EDIT TODAY: Management reached out to me the same day to reassure me they're putting a table back there, it's just going to be resized to better fit the new layout. This is the kind of awesome customer-first efforts that makes me such a fan of Primo Passo. I moved my review back up to 5 stars. Thank you so much, guys!! -- I've loved coming to Primo Passo for a long time. I actually drive from Culver City there because of the vibe, staff, coffee, and ability to chill, work, whatever. Even with no WiFi I've never complained because I just hotspot if I need to. But today I stopped by and one of their seating areas- namely the long table and seats near the front- was just totally gone. Replaced with more shelves of things to sell. The seating they've already had has been nice but limited. But now they've made if even harder to get a spot there. I mean, they could have put in the shelves and replaced the long table with a fairly large square table with seats (trust me, I scoped out the space for it) but so far nothing. Just shelves with more products and a big stand around space. With fewer and fewer 'third places' making people feel welcome, I'm disappointed in the less seating at Primo Passo meaning either I get even luckier grabbing a place to sit or I'm just SOL. The people and coffee are still lovely, but I won't be stopping by as often anymore. I was willing to do the drive before, but now I'll need to be in the area and not needing to bank on a place to sit and work or chill. I suppose the Starbucks across the street will do, but there are tons of those everywhere. read more

We stopped by to get afternoon coffee around 12:30, and it was pretty busy with only a few seats open. There's a lot of seating and space though, so it's a good spot to either hang out or even work (no loud blaring music!). We got the cinnamon cardamom flavor in both a flat white and latte. It was a delicious homemade syrup that I would recommend trying! Then my friend got a Guatemalan pourover that was good as well. Sidenote - the bathroom is well maintained and clean for those of you it matters to. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Cinnamon cardamom flat white and latte - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Vibe is industrial and modern with cool light fixtures and high ceilings. The place is always packed with people grabbing coffee and going, ans also sitting and relaxing its a Montana staple! Lattes are delicious, the best in Montana hands down! Delicious and consistent coffee every time, they never miss. Excellent service all of the baristas are welcoming and have great recommendations. This is my fav coffee spot on the westside. read more

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Great coffee. We got the vanilla and hazelnut latte. Smooth! Lines a bit long sometimes here and can get pretty busy! Service was quick. Casual ambiance. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Just went for a matcha latte that disappointed me, it was very sweet and milky. I feel like the amount of matcha in there was very lite and I did ask for a pinch of sweetener only... I don't think this is worth $8.25 Otherwise I really like ambiance of the spot, the atmosphere is calm and I like their small outdoor area to enjoy your drink too. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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My fiancée and I were taking a drive around the neighborhood on a Saturday morning and saw a line out the door of PPC so we knew we had to try it out. The line goes quick! And Ryan at the register was knowledgeable and helpful, welcoming us to the shop with a warm smile. We went with the vanilla latte (silky smooth, 20/10) at his recommendation, and the mint mocha (hint of fresh mint flavor and deep mocha, 20/10) - both iced with almond milk. For pastries, I had the everything croissant with cream cheese (20/10) and she had the triple blueberry muffin (15/10). For full transparency, and a reflection of their dedication to customers, we had a slight hiccup with our order - in the busy morning rush, our coffee orders were accidentally forgotten. After a few minutes, I asked the baristas about this and Ryan was quick to rectify the situation, even offering a complimentary gift card for our next visit. As you can see, the friendly service, phenomenal drinks and pastries make this an easy recommendation! We will definitely be returning customers! Shout out to the team today for a great first visit! read more

I used to love this place, but was disappointed at my last visit. I ordered a matcha latter easy ice and it was very ice heavy + the matcha in it seemed to be minimal. Not a fan of this drink that cost a whopping $8. That being said, nice staff, friendly service, and a large space with lots of seats. read more

Service was nice. Very spacious and nice seating! Lot of natural seating. Our drinks came out pretty fast. Everything tasted so yummy!! I wasn't super impressed very impressed by the house made vanilla latte! With oat milk it was absolutely creamy!! Very yummy local cafe! read more

Primo Passo Coffee - House Made Vanilla Latte, Soy Latte with Cinnamon, Mint Matcha - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

i loved the housemade vanilla in their vanilla latte, i just wish the milk was slightly less. i think next time i'd get an extra shot, the drink came with 2 read more

