50 Best Coffee Shops near Playa Del Rey

“Best coffee and super nice people!“

“Amazing food not too far from the beach with absolutely awesome customer service! The #Vegan plates and chips and salsa cannot be beat anywhere close. The ambiance is casual and cool! LOVE this place!❤“

“good food good coffee good service and very close to home“

“Griselda and the people working here made my mom feel special every day when she came in for her coffee for many years until she passed away.

Someone even came to the funeral and brought donuts for everyone! Truly wonderful people.“

“Fabulous. Love the French Onion souop“

“This is my favorite coffee shop in the neighborhood. Coffee is pretty good. I always get drip here and it’s consistently good. Im a bit of a snob for coffee who makes aeropress every morning, so trust me when I say the drip is pretty good. Also, everyone is so nice and personable. The owner Carlos is talented in design and the unique midcentury interior inside the coffee shop brings out the zen in me for some reason. Im a local in the neighborhood and Jurassic really brightens up the corner of Midcity, so I always appreciate their presence beyond just serving great coffee. They just launched the kitchen so I have yet to try their foods but Im always cheering as a customer for their growth :).“

“We got their matcha and coffee lattes. The service was great and so was the vibes inside. Most of the drinks were a bit too milky, except for the Bloom Matcha latte. You can tell from the color of the drinks. The flavors were really good, we loved the gingerbread flavor and lavender syrup.“

“The Amsterdam Cucumber Mint Lemonade“

“chill spot for friendly conversation.“

“Very good coffee. Wouldn’t say it’s like most other coffees I’ve tried. The flavor wasn’t as distinct to what I imagine a cinnamon roll would be, but it still was a great sip throughout. Great interior too. And the staff that took and made my order was clearly a bit tired or lower energy at first. I didn’t take any offense as it looked like she was a little overworked, but grace and blessings to her. She deserves a good tip every time for making great drinks all around.“

“This coffee shop became the star of our trip. We stopped here on our way down to Newport with my kids and parents. The coffee and hot chocolate were so good, my kids and parents are begging to drive up from our Newport rental just to stop here again. The barista really cared about his craft, which is not something we see a lot of where we are from. This random stop for coffee was such a highlight for my family and we will definitely go out of our way to come here again next year.“

“Love this place! ❤️ Great tea and delicious pastries! The scones are my favorite! Great atmosphere and definitely one of my to-go-to fave places!“

“Fantastic little walk-up counter right on Melrose, with yummy sandwiches! Great little stop if you are walking a dog in the area, with a counter and a tiny seating area. The bread and butter are excellent. I’ve had the Daniel’s favorite, bresaola, jambon buerre, and omelette, and would happily order any of them again. The price can be eye watering, but if you consider the quality, not out of line with say, the pastrami at Langers. If you’re on Too Good to Go, Maison Matho sometimes has “clearance” items, but they sell out really fast!“

“Great, truly great pourovers. I had the “Big City” and my wife had an Ethiopian, and both were excellent.

Parking is tough. We went around 8am on a Saturday morning so we got the last parking spot.

I bet locals just walk there but we were coming from the airport.“

“Such a wonderful experience! The staff at the counter were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. The hot chocolate was rich, delicious, and perfectly prepared. I Highly recommend this spot for excellent service and a warm, cozy atmosphere.“

“I was in town for a quick layover at LAX and was meeting up with a friend in the early morning. This place was near the airport, open, and was pretty cool to check out. Their food selection was great and it was easy to order and find a place to settle in. Everything seems to be credit card only, since you order off of tablets. Also we were really lucky with parking. Super fun!“

“We randomly ended up to this restaurant: small, but pleasant, the type of place where you can talk with your friends. Party of three, we had the fish carpaccio, the octopus, and the burger (gourmet burger!). Everything was prepared to perfection. They will definitely see us again.“

“This cafe is wonderful...they have really good overnight oats and their iced honey lavender lattes are delicious (I know...sounds different, but seriously try it!) The owner is super friendly and the cafe has many places to sit to enjoy your coffee. Will definitely come back:)“

