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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of Santa Monica

Croissants and matcha

Made for those who demand a precise morning ritual involving flaky pastry and whisked green tea.

Based on 653 Opinions
+650
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Updated May 2026
01
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Cozy space with lofted seating and unique wall art creates an inviting atmosphere. Soft jazz music plays quietly, supporting a calm, work-friendly vibe. The environment blends Midwest/East Coast big city classiness with a welcoming neighborhood feel.

Egg and cheese croissants come with fresh greens and are well prepared. The breakfast croissant stands out for its incredible taste while the croissant sandwich is more average.

Creamy, vibrant, and well-balanced matcha stands out here. The smooth matcha latte offers a rich, consistent flavor with delicious foam.

People are saying

"The breakfast here is so fresh and delicious."

"Their matcha latte is creamy, smooth, and perfectly balanced."

"The breakfast croissant here is incredible."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required but recommended during peak hours.

2

Expect a wait during weekend brunch hours, especially after 10am.

3

The cafe accepts credit cards and mobile payments, but not personal checks.

02
Amai coffee image 1
Coffee shop

Minimalistic coffee shop with cozy, chill atmosphere and warm, inviting interior. Space is small with limited seating, often crowded, attracting mainly college students. Offers free Wi-Fi and a creative menu focused on sweet treats rather than specialty coffee.

Almond croissants stand out with their rich flavor and pair well with items like banana matcha. Croissants here have a notable quality that complements hojicha offerings.

Ceremonial-grade Matcha Einspรคnner stands out with a well-balanced flavor, often paired with oat milk. The banana cream matcha and cloud matcha offer unique, delicious twists that complement pastries like almond croissants.

People are saying

"The Vietnamese coffee here is amazing and very good."

"You have to try the banana cream matcha."

"I thought the almond croissant tasted amazing."

Good to know

1

There is plenty of parking available in the strip mall lot.

2

The place is small and doesn't have much seating.

3

The pastries are sold out pretty fast, especially by noon.

03
blossom and friends image 1

Cafe offers an artsy decor with community art and vinyl records playing quiet tunes. Atmosphere stays calm and peaceful, ideal for working or relaxing. Seating spreads across indoor and outdoor spaces, creating an open, inviting vibe.

Pastries feature really nice croissants with a strawberry almond variety standing out. Croissants pair well with other items like banh mis and deliver delicious flavors.

Masterful preparation highlights the matcha here. Milk used is plain and does not carry the matcha flavor.

People are saying

"The baristas here are super friendly and make great coffee."

"I found their croissants to be amazing."

"I found the matcha to be masterful."

Good to know

1

The cafe offers a limited selection of food items, especially later in the day.

2

Adding avocado to your meal costs $2.50.

3

The cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating available.

04
Bluestone Lane Santa Monica Coffee Shop image 1

Small coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere and welcoming vibes. Outdoor seating features an oversized wooden table and benches, creating a relaxed spot near the beach. Quick service includes touchscreen ordering and treats available for dogs.

Croissants come with a chipotle mayo in the bacon, egg, and cheese version that adds a little extra flavor. The espresso and almond croissant offers a different twist worth trying.

Iced matcha latte stands out with its smooth texture and balanced flavor. Matcha drinks here are consistently delicious and pair well with other menu items.

People are saying

"I found the coffee here to be the most delicious I had ever tasted."

"I loved their delicious iced matcha latte."

"I thought the croissants were great."

Good to know

1

Parking is available for free in the back lot shared with nearby restaurants.

2

The cafรฉ offers non-dairy milk options for coffee drinks.

3

Expect the place to get busy early in the morning.

05
goodboybob coffee roasters image 1

Cozy cafe with stylish decor and both indoor and outdoor seating, including dog-friendly spaces. Atmosphere blends creative energy with a welcoming vibe, though noise levels can vary. Frequented by a diverse crowd, often accompanied by beautiful cars parked outside.

Croissants come in several varieties like almond, chocolate, and breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and avocado. Almond croissants get a light toast to enhance flavor, while chocolate croissants can be cold inside after toasting. Crumbs from croissant sandwiches can scatter due to small plates.

High quality matcha delivers a smooth and rich flavor. Options include ceremonial matcha, iced matcha, and unique blends like candied yam matcha.

People are saying

"I thought the coffee here was really delicious."

"The croissant breakfast sandwich was good, but messy."

"The matcha here is so smooth and high quality."

Good to know

1

Parking can be tricky; expect to pay $7 for street parking.

2

The coffee shop has limited indoor seating and some outdoor seating.

3

It takes about 20 minutes to get a cup of coffee.

06
Gnarwhal Coffee Co. image 1

Cozy coffee shop with beach vibe and modern design offers outdoor seating near the shore. Music plays loudly, creating an energetic atmosphere suited for casual hangouts or light work. Unique features include a disposable camera project and a dog-friendly environment.

Pistachio croissants stand out as a rare find here, offered alongside vegan and chocolate options. They warm croissants on request, enhancing the freshness and flavor.

Matcha comes in unique flavors like cereal milk and saltwater, with options like almond milk and vanilla. Drinks feature beautiful latte art and pair well with baked goods like muffins and croissants.

People are saying

"The coffee here is amazing, truly art in a cup."

"I loved the matcha latte; it was delicious and not too sweet."

"I usually only get pistachio croissants at the farmers market."

Good to know

1

The coffee shop is often busy, so expect a line out the door.

2

Non-dairy milks incur an extra charge of $1.

3

Dogs are allowed to sit in the human chairs.

07
Paderia Bakehouse image 1

Small bakery with simple minimalistic design and modern clean ambiance caters mainly to takeout with no indoor seating. Portuguese-style egg tarts and large cookies stand out as signature items, drawing a young, trendy crowd. Free parking and an outdoor seating area add convenience for quick visits.

Croissants here are mostly well-made and flaky. The almond croissant stands out as dry and crusty, not matching typical croissant texture or flavor.

Iced matcha horchata and raspberry matcha stand out with their balanced sweetness and rich flavor. Horchata matcha latte offers a smooth, not too sweet taste.

People are saying

"The cookies here are soft, chewy, and delicious."

"This matcha is bold, smooth, and packed a kick."

"I thought the croissants here were perfected."

Good to know

1

Paderia Bakehouse is strictly takeout with no indoor seating available.

2

A single cookie costs $7, making them relatively expensive.

3

Paderia Bakehouse does not accept cash; only card payments are allowed.

08
Cafe Ruisseau image 1
Coffee shop

Modern coffee shop with high ceilings and large windows creates a bright, inviting space filled with gorgeous plants. Atmosphere stays cozy and relaxed, featuring R&B music that supports both chilling and focused work. Seating options include indoor and outdoor areas with free WiFi, making it suitable for remote work or casual visits.

Sweet and savory croissants come in varied flavors, including a turkey and cheese option. Some croissants arrive without warming, and quality opinions vary, with at least one noting a poor texture.

Blueberry Matcha stands out with its delicious flavor and balanced sweetness. Strawberry Matcha lacks appeal and ranks as the worst among options. Overall, matcha offerings vary in quality.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the great coffee here."

"The croissant here is served with such friendly and efficient service."

"The Blueberry Matcha was amazing."

Good to know

1

There is no bathroom on-site at Cafe Ruisseau.

2

You can walk a little bit to find a bathroom nearby.

3

There is street parking nearby, including a 3-hour meter across the street.

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Santa Monica, California

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