Have been my go-to in Santa Monica for past couple years and have been a regular to the Playa Vista one as well. Free milk substitute, plenty of creative seasonal menu, and very friendly baristas. Plenty of seats with pretty quiet ambiance, enabling you to study or work comfortably. They closed pretty early on weekends so just keep that in mind. Online pre-order's also available so plus point for convenience. My usuals have been their Caramel Macchiato with almond milk while my husband loves their Nutella Latte. Their mix-ins just turn out yum for each drink, including the seasonal ones. Lately I have been hooked by their Salted Caramel Cold Brew and Earl Grey Latte. The prior had pretty light foam with subtle flavor but just right to balance the cold brew while the later offered the right balance between espresso and earl grey tastes. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Nutella Latte Earl Grey Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The best banana bread matcha. When I say you can taste the banana bread flavor I mean that to the tea. I did ask for it to be extra sweet and it was. The spot was clean, however, parking is street parking I did see a parking garage not sure if it was connected to it. Other than that chill vibes. Love the atmosphere and the customer service was great. I also believe it's black owned which I love read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Banana Bread Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The Chai is amazing. I love that they carry Virtu.la products. The staff is really cool too. Really convenient if you're a SMC student!! read more

The tiramisu latte was so delicious! It was shocking how delicious it was. Will be back just for another. Dangerous

NOW THIS IS HOW YOU HOUSE MAKE SOME SYRUPSSSSS and CREAM TOPS. I was recommended to do the vanilla latte with cookie buttercream top. That did not disappoint. It gives you sweetness and then more sweetness with the cream top, I would love to just cookie butter it all up next time though. From what I was told most of their syrups our house made and that is such a win out here in these streets. Interior is cute and decorative with plenty of seating. Sidenote, I was so obsessed with my latte from here that I went to the Beverly Hills location the next day which is closer to my home and apparently they don't make any of their syrups at that location - Just FYI. I ended up not getting anything, would love for all of their locations to be consistent with their menu. read more

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Stopped in to order a to go item. I heard wonderful things about this place!!! Place has great art work on walls, outside seating is available. The place is on the corner and is walking distance from nearby homes. What a treat to get some almond bites- great snack size! Next time I'm in Santa Monica, this place WILL be my Go-To spot for coffee and treats Thank you! read more

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Was looking for a coffee shop to work out of and stumbled on cafe Ruisseau! Super vibey spot with immaculate music (think rnb, nujabes, throwback, etc) ordered a tiramisu latte and ohhh man it hit the spot. It came out super quick and tasted amazing as I ordered with less syrup. The only thing is there isn't a bathroom in here so if you gotta go, that's gonna be a problem haha. Barista was great, I am def coming back! read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Tiramisu latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This café left a really great impression on me. The customer service stood out right away. The person who helped me was very personable and welcoming, which immediately set a positive tone for the visit. The space itself is charming and thoughtfully curated. They have a lot of cute trinkets and small items that feel perfect as keepsakes, collectibles, or display pieces. I also loved seeing the local artwork throughout the café, which added to the warmth and character of the space. I ordered a natural mushroom coffee, and it was very good, though much stronger than I expected. I am not a big caffeine drinker, so it definitely caught me off guard with how long it kept me alert. That is not a bad thing, just something to be aware of if you are sensitive to caffeine. The beverage selection overall looked great, with plenty of interesting options to choose from. Parking was fairly easy for me. I parked on the street at a meter, though parking does seem a bit limited depending on timing. There was steady foot traffic, but the café felt best suited for small meetups, either solo, with a plus one, or maybe one or two additional people. Larger groups might feel a bit tight based on the size. Overall, this was a great experience. Nice ambience, strong beverage options, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere. I am definitely looking forward to going back to explore more of the menu and see what else they have to offer. read more

Cool black owned cafe on the corner. Nice amount of seating. I went on a Monday before Christmas so parking wasn't bad. I purchased the honey lavender latte. It was pretty tasty. They had a nice amount of different drink and eat options to choose from. The service was fine. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Honey Lavender Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

First time trying Cafe Ruisseau, and I couldn't be happier. The cashier and barista were so nice and helpful when deciding what to order. I like my matcha on the sweeter side; so I had gotten the iced matcha latte with vanilla and agave. The space is so clean and open. The perfect work cafe! Definitely a must try if you're in Samo. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Matcha Latte ICED - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This cafe is conveniently located in the Santa Monica neighborhood. It's pretty small, onky 3-4 tables inside and a good amount of outdoor seating. I ordered the medium honey lavender latte with oat milk ($7) and it was good! I asked for light sweetener and it was still pretty sweet, but luckily it tasted nice so I didn't mind too much. The baristas are nice and conversational. Bonus points they were playing chromakopia :) read more

