First off this review has nothing to do with the staff. The people that work here are amazing. This terrible review is targeted at those who run groundwork's. I have been going here for 8 years consistently nearly every weekend. And in that time have purchased an iced coffee 98% of the time. When I started coming here iced coffee was $3 for a large. Which then went up to $3.50 a couple years later. 2015 it was $4, 2018 $4.50. And today it was $5.50!! To top that off they have not yet figured out their situation with the straws. So you get and iced coffee with a lid but no straw. And it's been like this for at least 3 months. I fully support the straw laws but get some paper straws.....you've had 3 months and every regular that has purchased anything iced has complained. Today was my last straw......yes I wrote it. $5.50 for a mediocre iced coffee WITHOUT a straw is more than they charge at integensia on Abbott Kinney.....and I get a straw. Get it together stop gouging people and turning this great local coffee shop into another closed shop due to greed. read more

No, I didn't move to a place right off of Main Street just because it's a 2 minute walk from one of my favorite coffee providers, but I have to admit it helped convince me that this was the right place to be. While it's not a place to stay and linger (the whole store is the size of some people's walk-in closets), the coffee is worth it. Whether you're having them whip you up an espresso drink, just grabbing a cup of brewed coffee from their thermoses, or buying pounds of beans like I did the other day, it's quick and easy and very high quality coffee. The baristas are happy friendly tattooed types - a rarity these days. There's lots of local art on the walls and some pastries to choose from, but again - it's not a 'coffee shop' in the Friends way, it's literally a place that sells coffee, which you can then take and enjoy while strolling down the scenic street or maybe down to the beach. Love Groundwork and so grateful that it's in my 'hood! read more

First time at this location. Received a rude awakening, rather than a brewed awakening. They are using old, recycled coffee grounds here for 12 ounce espresso drinks. If you like quality espresso, go elsewhere. When I asked for a receipt for my $4.75 refund, she pretended she couldn't get the machine to work, and kept speaking to someone who wasn't there, saying "you're fat." I'm not fat, so I think she was playing a game or defending against unwanted virtual attention. The barista was wearing a black T-shirt with a vampiric spoon of red Tabasco sauce lifted to ruby lips, so this might have been a FAANG thing. read more

Groundwork is really damned good coffee. Which is amazing, because it's a chain and I've never found a chain where they all have good coffee. With that said, I pretty regularly drive past two other Groundworks to get here. The coffee is good at all of them, but this one BY FAR has the best people. Don't get me wrong. I have not ever met someone in any of the Groundwork Coffees that I didn't like. But every single person at Main St is my favorite. They are so fucking nice and so real. I hate the LA fake nice thing, these people are real. Wish I could give them a couple extra stars. read more

How did I not know about this place already...seriously eight months in LA and I am completely oblivious!! Wondering in the Farmer's Market last Sunday, I came across the Groundwork booth. Hung over and in much need, I grabbed for a iced chai latte...and it was amazing!! Perfect spice blend, great creamy aftertaste you just want to hold onto...no sugary fakeness. And organic free trade. YUM! Since then I am hooked and have become in love with their espresso and chai/tea lattes equally...definitely a regular. After tasting the quality, I could not possibly go back to the fake sugary/powdery/pumped Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Pete's, or even some of the locals. Cafe Luxxe and Groundworks from now on please :) Oh, with a bit of Wood Cafe for good measure :) Yep, addicted! read more

Groundwork Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This coffee place is easy to miss as it is TINY and one of about 15 coffee places on Main Street but I think it definitely deserves a try! I got the Vietnamese Iced Coffee and also got to try the Horchata Cold Brew. The Vietnamese was just the right amount of bitter and sweet. And maybe I'm weak but I felt pretty wired up after just a few sips. The horchata was very sweet and I honestly didn't even taste much of the coffee but I still enjoyed the drink and thought it was pretty unique. Other than the coffee itself, the pricing was very reasonable ( ~ $3.50 per drink). There's not much room to sit so it's a grab and go kind of place. The staff were super friendly and helpful. Parking is a drag but is not surprising considering its location. Almost all the spots nearby are metered so you can probably find one if you lurk around long enough. Probably would have to give this place another try to really get a good feel of the place but I would definitely come back! read more

Groundwork Coffee - Vietnamese iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Solid cold brew and breakfast sandwich. Fun to grab and walk down to the park and beach.

