whatever» vibe.

I come here usually on Sundays and I always order the same thing, the Vermicelli. It is delicious with just the right amount of sweetness, add a little sriracha and its perfect. The staff are all friendly and efficient.

I really want to like Croft Alley — its the cutest little café and the staff is super friendly. That being said, however, the food doesn’t live up to the expectations I had. Had the breakfast scramble with turkey sausage as well as coconut risotto — the risotto was really quite good and tasty but the scramble was rather uninspired and for $ 14 (if I remember correctly) way overpriced. As others have mentioned the presentation could be better– breakfast is served on a paper plate, for example. The ingredients all seemed super fresh though and I may come again to try the joghurt. It seems like their forte are the lunch dishes — if only breakfast could be on par!

I’m a big food lover and the croft alley have a variety of delicious foods. I only tried the tuna melt which was so good (I don’t usually eat unions all that fantasy stuff) but I ate EVERYTHING I loved it. The atmosphere is very cute and personal kind of like an old coffee shop in Italy or something and the service from all the staff is awesome.

I came here this morning and was so pleased that we found this place! My friend was in town from Australia and I was hoping to bring her somewhere that could compare to the quality of food she exposed me to when I visited her!
The restaurant is very small and has very little seating. We sat in the back area. Our server, Madison, was wonderful and was very patient while helping us make a decision in what we wanted to eat. We started with the homemade yogurt, which was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Soon good! I ordered the BTA and my friend ordered the tuna on a baguette. Absolutely delicious!
Great price and even better service!
We were very satisfied with our decision and I would really like to come back again soon!

Went here when my husband was waiting in the line for Seinfeld’s apartment, so Jia and I could get some lunch. This is a cute hole in the wall tucked in an alley and it’s got a tasty menu.
Ordered Jeff a prosciutto grilled cheese and ordered myself the egg salad sandwich, made w heirloom tomatoes and spicy mustard. The owner came over and saw little Jia, and offered to give her a free cookie! It was the most perfect and tiny triple chocolate chip cookie dusted with sea salt! she didn’t eat it (wasn’t into any of the food we got) so I got to enjoy it. I thought the gesture was so thoughtful! Not what I would expect on the west side. I also ordered a coconut soda for $ 3, thinking it was a homemade one with coconut syrup reminiscent of Italian sodas but it was from a can. $ 3 is a bit much in my opinion. $ 1.50 for a canned soda seems more reasonable. Even $ 2!
The food was tasty but included the sandwich and no side items like a pickle spear, chips, garnish or anything. The presentation left something to be desired. Sandwiches were $ 10 a piece, which I felt was a bit high but this place is located off of Melrose avenue so it’s understandable. I was just glad there was a semi kid friendly eating establishment close by!
Would try it again if we were in the neighborhood for a $ 35 lunch, otherwise I would try to search out a different place that’s a bit cheaper.

While I was waiting in line for the «Seinfeld» exhibit, (for an hour and a half) this little café was 30 ft away from us and smelled yummy! I walked in while my son watched my place in line and ordered what was called a ‘turkey sausage’ on a baguette. Well, i’m thinking turkey sausage from your typical diner but WOW was I wrong! This was an amazing, tasty yummy and satisfying sandwich with thinly sliced cucumber, radish and tangy brown mustard. Ahh, so satisfying. It’s always nice to have something different that is so dang tasty! And the waitstaff were awesome. I will definitely go back and have this again… Shalom!

Having just moved to the neighborhood recently, I thought I’d give Croft Alley a try. I work from home so I was hoping to find a good spot to grab a bite on a regular basis, instead I felt a bit ripped off. I ordered a tuna melt sandwich, which is $ 12, and asked for bacon. I wasn’t told there was an up-​charge, though I expected it, and was told that it would be $ 16. Even for LA that’s pricey for a sandwich, especially when it doesn’t come with a single side.
After paying the $ 16 for a tuna sandwich, I stepped outside to wait for it. I told them that I would wait outside — the place is incredibly small — and to please let me know when it was done. After waiting outside for probably 15 minutes, I stepped inside to find that the sandwich was sitting on the counter… no one bothered to bring it out, despite it not being busy. By the time I walked a block home it was already cold.
And, best of all, missing the bacon that I paid an extra $ 3 for.
I typically wouldn’t complain, but when I’m paying $ 16 for a sandwich, I expect to get what I ordered and better service. I would have called to complain, but there’s no phone number listed on the Tumblr site or menu.

