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Gnarwhal Coffee Co.
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Gnarwhal Coffee Co.
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Gnarwhal Coffee Co.

Coffee · Santa Monica

4.4 · 314 reviews Google
www.gnarwhalcoffee.com

About Gnarwhal Coffee Co.

At Gnarwhal Coffee Co., we're all about brewing up a good time in our vibrant Santa Monica cafe. Bright and airy, our shop is adorned with natural charm, where you can lounge on our inviting sidewalk seats and soak up the laid-back vibes. Our expertly crafted organic brews are paired with an assortm...

At Gnarwhal Coffee Co., we're all about brewing up a good time in our vibrant Santa Monica cafe. Bright and airy, our shop is adorned with natural charm, where you can lounge on our inviting sidewalk seats and soak up the laid-back vibes. Our expertly crafted organic brews are paired with an assortment of delicious pastries and cookies that will satisfy any sweet tooth. We're thrilled to receive rave reviews from customers raving about our friendly service and cozy atmosphere - a perfect spot to meet friends or enjoy a solo moment of tranquility, all while surrounded by the soothing sounds of expertly pulled shots.

What Customers Say About Gnarwhal Coffee Co.

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is a popular cafe known for its great coffee, pastries, and a cool, friendly vibe. Customers rave about the atmosphere and friendly staff. Be prepared for potential lines, especially on weekend mornings.

Popular Dishes

coffee (8) banana bread cappuccino cardamom latte ham and cheese croissant cereal milk matcha pistacho croissants cortado

Best For

Solo Dining Business Casual Quick Bite Locals Tourists

Tip: The cafe can get crowded during peak morning hours, so plan accordingly. Wifi is solid for those looking to work.

Features

📶 WiFi 🌳 Outdoor 🅿️ Parking 🚗 Delivery Accessible 🌅 Breakfast Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy Trendy

What to see nearby

Venice Heritage Museum
A 141m

Venice Heritage Museum

museo

View details
Fraser's Million Dollar Pier
A 330m

Fraser's Million Dollar Pier

edificio

View details
The Ellison
Heritage
A 476m

The Ellison

edificio

View details
Pacific Jewish Center
A 561m

Pacific Jewish Center

sinagoga

View details
California Heritage Museum
A 608m

California Heritage Museum

museo

View details
Ozone Park
A 793m

Ozone Park

parque

View details

Data from Wikidata

Explore the area around Gnarwhal Coffee Co.

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is located in Santa Monica, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.

Historical Heritage

  • The Ellison (A 476m) — historic building in Venice, California, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
  • Venice Branch (A 881m) — historic library in Venice, Los Angeles, California Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos

Museums

  • Venice Heritage Museum (A 141m) — history museum in Los Angeles, California
  • California Heritage Museum (A 608m) — heritage museum in Santa Monica, California

Religious Buildings

  • Pacific Jewish Center (A 561m) — Orthodox synagogue in Venice, California

Parks & Gardens

  • Ozone Park (A 793m) — park in Santa Monica, California
  • Los Amigos Park (A 843m) — park in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America
  • Hotchkiss Park (A 962m) — park in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America

Other Points of Interest

  • Fraser's Million Dollar Pier (A 330m) — U.S. amusement park (1911–1912)
  • Ocean Park Beach (A 846m) — beach in Santa Monica, California, United States

Data from Wikidata

Frequently asked questions about Gnarwhal Coffee Co.

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is located at 3101 Main St Unit D, Santa Monica, CA 90405, Santa Monica.
Near Gnarwhal Coffee Co. you can find points of interest such as Venice Heritage Museum, Fraser's Million Dollar Pier, The Ellison, Pacific Jewish Center.
Gnarwhal Coffee Co. offers coffee cuisine.
Gnarwhal Coffee Co. has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
Gnarwhal Coffee Co. offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway, delivery.
The most recommended dishes at Gnarwhal Coffee Co. based on customer reviews are: coffee, banana bread, cappuccino, cardamom latte, ham and cheese croissant.
Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is ideal for solo dining, business dining, casual dining, quick bites, locals, tourists.
Gnarwhal Coffee Co. is a popular cafe known for its great coffee, pastries, and a cool, friendly vibe. Customers rave about the atmosphere and friendly staff. Be prepared for potential lines, especially on weekend mornings.
The cafe can get crowded during peak morning hours, so plan accordingly. Wifi is solid for those looking to work.
314
Reviews

Gnarwhal Coffee Co. Santa Monica Reviews

4.4
314
5★
74%
4★
10%
3★
6%
2★
4%
1★
7%
Reviews (40)
Y
YB S

Located on the Main Street, just 10-12 minute walk from the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Great location by other eateries and shops on the Main Street. Coffee and service were both top notch. I was rung up by the owner, Nick Monica, and he provided an excellent service. I tried the iced americano ($4.25) topped with salted vanilla cream top ($1.25) and it was very good. Plenty of seating indoor but it was packed with a lot of people on their laptops. There are 2 tables outside as well. Restroom inside for customers only. Parking is paid street parking or paid parking lot.

