Tag Archives: Santa Monica

DOL Coffee House Coming To Santa Monica

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The corner building at 1231 Wilshire has sat empty ever since the Krispy Kreme donut craze cooled and this location closed in 2021. The space now has a leased sign on the front, and I believe I know who the new tenant is. If you look carefully at the Instagram page of DOL Coffee House, you can see that the artist’s rendering of their new Santa Monica outpost has their signs up on this address. DOL has a location in Gardena and promises, “the most delicious Vietnamese drinks and desserts in the USA (Coffee, boba, and more)“.

Chez Luna Bringing Pet Adoptions And Lattes To Santa Monica.

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An exciting new concept is heading to 2929 Main St in Santa Monica. Window paper is up announcing the arrival of Chez Luna. Chez Luna is billing itself as a pet “adoption cafe” and describes itself as: “A first-of-its-kind space where premium lattes meet live puppy love.” Coffee and pooches? Sign me up. They are aiming for a summer opening.

Louma Bakery Coming To Santa Monica

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A new baked treats shop is aiming to become “your favorite neighborhood bakery“. There’s window paper up on the corner space in the new development at 3223 Wilshire in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Louma Bakery. Louma appears to be a new business, but this job listing lets us know what will be on offer: “breads (sourdough, baguette, rye bread…), [and] classic pastry (Danish and French style)“. Apparently, they are opening soon.

Joy Coming To Santa Monica

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Readers have been writing in droves to let me know the exciting news that there’s a new ABC application at 418 Wilshire Blvd (once home to Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) announcing the arrival of Joy. This Joy will be their second LA location, the first being Joy on York in Highland Park. Joy specializes in “heartful, and authentic Taiwanese specialties” influenced by Taiwanese street food and night markets, served in a casual, cozy neighborhood setting. No word on an opening date, but until then read more about Joy here and here. With hip Shirube right next door, this stretch of Wilshire Blvd is certainly turning into an exciting dining destination.

Santino’s Triumphant Return To Santa Monica

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A very enthusiastic reader (Thanks James!) excitedly wrote to tell me of the return of beloved neighborhood tapas spot Santino’s to its former home at 3021 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. You may recall that Santino’s closed down sometime around 2015 to make way for sports bar Burgers N Brews. Burgers N Brews is now gone, and while I don’t have information on ownership or menus, we can definitely say that Santino’s is returning to this location, and their Instagram page is projecting a February opening.

Makenna Koffee Bringing Beach Vibes To Santa Monica

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New signs are up on the old Del Taco location at 2425 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of a new java joint and drive through. Makenna Koffee describes itself as a “beach themed coffee shop” and has a smattering of locations across SoCal. While you’re waiting for your Maui latte to debut in Santa Monica, you can read more about the company here and their plans of expansion. (Thanks Carol!)

Pontu Bringing Peruvian To Santa Monica

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A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Carol!) noticed a small ‘coming soon’ notice in the window of 3117 Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica, previously home to beloved neighborhood eatery The OP Cafe. Another piece of paper lists the new restaurant as Pontu. I can’t find a lot of information on Pontu, other that their undeveloped Instagram page that promises two things: “Peruvian” and “Local”.

Intelligentsia Coffee Coming To Pico In Santa Monica

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A charming new coffee spot is coming to an area of Pico desperately in need of one. The historic old A-frame at 3010 Pico, once the home of Wienerschnitzel, is getting spruced up to re-open as a branch of Intelligentsia Coffee. I’m so glad they have decided to keep the original structure that has long been such an landmark in this neighborhood. Intelligentsia began in Chicago in 1995 and has since spread a footprint across five American cities (Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York), as well as international locations, and strives to offer “the most extraordinary coffee in the world“. A spokesperson could not give me a specific opening date due to permitting reasons, but it looks like they’re close. (With Joe & The Juice landing a few blocks away, is the Pico Corridor in Santa Monica becoming a third-wave coffee hotspot?)

(Thanks Spencer!)

GGET Closes On Montana Ave.

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Innovative coffee purveyor Go Get Em Tiger has abruptly closed its location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s other location on Main St. closed a while ago. GGET opened this location in 2022 with much excitement and an extended menu. I’m not sure what is happening with the chain, but their Culver City location, as well as other locations east of here are still open.

