I definitely agree with Kit and Christie on this - no frills, just the most melty, soothing chai latte you could ever hope to encounter. Although this location of the Groundworks lacks space to sit and enjoy, it hardly hurts my rating, as it's on Main St anyway (and we all know that you're not tragically hip if you're not in a wifebeater, wrapped in a ratty sweater/shawl with ginormous shades blocking 50% of your face, and downing some form of caffeinated beverage.) If you get the time, I'd strongly suggest going to the Venice location to enjoy their lil outdoor gazebo for a sit n chill coffee experience. However, beware the occasional organically obnoxious counter people who act as though it's painful for them, deigning to hop off their hemp pedestal to provide you with yummy bevs. read more

Support your local coffee shop! ...or rather, coffee corridor. I love it here. Their version of a macchiato is like getting swiftly kicked in the face by a masked ninja. You never see it coming. read more

Great coffee but they don't have paper straws for those who don't like Sippy cups. Place is good for quick coffee run with seating outside. Just please have straws as well read more

They turned around a dissatisfied customer! I ordered an iced mocha, but it wound up tasting pretty bitter. This occasionally happens when the wrong coffee-to-chocolate ratio is used, so I took it back to the register person. She explained they don't use the typical overly-sweet chocolate like most coffee places, but a much darker chocolate. She even grabbed some and put it into a sample cup thingy for me to try on its own so I could see for myself. Keep in mind, this place is VERY tiny, and there were new customers lining up, yet she took the time to explain the taste, give me a sample, and offered to make me a different replacement drink for free. She suggested an iced vanilla latte, which I happily accepted. Nicely handled! The place itself is very small, with just enough room for tiny tables on the left, condiments and supplementary eats on the right, and space for a line of customers in the middle. It's about the width of a walk-in closet. Yet even though it's a small area, they make the most of it. People are in and out quickly, its decorated nicely inside to give you things to look at while in line, and there's a shared outdoor patio area in front. Aside from the helpful register girl, who may have been the owner, there were two female baristas making their drink at a pretty efficient clip. In between pouring and grabbing ingredients they even took time to dance around and joke, so the atmosphere and staff were very bubbly and positive. I personally enjoy trying lots of different local coffee places, and have tried a couple others right near this one, but Groundwork Coffee is going to stand out in my memory due to the unique look and positive staff. :) read more

Groundworks on main st is my go to coffee shop. Kris always remembers what I like to order and also everyone else in line. He is super hospitable and never rushes anyone even if there's a line out the door. Sometimes I'll leave when he's not there. read more

I love it. I've been early to work at my new job on Main Street and finally I can step into groundworks and enjoy a hot brew with ever-perfect Almond Croissant. These r the good kind that have a sweet surprise in the middle. So happy. Love the mini tables and high chairs to post for a moment. Put down my heavy bag, take a few un rushed moments sipping delicious coffee while checking out the cool photography on the walls. Take another moment to notice coffee bean & tea leaf across the street and realize that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I love working close to a coffee shop like this. Then I'm almost done with my coffee no traces of my croissant left and I add a splash of milk & sugar to the last third of my drink as if it was a dessert from breakfast on the go, and my day has begun exactly right. read more

Fair price on whole beans and you get a cuppa to go included. Nice employees/baristas and coffee tasted great. read more

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

Came to this spot after a long workout and the lady didn't say hi ..... they didn't greeet and weren't at ALL like even decent.. idk if they just are sad at life ... but honestly why work at such a great coffee place if you aren't friendly l.... please make sure your staff is at least friendly and not some racial profile type of girls I came at 11:30 on Saturday and it was a asian and Hispanic girl read more

It's a no from me. Alfred's was closed this morning so we tried something new. Cold brew tasted burnt and the almond milk latte might have been the worst thing I've ever experienced. Idk if it was the espresso or the house made almond milk but it was a huge miss all around. read more

Was in the mood for some good coffee and got directed here.... Their coffee is so delicious!! Very earthy feel when you walk in and everyone is so friendly!!! Highly recommended!!! read more

