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Off The Hook Santa Monica Seafood Festival, Sunday October 11
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Tag Archives: Santa Monica
LEORA Lands In Brentwood
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.
Neptune’s Frozen Treats Joining The Icy Line-Up On Montana Ave.
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.
310 Caffe Coming To Downtown Santa Monica
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 310 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”.
Punch Bowl Juice & Smoothie Coming To Santa Monica?
A few days ago, amidst a flurry of construction, a wall was freshly painted at 2218 Main St #100 in Santa Monica. This wall appears to name the new business as Punch Bowl Juice & Smoothie. I cannot locate any information on this business, so if you have any news, pass it on!
Bacio Di Latte Blessing Culver City Soon…
Congratulations Good People of Culver City, delicious frozen treats are heading your way! There’s window paper up on the space at 3849 Main St, formerly home to Monty’s Good Burger, announcing the arrival of Italian-born brand Bacio di Latte. The crazy/popular chain, known for its luscious gelato, is in major expansion mode with a new Montana Ave shop poised to open any day now.
(Thanks M!)
BROT Doner Cafe Bakery Coming To Downtown Santa Monica
There’s new window paper up on the space at 1348 3rd Street Promenade, previously home to a convenience store and Trimana before that. The new resident is BROT Doner Cafe Bakery. While I don’t yet have confirmation, there is another BROT in LA, on Hollywood Blvd., and I’m assuming that the two are related. The Hollywood BROT prides itself on the “authentic taste of Berlin street food”, and you can check out their menu here. This should be a welcome addition to Downtown Santa Monica’s rapidly evolving entertainment zone.
LA Urban Fitness Returns To Main Street
Ever since the implosion of erstwhile darling Umami Burger a while ago, the space at 235 Main St in Venice has sat empty. That’s about to change. A banner over the front of it lets us know that LA Urban Fitness is set to open a cafe and nutritional supplement shop. LA Urban Fitness used to occupy the nearby space at 3015 Main St in Santa Monica, just a few blocks away. If they follow their old model, we can expect a menu of smoothies, cold-pressed juices, Groundwork coffee, and snacks.
Sana’a Cafe Bringing Yemeni Coffee Tradition To Santa Monica
Growing java chain Sana’a Cafe appears to be heading to Santa Monica. There’s a banner over the new build-out at 1302 Pico Blvd announcing the arrival. Yemen has a strong tradition of coffee, where it has been cultivated for over 500 years. Sana’a Cafe honors this heritage by “sourcing the finest organic beans from Yemeni highlands”. Sana’a Cafe has 7 other locations across California (and a new location coming to Westwood as well) and offers an extensive menu of Yemeni specialty drinks, espresso drinks, and teas.
(Thanks Rob!)
Wellside Cafe Replacing Cafe Zella In Santa Monica
Cafe Zella quit their longtime location at 1531 Wilshire Blvd a few months back. Never a big splashy restaurant, the quiet little cafe served as a neighborhood breakfast and lunch staple, catering to the medical crowd on the other side of Wilshire. Now a new eatery is looking to fill in the gap. A window poster is announcing that Wellside Cafe is taking over the address. The poster is promising coffee, breakfast, and lunch, but you can get a much better idea of what is coming by checking out this Santa Monica Sun article.
(Thanks Sean!)
Metro Cafe Replacing SOCALO in Santa Monica
SOCALO, the acclaimed restaurant from busy celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, closed in February citing fallout from COVID and industry strikes. But the location at 1920 Santa Monica Blvd isn’t staying empty for long. There are window posters up announcing the arrival of Metro Cafe. Metro Cafe has locations in Culver City and El Segundo and describe themeselves as “sustainable and locally sourced food with a friendly ambiance”.
(Thanks Carol!)
Cotti Coffee’s Second Santa Monica Location…
Last month I told you about hip lifestyle brand Cotti Coffee moving into a space on Lincoln Blvd. in Downtown Santa Monica. The brand’s second Santa Monica location will be located at 1353 Third St Promenade. Cotti Coffi began in China in 2022 and has quickly risen to a presence in “33 countries with 18,000+ stores, [and is] ranked 3rd globally.” The menu offers innovative drinks, light meals, and merch.
Summer Soulstice Festival This Saturday
Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen Replacing Tumbi In Downtown Santa Monica
It looks like a new South Asian concept is coming to Santa Monica. There’s a window poster up on the old Tumbi space at 115 Santa Monica Blvd. announcing the arrival of Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen. With two other SoCal locations and a Michelin nod, Khan Saab is a “bold, modern expression of South Asian cuisine” and offers a menu that is 100% halal, including a craft non-alcoholic bar. Expect steak, kabobs, a wide selection of curries, biryani, and street eats. Read more about this exciting new eatery, including the backstory of the chef and his association with the previous tenant Tumbi, here.