N
Natalia Cruz

Nice little coffee shop near Venice Beach. They had a nice menu with a variety it coffee, tea, and treat options. In the shop they had some searing and a nice bathroom. I got a cereal milk matcha, which was very good and not too sweet. The service was also excellent and the batista were good with questions.

D
Denise H

Great cardamom latte and croissant! Fast service upon my arrival and plenty of seats. Clean restroom was a plus!

M
MkMiamiRider

Great corner cafe, I was just passing by and decided to step in and I am so glad I did… I ordered a cappuccino and it was perfect, the coffee tasted amazing wow! I also ordered the banana bread with chocolate chips and it was moist and so flavorful. Beautiful relaxing place in a great corner!!! The staff were so amicable and helpful I totally recommend stopping and savoring a coffee here!

A
Aziza Kasenova

Nice place, chess club brochures and the chess itself. The coffee is good, but not many people can fit in there

D
Dude

In A Nutshell: -Gnarwhal Coffee is a 100% top-rated coffee shop located in Venice. -The drip coffee alone is superb in taste & quality. -I highly recommend it if you consider yourself a coffee aficionado. -I also enjoyed their toasted beef pastellilo, which flaked with each bite. Overall, this place is booming so don't be surprised if you see a line out of the door & it's also a mecca for remote workers.

G
Grazhel Moreno

Came in to kill some time & do work; wifi is solid. Enjoyed the cardamom latte, it was delicious. It got pretty crowded during peak early morning hours but that’s to be expected. Love the aesthetic/vibe. Dog friendly.

C
Chris Saw

Awesome central Santa Monica meeting place or to get work done. Excellent roast!!

M
Maria K

Easy to find location on the street corner. The interior has bench seating so only a few people can do work here. The coffee was good and oat milk was default on my drink. The pastries were pretty good too. I don't know what bakery they source from but it really upgrades the offerings. Seems to be dog friendly with a board advertising dogs needing adoption. Will come back.

J
Jun Sohn

Great coffee and lovely place to hang out and have coffee.

V
Victoria Li

One of my favourite lattes I’ve had recently. I also got the ham and cheese croissant which was fresh but a bit oily. I went on a Thursday morning, the line did take pretty long.

R
Rebecca Rodriguez

Came here with a friend. Cute little place with a simple menu and a great vibe. The employees are super friendly and the art is really nice. The merch is well designed. Great place to meet a friend or for a drink to go.

R
Rebekah Dale

Found this place by its high reviews when looking for coffee between the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach and couldn't have been happier with our discovery. Great coffee and excellent pastries. The pastry was a surprising discovery as it was high on flavor without being overly sweet. The shop had a cute interior. Also love the name. Will definitely be back if we're in the area again. Highly recommend.

Natalia Cruz
Natalia Cruz

Nice little coffee shop near Venice Beach. They had a nice menu with a variety it coffee, tea, and treat options. In the shop they had some searing and a nice bathroom. I got a cereal milk matcha, which was very good and not too sweet. The service was also excellent and the batista were good with questions.

Aziza Kasenova
Aziza Kasenova

Nice place, chess club brochures and the chess itself. The coffee is good, but not many people can fit in there

MkMiamiRider
MkMiamiRider

Great corner cafe, I was just passing by and decided to step in and I am so glad I did… I ordered a cappuccino and it was perfect, the coffee tasted amazing wow! I also ordered the banana bread with chocolate chips and it was moist and so flavorful. Beautiful relaxing place in a great corner!!! The staff were so amicable and helpful I totally recommend stopping and savoring a coffee here!

Dude
Dude

In A Nutshell: -Gnarwhal Coffee is a 100% top-rated coffee shop located in Venice. -The drip coffee alone is superb in taste & quality. -I highly recommend it if you consider yourself a coffee aficionado. -I also enjoyed their toasted beef pastellilo, which flaked with each bite. Overall, this place is booming so don't be surprised if you see a line out of the door & it's also a mecca for remote workers.

Jun Sohn
Jun Sohn

Great coffee and lovely place to hang out and have coffee.

Grazhel Moreno
Grazhel Moreno

Came in to kill some time & do work; wifi is solid. Enjoyed the cardamom latte, it was delicious. It got pretty crowded during peak early morning hours but that’s to be expected. Love the aesthetic/vibe. Dog friendly.

Maria K
Maria K

Easy to find location on the street corner. The interior has bench seating so only a few people can do work here. The coffee was good and oat milk was default on my drink. The pastries were pretty good too. I don't know what bakery they source from but it really upgrades the offerings. Seems to be dog friendly with a board advertising dogs needing adoption. Will come back.