Primo Passo Coffee - House Made Vanilla Latte - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Primo Passo is a small neighborhood coffeehouse in the city's northern edge on the westernmost end of the upscale Montana Ave. This coffeehouse has a minimalistic ambiance with very limited indoor seating or study areas. There is a very small and limited outdoor seating area with a sidewalk that is used as their terrace. The service was mediocre, the coffee/matcha was quickly prepared but we found lacking. The baristas need to pay more attention to the quantity and quality of their creations as our Iced Cappuccino was lacking in quantity; the hot Mint Matcha could have more flavor as the taste was too mild, lacking the earthy flavor characteristic of a properly brewed matcha drink. There are better coffee shops in this general area. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Mint Matcha Latte & Iced Cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Every morning sip is unforgettable. Without further ado let's begin this awesome review. ;D Primo Passo Coffee Co. is a nice corner coffee shop in Montana Avenue, at 7th Street Santa Monica. Their business hours are Mon-Sun: 6:30am-6pm; it's perfect for early riser folks like myself. In addition to coffee, PPCC offer teas and pastries, mugs, coffee bags, merch, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors to enjoy a relaxing day. Its interior decor has a minimalist style with plenty of natural light from their large glass windows. Similarly, their front out door patio has good street view. I came here on a late afternoon Monday and was greeted by a male staff. I quickly perused their menu and ordered a Nitro Cold Brew. I liked it. Staff were nice and competent. Service was exceptional. Overall, PPC is a nice local coffee shop that opens early morning and offers good coffee products. I highly recommend you visit. read more

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I was gifted an LA Coffee Passport and this place was once of the place listed. Checked it out and it was all right. The scene's a bit pretentious but that's nothing to scoff at. There's seating inside and plenty more outside, and lots of natural light which I appreciate. The service was fine, barista was friendly enough (it was busy), the other baristas were interacting with the guests. I got a hazelnut latte which could've used an extra shot of espresso and easy on the steamed milk. My husband got himself a cold brew which he thought tasted a bit too acidic. All in all, the place is okay. I don't see myself coming here again, but if you're in Santa Monica, give it a go. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Came into the shop this past Saturday morning; barista's were working hard getting everyone's drinks out. A woman who had ordered online came in and started to berate the barista for making her drink wrong, not having it ready in time, etc. He handled it so well (Jasper was his name), was so calm, cool and collected. She tried to embarrass him and was unsuccessful. He even said her drink was on him. Just the epitome of class. I am visiting from Long Beach, but because of him I will be back. The coffee was also a 10/10! Homemade syrups!! Great job team, even when people don't appreciate what you do! read more

I got to try Primo Passo on the way home one day this summer. It was moderately busy, clearly a local favorite. The interior is beautiful. I really enjoyed talking to the barista that helped me, she was so kind! I tried an iced hazelnut latte, which is usually a go-to for me. Apparently they use real hazelnut here, but maybe I'm too used to the artificial stuff because it wasn't my favorite. I would come back to this shop another time to try something else (: read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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best coffee i've had in a while! I ordered the shakerato and it was a wonderful balance between the espresso, milk and dark chocolate. Normally I don't love chocolate in a latte but it compliments the espresso so well. I would come back if I am ever in the area! read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Do not go here !! The employee will sip your drink before handing it over to the customer . UNBELIEVABLE. Thought you only see things like this in person . Overweight female was the barista . The fact that she still works there is just beyond ... read more

Been a while... this is my day time routine place to sip my coffee. This coffee shop has very friendly baristas and local connected spot. However coffee taste is amazingly savory and pure. One of the best in the region honestly, I've seen some bad reviews for the shop, I couldn't stand those under rated review! Always calm and ocean breeze in the patio, you can not miss this place if you are visiting Sawtelle or Santa Monica or Brentwood area, I've tried almost all the coffee shops around here, trust me best coffee ever after Document coffee in K town!!! If you wanna sip a coffee over ocean breeze and sunshine and great people, come to this coffee shop , you would fall in love with read more

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Cutest spot for an outdoor coffee post church in my opinion!! They have ample seating and even a couple parking spots available! The coffee is tasty and served quickly, it even smells of berry coffee when you walk in. Sadly they do not serve pup cups (though you can bring your pups in to order which is nice!) and their cold brew could not be stronger / more bitter. The prices are pretty reasonable for LA and the baristas are a vibe. Perfect spot to grab a coffee and stroll to the beach :) read more

Best coffee in Santa Monica! We come here every weekend and always order coffee. The latte is amazing, the chai latte is just as good, and the masala tea is fantastic! The staff at the counter take your order quickly, and your drink is usually ready within five minutes. We always sit outside there's such a great weekend vibe every time we're here. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Latte - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Such a different coffee experience! They use raw sugar to sweeten. So the coffee isn't heavy loaded, even the chocolate is more natural. I got the mocha type coffee and it was exotic, strong but not overpowering. Even the chocolate covered cashews I had were similar. The place itself is very cool. Easy to get to. Service was pretty fast despite being busy. It's a quality place. read more

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One Star - Great coffee, but the attitude ruins it. I've been a regular at this coffee shop for a while because the coffee and pastries are genuinely good. Unfortunately, that's no longer enough to keep me coming back. Every single male employee I've encountered here is unfriendly, arrogant, and borderline rude. It feels like they know the place is popular, so they've decided they don't need to treat customers with basic courtesy or warmth. The "too cool for you" vibe is strong and consistent. Today was the last time I'll ever spend my money here. Life is too short to pay premium prices just to be treated with disdain. The quality of the drinks and food is solid, but it's simply not worth enduring the nasty attitude. There are plenty of other fantastic coffee shops in the area that offer both great products and pleasant service -- places like Grand Luxe and Lala Land come to mind. I won't be back. read more

