Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Santa Monica: World's Freshest Doughnuts and Gourmet Coffee

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Introduce

Welcome to the ultimate guide for one of Southern California's most talked-about sweet and savory destinations: Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee. With a dedicated location on bustling Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, this establishment has redefined the concept of the classic donut shop. Far from the typical morning grab-and-go experience, Sidecar has built its reputation around an unwavering commitment to freshness, innovative flavors, and high-quality ingredients. They proudly stand by their promise to deliver the “World’s Freshest Doughnuts,” crafted from scratch and fried fresh every single hour, ensuring you always get a warm, melt-in-your-mouth treat.

For California locals and visitors alike, Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee offers more than just dessert; it provides a gourmet experience for breakfast and beyond. Whether you're seeking a quick, satisfying bite or a relaxing spot to enjoy a premium cup of coffee, Sidecar has cultivated a space that marries traditional comfort with culinary excellence. The commitment to fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients means the menu is always vibrant and inventive, complementing their beloved classic offerings.

Location and Accessibility

The Santa Monica location of Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee is ideally situated at 631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA. This prime spot places it just a few blocks from the scenic Santa Monica Beach and the iconic Santa Monica Pier, making it an excellent stop to fuel up before a day out or to grab a treat after enjoying the coast. The shop itself features design elements inspired by the Art Deco-era building it occupies, providing an inviting and stylish backdrop for your visit.

The venue prioritizes accessibility for all guests, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a wheelchair accessible restroom. For parking convenience, guests have options including both a free parking lot and readily available paid street parking in the surrounding area. The atmosphere is casual and designed for a quick visit, but the availability of outdoor patio seating also invites you to stay a while and savor your fresh doughnuts and coffee.

For those needing to get in touch, the local phone number for the Santa Monica shop is (310) 587-0022.

Services Offered

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee provides a full range of services tailored to modern convenience, from in-store dining to various pickup and delivery options.

In-store and Onsite Services: Enjoy your selections right on-site with seating options, including the popular outdoor patio.
Takeout and In-store Pickup: Ideal for those on the go, allowing you to quickly grab your order.
Delivery: Have your favorite doughnuts and coffee brought directly to your location, offering an easy way to enjoy the freshness at home or work.
Catering: While not explicitly listed on the provided daily services, Sidecar is known to offer catering for larger orders and events, which can be arranged by contacting the shop.
Doughnut Variety: A curated selection of daily flavors, seasonal specials, and weekly rotating options, including a dedicated Weekly Gluten Friendly Flavor to accommodate diverse dietary needs.
Payment Options: The shop accepts a variety of convenient payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Features / Highlights

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee distinguishes itself in the competitive California culinary scene with several key features that draw consistent praise from customers.

World’s Freshest Doughnuts: The core promise of Sidecar—doughnuts made from scratch and fried fresh every hour, all day long. This commitment to freshness is the most commonly praised aspect of the customer experience.
Gourmet Coffee Program: The shop is equally renowned for its high-quality coffee and espresso drinks, which consistently receive accolades for their excellence. The coffee program includes their signature Sidecar Vintage Blend, Espresso drinks, Lattes, and unique options like Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Matcha Lattes.
Inventive Doughnut Flavors: Beyond the classics, Sidecar is famous for its creative and often seasonal offerings. Must-try unique flavors that have generated buzz include the savory Basil Eggs Benedict doughnut (a Malasada-style doughnut filled with poached egg, Benton’s Country Ham, and house-made basil hollandaise), and the seasonally featured Passion Fruit Pavlova.
Signature Classics: The permanent menu features standout favorites like the highly-rated Huckleberry (chock full of foraged huckleberries), the simple perfection of Butter & Salt, and the decadent Maple Bacon.
Diverse Menu Offerings: Catering to various tastes, the menu includes traditional cake and raised doughnuts, as well as regular Gluten Friendly and Vegan options, ensuring there’s a fresh treat for nearly everyone.
Casual and Welcoming Atmosphere: The shop provides a relaxed environment popular for solo dining and quick visits, offering a reliable, pleasant experience for anyone seeking a premium pastry and coffee break.