Cool vibes, love the ambience, the music and the dope stickers and come of the best coffee we have tried in LA in a very long time. Perfectly balanced. We ordered the seasonal drink a Peach Cobbler Latte. It was delish. Worth the 20 min drive from on a Sunday Morning. read more

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Came for a quick caffeine hit. I got a simple coffee and got my friend a chai latte. The service was great. Super friendly and such nice people. Also helped to make the latte extra hot since it was gonna be a bit until my friend got the drink. No additional cost for milk alternatives which is such a bright spot. Like why does it need to cost more when you see the price of the milk alts the same at the market as milk. They take InKind which also is great to get the discount. Feels like a good spot to get some work done and will be back. read more

Lots of street parking and very spacious with chill baristas with matching chill music. Other people were chatting and others were working but overall, not super noisy to where you can't focus but not dead silent that it's you and your thoughts. Haha. I wanted to try their cookie butter latte but they were out of the syrup. The barista suggested the honey lavender latte and it's pretty good as someone who doesn't partake in coffee that often! I would want to try their cookie butter latter given the quality of my current latte read more

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Good quality espresso, interesting lattes, and a variety of breakfast foods. Cafe Ruisseau is a coffee shop located in the corner of an all-glass apartment-type building (took me a minute to figure out there was a coffee shop in there). The inside is bright, clean and comfortable with quite a bit of seating and they also sell some LA/Cafe Ruisseau merch. As stated in other reviews, there is no bathroom, but it's fine if you know that going into it. I got the tiramisu latte iced (mocha with some type of tiramisu syrup), and it was very smooth with a sweet creamy top when iced that is reminiscent of a tiramisu dessert. The espresso seamlessly blended with the mocha flavor and was lighter than expected, but still a pretty rich drink. Tasty, but I think I'd prefer a lighter drink next time (maybe something like a honey vanilla). They also have made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, but I elected for one of the premade matcha chia seed pudding, which was honestly more just subtle sweet and I didn't detect the matcha. They have a small fridge area that has a bunch of different chia pudding and yogurt/pudding things that looked good. Overall good option though for a chill weekend breakfast spot or a coffee shop to hang out at to do some work. read more

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Coffee is decent! It's in walking distance from me so definitely convenient but not my first choice when it comes to coffee. Staff are always kind and they have recently upgraded to the cutie rounded iced coffee cups which I unfortunately do love. read more

Love the coffee here. Great seasonal flavors that are awlays inspired, robust, and delicious. The space is also perfect for getting your work done, or just hanging out to pass time. The art on the wall is also amazing and I plan to buy a few pieces. Go here fam. read more

Cafe Ruisseau is a cozy gem with a great group of employees as warm as the coffee they brew. Their lattes are top-tier, and I'm obsessed with the "pink + green" drink and their honey lavender latte. I appreciate their support for local vendors: the Vegan Protein Bowls and Chewbang Almond Bites pair perfectly with your drink of choice, and have become a main part of my weekly snacks. The space itself is beautiful, with thoughtful decor and rotating local art that creates a calming, creative atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by to study, catch up with a friend, or just take a breather, Cafe Ruisseau has that perfect neighborhood cafe energy that keeps you coming back. read more

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What a great cafe. The coffee and matcha here is amazing. I ordered the cookie butter cold brew and oh my gosh the cookie butter cold foam is amazing. Highly recommend the breakfast bagel sandwich and the matcha chia seed pudding! Soooo good. The vibes in there are great, friendly workers, and great music. A good place to get work done as well. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

No parking or advice on parking, the staff is not customer focused and overall a very overpriced place.