Good coffee but rather terrible customer service. Tried Lucky Jack, Bitches Brew, and El Salvador Las Lajas during my visit and only the third was interesting; a flavor I was only able to taste perhaps 2oz of because the "pump your own" pot out front was completely out and the service was so slow to brew a refill that I instead opted for the Lucky Jack before making my way to the beach to wander. Free Wi-Fi is a nice bonus, though the lack of anywhere to sit makes 3G just as useful. read more

Wonderful selection of coffee. The BEST cup I've had in a long time. THE BEST blueberry muffin ever. I'm still thinking about it and it's 3:53 in the afternoon. A birdie once told me that they get their pastries from a local French bakery. Mmmmmmmmmmmm...sure tastes like it, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true. Worth every gosh darn penny. read more

How far do I have to go, to get to you (a decent cup of coffee)? Many the mile, many the mile (from Venice Beach Cotel) Then I realized Schulzies serves Blue Bottle Coffee. Oh well, I'm still glad I got to try this place out. read more

Great service. Kids loved their hot chocolates& Latte was good. Quick to get in & out.

This is a small little place, but it packs a punch! My favorite coffee when I lived in Santa Monica, and still my favorite! It was a ritual to roll by here and get a cup... so delicious! Also, the employees are awesome. So chill and friendly and up for a conversation. Best coffee in L.A... dig it! read more

Good looking cappuccino. Tasted almost as good as it looks. Too bad I had to wait 12 minutes for it. I may be back...when I'm on a day off! read more

Groundwork Coffee - Hey beauty! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Leave you laptop at home and stay off your cell phone, you really aren't that important I stumble across this groundworks on main st about two months ago while walking around trying to recoup from the last bender I was on. I love this coffee. It is tasty and the drinks are made right and made by people that know what they are doing. I had the run of the mill latte with a n extra shot and it was on the money. Full of flavor and rich. With regards flavor, It had the stamina of a high school boy. As opposed to other groundworks, this one is really small and It is tucked away in what may have previously been an alley., but no matter to that, the export in pure deliciousness. I commend this company's tact. Across the street from Coffee Bean and a block from Starbucks, they are going more for the quality of the product than the quantity. The price is a bit cheaper than the powerhouses and as stated before, much better. If you like a lot of water in your latte then go across the street, pay more and feel better about yourself for aiding in the deforestation for mass soy production. This place is brass tacks. Coffee, a lil chat, "how ya doing?" , Later. There are some biscotti, and muffins hanging out as well, they are hard to miss. Enjoy read more

I want to update the review I made a few days ago. I come here almost everyday as I live around the corner. I'm usually half asleep when I walk in with my dog and Groundworks is my elixir to start the day on a good foot. I had a few unpleasant experiences with the baristas but it's been rectified! Thanks so much Logan for making me my coffee and I'm really happy we have met. Thanks to all the staff. I also want to thank management for comping me a coffee- I didn't expect that at all- it's a very nice gesture. I love Groundworks coffee and I really like that they support organic and sustainable farming. Coffee beans are the most ridden with pesticide food product in the planet. We can only be assured we are drinking non toxic fuel when we choose organic. Groundworks has amazing beans, a very good business model and their brewing is delicious. The black coffee is almost creamy and it's never acidic. I recommend the cold brewed as well as their cappuccino. On the sweeter side I really enjoyed the orange peel mocha I had the other day. Support local business and take a walk to Groundworks for an incredible coffee experience!! read more

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

A muffin here costs $4.50, now. $4.50. For a blueberry muffin. Strangely, a breakfast sandwich is only $5.00. I'm not sure what kind of sense that makes, but regardless: this morning my little blueberry muffin, and coffee together cost $8.00 Unless I'm in Europe, $8.00 is absurd for a coffee and a muffin. After living on the west side for 8 years, and previously a huge fan of this coffee roaster, I think I'm officially breaking up with Groundworks. I don't like being gouged. I'm sure the tourists are fine with it, though! read more

Best coffee in LA. I recently moved to Santa Monica from San Francisco, and we like to think we've got great coffee in the Bay Area but Groundwork is better than anything I've found up North. The drip and the horchata are tasty, but for me it's all about the Americano. It's the closest thing I've found to the deliciousness of sipping on a 'long black' in Sydney or Canggu. Everyone on the staff at the Main Street location is also very cool and down to earth. Feels like home when I walk in and say hello. Give them all a bonus! read more