Contact Information

For quick reference, here is the essential contact information for the Santa Monica location:

Address: 631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Phone: (310) 587-0022

What is Worth Choosing

If you are looking for the absolute best way to experience Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee, focus on the pairing of their unique, fresh doughnuts and their acclaimed coffee program. The real magic happens when you try a doughnut that has just come out of the fryer, as several customers attest to the transcendent quality of a warm, freshly prepared treat. Waiting a few extra minutes for a hot one is a widely recommended strategy among frequent visitors.

The Huckleberry doughnut is considered a mandatory try by many loyal patrons, lauded for its intense, fresh berry flavor and perfect cake consistency. Other standout choices from the daily menu include the Butter & Salt for its balanced savory-sweet profile, and the Maple Bacon for a hearty, gourmet twist on a popular combination. Beyond the daily menu, be sure to ask about the seasonal and weekly rotating flavors—these are often where the culinary team showcases their most creative and daring combinations.

However, the most buzz-worthy selections are the inventive, savory items that push the boundaries of what a doughnut can be. The Basil Eggs Benedict doughnut is a true showstopper, turning a classic brunch dish into a decadent, savory Malasada-style pastry. Reviews highlight the must-try nature of this savory option, noting the delightful combination of a poached egg, ham, and basil hollandaise inside a fluffy doughnut. Customers have also enthusiastically pointed out the extraordinary nature of items like the Passion Fruit Pavlova, indicating that Sidecar excels at bold, surprising flavors that you won't find at a conventional donut shop.

To complement your doughnut, consider pairing it with one of their celebrated beverages. The Matcha Latte is highly recommended, often praised for its perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. For a strong, classic experience, the Sidecar Vintage Blend Drip Coffee or a bold Sidecar Cold Brew offers the rich, high-quality caffeine boost that makes Sidecar as much a top-tier coffee shop as it is a premier doughnut destination.

Ultimately, choosing Sidecar means opting for quality, freshness, and innovation over the ordinary. It’s an ideal choice for anyone in the Santa Monica area who appreciates premium ingredients and a delightful departure from the standard sweet fare.

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Menu

Doughnuts
*Huckleberry $4.75
Chock full of fresh, foraged huckleberries, a huckleberry cake doughnut, topped with huckleberry glaze.
Butter & Salt $3.75
Vanilla bean cake doughnut with brown butter glaze and fleur de sel.
Saigon Cinnamon Crumb $3.50
Slightly sweet, slightly spicy Saigon cinnamon cake doughnut, topped with vanilla glaze and a house made cinnamon-almond streusel.
Old Fashion $3.50
Our take on a classic, buttermilk, nutmeg and cinnamon cake doughnut, topped with vanilla bean glaze.
Celebration Cake $3.50
Holidays and special occasions are the name of the game with our ever-changing, confetti-filled vanilla bean cake doughnut, topped with vanilla bean glaze and sprinkles, customized seasonally based on what we're celebrating!
*Maple Bacon $5.75
Raised doughnut topped with pure Vermont Maple Syrup glaze and crispy, all-natural bacon.
*Vanilla Bean Glazed $4.25
Classic raised doughnut with our signature vanilla bean glaze.
*Choc-A-Lot $5.25
Our signature raised chocolate doughnut, topped with a house made chocolate glaze and Valrhona Chocolate cocoa nibs.
Weekly Gluten Friendly Flavor $4.50
Our gluten-friendly flavor changes weekly! October 2nd — Huckleberry October 9th — Butter & Salt October 16th —Triple Chocolate October 23rd — Celebration Cake October 30th — Old Fashion November 6th — Huckleberry November 13th — Butter & Salt November 20th — Triple Chocolate November 27th — Celebration Cake December 4th — Huckleberry December 11th — Butter & Salt December 18th — Triple Chocolate December 25th — Celebration Cake Please note we are NOT a gluten-free facility. While our gluten-friendly flavors are made with gluten-free ingredients, they are prepared in the same workspace and fryers as our regular doughnuts. **Some of our doughnuts use almond flour or are made in facilities where cross-contamination may exist. Please email info@sidecardoughnuts.com if you have further questions.