Best honey vanilla latte. Coffee is smooth, service is quick, and also has a few areas to sit. Found this place randomly and I will be back soon. They also make syrups in house and you can taste the freshness. read more

Nice spot for work and a small bite. Saw many others having sit downs in their enclosed patio area. Then as you walk in the open space is welcoming read more

I stopped by this place on my way to work as I wanted a quick bite before getting my day started. The place wasn't too crowded and there was lots of space to sit or get some work done if you chose to, both indoor and outdoors. The staff were nice and made sure that I got what I needed. I ordered an iced chai and a blueberry muffin. They also had parfaits but I wasn't feeling it based on appearance. The blueberry muffin was good. It was soft and had good flavor. The iced chai was a bit too sweet for me so I would probably get something else next time. Overall nice place to stop by if you work in the area. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Chai Latte ICED and Blueberry Muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Like other reviewers, I have passed this cafe many times, but only today made it inside because my wifi was out at home. And, like other reviewers, I had an excellent experience and plan to visit again. The cafe has a tall ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows (with individual shades that lower to dim the abundant sunlight), wall art, about five square tops and two circular tables with low seating. On a Tuesday afternoon there was a steady flow of customers, mainly ordering to go. Importantly, the music was ambient and conducive to work or conversation, of which customers were about evenly split doing both. The baristas were friendly and efficient. I didn't try to food. Overall, an excellent local, independently owned cafe. read more

I've been coming to this coffee shop almost every Sunday for the past four years, and I absolutely love its welcoming, friendly atmosphere. I always feel productive here--whether I'm lesson planning on my laptop or catching up with a friend. The tall ceilings, outdoor seating, and beautiful natural light make it the perfect spot for both socializing and studying. Most importantly, their oat milk matcha latte is one of the best in town--consistently a 10/10 with perfect microfoam every time! Thank you, Café Ruisseau, for being my go-to place to get computer work done. You truly rock! Special shout-out to the amazing baristas, especially Jacob and Tony! read more

Another 5/5 coffee shop!!!!! :D I was running an errand in the area and stumbled upon this place. Got there at 315pm and was starving (late lunch for me) but unfortunately, I learned their kitchen closed at 3pm so I couldn't get any sandwiches *sigh* I decided to try their ham and cheese croissant (they toasted it for me ^_^ 5/5, I liked it), pumpkin bread (4/5 it wasn't too sweet or too strong in pumpkin flavor, which could be a good thing, but I prefer something stronger), mango lassi protein bowl (did I already mention I was hungry? lol oh this one was 5/5) and a hot Lavender Latte (also 5/5). The staff felt bad I couldn't get a sandwich so he hooked up the pumpkin bread, and even added another one T-T Not only that, but as I sat down to wait for the croissant to get toasted (it only took a couple minutes), he brought the food to my table with some napkins, and even threw some trash that I had left on the table. I'm always in awe when staff members do this bc they could just leave the food/drinks on the counter and call your name (like most do), but some go the extra mile by going around the counter and bringing your order to your table. Both staff members were super nice and accommodating, the food and latte were great, the glass windows let natural sunlight come in which made the space so warm and inviting, there's a bunch of beautiful artwork paintings on the wall for sale (love when shops support local artists), so many amazing things! If I'm in the area again, I'll 100% stop by! :) read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Honey Lavender Latte HOT - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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From the SF Bay Area, we were on our way to the Wags and Walks adoption center and wanted to stop by a nearby coffee shop beforehand. I heard about Cafe Ruisseau so it made sense to check it out too. The two employees were extremely friendly and welcoming. There are also dog treats next to the cash register. The drinks - espresso tonic and iced chai - were delicious. My biggest compliment is to the espresso tonic. It was just on another level! I normally make my own at home or go to verve, and the one here beats both. I even bought a bag of their beans. The vibe is nice. The music is SPOT ON! The air conditioning was on and it was chilly but given it's going to be over 90 degrees today, I get it. Recommendation: Highly recommend!!!! read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Espresso Tonic and Chai ICED - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I recently moved to LA and was looking for a coffee shop I could visit daily on my dog walks. I chose this one because it's described as being passionate about the community, minority-owned, and rooted in good values. The coffee is on the higher side (around $7.50 for a large), but I've been more than happy to pay that to support a local business. At my previous shop in Orange County, being a regular meant being greeted warmly every day, which made the experience positive. Here, however, the employees have never greeted me or seemed particularly happy to see returning customers, which has been disappointing. On several occasions after my dog walk, I've brought in a fully tied-up waste bag and discreetly thrown it away. Today, the person behind the counter told me I couldn't do that in the future. I immediately apologized, feeling embarrassed, and asked where I should throw it away instead. I wouldn't have done it if I'd known it was an issue. Rather than offering a helpful answer, she looked annoyed, waved her hand dismissively, and said , "Somewhere outside." I truly want to support this shop and its mission, but the lack of friendliness and unwillingness to offer even basic guidance has made it hard to feel welcome as a daily customer. I hope this feedback is taken in the spirit intended, because I'd love to see this place thrive with the same warmth and hospitality its values suggest. read more

