Thyme Cafe and Market

Great location, great food ($15 for a breakfast burrito is priced accordingly for Santa Monica), a bit high. Super clean and looks inviting. Staff is not friendly; however, so takes away from the happy feeling of dining.

Cute spot with good service but the food and coffee were extremely average. The burrito lacked a lot of flavor (especially for $20!) and the coffee was too watery. Burrito and coffee + tip was $30, so very expensive for the quality.

Very cute place with an amazing market. Aside from the food, which I’ll get into, they have such a great selection of cookbooks, holiday decor, birthday goodies, and thoughtful gifts and wine. I was really impressed with the buyer’s taste for all these extra things. Well done! We popped in here for a quick lunch and were immediately greeted by a friendly staffer who found a comfortable place to sit for us with our stroller. I really appreciated that because they certainly were busy, and as a new mom, those moments of care really make you feel seen. We ordered the Turkey meatloaf sandwich and the kale salad and both were great. The service was quick which was what we needed. I’ll definitely come back here and bring my friends!

This place was amazing. My friend was a local and told me about this place. I love the fact there is a to. Of food options & desserts. They really went above and beyond with their service level. I will in fact drive from the OC where I live to get a salad or sweet treat. Thank you for making my friend’s birthday very special!

Food was so fresh and yummy. Also the BEST MATCHA LATTE I HAVE EVER HAD.

I typically refrain from providing negative interviews to local businesses as I don’t want to tarnish their image as much as possible. However, after reading about shared experiences other people have had here, I think this business could really benefit from making some changes. Mainly, the service is some of the worst I have had in Santa Monica as a local. I have come here multiple times in hopes that it was just a bad day for some workers, but it seems to be consistent with how they run their business. The staff can be rude, curt, and seem overall distracted while talking to customers. They are extremely friendly to regulars but lack professionalism in exchanges with new customers. I was once asked to leave while reading a book after finishing my $20 meal. Given the service and the abhorrent prices, this was definitely a frustrating experience. The food was also not worth the price. You would be getting more from your money with a trip to the other businesses nearby like Layla’s, Ghisallo’s, Jyan Isaac, or Cafe Bolivar (a personal favorite). The coffee and matcha are watered down and the pastries are stale, making it seem like this business values profit over providing an enjoyable meal. Frankly this is a beautiful cafe with ugly service. They have patio seating which provides a great view of the Santa Monica mountains, as long as you don’t get kicked from the table. Until changes are made to this business, I recommend avoiding it.

We regularly come here to grab key lime pie to celebrate special occasions, their lunch has been great every time we've tried it as well. Love the little knickknack section themed for holidays 💕

Forgot several items from my togo order. Loud atmosphere, cold reception.

To be honest, we didn't plan on coming here at all. We parked in the back to go to Layla Bagels, but we saw the Thyme Cafe sign. We hadn't even heard of it so we thought let's go in and check it out. We were instantly in awe at everything in the display case. They have so many options between pastries, cookies, cakes, enchiladas, lasagna, and much more. Everything looked so good we already agreed to come back for lunch and dinner sometime. The two egg breakfast was perfect, everything high quality. My wife got the french toast, however, it was clearly burnt. While that was definitely a let-down, and clear to me there might be some inconsistencies in their cooking, everything else was fantastic and still worthy of the 5 stars. Service was great and we could even see the owners and their kids helping set things up in the shop. You can tell it's a family ran operation and they take a lot of pride in their place. Thyme Cafe is easily a hidden gem. Looking forward to coming back whether that's for coffee and food in the morning, or a glass of wine in the evening. Cheers.

I am a regular here and have been forever! Today I had the Italian salad and I have to tell you it was the best one I've ever had here. OMG! So many delicious things in it. Prosciutto, olives, chick peas, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, swiss cheese and salami. With my left hand still sore from surgery, I had them chop it for me! Perfection. Lovely visit with my wonderful friend...

I met a friend here. It's very cute, clean and welcoming. It reminded me a bit of Joan's on 3rd but calmer. You order at the counter and then the food brought to your table. The bakery selections are beautiful to look at and so delicious. The coffees are great. The only downside was the parking. It's street parking.

the service was great but the food was bland and tasteless. the atmosphere was crowded and seating was all over the place but overall decent. biggest issue was the price, the food was very expensive and just not very good, certainly not enough to justify the price.

Some of the best food in LA. They have consistently great products across their menu and take away prepackaged food. Employees are always courteous

Yummy food! Laid back atmosphere. Lots of prepared food to go. Friendly staff. Great coffee.

Thyme knocked it out of the park again. I've used them catering twice since my last review and each time our guests raved about how delicious the food was. We just tried the quinoa with kale, goat cheese, apples, blueberries and Marcona almonds and it was SO YUMMY.

