Sophos Café

This place gives you a home feeling when you step into the door. The kitchen usually opens Tuesday and Saturday for dinner, sometimes for afternoon coffee hours, but make sure to check if they are open before you go just in case of some special events. The café is a part of The HUB on Venice and holds many local community events on behalf of the HUB. So contact them or follow their social media accounts and don’t let the temporary closure to the walk-​in dining disappoint you!
The food is typical Mediterranean style. I would recommend the lamb soup (comes with naan) and the hummus. The size of hummus is large enough for two people as afternoon snacks. Their homemade vinaigrette for the greek salad is very healthy and tasty. I love the subtle and piquant lemon flavor in the vinaigrette. They gave me a lot of bleu cheese (or goat cheese?) in the salad and makes the entire dish worth the price you pay. The menu also includes artisan pizzas. When I was dining there, several regulars who come here often ordered that so it would be a great choice as well.
I have not got a chance to try the coffee. But the espresso machine in the coffee bar looks quite fancy and the staff here are very proud of their coffee. Will try that the next time I am here.
The service is very nice. People who work in the front desk and the café are very friendly and polite. They come to check-​in in a pleasant interval: not making you feel annoyed but serving you when you need. It is also a great place to grab some afternoon coffee and bring you laptop to work for hours.

Although this place may have a home feel from the outside, I assure it is not like that on the inside. The coffee was barley warm to say the least, the hummas was decent but then again so is Ralph’s… I was scared to order any of the food after tasting the hummas and drinking the coffee. The female manager, although small, was very abrasive, immature and pretty much rude from the moment we walked in. We I told her I thought the hummas was ok, she gave me look like I was in the wrong. I will never go back to this hole. I was looking forward to having a place to go that is so close to my. I guess Starbucks will do. Such a shame…

FIrst off this café has the best Hummus I have had since I returned to the states from Israel. It instantly brings me back. When you walk through the door you smell their locally roasted coffee in a way that no Starbucks or coffee bean can compare to. Not to mention that they have their own wood fire pizza oven (which the manager told me came straight from Italy!) that pumps out custom pizzas along with the staples.
If you are looking for a down to earth café with a beautiful outdoor patio, wifi, and great food and coffee give this place a try. Somewhat hidden in Mar Vista you wont be disappointed by the family atmosphere and soulful vibe of Sophos café. Go check it out for yourself.

What a hidden gem! This magical little café and restaurant is like hanging out at your best friend’s house. I always feel right at home when I’m there and the middle eastern food is amazing! They also have a pizza oven, which is a must. Last night I went and tried the Melawach which I highly recommend and I had a glass of their Pinot Grigio (also super yummy). They also have this beautiful outdoor patio area that’s so pretty!

2 of us went there on Saturday night for Paris Music Night. Place was packed out and although we had reservations, we snagged the last 2 seats at the bar which turned out to the perfect spot to see the band! Started with hummus+olives+bread, then ordered lentil soup, then came the burek w salad and the Yemeni Malawah (whch is EXACTLY like our South Indian roti paratha!). Also had a glass of yummy cab and for dessert, freshly baked choc chip cookies w vanilla ice cream + moroccan mint tea. Café was pretty, food was good+music was great too! Recommended.