Laya Cafe Will Open In Downtown Santa Monica On…

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In case you weren’t paying attention, a sister of Hollywood’s Laya has been in build-out at the old King & Queen Cantina space at 1401 Ocean Ave., Suite 104 in Downtown Santa Monica. Laya Cafe, as this location will be known, will feature a Lebanese Mediterranean menu from Chef Charbel Hyek. SOCALPULSE gives us an excellent glimpse of what’s coming, and is reporting that Laya Cafe will open on Friday, November 20 with Tuesday through Sunday hours of lunch from 11am to 2:30pm, happy hour from 3-5:30pm, and dinner from 4-9pm.

Sweet Cute Getting A New Home In Culver City

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It appears that adorable ice cream purveyor Sweet Cute is getting a brick-and-mortar. They are currently serving their signature icy treats at the Banyan Tree Marketplace at 9626 Venice Blvd in Culver City, but window paper is up on a space at 10601 Washington Blvd #101 (corner of Overland) announcing a permanent home. Created by a self-described “ice cream fanatic“, each scratch-made batch, in their proprietary flavors, invites us to “fall back in love with ice cream”.

Swiss Winter Village Coming To Santa Monica

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From my inbox:

Swiss Winter Village Debuts on Santa Monica Pier Wednesday, Nov. 18 – Sunday, Jan. 3 / Event Deck / $8.90-$12.90

Santa Monica Pier is about to be transformed into an enchanting Christmas market with the arrival of Swiss Winter Village! The inaugural event will showcase 60+ charming chalets celebrating craftmanship, local creations, and seasonal delicacies alongside an ice rink. It will continue daily until the New Year, bringing a slice of European Holiday spirit for all ages to Santa Monica.

Buy Tickets Here

Lodge Bread Coming To Brentwood, Pasadena, Westlake Village

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Wildly popular sourdough experts Lodge Bread are opening a location in Brentwood. If you look at the photo, a small banner in the shadows confirms that this location at 11740 San Vicente Blvd will be their new home. (This space was most recently home to Rosti Tuscan Kitchen.) Lodge Bread began locally in 2015 and currently has three locations with expansion plans that include this address, plus upcoming locations in Pasadena and Westlake Village as well. They specialize in “artisanal, naturally-leavened sourdough breads and pastries” that people go crazy for.

Series A Bringing Coffee To Century City

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There’s a new coffee spot coming to Century City. Plywood covering the old short-lived Pret A Manger space in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center announcing the arrival of Series A. Series A has one location in Beverly Hills and presents as a “lifestyle brand dedicated to elevated coffee and matcha”.

People’s Goods Bringing Coffee & Matcha To Downtown Santa Monica

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While no one was watching, a charming little coffee shop has slipped into the little kiosk in the center of troubled Santa Monica Place, once home to Ugo Cafe. According to their website, People’s Goods is focusing on “really good espresso, smooth matcha, and rotating seasonal drinks”. The website says they’ve yet to open, but a small notice in the window suggests that they are in soft opening from 9am to 1pm. You can check out their menu here.

Trick or Drink: Santa Monica Halloween Bar Crawl This Weekend

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Looking for something to do this weekend? More info and tix here.

Santa Monica’s biggest Halloween Bar Crawl returns for THREE unforgettable nights!  Join us October 30 & 31.

PARTICIPATING BARS:
HOLEY MOLEY (REGISTRATION)
BARNEY’S BEANERY
CABO CANTINA
LOULOU SANTA MONICA
SANTA MONICA WHALER
1212 SANTA MONICA

Here is how it works:

1) Pre-purchase Your Bar Crawl Wristband.

2) Pick it up at Holey Moley (1315 3rd Street Promenade) during check-in hours.

3) Enjoy free entry to participating bars + exclusive drink specials all night.

4) Have Fun!

Yogurt, All Day Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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It looks like Downtown Santa Monica is getting a new icy treat shop. Very faint window paper is up at 601 Wilshire Blvd Ste 124 announcing the arrival of Yogurt, All Day. It appears that proprietary yogurt bowls will be on offer. Their Instagram page gives the description for a pink fig bowl (which includes fig, granola, and coconut flakes) and a blue dream bowl (containing blueberries, blackberries, coconut, and chocolate). But perhaps what makes this place different is that savory bowls will be the menu as well. They are aiming for a Fall 2026 opening.

Robek’s Juice Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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Is Downtown Santa Monica rebounding? Sure, there are loads of empty storefronts across Downtown, but a spate of new eateries is moving in. One such new restaurant is smoothie expert Robek’s Juice, which is setting up housekeeping at 1460 Lincoln Blvd, previously home to a fossil shop.