“Hot day. We had a relax time with amazing tea!!!“

“Crepe Heaven Café in Lawndale is a brilliant five-star destination that truly lives up to its name. They excel at delivering both authentic French-style crepes and a warm, inviting atmosphere. This is the spot for the freshest, lightest crepes, whether you're craving sweet or savory.
Must-Try Items: For a savory delight, the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Crepe is the perfect start to any morning. For dessert, you absolutely must indulge in their classic Nutella and Banana Crepe, which is pure perfection. Pair any crepe with one of their expertly made Espresso Drinks for the ultimate café experience.“

“Real as it gets. Really good coffee. Got the cream top drink, sweet cream on top and long black underneath. I didn't know what long black is so for those like me, it's like an Americano except the espresso is poured on top of water (rather than the water into the espresso) which apparently makes it taste richer.

Idk about all that hoopla, but here's what I can tell you, it tastes damn good.

With each sip you get the perfect mix of flavors. First you taste the rich, strong, and bitter (in the best way) coffee - which also has a tiny hint of orange which works wonderfully. Then, just as it's about to become overpowering, you get the sweet cream on the back of the tongue, balancing it out. Each sip was a delight.

That said, by the time I was 70ish% done, I wasn't enjoying it as much. I'm unsure why, but wanted to share my honest feedback. I really wanted to like it as much as I first did, but toward the end maybe the balance was off or something, or the underlying flavors didn't work as well as I thought, but didn't like it as much.

Still, I will return. Very good coffee.“

“Lovely family business. Great food & drinks, easy parking, inside & outside seating, affordable prices & totally relaxed & comfy athmosfere!“

“cute local coffee shop, friendly & great recommendations“

“Food:
Please please please get the beuongo bbang (붕어빵/taiyaki). As a korean american Ive been craving the pastry that my halmoni used to get me back in Korea and this is the most authentic and delicious one that beats the one in Korea! I was so startled by the taste that I urged my parents to try and they agreed that the batter is really well made. The drinks were great too but definitely on the sweeter side (try the zodiac drinks, thought it was a cute way to try introduce new drink combos).

Parking and store:
Parking lot is a decent size for it being in ktown. The store is small inside but the atmosphere is so cozy and cute.

Service:
Im pretty sure the man who was taking my owner was also the owner but he was super friendly. Would go out of his way to make sure customers can find the bathroom and would check in with each of his customers.“

“They are a multi-roaster-cafe and carried at least two different local California roasters, Dune Coffee Roasters and Be Bright Coffee Roasters.

Since it was my first time visiting, I decided to go with a drink from their specialty menu. Since they were out of their espresso-esque called the Rising Flower Tonic ($7, comes with espresso, orange juice, osmanthus flower simple syrup, & tonic water) I went with a different orange-infused option.

Georgia On My Mind ($7) is made individually with espresso, oat milk, vanilla syrup, orange zest, then shaken in a cocktail shaker, and topped with a dehydrated orange slice. On the subject of the Georgia On My Mind drink having orange zest when named after the song: “Weird, it should’ve been peach. Georgia is the peach state.” - Joshua

Georgia On My Mind was initially a punch of very sweet, so much so that next time I thought I might ask for less syrup, but it very quickly grew on me and I loved it. The orange zest was the perfect amount of orange to be noticeable without overpowering, and I appreciate that they default to oat milk for this one because it was the perfect creaminess.

I cannot wait to go back and try another signature drink!! Even though it’s called Eyes Peeled, I did not spiiill.

We were easily able to find parking at a meter out front, and although there was a bit of a line when we arrived, but luckily it moved pretty quickly and the barista and cashier were very efficient with making drinks. They had the menu posted on the wall outside the door so you could start thinking of your order while waiting in line, and they had a larger menu once you get to the register.“

“Of the 3 cafes I went to, this one was still open in the heavy rain.