My friend and I came here for the first time and had a hard time finding the place. Eventually we figured out we had to go into the building and walk past the coffee shop. It turned out it was DEFINITELY worth the search! We I ordered the prosciutto grilled cheese sandwich, and we both got coconut sodas! The atmosphere was fantastic, and so was the service!
Can’t wait to go back!

Ordered scramble and fresh avacado. It surprised me, because it was so colorful, each had its own individual texture and favor. The honey ginger lemonade was very good as well. Not very sweet but the blend of ginger and honey.
The location is very awkward with no sign at all. I got there with my GPS help but my fd went to the front.
Servers there were very chill and friendly. Will definitely go bk there!

This place was great, I’m so glad I took the time to find it. And believe me, it took some time. I ordered the kale salad, simple and DELICIOUS, talk about refreshing. Turkey Bahn Mi, so juicy and flavorful. The chlorophyll yogurt, delightful. Creamy and sweet, I was in heaven, so was my toddler. Then topped off with the incredible honey ginger lemonade, i’d drink that stuff for the rest of my life. Real honey and ginger bits, so fresh. Then the chocolate cookies, holy crap, they were rich and gooey on the inside. I’m hungry again, damnit.
For the next lost eager beaver, I’d say it’s more off of Melrose Ave aside Tenoversix. It’s a tiny viney wonder, best of luck to you finding it.

More proof that that you don’t need a large space to create grand things. At the Croft Alley delicious food, excellent service, and an incredibly charming atmosphere is tightly wrapped into one little package.
The menu is short, but in no way limited. From salads to sandwiches and everything in between, the chef packs a big punch into every bite.
I chose to sit at the front facing patio occupying a weathered rocking chair under a big umbrella. Right next to some self watering vertical planters for a very modern-​meets-​old-​world-​barn look.
At the recommendation of one of the owners I ordered the Vermicelli Noodles with the Turkey Sausage Patties. The noodles were cooked to perfection and I don’t believe I have ever had juicier turkey patties anywhere else. Perfectly seasoned to stand out on their own they melded with all the accoutrements to combine for a beautifully composed bite of sweet, salty, a little spicy, and fresh. The Thai basil, cut cucumbers, lettuce, and carrot, added the much needed crunch and herbaceousness. A very satisfying lunch with a tall glass of iced tea made only better by a triple chocolate cookie dessert. Rich and luscious chocolate in a chewy cookie — need I say more?

I love coming to this place when I am in the area or when I am in the mood for some delicious chlorophyll yogurt, but Croft Alley is not for everyone. There menu is relatively short and there food is a always a hit or miss.
I recommend Croft Alley when you want something light in the middle of the day or want to go somewhere for a homey feel. Also recommend going to get coffee at Alfred and then yogurt at Croft Alley for a simple snack or breakfast.

