Coffee Cartel is a long-standing coffee shop in Riviera Village in Redondo Beach and there is a sign stating that this is Redondo's first authentic coffee house established in 1992. This coffee shop hosts open mic and poetry nights every Wednesday. [Parking]: There is a small free private parking lot, but don't expect available spots during weekends. There should be plenty of metered parking spots available unless Redondo Beach is hosting a festival weekend or a busy Sunday Riviera Village Farmers Market. [Atmosphere & service]: Welcoming and spacious indoor seating with sofa chairs and bookshelves - you can really see the decor this place has built up over time. The cashier was friendly. [Amenities]: No dogs are allowed indoors, but there are plenty of outdoor tables and benches. [Menu]: The menu is slightly confusing and hard to read - it probably can use a bit of cleanup or a makeover. Some of Yelp's highlighted drinks include Spicy Moroccan Mocha and Matcha Latte. They also have other drinks like Lavender Latte or Chai Latte. *** Matcha Latte (small & hot - $5.75): A solid matcha drink with the right amount of milkiness and matcha flavor. *** Even though Riviera Village has more coffee shops like Hi-Fi Espresso and Offset Coffee Roasters, this is still a good old local go-to coffee shop and a great first-date spot with plenty of retail shops to see around Riviera Village. read more

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5/10/26 Oh wow! They serve Gaviña (roasted)gourmet coffee, reason I think it'll be GREAT! Service is polite & trite but the coffee? Hot DanG!!! If it's Gaviña roasted-- WoWzaH I marveled at the sight of this coffee shop, Hubby would've fallen in love with the place had he set foot in it. It was quiet, like a library. One Yelper said it had been serving the community since before Strbx took over. That peaked my interest--so I'm here. Ordered the Spicy Moroccan mocha- boy, blew my socks off, spicy, but oh so good! Smooth, as I expected it to be. Eons ago, one of our clients was a direct descendant of the Gaviña roasting company & gifted us bags of their products daily -- I savored it every bit. They proudly honor their coffee. Parking is free but limited. Menu is extensive. If you live a good cup of Joe, come here & support. read more

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I really love this spot. It reminds me of chilling with friends at our local coffee shop in the early 00s or 1990s! The books, the antiques the unique chairs. How it feels old band REAL. It has a real personality! Patrons are kind and ok sharing what game they are playing when asked politely and honor the noise level of the space. Staff are very chill & also down to earth. I LOVE THE OPEN MICS ON WEDNESDAYS!! It's a supportive youthful crowd but OGs like me are there too hehe. Although this will all sound contradictory it's a very relaxing, exciting, deep, funny, experimental, messy, polished, eye opening, lax, experience. The people I brought now go and perform when they can! THE ONLY THING THAT CONFUSES ME is that on IG the open mic days are listed on a couple different posts as happening Wednesdays and Thursdays. Which is true but then they each have different locations and I think one had aa timeframe that was an hourl than it actually takes place? Posts and information about the open mics are also pretty scarce. locations. I DO know Wednesdays 7-9 are on. But Thursdays?? A friend of mine called to find out if Thursday open mics were happening over the span of two week. Nobody called him back over that time. So not sure about that. Summary: go if you heart chill 90s grunge vibe coffee shops. Awesome Wednesdays = inspiring scene and a smorgasbord of acts with a very youth driven supportive talent show vibe. Gets a bit Venice backpackers "lost boys" vibe after the show hehe. read more

Coffee Cartel - Pic of the street facing window. Much cooler and old school dusty retro vibe in there. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

I used to go to Coffee Cartel when I was in high school but haven't been in years. The place still looks the same - Relaxing! I got their chai latte which tastes like horchata, sweet and fitting for this holiday season. Parking could be difficult during peak hours but they do have a small free parking lot in front of their store. I think the worker was telling me that they have poetry night once a week and stay open till 9 pm, but they generally close at 6 pm. This is a great place to hang out, study, work, or catch up. read more

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The best coffee in the South Bay. Quirky, chill, quiet, mellow, artistic vibes. Nice staff. Delicious smoothies and treats too!

