With the ubiquitous local-art on the walls (which I actually liked), a simple yet well-spaced seating area and a door that opens just blocks from the beach on the quiet, Northern end of The 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Infuzion Cafe seems at once common and special.
Reminiscent of a spiffy little “downtown” cafe where office-types pop in at lunch hour to grab a quick sandwich or the morning coffee, it has a “little bit of everything” menu, serving coffee drinks and boba, ice cream, sandwiches, breakfast pastries and even vases.
Very clean and breezy, it lacked that eclectic “coffee house” character I love, but felt happy and welcoming. Henry Cong, the owner/founder, made me a single latte priding himself (to my great happiness) on his well-made foam. Having been a barista, I am a self-professed foam-snob and Infuzion’s (or I should say Henry’s) was dense and creamy, the way I love it!
They use beans from local coffee roasters Groundwork and the espresso was very mild, sometimes seemingly non-existent. I usually like stronger and more complex espresso, but I did order a single shot, so for that it was a smooth, light and easy way to start the day.
To win a $30 gift certificate to this cafe leave a message saying why they deserve to win! Then go vote in our LA Coffee Competition Now!
Photos by Jamie
Subscribe to our RSS Feed And checkout our coffee competition to win a $30 gift voucher to your favourite coffee shop : click here
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...
28 responses so far ↓
1 Coffee Competition: Quest for the Best Bean | LA.CityZine.com - Los Angeles // Jun 8, 2008 at 11:24 pm
[...] Infuzion Cafe, Santa Monica [...]
2 Paul Butler // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:05 am
I vote or Infuzion Cafe where my wife and I have been going for several years now. It’s a relaxing, welcoming environment, you can’t beat the location, the staff are friendly and down to earth, the clientele is wonderfully eclectic, and the food and beverages are of high quality. Henry Cong has created a winner here!
3 annette // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:23 am
Henry and his staff not only knows great coffee, they know what great service means. Henry also introduced me to my husband 5 years ago and we were married next door. We now have a 5 month old baby boy! There is definitely something amazing in that coffee and BOBA!! At other coffee shops, the staff is not near as friendly. They also don’t know you by name or what you are going to order. There is no other coffee shop like this around. Great cafe, excellent service, cool atmosphere, and they also play matchmaker for free!
4 Jason M // Jun 13, 2008 at 10:14 am
Infuzion is the best!
5 Lan Hoang // Jun 13, 2008 at 10:44 am
Infuzion is a friendly environment to be with great coffee!!!
6 Justine B // Jun 13, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Infuzion is an amazing place. The coffee and tea drinks, the food, the superb and caring service of Henry and his staff and their friendliness - as well as that of the other patrons - are extraordinary and addicting. Throw in the space itself and its great location and nothing beats it.
7 Jacqueline Crabtree // Jun 13, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I love the Infuzion Care because son met his future wife there and those guys helped them find each other and they can dance like blue blazes and also serve everyone in a totally friendly way with the greatest coffee etc.!!
8 Jaime // Jun 13, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Infuzion Cafe is the best coffee shop in the world!! The owner, Henry, is super cool too!! He has such a great staff and the best thing is they always remember your order!! Such a friendly place where you will see regulars on a daily basis!
No more Starbucks or Coffee Bean for me!! Once you try Infuzion you’ll be SOLD!!
9 Anna // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Infuzion is a great place to hang out - great coffee - great service!
10 Laura Portney // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Infuzion is a place I go when I want to have great tea in a warm, homey, atmosphere with good friends. Whether you go in for comfort, peace and quiet, a nice place to work, or a wild time with lots of laughs, you will leave feeling a part of the woodwork that makes this place home.
11 Laura Portney // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Infuzion is a place I go when I want to have great tea in a warm, homey atmosphere with good friends. Whether you go in for comfort, peace and quiet, a nice place to work, or a wild time with lots of laughs, you will leave feeling a part of the woodwork that makes this place home.
12 Tam Dinh // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Infuzion has the best coffee in town with the most relaxing and friendly environment; no doubts about that! Don’t take my word for it, you have to experience it for yourself.
13 Bob // Jun 13, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I don’t understand why I got a response that my comment needed moderation. What does that mean? I tried to resubmit and I got a message that i had already sent the message which was true but, alas, I don’t know if the first one was accepted. I need a cup of Infuzion’s coffee to deal with this crisis. It’s the only thing that will calm me down!
14 Bob // Jun 13, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Are you asking me to be moderate about the synergistic quality of the coffee beans the obsessive and warmth that goes into Henry’s personal touch? Never! Infuion is too special to be moderate about!