Very cozy, warm, dry, and inviting. Umbrellas have a place and service is kind. Glad I made the short trip to get the Dalgona Latte extra sweet. Perfect for this kind of weather. 10 outta 10.“

“the option of pistachio milk. the pastries are fantastic.“

“Coffee is incredible! We came almost everyday of our vacation in Santa Monica because of the amazing lattes and the wonderful owners, who explained the art that goes into making all of their products. The blueberry latte was my particular favorite but they were all delicious!!“

“A fantastic fantastic cafe for brunch with an outstanding vibe and atmosphere
Great GF option options and Breakfast was one of the tasty and delicious GF’s my son has eaten. Perfect coffee that rival’s Melbourne and beautiful smoothie. Highly recommended, a gem we stumbled upon whilst looking for a cafe on Thanksgiving morning.“

“**A sweet slice of heaven in Santa Monica!** Junior Cookies is an absolute *gem*. I came in for the cookies (which are AMAZING – warm, gooey, and perfectly crisp on the edges), but I stayed for the whole vibe. Their ice cream is ultra creamy with rich, dreamy flavors that pair perfectly with the cookies—highly recommend making your own cookie cream with ice cream with cookies! I was also pleasantly surprised by how good their coffee is. It’s bold, smooth, and just what I needed to balance out the sugar rush. Honestly, it’s rare to find a cookie shop where the coffee actually stands out, but Junior Cookies gets it right. Best coffee, best cookies, best matcha, and best ice cream in la! The place is super cute inside, with a cozy neighborhood feel and friendly staff who seem genuinely happy to be there. You can tell everything is made with love. The cookies and recipes are unique. 5 star bakery in LA. If you're in Santa Monica, **don’t miss this spot**. Whether you’re craving dessert, a caffeine fix, or just want to treat yourself, Junior Cookies delivers!“

“This isn't a coffee shop. It's a communal space. The coffee is basically free if you think of your donation as more of a rental fee to be in this lovely communal space and have access to all that it offers. This place is ideal for making plans with business partners, writing scripts with friends, or just getting together for some time away from screens and computers. This place is tailored toward bringing diverse people together into one place to sharing ideas and stories with each other. As for the coffee and baristas both are fantastic. Cappuccino rocked me off my behind all day cuz I'm used to watered down crappuccinos from Starbucks. I love this place. This is where I bring friends that love good coffee and a peaceful conversation.“

“Damo truly never disappoints!!
I’ve been going since 2024, and I safe-keep it for the right peeps who appreciate good cafes. And this year I came back with my friends so that they can taste and experience what good matcha is like. When we visited this Jan, we got the matcha eispanners. My friends truly tasted the quality and balance of flavors presented in their drinks. We sipped till it was gone!! Instantly!! From their eispanners, lattes, and affogatos.. quality, taste and overall flavors is immaculate. Of course there’s always going to be a line and yes it’s crowded inside. You literally have to claim a spot once it’s open or else you loose your chances. Once you do, all you got to do is sit, sip, and relax to the minimalistic atmosphere that is Damo.

Latte: 8.5/10
Affogato: 10/10
Matcha Eispanners: 9.5/10
Atmosphere: 7/10“

“Congratulations on 10 years!“

“Fantastic coffee. espresso or drip, they know exactly what they are doing“

“Micah was my barista who was very knowledgeable about the espresso machine and the coffee beans used in the process of the French Toast Latte.“

“Excellent High Tea on Montana Avenue. Great owner and staff. Relaxing atmosphere. Delicious teas and food. A jewel on our neighborhood! Highly recommended.“

“Neighborhood coffee shop with a really warm and inviting atmosphere driven by the service from the staff. They’re all really lovely and kind people who are making really good espresso drinks. They do a great job executing on classic espresso drinks. They also like to experiment with creative flavors for specialty drinks — I think they hit more than they miss, but I also want to say that I appreciate that they want to push the envelope and try some drinks you aren’t going to find everywhere (I’m thinking of the chamoy apple latte as an example).

