The cafe’s walls display wands, so you can indulge your inner Harry Potter. They serve a range of drinks, including the “Santa Monica Fog” with mint tea, steamed oat milk and rosemary simple syrup.
This coffee shop is a connoisseur’s dream with colorful tile and a curated book collection. Its slick, modern space has plenty of seating but few power outlets.
Primo Passo Coffee Co.
This cozy coffee shop has everything you need to get a head start on your day. Its extensive menu includes exceptional coffee, hot teas, fruit smoothies and pastries. The cafe also offers a variety of healthy snack options, including granola bars and macaroons. It is located just a few blocks from the beach and is known for its friendly service.
The owners of this coffee shop believe that friendships and community can be built over a cup of coffee. They are both professionals and have other careers, but they opened Primo Passo to pursue their passion for Best coffee shops in santa monica.
This upscale cafe on Montana Avenue has top-notch beverages and minimalist, modern decor. The cafe also offers a variety of food options, including sandwiches and burritos. The coffee is smooth and well-balanced, with lots of flavor. It is also served with a side of fruit. The menu also has desserts and snacks, such as a blueberry mascarpone grilled cheese sandwich.
Caffe Luxxe
Caffe Luxxe is a bright and cheery spot on Montana Avenue. The tall ceilings are covered with beautiful framed coffee photography and the main L-shaped counter seats about 20 people. They also serve some delicious pastry options. I enjoyed the cappuccino and a warm almond croissant. The coffee was excellent, too – smooth and not too acidic.
The owners, Mark Wain and Gary Chau, are best friends who dreamed of opening a local neighborhood cafe. They drew inspiration from their time living in Europe, and their goal is to recreate the experience of being in a European cafe, where locals gather for social and cultural exchanges.
In addition to serving a variety of high-quality coffee, they also carry artisan snacks and cute lifestyle retail items. They even have a unique coffee kombucha, which is made with espresso rather than tea. The coffee kombucha is rich in probiotics and provides a boost of energy without the caffeine crash.
Dogtown Coffee
Dogtown Coffee is a cafe with a surfer-skater vibe serving local coffee blends and vegan & gluten-free breakfast burritos. It’s a popular spot for surfers and residents of Santa Monica. Its menu includes a cold-pressed organic green juice made with pineapple, cucumber, kale, spinach and pear. It also serves a variety of sandwiches and salads.
The shop is located in the former Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions space on the corner of Main and Bay Street. The location is a landmark of American skateboard and surfing history, and the coffee shop santa monica honors that heritage with murals and original Zephyr surfboards.
The menu at Upgrade Labs Cafe is carefully curated to follow the Bulletproof Diet guidelines created by Dave Asprey. It features beverages with added grass-fed butter and oils to boost energy, focus and brain function. The menu is available for delivery or pick-up on Postmates. Simply add items to your cart and select pickup at checkout.
The Refinery
This industrial-chic cafe is all about espresso & pour overs. Their ebullient barista has built a cult following with his unmatched knowledge of coffee (and tea). He can explain the subtleties of each beverage in great detail. The espresso from Ritual beans is sublime — silky smooth, good body and a hint of nutty goodness. Try it as a cortado so you can taste the full flavor of the roast. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, but beware — they have a heavy El Salvadorian accent. The bathroom is only accessible by walking through the kitchen area — which feels kind of like you’re doing something you shouldn’t be! Slow wifi is also a problem.
It’s best to call ahead before visiting if you’re planning on ordering a drink.