Café Tropical

Walking into Café Tropical feels like stepping into Silver Lake’s living room. This 50-year-old Cuban bakery on Sunset Boulevard has become the unofficial social club of the neighborhood, where locals gather over café cubanos and catch up on the latest creative projects. The sun-drenched space is intimate—just a single row of tables inside and a tiny sidewalk patio—so arriving early is key if you want a guaranteed seat.

While ownership has changed hands over the years, the menu has stayed true to its Cuban heritage. The star of the show is undoubtedly the famous cubano sandwich, a perfectly pressed masterpiece that draws devoted regulars. But the pastelitos deserve equal attention—those golden, flaky pastries oozing with sweet cheese and guava paste are the stuff of neighborhood legend.

What’s particularly exciting about the current iteration of Café Tropical is how it honors tradition while embracing new ideas. The bacon, egg, and cheese on pillowy coco bread has quickly become a morning favorite, while the lightly floral orange glazed donuts offer something unexpected. For those craving heat, the spicy jerk chicken sandwich brings a Caribbean kick that pairs brilliantly with their smooth Cuban coffee.

This is the kind of place where you might find yourself seated next to friends collaborating on a poetry zine or overhearing animated conversations about the neighborhood’s latest happenings. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick cortadito and pastry or settling in for a leisurely lunch, Café Tropical delivers that rare combination of excellent food and genuine community spirit.