The Place To Be

2510B Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
$$$ Cafe
(171 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to The Place To Be, a charming cafe nestled on the vibrant Main Street of Santa Monica. This delightful spot offers a taste of France without the need for a passport, making it a must-visit for locals and tourists alike!

The Place To Be specializes in delectable French-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes, with a menu that is both enticing and thoughtfully curated. Start your day with their Croque Monsieur, a beautifully crafted sandwich featuring toasted bread smeared with rich béchamel sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and French ham. The flavors come alive with each bite, perfectly complemented by a crisp green salad. Another standout is The Santa Monica, which offers the best of both worlds with a plain croissant, half a French baguette, and indulgent additions like butter, jam, Nutella, a fried egg, Canadian bacon, and cheese—an extravagant treat that’s hard to resist.

Your taste buds will surely dance with delight when you delve into the Quiche Tomato, Zucchini and Chives, where the savory notes of sautéed vegetables meet the buttery goodness of a flaky crust. Don't forget to wash it all down with one of their expertly crafted coffees; choose from a hot Latte for a comforting experience or an Iced Americano to cool off. Each beverage is made with passion, ensuring a delightful sip every time.

The atmosphere at The Place To Be is equally charming, with plenty of patio seating that invites you to soak in the sun or cozy indoors where you can watch the world go by. The decor is quintessentially French, providing a warm and inviting vibe that's perfect for a leisurely breakfast or a casual lunch. Customers often mention the friendly service, with the owner himself often greeting patrons and making everyone feel like family.

“Came in during a Sunday stroll… it was a pleasant afternoon snack,” says one satisfied customer, who clearly enjoyed the inviting atmosphere and delicious offerings. Another shared, “I felt transported to the last time I was in France when I took the first bite of the corner of the croissant.” With reviews like these, it’s clear that The Place To Be is not just another cafe; it’s a little slice of France right in Santa Monica.

For a warm and welcoming dining experience enriched with authentic French flavors, make your way to The Place To Be. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on the go or hoping to enjoy a leisurely meal, this cafe promises to leave you satisfied and eager to return!

Service options
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Quick bite
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

08:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Wednesday

07:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

07:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

07:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 02:00 PM

171 Reviews
Hastea Darabian

19 Sep 2025

Came in during a Sunday stroll. We ordered a couple of pastries and drinks. I had an iced white mocha drink and a raisin custard swirl. It was a pleasant afternoon snack. We also had a nice conversation with the owner of the cafe. Will definitely come back!

nikki

16 Jul 2025

Lovely French spot on Main Street. Lots of patio seating and a couple of tables inside. I enjoyed a ham and cheese croissant, like you find all over Europe. I also had a cappuccino with oat milk. I will be back to try the ham and cheese panini next!

Felicia S

22 Jun 2025

A great way to start a Saturday morning. Nice stroll and getting your caffeine and croissant fix. I felt transported to the last I was in France ???????? when I took the first bite of the corner of the croissant. Perfectly toasted and perfectly buttery. You can sit on the coffee bar inside or on the tables outside. Given that it was drizzling decided to sit inside and take in the view as people were walking up and down Main Street. The offer a nice variety of goodies from France from wine , pastries and snacks. I had a large cappuccino with a wonderful croissant

Ashley Sundquist

31 May 2025

Incredible Parisian bakery on Main Street that serves up coffee and pastries, including gluten-free and vegan treats! Their egg and butter free croissant and brioche are just magical...I have no idea how they make it taste so perfect without the traditional ingredient. I’ve also had meetings here and it’s great place for a casual sit-down with fresh coffee. Pro Tips: - There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so come on in and stay a while

THOMAS BOLDT

26 May 2025

Fantastic croissants and pastries - owned and operated by the baker himself and his wife - genuinely from France. Mom & pop operation. One of my favorite places to grab a croissant and cafe. Don't believe the couple of poor reviews. This place is great.

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