Vote HERE for Your Favorite Westside Coffee Shop Pro
Written By: Charlotte Farrell Westside Coffee Shop
Amelia, Ralph and Gianni Diaz of Amelia’s
At Amelia’s, expect to find freshly baked pastries, frittata, Italian savory pies, espresso steamed eggs and gourmet panini. Our coffee beans are roasted locally to provide our customers with freshly brewed coffee. We welcome all to join us and enjoy fresh food and organic coffee prepared in a comfortable family-like setting.
2645 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.396.9095
Mark Wain and Gary Chau of Caffe Luxxe
Best friends since school, Mark Wain and Gary Chau quit their corporate jobs in 2006 to start their dream of working together and owning a local neighborhood business. Through their shared passion for European sensibilities, their experiences with cafe culture in Italy always stayed with them; the artisan approach to coffee preparation, the value of community, and the ability for a cafe to serve as both a way to get ready for the day, and a place to unwind for the evening. They both dreamed of bringing these experiences back with them to Los Angeles, and creating a neighborhood cafe to share with their community.
925 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.394.2222
Selina Viguera of Blue Bottle Coffee’s Abbot Kinney Cafe
She started working with Blue Bottle Coffee in June 2010, at the San Francisco Ferry Building. She has been at the Abbot Kinney cafe since it opened in September 2014, as the Lead Barista. The cafe is one of the smallest in LA, but definitely one of their busiest. The baristas and Selina love the community they are in, and enjoy the heavy traffic that Abbot Kinney brings on the weekends, but have also enjoyed being a part of the local community’s routine every morning.
1103 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291
510.653.3394
John Green of Groundwork Coffee Co.
John Green began his career at Groundwork as a barista at the Santa Monica Place cafe, and he quickly worked his way up to Manager at Groundwork’s busy Hollywood location. After he took a brief hiatus from the world of coffee to pursue outreach and health education at a local non-profit, he returned to Groundwork to manage the flagship location on 7th & Rose in Venice. He loves the store because of its location in the heart of Venice and because of its role as a daily hub for the regulars.
671 Rose Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
310.664.8830
Diane Maler at Espresso Cielo
Diane Maler and husband Lew found inspiration in the Pacific Northwest, attending the Seattle Barista Academy and sourcing coffee from Vancouver’s 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters to fuel their chic Santa Monica café. Espresso Cielo features sky blue walls, Carrera marble counters and an 18th Century clock, which originally told time in a French church.
1431 Second Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.260.1268
Damien Fahrenfort of Neighborhood Bru
In the heart of Venice lies Neighborhood Bru. Grinding the shakiest coffees and blending the most irresistible bowls. After “coating their teeth with every brew beneath the sky” they went with Mad Cap, a specialty roaster from Michigan. They decked out an Airstream, parked it in the General Admission lot and built a cozy parklet for your coffee enjoyment, because what’s a good cup without a good vibe?
52 Brooks Ave
Venice, CA 90291
310.399.1051
Samuel Jimenez of Love Coffee Bar
As the Coffee Director and Partner at Love Coffee Bar in Santa Monica, Samuel and his team started Love Coffee Bar as a space that combines design and coffee with a focus on quality and community. He loves all things coffee, and espresso is his favorite drink. He believes that creating a beautiful community in Ocean Park has been one of the most satisfying achievements of his life.
1732 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.392.3604
Sean Knibbs of Flowerboy Project
If you need a cup of coffee but also forgot it’s your 3 year anniversary with your significant other, Flowerboy has you covered. Part coffee shop, part boutique, part florist, you can grab your morning caffeine fix and pastry as you browse the goods and pick out a beautiful bouquet.
824 Lincoln Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
310.452.3900
Clabe Hartley of Cow’s End Cafe
Clabe Hartley is the man about town who has made Cow’s End a local favorite, and with a community friendly vibe that attracts tourists and locals back every day. Come for the coffee, stay to hear stories and spot celebs that are less about Starbucks and more about the good times they will have in the presence of it’s welcoming host.
34 Washington Boulevard
Venice, CA 90292
310.574.1080
Bobak Roshan of Demitasse
A micro roaster of specialty coffee, Demitasse is truly a home-grown establishment crafted by real-deal coffee-enthusiasts. They roast the coffee one small batch at a time, and if coffee isn’t your thing, try the Liquid Lavender Hot Chocolate, a twist on the classic served with a flame-kissed giant marshmallow.
1149 3rd St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
424.322.0959
Christopher “Nicely” Abel Alameda of Menotti’s
If you want a great coffee but also appreciate art, look no further than Menotti’s. Have “Nicely” pour out a classic with some gorgeous latte art and snap a pic for Insta. It’s sure to up your likes, just don’t let it get cold!
56 Windward Ave
Venice, CA 90291
310.392.7232
Vote HERE for Your Favorite Westside Coffee Shop Pro