Unless you’re local, heard through word of mouth, or read food blogs, you’ve probably never come across Croft Alley before. This 6 month old café with no logo or banner outside is situated between two small streets — Melrose Alley and Melrose Place. If you enter from Melrose Place, it is one stairway/“alley” and one level separated from Alfred Coffee. Essentially, the somewhat obscure location places it «in an alley within an alley».
Don’t expect a flashy or elegant setting here, you’d have to appreciate rustic environments to feel comfortable. The shelves hanging on the walls are stocked with Vietnamese and Italian condiments. You won’t find tablecloth, which most hidden gems don’t provide. Chairs and tabletop are made of metal and intentionally designed with rust.
One difficult decision you’re faced with is whether to sit indoors and outdoors. Go outdoors to be seated in the cozy brick courtyard that might remind customers of dining at a historic alley in Northern Europe. Choose to sit indoors for a clear view of the minimalist open kitchen.
We entered this charming gem just in time for a weekend brunch that begins at 10am. The breakfast menu was the «this or that» type with three options, while the lunch menu contained about a dozen bistro/​deli choices like salads and sandwiches.
Shakshuka seems to be the «egg dish of the year». Brunch dishes cooked on an iron skillet has appeared in almost every modern Angeleno restaurant I’ve been to this year, so I wasn’t surprised to see this North African/​Middle Eastern staple on the brunch list. Croft’s variation of Shakshuka tasted slightly different from others though, with more emphasis on edgy and bold flavors. It was layered — with three soft poached eggs in a tomato sauce at the bottom, then a yuzu jalapeño sauce squirted on top. The second layer included a mix of tomato skin and chili oil, and the top layer consisted of sliced avocado. What distinguishes Croft’s version of the shakshuka from others is the «deconstructed» nature of the dish. If you choose not to stir and mix all the ingredients together, then depending on which section of the skillet you choose to scoop out of, the flavor can be different with each bite. You can enjoy the runny tomato sauce with eggs and then accentuate the flavor by mixing in the tangy yuzu jalapeño relish. Or you can eat the tomato skin layer (looks more spicy and intimidating than it actually tastes) that’s mildly hot and bitter, then relax the taste buds with buttery avocado. If you want something that’s more chewy, dip some crusty bread into the remaining tomato sauce.
We also ordered the house made yogurt with chlorophyll that would surely catch attention on Instagram. Not only was the presentation aesthetically pleasing, but the yogurt actually tasted pleasant and refreshing, was very smooth and lightly sweetened, and had a much thinner consistency than store bought yogurt. It was topped with droplets of liquid chlorophyll that is supposed to neutralize our body’s toxins. This is truly an Angeleno-​inspired treat that combines a basic breakfast item (yogurt) with the current earthy juice bar trend.
On paper, the menu description at Croft Alley might sound ordinary, but the flavors are surprisingly edgy. It’s made possible from careful planning in the choice of ingredients. Almost everything is either grown in house or sourced from organic vendors. The chefs at Croft Alley do a great job in elevating the taste of simple dishes.

Super cool lunch spot on melrose place. If your in the area I highly recommend checking this truly one of a kind place. The design and atmosphere transport you to France/​Vietnam/​South Africa — it’s truly unique and the staff fill the place with good vibes all around. The regular customers include everybody from Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys to ex-​artists and models. Not to mention the food is amazing– go with the BTA –bacon, avocado, tomato!
I make it a destination whenever I’m with people from out of town or even LA locals who haven’t been to Melrose Pl lately to stop by Croft even if it’s just for a quick snack. You won’t be disappointed

Somewhat pricey for small portions but quite delicious. I ordered an egg dish which was served with a side of avocado. They do not serve coffee — go to Alfred in the alley and then return to your table for some java. The ginger lemonade with honey was a highlight! I received a free refill and I could taste the way it was prepared — a sublime mixture and just what I needed to soothe my throat.

The best new brunch place ever!
The food was SOOO good. Small menu, but everything on there is amazing.
The service was exceptional.
Overall, you will love this place.
Ohhh and!!! After we were done eating, we were brought some freshly made chocolate cookies AND one of their famous yogurts!!! I live 1 block away and I will be coming back more often!

Hidden gem literally. Go behind Alfred coffee to find this little café.
Had the French scramble that came with toast, cheese tomato and Proscuitto. Eggs were a tiny bit salty but still good.
The house made yogurt with berries and chlorophyll was presented beautifully and tasted great!
I had a bite of the turkey banh mi and the bread was artisanal.
Nice place to eat and get coffee from Alfred!

I live right up the street from here and had no idea this place even existed. It’s quite hidden. Just walk through 8428 Melrose Pl. (instead of going into Alfred Coffee) all the way to the back and it’s there. It looks like it’s made up of a spare parts, a treehouse and imagination.
The menu is quite short but that’s ok. I had the Tuna on baguette ($ 10). The tuna was simple yet fresh and bright with the help of peppers and cilantro. The baguette was the perfect amount of chewy and crunchy.
I do wish they had options for sides. The sandwich comes alone and isn’t large enough for a filling lunch.
The honey ginger lemonade (4 $) is tart enough to force your eyes shut on the first couple sips. But open up and go back for more, because it balances out and is absolutely delicious.
Looking forward to going back for round two at this tucked away gem.

I can vouch for the tuna melt, the ginger lemonade and the ambience. This joint is tucked into a wide alley and has a nice sun drenched patio with great plants, slick magazines and tree stumps for sitting down.
Inside you can watch the chef do his thing while sitting at a large-​ish country table.
The caveat is slow unreliable service, but for me worth the wait.