Sqirl
Café · East Hollywood, Los Angeles
Restaurant in Los Angeles, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Daytime Counter Precision
Chef
Jessica Koslow
Dress
Casual
Why go
Sqirl is a Silver Lake counter-service café that earns two consecutive Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats for North America nods and. It is a walk-in-only operation open daily 8 am to 4 pm, so arrive early to avoid a wait. For first-timers wanting well-executed daytime food at accessible prices, it is a reliable stop.
About Sqirl
Sqirl, Los Angeles: Should You Go?
Seats at Sqirl's counter fill before most people have finished their morning coffee. The café at 720 Virgil Ave operates on a walk-in basis, opens at 8 am daily, closes at 4 pm; which means the window for snagging a spot without waiting is narrow. If you are visiting Los Angeles for the first time and want a single daytime café experience that earns its reputation through the plate rather than the hype, Sqirl is a sound choice. Just get there early.
What to Expect
Sqirl is a daytime café in the Silver Lake neighbourhood, led by chef Jessica Koslow. It earns its place on the Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats list for North America; ranked #146 in 2023 and #160 in 2024, which is a meaningful signal: OAD's cheap eats list reflects genuine quality-to-value recognition, not just popularity.
The format is casual counter service, open seven days a week from 8 am to 4 pm. There is no dinner service. The price point sits at the lower end of Los Angeles dining, this is a café, not a tasting menu room, which makes the service model worth understanding before you arrive. You order at the counter, find a seat, the food comes to you. That structure keeps prices accessible and keeps the kitchen moving. If you are expecting tableside attention or a formal host greeting, recalibrate. The trade-off is that you get well-executed café cooking at a fraction of what you would spend at a sit-down restaurant, without the pressure of a reservation window.
Service Philosophy
At a café priced the way Sqirl is, the service model is part of the value equation. Counter ordering is efficient rather than warm, which suits the morning rush and works well for solo diners or pairs who want to eat quickly and move on. For first-timers: scan the menu board before reaching the counter, know what you want, do not hold up the line. The kitchen does the heavy lifting here, the service exists to get food to you reliably, not to guide you through an experience. That is the right trade-off at this price point. Compare that to Huckleberry Café & Bakery on the Westside, which runs a similar format but in a larger, slightly more polished room. Neither is wrong; they serve different parts of the city and slightly different crowds.
Practical Details
Hours run Monday through Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm. No reservations, no dinner, no late opening. Walk in, order at the counter, expect a wait during peak morning hours on weekends. The Silver Lake address is easy to reach by car, with street parking available in the surrounding blocks. Sqirl does not publish a phone number for reservations because there are none to make, this is a walk-in operation by design.
For context on where Sqirl fits within the broader Los Angeles dining picture, see our full Los Angeles restaurants guide. If you are planning a full day around this neighbourhood, our full Los Angeles bars guide and our full Los Angeles experiences guide cover what else is worth your time nearby.
How It Compares: Los Angeles Café Options
| Venue | Format | Price Tier | Booking | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sqirl | Counter-service café | $ | Walk-in only | Solo diners, daytime, value |
| Huckleberry Café & Bakery | Counter-service café | $–$$ | Walk-in only | Westside, families, larger groups |
| Joan's on Third | Café and market | $$ | Walk-in only | Browse-and-eat, West Hollywood |
| Clementine | Café and bakery | $–$$ | Walk-in only | Century City, quieter pace |
| Egg Slut | Counter-service | $ | Walk-in only | Egg-focused, faster turnaround |
Pearl Picks Nearby
- FARMshop Market & Restaurant, a step up in formality and price if you want a sit-down daytime option with more service depth
- Joan's on Third, better for groups who want to graze and shop rather than eat a composed plate
- Our full Los Angeles hotels guide, if you are still sorting where to stay
- Our full Los Angeles wineries guide, for the afternoon after lunch
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 8 am–4 pm · Tuesday: 8 am–4 pm
- Location
- 720 Virgil Ave #4, Los Angeles, CA 90029, United States
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- sqirlla.com
- Phone
- +1 323-284-8147
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Sqirl reads like a neighborhood institution rather than a dining spectacle. Operating from a compact storefront on Virgil Avenue since the early 2010s, it helped formalize the "all-day café" as a serious dining format in Silver Lake. The room is intentionally modest — the small scale and careful sourcing keep attention on ingredient-driven, affordable plates rather than theatrical presentation. That economy of means gives Sqirl a quietly confident character: influential in the city's café story, unpretentious in service, and sustained enough in quality to earn critic recognition across consecutive Cheap Eats lists.
Best For
This is a go-to for mornings and midday visits: breakfast, brunch, and all-day casual dining feel fitting here. Weekend mornings are emblematic of the place — popular enough that a queue often spills onto the pavement — but the menu’s modest price point and focused, ingredient-led plates make it equally suitable for solo diners and casual neighborhood meetups. Signature items like Ricotta Toast and the Sorrel Pesto Rice Bowl showcase the café’s approach: straightforward, dependable dishes that reward repeated visits.
