Easily my new favorite cafe on the Eastside! Monolith does not disappoint with present and ambiance. If you can snag a seat, then enjoy the well-curated almost cocktail-like caffeinated drinks. True to form, rocks are throughout the space and as if in a geological museum your drinks are specimens to be desired. I only wished I tried their flight of signature caffeinated drinks. There was constantly a line wrapped around this bouquet-y style cafe so expect a little wait and the prices to match. Not a study space but great for a friend date. read more

The centerpiece is Monolith's rotating seasonal menu called "In Four Movements," a lineup of composed drinks that changes roughly every three months. What to order * Rush: A standout from the "In Four Movements" series, this layered drink combines espresso with orange juice, oleo saccharum, jasmine, and sage before being nitro-infused. It is finished with orange blossom mist, fresh zest, and an orange gummy bear garnish. * Echo: A caffeine-free drink built on apple juice with ginger, cinnamon, and house-made apple syrup. Topped with soba cha cream and dried apple, it drinks like a chilled slice of apple pie with a lightly savory edge. * Still:Hojicha meets chocolate burnt sugar and malt, along with banana vanilla and mint syrup. Miso caramel cream, nori crumble, and soda cracker add texture and umami. * Rift, a cold brew infused with bonito and kombu syrup, yuzu, and genmaicha matcha before being finished with applewood smoke. This is definitely a must do experience, but Expect a wait. read more

Sat 4.11.26 actually excellent quality compared to the many matcha places I frequent in LA, the matcha latte here was made very cohesively. Did not feel there were any hints at all of tacky sweetness or milk choice. My bf ordered the non-caffeinated soba cha. Has apple juice as an ingredient. Unique to the point that he wanted to sit down and finish the drink instead of taking it out. Cozy small setting. Rocks very cool. Shoutout to the creative director fr. Staff were cool. Lots of free street parking read more

Monolith Coffee - Vibe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Went to Monolith during their soft opening. The line was long, try to be there earlier. I ordered the set that elaborate coffee and Apple and Orange favors. I personally like the Rift the most. It is a cold-blow with Yuzu with presentation as an Old-Fashioned cocktail. For sure will be back. read more

Monolith Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

The SGV demands legit 3rd wave coffee spots. This spot is gorgeous inside and worthy of social media. Unfortunately, the drinks leave much to be desired. I visited on a Friday at 2pm. There was no line and plenty of parking. I was the only one to order, so I didn't wait long. I got the Rift and the Rush. Unfortunately, there were barely any open seats, so I had to put my drinks on a bench. My critique has to do with the recipe and execution. Reading the drink ingredients sounds exciting and innovative like a mocktail. Unfortunately, the execution leaves much to be desired. Instead of focusing on the coffee flavor and nuances of the roast, the drinks were merely coffee inclusive with barely a hint. The other ingredients were missing. Why do you say there's yuzu or kombu leaves? I could hardly taste any of these components. I'm unsure if it's the original recipe or the execution was lacking, but it's so unfortunate to read about the drink, have some expectations, and hardly taste any of the flavors. I felt like I drank a light OJ and some water. This place could truly be special if it paid attention to the execution. read more

I tried their Rush coffee and matcha latte and was impressed with the drinks and overall vibes. The cafe was very aesthetically pleasing with an earthy modern look - rocks serving as the bases of tables, smaller rocks hanging on the walls, and numbered pebbles as order numbers. They also sell coffee beans and merch on the side. I was impressed with the flavor of the rush coffee which had an espresso shot with orange juice and garnishes. The quality coffee shot nicely complemented the orange flavors and textures (fresh orange zest and garnishes), elevating the drink experience. The foam on the drink was exceptional and made the drink very elegant, fragrant, and fun. I also got matcha latte which was very solid too, it tasted more uji type of style (not sure if it was or not), and although I prefer more roasted deep umami matchas, it was solid! I would definitely come back for the rush coffee since it was a quality drink and they also served it in a cute cocktail glass, making it feel like a hand crafted cocktail experience! It is quite expensive for some drinks ($9 for the rush coffee). Otherwise, it was fun watching the baristas make the drinks. Some drinks were individually infused with smoke! I found street parking easily. read more

