Cafe zella

Great coffee! Very kind service staff. It's not the best place to hang out but the take away was solid. I wanted a little hot sauce for my breakfast burrito. One-shot for a 12 oz Americano is a little sparse. I'd return anyway.

Place is great. It was my first time. Good food and big portions.

I love this place! When I got out of surgery, I was starving and they were nearby the hospital so I ordered their burger and it was like heaven on earth for me and I’ve been going back whenever I had the chance

Quaint little shop across from the Medical Center. Enjoyed the Americano! Will come back with some hunger next time!

!Don’t waste your time here! Our office ordered over $120 in food and gave a $19 tip. We didn’t receive napkins or utensils, we order fries didn’t get ketchup. The food wasn’t freshly made, fries were cold. Just all around horrible service. After bringing concerns to the owner, no considerate compensation was offered. This is not ok. If I could I would give a negative star.

Small shop, loved it!!! Huge menu, hard to choose. Everything was delicious (potatoes could use a bit more flavor- nothing some salsa Valentina couldn't cure). I loved my sandwich and that fresh strawberry lemonade was to die for. You know when there's regulars and police officers in there food is going to be great.

This is my go-to when @ work for a great lunch, coffee, pastry! Cafe Zella takes pride in serving their customers & makes you feel like you’re a part of their family. I’m just sitting here finishing a delicious apple sausage omelette for my late lunch! Yummers!! I am usually a fan of the quinoa and beet salad…thought I’d change it up today. Try their cookies and muffins, they’re yummy too. Please support this local, fresh, committed business.

Top breakfast place! Huge menu full of yummy items, ranging from super healthy eggs with side salad, to omelets with or without meat, to savory pastries, to fresh made smoothies and coffee drinks. Friendly, wonderful staff, quick service, and indoor and outdoor seating. Cash preferred but cards accepted; avocado on everything; takeout option as well. Definitely reccommend!!

I love this place! When I got out of surgery, I was starving and they were nearby the hospital so I ordered their burger and it was like heaven on earth for me and I’ve been going back whenever I had the chance (I don’t live close to SM, so it’s sometimes a drive) but their bacon cheeseburger is to die for! One thing that did bum me out was when I had gone in on a Sunday and they said they weren’t making any burgers, but I think it’s because it was slow. I bring everyone here and enjoy their food every single time.

This is a gem of a cafe with a great variety of healthy and well-prepared delicious food. The owners hail from South Asia and offer some of those flavors to the menu. Affordably priced, friendly & calm atmosphere, great for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. The owners understand and practice community, their staff is hardworking and a pleasure to interact with, and Cafe Zella is truly a neighborhood treasure. I love this place & consider it my 2nd home!

Love this place! Used to be regular when I was living close. Loved their food, pastries and drinks! Would recommend try their whole menu.

Small shop woth tons of flavor. Parking is on my about 4-5 stalls. I have had their quesadilla, pesto bowl, chicken cranberry sandwich, cinnamon rolls and coffee. Every experience I have had has been great quality food. Customer service was great and they are patient and will help you choose of you can't decide for yourself. Will recommend!

I actually was served the wrong order, but the turkey bacon spinach avocado omelet (pictured) that I was served was wonderful. Seating area is cozy, and the place seemed pretty popular. Self-serve Groundworks coffee. Would definitely go again

Good food. No prices in the menu. I paid $17 for an avocado panini and a coffee.

Great food. Atmosphere is pretty simple. Good people working here!

Irene Han

I love this place! When I got out of surgery, I was starving and they were nearby the hospital so I ordered their burger and it was like heaven on earth for me and I’ve been going back whenever I had the chance (I don’t live close to SM, so it’s sometimes a drive) but their bacon cheeseburger is to die for! One thing that did bum me out was when I had gone in on a Sunday and they said they weren’t making any burgers, but I think it’s because it was slow. I bring everyone here and enjoy their food every single time.

Jojopahmaria Nsoroma

This is a gem of a cafe with a great variety of healthy and well-prepared delicious food. The owners hail from South Asia and offer some of those flavors to the menu. Affordably priced, friendly & calm atmosphere, great for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. The owners understand and practice community, their staff is hardworking and a pleasure to interact with, and Cafe Zella is truly a neighborhood treasure. I love this place & consider it my 2nd home!

