Social Profile: 
✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
… View more
Hours
| Saturday | 9 AM–5 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM, 5:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM, 5:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3837 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: http://www.esme-la.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
esme
Make a Reservation … 3837 Main St. Culver City, CA 90232. Hours: Mon: CLOSED Tues: 9:00am – 5:00pm 5:30pm – …
esme Restaurant – Culver City, CA – OpenTable
Additional information · Location. 3837 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232-2619 · Neighborhood. Culver City · Parking details. Street Parking · Additional. Beer, …
Contact 1 – esme
Location: 3837 Main St. Culver City, CA 90232.
Reviews
Parthiv Apsani
I only tend to post reviews when a place is either really good or really bad, and unfortunately this one was the latter. None of the dishes were hits for us- the bread for the whipped ricotta had a nice texture, but the honey tasted strongly of fennel. The tarragon in the grilled leeks wasn’t our favorite, and while the mussels in the mussel toast were really tender, the toast was quite oily. The short rib also had a fairly uneven cook and the potatoes that came with it were quite oily too. Bumping to 2 stars for the great service, but I’d avoid this restaurant and look elsewhere.
… moreTina C
It’s a cute spot, but somewhat empty on a weeknight. I didn’t like the bomba rice at all. It just didn’t taste good. And the mussel toast was just okay. Relatively on the more expensive side considering the food quality in my opinion.
… moreAndy Cheng
If you’re reading this, here’s the short version: this is easily one of the best restaurants in Culver City, and you need to try it now!
It’s a small spot in downtown Culver City that you could walk past without noticing. I’m glad I didn’t. There are a couple of tables outside, but most of the seating is indoors. The space is modern, clean, and relaxing.
We ordered three dishes, all recommended by our waiter. The mussel toast is a must. Every bite is savory and packed with seafood flavor. For mains, we had the short rib and rainbow trout. The short rib was perfection. Cooked over fire and served with crispy potato strings. It’s something you get at high-end steakhouse but at half the price. The rainbow trout looked beautiful and tasted fresh, though the citrus was a bit stronger than I prefer.
For dessert, we couldn’t resist the churro and ice cream sandwich. The ice cream (another must try), sourced from a Persian maker, was rich with rose, honey, and pistachio. The presentation was just as impressive. The churros were decent, though I wished they were crispier and the dipping sauce was thicker.
Overall, I’d give this place a solid five stars. The food is close to Michelin quality without the Michelin prices. Go and you won’t be disappointed.
… moreIt’s a small spot in downtown Culver City that you could walk past without noticing. I’m glad I didn’t. There are a couple of tables outside, but most of the seating is indoors. The space is modern, clean, and relaxing.
We ordered three dishes, all recommended by our waiter. The mussel toast is a must. Every bite is savory and packed with seafood flavor. For mains, we had the short rib and rainbow trout. The short rib was perfection. Cooked over fire and served with crispy potato strings. It’s something you get at high-end steakhouse but at half the price. The rainbow trout looked beautiful and tasted fresh, though the citrus was a bit stronger than I prefer.
For dessert, we couldn’t resist the churro and ice cream sandwich. The ice cream (another must try), sourced from a Persian maker, was rich with rose, honey, and pistachio. The presentation was just as impressive. The churros were decent, though I wished they were crispier and the dipping sauce was thicker.
Overall, I’d give this place a solid five stars. The food is close to Michelin quality without the Michelin prices. Go and you won’t be disappointed.
Nate Who
Not allowed to work on your laptop . . . at a cafe. The mussels and toast was delicious but presentation had left the chat. The oolong tea was great, I think. Hard to taste the subtle notes over the dish soap taste in the “mug.”
I came in with a laptop case, planning to grab a coffee and write for a bit, but was immediately told “just so you know, you can’t work on your laptop here.” It threw me off because the place markets itself as a café, but it clearly doesn’t operate like one.
I don’t mind a “no laptops” policy if that’s the vibe, but the way it was communicated felt more like exclusion than hospitality. There are plenty of ways to set boundaries while still making guests feel welcome. Instead, it felt like I was being told I didn’t belong before I even had a chance to order.
From what I could tell, Esme seems to be trying to split identities—café by day, full restaurant by night—but the lines are blurry. If you’re looking for a true café where you can read, write, or work, this isn’t the place.
Hospitality isn’t just about food; it’s about how guests are made to feel. In this case, the mismatch between the branding and the reality left me disappointed.
Update: the snarky reply seems to confirm their sense of entitlement. Good luck with success with that attitude.
… moreI came in with a laptop case, planning to grab a coffee and write for a bit, but was immediately told “just so you know, you can’t work on your laptop here.” It threw me off because the place markets itself as a café, but it clearly doesn’t operate like one.