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Very interesting and fun concept! Glad I was able to try Monolith Coffee but man it's pricey! Definitely worth it if you're coming to treat yourself or slowly sip and catch up with friends. The size of their signature drinks is like a small cocktail or martini glass so it's not very worth, but the taste is very intricate and fun to try. I arrived at 10am on a weekend and it was packed. Difficult to find seating and the line was very long (wrapped all around the cafe to the restroom). Luckily they're pretty quick to make their drinks so that wait isn't very long. There's only one gender neutral bathroom but it's large and clean. No outlets or large desks - so I wouldn't do work here or bring my laptop or read. read more

Monolith is an Asian inspired third wave coffee shop and roaster in Alhambra. As some other Yelpers have mentioned, definitely come here with an open mind as their signature drinks really push the boundaries of coffee flavors. These drinks are innovative and delicious with some creations paired with fresh fruit and others even having savory and/or spicy notes. They also roast specialty coffee beans in house, including Geisha varieties, mosto co-fermentation, nitrogen washed fermentation, thermal shock fermentation, and so forth. Monolith has quickly become one of my go to spots to pick up exciting and unique coffee beans to use at home. The ambiance is clean and hip following the rock theme implied by their name. A fun place for those wanting to enjoy high end coffee. Do expect to pay a premium for the luxurious coffee here but for me the experience is worth every penny. read more

Monolith Coffee - Tide signature coffee drink Finca Milan nitrogen watermelon coffee beans - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

I only recently encountered Monolith's name when I was at nearby Yihui Coffee (which is also excellent), and I saw that they carried their coffee beans. So imagine my surprise when I saw that they decided to open up a storefront close by in Alhambra. I monitored their social media to see when the soft opening would be, and knew that I had to stop by. Monolith's space is decorated entirely in line with their theme/name. You quite literally see rock and stone motifs everywhere. I stopped by with some friends and we ordered three of their signature drinks (the Rift, the Echo, and the Still; unfortunately, the Rush was sold out by the time we ordered). The drinks are quite pricey, all hovering around $10+, so keep that in mind. I would say it's definitely an elevated coffee experience, so it appeals to your niche coffee-fans, but can definitely be a step too far if you're not that kind of coffee enthusiast. My favorite of the three was the Still. I liked the nice subtle sweetness of the Houjicha, and it was arguably the most "normal" of the three drinks. I think the cracker on the side with the miso caramel cream was a fun idea, if maybe a little too abstract. I wasn't quite sure if I should be dipping some of it into the drink or just munching on it separately on the side. The Echo was also nice and refreshing, with a clear apple note shining through. The Rift is definitely the most unique of the three. It had a noticeably savory element, and it felt like my tastebuds were trying to identify different ingredients the entire time. Be aware that during the soft opening times, the lines may be quite long. We took about 40 minutes in line before we ordered, although the drinks did come quite quickly afterwards. Parking is easy enough to find in the larger lot behind the shop. read more

This coffee shop just opened up! The ambiance is quite nice . They were definitely on brand. I had their cappuccino with their Finca beans. It was dialed in to the T. Really nice nutty and chocolate flavor notes. Well balanced. They really know how to brew and roast coffee with depth. Thanks for the coffee . Will be coming back more frequently. read more

Monolith Coffee - Cappuccino with coffee pound cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Hip, visually aesthetic coffee shop on valley blvd. A rock themed coffee shop with a sleek design. Typical pricing for the area now with coffees costing about $5+. Service is great, everyone is nice. read more

I think they tried hard to create a trendy coffee shop, but the interior design creates some practical issues. The central coffee station takes up too much space, leaving the seating area feeling small, crowded, and uncomfortable. The pastries are average at best, and the signature drinks with the large ice cube don't offer good value. The oversized ice cube takes up so much of the cup that there's very little actual coffee, so you can finish it in just a few sips. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this coffee shop. read more