Love this place . Coming here with friends for ever! But I have one complain please bring the south west salad back to it own recipe. You changed something and it is not as good!! Here is an image of the old salad. See the chicken is looking amazing!! And the avocado is fine!!! Please!!!!

I always was fond of this neighborhood place but I realized it was the concept I liked. Twice now the shrimp salad was really iffy. It lacked that fresh snap and I really worried I would get food poisoning. I didn't, but also didn't feel great for the day. It's also too pricey. I'm done with this place, unfortunately.

So delicious! Chinese chicken salad was amazing and so was everything else we got. Lowkey, casual spot with great and fresh food. I would really recommend! Can't wait to come back and try more things!

Cute cafe in Ocean Park. Came here for a matcha latte and snack but ended up getting a slice of chocolate cake. The matcha latte was overly sweet and the cake was a tad dry, but the vibes were chill and the service was nice. Hot food/meals are available as well. It is good for big groups but most people seemed to be solo or couples. It is kid-friendly. Indoor seating and some outdoor tables available. Credit cards accepted. Metered street parking. You order and pay first before sitting down.

Beautiful place, beautiful owner, beautiful food! Try her Lemon squares and Shrimp salad - you will want to move into the place !

i came here, and my first thought was "the atmosphere of this cafe is nice". The food was delicious, and the fries were amazing. the service was great, and food came fast.

We catered a picnic for 40 people with Thyme sandwiches and they were amazing. The mini roast beef with horeseradish were a huge hit as were the brie and turkey. The bacon lettuce and avocado and the and cheese were are perfect. The rolls and bread they use and all the ingredients are very gourmet and our guests were delighted with the variety and quality.

*5/5 stars* Tucked away in Santa Monica is this hidden gem! The moment you step inside this cafe, you're enveloped in a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The service is warm and friendly, with a team that's clearly passionate about what they do. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a sweet treat, this café has something for everyone. Last year when I was in Santa Monica, I waited in the long line at Laylas next door for an expensive bagel. This visit I visited Thyme cafe twice - Once for a coffee and almond croissant for $9 - a bargain! I also picked up a curry chicken sandwich to take to the airport (comes with a salad or make it a box lunch with a cookie). There are tables inside and outside and is very family friendly and apparently a lot of regulars. It's not trendy - it's just really well made delicious food. This cozy café in Santa Monica is a must-visit. I will definitely be back!

I've been coming to Thyme Cafe since they opened, and this place has aged well with time. It's been a local's staple and I love the staff. They make you feel like the only one in the room even when it's bustling with customers on a busy brunch afternoon. I come back here a few times a month and always switch it up. They have a turkey chili soup that is wonderful and I always get their americanos, don't sleep on the coffee here it hits! Love this spot, they have an order patio that is so cute plus parking in the back!

I've been having breakfast and lunch here over the past 1/2 dozen years and never have been disappointed. They consistently get my somewhat picky breakfast order on point, crispy bacon, crispy potatoes side of rye toast!! I think they have the best fruit bowl around. Always pleasant staff who don't rush you and answer any questions without attitude. The space is comfortable with outdoor tables as well as the approximately 10 tables insis

Very cute place with an amazing market. Aside from the food, which I'll get into, they have such a great selection of cookbooks, holiday decor, birthday goodies, and thoughtful gifts and wine. I was really impressed with the buyer's taste for all these extra things. Well done! We popped in here for a quick lunch and were immediately greeted by a friendly staffer who found a comfortable place to sit for us with our stroller. I really appreciated that because they certainly were busy, and as a new mom, those moments of care really make you feel seen. We ordered the Turkey meatloaf sandwich and the kale salad and both were great. The service was quick which was what we needed. I'll definitely come back here and bring my friends!

We connected with Thyme Cafe to order a small dessert assortment for the grand opening of our retail shop - we were so impressed by the entire experience. Everything was fantastic, homemade and delicious beyond our expectations. Our guests loved all. Thank you from FAE Rocks Santa Monica!

Spacious cafe with lots of seating. Mom, sister, and I shared the tuna salad, Niçoise salad, and BLT. I particularly liked the tuna salad.

Soooo.... I went back and tried the tuna sandwich again and felt compelled to update my review. It was sooooo good. Totally hit the spot and not too mayonnaise-y this time - just the right ratio. Maybe it's hit or miss, but I'll be back for sure.

My wife had the albacore tuna salad there this week and has been very sick since! I left a voice mail and never received a call back. The least they can do is reach out. 100% guarantee it was what she ate there. Be careful!

