I am disappointed with the consistently poor service. The coffee isn’t bad and I came numerous times only due to location, but Café Luxx is nearby and has much better service and great coffee. The poor ambience created by the baristas, who are unfriendly and self-absorbed. After all, it’s only a café, not a Michelin star restaurant.
Huong N.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Santa Monica, CA
Bright minimalist décor + pretty, delicious coffees. Love this perfect coffee shop on Montana for meetings with friends/clients or just a morning of work. There’s lots of seating inside and outside, as well as a large communal table. Simple and just what you need in a coffee shop. The staff is also super friendly. I’m a fan!
Paul B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Juan Capistrano, CA
This place is terrific all about quality not about quantity. Across the street from a Starbucks this is definitely the place to come for a great cup of coffee in my case a great mocha!
Hanna L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Los Angeles, CA
Really good almond milk iced latte. If you’re willing to spend a few $$ then do it.
Sean S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Glendale, CA
Up scale and good quality coffee and beans. They have pastries as well. Overall the space may be a little small but it’s a nice atmosphere and not too loud in my experience
Cindy L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Pasadena, CA
Solid cappuccinos here. First time, I tried a café au lait which was just OK. No wi-fi. Hip vibe on Montana if you’re looking for good coffee and something cool.
Rachel R.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Santa Monica, CA
The best way to describe this place? Hipster meets upscale. The shop is decorated very minimalistically, with a lot of black and white, natural wood, and metal, giving it a sleek, modern vibe. And the people that work here look super hipster(think fancy mustaches and lots of plaid), like they came straight out of Portlandia. I was also wowed by their use of beakers; when the beakers come out, you know this is fancy, hipster coffee. My boyfriend and I got mochas here and we thought they were just alright. They were rich and chocolate-y, like any good mocha should taste, but they weren’t very unique or memorable. The serving sizes are also pretty tiny for the amount you’re paying. His large was almost the same size as my small. I may give them another try someday, but until then, I think I’ll stick with other places where I can get more for my money.
Peter P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Santa Monica, CA
The nicest people, open, airy space and truly great coffee! I like their single shot latte a lot, my kids swear by their vanilla milk steamer. They have some out door seating, facing the sun. Great hang out spot!
Greg G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
The coffees and teas are excellent! The overall ambience is eclectic, modern, and minimalist! They serve delicious muffins, and pastries! I had a creamy cappuccino!
Jonah H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Santa Monica, CA
Nice place but the prices are crazy. I asked for a cup of coffee. It was $ 5. I asked how much for a latte? She said it was $ 4.50. That was strange. I just feel like it’s the emperors new clothes. The coffee is just coffee. Nothing too special. I guess the rent is just super high.
Jialing W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Santa Monica, CA
Primo Passo is my favorite neighborhood artisanal coffee shop. Lately I’ve been getting their nitro cold brew quite a bit, it’s delicious, well balanced, and doesn’t give me crazy coffee jitters like their iced coffee does(I’m a lightweight when it comes to caffeine). I love that Primo Passo isn’t so crowded with people on their laptops conducting work meetings all through the day. It’s a place where people actually meet to hang out and talk to each other. It’s light, bright, and the service is always super friendly. I like to conduct business meetings here as well as meet friends here, or just come to read a book or pick up a Sunday morning coffee. There’s also a nice area out on the side to hang out with your dog. Also– they also have good pastries(not sure where they source them) to pair with your morning cappuccino/latte. Free 2 hr valet in the back with validation.
Brittany F.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Los Angeles, CA
Love the look and feel of this Montana coffee shop and what’s better is that their drinks are fabulous tasting as well. I ordered the chai latte with almond milk. It was a bit spicy, creamy and a lovely foam on top. A small was 8 ounces and a bit pricey, but really tasty and just what I wanted on a cool October morning. The space is gorgeous and they have a variety of baked goods to whet your appetite as well. I’ll be back.