First. It's hard to respect the negative comments of people who do not understand what a SOFT OPENING is! When a business is newly formed and opens to the public -EXPECT A LONG LINE! And don't whine about it. To avoid it wait until they've been open for a bit. Now that I got that out of the way.... I am SO GLAD MONOLITH is in a Class by Themselves like ELOREA! in Korea Town. We've needed something that wasn't yet ANOTHER cookie cutter coffee shop. Something with Class and Creativity. Something for people who have elevated above Starbucks and Da Vien! Here is what Monolith is GIVING: Vibe: Minimalist stone + speakeasy energy Why it hits: This isn't coffee-it's crafted like a cocktail experience Drinks come with tasting cards Seasonal menu = like a 4-course story! Feels hidden, intentional, slow Monolith is NOT a "latte shop." It's a coffee tasting experience disguised as a café- drinks are built like cocktails with layers, textures, and even smoke. Verdict: If you want presence + depth + conversation, this is #1. MONOLITH DRINK PLAYBOOK (what to actually order) 1. The Rift (signature / conversation starter) What it is: Cold brew Yuzu (citrus brightness) Bonito + kombu syrup (yes... savory umami) and Applewood smoke Why it HITS: This is their "Old Fashioned" equivalent - smoky, layered, slightly wild. Order this if: You want to pause mid-sip and go "Wait... what IS this??" Energy: Bold. Memorable. Not basic. 2. The Echo (soft, warm, disarming) What it is: Apple juice base Buckwheat tea and Cinnamon-ginger foam Why it HITS: No coffee, but still deep. It lands emotionally warm, not stimulating. Order this if: You want the conversation to feel safe, open, and grounded Energy: Disarming. Gentle. Soul-level. 3. The Rush (bright + alive) What it is: Espresso Orange juice and Nitro / layered texture Why it HITS: It's citrus + coffee done RIGHT (rare). Feels like morning sunlight in a glass. Order this if: You want light, playful, energized conversation Energy: Alive. Uplifting. 4. The Still (quiet power) What it is: Hojicha (roasted green tea) and Nutty, earthy, slightly savory Why it HITS: This is the understated killer!! It's calm, grounded, mature. Order this if: You're leading with presence, not performance Energy: Centered. Anchored. Because their menu is built like a 4-part composition ("In Four Movements") each drink plays a role in a bigger narrative. For these types: you're not rushed you respect the craft you're here for the experience For my energy and how I show up: Me: Rift / Still Evonne: Echo / Rush Me = grounded / intriguing Her = open / expressive WHAT NOT TO DO Don't default to a vanilla latte Don't rush the order Don't treat it like caffeine *This place rewards slowness + curiosity FINAL WORD You're not grabbing coffee. You're setting a tone: "We're not here to consume - we're here to experience." Order like that... and the whole conversation shifts. Welcome to ALHAMBRA!! read more

Monolith Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

I'm from Houston but I go here when I'm with my family in California! I love it here. It's such a unique take on coffee! read more

Monolith Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

The highly anticipated coffee shop just opened in Alhambra and this spot has definitely exceeded my expectations. The moment I walked in it felt like I transported to another planet. From the different textures, the lighting, the way the space is designed, i was honestly speechless. The craftsmanship behind each drink made the whole experience feel more elevated and I loved how each drink came with its own tasting card. Definitely get the ECHO (non-caffeinated) and RUSH! They also roast their own beans, and the menu has so many good options it was hard to choose. I'm so happy to see more spots like this opening up in SGV. read more

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Instagram : @yeapeats Came by during their last day of soft opening and was pleasantly surprised. I honestly thought it was just going to be another basic café with the usual drinks, but they really tried to do something different here. They still have the standard coffees and lattes, but their specialty drinks are what stand out. I tried the "破Rift," and it was smoky--in a really good way. I've never had a drink with that kind of smoky aroma before, and it made the whole experience feel unique. Definitely something I'd order again. I'd come back just to try more of their specialty drinks. They also have a wide range of seating, which is nice if you want to hang out for a bit. Another plus is that the queue is inside, so you don't have to stand outside in the heat while waiting. I also heard the owner used to work at Holos Coffee, which might explain some of the creativity behind the menu. The only con for me is the pricing. It's definitely on the expensive side--my drink was $11. Side note: if you're planning to come close to closing, keep in mind they cut off the queue about ~30 minutes before closing, so don't come too late. read more

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Sucks, I was pretty excited to try this place, but they served my partner and I sour coconut milk with our matcha. Coconut milk spoils fast, so they should have a better labeling system. We were refunded, but it's left me with a pretty bad upset stomach. read more