One of my absolute favorite cafes in Santa Monica. Have been coming here for years and love it!! Unfortunately there is a woman who works there now named GABY, who is very unpleasant. The manager Chris and Andrew are so sweet, and other employees are so joyful and nice. However consistently I have gone in there and this lady has the most awful mood and demeanor. I try to be nice and say thank you and she just nods. She makes the whole experience so awful I hardly come in there anymore. I know everyone is going through their own hard times but she seriously needs an attitude adjustment or to not work front of house. It's a dark cloud going in there. I'd give this place a 2-3 star if everyone else wasn't consistently so nice. Please address this.

FOOD: Breakfast is good. Lunch is good. SERVICE: Good AMBIANCE: It's cozy. It's a nice place. Overall, I do recommend. It feels good in this place.

This is a cute cafe and they have a variety of food options to choose from. Their lasagna I've gotten a few times is so yummy! The reason I'm giving them 3 stars is because we got some items catered from them for Thanksgiving, one of which, the stuffing- it was terrible! Literally old stale bread/croutons with pickle relish on top. It's disappointing when you have expectations for thanksgiving meal and it lacks any sort of flavor. The green beans and cranberry dressing were simple, decent- for those three items (fed 6 people) it was almost $100! We considered doing the entire meal, and thankful we didn't! I even called thyme cafe to let them know how disappointed we were by the stuffing, I can guarantee we were not the only ones who disliked it. I just expect higher quality from a restaurant like thyme. Will likely not cater thanksgiving from them in the future.

Used to go here years ago. I loved it. The place is really really cute. I always end up buying a knick-knack from there. Food is always pretty good. Stopped by the other day for lunch. Ordered my food, got up to go to the bathroom, sign said "out of order", OK, thats fine. There was a worker mopping behind the counter with "Fabuloso". That overwhelming horrible toxic smell. Well who wants to eat while smelling that??? I mentioned the smell to the casher, Who told me, "Well we're "technically" not open". (SO basically, deal with it.) He said they wern't "technically" open because of the bathrooms. OKAY, If you're not "technically" open then, why did you let me in? Why did you take my order? And honestly, I would have been OK with all of that, It was just the guys attitude was condescending & a bit rude . (The 3 stars rating is because of the casher, not the food)

This place has the best gourmet sandwiches, fast and excellent service , I totally recommend

Delicious fish tacos and chai tea latte. Casual vibes on a busy Saturday. Sat out back with my dog. Also seating outdoor in the front. Looked cute inside and will need to try the pastries next time!

Very hardworking employees. Great food. Kind and generous manager. Kind staff. Highly recommend.

Passed by this place and decided to give it a shot. Ambiance is cute. I enjoyed being able to sit by the window and enjoy my tasty Chai. It was the right amount of sweet and flavorful. It was a bit frothy for me, but still good. Next up, the Roasted Tomatillo Burrito (with chicken added). It was a nice portion size. Overall, I gave the burrito a 3.5. It was decent, but it lacked flavoring. I had to add sauce, salt and pepper. The condiments, (such as pico, sour cream, and guacamole) came on the side. I would have preferred those to be inside the burrito versus adding to every bite, but that's just me. To go I ordered a slice of carrot cake and a slice of apple crisp. The carrot cake was HUGE! It was also very tasty. I'm not a big fan of the cream, but if that's what you're into, there's a healthy helping on these slices. The apple crisp looks delicious. Have t tried it yet (as I'm saving a slice for today). So I'll update afterwards. Overall score 3.5

I have always been happy with the food and service here but....today I had the short ribs sandwich and it's the best sandwich I have ever had !!!! Just want to qualify my standards I love langers and I wouldn't think twice about what's better !! Love this place

This review is only for there hummus. Flavor is great, but the container has to go. To tall and narrow. It is a nightmare to use. A dirty mess for your hands. Get a better container. Why does everyone else use wide short containers and you folks have to come up with your own special something. Thanks.

Small Local Spot that's a great lunch/ brunch spot or a place to get to go food. But prepare yourself because it's the desserts that are the bomb here. I cannot control myself when I enter this café. I eat one dessert and bring one home every single time. The carrot cake is the best I've ever had as are the small pies the cookies and the short rib, grilled cheese. Best value for the money.

I was walking by and was gonna get something and the workers blew a whistle at my girlfriend. Very Rude

Fresh ingredients -- from my simplest order to my breakfast burrito. Their service is quick and their place was neat and clean and very busy. Will definitely recommend this place for a good breakfast/brunch place. The only thing here is the parking -- obviously it's California

The service was Great ! I order the lemons Turkey sandwich which was a amazing , very fresh and I cheated with a delicious lemon bar yummy ! Will be back real soon

We sort of accidentally found this place - it turned out to be a less fussy Joan's on Third, maybe even a bit better. The short ribs grilled cheese was a nice, not-too-greasy hunk of tasty, and the strawberry rhubarb crumble was enjoyed by all ages (including my two year old). Nice, relaxed atmosphere, plenty of options. Great neighborhood joint for a leisurely breakfast or lunch.