DELICIOUS DRINKS with fast service. This cafe is such a great place if you want to study or read a good book. It's peaceful and quiet with a cozy vibe. Pros: BEST drink I've had in a LONG time- perfect temperature and the right amount of flavor. Over all 5 stars on the barista skills. Cons: I didn't get a welcoming vibe. The service could have been friendlier, maybe it was a long day for them or they had other stuff on their mind. read more

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This is the antidote to a sterile corporate coffee shop (I'm looking at you Starbucks). Here the staff is friendly, there are comfy chairs and a bohemian atmosphere that is strangely comforting. Oh yea, the coffee is good too. read more

I remember going to Coffee Cartel when they first opened. Still the nice, cozy vibe with comfortable seating scattered about. The coffee is always very satisfying ... I usually get the a Columbian blend or dark roast .. black. Smooth and not bitter. Service is always friendly and welcoming. Tucked away off of Catalina in Redondo's village.. next to the Little French Bakery. read more

I love this place because they host community events. It's truly a place where people can authentically express themselves and develop artistically. And it's been that way for years. And it's comfy. And by the beach. The knock I do have on it is it's often cold and they don't have solid vegan food at all. I can't wait to come back! read more

Great coffee and great ambiance. This is a bit of a time capsule in the best way possible. I wish I lived within walking distance. read more

Coffee Cartel - Lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Beautiful ocean breeze and view of Nick Cage. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

This is such a charming little spot to get some work done. There's a fair amount of seating, though all the best nooks are usually claimed by the early birds. My favorite hideouts are the single tables tucked between the bookshelves--perfect for a bit of quiet productivity and light literary ambience. Their coffee is solid, though the lavender latte isn't really my cup of tea--literally. Not bad, just not for me. I'm more of a tea person anyway, and luckily, they have a surprisingly thoughtful selection. The atmosphere is cozy and calm, ideal for focused work... with a bit of casual people-watching on the side (guilty). I'll definitely be coming back for the tea, the vibes, and the occasional mental break disguised as "observation." read more

Coffee Cartel - Outside view from one angle - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

Quirky coffee shop with an even quirkier clientele. We sat outside as we had our pup with us and it was a nice summer day. I ordered an Aussie (!) flat white (as a Kiwi I object to this mislabeling of a flat white - may as well say the ubiquitous USA burger is Canadian!).....however it was the BEST flat white I have had in the USA, THE BEST! Strong, smooth, creamy, and decaf! Usually decaf is dishwater but this my friends was the real deal, bold, kick you in the taste buds non caffeinated luxury. Every sip was wonderful. I even forgave them for the Aussie insult. I will definitely be back to the cartel for more Kiwi flat whites ;) read more

I've been coming here since I've moved down from South Pass. The coffees and service is always consistently great. For the pastries you have to come earlier to enjoy fresh. I love the out door seating. I never sat inside as I'm not one of those homeless office(s) persons who capture free internet service. But, to each their own, right? Lol. Anyway, for locals or visitors from out of the area, it is a great place to get to know. I Love the area, the coffees, its close proximity to the beaches and to the sunshine. Enjoy! read more

Coffee Cartel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

I had an iced lavender latte and it was delicious! This spot is in a prime location with sooo many cute shops and restaurants and right by the beach!! They only have pastries but they're good. The staff is super sweet and the coffee came out quick. read more

Coffee Cartel - See more @coffeemeetsbaby - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

It is as good now as it was in 1996. Great service, great coffee, atmosphere is ecclectic, old school flair. I love this old haunt of mine! read more

Coffee Cartel - Cafe mocha and a cappuccino. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

