The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma

Yes, this is a popular, polished choice for date night. Guests frequently praise attentive service, a creative seasonal menu and a well-curated cocktail list, which makes it feel special without being stuffy. The Café & Lobby Bar sits in the Kimpton hotel and offers a relaxed yet elegant downtown vibe, plus rooftop events for a memorable evening. Consider an evening reservation for a quieter, more intimate experience.

Portions tend to be satisfying and hearty rather than tiny. The café highlights SoCal comfort dishes like chilaquiles, burgers and short ribs, and guests have described leaving too full for dessert on occasion, a good sign if you like generous plates. If you’re sharing, many guests enjoy ordering a few items to sample the seasonal menu and cocktails.

Evenings are a great pick for ambiance and cocktails, especially around special events (pre/post Symphony nights) or rooftop events in summer. If you prefer quieter dining, guests have noted peaceful Saturday nights and weekday evenings when the space feels relaxed and staff are attentive. For brunch and breakfast, mornings are available daily.

Warm, polished and relaxed, a downtown hotel café with a casual-elegant feel. Guests frequently praise friendly, attentive service, creative seasonal cuisine and a well-curated cocktail list; some visits are lively for events like rooftop dinners while other nights are intimate and quiet. Overall it reads as a comfortable spot for dinner, drinks or a special occasion without the Gaslamp crowds.

Smart casual is the dress code. Guests tend to dress neatly for the downtown hotel setting, think polished-casual attire for evening dinners or date nights, with more relaxed looks acceptable for daytime café visits.

Yes, guests consistently praise the accommodating staff, so calling ahead for dietary needs, birthday touches or seating requests is a good idea. Reviews mention staff going the extra mile (for example, packaging a cheesecake with a candle), so the team is likely happy to help with reasonable special requests.

Yes, families do dine here and guests have celebrated birthdays with children and teens. The menu emphasizes hearty SoCal plates and familiar items like burgers, so it works well for family meals. If you’re bringing younger kids, consider an earlier seating and calling ahead to confirm seating or menu flexibility.

Busiest times align with downtown events and special evenings, guests recommend it for pre/post Symphony nights and rooftop events. Quietest times tend to be some weekend evenings (one guest noted a quiet Saturday night) and weekday evenings when you can enjoy more space and attentive service. For a lively night, aim for event nights; for a relaxed meal, choose midweek or non-event evenings.

It depends on what you want: midweek evenings are great if you want a quieter, attentive experience; event nights (concert nights or scheduled rooftop dinners) are ideal for a special night out. Guests have specifically noted relaxed Saturday nights and memorable rooftop summer evenings for pairings and events.

Yes, while the café primarily occupies the hotel lobby and mezzanine, guests have attended rooftop events and wine pairings on the rooftop, indicating outdoor seating is available for special events. If outdoor dining is important for your visit, call ahead to confirm rooftop availability and seating options.