Okay! Okay!! I almost forgot to write about this one! Interesting story: Recently I had been reading some reviewsabout Groundworks-Hollywood. I always drop in for a snack or two when I'm in the vicinity. I had never tried their coffee and could not figure out why. It dawned on me that I usually go there late in the day to evening. Hence the reason I don't order coffee. Usually I just grab some small item to tide me over until dinner. Because of the exciting and fascinating reviews I read, I wanted to try some. On a bright and sunny afternoon I needed to head out to Venice to pick up some specialty items. I figured I would have to take a detour through Hollywood in order to have some Groundworks coffee. Knowing they have had some odd hours in the past I decided to look them up and check for closing time [*sings* I know who I want to take me home]. As I scrolled through locations I came upon a familiar storefront that I had been trying to remember. It was their VENICE location! I would not have to take a detour afterall. Here was one near my original destination. ********* I had heard about the coffee selections where you could pick one and have it brewed on the spot. Supposedly it cost more than the ready brewed stuff. Turns out it only costs a few cents more. They also have the ready brewed stuff at decent prices. These include decaf, and two other selections. The coffee was steaming hot and tasted pretty good. It did have an organic taste to it. It was served in one of those thermos/carafe/canister things, and as with all t/c/c's the body tasted kinda thin. It was good coffee though. On a later visit I tried the custom brewed coffe where you choose the coffee you want and the barista measures the beans, grinds them, and then proceeds to making a fresh cup. The flavor was strong. This particular method tasted kinda like an Americano. It was bold with a soft texture. I must say though, through all the pouring and straining some of the heat is lost so coffe can be a liitle on the lukewarm side. Still good though. The Kate Moss-looking barista was very pleasant and accomodating. No attitude here, just good and friendly service. Aside from various coffees and teas they have some baked goods as well as dog treats. I always wonder what dogs are thinking when they are sitting underneath a chair as their owner/guardian/etc., is sipping coffee and eating muffins. But they are represented here. One of the best reasons to visit is the variety and so many things to try. You feel compelled to keep going back until you find something just right for your tastes. Definitely check them out and see for yourself! read more

Chocolate chip pumpkin mini loaf = 4 stars Pumpkin latte = 3 stars Service = 4 stars Location = 4 stars Seating = n/a read more

Cute spot with plugs for laptops, but I was disappointed with the Mayan Spiced Mocha. It was really weak and usually Mayan has a kick or spice but it was watered down. Not sure if it was just the barrista or badly made that day. My husband got the latte and it had a bit if a burnt taste too. I much prefer Urth, Joan on Third or Dogtown Coffee. read more

House Mocha with Cashew milk was excellent!! Glad I saw this spot on Yelp. My new coffee spot.

This is the only place I can take my ozzie visitors for a good cup of coffee. They are quite picky down in oz, so the regular chains just don't cut it. I'd have to say they have the best lattes in California. The coffee is not burned, and they are extremely tasty. read more

So it's not your Intelligensia with its spiffy atmosphere and tattoo sleeved baristas and its not your local starbucks/peets/coffee bean, but what it is is your local java joint that literally fits in your apartment hallway. To its point and its very own charm, it is... - reasonably priced - authentic coffee without the corporate fluff or the Silverlake hipster swag - at the end of the day, one of THE BEST cappuccinos you'll ever drink read more

This is my update for this place. 10 stars! I love this place. I reviewed Groundworks the other day and was impressed so I thought I'd give them the best star rating this time. The same guy was working and I'm not sure his name but he was super friendly and happy about his job. The coffee is amazing and you definitely have to support the local shops! Don't go to Coffee Bean or Starbucks. Those places are not worth your time. read more

Groundwork Coffee - What you are looking at here, is some of the finest cold brew coffee around! Check it out! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I'm still not sure what Vietnamese iced coffee is, but I ordered it here and it was amazing. Their regular cold brew was a big thumbs up too. I'd recommend this as a coffee-to-go spot, though, since the restaurant space itself is very small. read more

