Reviews for The Formosa Cafe

Had such a wonderful experience here at Formosa! I've been here before and loved it. I decided to come back to celebrate my birthday. They were extremely accommodating for a large party (8 people). My friends loved their green tea martini and food. Their entrees are great for sharing as well. Shout out to this place for being so awesome! Definitely will continue coming back here :)

The food ranks as some of best Chinese I've ever had. Orange chicken had my son's eyes so wide, you'd think it was his first time ever eating it. If my experience was normal: -Expect to wait awhile for seating or/and food -expect them to be out of many items. (It was about 6pm on Sat.when we were there)

Amazing ambiance and fantastic food!! I was blown away by Formosa and can't wait to come back. We sat in the train car and it was so cute. For food, the general tso's cauliflower and the tofu lettuce wraps were absolutely incredible. The dan dan noodles weren't my favorite (seemed like a bit heavy on fennel or something like that) but didn't take away from the overall experience. Such a fun dinner spot!!

YUMMY food and great atmosphere! Loved the tofu lettuce wraps. Good cocktails as well.

I don't even remember what I ordered because we let the waiter choose everything, and he absolutely nailed it. Every dish was delicious, the service was spot on, and the atmosphere made the whole experience feel special and memorable.

Just visited the Formosa Cafe for the first time the other week, and wow, what an amazing experience! Love the Hollywood history behind it. It's so romantic & "moody" in there, and I love the red ambiance and architectural details. The customer service was absolutely incredible from everyone, from the managers, to the servers & bartenders. Food was delicious. Performance was SPECTACULAR. Really a special place. The absolute HIGHLIGHT of the night was getting to see Day Mori , the magician, perform some incredible close up magic throughout the night! It truly put the dinner over the top, and was some of the best magic I've ever seen! Truly blew me away. Getting to see Day perform was SO special & such a treat, and it was very obvious that the rest of the guests in the restaurant were also enamored with Day's magic! What a star! Phenomenal performer & so sweet too. I'd return to just to see Day perform again! Also, I sat at the bar, and the bartender was amazing. Great conversation & also made me some unique drinks based on my special requests. One with cucumber & ginger beer, one with pineapple. Both fantastic. The best dish I had was the Steak and Broccolini, which was filet mignon beef, fresh broccolini, & caramelized onion. So delicious, and to make it even better, I requested a side of their chili oil, which was ADDICTING. If you're in Hollywood & want to visit a place rich with history and great food, you absolutely shouldn't miss visiting Formosa Cafe! Especially if it's a night that a performer like Day Mori is performing!

With delicious food, excellent staff, and enticing ambience Formosa is a true treasure of the Los Angeles dining scene. I love the Chow fun, the brussels sprouts, and pretty much everything else on the menu. This historic Hollywood landmark exceeded expectation of its already excellent reputation

Formosa Café felt like we stepped into a time capsule of Old Hollywood and a vintage Chinese restaurant, which is exactly the sort of chaotic charm I can appreciate. THE FOOD. - Xiao Long Bao "XLB" Soup Dumplings. Handmade which is why they need about 15 minutes to prepare. The wrapper is tender and the pork is savory from the rich broth. Pro Tip: poke a hole at the top of the dumpling and let the broth out (prevents from the dreaded "juice explosion"). - Chinese Chicken Salad. Crisp, refreshing, and surprisingly bright. The wontons bring the crunch, the tangerines bring the pop. - Chinese BBQ Pork. Tender, delicious pork with sweet, crispy skin. The pork arrives whole & uncut, locking in the juices until you're ready to break into it. A side of steamed bao buns (6) and mixed vegetables come with this dish. We decided the most appropriate thing to do was to make tacos! Definitely the highlight of our meal, highly recommend. THE DRINKS. - John Wayne's Hat. Sweet with cinnamon and smoky undertones. - Sichuan Fogcutter. Vivid, punchy citrus with a bitter finish. It comes in a cat-shaped cup for added cuteness. THE PARKING. Street parking or underground (for a fee). We did underground parking and didn't have any issues finding a spot close to the restaurant. THE VERDICT. Iconic and steeped in Hollywood history, Formosa Cafe has stood the test of time; welcoming movie legends and everyday patrons alike, all under one storied roof. Additionally, the food's thoughtful flavors, fresh ingredients, and consistent execution make it a restaurant worth re-visiting.