Cafe$mid-cityMon-Fri 06:00-16:00; Sat-Sun 06:00-14:00Work-friendly
10 Speed Coffee opened its first standalone bar on Santa Monica Boulevard in 2017, a cycling-born roaster brand pouring next to Saint John's hospital.
Signature drink: Flat white
Tip: It opens at 06:00 every day, one of the earliest specialty pours in Santa Monica; big windows make it a good work stop.
Bakery$$downtownDaily 07:00-15:00
Huckleberry has stacked its marble counter on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica since 2009, market-fruit pastries, quiche and all-day breakfast plates.
Signature drink: Drip coffee with a pastry
Tip: Weekday mornings are calm; weekends the line snakes by 09:30, so order the green onion and goat cheese quiche early.
Bakery$$mid-cityBakery and coffee bar daily from 08:00Work-friendly
Tartine Santa Monica proofs its country loaves in a converted church off Arizona Avenue, the San Francisco bakery's Westside room with a full cafe.
Signature drink: Coffee bar pour-over
Tip: Morning buns and ham and Gruyere croissants go first; the bread rack restocks around midday if you miss the open.
Bagels$ocean-parkDaily 07:00-14:30
Layla Bagels hand-rolls sourdough bagels daily on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, open-face builds with seasonal fruit, honey and smoked salmon.
Signature drink: Drip coffee
Tip: The Pre-Jam with seasonal fruit, cream cheese and honey is the signature; the everything loosies sell out first.
Bakery$$ocean-parkDaily 07:00-15:00; lunch 10:00-15:00; weekend brunch 10:00-15:00
Jyan Isaac Bread bakes deeply fermented sourdough on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, bagel sandwiches and brunch beside the Ghisallo pizza kitchen.
Signature drink: Espresso
Tip: Loaves sell down by early afternoon; weekend brunch adds duck confit hash and cereal milk french toast.
Italian$$montana-avenueMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:00-23:00; Sat-Sun 09:00-22:00
Sogno Toscano stacks an espresso bar, Italian market and wine bar into one Montana Avenue corner in Santa Monica, panini by day and aperitivo by night.
Signature drink: Cappuccino
Tip: Bookable wine tastings run in the evenings; otherwise take a Bufalina panino and a glass at the window.