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Cole's

American Restaurant$$$$

Fashion District, Los Angeles

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Cole's

8.3^/10

674

ratings

Ranked #3 for cocktails in Downtown Los Angeles
The experts at Eater and LA Weekly recommend this place
"It's all about the lamb french dip & spicy garlic fries."(10 Tips)
"Try the pastrami French dip with pepper jack cheese!"(48 Tips)
"There's a speakeasy (Varnish) in the backroom!"(7 Tips)
"Get the Bourbon pecan pie a la mode."(5 Tips)

191 Tips and reviews

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French Dip sandwiches
happy hour
spicy food
varnish
good for dates
bar
casual
trendy
good for a quick meal
good for singles
tomato soup
pickles
tater tots
Irish coffee
tequila
beef
great value
pies
historic sites
meats
(15 more)

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Angie WNovember 4, 2011
Try the pastrami French dip with pepper jack cheese! and make it a large. Because it is so amazing you will want more.
Darin JohnsonAugust 14, 2014
Good dip sandwich. Not awesome. Kinda pricey. Philippes is better for 1/2 the price. But coles is cool and they have a full bar.
Jen JacoJune 13, 2011
Historical site with a great atmosphere. Try the prime rib dip with garlic fries. So delicious! Sidenote: watch out for the spicy pickles! Read more
RodJune 29, 2010
Sadly this was not the best French Dip in LA, though I really wanted it to be. Great vibe with the renovations. Our waitress was cool and friendly. Try Phillipe's for the French Dip.
charlynne moyerFebruary 26, 2016
Cocktails, for sure. Garlic Tater tots, tuna sandwiches
StickyDramaOctober 19, 2009
A 100-year-old hidden treasure in the "Historic Core" of downtown LA. The french dip sandwiches are delish (I recommend the pastrami and chedder). And the decor is like a brothel from the Wild West. Read more
Amanda ShafferMay 18, 2010
Order the french dip with lamb and goat cheese. If you want beef and swiss, go Phillipe's instead. Cole's also serves Guiness floats and bourbon pecan pie. Great decor, food is a bit overpriced. Read more
@JaumePrimeroNovember 7, 2012
Besides the French Dip Sandwiches (a must), I can't resist the Old Fashioned. Epic!
Angela ZydekJune 14, 2016
The french dip is meh the service however is always nothing short of fabulous, efficient with an attitude of we can make whatever you want happen.
213January 16, 2011
Free French fries w/ any dip order on your 1st check-in & on every 5th check-in. Mayor receives 1/2-price dips or grilled cheese, one per visit. Specials apply to regular pricing, not happy hour.
JoseNovember 10, 2019
Been here 5+ times
The French Dip here is a must-order.
Jessica ChoiJanuary 3, 2015
Best happy hour ever!
Jeff SFebruary 28, 2012
Been here 5+ times
The atomic mustard is no joke use very little at first. Oh yea the potato salad is the best in LA.
VGRevolutionJuly 16, 2012
Our new favorite place when in town for E3. A must for all, and don't forget the speakeasy in the back!
Ioannis PapapetrouSeptember 2, 2018
Not something special but nice sandwiches and classic American style...
Review GirlMarch 6, 2013
Such a great Dirty Martini here. They have 3BAR OLIVE JUICE, make sure to ask.
BubsyMay 13, 2013
Been here 10+ times
I like the lamb French dip and the craft cocktails. Old school vibe.
Mario L.August 22, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Get the spicy garlic fries...and don't waste the atomic pickle spear garnish on your plate. Also, best classic drinks ever....EVER.
Aling ZhangJanuary 23, 2012
Been here 10+ times
They brine the pickles with habaneros so make sure you pick those off before taking a bite :)
Alison Byrne FieldsJuly 7, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Great bartenders. Front bar lacks air conditioning. Need token for bathroom.
IInaane4now MeSeptember 26, 2018
Place is extremely busy in the bar area. The dining area is small. And the flavor is not is good as Philippe’s.
Roger HinkleNovember 17, 2010
The Manhattans are made the way they are supposed to. Oh yea, the dips are great. Got to have the atomic mustard on them though.
Jason RosenbergAugust 16, 2011
This is a french dip place, but it has a great grilled cheese. When you're done, walk past the unmarked door and you've discovered The Varnish.
Jon BerryAugust 29, 2011
For a new place pretending to be an old place, this isn't half bad. The french dip doesn't compare to Philippe's, but its perfectly good. Nice, friendly waitstaff.
Karl HobartJanuary 25, 2015
Excellent bar to have a cocktail and nod off for a while.
Pat BrownOctober 9, 2017
Beef dip is to die for. That and a good draft beer and my day is made v
Furry Beanbag OrangeCityManMay 4, 2013
Really good food and drinks
Jussi HäyhäJanuary 7, 2016
I like to drink as much as the next guy, unless the next guy is Mel Gibson. As Ricky Gerwais said it.
cellphone trackerappsJune 22, 2015
This place makes the best mixed drinks with tequila! I keep an eye on my teens while i'm here with Highster Mobile. Read more
Dave ElsensohnJune 20, 2010
The potato salad with bacon is possibly the best on the planet... and a Ginger Rogers accompanies a Big Dipper perfectly.
Lisa EJanuary 18, 2018
Mon-Fri: 3-7pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-3pm & Tuesday all day/night
Ryan NoslerAugust 21, 2015
Maybe the best old fashioned ever? The Big Dipper of course.
Caroline On CrackMarch 3, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Apparently at Cole's at 10pm they take the stools from the bar and move them outside. Bew!
Logan E.November 26, 2013
Tuesday is Happy Hour all day. $5 for half a dip sandwich and fries!
Roger MaMay 10, 2015
Super bomb French dip!
Caroline NamSeptember 22, 2011
Doesn't taste like Phillipe's saw dust sandwiches. Way better bread and meat. Spicy garlic fries and mac n' 2 cheeses were awesome.
Los AngelesJuly 14, 2011
Classic LA sandwich anyone? Philippe the Original or @HarryCole1908. Go @metrolosangeles 2 Union Station & Pershing Sq #dtla
H.C. @FoodventureOctober 7, 2012
Been here 10+ times
The fries are easily shareable between 2-3 folks, don't get too greedy w the orders!
Anika BobbJanuary 16, 2012
The Moscow and Irish Mules are very impressive. Order one!
Nakai NelsonFebruary 6, 2011
Sandwiches are small and overpriced. Atmosphere is that of a slightly upscale cafeteria. Drinks were tasty and strong though. And their pickles are YuMmY.
Nina RoccaJune 6, 2015
Beef dip, pastrami dip, spicy garlic fries, old fashioned
viv wangNovember 17, 2009
Careful about the parking situation on 6th. The meters are off limits after 4pm. I nearly got towed, and was saved by the LA firemen dining at the front of the restaurant who belted out an alert.
Todd SeligmanSeptember 5, 2011
Yet to have something I don't like here but, save room for a Guinness Ice Cream Float! Right on!
MarkoJanuary 21, 2012
I have days where I can't stop thinking about the Spicy Garlic Sweet Potato fries.
Jason CFebruary 4, 2017
No joke, the French dip is amazing.
George HarrisJanuary 2, 2016
Chili and of course the French dip
Roger MaMarch 10, 2015
There's a speakeasy (Varnish) in the backroom!
William CarterFebruary 20, 2013
Speakeasy in the back -- prefer french dip to Philipe's!
Jeromy ParkMarch 17, 2018
Been here 25+ times
Great French dip
Abi PanickerNovember 2, 2014
Great happy hour food and drinks.

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