Stopped into Coffee Cartel for a little content + caffeine moment and let me just say--that cherry rose tea latte with oat milk was giving. Floral, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent. My friend had a matcha latte (don't ask me what kind--something green and gorgeous) and we both were genuinely impressed. We asked for our drinks "for here" hoping for some of those cute cups for photo ops (because, obviously)... but were handed disposables instead. Womp. Also, I had to ask twice for water and finally just handed him the pitcher--he was sweet about it, but still. That said, the vibe is classic Redondo--laid-back, surfer-adjacent, and the drinks really were that good. I'll absolutely be back. Just give a girl a proper cup next time. read more

Coffee Cartel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

I literally made an account just to review this coffee because it was SO GOOD! Josias did an amazing job making me a mocha frappe. It has strong flavor and is super sweet, just the way I like it. I'm definitely coming back - I hope to try the boba next! Also, I love the vibe of this place. Relaxing music, beautiful and inviting decor... I was in a rush today but sometime in the future I'd love to sit down for a while with a delicious drink. read more

Coffee Cartel - Mocha frappe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

First time here. I have to say that although the place was located in a nice spot in Redondo Beach, the inside was a big letdown. As soon as I what I smelled a musty odor. I noticed that the light colored tile floor was dirty and the place was poorly decorated. It's had more of a dirty and strange vibe to it. The furniture didn't go well together at all. There were old bookshelves with books for sale. It looked like more of an old collection of books. The bathroom was painted black with a lot of graffiti written on it. Very strange and unappealing. It's such a shame as this place could be so much more. It could definitely use a makeover. I ordered the Spanish Latte and I told the barista that I didn't want it sweet. It was definitely too sweet but it could have been so much better if it was made as requested. A definite overall disappointment. read more

Coffee Cartel - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

Super cute, chill and cozy. Excellent location in the Riviera Village. Coffee is very good, employees are great. The bathroom could use some cleaning, however. read more

Always a go to whenever I'm in the area. Super nice atmosphere. Would love to just sit and chill one day. People are always nice here read more

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Very cool LA vibe inside, hipster central. ICED COLD BREW w/half & half and oat milk: -- quality very bold java -- wish they had whole milk -- tasty java RATING = A- read more

Fantastic vanilla matcha with oat milk made this Sunday morning! I tried two cafes down in the Rivera this morning; the yellow vase and coffee cartel! For science I needed to compare who made a better vanilla matcha with oat milk! Yellow vase was good but coffee cartel is one I would tell all my friends about! Great vibe and very sweet staff this morning at coffee cartel! read more

Still allowing homeless people to come and sit down in here all day, making messes, smelling terribly, and making it feel unsafe for paying customers. Such a bummer for this place. read more

I love going to Coffee Cartel for the giant space they have, free wifi, and speedy service. Everyone there is super sweet and patient - answering whatever questions I have in regards to my allergies. The parking is either in the parking structure or you can park in the metered parking and it's decent. I always like getting my chai lattes there because they are decently priced and are tasty! Very cute place to be especially when it's sunny - you can sit outside and enjoy the views of downtown. read more

So I stopped here on my way to the beach, I've been told it's good so decided to check it out myself. Parking is limited but I did find a spot as soon as I pulled in so it wasn't a problem. Along with the tables outside the coffee shop is a good size, there is also a lounge area that has some tables set up for the use of computers, book reading or just a simple coffee date. There is a separate area where you order and it's such a cute vibe like a little urban coffee shop!( it reminds me of the show "friends") When I walked up to the counter I didn't even realize the guy was right there who greeted me lol but he said hello and didn't keep me waiting. I told him I'd never been to the shop before and asked for a recommendation on what to order. He recommended the iced lavender latte since I asked for a cold drink and said it was the most popular. Honestly it was a great choice. Two shots of expresso, The coffee flavor was strong just how I like but not bitter like Starbucks (I am not a fan of their coffee flavors) ! Not too sweet, with the perfect amount of ice so it doesn't get watered down. Not to sound like my nose is in the air (i sound like a coffee connoisseur but really I am just a picky person with coffee). After taking a break from coffee in two months I am pleased that this was my experience after so long. I am enjoying my coffee as I write this. Definitely relaxing and would recommend making a stop here for some good coffee. read more