Garik

Love this place! Used to be regular when I was living close. Loved their food, pastries and drinks! Would recommend try their whole menu.

Verissa F

Small shop woth tons of flavor. Parking is on my about 4-5 stalls. I have had their quesadilla, pesto bowl, chicken cranberry sandwich, cinnamon rolls and coffee. Every experience I have had has been great quality food. Customer service was great and they are patient and will help you choose of you can't decide for yourself. Will recommend!

Dan Horowitz

I actually was served the wrong order, but the turkey bacon spinach avocado omelet (pictured) that I was served was wonderful. Seating area is cozy, and the place seemed pretty popular. Self-serve Groundworks coffee. Would definitely go again

Celeste Castro

Good food. No prices in the menu. I paid $17 for an avocado panini and a coffee.

Rokas Kontvainis

Great food. Atmosphere is pretty simple. Good people working here!

Service was fabulous! The young lady at the front had so much positive energy. It was my first time there and it definitely won't be my last. Grabbed lunch along with my matcha and they both were great. 10/10

Best breakfast burrito I've had in a very long time. If I worked over here I'd visit often. If you're at the hospital or surgery center I'd stop by.

I was blown away by how flavorful the food was. The atmosphere made the night even more enjoyable.

Lesley served my boyfriend, our kitty Benji, and myself today (yes, we kept him outside) we ordered a couple of coffee’s and two egg sandwiches on croissants. The price point was great, $6 bucks for a great sandwich! Coffee as great too! Lesley made us feel so welcomed. Not only with amazing service but a huge smile! We expressed we just moved to the area and immediately introduced herself and told us about her love for cats :) Thank you for making our day!! Cafe had some seating inside, a nice selection of baked goods, a nice menu with big portions, and patio seating outside. This will be our new local spot <3

I love this place! When I got out of surgery, I was starving and they were nearby the hospital so I ordered their burger and it was like heaven on earth for me and I’ve been going back whenever I had the chance

Sarah Gutknecht

Best breakfast burrito I've had in a very long time. If I worked over here I'd visit often. If you're at the hospital or surgery center I'd stop by.

Jaydah Nelms

I was blown away by how flavorful the food was. The atmosphere made the night even more enjoyable.

Talaya Mackey

Service was fabulous! The young lady at the front had so much positive energy. It was my first time there and it definitely won't be my last. Grabbed lunch along with my matcha and they both were great. 10/10

Rob S

Place is great. It was my first time. Good food and big portions.

T M

Lesley served my boyfriend, our kitty Benji, and myself today (yes, we kept him outside) we ordered a couple of coffee’s and two egg sandwiches on croissants. The price point was great, $6 bucks for a great sandwich! Coffee as great too! Lesley made us feel so welcomed. Not only with amazing service but a huge smile! We expressed we just moved to the area and immediately introduced herself and told us about her love for cats :) Thank you for making our day!! Cafe had some seating inside, a nice selection of baked goods, a nice menu with big portions, and patio seating outside. This will be our new local spot <3

Paninis we’re tasty. Price is reasonable. Need more outdoor seating.

food is great i work around there so i eat there a lot. i always try different menu. small place so might not get a place to sit at lunch time. it's expensive tho can't afford to eat there every day. Service is fast order and within 10mn your order is ready

Looking for a cheap, no-wait and tasty breakfast in Santa Monica?? Well then Cafe Zella is your place! There's no thrills and frills about this quaint little eatery but they do provide a small parking lot and are reasonably priced. Came here on a Saturday by chance. Was starving and most of the wait times at the nearby eateries were excruciating. We found this place on Yelp and decided to check it out. This place is on the corner across the street from the UCLA SM hospital and neighbors a nail salon and dry cleaners. From first impressions this place seems like they don't serve a breakfast items besides pastries and juice but you will be surprised. I ordered the pancake combo with chicken sausage instead of bacon and eggs. It was about $8 and was decently portioned. The pancakes were mighty tasty, chicken sausage had tons of flavor and the eggs were fluffy. Really appreciated its simplicity. I also tried their banana pancakes topped with nutella and its was AMAZING. The bananas were cooked into the pancake batter providing the ooey gooey goodness to the pancakes, adding the nutella was pure magic. So if you are looking for something more complex they did a great job with the fancy flap jacks! Overall great little place to grab a bite to eat! Very small so not ideal for a large group of ppl.