The Monolith is as Bad A$$ like the Sith with the Jazzy vibes you can't Fug with. You'll get so lit like hitting a Spliff. So let me tell ya what I was freaking with. Their Fabulous Four was the tasty score I was looking for and it most definitely delivered and more. I started off with the Still which is a Hojicha that comes with a miso caramel cream and a cracker. This was a nice start to the experience. Next was Rush and this was a single shot espresso with orange juice topped with lemon zest. Third drink was Rift and that's a cold brew with applewood smoke and what's unique about this drink is that they smoke it before serving it to you. To end the morning the last drink was Echo and this was a Soba Cha with apple juice, cinnamon and ginger. All their drinks are unique and the presentation was so eye pleasing. My favorite would be a tie between the Rift and Rush. The service was on point and I'm sure it will stay like that. The decor and design is creative and it's definitely a spot I see myself being at especially with the jazz vibes flowing. That's my take, Peace... read more

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So, nothing is good unless it's actually good. I had this place bookmarked and wanted to try one of their, what I'll call, coffee cocktails. I love the genre. The Rift. I did see the bonito in the ingredients list, and trusted that the recipe was tested and tasted and tweaked. The smoke aroma was cool for a second and then it was just unappealing. It comes with a large ice cube. On top of the cube rested some tea leaves. If you drink it slowly or tilt it too much, those leaves would fall into your drink, and then you'd have leaves that looked like they were part of the burnt smoke, in your mouth. Anyway I was drinking it fast enough, and it was going pretty well with the nice yuzu flavor, until towards the bottom of the cup where the bonito kombu syrup had sunk. And then it was just drinking fishy coffee. Bleh it was bad. The financier made me so sad. Financiers are one of my favorite French sweet treats. But this one had no crispy exterior whatsoever, not even one crispy edge. On top of that, it was dry. It was a dry spongy cake made in a tiny financier mold. Thank goodness for the chestnut cream on top. Apparently it's made by one of the owners. Oof. The person who took my order was super nice, very kind and helpful. I might go back to try one of their pour overs because of him. read more

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Vibe & aesthetic 10/10 Coffee and food 7/10 Seems dog friendly. I'll def be coming back bc of the crowd it attracts. A refreshing place for modern 626 ppl to go to. read more

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3/7 Soft Opening Very interesting modern, nature/earthy interior environment. Plenty of sunlight. Great for relaxing, studying, dates. Drinks might be considered on the pricier side but dedication to presentation and quality compensates. read more

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It's 9:15am. Why aren't you guys open?? Why are you still setting up at this time? You should have came earlier to set it up in time for 9am open time. The line is just getting longer and longer. We're clearly stupid people for still waiting here. I'm leaving. You guys are amateurs. Such a waste of time. read more

if you know specialty coffee, you'll get it. i fear if you don't, you might not appreciate it as much. i loved everything about this place except for the wait, but i understand they're barely on their soft opening. this place is so aesthetically pleasing but also the coffee matches their aesthetic. i am so happy this place is down the street from my house. excited to try other drinks on the menu! p.s. they offer apple juice for kids for $2! (not on the menu) read more

Monolith Coffee - rift - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Fancy fancy fancy. The fancy coffees in the area. The good news...it was good. Worth the price? Depending on how you normally spend your money. For the 626 area, it was on the pricey side. Very creative. Somewhat impressive. I tried almost all the coffees here. It all tasted great. Try it. read more

Phenomenal atmosphere if you enjoying being outdoors and feeling luxury. There was a great selection to order something new and advancing coffee flavor profiles. It's an intimate place to catch a breathe and relax. The service is well spirited and systems are organized to get orders quickly! read more

Monolith Coffee - Rush Espresso and Ice Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

Different and delicious! Unique design concept was very amusing and nice vibe when dining in. Flavors were wonderful. I forgot the names but both were recommended for done in only and I cam see why. The presentation is key to some drinks on the menu. I would definitely go back. read more

