The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

The worst tea I ever had in my life! And its not even LEAF! It is powder instant tea!!!

Here we go, longtime attendee of this particular establishment but this is the first time I’ve worked up the courage to Unilocal it! The drinks are hot and fresh and the staff is too!
Met a little lady here and hopefully things really click. Fingers crossed but with matcha green tea lattes to break the ice — I think the cat may be in the bag!
Thanks The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Wilshire in Santa Monica!

I have no idea why anyone likes Starbucks… whatever drinks I’ve ordered there were expensive and I really do not like the taste… I am a true COFFEE BEAN fan & have been for years!.. EVERY type of drink I’ve ever ordered is ALWAYS GREAT TASTING! This location is 3 blocks from my home… I’ve been there countless times… some know my name & drink. they’re ALWAYS patient w/​my «When Harry met Sally» order… Large iced vanilla americano w/​a touch of non-​dairy creamer… in 32oz cup. yummy

Nice enough and I come here a lot and usually everyone heat but there seems to be a new manager on today who is a total dick.
Just snapped at some bloke on another to able for eating an «outside» salad. What’s he gonna do, call the «outside salad «
Police ?
Usually laid back here but this guys been snapping at his staff also. Time date check — 2.00pm in November 12^th so the powers that be can retrain the idiot to the level if the other people around him

Great ice tea, hot tea and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has the best coffee.
Nice employees too. Really nice!

Normally pretty quick service and acceptable drinks, but they seem to have a new hire who can’t be bothered to extend quality customer service. She is rude, doesn’t know the basics of the job (normal for a newbie) BUT also refuses to ask her coworkers for help so will instead just fumble drink orders. Not cute. I wish I would’ve seen her name but she is shortish and blonde with a perma-​scowl. Thumbs down.

All was fine. I ordered my very AVERAGE Americano, a small maple scone.
I was going to order a banana as well but didn’t because one of them
was ripe enough to start shedding its skin all on its own. Coincedentally
the young lady serving me turns to her manager to ask what to do
with all the overripe bananas while I’m standing there. He told her to
toss them all. I quickly said I’ll take one if they’re going to be tossed,
was told no, then offered fifty cents and the manager declined again.
I like ripe bananas.
So this banana that was going to be tossed right in front of me was now
back to full price because I wanted it.
Great PR!!!

It would be infinitely better if all the indoor tables weren’t taken by people using the free wifi and sipping water. All day. I live on the same block but have stopped going there.

I went in this morning not feeling that great, I asked the barista Stephanie for two medicine teas. She was very nice & told me more than once she hoped I felt better. Little gestures go a long way, ⁵⁄₅

Yeah it’s Coffee Bean, there shouldn’t be much to say, but since this is my favorite location I thought it deserved a review. Here’s why it’s my spot:
–With the exception of 1 or 2 people, super friendly baristas! They go out of their way to smile, greet you by name, try to learn your drink order, and just be all around pleasant people. Such a basic thing, but it’s unfortunately missing at many locations.
–Consistently good drinks! At many other locations I never know how my drink will turn out, but it’s always good here! If not, they gladly remake it for you and even offer to do so.
–Firepit and twinkly light patio!!! Love love love. Just makes me want to sit there, sip my coffee, and people watch.
–It’s walking distance from my place. Ok I realize that’s extremely specific to me, but parking isn’t hard to find considering the area. Small parking lot and ample parking on 9^th. (Just don’t park on the other side of 9^th, it’s permit only)
I doubt this is a place you need to read reviews for before deciding to go, but just wanted to give this CBTL location some love.

Great choice of teas as in any other Coffee Bean. It’s a little strange that employees that work at the register and handle money/​cards also touch tea bags with their bare hands without washing them. Is not that a health hazard? Had a coffee multiple times and it is always hit or miss, it tastes different every time.

Its a little strong the coffee. But i love the bonfire they have and the customer service is good depends who is at the register. But i will say for the books. If i didn’t go here a couple of time i would of never adopted my pup puffy… so its a nice place. But starbucks is better. sorry.

My favorite spot for a good, inexpensive cup of coffee. They usually have decaf brewed and they have decaf ice coffee, plus a big tea selection. The baristas are friendly and remember regulars’ orders and preferences, making it feel more like a neighborhood coffee shop than a huge franchise. The wifi is fast and dependable and the fire pit and patio are great year-​round. And challah on Fridays and weekends!

my husband and i stopped at coffee bean a few times for breakfast. the first time we enjoyed our food and coffee outside in front of the fire pit which was a really nice touch.
the coffee tasted fresh and delicious although i would have liked to see more available roasts and perhaps a blonde offering. although the sandwiches were pricey ($ 6) i did think they were really good. all 3 times i got the egg white flatbread with kale and cheddar cheese. it was pretty healthy and kept me plenty full until lunchtime.