Victoria Li
Victoria Li

One of my favourite lattes I’ve had recently. I also got the ham and cheese croissant which was fresh but a bit oily. I went on a Thursday morning, the line did take pretty long.

Rebecca Rodriguez
Rebecca Rodriguez

Came here with a friend. Cute little place with a simple menu and a great vibe. The employees are super friendly and the art is really nice. The merch is well designed. Great place to meet a friend or for a drink to go.

Rebekah Dale
Rebekah Dale

Found this place by its high reviews when looking for coffee between the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach and couldn't have been happier with our discovery. Great coffee and excellent pastries. The pastry was a surprising discovery as it was high on flavor without being overly sweet. The shop had a cute interior. Also love the name. Will definitely be back if we're in the area again. Highly recommend.

Caroline Davis
Caroline Davis

I LOVE the vibe and atmosphere in here, and they had a dispo camera where you could take pics on and they print it out every week and put it in a book which is such a cool and fun concept! Coffee so good and banana bread was FIREE

N
NICK MENNELL

Four Stars - Caffeinated Excellence with a Side of Wait Time Gnarwhal Coffee is proof that good things come to those who wait. And wait. And sometimes wait a little more while staring longingly at the espresso machine. But HERE’S THE THING: unlike my Ojai Burger experience where excellent service couldn’t save a tragic patty, Gnarwhal’s coffee is SO GOOD that the wait becomes a mere character-building exercise. I ordered a latte and when it finally arrived, I understood. This wasn’t just coffee - this was art. The kind of art that makes you forgive the fact that you considered just going home and making instant. The baristas clearly care deeply about what they’re doing. You can see the concentration, the precision, the love. They’re not just making coffee; they’re performing tiny caffeinated miracles, one cup at a time. The vibe is chill, the space is cool, and honestly, the wait gives you time to really appreciate the fact that you’re about to consume something special. The fifth star is being held hostage by the speed of service, but everything else? Chef’s kiss. Would I come back? Absolutely. Would I bring a book? Also absolutely. If you’ve got time and taste buds that deserve respect, this is your spot.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A
Arkady Borkovsky

A pleasant place, great location. Nice staff - Shy was very helpful and professional. Average coffee (I had a breve to go) - stop by for one if nearby, but it is not a destination place. The coffee is quite strong — eg much stronger than the one at Intelligentsia I head earlier today. (Restrooms for customers only)

Y
Yü Wu

This popular coffee shop between Santa Monica and Venice was packed on Sunday morning when I visited it. I enjoyed the convivial atmosphere, and bright space. There are small tables both inside and outside the shop. Service was friendly, typical California style. I had a cortado and it wasn't bad. I just wish there was more complexity to the taste. I was attracted by the pastry case and had a croissant, especially because it's from a wholesale only bakery. Sadly it was not good—soft, damp and no flakes. The taste was on the sweet side.

D
Dennis Liew

I love cortados. Thus, I had to try it here, but I felt the espresso was a too bitter for me, so your experience may vary with other drinks that add more milk. I do love the atmosphere of the shop and the workers were friendly. The pain au chocolat was pretty good, but not super fresh.

I
Iris Curls

Super cute beach vibe coffee shop. It’s rare to see pistacho croissants!!! I literally only get lucky on the weekend at farmers market but they had some here!! 🥰😋 super yummy!! Got a chia latte and it was ok wish it was a bit hotter and spicer. Still good tho.

NICK MENNELL
NICK MENNELL

Four Stars - Caffeinated Excellence with a Side of Wait Time Gnarwhal Coffee is proof that good things come to those who wait. And wait. And sometimes wait a little more while staring longingly at the espresso machine. But HERE’S THE THING: unlike my Ojai Burger experience where excellent service couldn’t save a tragic patty, Gnarwhal’s coffee is SO GOOD that the wait becomes a mere character-building exercise. I ordered a latte and when it finally arrived, I understood. This wasn’t just coffee - this was art. The kind of art that makes you forgive the fact that you considered just going home and making instant. The baristas clearly care deeply about what they’re doing. You can see the concentration, the precision, the love. They’re not just making coffee; they’re performing tiny caffeinated miracles, one cup at a time. The vibe is chill, the space is cool, and honestly, the wait gives you time to really appreciate the fact that you’re about to consume something special. The fifth star is being held hostage by the speed of service, but everything else? Chef’s kiss. Would I come back? Absolutely. Would I bring a book? Also absolutely. If you’ve got time and taste buds that deserve respect, this is your spot.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Arkady Borkovsky
Arkady Borkovsky

A pleasant place, great location. Nice staff - Shy was very helpful and professional. Average coffee (I had a breve to go) - stop by for one if nearby, but it is not a destination place. The coffee is quite strong — eg much stronger than the one at Intelligentsia I head earlier today. (Restrooms for customers only)

Yü Wu
Yü Wu

This popular coffee shop between Santa Monica and Venice was packed on Sunday morning when I visited it. I enjoyed the convivial atmosphere, and bright space. There are small tables both inside and outside the shop. Service was friendly, typical California style. I had a cortado and it wasn't bad. I just wish there was more complexity to the taste. I was attracted by the pastry case and had a croissant, especially because it's from a wholesale only bakery. Sadly it was not good—soft, damp and no flakes. The taste was on the sweet side.