Gengis Khan Coming To Century City

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The food scene at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center appears to be perking up quite a bit. Along with Dave’s Hot Chicken, Taco Bell Live Mas Cafe, and IJ Sushi Burrito, a fourth new eatery just put up plywood up on a space in the food court. Build-your-own Mongolian BBQ experts Gengis Khan is planning on opening in Summer 2027.

MAILA Coffee Coming To Palms

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There are a lot of multi-use developments popping up along Overland in Palms. Now we know where new residents will get their coffee. Window paper is up on the corner space in new complex at 3555 S Overland (although the shop’s actual address is 10703 Tabor St.) announcing the arrival of MAILA Coffee. The still-developing website doesn’t reveal much, just that they believe in “unhurried” mornings.

IJ Sushi Burrito Coming To Century City, Culver City

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It appears a new dining option is coming to the Westfield Century City Shopping Center. There’s plywood up on one of the spaces in the food court announcing the arrival of IJ Sushi Burrito. The expanding chain has a number of locations in Washington, Oregon, and California. They offer a menu of signature and build-your-own sushi burrito, poke bowls, and salads. This location is planning on a winter opening, while another location is moving into the Westfield Culver City Mall as well.

Iki Nori Bringing Sushi, Omakase, Sake To Palms

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I’ve been watching all the new multi-use developments along Overland in Palms. A new Japanese restaurant is taking over the corner space in the new Venue development, at 3688 Overland Ave. With a sleek Hollywood destination restaurant, and a sister restaurant, Iki Ramen + Sushi in Koreatown, Iki Nori appears to be setting up housekeeping at this location. Iki Nori offers a menu of a la carte sushi and hand rolls, as well as an iki omakase menu, and an omakase lite, which it describes as a “celebration of Japanese culture, elevated hospitality & approachable luxury.”

LEORA Lands In Brentwood

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You may have already heard this as it is being reported elsewhere, but I thought you should know that Beverly Hills’ crazy/popular darling LEORA has already arrived in Brentwood, well, almost. This week, they opened in the little kiosk in the Brentwood Town Center on the corner of 26th and San Vicente, and they are currently selling coffee and matcha drinks. But the big news is that just across the courtyard in the same center, they are in full build-out for a new LEORA. Construction is underway on the old Blue Bottle and Kitsu Sushi spaces, and will, possibly by Spring, be the home for the healthy and delicious “all-day café”. This certainly is exciting news for this neck of the woods, and while you wait, check out Beverly Hills’ every day menu for inspiration.

Sacco Coming To Brentwood

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Among all the new arrivals to Brentwood, you may have heard whispers of a new sandwich spot. And here it is: Sacco is moving into the old Ron Herman space at 11677 San Vicente Blvd, in the Brentwood Gardens. While details are scarce, it is being reported that Italian sub sandwiches and coffee will be on offer.

Neptune’s Frozen Treats Joining The Icy Line-Up On Montana Ave.

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I’m used to hearing rumors about new restaurants coming to The Westside, but I try not to pass on information until there is concrete evidence. This rumor now appears to be fact: According to their FB page, Neptune’s Frozen Treats is joining the lengthening list of icy treat establishments along Montana Ave in Santa Monica by settling into the courtyard of the recently redeveloped shopping center on the corner of 11th and Montana. Neptune’s Frozen Treats has one location in Palos Verdes Estates and specializes in customizable frozen yogurt, gelato, custard, and sorbet served with long list of premium toppings. I still haven’t confirmed the exciting rumor about what’s moving into the next block, so keep watching this space.

Blank Street Coffee Coming To Beverly Hills

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Signs are now up on the space at 9659 S Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills announcing the arrival of Blank Street Coffee. Blank Street began in 2020 in Williamsburg and has since spread to over 100 locations across the US and the UK, including one other LA location in Studio City. The offer a signature menu of coffee and matcha with an emphasis on “quality, design, and experience”.

(Thanks Barry!)

301 Caffe Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

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Lemonade slipped out of its location at 310 Arizona, just off the Third Street Promenade, a while ago. Since then, the space has sat empty, but there are new signs of life. With the revitalization of Downtown Santa Monica, many new eateries are moving in. According to recently erected signs, the one at this address is named 301 Caffe. What Now has the skinny on this new restaurant, which it describes as, “simple food, quality ingredients, and coffee as part of the daily routine”.