My daughter brought me to this cafe, and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. This cafe is located on the corner, ground floor of a glass windowed house fixed building. I love the aesthetic of this coffee shop: rustic, earthy, & full of space and light. I ordered a honey lavender decaf latte. The drink was a tad bit syrupy and was not thick like lattes are. It had the consistency of tea. I really wanted to like the drink because the cafe looked so cute!!! I did also get some small almond like gluten free muffins that were good! This cafe has some potential. The staff is nice. The ambience is very nice, but I feel the choice of food items needs some improvement. read more

Love this place! The people are really nice & I always enjoy what I get (food or drink). Grateful for local places like this :) read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Pastries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Super cool, great coffee & espresso drinks, and the staff is always so kind and friendly! My go to spot in this area

Upon entering Cafe Ruisseau, I instantly thought "What a rad spot." Spacious inside, with relaxed, dimly lit lights, and chic, fashionable art and merch spread throughout the shop. Definitely a good spot to post up if you need to crank out a few hours of interrupted, focused, flow state work. Onto the drinks. The cookie butter lattes were delicious. Smooth, soothing, and not too sweet. Just right. They also came out very quickly. Glad I discovered this spot! Will definitely come back with a good book for more caffeine. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Two decaf cookie butter lattes with almond milk. One hot, one iced. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Best Independent coffee shop in LA. Great vibes great staff great owner and the best lavender latte.

Cute & clean coffee shop with modern decor and plants. They do have seating both inside and outside which is nice. Friendly and sweet baristas who provide fairly quick service and offer suggestions if you ask. One of my favorites is the Brooke special (honey vanilla latte) for when I'm in the mood for a sweet pick me up. They do offer alternative milk options such as almond and oat and don't charge you which is a plus! They also have pastries and little bites available to purchase. Parking is a bit tricky, there are a few street meter parking on the side of the street and across the street. If you park in the neighborhood, make sure to read the signs because majority is permit parking only! read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Cool spot to get some work done while supporting a small business owned by POC. My favorite drink is the honey lavender latte but my friend order the chaga and said it was legit. Drinks are pretty amazing here. I'll return soon. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Fluffy espressos and treats. Plenty of seating. WiFi for getting work done. Music is cool and the owners know what they're doing. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Latte and chocolate croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Had a lovely experience before so decided to drive over for another one. Stopped by around 2 pm for coffee and a pastry. One overworked person behind the counter. Watched him make one, two, three, however many drinks (they looked beautiful). One person in front of us this entire time. Sat down. Waited some more. Waited 25 or more minutes before it was our turn, saw how small the $5+ drink was and how few sweets were left, and ended up leaving. Seriously understaffed today. read more

I really enjoyed my oat latte from Cafe Ruisseau in Santa Monica, and I can't wait to also check out their other locations because of the quality of their products and the atmosphere. I'd also love to know more about the coffee itself - where's it roasted, etc. TIMING: Cafe Ruisseau was packed when I went! The line moved quick (it took 5 minutes to get to order and the line was at the door) but the drinks took longer - 14 minutes from the time I ordered! Something to keep in mind if you're in a rush, but it's worth the wait. MILK: I was glad to see they both use and sell the Ghost Town Oats milk, one of my favorite oat milk brands. I went with the medium hot Oat Milk Latte ($5.50), which has 2 shots vs 3 if I'd gone with the large. I really appreciated that they don't upcharge for alternative milks, as my boyfriend's regular medium hot latte was also $5.50. SEATING: They have both indoor and outdoor seating along with WiFi. All of the tables were occupied when I first arrived, but by the time my drink was ready a few spots had opened up. PARKING: I turns out you can't park in the parking lot on Colorado, as it's not their lot, but there's street parking nearby. I went with one of the 3 hour meters across the street, but be sure to closely read the signs if you're trying to park in the neighborhood because most require a permit. read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Two hot Lattes to go - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Perfection in all ways. Good food & coffee, great service and most important- QUALITY is elite. Boogie breakfast sandwich highly recommended! read more

Cafe Ruisseau - BOOGIE'S BREAKFAST SANDWICH - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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solid study spot by smc with free wifi, good lighting, and just a nice space. there are no public bathrooms and limited outlets tho but you can use the smc public bathrooms drinks are pretty solid! i thought the pink green was good, not the best matcha but good enough, i did like the honey lavender latte better but i would get it less sweet next time :) read more

Cafe Ruisseau - Pink Green - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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