50 Best Coffee Shops in Santa Monica

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

“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.“

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

“Oh my gosh, is this my favorite place to get coffee in SM? Yes! So cute, great coffee and smoothies, great avacado and egg salad toasts. Great dog watching and people watching too. Easy to park, but pay the meter, the meter people make a sweep in the morning. Lovely place to sit, lots of shaded places.“

“The attendant was friendly ! Turkey sandwich and the hot chocolate were amazing ! Definitely recommend !“

“excellent salad. thank you ben“

“Enjoyed the croissant and a muffin with a mocha coffee“

“Almost too hip of an atmosphere. Looks futuristic and like a hipster puked all over it but it’s still cute. I miss the old schnackenbergs! This place looks odd in old cute charming uptown Hoboken. It’s very Portland-esque. Good salad tho.“

“I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Caffe Luxxe on our interview date. L.A. based small batch coffee roaster Caffe Luxxe is wonderful example of what can grow from the powerful bond of friendship, specifically one that spans decades like that of owners Mark Wain and Gary Chau. Taking the chance to quit their corporate jobs in 2006, they’ve been able to fuel their business from their personal relationship and their love for European luxury caffe culture. A fun fact, Caffe Luxxe is the first of its kind in L.A. for artisan coffee preparation, and boy golly, it is not one to miss at any of its So Cal locations. The coffee world is your oyster when picking your beverage of choice from their delectable menu of drips, pour overs, and a unique variety of Bevande Di Caffe (including a chocolate-y shaken Caffe Shakerato, a sparkling espresso Caffe Frizzante, and a spiced citrus Caffe Nico). If seasonal specials are your thing, have no fear, because they’ve got those covered too! What more could you ask for?“

“Super friendly staff and great coffee!!! Highly recommend:)“

“Home of my favorite orange pancakes!“

“I would give this place 10 stars if I could!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautiful ambiance, blocks from the beach, delicious coffee, great vegan options, and the best service! They treat you like family 🤗 Emily is AWESOME and treats all the customers like kings and queens 🙏🙏🙏 Always love coming here and instantly puts me in a better mood 🤪“

“Really unique donuts made from taro root. They are smaller but made fresh to order. One is enough for a sweet treat but if you’re hungry get 2. They have unique flavors like black sesame banana brûlée. Also some cool merch and Hawaiian goods.“

““And when love speaks, the voice of all the gods makes heaven drowsy with the harmony.” That said let’s begin thy lovely review.

Love Coffee Bar is a small charming locally owned coffee shop in Ocean Park, Santa Monica. They primarily serve Counter Culture as their coffee roaster. And on their menu they have modest selection of coffee, tea and specialty drinks. Similarly, they have mugs, tote
bags and merch for sale.

This coffee shop has spacious interior layout and minimalist artful design. And have dog-friendly policy which was definitely a plus. In addition, they have free wifi and abundant of natural light which makes this shop a good spot to hangout. They have rear outdoor patio for customers that crave fresh air and sun.

I perused their menu and ordered a hot Flat White and Iced Coffee. Both drinks were splendid! Smooth and rich in coffee bean aroma.Staff were affable and highly competent. Prices were slightly higher to similar drinks. Street parking only.

Collectively, this is a good coffee shop. Overall, I highly recommend LCB if you’re in the area.“

“Matcha review: I am YET to try a bagel which is embarrassing for obvious reasons, but Layla has an excellent matcha. Their cream top slaps, if you do dairy. Otherwise they have a solid regular matcha latte, hot or iced. The atmosphere is so bright and uplifting, and there is literally always a crowd/line (in a good way). I think it speaks for itself. Even weekdays are popping, but the line is totally doable. I come for matcha from time to time, but can’t wait to be back for a bagel because they look bomb.“

