April 18, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Cozy Westside Coffee Shops

4 Essential Coffee Shops on the Westside

By Kerry Slater

For coffee lovers, winter in Los Angeles means ditching the cold brew for a hot cup joe. With craft coffee shops popping up in nearly every neighborhood, the hard part is picking which establishment to choose. While the search for the perfect cup of coffee never ends, here are four Westside staples that do a near-perfect job of warming the soul, awakening the mind and pleasing the palate with their unique approach to brewing coffee.

Balconi Coffee Company
11301 Olympic Blvd #124, Los Angeles, CA 90064

At Balconi, Baristas always let you smell the freshly ground beans. Photo: Facebook.

Balconi Coffee Company’s small storefront on Olympic Boulevard may be easy to miss but all it takes is one sip for their coffee to be remembered by taste buds. Prepared with a siphon, Balconi takes what are already quality single-origin beans and brews them into something truly special. The “siphon method” gives the coffee the rich flavor profile usually found with a french-press but without the sediment. In addition, the extremely knowledgable staff, cool jazz and books to browse make Balconi the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a mug of warm coffee.

Menotti’s Coffee Stop
56 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

At Menotti’s espresso-based drinks take center stage. Photo: Facebook.

With 90s hip-hop vinyl records bumping on the speakers and baristas pulling top-notch espresso shots, Menotti’s Coffee Stop makes the most out of their small Venice storefront. Menotti’s keeps it simple with their menu, which is primarily geared towards their specialty: espresso. Even those who may not normally have the palette for a straight espresso should give one at Minotti’s a shot, no pun intended.

Metro Cafe
603 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Metro Cafe in Santa Monica makes great coffee in a friendly environment. Photo: Kerry Slater.

Is the coffee at Metro Cafe above average? Yes. Is the coffee at Metro Cafe the best in the world? No. Does it deserve a place on this list considering the plethora of Westside coffee shops serving top-notch coffee? Absolutely. Located in Downtown Santa Monica, Metro Cafe’s welcoming enviroment and friendly staff foster a sense of community rarely found in urban coffee shops. The coffee is all donation based/name-your-price. In addition, Metro gives back to the community by operating a food pantry for individuals experiencing homelessness and others in need. With a modern indoor seating area and a spacious outdoor courtyard, Metro is a great place to grab a cup of coffee, have a conversation or get some work done.

Demitasse
1149 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

At Demitasse, which boasts some of the best cold brew in Los Angeles (pictured), the hot coffee is also top-notch. Photo: Kerry Slater.

While their specialty may be Kyoto drip cold brew, Demitasse baristas make every drink memorable. With a selection of single origin pour-overs that are constantly being updated, frothy lattes and unique barista signature creations, the constant theme that ties Demitasse’s extensive menu together is quality. Located in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, just north of the Third Street Promenade, Demitasse is the perfect place to get a pick-me-up during work or a refresh after a long day of shopping and sightseeing.

Honorable mentions: 

  • Love Coffee Bar (1732 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405)
  • Coffee Tomo (11309 Mississippi Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025)
  • 18th Street Coffee House (1725 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404)
Related Posts

(Video) Malibu Discovery Party at Santa Monica Place

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North Italia Restaurant. Rosenthal Winery. Bristol Farms. Beautiful Sea Creatures. Chrysalis. Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North...

Beverly Hills DUI Checkpoint Leads to Arrest and Multiple Citations

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Police Screen More Than 200 Drivers in Overnight Safety Operation A DUI checkpoint conducted in Beverly Hills on April 11...

UCLA Community Protests Detention of International Grad Student at Border

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Professor Says Student Has Been Denied Access to Her Lawyer Today, an international graduate student from UCLA was taken into...

Courtroom Fireworks Amid Delay Next Phase in Menendez Case on Thursday

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Prosecutors, Defense Trade Barbs as Menendez Resentencing Hits Snag Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic has postponed a...

Experience Poetry Like Never Before at the Getty Center’s Central Garden

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

The Series Invites Visitors to Explore Art, Nature, and Sound in Harmony The Getty Center will host a new outdoor...

Newsom, Bonta Seek Court Ruling to Void Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Crisis

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Economic Fallout Prompts California Lawsuit Against Trump’s Tariffs California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit...

Film Review: The Shrouds

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Canada’s cinematic maestro of body horror’s newest film is The Shrouds. While it is not a horror...

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Pours on the Charm with New Afternoon Tea

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Organic Teas, Sweet Treats, Artisan Touches to Relax in Style  A block south of Sunset Boulevard, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood...

(Video) Matū Kai Brentwood Friends and Family Dinner

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Matü Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Bitters, and a Burnt Orange Peel. Amazing 24-Hour Bone Broth. Look at that steam....

Global Ramen Restaurant Expands in LA with New Culver City and Vegan West Hollywood Outposts

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

From Tonkotsu to Tofu: Restaurant’s Dual Openings Cater to Every Ramen Craving International ramen powerhouse Ippudo has opened its newest...

Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chão Opens in Santa Monica With Ocean Views

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Santa Monica’s Newest Restaurant Serves Steak With a Side of Charity Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse known for its...

Jack Black Confronts ‘Minecraft’ Mayhem with Surprise Theater Appearance

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Black’s Surprise Appearance Follows a Week of Wild Audience Behavior Actor Jack Black unexpectedly appeared at an AMC Century City...

Mental Health Workers Conclude Hunger Strike Amid Six-Month Labor Dispute

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Strikers Receive Support from Rock Star and WeHo City Councilmember Eight mental health care workers ended their five-day hunger strike...

Malibu Discovery Celebrates 15 Years With Seaside Wonderland Bash in Santa Monica

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Cocktails, Community, and a Cause: Seaside Wonderland Arrives April 17 Malibu Discovery will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a community-focused...

Westwood Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian Dead, Driver Still at Large

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Driver of Car That Fled the Scene Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West...