I've tried this place about 6-7 times and even brought the beans home to perfect the brew. It's OK......not great, just OK coffee. I like that I'm not buying chain coffee, but this is a different league than Intelligentsia or Cafe Luxxe. Am surprised at the lack of great coffee shops in this part of SaMo. read more

I came here 3 days in a row. First two days the line went quickly and the employees were cheerful. The third day the line went slowly and the employees looked a little stressed. The coffee is amazing. I got an almond macchiato all three days. They also have trail mix which is fantastic but super expensive. read more

Just came in after a bike ride. I said hi and the young lady said, "PUT YOUR MASK ALL THE WAY! (Rude tone). Didn't even greet me.. legit just stared at me......until I said hi.... can I get a chai latte and they made it Horrible she legit poured milk... the mix and ice no shake or anything.... I GO TO GROUNDWORKS ALL THE TIME I work at a restaurant...this is called bad service and discrimination to different people. read more

Cute tiny little hallway of a coffeeshop that reminded me of some of the favorite places I've visited in SF/NYC. They managed to please even my Seattle coffeesnobbery with a delightful fair trade/organic bean mocha. I had no plans to purchase coffee at all when I walked in, but after tasting my companion's drink I changed my mind. The walls feature local artists and they have a variety of flyers with information about local art/political events, etc. They also have the print version of the onion which never fails to lift my mood. read more

Groundwork Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The manager, miguel is one sweet man. He is very very handsome. I love his curly hair that bounces whenever he moves. I come to groundwork just for him and my daily tea. Way to go groundwork read more

Favorite coffee place. I go every Friday morning after my run. But today there was the most awful lady working. She was rude, short with my friend and me... basically told us to leave because they didn't have the vegan option of what we asked for. She couldn't have been more terrible. Really disappointed. Try a smile. But never had an issue with anyone else. Or their coffee! read more

The Mexican Mocha tasted like mole tacos. Small and quaint but they have organic coffee and made with love. I probably ordered the wrong thing and was torn between that or the dirty chai, I got a taste of my date's and it was deelish. The barista was handing out hugs and everyone was enjoying themselves. They serve oats if you're looking for something healthy to curb your appetite. read more

Groundwork Coffee - :x - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I hate giving such a low review because the coffee is amazing & my experience with the baristas have been lovely, but a huge issue for me is that they never work or stay open. It's the most bizarre thing & it's the reason I've entirely stopped going. The past 10 times I've tried visiting in the middle of the day, they have been closed. Every other coffee shop I've gone to never closes for hours in the middle of the day, especially since it's on Main Street with tons of foot traffic and a need for coffee during the week. They seem to find any reason to stay closed whether it be for "lunch", closing long before closing hours or just not opening at all & I genuinely wonder if the owners of this chain know about the way the employees/managers operate this place. It's been consistently closed for much of the day this past 6 months, so as much as I like their coffee, I'd recommend to stay away and go somewhere more reliable and quality like Gnarwhal down the street or even a spot on Abbot Kinney. read more

This is probably the most quality coffee in the area., however they have a few spots. The barista is very friendly and they have the big choice of drinks with option to make them on whole/almond/soy milk as well as the packaged coffee and tea so you can buy it home. I came with my laptop to get done some work and have a cup of latte. The vibe and atmosphere are very pleasant. Thank you guys for your amazing coffee shop. Come here to try the REAL COFFEE. read more

great friendly service. Amazing croissant. try the mushroom powder! cute place! highly reccomend

Today was my first time visiting groundworks and I could not be happier with my experience. I wasnt sure what I wanted at first but the manager, I think his name was Miguel was very patient and helped me out. I ended up going with the Iced Chai which was frikin amazing. Apparently they make their own cashew milk! What I appreciate the most was the warm customer service. Usually, I feel like I am being a bother when I ask a lot of questions but not at this place. It was small and intimate. I am totally going back next time that I am in the area. read more

Thank you for the matcha tea on my break . They gifted me with a drink on the house when they seen my RN badge . They made my heart smile . You forever painted my heart . You are essential for me right now . Thank you for serving us ! read more

They were so sweet. Great coffee. Helped me pick one. And let me borrow a plug for my dead phone as a newbie. Would definitely go again

Love this place. A true hole in the wall. The Bitch's Brew is fantastic. Good pastries as well. Highly recommended.

Nice coffee but the shop is too narrow to enjoy it inside. They do however have a nice outdoor patio to enjoy. Service was a little off. They didn't call my name when the coffee was ready...my order was sitting for 5 minutes...not good guys! read more

Amazing coffee, relaxed environment, breakfast served all day. Who could ask for more? This location is not very big but the staff is friendly and the ambience is cool. We ordered the eggs and burritos and both were worth the short wait in line. Great find. Highly recommend! read more

Groundwork Coffee - Mexican iced mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Nice spot although it's a little small. Barista's were helpful. If you buy some coffee beans you get a free drink! read more

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It's my favorite coffee ,great flavor!! Great staff, good cookies, but .. I don't think they are doing well about beverages weight , when you are a coffee person and you We're been buying groundwork coffee for years, you had is a perfect scale , Guys , thank you for rewards program but I don't want a free coffee if it comes from my every day coffee. Continue been the best in the area with your good service read more

