Serves meat, vegan options available. Little veg-friendly cafe in the woods on the side of the road and at the end of a walking trail (or beginning of another hike up to the Observatory). Order at the counter and eat at the outdoor tables amongst trees. Small but varied menu which includes organic espresso, vegetarian chili and vegan blue corn bread, avocado sandwich, granola and fruit. Specialty is their in-house baked goods which includes vegan items that are clearly marked. Uses environmentally friendly disposable utensil and to-go boxes. Open Mon 8:00am-5:00pm, Thu-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm, Sat-Sun 8:00am-6:00pm.
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Fern Dell Dr (at Western Ave/Los Feliz Blvd, at base of Griffith Park), Los Angeles, California, USA, 90028
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Last update on 11 Jul 2023 by Kplant
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Added by Chia on 26 Jun 2009
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13 Reviews
First Review by bagwasher
mariaruns
Points +287
Great options including baked goods - Edit
A lovely little cafe serving hatch at the bottom of the hiking trail. Vegan items available clearly marked (chickpea salad sandwich and apple galette). Really tasty options, plant milk available including their homemade almond milk.
Read morePros: Vegan options clearly labelled , Large portions , Delicious apple galette
Cons: Not sure why other sandwich wasn’t vegan
Guest
Reginesworld
Points +160
Schöner Ort - Edit
Sehr gute vegane Optionen an einem schattigen Platz.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-15
Pros: Chickpea salad sandwich, Appel Galette , Ort
Cons: Für mich war alkes gut , -, -
Guest
Kplant
Points +4124
Picnic in the park - Edit
Trail Cafe has two great options. Avocado Sandwich and Chickpea sandwich. Also have a apple pie and a delicious peach cobbler. All were great. For a little place with a line to the street and a small menu. This place is great. Take a hike and stay for lunch. I have been to the Cafe 3 times over 2 weeks. The perfect picnic whether in the park or to take home.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-07-13
Pros: Sandwiches, Pie
Cons: Parking can be difficult. Though there is lot 1/4 , Pizza on Tuesday and Wednesday 😟
Guest
k8james
Points +55
Home made deliciousness - Edit
So many great vegan and veggie options all made by scratch, great coffee and refreshments in a rustic shady picnic setting in the park. Unique and special.
Read morePros: Shady outdoor seating , Dog friendly , Great home made pies!
Guest
KatOcean
Points +68
Yum! - Edit
Delicious chickpea sandwich and apple pastry
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-01
Pros: Vegan options , Beautiful eating area
Guest
Torso
Points +223
A little shack in the woods. - Edit
A little shack in the woods, well in Griffith Park (with a few vegan options). But, it does have some serious Woodsy Owl/Smokey The Bear/Summer Camp vibes.
Read moreThe avocado sandwich is amazing.
Plenty of outdoor seating.
Updated from previous review on 2022-08-05
Guest
VeganCookieLover
Points +2986
Fresh ingredients, flavorful food - Edit
This rustic little cafe has some delicious sandwiches that you can enjoy at a picnic bench in the woodsy Griffith Park. The avocado sandwich (vegan if you request it without cheddar) is a thick sandwich filled with creamy avocado, soy bacon bits, tomato, arugula and vegan mayonnaise on a dark, sweet wheat bread. The chickpea salad sandwich has cucumber, arugula and pickled onions on a dark, sweet wheat bread. The apple galette is pretty special. A golden, flaky crust with apple filling fresh baked and warm right out of the oven.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-12-06
Pros: Simple but substantial vegan sandwiches , Environmentally friendly containers and utensils , Outdoor park seating
Cons: Menu not 100% vegan , Limited hours
Guest
jstig
Points +209
Great Place - Edit
Great place after a morning run/walk to the Observatory and back. Had the Vegan muffin and Soya latte. The outside seating is very inviting amongst the trees. Definitely do it again.
Read moreGuest
Katie Le
Points +519
Great trail side find! - Edit
Very cute longtime cafe stand at the base of a few Griffith Park trails. Amazing vegan blueberry banana muffin! Homemade almond milk option for coffee/espresso drinks.
Read moreGuest
Chia
Points +3635
Cute little vegan friendly cafe in the woods - Edit
I had read about this place on happycow, and here's my The Trails Cafe review.