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This is like the 3.5th wave of coffee. They're quite used to lines for a place that usually sees people dine in. Parking lot in back is a bit small, but plenty of street parking. I would come here twice - once to see for myself, and a second time to show someone else. Not a great place to work, mostly just an experience. Rift - interesting cold brew flavor combination. It's definitely different. You haven't tried this before. I don't like the savoriness of the kombu though. Still - This was a favorite. Probably the least abrasive, comes with a yummy cracker & cream spread. They also sell beans that are really worth trying out. I liked their beans from yunnan. read more

we got an iced matcha latte (whole milk, sweetener) and the nestor lasso giving peak LA coffee vibes and performance but in the 626. matcha was good color and quality, just barely sweetened, and priced right in the middle of LA matcha prices at $7. i don't drink black coffee but my bf said it was good and the notes given on the info card were accurate and strong. staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. space is nicely curated with lots of seating but it does get busy fast and stays packed pretty much the whole time they are open. so if you're coming to work on anything, come early! read more

Monolith Coffee - matcha latte and nestor lasso iced black coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Very busy and hyped up coffee, but not without a good reason. It's a bit pricier than your average places but the coffee is very good. Worth the $$$. read more

Monolith Coffee - Long line but moves fairly quickly - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

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The coffee and tea were delicious. The baristas were amazing. The decor was cool and sleek. It's small inside with not a lot of seating but giving that the parking situation is lacking the seating doesn't matter. The line is a situation. Most people understand where to line up but while in line some people cut in and the cashier didn't correct them making the wait longer. It would be nice to have a sign to state where the line begins. Overall it was an okay experience. The coffee and tea were excellent but not worth the lack of parking and chaos of people cutting in line. read more

Always love the dine in options. There's always so much flavor and appreciate getting to taste unique flavor. Such a cute spot and the staff so helpful. Would love to be back again! read more

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for 9$ drinks, i expected alot more. the store is cute and the people were nice but the drinks were just okay. specifically, the breeze matcha had no sweetness at all, and the matcha flavor was almost absent. the coconut elephant was tasty but small, not sure if i would come back. read more

Monolith Coffee - breeze matcha & coconut elephant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

I can't decide if i love the interior design or hate it. It kind of feels tacky but also has it's charm. They feature cocktail-like drink menu and also offer range of pour over selections. I got an Ethiopia Alo iced and it was good. I also tried their signiture "Heat" drink and that was not as spicy as I hoped it to be. Tasted mostly like drinking diluted fruit vinegar. I think I'll just stick eith the pour overs next time, but still a very fun concept drink selection. read more

They know how to do espresso. Technical team of baristas do the craft well. They have a wide variety of flavors and the flights are unique. It's a small place but they get you right through. read more

Super cute & aesthetic ambiance inside but not going to lie, the matcha latte is bad. Literally just milk & green powder.. I don't know if people posting pictures are editing the color or I just got a lazy batch. Planning to come back & try other drinks since it's near my house :) read more

Monolith Coffee - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

Waited in line just to be disappointed with their matcha. I don't recommend this place for matcha. Ambiance was good. Service was ok.

I was disappointed with the coffee expereince today. Had the Hacienda Barbara but didnt taste any of the notes; the flavors were muted and felt dry. read more

Saw this place all over TikTok and decided to give it a try. Very beautiful interior and thoughtfully decorated. Right off the bat, the menu is kind of limited compared to the other local coffee shops. The person taking my order was quite nice but there was some confusion and I can hear them speaking about one of my adjustments. It was a lot of back and forth about an adjustment I get commonly at coffee shops of all scales and different places. Honestly felt a bit awkward to have staff question your adjustment while you're in earshot. Personally also feel that the price is very high and their cups are already very small. I asked for no ice in my drinks as I was planning to save it for the next day. I know most places do not fill to the top when you get no ice and I understand and am completely okay with this. Yet, the cup was only a bit over half full when I got it. Even adding an entire mug full of ice after, the liquid did not reach the top. I think the amount is a bit egregious for charging $8 for a cup. The drink itself was also just okay. I asked for vanilla sweetener and did not taste it in my latte. There was a decent coffee flavor but mostly tasted like milk. I like supporting local coffee shops and this place has a cool concept but the drinks lack a bit. read more

Coffee was good, service felt selective with the cashier off putting attitude and shortness. Didn't help explain menu but when another couple walked up after unprompted took the time to explain the menu to them. Not a welcoming atmosphere doubt we'll come back. Clearly they only want to serve a specific audience. read more

Monolith Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alhambra, California

A visual art masterpiece- zen meets mid-century meets high tech coffee uniqueness. Only open on the weekends. Stop by to savor the experience, not a perfunctory coffee run . read more