In the grand scheme of things, everything balances out. Sometimes you get the hollow center at Pinkberry, sometimes you win the lottery. Sometimes you totally ace elementary school and sometimes you suck at grad school. With Groundwork, you don't have much pretty to look at, but you have stunning coffee and hot chocolate. Groundwork offers a no-nonsense menu of the coffees and teas you actually want and need (you don't NEED a non-fat soy herbal infusion. you need help) as well as some simple pastries. All the basics, none of the unnecessary frill. Everything is fairly traded, everyone involved gets a pat on the back and gold stickers and YOU get the best cup of hot chocolate you've had since you first tried the stuff. and all for just $2.50. read more

I do not rescind my opinion of their coffee - it is good. It is them. Almost everytime I go there they are out of coffee - brewed & beans. If I sound bitter it is because I haven't had my COFFEE! Now I know it is a huge leap for a bunch of hippies probably stoned and busy talking to their other burnout hippy friends, but if you run a coffee shop the one thing you should have is... wait for it... COFFEE! If I have to go to Coffee Bean or Starbucks everytime I come here it is no longer worth it. By the way, if any of you lazy hippy stoners ever decided to look on the "internet" our corporate overlords have created a simple operations formula for how to order - you guessed it - COFFEE! It is actually a case study at most MBA schools. Anyhow, counting the days, because this place with no product won't last much longer. This is the problem with anything run by hippies. read more

When I moved to LA, a friend of mine asked me what my favorite coffee bar was. I said Blue Bottle Coffee in San Francisco and Intelligensia coffee in Chicago. He then proceeded to tell me he knew the coffee shop for me here in LA. He was right. I was very impressed by the selection of organic roasted beans this place carries. Bitches Brew is my favorite as it is the darkest and, in my opinion, more complex. I particularly like the Main Street location because it is never too crowded early in the morning. I have been to their Rose street location as well and look forward to the opening of the one on Montana avenue. read more

I've been drinking coffee since I was 5 (don't judge me, my family is from Europe =)) I've become a snob about it over the years, I won't even dare add sugar or cream to disturb the natural aromas and experience of the coffee itself. I can drink espresso before bed. I'm hard-core. I can't help but say it: Groundwork has many elements of the entries in the book/site "Stuff White People Like"- Organic, sustainable, local artists (there's photos and art hanging up), by the beach. I almost feel like they should be piping in KCRW and have a yoga class in the back. Groundwork has multiple locations in LA, and distributes to many restaurants. Only some of their beans are organic and fairtrade. The tiny, narrow hallway location and the hand-written signs and artwork seem to be there to make it feel "authentic" and small. Granted, it's not Starbucks huge, but it's bigger than Urth. My problem at this location specifically- I go here in the morning, and it's painfully obvious they need to have 2 people working here during these hours. I go in to order a simple coffee (they just hand you a cup, you do the filling)- I'm typically waiting 5-10 minutes while the people in front of me are waiting for a latte to be made, and be rang up by the same person struggling to do everything at the same time. I don't thinking waiting over 5 minutes is charming or more "organic", I just think the small-feel of Groundwork makes customers feel like that's the way it should go there. I think they should have two people working when the morning lines are 10 people deep. Really, my issue with Groundwork, is that it does not live up to it's image of quality. The blends aren't very distinct. "Bitches Brew" has a fun name, but it's not too different from Black Gold or Venice Blend. It's certainly fresher and better than Coffee Bean and Starbucks, but it's not as good at Peets. read more

Asked for cappuccino with almond milk. Guy steamed the almond milk in the dairy container. I asked him to please clean it first because I'm allergic to dairy and I offered to pay double. He said "Let's just have an iced coffee and make it easy". What service. We left and will never return. read more

My friend and I popped into Groundwork Coffee a couple of times while staying in the area, and I must say they make a great iced Americano. They're not too difficult to come by, but this small chain was a treat. My friend raved about their iced vanilla latte too. This Groundwork location is tiny, with just a couple of seats, but overall, worth a stop. They have an assortment of interesting baked goods as well and I can attest to the almond croissant being awesome. A great choice for a morning or afternoon pick-me-up! read more

It's very possible that this is the smallest coffee shop I've ever been to, and yet, I haven't been disappointed yet. With the sprawling franchise coffee shops within walking distance, I always prefer Groundwork. It feels more counter-culture and authentic...just like me. The drinks are delicious, they have vegan pastries, and even though seating is limited, somehow there's always a spot if you need it. Plus, the community is a lot more connected here compared to the yuppies across the street. You can talk to the barista or the customers in front or behind you. It feels like we all know the best kept secret and maintain the bond with a nod and a greeting. I like it. I like it a lot. read more

