I've lived in Santa Monica for 7 years and April 4, 2024 is the first time I stop in to order something. The coffee is excellent. It's better than Starbucks. Excellent pastries to choose from and they are absolutely delicious. I don't know of any other place that has pastries that taste as good as the ones here.Cozy atmosphere inside and outdoor seating is also available for those who wish to dine outside.What stood out the most was the amazing customer service that I received. It was genuine service. The kind of service where you can tell they really want to make sure that you are taken care of. You don't find that at hardly any place these days but I was delighted to find it here. I think I'm going to discontinue my 15 years streak with Starbucks and start coming over here.I highly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eddie Korneev
Super slow service and to be honest It’s not very good. Bfast burritos taste like microwave Walmart burritos. Took two bites and tossed it. Coffee is better at Starbucks
Madeleine B.
Really cute coffee cafe in Santa Monica, but they have multiple locations across LA. Their drinks are what stand out. I highly recommend the cafe Oaxaca, which is like a super chocolatey coffee. The horchata latte is also great. Their pastries are hit or miss - I've tried the pan de elote (corn bread), dulce de leche tacos, and conchas. The corn bread was good but dry and deflated, like it had been out for a while. The concha was good and so was the dulce de leche taco. Maybe it's better to get the pastries only when they're fresh in the morning.
Ana Mendoza
Love the drinks and customer service is always on point when I go. The only thing i get disappointed by is that they never have vegan pan options anymore. Besides that it is a nice and cozy place and good drinks! Especially the oatchata latte or Hibiscus agua fresca on a hot day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Elle V.
I'm not one to leave reviews often. The place has to be either really good or just really disappointing. In this case I'm truly dissapointed. I was really excited to come here when I found out they had a bakery after seeing their café de Olla at Costco. It makes me proud to see the Latino community represented in a place such as Costco. Maybe my expectations were to high coming here, but I feel they should be . The Santa Monica location is in a prime place, the corner is beautiful and really cute. Walking into the shop my 1st thought was the music is good, but the ambience already felt off. It wasn't as put together as I imagined. I felt like I finally understood what our moms meant when they wouldn't let us out the house until we tucked in our shirts. It was missing something it felt sloppy. The idea is there but it needs to be tightened up. The reason I was ultimately disappointed about this place was the service. I am one to truly appreciate those who serve us and also I am understanding that the work force is rough right now. But geez, I felt like offering my coffee to the lady at the register because she looked like she needed a cup. When I approached the counter she didn't make eye contact, she looked like she was doing something, so I didn't want to interrupt but it took her a long time to acknowledge I was there ready to check out and place an order. Her customer skills were not there, she was also working extremely slow, she didn't smile, she looked like she was annoyed and not to mention everyone else was also working at a very leisure pace with no care in the world. One of the staff looked overwhelmed and stressed. It wasn't a good look. The area where they were making coffee and food looked disorganized and messy. The person bagging orders wasn't doing it with care. I saw food being put into the bags and probably being squished. Overall It didn't feel warm like a coffee shop should feel especially on a Saturday morning. I shouldn't feel my mood going down after a Saturday morning coffee shop run rather I should feel happier and ready to take on the day. I left feeling disappointed. A little about what I picked up. The Iced Horchata de Olla, oh how I was really looking forward to that. It didn't live up to the hype and neither did the Oatchata Agua Fresca. Both of them were watered down and truly a let down. I'll will say though the mini conchas were delicious. The breakfast tacos were good but their prep area needs work. I wish this place would have been a better experience. Other than buying a bag of their coffee at Costco I wouldn't recommend coming to the brick and mortar location unless it's only to grab some mini conchas. There are definitely better options in the area for coffee and an overall coffee shop experience. This review isn't meant to put them down but hopefully entice them tighten up and level up.
Nina G.
We love this small gem--the coffees and other drinks are delicious, the sweets, the savories all wonderful and the staff is friendly and welcoming--all worthy of 5 stars. But the volume of the music makes it so hard to enjoy it all. It's hard to hear someone sitting just inches away from you! When we very politely asked to have the volume lowered, we were told that the staff has no control over it! The customers' comfort should mean something; The ambiance is unwelcoming. And the sound level should never be something the working staff cannot alter.