Ordering Tips
Expect a line on weekend mornings and plan accordingly; the text notes the queue commonly extends onto the pavement, so arriving earlier in the day or on a weekday reduces wait. The menu is intentionally restrained and priced under fifteen dollars for many items, so favor the standout, frequently cited offerings such as Ricotta Toast and the Sorrel Pesto Rice Bowl. Given the café’s compact scale, order decisively when you reach the counter to keep the line moving and secure the items most associated with Sqirl’s critical acclaim.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bustling hipster cafe with a fun, lively atmosphere indoors and quieter outdoor courtyard seating.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Ricotta Toast
- Sorrel Pesto Rice Bowl
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 8 am–4 pm
- Tuesday
- 8 am–4 pm
- Wednesday
- 8 am–4 pm
- Thursday
- 8 am–4 pm
- Friday
- 8 am–4 pm
- Saturday
- 8 am–4 pm
- Sunday
- 8 am–4 pm
Location
720 Virgil Ave #4, Los Angeles, CA 90029, United States · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kato; New Taiwanese, Asian, $$$$
- Hayato; Japanese, $$$$
- Vespertine; Progressive, Contemporary, $$$$
- Holbox; Mexican Seafood, Mexican, $$
- Sushi Kaneyoshi; Sushi, Japanese, $$$$
Restaurant context
Sqirl does not compete with Kato, Hayato, or Sushi Kaneyoshi in any meaningful way; those are $$$$ dinner venues that require advance planning and a significant budget. If you are deciding between Sqirl and one of those, you are answering a different question: daytime casual eating versus a serious dinner commitment. They do not serve the same moment.
Holbox is the closer comparison in price tier and walk-in accessibility. Both sit at the lower end of Los Angeles pricing and both earn critical recognition for value. Holbox wins if you want Mexican seafood in the Mercado La Paloma; Sqirl wins if you want a composed café plate in Silver Lake. The choice is geographical and format-driven as much as culinary. Vespertine represents the opposite end of the spectrum entirely; a $$$$ progressive tasting menu in Culver City that requires a reservation weeks out and a willingness to commit a full evening. It works if you want one serious Los Angeles dining moment, but it serves a completely different purpose than Sqirl.
Within the daytime café category specifically, Sqirl holds its position through consistent critical recognition rather than novelty. If you are on the Westside, Huckleberry Café & Bakery is the more convenient alternative with a comparable format. If you want a market-and-café hybrid, Joan's on Third gives you more browsing room. For a pure daytime café experience in Silver Lake with a track record behind it, Sqirl remains the default recommendation.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Sqirl guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Sqirl
| Venue | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sqirl | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Highly Recommended2024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1602023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Ranked · #146 | |
| Kato | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #302026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #492026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Winners2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 Michelin 2 Stars2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #22025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #25 | $$$$ |
| Hayato | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Restaurants · #62026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #132026 Michelin 2 Stars2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #52025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #102025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 2 Stars | $$$$ |
| Vespertine | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #932026 Michelin 2 Stars2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #332025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #712025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #982025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 2 Stars | $$$$ |
| Holbox | 2026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #532026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 Michelin 1 Star2025 LA Taco Best Tacos in LA · #22025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #422025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #432025 James Beard Award Semifinalists | $$ |
| Sushi Kaneyoshi | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1032026 Michelin 1 Star2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #242025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #782025 Michelin 1 Star2024 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #322024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #882024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #69 | $$$$ |
What to weigh when choosing between Sqirl and alternatives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Sqirl?
Sqirl operates counter-service ordering, not a traditional bar or table reservation system. You order at the counter and find a seat. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arriving early; before the 8am opening rush peaks; gives you the best chance of sitting quickly.
Is lunch or dinner better at Sqirl?
Sqirl does not serve dinner. The café operates 8am to 4pm, seven days a week, with no evening service. Early morning is the practical call; crowds thin before peak brunch hours, the kitchen is freshest at open.
What are alternatives to Sqirl in Los Angeles?
For a higher-budget daytime experience in LA, Kato offers a more structured format. If the draw at Sqirl is the OAD Cheap Eats recognition, Holbox is another OAD-listed option worth comparing. For something more ambitious and destination-oriented, Vespertine, Hayato, or Sushi Kaneyoshi operate in a completely different price tier and format.
What should a first-timer know about Sqirl?
Walk in; there are no reservations. Sqirl at 720 Virgil Ave opens at 8am daily and queues build fast, particularly on weekends. It ranked #160 on the Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats North America list in 2024, so expect a café that punches above its price point, not a polished sit-down experience. Counter ordering, limited seating, a morning-focused menu are the format.
Is Sqirl good for solo dining?
Yes; counter-service cafés suit solo diners well, at Sqirl the format actively favours it. A single seat is easier to find than a table for two or four during peak hours. The OAD Cheap Eats ranking makes it a practical solo stop without the commitment or cost of a reservation-required restaurant.
Is Sqirl good for a special occasion?
Not really. Sqirl is a walk-in daytime café with counter service; there is no reservation option, no dinner service, no formal atmosphere to anchor a celebration. For a special occasion in LA, a reservation-based restaurant is a more reliable choice. Sqirl is better positioned as a considered everyday eat than a destination event.
Can Sqirl accommodate groups?
Groups are difficult at Sqirl. With no reservations, seating a party of four or more on a weekend morning requires luck and patience. Arriving right at 8am gives a group the best chance of finding adjacent seats, but the counter-service format is not designed around group dining.