Cute little indie-spot to stop in for a good cup of coffee (unlike the ahem sub-par spots across the street)! They also have a range of their own locally roasted beans available at any time. Santa Monica pricing, but everyone's got their indulgence. I hear they have free wi-fi, but this place is seriously a hole in the wall -- not much room to walk to the back to grab your drink, let alone sit around and work -- which is a pity, because I'd totally love to make an office of this place for an afternoon! read more

I usually get some ground work coffee at 3rd street coffee in Downey, but it was nice for a change to get a cup directly from the source. This Santa Monica location is such a small space, really not much room to grab a seat. So it's best for a quick stop, not if you're looking to sit for a chat. I got an iced vanilla latte, light on the vanilla, and paired that with one of their brownies. It was the perfect pairing. Sweet and dense chocolate flavor, balanced by the robust coffee taste. The milk in the latte just went well with the brownie because you know you have to have milk with a brownie. The coffee itself is organic, so at least feel relieved to know you're putting a good product in your body. The guy behind the counter was great. He lent himself to a few laughs, while providing quick and friendly service. The service definitely made my visit a fun and enjoyable experience. It was just the comical relief needed on a most average of days in Santa Monica. read more

Groundwork Coffee - Van Halen vanilla latte as the barista said, and a walnut brownie. Awesome! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

One of my favorite coffee shops! I'm never disappointed coming here. Quality coffee, and pastries. I always either get a hot 16 oz soy latte, or if I'm feeling like a cold drink, the vietnamese iced coffee is a unique but tasty option (thought I must warn you it's VERY sweet) but I have a sweet tooth so it's perfect for my taste buds. Their pastries are fresh and always pair nicely with my coffee. Service is also excellent. All the barista's I've encountered here have been genuinely friendly, and helpful in giving suggestions. Definitely a coffee shop worth driving out of my way for! read more

So, the barista was high today, it seems. Perfect. I walk by at 8:37am and think - Cool. There's only one customer in line and they're already helping her. This should be quick. Not so much. I stand in line behind her for 5 minutes because the barista is too busy chatting it up with her and he's taking his sweet time making her drinks, because he's distracted. I can't tell if he's flirting with her but he's inviting her somewhere later "if shes's bored...", she should come out, he said. Another barista finally comes out from the back and rings up this chick. Then, I place my order. Iced latte. Should be quick. I mean, he doesn't have to steam milk and worry about some artistic latte art, right? Not so much. He's still talking to that chick. And then talking to himself. A line is forming behind me. There are now 5 people behind me. I can't move too much to the side because this is the NARROWEST shop I've ever walked into. A guy behind me is getting irritated and makes a sarcastic comment to me, thinking I haven't ordered yet and I'm holding up the line. But, it's now 8:50an and I'm still waiting for my drink. I finally get my iced latte at 8:53 (16 min after I walked in) and I walk over to the milk bar to get s straw. Oh, guess what? I've now spilled coffee all over my pants because chatty barista didn't put the lid on right. I can't stop. I'm late for my 9am meeting. Ruined my morning. read more

Only so-so. Double espresso was okay, better than many places, but ultimately forgettable. Small shop with little space to sit. Authentic in that they aren't trying to be some trendy coffee shop, so that is nice. read more

Okay. First off Som is very kind, fair, and gracious. Whoever the reviewer that had a problem with her probably has lots of problem. This location is a locally popular and is akin inside to a narrow hallway. You unintentionally get up close and personal with everyone, so be patient, don't overreact. Everyone that works here from music Chris, steady Miguel, Brie, and the chatty blonde who is very entertaining. The coffee is great. The people are personable. It works. It doesn't work for people with large pine cones lodged in their asses. So, that's it. Get coffee here with no attitude, enjoy the beach. read more

Groundwork Coffee - Ye Old Groundworks on Main St. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Beautiful coffee, tiny but fantastic. A small ally like coffee shop with buckets of charm, although there was only one person working there on a busy Saturday, unconventionally it was worth the wait. I ordered a regular Café Latte with regular milk and it was so delicious I actually audibly moaned. Tad embarrassing, but utterly true. Great selection of beans (ground at your convenience), coffee paraphernalia and drinks to choose from. There is limited seating but honestly LA has great weather, who needs to sit inside? My coffee was made with care, it's been awhile since I've had one this good and I'm so thankful that places like this exist in LA. Thank you Groundworks, you've made me a coffee believer again. read more

I just had an Horchata Latte at this tiny cafe on Main Street (they actually offered it to me to try). It was so good that I am now donating my head to science and will insist that it be floated in a cryonic chamber filled with this drink (like Ted Williams, but with no actual hope of ever waking up and being reanimated). Their espresso is good too. read more