Mezemex Mexican Grill Coming To Downtown Santa Monica
With the depressingly high number of vacant storefronts in Downtown Santa Monica, one glimmer of hope is that there appears to be a number of new eateries moving in. There is a small Coastal Commission pending application on the front of 1403 Third St. Promenade that gives us the name of Mezemex Mexican Grill as one of these new eateries. This space was previously the longtime home of a branch of Wetzel’s Pretzels. I can’t find much information on this business, so if you have info, let us know.
Raising Cane’s, The Win-Dow Will In Santa Monica Open On…
Two hotly anticipated new Santa Monica eateries are ready to throw open their doors. There’s a sandwich board outside of the new Downtown Santa Monica branch of crazy/popular poultry purveyor Raising Cane’s announcing their June 10 opening at the corner of Third St. and Santa Monica Blvd. And a window poster over on the new Montana Ave location of The Win-Dow gives the opening date as Tuesday, June 9. The Win-Dow has a full opening week of activities including free double cheeseburgers (with purchase) on opening day. You’re welcome.
Update: The flashing new Westwood branch of Raising Cane’s is scheduled to open June 29.
Cotti Coffee Bringing “Comfortable Coffee Lifestyle” To Downtown Santa Monica
After sitting vacant for a few years, the space right on the corner of Lincoln and Broadway, at 1447 Lincoln, is getting a new tenant. Window paper has gone up on the location announcing the arrival of Cotti Coffee. If you’ve been paying attention, you may have heard of Cotti and its meteoric rise. It has a smattering of locations in SoCal and is known for its buzzy lifestyle brand. Cotti Coffi began in China in 2022 and has quickly risen to a presence in “33 countries with 18,000+ stores, [and is] ranked 3rd globally.” On offer will be innovative drinks, light meals, and merch.
Pop’s Bagels Opens On Montana Ave.
Well, they really pulled a rabbit out of a hat… After two years, ambitious B&T’s Deli abruptly closed up shop on April 30 at 912 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. By some miracle, cult-fave carb purveyor Pop’s Bagels has not only managed to move in but are planning to open today (Friday, May 15). Pop’s Bagels has four other LA locations and is well-known for long lines and bagels described as “fluffy, crispy, and perfectly chewy”. With equally culty H& H Bagels just a block away, and Sam’s Bagels a little over a block in the opposite direction, Montana Ave is turning into something of a carb capital.
Circle Bar’s Triumphant Return To Santa Monica
From my inbox:
Santa Monica’s Legendary Circle Bar is Set to Reopen on Friday, May 22 Under New Ownership
Historic Main Street Watering Hole that Served Jim Morrison, Truman Copote Returns with New Energy from Local Restaurateurs Behind Hinano Cafe and Tavern on Main
One of Santa Monica’s most legendary nightlife venues is set to return on Friday, May 22, 2026. Circle Bar, the longtime OG Main Street bar and nightclub known for its dimly lit, oval-shaped bar, packed dance floor, and historic past, will reopen under new ownership.
At the helm are local restaurateurs Mark and Addie Van Gessel, the duo behind the Venice staple Hinano Cafe and Santa Monica’s Tavern on Main. Both concepts are known for their consistent quality and focus on community. With deep roots in the Westside hospitality scene, the Van Gessels are committed to preserving Circle Bar’s legacy as one of LA’s best dive bars, blending nostalgia with new energy while maintaining its grit and dive bar charm.
Originally established in 1949, Circle Bar evolved from a neighborhood watering hole into a fixture of Santa Monica’s nightlife and music scene. By the 1970s, it had developed a reputation as a go-to spot where artists, musicians, and locals gathered regularly. Over time, it became known for late-night DJ and live music sets, dance floor, and a diverse crowd ranging from industry professionals to neighborhood regulars. In its heyday, Circle Bar became known for its low-key, dimly lit atmosphere, which attracted discreet late-night drop-ins from icons such as Jim Morrison and Truman Capote, as well as Anthony Kiedis, Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr., and cast members of hit shows like Mad Men.
“Circle Bar isn’t just a bar,” said Mark Van Gessel. “It’s part of Santa Monica’s cultural DNA. Everyone has a Circle Bar story. We want to honor what made it special while bringing fresh life into the space, keeping the focus on great music and drinks, and a fun atmosphere so a new generation can create their own Circle Bar stories.”
MAINopoly: A Taste Of Main Street Returns
It’s that time of year again… The 11th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street is back on Sunday May 24 from 1pm to 5pm. One big difference this year: Due to a special City of Santa Monica permit, you’ll be able to freely walk around with alcoholic drinks throughout the event. Read more and get tix here.