Dariush S.
I bought 3 slices of cake for my birthday... and I can't lie they were below average. I bought a slice of the guava cake which didn't have any guava flavor, a slice of dulce de leche which was dry and crumbly, and a slice of horchata which was actually decent. Overall very disappointing and would not buy the slices again. Maybe full cakes are better?
Jose Omana
Very nice and clean peaceful place to enjoy a delicious coffee and bread and good customer service. Special one of their employees eating her name is Lucy very lovely and nice person. Always take care of their customers very wellParking: Ok ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Concha, Pan Dulce
Cheryl R.
I was at the Santa Monica hospital having a procedure done yesterday and my friend and I went here to get some lunch and relax and we ordered a burrito and a Molette and the oven wasn't working and things were kind of not working and we were waiting a long time so that the guy That was working there comped us to desserts and he felt so bad because we weren't even able to get our lunch but I got a box of those Mexican biscuit cookies. He was so kind and so sweet and just the hospitality there really rocked so I was suggest people going thereand actually going to place for people really care about customer service and really care about you as a customer and also the desserts. There are so good and I'd have to say their coffee taste like real coffee not dirt that people make today.
vanessa l.
champurrado was buss‼ (means the drink was very good) was here yesterday, here today, probably be back tomorrow. great service, thank you angel & luisa!
Oaxaca coffee with oat milk is my favorite and the breads are delicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dulce de Leche Cajeta Cake, Taquitos de Pina Crema Y Guayaba, Dulce de Leche Cajeta Empanadas Box, Quequitos de Dulce de Leche, Orejas, Tres Leches Latte, Conchas de Vainilla Y Chocolate, Roles de Canela, Burrito- Huevos Rancheros
Franklin Gerechter
Good quality baked goods and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jewels D.
La Monarca Bakery is an absolute gem of a coffee cafe. I can't wait to return for another burrito and Mexican hot chocolate and dig further into their wonderful menu. Friendly service, welcoming ambiance though small inside. Nice place to grab a coffee to start or wind down your day.
Stephanie Martinez
The morning crew is way too slow. The premade coffee has been cold each time. Im not coming back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Raul Saldana
The service is too poor, the coffee is old, there is nothing good anymore, not even the bread.
I've lived in Santa Monica for 7 years and April 4, 2024 is the first time I stop in to order something. The coffee is excellent. It's better than Starbucks. Excellent pastries to choose from and they are absolutely delicious. I don't know of any other place that has pastries that taste as good as the ones here.Cozy atmosphere inside and outdoor seating is also available for those who wish to dine outside.What stood out the most was the amazing customer service that I received. It was genuine service. The kind of service where you can tell they really want to make sure that you are taken care of. You don't find that at hardly any place these days but I was delighted to find it here. I think I'm going to discontinue my 15 years streak with Starbucks and start coming over here.I highly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super slow service and to be honest It’s not very good. Bfast burritos taste like microwave Walmart burritos. Took two bites and tossed it. Coffee is better at Starbucks
Really cute coffee cafe in Santa Monica, but they have multiple locations across LA. Their drinks are what stand out. I highly recommend the cafe Oaxaca, which is like a super chocolatey coffee. The horchata latte is also great. Their pastries are hit or miss - I've tried the pan de elote (corn bread), dulce de leche tacos, and conchas. The corn bread was good but dry and deflated, like it had been out for a while. The concha was good and so was the dulce de leche taco. Maybe it's better to get the pastries only when they're fresh in the morning.