Shi K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Hacienda Heights, CA
Latte is good. Portion of the milk and coffee is perfect for me. But the art of the latte perhaps need to improve a bit. Taste is good, staff are friendly. It’s a good location. Escape from the crowded Santa Monica pier. Pretty nice design, love their long bar table at the back. Parking is not a problem there. Small parking lot across the street or parking on street. Good place for doing your own stuff, chat with friends, escape from the crowded Santa Monica.
Ali L.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Santa Monica, CA
The girl at the counter tried to charge me $ 6 for a kombucha, when on the menu it is clearly states $ 5. When I asked why the reason for the extra $ 1 charge, it was because I had asked for no ice with the kombucha. This wasn’t stated anywhere on the menu and she had not told me in advance of the overcharge. Sure, it’s a buck, but the way that she snuck it in there was not appreciated. The $ 3 iced hibiscus tea that I received was ¾ ice cubes, and had almost no flavor. It tasted like a leftover celestial seasonings tea bag was soaked in the water for an hour or two. Won’t be returning after this experience.
Emily P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Their coffee is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up; it’s strong, smooth and delicious, what more could you ask for! I asked the barista for recommendations and after I decided between hot or cold drinks, he pointed me in the direction of the cappuccino, saying that the espresso they were pulling today was really smooth. Enticed by that, I went with it, and less than 5 minutes later, I had a perfect cup of cappuccino. The décor of ppcc is quite minimalist, which made for a great background for my coffee. I like that there’s a variety of seating arrangements, with a large table for groups or doing work, a long bench with tables set up alongside and chairs on the other side, more suitable for a coffee date with someone(or just yourself!) and then more tables in the back that would be good for a work session too. Overall, decent pricing, delicious coffee, and chill vibes made for a great coffee experience, will definitely be back!
Jack G.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Los Angeles, CA
Cute place. Very simple. The baristas don’t really help you if you’re new to coffee or make any recommendations. Of all the flavors and they chose to be salty. Tsk-tsk. Coffee is ok. I got the caramello. For a sample size cup that is served at Costco $ 4.75 I expect better service, better attitude, and a manicure.
Steven F.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Boston, MA
Love the minimalist space — an Instagrammer’s dream. Don’t forget to try the peanut butter cookie sandwich. Delicious.
Jalop N.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Sit outside. Go ahead. Sit outside and stare puzzlingly at the low-rent patrons of the Starbucks right across this place. I certainly shook my head and was, ever so briefly, hating Americans for what they’ve become. Primo Passo Coffee is a languid coffeeshop brimming with character(well, for Montana Avenue at least) and with drinks crafted to near-perfection. On top of that is the spacious outdoor alfresco seating that would have you imagine you’re wearing a beret and being snooty. Yes, it’s a bougie white people place. So judge, throw shade, cock a snook at the people across the street shaking their Frappucinos to make the ice melt faster so they still have some left to sip. JUDGE.
Sandee T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Los Angeles, CA
Primo(def: «valuable or essential») coffee for sure ~ * GET — Latte = friend loved her pretty concoction * GET — Tea latte = it took awhile for it to brew/drip but it was very light & delish… barista told me he tried to draw a heart on mine«but it ended up like a blob»…haha! A for effort * YES — Really enjoy the open high-ceiling clean-line décor concept * YES — Buzzing busy on a weekend morning * YES — Long thin communal table in back(checkout that glass ceiling light) * YES — Friendly baristas * YES — Offers selection of baked goods and macarons * YES — Great place to read/work or catch-up with friends * WOA(words of advice): — Lots of street metered parking, free on Sundays — Accepts credit cards
Elizabeth L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Very cute coffee shop! Forgo the Starbucks across the street and come here! So much beautiful natural light and all white walls make this place a real pleasure to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. However, there’s currently no wifi, so maybe not a great place to study. The latte was delicious, mild, and beautiful. Service was quick, and I will definitely be back!