Dennis Liew
Dennis Liew

I love cortados. Thus, I had to try it here, but I felt the espresso was a too bitter for me, so your experience may vary with other drinks that add more milk. I do love the atmosphere of the shop and the workers were friendly. The pain au chocolat was pretty good, but not super fresh.

Iris Curls
Iris Curls

Super cute beach vibe coffee shop. It’s rare to see pistacho croissants!!! I literally only get lucky on the weekend at farmers market but they had some here!! 🥰😋 super yummy!! Got a chia latte and it was ok wish it was a bit hotter and spicer. Still good tho.

steve
steve

Good matcha and baked goods, but very expensive (to be expected) it’s good for a once and awhile treat. For non dairy milks the charge is $1 extra I thinks a little steep.

J
Jessica Rush

The atmosphere was great, at least in my opinion. I'm easy to please and not picky about my coffee. Unfortunately, my mom was with me, and she's much more particular. She wanted her coffee sweet but sugar-free, and with skim or fat-free milk. They didn't have any sugar-free creamer or fat-free milk.

Jessica Rush
Jessica Rush

The atmosphere was great, at least in my opinion. I'm easy to please and not picky about my coffee. Unfortunately, my mom was with me, and she's much more particular. She wanted her coffee sweet but sugar-free, and with skim or fat-free milk. They didn't have any sugar-free creamer or fat-free milk.

D
Dave

Not sure why I have to pry out of the staff what the pastries are. There are no menu indicative signs and they are filled with mystery things. I would ask what was in x and they would say one ingredient with some irritation. The electric plugs were obfuscate so you can't use them. Seems like this could be a great place of they choose it. Coffee. Average but not bad.

Dave
Dave

Not sure why I have to pry out of the staff what the pastries are. There are no menu indicative signs and they are filled with mystery things. I would ask what was in x and they would say one ingredient with some irritation. The electric plugs were obfuscate so you can't use them. Seems like this could be a great place of they choose it. Coffee. Average but not bad.

Natra
Natra

I come here almost daily and the service has deteriorated in the past few months. Today was the final straw. I was rung up by a woman (around 10:50am on a Friday) and ordered a pastry and a coffee - the same order I make almost daily. I sat down and after several minutes when the pastry still hadn’t been called out, I asked her about it. She said “I never rung you up for it” despite her confirming verbally what my order was before I paid. She then tells me to get BACK in line - not at all acknowledging that this was her mistake. I asked kindly if she would just ring me up and she got a major attitude about that. She rudely acquiesced at some point saying “can you be patient”. No apologies, no accountability. Her attitude of all the staff has always been the worst. She’s almost catatonic at the register. Nothing worse than someone who is both sloppy at their job and rude about it. The lack of service here is disappointing, blue bottle on the other hand knows my husband and I by name and never gets our order wrong - and if they did they would certainly handle it with more grace. Never coming here again.

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About Gnarwhal Coffee Co.

How to get there

3101 Main St Unit D, Santa Monica, CA 90405

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Gnarwhal Coffee Co.
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Highlights

Good Rating
4.4/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
314 reviews
👨‍🍳
coffee
Cuisine type

Services

🥞 Breakfast
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery

Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
7AM-4PM
Rating
4.4/5
💬 Reviews
314
⏱️ Typical Visit
People typically spend 15 min to 1 hr here
📞 Phone
+1 424-268-4000
🌐 Website
www.gnarwhalcoffee.com

Amenities

📶 Free WiFi
🅿️ Parking
🌿 Outdoor Seating
Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
🏘️

The Neighborhood

Location

3101 Main St Unit D, Santa Monica, CA 90405

📍 Explore the Neighborhood

Weather
18°
Weather updated hourly · Jobs and events refreshed daily
Venice Heritage Museum

history museum in Los Angeles, California

A 141m
Fraser's Million Dollar Pier

U.S. amusement park (1911–1912)

A 330m
The Ellison Heritage

historic building in Venice, California, United States

A 476m
Pacific Jewish Center

Orthodox synagogue in Venice, California

A 561m
California Heritage Museum

heritage museum in Santa Monica, California

A 608m
Ozone Park

park in Santa Monica, California

A 793m
Los Amigos Park

park in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America

A 843m
Ocean Park Beach

beach in Santa Monica, California, United States

A 846m
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