Caffe Bene - Torrance, California

Richard L

Great little place to work.
The staff is very friendly and the parking is easy.

Their bread is really good: crispy outside and chewy inside.
The ham and cheese sandwich was good, but I didn't really like the flavors of the bulgogi and cheese one.
They have combo meals that are okay priced if you plan to work there all day.

The tea is really strong.

Alliya Robinson

The workers here are nice, everyone has treated me nicely or at least alright EXCEPT for this older lady, who I think is the manager. I have been coming here, probably at least 20-30 times as a regular customer, enjoying the nice ambiance, a good place to get my work done, and the food and drinks are decent (except they are a little pricey), and the service has been decent too. Well, at least until I came across that manager, who I feel shouldn't even be working here (management should really do something about her, maybe get her fired). Basically what happened was that I had just walked into the cafe and sat down, and I started to get my work done when suddenly, within maybe 1 or 2 minutes of me sitting down, the manager came up to me, with no smile, just a serious face, and asked in a very unfriendly almost annoyed and angry tone if I ordered anything. I said no, and then she told me that I had to leave. I just thought this was really rude and I felt forced like I had to buy something in order to even stay here. AND what if I was actually planning to order something later but wanted to just get some work done first? I just felt disrespected and it kind of seemed to me all she cared about was the money and that I must pay to stay. I've been a regular customer here so it truly left me disappointed that even as a regular customer, I was asked to leave. This experience really was disappointing because I like to go to cafes often to do work, and now I feel like I can’t do that here without buying something every time.

After this incident, I started looking at other reviews to see if anyone else had experienced a similar situation as mine, and unfortunately, I wasn't the only one. And unrelated, but as I read other people's reviews, I saw multiple people saying how this place is racist against non-Asians, so please be aware of that if you do decide to come. But because of this and my poor experience, I will no longer be coming here or supporting this place.

Ferhat Tayfur

I have been to this cafe more than 100 times. I have prepared for many important exams there. I was there today to read the comments and I was very surprised. People complain that the manager is racist or that you have to buy something to sit there. I am not Asian and they have never been racist towards me (I am not white either). You have to buy something to spend time there and connect to the internet. People are very surprised by this. What did you expect? Can you sit in your house without paying rent? Can you take an Uber without paying for it? These people have expenses, employees, bills. Of course you have to buy something so that they can earn. It is a place I love. They just need to improve the quality of the coffee a little. The Americano is really sour and undrinkable 🙂

John Kang

Great place to park your butt for an hour or two. Friendly atmosphere where you can study or have a nice conversation. The shaved ice desserts were great. Sandwiches a bit too sweet. Coffee is fine.

Sylvie Ye

Good place to study & work. WiFi password is on receipt.

Oscar Malo

Too pricey. Bought an original waffle that cost over $8, then asked for syrup, and was told it doesn’t come it and offered honey. Who eats waffles without syrup? And it’s way too small.

Angy P.

The coffee taste was almost like a water with milk. Affogato also was not good without options for ice cream. $16.00 was paid. Don’t waste your money here and the service was not great, too. Very disappointed and off from my list.

Darlene D

Caffe Bene is a cute cafe with lots of space to work or meet up with friends. They have a large variety of treats and drinks. My daughter wanted a mango smoothie, and I was craving a sweet treat. I ordered her mango smoothie and got this huge banana and walnut honey bread. The mango smoothie was made quickly, but it took a little while for my banana and walnut honey bread.

The mango smoothie was really bad. It tasted really artificial and just terrible. Both my daughter and I couldn't even take a second sip. But man o man, the banana and walnut honey bread were terrific! It was warm, sweet, moist, and delicious! I would definitely come back for more. I would be open to trying a coffee, but I would avoid fruity drinks.