right next to my campus and my new go to spot for 8 am classes!! everyone is super sweet and welcoming, and the menu offers so much, from coffee to early lunch items!! there's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating areas, lots of room to set up work and laptops, and walking distance from the smc campus!! always a treat going in!!!<333

First time visiting this coffee shop and we loved it! I was worried that there wouldn't be much seating, but the outside area at the back of the shop was a true gem. Great selection of non-coffee menu options and my husband said his oat-milk latte was the best he's had in LA. We'll be back for sure!

Happened to be in the area and looked for the highest rated coffee spot in the vicinity, landed here and was not disappointed the honey lavender latte was delicious and unique, but the shining star was the breakfast empanada what an unexpected treat.

Excellent coffee, really nice atmosphere in the outside seating in the back, and nice staff. I really like this cafe!!

What a great place! Awesome coffee. Had a latte and a mocha, which were both amazing. The barista/owner is from England, and great to chat with

I can’t speak highly enough about Lo/Cal Cafe on Pico in Santa Monica! This place has become my daily go-to spot, and it never disappoints. The honey lavender matcha and Chaga coffee are absolute favorites of mine. They’re crafted to perfection, and I can’t resist enjoying them every single day. One of the best things about Lo/Cal is the serene ambiance in the back, where I love to sit and unwind by the soothing waterfall. It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and I find myself in a state of relaxation every time I visit. The staff at Lo/Cal Cafe is genuinely friendly and welcoming. They create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making every visit feel like a treat. Not to mention, their food is fantastic! The menu boasts a delightful range of healthy and delicious options, and I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve tried. What makes this place even more special is that I know the owner personally, and he’s great! His passion for providing an exceptional experience shines through, and it’s evident that he cares deeply about the cafe and its patrons. Another huge plus is the free Wi-Fi they offer, which makes it a great spot for catching up on work or simply staying connected while enjoying their offerings. If you’re in Santa Monica and looking for a place that serves amazing drinks, offers a peaceful retreat, and has a top-notch team with an owner who genuinely cares, Lo/Cal Cafe is the place to be. I can’t recommend it enough, and it has easily become my favorite spot in the neighborhood!

I've been making my way through the coffee shops near my daughter's gymnastics class, and today I decided to give this one a try. It's a cute place with friendly staff, and overall I had a good experience. I only tried a latte, and while it was decent, it wasn't my favorite. The coffee flavor was a bit weak, and I think they may have added extra milk to fill up the cup. The latte art was nonexistent which means no care or pride was put into it. I'm a big fan of espresso drinks, and I love seeking out great coffee. It's disappointing when I can tell that no effort was put into making my drink. If I want a latte that looks like this, I'll just go to Starbucks. I like to be able to appreciate the artistry of a well-made latte, as well as enjoy the flavor. I think the coffee here has the potential to be good, maybe even a 4 or 5 star experience, if it's made with more care. I didn't try any food, but it looked good from what I saw. Overall, I'm willing to give this place another chance in hopes of a better coffee experience. I'm giving them a 3 star rating for now, but I could see that going up to a 4 or 5 if my next latte is better. **Ratings** Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Latte: 2 stars

We love this place. Amazing atmosphere. Very delicious coffee and avocado toast.

7 bucks for a cold brew is one thing, and granted this sandwich was mighty tasty but… good good 18 dollars just why?

The place has back patio. The coffee is passable, food (we tried breakfast sandwich and turkey melt) is not very good and overpriced for what you get

Atmosphere is nice but coffee is really weak. Got a large latte (16oz) that was $6.53. Was pretty much just milk. Definitely only put in 2 shots of espresso. You can get better coffee even at Whole Foods. Their 16oz latte has 3 shots of espresso and is $3.95. Or go to 10 Speed Coffee and their 16oz latte has 4 shots.

The Honey Latte was good, not too sweet. Chicken and spinach empanadas were tasty...Good work vibe inside.

Don’t go after 3:15 pm they will only offer cold brew on tap which is the same as not offering anything. I was told they turned off their expresso machine ten mins ago. Where is their manager?

Favorite coffee shop in this part of town. Make a great latte. Street parking can be tough but there’s a park across the street making it very convenient and easy.

Solid place, lots of locals where the baristas know most of the people coming in. Seating place a little too be desired, but for the space they have, no complaints. Coffee was good, no 3rd wave options. Sandwiches are bomb!

Nice small spot with a good amount of seating including outdoors behind the shop. The workers are very friendly and my matcha americano was great.

Really enjoyed my visit to Lo/Cal! I first found out about it after reading an article that listed their Green Eye drink as a unique matcha drink option in SoCal - it's matcha & espresso in one. I finally made it here and am definitely putting it on my list of cafes for regular visits! The folks working here are very friendly and helpful. I ordered the Green Eye with honey to sweeten it a bit and a strawberry chia scone that looked scrumptious. Their case of baked goods had so many tasty options! Options do include vegan & gluten-free (my scone was vegan). Loved both the drink & scone. This is a great spot to work from - tables inside & out, free wifi, and it's very peaceful and quiet in the back. Street parking was really available on a Thursday afternoon. Their merch looks fun, too. Highly recommend! Go for the green eye if you're a matcha fan 🍵 and don't miss out on the baked goods! My favorite part is no upcharge for non-dairy milk 😍

I was working in the area and decided i didnt want to walk very far. Their breakfast sandwich and beach city sandwich were both delicious and the coffee is strong in a good way. The staff and the woman I presume to be the owner is very nice even though I was making alot of noise out side of her business.

Definitely a cool little coffee shop. Great friendly staff. Coffee is tasty. Vegan options with pastries