15 Bob // Jun 13, 2008 at 8:05 pm
ok, i’ll try again. Coffee beans plus henry’s obsessive care (he places the opening of the lid 180 degrees opposite the cup’s seam to avoid possible leaks!) plus the desire to please = the zen of coffe
16 Jeff Greenleaf // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Infuzion is the best coffee shop in the universe. Henry is one of the coolest guys I have ever met and knows how to run a successful, competitive business. Not only are the drinks top notch but the deserts are killer. Keep it up Infuzion!
17 Matty // Jun 13, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Henry and staff are great and you meet a lot of warm and welcome people there. Everyone from writers to professionals. Make sure you try both the coffee and the boba drinks!! YUM.
18 Amy Weber // Jun 14, 2008 at 10:29 am
There’s nothing better than starting your day with a friendly smile, someone who remembers your name-and a great cup of coffee!!!
I get that at Infuzion-and so does every person who goes there. Henry is a warm, friendly breath of fresh air every single morning!
Infuzion is the best!!!
19 Elle // Jun 16, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Infuzion is a wonderful cafe, cozy and inviting. With great coffee and delicious sandwiches, pastries, and desserts, Infuzion provides quality coffee and consistent quality service with a smile. Not only a great cup of coffee, Infuzion’s warm, friendly environment makes me want to go back time and again.
20 Rachel Lynn // Jun 16, 2008 at 11:25 pm
The entire staff at Infuzion are completely about customer service and making you feel special. They are SUPER kewl about supporting local artists and musicians and will know your drink by heart before you can say it a third time. I’ve never felt more welcome and comfortable in an LA coffee shop and this store deserves the best recognition possible.
RL
21 jackie S // Jun 17, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Let me just say that INFuZion is the best place to go for BoBa and coffee! It’s a warm environment and quick service!
22 Julie // Jun 17, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I love the Infuzion Cafe! Henry knows customer service - he always has a smile on his face, and remembered my name from the first time I was there, 3 years ago. He is a very warm, kind person who knows his coffee! The rest of the staff is really great too - always friendly and eager to serve. I took my cousin from Phoenix there last year, and now she makes me bring her ‘Infuzion’ every time I drive to Arizona - she LOVES it as much as I do! If you’ve not had the pleasure of trying Infuzion Cafe in Santa Monica, you should go! You won’t be disappointed!
23 Deep B // Jun 18, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Infuzion has become our family coffee place. Our 2 year old son asks to go see Henry every morning! They don’t throw out the crema, which one reason why they have such great espresso.
24 G Dawg // Jun 19, 2008 at 7:14 am
Infuzion is an awesome place with a friendly environment where you could just sit back, down a cup of coffee or three. You could sit back , chilax with the founder. I mean where else can you find a place where the owner of the shop would sit down with you and see how you like you drink and see how your day is going? It’s not typical cookie cutter star bucks or chain coffee shop where everything is so generic. When is the last time someone behind the counter of another coffee shop actually talked to you besides getting your order? Well, yea that’s what makes Infuzion unique.
25 Ken // Jun 20, 2008 at 1:12 am
Infuzion: Unique, friendly, tasty, with real people who know you. Close to the beach & the Promenade.
26 Allan C // Jun 20, 2008 at 9:04 am
A few years back a few of my buddies and I wandered around Santa Monica looking for Starbucks. After searching a few blocks we ended up in front of small coffee shop owned by three enterprising young men (Henry and his two friends). Infuzion Cafe just barely opened for business and did not even have their store sign installed just a banner tied on a string, the kind you see in swap meets. Henry asked each one of us a few questions on our taste preference and tailored our coffee drinks individually. AMAZING!!! would be an understatement. Been hooked ever since.
27 ACS // Jun 20, 2008 at 9:19 am
The absolute best coffee, smoothies, pastries, and service! Henry and his staff are awesome and we fully enjoy the atmosphere of the place. We love to get our usual order (they know it by heart of course) and sit outside in the sun especially on a weekend morning. Infuzion Cafe is a great place for everyone to start a new day.
28 Sandy Corner // Jun 23, 2008 at 5:58 pm
When I saw Henry on May 27 I said, “Henry! You can’t ever close for Memorial Day again.” He asked me why not? I said “Because I had to drink my Chai Late from Starbucks, and I would rather drink my own urine, than swallow that swill water again! A customer piped up saying ” Yeah, I feel that way every time I come in for Henry’s Coffee!” I said,”that’s probably because he sees you coming and pee’s in your cup!” The fight spilled out onto Third St….
Love you Henry, and your staff. Infusion Forever!!
Leave a Comment