Cafe 50’s Los Angeles: Retro 1950s Diner on Santa Monica Blvd for All-Day Breakfast & 40+ Milkshakes
A Retro American Diner!
Experience Classic America at Cafe 50’s
Today we’re featuring a popular café where you can immerse yourself in the charm of classic America!
It’s the perfect place to make fun memories in the U.S., so keep it in mind when planning your itinerary.
1. What Is Cafe 50’s?
This classic American diner sits along Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles.
It’s about a 24-minute drive (roughly 11 miles) from LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) and around 11 minutes (about 6 miles) by car from the Santa Monica Pier.
Founded in 1982, the diner is decked out with vibrant neon lights and walls covered in vintage newspapers and posters, letting you fully soak up a 1950s American vibe.
Every corner of the interior makes for cute, retro-pop photos, earning the café loyal fans among both locals and tourists!
In 2006, in Zagat Survey’s American’s Most Prestigious Dining & Shopping Guide, it was rated “Excellent” for offering “one of the best breakfasts in Los Angeles” and “milkshakes that are out of this world”!
2. Enjoy Delicious Breakfast at Any Hour!
From 8:00 a.m. until midnight, this café serves special breakfast dishes every day—fluffy pancakes, eggs, and more.
Being able to order breakfast at night is pretty fun, isn’t it?
While that feels unusual in Japan, it’s nothing out of the ordinary in the U.S., where 24-hour breakfast chains are commonplace!
The menu brims with American favorites like French toast or burgers piled high with thick bacon and eggs.
Another must-try is the staff-recommended Garlic & Cheddar Fries: crispy fries smothered in melted cheddar with the perfect balance of salt and garlicky punch—so tasty you’ll be hooked!
According to the staff, they’re “a garlic lover’s dream,” so if you’re craving a bold, flavorful side, be sure to give them a try!
3. Decadently Rich Milkshakes
You can also enjoy incredibly tasty, ultra-rich milkshakes here!
In addition to classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, they offer 43 original shakes—so you’re bound to find a favorite.
Pineapple-Banana, Oreo Cookie, Mint & Chocolate Chip—every option sounded irresistibly good!
This time I tried the Brownie Shake ($7.95), so be sure to swipe through the Instagram photos above to see the real thing!
First, the shake’s smooth vanilla-ice-cream base had a clean sweetness that was truly delicious.
The addition of a house-made brownie layered in even more rich chocolate flavor, turning it into an even tastier treat.
Plus, they give you the extra shake that wouldn’t fit in the glass, so you effectively get about two servings—pure happiness!
You can also add extra toppings like chocolate chips, banana, or cinnamon, so feel free to customize to your taste!
4. Friendly Staff and a Japanese Menu
One of the things that really stuck with me even after leaving was how genuinely kind and attentive the staff were from start to finish!
They not only answered all our menu questions but also checked on us repeatedly to see if we needed anything and carefully explained each dish.
The owner is apparently a fan of Japan, so they even have a Japanese-language menu, which was a pleasant surprise!
If you mention that you’re Japanese, the staff will likely bring you the Japanese menu booklet right away, so don’t hesitate to ask.
There are also UNO cards and other board games available in the diner; you’re welcome to use them while you wait—perfect if you’re visiting with a group and want to have some fun before the food arrives!
5. Another Must-Try American Spot: “In-N-Out”
This popular burger has become a hot topic in Japan because it’s said to be Shohei Ohtani’s favorite!
True to the slogan “Quality You Can Taste” displayed in every store, you can enjoy fresh, high-quality burgers and fries at budget-friendly prices.
If you’re traveling to Los Angeles, be sure to give it a try!
Please check out the detailed blog post here as well!
6. Another American Spot to Enjoy: “Fat Burger”
This is another popular hamburger-chain spot in the United States!
Since opening in 1947, it has been loved by countless Americans—and there’s even a branch in Shibuya, Japan!
Our top pick is the XXXL (Triple King Burger), a gigantic burger loaded with three 100% beef patties!
Its juicy 1.5-pound (about 680 grams) of flavorful beef is so good you’ll find yourself craving it again and again.
You can see the real thing in the Instagram post below!
7. In Closing
When your travel schedule is tight, it’s ideal to soak up that all-American vibe even during meals!
Sip a milkshake at the photogenic, delicious Cafe 50’s and make your trip even more memorable!
Before or after your visit to Cafe 50’s, we also recommend stopping by the Getty Center—about an 8-minute (roughly 5.2-mile) drive away!
Be sure to check out this Instagram post, too!
We’ve posted more details on the blog—be sure to check them out!
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