Love the drinks and customer service is always on point when I go. The only thing i get disappointed by is that they never have vegan pan options anymore. Besides that it is a nice and cozy place and good drinks! Especially the oatchata latte or Hibiscus agua fresca on a hot day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I'm not one to leave reviews often. The place has to be either really good or just really disappointing. In this case I'm truly dissapointed. I was really excited to come here when I found out they had a bakery after seeing their café de Olla at Costco. It makes me proud to see the Latino community represented in a place such as Costco. Maybe my expectations were to high coming here, but I feel they should be . The Santa Monica location is in a prime place, the corner is beautiful and really cute. Walking into the shop my 1st thought was the music is good, but the ambience already felt off. It wasn't as put together as I imagined. I felt like I finally understood what our moms meant when they wouldn't let us out the house until we tucked in our shirts. It was missing something it felt sloppy. The idea is there but it needs to be tightened up. The reason I was ultimately disappointed about this place was the service. I am one to truly appreciate those who serve us and also I am understanding that the work force is rough right now. But geez, I felt like offering my coffee to the lady at the register because she looked like she needed a cup. When I approached the counter she didn't make eye contact, she looked like she was doing something, so I didn't want to interrupt but it took her a long time to acknowledge I was there ready to check out and place an order. Her customer skills were not there, she was also working extremely slow, she didn't smile, she looked like she was annoyed and not to mention everyone else was also working at a very leisure pace with no care in the world. One of the staff looked overwhelmed and stressed. It wasn't a good look. The area where they were making coffee and food looked disorganized and messy. The person bagging orders wasn't doing it with care. I saw food being put into the bags and probably being squished. Overall It didn't feel warm like a coffee shop should feel especially on a Saturday morning. I shouldn't feel my mood going down after a Saturday morning coffee shop run rather I should feel happier and ready to take on the day. I left feeling disappointed. A little about what I picked up. The Iced Horchata de Olla, oh how I was really looking forward to that. It didn't live up to the hype and neither did the Oatchata Agua Fresca. Both of them were watered down and truly a let down. I'll will say though the mini conchas were delicious. The breakfast tacos were good but their prep area needs work. I wish this place would have been a better experience. Other than buying a bag of their coffee at Costco I wouldn't recommend coming to the brick and mortar location unless it's only to grab some mini conchas. There are definitely better options in the area for coffee and an overall coffee shop experience. This review isn't meant to put them down but hopefully entice them tighten up and level up.
We love this small gem--the coffees and other drinks are delicious, the sweets, the savories all wonderful and the staff is friendly and welcoming--all worthy of 5 stars. But the volume of the music makes it so hard to enjoy it all. It's hard to hear someone sitting just inches away from you! When we very politely asked to have the volume lowered, we were told that the staff has no control over it! The customers' comfort should mean something; The ambiance is unwelcoming. And the sound level should never be something the working staff cannot alter.
I bought 3 slices of cake for my birthday... and I can't lie they were below average. I bought a slice of the guava cake which didn't have any guava flavor, a slice of dulce de leche which was dry and crumbly, and a slice of horchata which was actually decent. Overall very disappointing and would not buy the slices again. Maybe full cakes are better?
Very nice and clean peaceful place to enjoy a delicious coffee and bread and good customer service. Special one of their employees eating her name is Lucy very lovely and nice person. Always take care of their customers very wellParking: Ok ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Concha, Pan Dulce
I was at the Santa Monica hospital having a procedure done yesterday and my friend and I went here to get some lunch and relax and we ordered a burrito and a Molette and the oven wasn't working and things were kind of not working and we were waiting a long time so that the guy That was working there comped us to desserts and he felt so bad because we weren't even able to get our lunch but I got a box of those Mexican biscuit cookies. He was so kind and so sweet and just the hospitality there really rocked so I was suggest people going thereand actually going to place for people really care about customer service and really care about you as a customer and also the desserts. There are so good and I'd have to say their coffee taste like real coffee not dirt that people make today.
champurrado was buss‼ (means the drink was very good) was here yesterday, here today, probably be back tomorrow. great service, thank you angel & luisa!
Restaurantji Recommends
Oaxaca coffee with oat milk is my favorite and the breads are delicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dulce de Leche Cajeta Cake, Taquitos de Pina Crema Y Guayaba, Dulce de Leche Cajeta Empanadas Box, Quequitos de Dulce de Leche, Orejas, Tres Leches Latte, Conchas de Vainilla Y Chocolate, Roles de Canela, Burrito- Huevos Rancheros
Good quality baked goods and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
La Monarca Bakery is an absolute gem of a coffee cafe. I can't wait to return for another burrito and Mexican hot chocolate and dig further into their wonderful menu. Friendly service, welcoming ambiance though small inside. Nice place to grab a coffee to start or wind down your day.
The morning crew is way too slow. The premade coffee has been cold each time. Im not coming back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
The service is too poor, the coffee is old, there is nothing good anymore, not even the bread.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1