When our 1935 landmark in Downtown L.A., Clifton’s Cafeteria, closed down a few years back, many local fans feared that the charm would be swept away with renovations. Just the opposite. This unique venue is back, and better than ever.
Even though the cafeteria dining options have changed, the great nostalgia has been preserved. This venue would make for a great outing for the family. Kids will enjoy the taxidermy animals throughout the complex, as well as the waterfall and giant forest trees in the main dining room. Adults will enjoy The Monarch, The Brookdale, Gothic Bar, and the Pacific Seas.
From the Clifton’s L.A. website:
Clifton’s, the world’s largest public cafeteria and California’s lone survivor from the Golden Age of Cafeterias, is the culmination of five generations of dining innovation. Forest Glen, its restored historic dining hall, houses the original fantasy environment that helped inspire Walt Disney to create Disneyland nearly two decades later. With everything from Crystal Caverns filled with world class minerals to stepped terraces, a stone chapel and magnificent murals. The Brookdale Cafeteria provides a stunningly unique dining experience dedicated not only to fine food, but to the celebration of our natural and cultural legacy. The Cafeteria itself has been fully re-imagined, taking into account original concepts of value, quality and innovation with contemporary twists. By combining the best in classic cafeteria dining with the quality and selection of the finest modern buffets, Clifton’s Cafeteria offers a new take on dining– fine dining—fast, with quality food, a legendary environment and contemporary value. Small plates and rotating classics provide guests a diversity of creative selections, allowing Clifton’s to not only re-imagine the Cafeteria, but to redefine the experience of dining.
Glitterati Tours of Los Angeles can make a stop at Clifton’s during our “Essential LA, Plus Downtown” tour.