Groundwork Coffee - Vietnamese coffee (left) and cold brew (right) at their outdoor seating - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Always a decent cup of coffee. On par with Blue Bottle. A little tight in there. Parking always an issue unfortunately. Better to walk in if possible. read more

I love this little tiny coffee place on Main St in Santa Monica. I always go on the weekends when this wonderfully nice young woman works there and she makes the BEST Mocha in the world, it's a little bit of heaven. It is very small mind you and resembles more little Italian coffee places where people stop by on their way to work to get their espresso and a little pastry. Oh yeah they have great little snack/pastry thingies, their croissants (when bought in the morning as you should) are great and the cookies and all the other stuff is really good too. So for me this is the perfect little stop when you're just walking around the neighborhood and want a little something yummy. read more

Coffee without attitude. Groundworks is my stop for pounds of fair-trade, organic coffee. Yes, they do run out of beans late in the day -- but the shop on Rose tends to have more in stock, so check there if you can't find what you need at the Main street place. Baristas are super-friendly without being over-the-top. Shake of the chains of chain coffee and support local businesses like Groundworks! My favorite is the Peruvian. read more

I took a café latte over there with hazelnuts in it to sweeten it and I was really pleased with my drink. I'll definitely be back there whenever I go to Santa Monica and want some quality coffee. The employees were really nice and all too. The only "negative" point is that the place is kinda small. Because of that we decided to sit across the street, outside of Coffee Beans with my friend. read more

Groundwork Coffee - 8oz café latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came here for the first time for a Bumble date. Cute little coffee spot to grab drinks and then walk along the beach! Highly recommend.

After Starbucks discontinued their breakfast blend I was in search for new coffee. Have groundwork coffee a try and decided that this will be my go to where I buy my coffee beans. In the last six months this location seems to out of coffee every other time I go there. I was told they only get shipments on Friday but maybe it's time to increase the frequency because it sure seems that there is a demand. Today I also learned that I was never signed up for a rewards program, after spending lots of $$$. Wish I knew, maybe had earned some rewards. Probably not going to return because even asking for something 3 times barista still doesn't listen. Oh well. Now time to find a new place read more

This cool narrow coffee shop packs a big punch when it comes to serving up your daily coffee. I first came here nearly 2 years ago and Miguel was the manager. Miguel still manages this shop and his kindness, passion and loyalty is unquestionable. The coffee is outstanding and in my opinion it's the best in Los Angeles. So many choices of delicious coffee nicely bagged up and displayed. I really like this place a lot and I encourage you to at least try it if you haven't already. read more

this is my favorite coffee house in LA. there are two pretty close together, this one on main street (my personal favorite) and one on Rose Ave West of Lincoln. I like this one becuase it is tiny and cute and I have a particular affininty for really yummy hole in the wall places. you can sit there if you don't take up to much room and read the paper or do a crossword, but it is not a place to spread out. They have awesome coffee, super friendly baristas and nice tea too. It is the kind if place where if you frequent there it can easily become your "cheers". I love walking over here via the boardwalk, getting my favorite vanilla latte, doing the crossword in the local paper and soaking in the local people watching. read more

Looking for a cup o joe that's certified organic, fairly traded, and seriously delicious? This is the place. Any latte with Almond Milk will satisfy your soul :) The Vietnamese Iced Coffee is pretty spectacular. Friendly staff is always so happy to serve and guys like Nick, Omair and Cary really brighten my day with laughs! Check out the DOPE new furniture they just got in. Groundworks invites a coffee break even more than before! This is an LA bucket list contender for sure and you're supporting local business! read more

Great service, and more importantly... delicious coffee. I have a thing for really tiny coffee shops, this place is so cute!

Fast friendly & a great little seating area out front! I love the vibe of Santa Monica & Groundwork's!

This is one of my favorite coffee houses in Los Angeles. I like that they are a local my owned coffee business. They can hold their own in a city full of great coffee. Yum They even gave me 1/2 off of a delicious gluten free chocolate chip cookie because it was after 4:00 pm. read more