Read moreIt's a delightful place. First, we walked through the Fern Dell trail (short, lovely, and green). At the end of the trail, there it was, the cute little cafe. Looked like a log cabin.
I started to almost drool just from looking at all the fresh baked goods on display: pies, tarts, cookies, scones, muffins - all handmade and fresh from the oven.
I've been here twice so far and have tried the vegan mushroom and cashew savory pie that came with a sage gravy dip (delicious though a bit greasy). The vegan cranberry and walnut tart was yummy, and the vegan blue corn bread was delicious. I've also tried the lemon lavender sugar cookie, and that was lovely as well.
The cafe also sells organic coffee drinks and a other foods.
Would love to return again. Highly recommend when in the area.
Guest
alyssa
Points +111
Happy Trails for Vegans - Edit
It's obvious I haven't been hiking on the Los Feliz side of Griffith Park in some time or I would have discovered this little gem years ago. It is so refreshing to find a restaurant of any kind in a nature park that doesn't serve the standard chips and soda "vending machine" fare. In fact, I think The Trails should amend their roadside sign to somehow reflect that fact. "Pies, Soda, Coffee" does not accurately describe the amazing food they serve.
Read moreThe first time I went I ordered the Ranger Pie which is a hand-pie with a puff pastry crust stuffed with veggie meat, potatoes, peas, celery, carrots, onions, perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices. I was surprised and delighted that it was served with a side of savory sage gravy! Imagine, piping hot, homemade VEGAN GRAVY in the middle of the wilderness! There was more than enough for the pie and I wished I had something else to dip in the left-overs -- it was that good!
A few days later my hubby and I stopped in after a strenuous hike. I was worried that there would be a long line of ravenous vegans and that they would be sold out of their vegan goodies, but the line was short, the food was served almost immediately and, once again, I left with a smile on my face. Here's what we ordered: one Mushroom and Cashew Pie and one order of Vegan Chili with Sage Blue Cornbread. I didn't have any of the pie as I don't like mushrooms (gasp!) but my hubby like it so much he almost got another one (and he finished ALL of his gravy). He had to help me finish my chili lunch because it was HUGE. The chili was medium-spiced and had three kinds of beans, tomatoes, peppers, corn and carrots. It tasted very fresh and not at all greasy. :) The carrots were cut into half moons, which was an interesting twist, but they could have been cooked little more, for my taste. The blue cornbread wedge was thick with a little bit of a crust, while still maintaining a moist, dense, cake-like center, with just a hint of sage. Quite possibly the perfect cornbread. A meal in itself, really.
I've gone back a few more times now and have tried the Snake Dog, the Agave Lemonade, an iced Green Tea Latte, and finally, their Mini Fruit Pies. All of the food was very good, but both the Strawberry-Rhubarb and the Cherry Pies are straight from heaven. Hubby loved the cherry pie's cinnamony oatmeal crumb topping. Both are large enough to share.
Kudos to Mickey Petralia for elevating the "snack hut" to a new level. Nature parks everywhere take note!
Pros: Excellent Food, Adorable Decor, Inexpensive
Cons: Closed on Mondays, Cash Only
ShellyBrown
Trails Cafe accepts credit cards. It is not cash only. So now the only con is that is closed one day a week!!
Read moreGuest
gr8vegan
Points +2363
Get there early! - Edit
Don't make the mistake I do each and every time. I tell myself as a reward for hiking up to the observatory I'll get a treat on the way down... well when you get down there the person in line in front of you will undoubtedly order the last vegan scone, pastry, etc! Twice in a row! You'd think I'd learn my lesson. Buy first, put it in your car or pack and enjoy up top while you're looking at the wonderful views. You can find tables in the cafeteria at the Observatory on the bottom floor.
Read morePros: great destination
Cons: sells out of vegan items
Guest
bagwasher
Points +132
Good vegan options - Edit
We recently visited this cafe after a hike in Griffith Park. Even though we had brought our own picnic we were delighted to find that this cafe had vegan pies. Their vegan items are clearly marked and the staff are helpful. The pies tasted great but could have been warmed a little more. They had sweet and savory pies.
Read morePros: Handy location, Tasty pies
Guest
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