“Got the breakfast burrito with the hot sauce on the side and a brown sugar latte. The burrito is so good. A thoughtful amount of avocado, cheese, bacon, hash browns, and pico. I should have had it with the hot sauce inside. The hot sauce is like a smokey, vinegar base sauce, just enough spice to taste everything and not too overwhelming at all. For those with heartburn, get it inside the burrito, you can thank me later. They didn't open right up at 8 but it was such a nice morning, I didn't mind a leisurely start to the day. Very friendly staff, other customers waiting were kind as well. Once the workout classes in the gym get started, you get to jam out. Dog friendly picnic area just watch out for the exercise class cuz they do run through their shared entrance. Overall great spot, highly recommend!“

“The best! Worth every penny.“

“Always amazing service and highest quality products!“

“I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at UnUrban Coffee House on our interview date. In a congested city like Los Angeles, it’s sometimes easier to go to the closest coffee chain just purely out of convenience and time. However, we end up losing the experience of stepping into a kooky hole-in-the-wall place that has clearly made customers happy for many years. UnUrban Coffee in Santa Monica is one of those hidden gems that can be the home for many fun experiences. Whether you’re stopping by to pick up your morning brew, reuniting with a long-time friend, or happen to be there to witness some type of cool live performance in their stage area, you’re sure to feel perfectly at home. The first thing that you’ll notice about UnUrban is that it’s heavily influenced by art, which is clearly showcased from its building artwork, outdoor furniture, and even its logo. Luckily, you get that same amount of quirkiness reflected when you step through its retro screen covered wooden doors as you are welcomed by bright colors infused everywhere you can possibly imagine, and the displaying of unique local artwork lining its walls for patrons to enjoy. And the more art-focused the shop is, at least for me, the more options there are for food and drink that meets everyone’s dietary restrictions or preferences. I took advantage of their specialty drink menu and went with an Earl Gray Tea Latte which specific name escapes me. Overall, art lovers and caffeine lovers alike will enjoy their time here.“

“One of the best coffee place with good taste and fresh pastries and good attitude ✅“

“Great new neighborhood spot! The food is healthy and delicious. Lots of variety on the menu so everyone should have a few excellent choices!“

“Finally got to try this coffee shop and it did not disappoint! When I walked in, I immediately felt at ease when I heard R&B playing in the background and I was greeted by all the friendly baristas. I tried the seasonal cookie butter cold brew and it was *chef’s kiss!!* I loved having this option so I could have a cream top drink without it being too milky/sweet like lattes can be. THANK YOU for being a BIPOC owned/friendly establishment in a predominantly unseasoned area of LA (iykyk lol).“

“الله يبارك 🙋🏻 يعطيكم الصحة 🙋🏻 برافووووو 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻“

“Place is nice but needs a major update with sitting, the tables are for dwarf people and are extremely uncomfortable if there were chairs for average people there would be better sales and there should be more bakery options this place is boring“

“Absolutely brilliant. Great Guinness“

“I met Hana on another social network and ordered the product. She’s a hard worker and did a great job showing me how to prepare, and enjoy Kava. Kava is an acquired taste but I’ve created some great recipes that allows me to enjoy Kava in a variety of ways.“

“Delicious coffee and sustainably focused!“

“I’m always on the look out for the locally roasted coffee, I’m often disappointed. But THIS spot I have to say I’m absolutely IMPRESSED!!! Not too acidic, not bitter at all and a fantastic taste. Staff was sincere and I will be back again tomorrow!!“

“Love NYBD!! Every time I come to Santa Monica I want to visit this place. Great service, yhe freshest bagels, cream cheese, lox, etc. I wish we had one in Austin, TX!!“

“Love the staff -- humor and positive energy galore. Also, matcha latte.“

“The experience I had in this cafe was fabulous. I ordered eggs on bread and yogurt bowl, they stand out from those in other cafes. The bread was soft and with perfectly balanced moisture. You can have your eggs poached if you like and they were amazing. Coffee was of high quality with amazing flavour. The staff was welcoming and dining in was the most divine and cozy thing in the morning. A wise choice if you are visiting Santa Monica as a tourist!“

“New Orleans Cold Brew is Where it’s at!“

“This place really is sweet. I love the open space, the variety of drinks and homemade tropical syrups, and the food menu that is different enough from the food you can find at other farm-to-table cafes in Santa Monica that this one is worth the visit. The avo toast and breakfast sando are delicious.“

