Krispy Kreme originated in 1937, with its original glazed doughnuts, and grew as a national name in the late 1990s. The company has been recognized as a 20th Century American icon by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Here at the Santa Monica store, 32 different kinds of doughnuts are always available, with seasonal specialties that change every few months. Regular favorites include glazed cinnamon, chocolate iced glazed, chocolate iced creme filled, chocolate iced custard filled, glazed raspberry filled, cinnamon bun, glazed blueberry and apple fritter.
Instead of Krispy Kreme's brand coffee, this location has a limited selection of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf brewed coffees and espresso drinks. Free Wi-Fi is available here, and birthday parties can be arranged with customized doughnut cakes.
La Monarca offers a wide range of breads, coffee, cakes, sandwiches and more. Everything is made from scratch and uses all-natural ingredients and does not include preservatives, trans fats, lard or ready-made mixes. La Monarca also offering catering services for special events.
Starbucks offers a wide selection of freshly brewed coffees and teas from its large location in downtown Santa Monica. The menu features fruit infusions, teas, baked goods and plenty of coffee options. The space is large and offers indoor and outdoor seating, along with free Wi-Fi.
Groundwork Coffee is a conscious-minded business that prides itself on supporting the community and using products that are 100 percent certified organic as well as fairly traded. It has been a part of the Santa Monica community for six years. Located across from Main Street Bagels near Ashland, the shop offers brewed coffee and tea, coffee beans by the pound, ranging in price from $11.25 to $13.25, as well as granola and locally baked pastry.
Urth Caffe opened up its Santa Monica location on Main Street and Hollister in 2005. Originally founded as an organic coffee house working only with sustainable coffee growers, the company has grown to include organic teas, fresh farm salads made only with locally grown produce, gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian friendly pastries and desserts. Its menu also offers signature panini sandwiches, turkey burgers, quesadillas, lasagna and much more. There is no table service offered, instead, patrons order their food at the counter and it is then delivered to their table. In addition to eat-in and take-out, this location also provides catering as well as delivery services daily, from 11:00am – 2:30pm and 5:30pm – 9:00pm.
Caffe Luxxe is a trendy café located in the heart of Santa Monica on Montana Avenue. As one of the few non-chain coffee shops in the neighborhood, Caffe Luxxe's chic environment fits perfectly with the atmosphere of Montana Avenue. It serves the very best quality Italian coffee and espresso, striving for the "bella tazza" with every order. The café serves a variety of delicious looking Italian and South American desserts and sandwiches, all of which are rotated regularly.
If you don't do coffee, fresh-squeezed and bottled juices are available as well. Caffe Luxxe provides a luxurious coffee experience, with friendly staff and classy environment—a must stop on Montana Avenue. Additionally, it sells its coffes beans by the pound, so you can take the magic home with you.
Cafe Bolivar is located right on Ocean Park Boulevard, in Santa Monica's Ocean Park community. Cafe Bolivar offers a menu of fresh Latin American foods, coffee and teas and a variety of artwork displayed on the walls. This cafe has free Wi-Fi and a mellow atmosphere, perfect for studying or reading. Customers can sit inside the cafe or outside on the shaded patio.
Sur La Table sells a wide selection of kitchen and culinary tools. The original store, in Seattle, sold exclusively French imports. After expanding nationwide, Sur La Table added domestic items, as well as products from around the world.
Customers can find premium-quality culinary tools here for making any type of cuisine. Pots, pans, ceramic baking dishes, plates, mixing bowls, knives, electric mixers and more are displayed throughout the store.
One section of Sur La Table is devoted to coffee, with whole bean coffee for sale as well as various coffee makers and accessories. Cook books, aprons, oven mitts and kitchen furniture are also available. Knive sharpening service is offered. The store is conveniently located near the 3rd Street Promenade, home to a farmer's market twice a week. Free parking is available in nearby public parking structures.
Famous for its Frappuccino and international recognition as a purveyor of fine coffee, Starbucks sells espresso, lattes and other fine coffee drinks. Non-coffee drinks like juice, water and Vivano smoothies are available, as are specially brewed teas and tea lattes, all provided by Tazo Tea. All Starbucks locations come with free Wi-Fi.
Mugs and coffee accessories such French press coffee makers and espresso machines are sold here, as are whole bean and ground versions of their coffee to take home. All types of coffee sold are premium blends from around the world and all are roasted by coffee masters. Pastries can be purchased at Starbucks including muffins, scones, cupcakes, biscotti and bagels, and to-go food trays with cheeses, meats, fruit and sandwiches are for sale as well
Sweet and freshly made donuts are sold at Donut King in flavors ranging from glazed to chocolate to cinnamon and sugar. Other pastries are available as well, including fritters, croissants, danishes and bagels, all baked on the premises every morning.
Sandwiches are available for lunch or breakfast, and specialty bagels like pizza bagels are offered as well. Flavored coffees can be paired with pastries or sandwiches, and yogurt and fruit-based smoothies round out the breakfast drink offerings. Ice cream and milkshakes are sold here for a sweet pick-me-up, and sundries like cigarettes, tea and medicine can also be purchased.
The Bookmark Café is located in the Santa Monica Public Library, on the ground floor near the west entrance. The café serves coffee and tea, breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and other beverages. In the center courtyard with outdoor tables, chairs and shade umbrellas, Bookmark is a great place to sit and read. There are few indoor tables, but they're nearly always in use. The cafe is clean and well-maintained, with friendly servers.