One of the best vanilla lattes I've had in a long time. The shakerato is also delicious. There is almost always a line at this place for a reason! read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Menu Dec 2024 - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Amazing drip coffee. Super smooth and never bitter. Love that there's parking in the back, which makes stopping in so easy. The place has a cool, open setup inside & outside seating. It feels relaxed and airy. Just an all around great spot to grab coffee and hang for a bit. read more

I live in the area. A friend of mine liked going here. I'm not a big coffee shop person. It's okay for people watching as it is always busy in the AMs - especially on weekends. I can't say I have the best memory of this coffee experience as it stands out for very awkward reasons. Myself and my friend were in line and when it was my turn to order (I was paying) the young man behind the counter asked me which service I was picking up for. He thought I was a doordash or Uber Eats delivery person!! Obviously nothing wrong with delivering food and making money that way, but this dude couldn't believe I would be a customer...for some reason. I think I may know why. I had to tell him twice that I was there to order coffee for myself and my friend who was embarrassed for me. I doubt if he still works there. I don't know because I haven't been back since (a few years now) and I live three blocks away. I like frequentling places where I am seen as a customer first. read more

Decaf iced Postiano, I got it half sweet and it's the best iced coffee I've ever had.

Highly recommended by niece she's while in rush stopped in while visiting her in SM!! Always love walking up Montana and all the small neighborhood shops!! This little hidden gem had some awesome friendly very coffee savvy staff and really enjoyed our visit!! Super cute space and amazing offerings but would definitely stay away from any of the specials with four shots minimum....We totally crashed an hour later lol!!! Delicious but definitely not worth it!! read more

The coffee here is fine but not worth the line. My favorite thing here and the highlight was the croissant cookie. I took it home and put it in the air fryer... chefs kiss! Lots of outdoor seating here though. I would also order ahead! read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Croissant Cookie - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Always rude or passive staff. Tips are expected even after the terrible attitude. no WiFi. Long waits. Coffee is great.

every drink i've gotten has been delicious and high quality! amazing espresso quality. i especially like the mint matcha and mint mocha-- the mint tastes refreshing and natural rather than too synthetic. baristas are always quick and friendly :) read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Mint matcha - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Love their house-made syrups and work space of Primo Passo. The team knows their coffee. Dairy-free milk alternatives, specialities, and cold brew options. This coffee spot services to everyone. Parking lot in back and on street. Montana is a great area for coffee spots, markets, breakfast, lunch and dinner joints. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Daily Drip and House Made Hazelnut Latte - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I really like this place! I've come here twice when getting the bagels next door and both times I got a delicious coffee. I had a vanilla latte once and a cold brew the other time. I love the vibes here and how open it is. The outdoor seating is perfect and I could sit there all day in a sunny day. read more

Primo Passo Coffee - Cold Brew - Cafes Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Got a matcha this morning and it was absolutely terrible. The milk was expired or off, it was so tangy and sour. I'm not a picky eater or a complainer but this was so so bad. Sad to have spent $8.50 on it. read more

Great service, lovely vibe. Baristas are so friendly, patient, and helpful. Multiple vegan options for both non-dairy milk and baked goods.

My sister lives in Santa Monica and this is a short walk from their place; it's in a cute area with lots of shops & restaurants along the way. The interior is clean (if not a bit sterile) and they have some table seating outdoors along a side street which is nice to get off the busier main drag. I got their mint matcha latte iced with oat milk and it was delicious! Really good flavor, not too sweet and a great tasting matcha with good consistency (not all are created equal!). My sister got the turmeric chai iced which she said was good, but it did water down kind of quick. We also shared a strawberry danish with an almond paste and that was a super tasty pastry! read more

Seemed like an ordinary coffee shop. Good coffee and a good enough space inside it. Has LOTS of foot traffic so the line will be out the doors sometimes. I got a basic latte and unfortunately I did not hear them call my name until like 10 mins after because of how busy it was and I was sitting right by the counter. read more

A staff member sipped on my drink while she was making it, to get rid of the excess liquid. She did it twice, first time without lid, second time with lid. Unbelievable read more

I absolutely love this place. I've been coming here for 5 years. The house vanilla latte is incredible, it never misses, it's the best vanilla latte in LA. The service is always fast and quick. The employees are always polite and attentive. This coffee shop has such a cute community and people always talk to each other. The ambience is so cute and cozy. They used to always play the song "Closing Time" when they start to close up the shop, it's such a cute feature that I always looked forward to but apparently they stopped it because of the owner :( please bring it back!!! read more

Such good quality espresso. I love this place, friendly and the drinks hit everytime I love the mint matcha.

For all people who are passionate about coffee this place is a must! Pretty calm, located in a great neighborhood, delicious coffee, friendly people- I can go on for a while. I also heard they have great vegan desserts...tried Americano and Flat white and loved them! It tends to be packed on the weekend, so better plan accordingly! read more

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A nice coffee shop in a nice neighborhood. Staffs are friendly enough. There are some decent coffee beans freshly roasted coffee beans purchase so it's nice. read more

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