Coffee Cartel - Ice lavender latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

The coffee was good and the interior is cozy. There were tons of people inside, working, talking, sleeping, etc. which gives this place a lot of life and character. read more

Don't think you can get more local than this. Decent coffee with lots of food options. I can't say b the coffee is that spectacular or special. You'll come here mostly for the atmosphere. It's certainly a "hang out" place for the local eccentrics. Has an expat feel to it. Slightly odd. All and all, it's a cozy atmosphere with book lined walls. Plenty of seats and really kind, welcoming staff. Good vibes. There's a little parking lot that gets full quick. Plenty of rather pricey paid parking all around. read more

Saw the photos of the inside and instantly knew I had to be here. Walking inside, ur greeted by beautiful decorations and bookshelves. The inside of the cafe is so calm and perfect to study or do work. I got the Oreo frappe and it tasted like lucky charms which surprised me. Still it was delightful. I worked here for awhile before I had to go back to my university, so I really liked doing my work here. The bathroom is the last thing ur looking for in a review but I just had to since I thought it was so funny. I laughed for a long time when I walked inside. I don't even know why, I just did. Parking is poopy. Ur in a beach so u gotta go the streets or neighborhood areas. U could chalk this up to a skill issue. This doesn't affect the review in any way btw. One of my new favorite cafes I willl frequent. Good shit guys :p read more

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This is the perfect little coffee shop to go to if you want a quick latte (I'd try the lavender latte) or meet up with a friend. It's perfect for a casual date or meet up. The decor is pretty random but I think it adds to the charm. Whoever decorated it really likes Nicholas Cage lol. But the drinks are awesome and the book shelves are fun to take a peek at when you're bored of studying. Service is usually pretty quick. I would definitely recommend read more

Very hole in the wall! I've walked past it to go the brewery around the corner but never noticed it. It's my cousin's favorite spot. Def not touristy; mostly locals. It's a chill place. Music isn't loud. Lots of seating. People come to sit and study or read. We sat outside. I got a cappuccino and my sister got a cortado. Not bad! They do have a Pandan drink and Thai iced coffee. Might try those next time! We found parallel in front but seems a lot of people like to walk around the area. Staff was nice. Patient with us too. Drinks come out fast! Seems like a good place to grab your morning joe to start the day. read more

Coffee Cartel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

Just awful coffee. Never been to a coffee shop that overcharges for everything and still can't get the simple latte right. I ordered ice vanilla latte and it was just bitter as h. Even after i stirred it very well. When I got the drink, the top half was coffee. I didn't order it upside down latte. There was absolutely no vanilla flavor at all. I even asked for another squirt of syrup and it still tastes horrible. I suspect that they didn't use espresso but used normal brewed coffee, because this tastes more like coffee Au lait than a latte. For $7.25 plus the tip, I just have to throw away the whole cup. My friend got a coffee boba. And he didn't like it either. It wasn't creamy and had no sweetness other than from the boba itself. He asked for half sweet not no sweet. And they didn't even spell "sweet" right. SMH. He told me he's been to many places that have this drink and all of them were creamy and milky except for this one. I tried his and it tastes like my nasty latte with boba. So many coffee shops at redondo beach, go to somewhere that knows what a latte is. read more