“Had the Thai bowl... YUM!“

“Such a cute coffee shop! The drinks are always delicious here. I will be back again❤️❤️“

“Had a very relaxing experience. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was pleasantly calm. Would highly recommend.“

“Fabulous hyper-farm-to-table food by a creative chef, on Main St in Santa Monica. I’ve tried the Gazpacho, the many Danish Rye toasts with what is fresh that day: eggs, salmon roe, avocado or ....? They also have baristas that make all type of drinks. My fab place to indulge healthy and fresh“

“Ordered a hot chocolate to drink there, it had a beautiful design on top of my drink of a flower or leaf, thank you to the super friendly Barista. I remember it was a young man but did not get his name. Felt speacial. This staff actually smiles at you and makes you feel welcome. Thank you!“

“Bodega Wine Bar has truly become my third place since moving here. Whether it’s daytime coffee or wine bar evenings, the staff consistently go out of their way to make it a welcoming, comfortable spot. Kelsey and Zack in particular stand out — they bring not just professionalism and great service, but a genuine warmth that makes every visit feel personal.

Here’s a little secret: underneath the excellent customer service, they’re just genuinely kind and caring people. That says a lot about a place, and it’s why Bodega isn’t just another bar or café — it’s a community. On top of that, it’s hands down the best coworking space I’ve ever had. I can’t recommend it enough.“

“Such a great smoothie shop located on Santa Monicas main street! You can taste their fresh ingredients in every sip. They have a range of different smoothie options and clearly fill them up to the very very top!

What we ordered:
-strawberry fields forever: 10/10, so freshy, icey and creamy. the date and vanilla make it extra sweet and tasty
-strawberry banana: 10/10, very creamy & fresh

Strawberry Fields Forever has : coconut milk, strawberry, banana, almond butter or peanut butter, dates, sea salt & vanilla

Strawberry Banana has : coconut milk, strawberry, banana & agave“

“Cute little spot inside a medical building, small treats available, clean, friendly staff, good variety of drinks. A little pricey but you’re in LA and comparable to other coffee places. Great flavor in the iced Vietnamese coffee, highly recommend and would return if I were in this building again.“

“Great coffee!!! Great atmosphere!! Love the neighborhood/ community feel to it.“

“The bagels and cream cheese are excellent! Coffee is the best!!!“

“One of my favorites in LA. Try the business and pleasure to get a well rounded sampler of their different offerings.“

“This is my go-to coffee shop for many years. What I like about this shop is that I can stay longer as much as I would like to and internet speed is so fast. This place became our hideout with my boyfriend. This place is my second home. The staff is all friendly, accommodating, and very welcoming. The prices are also affordable. Thank you!“

“Muy rico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!“

“Visited multiple times during our stay in Santa Monica. The donuts are delicious. It’s no frills, definitely not one of these new fancy donut shops. But the donuts are simple, tasty and reasonably priced ($10 for a half dozen). The folks working behind the counter were very friendly and helpful.“

“I didn’t expect much since the overall ratings are average, but this place is right across the street from the Tesla chargers, so it was very convenient when I needed to charge the car and get my toddler out to walk around for a bit. I was happy to see that they had lavender lattes on the menu cuz those are my favorite. I was even happier with how it tasted—not overly sweet, and perfect velvety foam. I was also very pleased that they had a savory pastry option. The caramelized onion scone looked suspiciously dry, but it wasn’t. It was quite moist and delicious, which was another wonderful surprise. But the best part for me (which is very parent-specific, so probably not relevant to most people), was the fact that the kids steamed milk I got for my 1.5yr old was actually perfect temperature, with a nice amount of foam. As a parent, it’s rare that a barista has the awareness or experience to recognize a good temperature for younger babies. Most of the time at other cafes, the milk is still too hot for kids younger than 5. But this barista was pretty awesome and skilled, and I soooooo appreciate that attention to such a seemingly benign detail. I didn’t get their name, but I was overall very impressed.“