Bizarre events at 829 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 90 401, and my one and only time to describe a «Coffee Bean» as such. But at least I came away with my life. See, I get there, in my button up oxford and khakis, and at the outside patio by the firepit lies ice blended slush on the ground.
«I coulda tripped and died. All you people suck! You suck!» wailed this Santa Monica Angry Guy in a bicycle jersey. «You should outlaw pets! Outlaw!»
I gathered that the Angry Guy had tripped over a woman’s dog pet leash, and spilled his drink. An employee rushed out, apologized, and asked to serve the Santa Monica angry guy another drink. «Hell no!» he wailed. «To hell with you!»
I went inside. Another barista/​cashier was ready to take my drink order. «Sounds like you guys are heavy on a case of tough customers right now,» I said. The barista acknowledged me with a grin, and enthusiastically took my drink order.
I went off to the side to pick-​up. I waited quite awhile.
The Woman with the dog came in to gather two pounds of napkins to wipe clean her pet leash, now covered in slush. Several busy-​bodies came to her and consoled her for the incident, reassuring her that the Angry Guy was a jerk.
Meanwhile, this Santa Monica Fat Cat in Aviator Glasses came around the counter to instruct his barista how he liked his coffee mixed and stirred. It took a moment, but it dawned on me that the Fat Cat didn’t own the place, not literally. But simply had a monstrous ego that entitled him to walk behind the counter, breaking the employees’ interpersonal space.
I stepped away to the middle of the café. I saw Vin Diesel giving this Hot To Trot Female some real estate tips, about the specific nature of landlord laws of Santa Monica that are separate from the rest of Los Angeles. Except it wasn’t Vin Diesel, it was merely a pumped up man, with more of a rump for a face, that looked like Diesel without actually being him. The Hot to Trot Female looked like the kind of snooty woman that wouldn’t give an average man the time of day, but only entertained conversation with Vin Diesel types. She wore four inch heels, had ringlets on the stem of her eyeglasses and wore black & white made of heavy textiles. Is that sheep fur stitched to her sleeve? I finally hear Diesel guy give this woman workout tips, and I contend he wants to do personal training for Hot to Trot Female at her personal home.
I’m still waiting. My original barista comes over and apologizes that my order was overlooked and that they’re going to be right on it in just a moment.
I go and check on the bathroom. The Woman with the Dog has come out of the bathroom (where’s her dog, by the way? Anyone know?), and I’m beaten by the Fat Cat who has taken my spot and gone into the lavatory ahead of me. Never mind.
I get my Caramel Ultimate. Tastes as good as any other «Coffee Bean.» Before my twenty minute limit is up in the parking lot, I decide I’m just gonna drink it on the road. I say to myself on the way out, I’m giving this experience 3-​stars on Unilocal because of the People Watching entertainment I had. And because the coffee, you know, is good.
However, if I ever go in next time, I think I’m going to wear Bill Paxton’s military outfit from 1986’s «Aliens» and come armed like Schwarzenegger from 1985’s «Commando» so I’m assured I’ll survive the experience. I’ll have the theme from 1991’s «Terminator 2: Judgment Day» on iPod playing in my ear from the point I go in and exit successfully. No more button up Oxford and khakis when I come in this store, that’s way too square for this place.
I’m also coming up with ideas on a new TV show pilot called «Life at 90 401.»
#louis.c.k.fan

I can’t leave Southern California without at least one stop here. Not even so much for the coffee or tea, but my roommate won’t even let me come home without a cheese Danish. Honestly the best cheese Danish I have ever had in my life. And best one you will ever taste as well guaranteed!

Cool mornings are tempered by the outdoor fire pit at this Coffee Bean that creates a warm environment!

I am a huge CBTL fan! I will go out of my way to go to a CBTL over any other coffee shop. That said… some are better than others. This location (at the corner of Wilshire and 9^th Street) is by far the best! The only other one that I will say is in the top 2 is Sunset Plaza in West Hollywood.
The staff is exceptional and the coffee is always fresh and smooth.
I LOVE THEM!

Only 1 of 2 Coffee Beans (the one on Lincoln blvd & Michigan ave in Santa Monica) that I will go to. The rest of the Coffee Beans and Starbucks I won’t step into. Staff is good. Seating (from times I’ve been there is almost great. Parking is a nightmare (limited parking and often people park way over the line). And the firepit is nice.
I always get the Hot Chocolate (only at this location) and is so close to great. If they cooled it down a tad, it would be fine. And sometimes I get a cookie or treat to go with the Hot Chocolate and it’s pretty good too.
The staff are pretty friendly and helpful the times I’ve been there. They are pretty efficient on timing after placing the order (can get the drink (s) within a few minutes at most. Downside though is the lack of cleaned tables (the times I’ve been there).
Parking-​where to start? It’s an already small lot and people make it worse by parking on the line or almost taking up 2 spaces. There is some metered parking too around that area also. And if you close enough to the Big Blue Bus #3 you can take it to/​from a half a block away.

This is my favorite Coffee Bean! This is a super fun spot to catch up with friends, study, go on a casual coffee date, or just chill with a cup of coffee. The patio is great and has a fire pit and the inside has A/​C. They have free Wi-​Fi you just need to ask the barista for the code.
Parking is super annoying and while they do have an on-​site parking lot, it’s always full and parking is limited on Wilshire. If you can, I’d bike or take the bus. If you must drive, I’d try parking north of Wilshire on like Washington Avenue and there are usually a few spots there.
And Coffee Bean has their fair share of fun fall-​themed drinks: D