Their food is great. I really like their brown rice with pesto dish, which you can order with many different kinds of protein. My only issue is with the limited space and tables available, again this is just a minor complaint, just plan ahead and get there 5 min earlier.

Came to check out this place because it is conveniently located across the Santa Monica Medical Center. The place is pretty small but the menu has lots of different food items which include breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and fresh juice. The cashier was super nice and my food (chorizo burrito) was freshly made and delicious. I would definitely come back to try other food items.

Francisco Reinosa

Came to check out this place because it is conveniently located across the Santa Monica Medical Center. The place is pretty small but the menu has lots of different food items which include breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and fresh juice. The cashier was super nice and my food (chorizo burrito) was freshly made and delicious. I would definitely come back to try other food items.

Dirty and dark cafe. Food and service were okay.

I came here twice recently! Once for lunch and another time for breakfast! My friend enjoyed her Huevos Rancheros and she loved the black beans! I ordered the salmon brown rice bowl which came with beautifully grilled tasty vegetables! I will definitely order this again. The restaurant is not full service. You have to walk to the counter, order, pay and then find a table. Interior tables are cramped and tight, but they did the best layout with the space. After eating, we had to buss our own dirty dishes to the section where to place the dirty dishes and food. Condiments are also in a separate area if you needed salt/ pepper, ketchup etc... There are a few tables outside in the parking lot or on 16th street. My friend paid for our meals and she mentioned when she paid with a credit card there was an option to add tip, and she questioned it as we were leaving because we took care of our dirty dishes. It's okay. I want to support local small restaurant businesses, especially if they are female owned. This is the only reason why I am giving 3 stars to the ambience. The food, service and politeness of the staff are all 5 star! I want to support local businesses, but their prices are high and the chalkboard menu on the wall does not show prices. No refills on ice tea or regular drip coffee, PERIOD.

Andrea Maps

Dirty and dark cafe. Food and service were okay.

Was in the area and hit this place based on reviews. Got two egg scramble entrees. Eggs were room temp and not all that flavorful, the potatoes were really good. All in all, Denny's would have been the better choice based both on food quality and price.

It's a small shop and they are really doing there best but the muffins were overcooked and the eggs were also overcooked. When we got some water out of their water dispenser, there was unknown brown specs in it. Only two other people were there other then the workers and us.

First off, the food has less favorable ingredients.. example, the pesto bowl has way less veggies in it. The granola has very thinly sliced strawberries and banana but no more raspberries and blueberries. Now I forgot to get ranch dressing with French fries and they nickel and dime me for 50 cents ranch. But I couldn't use card because of their 1 dollar minimum . Very bad customer service. Sorry, but I'm done with these guys.

Love the food here. Pricey but good. The service is horrible. The two women in the front are rude. I’m Not sure if they are aware that without the customers… they would be jobless.

Jamilla

Love the food here. Pricey but good. The service is horrible. The two women in the front are rude. I’m Not sure if they are aware that without the customers… they would be jobless.

This establishment does not list prices their menu, not will it tell you how much their menu options costs. Walked in, and when I noticed there were no prices in their menu board, or printed menu, I asked about their price listing. I was told the only way to find out how much your meal would be was to order it. When I pointed out this was highly unusual, the person behind the cash register said perhaps he knew some of the item pricing. Let’s be clear- this is not a Michelin star joint, it’s a grungy strip mall coffee spot. Not sure this is a legal practice in Santa Monica or anywhere in the US.

There is one lady who takes the order who is always rude. She has been working there for some years, and I still don't get why she still works there. I try not to buy there when she is working. The owners are very nice and attentive, I used to go there all the time almost everday, but now I go maybe once a month. And yes it's because the RUDE lady in the front.

The tuna melt was so greasy I ate half and tossed it out. The food is poor quality and not healthy. They never change their menu. Just the standard unhealthy American diet. I also ordered my sandwich on gluten free bread and they didn’t call to notify me they are out of gluten free bread instead just made my sandwich with regular bread. What if I was gluten intolerant? So over this place!

