Open Now in the Arts District
Following the Westfield Century City location, Café Knotted has newly opened in the Arts District. Even though I visited early, it was already bustling with many people, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere typical of a new opening. The charming mood combined with its unique and artistic dessert visuals made it a space that instantly lifts your spirits upon entering.
On this day, I ordered a variety of items focusing on the donuts and desserts I hadn’t tried yet. I chose the Cookies & Cream, Almond Croissant, and S’more donuts, and for cakes, I selected the Basque Cheesecake and Matcha Basque Cheesecake, allowing me to compare their different charms. I also enjoyed a wide range of desserts by adding the cookie options, Mango Passionfruit Guava Sable and Strawberry Ganaché Sable, and completed the combination with drinks, Hojicha Duo and Passionfruit Yuzu Matcha Tonic.
The Cookies & Cream donut had a delightful flavor from the cookie crumble right from the first bite, making it feel very much like a dessert. It was sweet but not overly so, making it easy to enjoy, and the cookie’s characteristic crunch subtly lingered, creating a nice balance. The Almond Croissant Donut had a pleasant almond cream flavor that was not overwhelming, resulting in a clean overall taste with a good balance of sweetness and buttery aroma. As someone who usually enjoys almond croissants, having it in donut form was a satisfying and unique experience. The S’more Donut had a subtle smoky aroma from the torched marshmallow, and the sweet filling inside smoothly complemented it, allowing for a rich flavor with every bite. It was sweet enough without being too heavy, making it a great choice for dessert.
The Basque Cheesecake had a slightly roasted nuttiness on the outside, while the inside featured a rich, creamy texture that was very appealing. It was not too dense, making it easy to enjoy, and would pair wonderfully with coffee. The Matcha Basque Cheesecake was a menu item where the rich matcha flavor blended naturally with the nuttiness of the Basque cheesecake. It was less sweet, allowing the unique subtle bitterness of the matcha to come through cleanly, and it had a slightly calmer flavor compared to the regular Basque cheesecake, which was quite charming.
Mango Passionfruit Guava Sable is a type that vividly spreads fruit flavors, harmonizing the tangy tropical fruit aroma with moist sable for a refreshing finish. The emphasis on freshness over sweetness made it a dessert that wasn’t tiring. Strawberry Ganaché Sable had a harmonious flavor overall, enhanced by the subtle tartness of strawberries. The moistness of the sable and the cream’s smoothness connected neatly, making it a great pairing with a cup of latte or tea. Hojicha Duo was a drink where the rich flavor of brewed hojicha naturally layered with soft cream. The sweetness was lightly balanced, making it enjoyable without being overwhelming, and it was not burdensome to drink alongside dessert. Passionfruit Yuzu Matcha Tonic had a refreshing burst of passionfruit and yuzu aroma, leaving a cool and refreshing finish. The matcha cleaned up the aftertaste, ensuring the sweetness was not excessive, and the overall balance was notably fresh.
Cafe Knotted (Arts District)
Overall, I was able to enjoy everything from new menu items to familiar signature desserts reliably, and the sweet and joyful atmosphere unique to Knotted was felt just as much at this Arts District location. If you want to taste a variety of desserts in one place, why not enjoy a sweet moment at the newly opened Cafe Knotted?
Light, Fluffy, Not Too Sweet
Located in Westfield Century City, Cafe Knotted is a dessert cafe that has been loved for its signature donuts and cream-topped coffee and matcha drinks since opening its first store in Seoul in 2017. The store is relatively small, but there are plenty of outdoor tables, making it perfect for enjoying sweet desserts while taking a break during shopping. The donuts, made with care in-store, are not overly sweet and are filled with fluffy cream, providing rich satisfaction with every bite, while the cream-topped coffee and matcha drinks have become signature items that are consistently loved.
During this visit, I fully enjoyed the charm of Cafe Knotted by tasting various donuts and drinks. I was able to choose from several types of donuts, including Vanilla, Lemon Curd, Tiramisu, Peach, Raspberry, Dubai Chocolate, Chocolate, and Summer Sweet Corn, allowing me to compare different flavors. The drinks included the uniquely savory Corn Cream Latte and the visually appealing Knotted Strawberry Matcha Latte.
Every single donut was delicious, but if I had to pick a few that stood out, they would be the Lemon Curd, Peach, and Dubai Chocolate. The Lemon Curd Donut was fluffy and filled with a generous amount of refreshing lemon curd, and the moment I took a bite, a zesty freshness spread throughout. It wasn’t overly sweet and was so refreshing that I could enjoy it all the way to the end, and the cream’s smoothness made the lemon’s tanginess even more pronounced. Among all the donuts, it had the most refreshing charm. The Peach Donut is a newly introduced item, characterized by the sweet aroma of peach that bursts in your mouth. The soft cream was infused with the juicy scent of peach, and the actual fruit pieces added a satisfying touch for those who love fruity desserts. The Dubai Chocolate Donut was coated in a rich dark chocolate glaze, giving it a deep and heavy allure from the first impression. Inside, it was filled with smooth kadaif pistachio cream, and when I took a bite, the nutty and creamy flavors spread simultaneously. The pistachio crumble on top added a crunchy texture, harmonizing the rich chocolate’s bittersweetness and nuttiness. Overall, it was a donut that allowed me to fully enjoy a rich and indulgent flavor.
The Corn Cream Latte had the subtle nuttiness of corn that spread gently from the first sip, blending naturally with the smooth latte. As the cream on top melted, the latte became even smoother and sweeter, balancing the nuttiness and subtle sweetness to provide a unique pleasure. The Knotted Strawberry Matcha Latte was a visually striking drink with the rich flavor of matcha combined with the sweet and tangy taste of strawberries. The first sip revealed the matcha’s characteristic mild bitterness, followed by the sweet aroma of strawberries, finishing smoothly. Creamy yet refreshing, it paired well with donuts and was perfect for enjoying as a dessert.
next to Container Store, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd 9280 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Cafe Knotted (Westfield Century City)
Thanks to the variety of donuts and unique drinks, this visit was a sweet and enjoyable time. The cozy yet bright atmosphere of the store and the ample outdoor seating allowed for a leisurely stay while enjoying desserts, and each menu item left a strong impression. When you’re craving sweet donuts, why not enjoy a special dessert time at Cafe Knotted Westfield Century City?