Coffee Cartel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

Coffee Cartel has some history. I started coming here almost 20 years ago, almost exclusively in the late evening, as a meddling teenager with a caffeine fixation and an attraction to all things offbeat. It was a favorite spot to chill out and cuddle up on the couch, play a board game, and people watch. My go-to drink was a dirty chai. My husband and I paid our old haunt a visit this morning while in the area and it was nice to see it thriving! All the tables were filled. They no longer had their couches (curse you, COVID) but there were lots of individual soft spaces to sit (including a salon dryer chair, really spoke to my quirky soul). My dirty chai cost waaaaaay more than it did back in the day but I can still say it's probably my favorite. They've got a large menu and a ton of Torani syrups on hand, so I feel like there's something for everyone with lots of opportunities to customize. Baristas aren't very chatty like they used to be, but maybe that's for the better considering how busy they were at 11am on a Thursday. While the shop felt less cozy, it still had a lot of its charm that I fell in love with when I was younger. And the bathroom is still an absolute work of art. Never change, Coffee Cartel. read more

Coffee Cartel - They've decluttered a bit over the years but they still have the same soul. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

https://x.com/sdaniels009/status/1801641095392362799?s=46&t=4imzRyT4eZEPKyLEKkHjag Food ambiance and service are all amazing. read more

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Love this spot. Super chill. Love doing coffee dates here. Right by the beach, highly recommend.

Enjoyed a delicious cup of Mocha at the Cartel, one of our favorite coffee spots in the Riviera. The service was prompt and friendly. Lots of people inside reading or on their computer. We like sitting outdoors on this pleasant day. read more

Coffee Cartel - Outdoor seating area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

After getting pastries a couple weeks ago next door we came here for drinks to go along with our food. The service just okay, the guy at the register didn't really feel like answering questions about different coffee drinks and was very short with us, which might have been okay had there been a line behind us. Interesting coffee drink. Not sure we'd come back but maybe would try once more while walking in Redondo read more

Coffee Cartel - Coffee and more - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

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I like supporting local/small coffee shops, so I decide to give this one a try. I walked in on a Thursday morning. They had a handwritten note up: "If you can't leave a tip for coffee, then go to your nearest 711 for coffee." I wanted to laugh because I had never seen anything like this. It wasn't busy, yet no friendly smile or warm welcome. I ordered a "cup of Jo" with oat milk. My latte was $7+ and it was good, not amazing. Maybe because it was too warm and not hot like coffee usually is. The young barista smiled at the next customer in line and immediately her whole energy switched up, positive Polly because she knew him and he was a regular. Poor service, and poor business etiquette. I left no tip and I won't be coming back. read more

Terrible Experience - Won't Be Returning I had a really disappointing experience at Coffee Cartel. I ordered a decaf latte for myself and a Spanish latte for my cousin. Unfortunately, there were no markings on the cups to indicate which drink was which. We ended up mixing them up, my cousin accidentally drank my decaf, and I took a sip of her Spanish latte thinking it was mine. I had already added honey to it, but when I took a sip, it was unbearably sweet. That's when I realized I'd been given the Spanish latte loaded with condensed milk. I politely asked the tall brunette barista to remake it with less condensed milk, and instead of receiving good service, I was met with a horrible attitude. She talked back to me and acted like she was doing me a favor by saying she'd only use half this time. Her rudeness was so off-putting that my cousin almost just walked out with a drink she wasn't happy with, just to avoid confrontation. I had to convince her to have them remake it properly. The worst part wasn't even the mistake, it was the attitude and lack of professionalism. Definitely not going back. Worst treatment I've ever received from a barista. read more

Really great atmosphere, delicious drinks, the service was friendly. Great location! Parking in the area can be busy on a weekend morning so keep that in mind. Otherwise, we'll definitely be back. read more

Okay the coffee is good and the location is gorgeous, both inside and outside. HOWEVER, this place has its problems. For starters, the service is slow, but hey it's a cozy beach city hangout so fine. Still, it's a little too casual and it's super dusty inside. You can tell they don't clean the seating area often. I feel like it's something that you see on Gordon Ramsays nit-picking shows, but the place has some cool in stuff inside and just needs a little TLC. Anyway just sit outside or better yet, go walk the beach nearby with your latte. read more