I came here graving for french toast, and found that they have that with fruits, first the lady at the front desk was rude, I said Hi good morning, she kept working and ignoring me, although the place was almost empty, so no much work to get busy and nit great a guest, anyway, the french toast came soggy, it’s just a regular toast that wasn’t even baked well, the fruit is a joke, couple of berries from a can!!!! Really!!! And it’s not even a good brand!!’ For 12$ you either do a real French toast or provide a fresh fruit, is it so hard to pull a recipe from the internet?!! The employees were loud, the place is tiny and they were very annoying, Anyway if I wasn’t hungry I won’t eat a bite, but I had to to go back to work, my first and last time here.

This used to be my absolute favorite place ever but after recently getting sick and seeing what I saw I don’t think I can ever go back. I always ordered their salads and paninis however recently the food seemed to be passed it’s expiration date and they didn’t offer a refund after I notified them. I also saw that they have rats, you can see the rats running around throughout all of the outside seating and it wasn’t just one there was two so you can imagine how many more there were. I was extremely appalled and grossed out.

Nadia Shehri

I came here graving for french toast, and found that they have that with fruits, first the lady at the front desk was rude, I said Hi good morning, she kept working and ignoring me, although the place was almost empty, so no much work to get busy and nit great a guest, anyway, the french toast came soggy, it’s just a regular toast that wasn’t even baked well, the fruit is a joke, couple of berries from a can!!!! Really!!! And it’s not even a good brand!!’ For 12$ you either do a real French toast or provide a fresh fruit, is it so hard to pull a recipe from the internet?!! The employees were loud, the place is tiny and they were very annoying, Anyway if I wasn’t hungry I won’t eat a bite, but I had to to go back to work, my first and last time here.

Cher Luna

This used to be my absolute favorite place ever but after recently getting sick and seeing what I saw I don’t think I can ever go back. I always ordered their salads and paninis however recently the food seemed to be passed it’s expiration date and they didn’t offer a refund after I notified them. I also saw that they have rats, you can see the rats running around throughout all of the outside seating and it wasn’t just one there was two so you can imagine how many more there were. I was extremely appalled and grossed out.

Worst coffee I had in Santa Monica! 7,50$ for an iced late made with filter coffee.. and 16$ for a very average breakfast burrito, we ordered bacon and there was no bacon in it. And it seems like the lady was also requesting money for giving a smile. We asked for salsa with the burrito and it was extra. 45$ is such a shame for such poor service (10 min wait for two coffee and 20 min wait for two burrito)

Rude staff. Won't even give extra hot sauce for spending over $20 for a breakfast plate. Ill take my business elsewhere from now on.

Extremely Disappointing Experience I've been a regular at this café for a long time, and my school brings them a lot of business. My friends and I frequently buy food here and use the space to study, but recently we had an awful experience that will make me reconsider ever coming back. One of the employees was incredibly rude and unprofessional. My friend and I were studying outside, just like we always do, and out of nowhere, this employee came up to us and kicked us out. The way they handled the situation was completely disrespectful, considering how much we and our school support this place. I’ve never been treated so poorly at an establishment I regularly support. If this is how they treat their loyal customers, I don’t see any reason to come back. It's a shame because we used to enjoy coming here, but after this experience, I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

They were out of espresso, the place was dirty and smelled bad, and staff were rude. I requested my coffee to have a little more milk and they said they had to charge me for more milk? So they took me back to the register and made me pay an extra dollar for more almond milk in my iced coffee which tasted disgusting in the end anyway. Bizarre place.

Danielle Cornacchio

They were out of espresso, the place was dirty and smelled bad, and staff were rude. I requested my coffee to have a little more milk and they said they had to charge me for more milk? So they took me back to the register and made me pay an extra dollar for more almond milk in my iced coffee which tasted disgusting in the end anyway. Bizarre place.

Jeff Won

Rude staff. Won't even give extra hot sauce for spending over $20 for a breakfast plate. Ill take my business elsewhere from now on.

M Roche

Worst coffee I had in Santa Monica! 7,50$ for an iced late made with filter coffee.. and 16$ for a very average breakfast burrito, we ordered bacon and there was no bacon in it. And it seems like the lady was also requesting money for giving a smile. We asked for salsa with the burrito and it was extra. 45$ is such a shame for such poor service (10 min wait for two coffee and 20 min wait for two burrito)