(Thanks Steve!)

Raising Cane’s New Santa Monica Location…

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A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.

Joe & The Juice Coming To Santa Monica

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Santa Monica is finally getting an outpost of übercool international lifestyle/juice brand Joe & The Juice, albeit in a curious location. Their signature window paper is up on the free-standing building in the Whole Foods complex on the corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Hailing from Denmark, the chain of coffee and juice bars has locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and has a mission to promote a “contemporary educational platform for how to prepare all people of our movement for a healthy life filled with aspiration and meaning”… as well as coffee.

Layla Bagels & Coffee Coming To Brentwood

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Apparently, I only gave you half the story when I reported to you that Sora Temaki Bar was taking over the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. They are moving into the space, but only part of it. Window paper has since gone up indicating that the spacious address is being divided with Sora moving into the right side, and Layla Bagels & Coffee taking over the rest of the space. Crazy-popular Layla has two other locations (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and specializes in “hand-rolled sourdough bagels baked fresh daily”, bringing yet another bold bagel choice to carb-saturated Brentwood.

(Thanks Madelyn!)

Wally’s Expanding With Two New Locations In SoCal

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Congratulations lucky people of Century City and Malibu, ever-popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine & Spirits is landing at least two new locations in SoCal. Wally’s currently has three locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas) that specialize in the “finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods”, drawing in large well-heeled crowds with their chic “cave à vin” vibes. Here is a look at the new Wally’s at Century Plaza location, located in front of the Fairmont Century Plaza on Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Wally’s Holiday catalog is also promising a new location in Malibu at Cross Creek Ranch. Both are planning on a Spring 2026 opening. Read more about the new Century City outpost here.

The Brothers Sushi Replacing Sushi Kiyono In Beverly Hills

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In a town packed with powerhouse restaurants, quiet little Sushi Kiyono has been happily serving devoted locals for 27 years at 255 S Beverly Blvd. Sadly, that is about to come to an end. A gracious note on the front door cites retirement and says that the final day of service will be this Saturday November 22. The note also welcomes their replacement: The Brothers Sushi. An ABC application on the front confirms it. With locations in Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, and Culver City, The Brothers Sushi is the much lauded and wildly popular “high-end” sushi spot that offers seasonal “Omakase Chefs courses or Ala Carte options”.

Suá Replacing Wexler’s In Downtown Santa Monica

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It appears that after 10 years, smoked fish experts Wexler’s Deli have closed up shop at 616 Santa Monica Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. This is not the end: A gracious note on the front door explains that they are pivoting to a wholesale business and you will soon be able to find their proprietary lox at hotels and restaurants. In other exciting news, the note also explains that “Sichuan Superette” Suá, will be taking over the space. If you haven’t had a chance to visit their charming Larchmont location, you can expect delightful hand-stirred matcha and coffee drinks, organic Sichuan grab-and-go, Asian snacks, and carefully curated pantry and home goods.

LA Wine & Food Festival Nov. 7 – Nov. 9 In Santa Monica

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From my Inbox:

LA Wine & Food Fest

Friday, Nov. 7th-Sunday, Nov. 9th / Barker Hanger Santa Monica

VIP 6:30pm, GA 7:30pm / $175-$389

“The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival hosted by Tastemade is a vibrant celebration of the city’s dynamic culinary scene, rich multicultural flavors, and boundless creativity taking place on November 7-9, 2025, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Over three days, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital.  From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way.”

* FRIENDS OF SPIN * USE CODE “LAWine20” FOR 25% OFF TICKETS!

 

Three Flavors Bringing Asian Flavors To Venice

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A small banner has appeared in the window of the space at 235 Main St. in Venice, previously home to The Anchor Venice. A new eatery named Three Flavors appears to be moving in. I don’t have much information on this establishment, other than the banner promises an interesting combination of “Thai, Sushi, Phở”.

Raising Cane’s Coming To Inglewood

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Chicken finger experts Raising Cane’s is continuing its expansion across LA. The Louisiana-based poultry purveyor with noontime lines out the door has signage up on plywood on the corner of Century Blvd. and Doty, right next to SoFi in Inglewood. Look for upcoming branches in Westwood and Santa Monica as well.