The space is a little small but whaddyagonnado. I really appreciate the love they bring to the drinks! They have a small case of pastries but AFAIK they aren’t doing like food options.“

“Serendipitously, I saw information about this place when I was randomly scrolling online.
The food was excellent. I ordered two items to go, the avocado toast and a breakfast burrito. (I should have taken pictures because the items were beautifully presented in addition to being delicious! 🤓)
Beautiful atmosphere. The decor is inviting. Very clean.
It fulfilled and then exceeded my expectations.“

“Nice vibes, convenient location with easy parking, beautiful decor. Service was lacking, but understand there is a labor shortage right now, perhaps that's to blame here. Bodega sando was perfection! Pastries were alright...most looked better than they tasted. I'd say they were good but not great.“

“Very nice ice cream. Rich flavors and smell so good. Also, one scoop is very big. :)“

“Can’t wait to come back for a positive review after my first be bright pour-over as I think I had the best bean in North America and haven’t had a good quality of Geisha for long time.
I dropped by for a cold brew and grabbed a bag of “unique & surprising” to go and the barista shared a small cup of its cold brew for me to taste. I am glad i have tried because it was really surprised by its freshness and flavor and almost wanted to have another large cup of coffee if it’s not my first drink at that day of arrival after a 5 hr flight without a full meal😿
I followed the brew guide on the website but have cut half of the size and still get the same profile as I have had for cold brew.
I will definitely come back for other coffee drinks next time🙌
Nice staff with the chill atmosphere and a kids area provided which is rarely seen“

“We Puffy Heart Fan Girl Cafe“

“Beautiful cafe. Loved it here.“

“Loved the vibe and coffee was good. But they need to sort out the syrniki recipe - it was absolutely raw inside and this is not how it’s supposed to be, especially when you charge this much for it. Maybe other items in the menu are better but I wasn’t lucky.“

“Great service , great ambience, great margarita drinks overall, an awesome place with outdoor patio. Just beautiful.“

“It feels like the cafe name perfectly represents the ambiance. The petite shop does feel super homey that it gives the vibe of having coffee at your friend's living room. One simple long communal table at the center complemented with plugs for the guests to use. I really love how the background music is slow and chill - not being too loud, and all the guests also mostly focus on their own thing, making it perfect 'quiet' space regardless you're working or just seeking some peaceful space to relax.

Being a first timer doesn't make me feel alienated as the barista's super welcoming. Asking for her reco, I end up with their house signature's Maple Walnut Latte. Interestingly the Maple Walnut was actually the dairy-free milk and the default sweetener is house-made brown sugar cinnamon syrup. She does call out that they make all their syrups in house so I'm pretty impressed by how many selections they carry. They do have a handful of non-coffee options if coffee isn't your cup of tea. I see plenty of guests go for their Strawberry Matcha, which indeed is their top one from non-coffee selections. I love my cup of joe, coming just at the right sweetness level, and the flavor's peculiar yet amiable. I request mine to be served extra hot, and it does come like a warm hug amidst the all-day-long pouring rain.“

“In a neighborhood full of cute coffee shops, bricks and Scones might be my favorite! Super chill with lots of seating in the garden area amongst plants and trees. Great place to study, read, of hang out.

We didn’t try the food menu, but the scones were delicious. The lemon blueberry was our favorite!“

“The coffee itself is good and clearly made with quality beans.
However, the overall atmosphere didn’t feel quite right. The service felt distant, and the staff didn’t seem particularly happy or engaged, which affected the experience more than expected.

A café can have great coffee, but warmth and energy matter too. Hopefully this improves over time.“

“This is without a doubt LA’s best coffee. Nikita is the best. So attentive to his coffee making process and creative. The fig leaf is the absolute best thing to get here if you like cold brew and if you want something hot, the lavender is tasty and original. I also love the mocha. On the weekend you can also order a delicious focaccia from Steve inside Big Red Sun. The combo is… need I say more?“

“Persons with disabilities, including those with mental disabilities, are protected by the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Such individuals have the right to full access to public accommodations. My disabled friend and I will be taking our business elsewhere.“