I don’t mind a “no laptops” policy if that’s the vibe, but the way it was communicated felt more like exclusion than hospitality. There are plenty of ways to set boundaries while still making guests feel welcome. Instead, it felt like I was being told I didn’t belong before I even had a chance to order.
From what I could tell, Esme seems to be trying to split identities—café by day, full restaurant by night—but the lines are blurry. If you’re looking for a true café where you can read, write, or work, this isn’t the place.
Hospitality isn’t just about food; it’s about how guests are made to feel. In this case, the mismatch between the branding and the reality left me disappointed.
Update: the snarky reply seems to confirm their sense of entitlement. Good luck with success with that attitude.
Jackie Ryan
Really good neighborhood spot for a cozy weeknight dinner. Our server was warm and welcoming, and really made our experience! Everything tasted super fresh and flavorful, and you can tell they really care about quality. Every dish was beautiful – highlights were the trout and falafel. They also were able to accommodate my gluten free restriction.
… moreAyushee Bandi
It is a hidden gem! I absolutely love the vibe here. It’s pretty casual but the moment you sit down, look at the menu, and eat. You are in a different world altogether ! The falafel plate was actually to die for. I read a bunch of reviews and decided to try this exaggerated falafel plate and to my surprise it was damn good. The rainbow trout was amazing as well. You’ll feel a burst of flavors when you eat every bite of the food here. Now we are trying the grilled octopus. Fingers crossed.!!!
… morelaura bachelder
We randomly ended up to this restaurant: small, but pleasant, the type of place where you can talk with your friends. Party of three, we had the fish carpaccio, the octopus, and the burger (gourmet burger!). Everything was prepared to perfection. They will definitely see us again.
… moreSimon Kwan
Perfect neighborhood bistro experience. Ordered the falafels, the rainbow trout and some salad. Each one were hits, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone who is looking for the perfect date place. Our server, the guy with the big glasses and big eyes made our experience even better.
… moreErik Rodriguez
Delightful! I’ve been here twice now for brunch and have been impressed with the quality and creativity of each dish as well as the unmatched service.
Today we tried the merguez sandwich and the blue corn huarache. Both were incredibly good. The lamb in the sandwich was so flavorful and perfectly complimented by the delicious bread it’s served on. The crispy, almost chicharrón-like, skin on the chicken topping the blue corn huarache was incredible.
Last time we came, we tried the falafel plate and the chilaquiles and also had an apple danish. Everything was great and worthy of getting again though we wanted to explore the menu a bit more this time.
They have a fantastic selection of wine as well as a small (3) but well-curated list of beer options. The extensive tea menu is also a pleasant surprise.
Can’t wait to return!
… moreToday we tried the merguez sandwich and the blue corn huarache. Both were incredibly good. The lamb in the sandwich was so flavorful and perfectly complimented by the delicious bread it’s served on. The crispy, almost chicharrón-like, skin on the chicken topping the blue corn huarache was incredible.
Last time we came, we tried the falafel plate and the chilaquiles and also had an apple danish. Everything was great and worthy of getting again though we wanted to explore the menu a bit more this time.
They have a fantastic selection of wine as well as a small (3) but well-curated list of beer options. The extensive tea menu is also a pleasant surprise.
Can’t wait to return!
Aviva LeShaw
Really delicious food and great service but the ambiance needs to be improved if they’re going to charge current prices.
Went Friday night for nice dinner date and it is full blast cafe lighting, fans running, etc.
There were a few other couples there too, all dressed up for a night out and looking out of place. The current decor is more for bringing a few roommates to grab a casual dinner but the price is the same as any of the vibey places next door.
Recommend: Lower the lights about 65%, buy some simple or electric candles for tabletop, put the paper menu in a sleeve or on a piece of pleather. I know it’s a mom and pop so all that can be done for free or with a quick $200 Amazon order.
OR lower pricing and remain a cafe into the evening. I guess it’s confusing bc they have rich indulgent evening dishes with prices to match but no environment. That’s part of the deal for those prices.
Short rib was incredible though. I wish this place luck if they can find their way!!
… moreWent Friday night for nice dinner date and it is full blast cafe lighting, fans running, etc.
There were a few other couples there too, all dressed up for a night out and looking out of place. The current decor is more for bringing a few roommates to grab a casual dinner but the price is the same as any of the vibey places next door.
Recommend: Lower the lights about 65%, buy some simple or electric candles for tabletop, put the paper menu in a sleeve or on a piece of pleather. I know it’s a mom and pop so all that can be done for free or with a quick $200 Amazon order.
OR lower pricing and remain a cafe into the evening. I guess it’s confusing bc they have rich indulgent evening dishes with prices to match but no environment. That’s part of the deal for those prices.
Short rib was incredible though. I wish this place luck if they can find their way!!