Always amazed and always happy to go there. Wonderful displays of food , salads and cakes. The best soups around and great help . The sandwiches are beautiful and the atmosphere clean, organized and welcoming. You will never regret having stopped here. Soup, salad, sandwich , enchiladas, asparragus, shrimp salad ( amazing) chicken cutlet parmesan...OMG...the best!

I happened to have found Thyme Cafe and Market by looking for a place to pick up something to eat on my maps. So many good choices! I love that there are a few refrigerators with options along with the menu. You can see your options as you wait in line which is fantastic! They have a delicious shrimp option in dill and a creamy sauce, a side of beans, avocados, red onions that is also delicious. The turkey and brie sandwich was very good too!. The only area I haven't found something I liked was the desserts. So far there were two that had no flavor. They have indoor dining, I'll definitely be back for the food (I've already gone back once), and to enjoy their outdoor dining that I discovered while waiting for my order! Everyone was very helpful and nice. There's really no place to wait, but it's fun looking at the food in the refrigerators.

It's a really cute cafe with some tasty options (ooh the chocolate chip cookies are amazing, the chicken parm sandwhich is great) - but the avocado toast needs an overhaul, it shouldn't even be called Avocado Toast it's no good, highly do not recommend that dish. The menu describes: Avocado & Vegetable Toast- Watermelon Radishes, Blistered Tomatoes, Pickled Onions, Lemon & Micro Greens on Sourdough 15.00. .......It's a soggy piece of toast with watery guacamole (and then topped w/ all those things). To be fair, the toast was probably only soggy because of the wet guacamole. But I've never heard of an avocado toast being made with a smear of straight up guac. Idk. I've had many tasty things here and the service is lovely, but please please please change it to actual avocado toast.

I've been going to this place for years now and it's just gone downhill. They have raised their prices so high and what you get is just not worth it for me anymore. Today, I ordered a very simple egg salad sandwich, and when I got it, They just threw it together. It fell apart as soon as I opened the box and they threw a bunch of greens on top of it. It just was so poorly put together and like they just don't care. And it cost nearly $20. What a joke, I will not be going here anymore. I don't understand how places can take such little care and presenting their food and charge so much.

I've been here twice in the last couple weeks and both times both myself and my girlfriend were very happy with the food. I just wish they were open later! So next time we're gonna come early and get some of the lasagnas and save them for dinner!

The food was excellent. We sat outside; quiet and relaxing. When the order arrived there was an error but Shanna immediately corrected the mistake and had our order remade. She was very helpful and professional.

This place was simply surprisingly amazing. Wanted to find casual brunch place by my daughters plaxe on Ocean Park and this was IT! Wow!!! Super simple - walk up counter with menus written on black boards on the wall. We ordered latte, OJ, juice and avocado toast, short rib sandwich and pancakes with bananas. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING was incredibly delicious. Mybtoast was perfect with an egg thst oozed over the avocado. The short rib was almost like pot roast and was exceptionally good. Would def order that when I go back. Thr ambience was unassuming and the light from the windows made it bright and airy inside. Highly recommend!!!

The odd time we decide to go out to breakfast..and the pancakes have the taste and consistency of glue! Coffee, eggs and bacon were good!

Best key lime pie. This has been a staple for me for some time. I love the little gifts and cards for last minute purchases too.

They always slay. Truly. delicious & great ambience & kind folks in service. Really appreciate this neighborhood gem.

I meet friends here. It's a cute place, with food that always looks fantastic. However, it never quite tastes as good as it looks. I think the salads look the best so I'll stick with those.

Never new much about Thyme Cafe but always had the slightest of interest in trying it. Comprised of mostly sandwiches, salads, and pastries, there's a variety of healthy of options to chose from no matter what you're craving. For me, I went with the spinach salad. It's $15, but they unnecessarily charge an extra $4 just for chicken. I enjoyed the salad without it, but that seems a bit ridiculous to me. There are definitely more sandwiches to chose from so one day I would like to see what they're about, all of which are over $14. Again a bit pricey, but maybe the quality speaks for itself. The staff inside, however, was incredibly friendly. I assume they're trained well and work efficiently because for an eight item order it was ready in only 20 minutes. Fast work. Overall, Thyme is a really great spot that I'd love to go to again one day. I'd never drop $19 on a chicken and spinach salad, but the Cobb was only about $16 so I guess that's a bit better. Though, it's still a spot to check out where you'll be treated and fed well.