Everyone in Los Angeles is buzzing about Cafe Tondo
Café Tondo: A Mexico City-Inspired Day-to-Night Destination in Downtown Los Angeles
Café Tondo, a vibrant new addition to Downtown Los Angeles, has opened its doors, offering a unique blend of Colombian and Mexican culinary delights and a warm, inviting atmosphere. This exciting venture is the result of a collaborative effort between a group of creative minds, led by first-time restaurateur Abraham Campillo, and chef Valeria Velásquez, who brings her culinary expertise from Amass in Copenhagen and Rosetta in Mexico City.
Located underneath a neon-lit Streamline Moderne building, across the street from Homeboy Industries, and near the elevated Metro line, Café Tondo is a must-visit destination. The interior design, crafted by Aunt Studio, boasts six distinct rooms layered with scuffed floors, painted brick, exposed wood and metal ceilings, and earthen red plaster surfaces embedded with traditional Mexican tiles. Custom wood tables, chairs, and stools, handcrafted in Mexico by Christina Moreno's OMBIA Studio, add a touch of authenticity to the space.
As the day turns into night, the atmosphere at Café Tondo transforms. Red lighting illuminates the space, and the front patio becomes a popular spot for dancing and drinking under the stars. Live jazz bands, DJs, and salsa music fill the air, making Café Tondo a lively destination for those looking to dance into the wee hours.
The menu at Café Tondo reflects the Mexican influence, with day-to-night offerings such as slow-simmered beef bone broth, empanadas, tortas, lime-squeezed chicken milanesa, and steak frites with chimichurri. For a heartier breakfast, masa pancakes with piloncillo caramel or chilaquiles are available, along with a Michelada. The bar pastry case holds pan de elote in the morning.
Café Tondo has already made its mark on the Los Angeles dining scene, transforming the former Oriel French restaurant space in Chinatown into a warm, inviting day-to-night bar and café. Its offerings include oversized conchas with Abuelita’s hot chocolate and lime-squeezed chicken milanesa, paired with natural and orange wines.
If you're in Downtown Los Angeles, be sure to stop by Café Tondo at 1135 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States. This unique culinary experience, brought to life by a creative team that includes Abraham Campillo, Valeria Velásquez, Aunt Studio, OMBIA Studio, and more, is not to be missed.
Enjoy a fusion of food-and-drink delights at Café Tondo, where Colombian and Mexican dishes are artfully prepared. As you dine, immerse yourself in the lifestyle that the home-and-garden inspired interior design creates.