Coffee Drinks
12 Oz Sidecar Vintage Blend $3.00
Our very own signature blend drip coffee, composed of two high-grade specialty coffees from Colombia & Brazil. With notes of dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and a hint of smoke, ours is the classic cup of Joe you're after! Sourced and roasted exclusively by Common Room Roasters.
16 Oz Sidecar Vintage Blend $3.25
Our very own signature blend drip coffee, composed of two high-grade specialty coffees from Colombia & Brazil. With notes of dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and a hint of smoke, ours is the classic cup of Joe you're after! Sourced and roasted exclusively by Common Room Roasters.
Americano $3.00
We are proud to serve Common Room Roasters' award-winning Brunswick espresso - a smooth, balanced blend, comprised of seasonal washed and natural coffees.
Espresso $3.00
We are proud to serve Common Room Roasters' award-winning Brunswick espresso - a smooth, balanced blend, comprised of seasonal washed and natural coffees.
Latte $4.00
Made with Common Room Roasters' award-winning Brunswick Blend espresso and steamed milk of your choice. Yes, we have non-dairy options!
Cappuccino $4.00
Made with Common Room Roasters' award-winning Brunswick Blend espresso and steamed milk of your choice. Yes, we have non-dairy options!
Caramel Latte $4.50
Available hot or over ice, made with our very own house made caramel, Common Room Roasters' award-winning Brunswick Blend espresso, and your choice of milk. Pro tip: caramel and almond milk go great together... just sayin'!
Vanilla Latte $4.50
Available hot or over ice, and featuring our house made vanilla extract, Common Room Roasters' award-winning Brunswick Blend espresso, and your choice of milk. We love this one made with oat milk!
Black Onyx Mocha $4.50
Sidecar's take on a traditional mocha, made with Black Onyx Cocoa, milk, and espresso.
Sidecar Cold Brew $5.00
On draft! Our very own, rich and delicious cold brew coffee is sourced and roasted by our friends at Common Room Roasters.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee $6.00
Known as cà phê đá or cafe da in its native land (literally "ice coffee"), this cold & bold beverage is made with 4 shots of our signature espresso, sweetened condensed milk and whole milk; stirred and served over ice.
Coffee Carafe $30.00
96oz. Filled with our very own signature blend drip coffee, composed of two high-grade specialty coffees from Colombia & Brazil. With notes of dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and a hint of smoke, ours is the classic cup of Joe you're after! Sourced and roasted exclusively by Common Room Roasters.

Other Drinks
Chai Latte $5.75
Award-winning Australian Prana Chai with premium milk.
Hot Chocolate
Rich, dark and creamy, and made with with premium Valrhona Guanaja chocolate; topped with fresh whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
Tea $3.00
We offer a selection of fine teas - herbal, black, you name it! - available hot or iced.
Matcha Tea $3.00
Organic Tenzo Matcha, made with 100% green tea; available as is or as a latte made with premium milk.
Matcha Latte $5.00
Organic Tenzo Matcha, made with 100% green tea; available as is or as a latte made with premium milk.
Milk
Chocolate Milk
Apple Juice $3.00
Cold Brew Stubby $4.00
Sparkling Water $2.50
Spring Water $2.50
Regular Coke $3.00
Diet Coke $3.00
Strawberry Yuzu Lemonade $5.00

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Details

Service options
Delivery
In-store pickup
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great coffee

Popular for
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free parking lot
Paid street parking

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Photos

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Location

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

California Los Angeles County Santa Monica Wilshire Montana Wilshire Boulevard

631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 1671 user reviews.

huckleberrybutter saltgluten freeveganeggs benedictbasilcookie doughvietnamese coffeepassion fruitsaigon cinnamon

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Best donuts so far!We found this place just thinking of having some sweet in the morning and we love it so badly that return twice before leaving Santa Monica.What have in this donuts? We try six options and we love it all (and this never happen)! They are simply so good, that you want to get more and more. I believe the secret is on the freshness, they made a few minutes before we eat.They have two in special that we thought so crazy and different that we had to try: basil eggs Benedict and passion fruit pavlova… OMG! Just try it!
July 17 · Catherine Cruz
Great donuts even though it was a bit expensive. They provided water and outdoor seating as well as the ability to taste some donut flavors. At the time of being there, there were two donut flavors out to be sampled. The employees were nice and the line moved quickly.
June 05 · Ben
These donuts are so good!! They were offering free samples of the butter jalapeño flavour and it was amazing. I got the "maracuya pavlova", which I think is a seasonal flavour, and a banana bread latte and both were so good! The staff were also very friendly and the place is aesthetically pleasing.
August 07 · MJ
The passion fruit donut was a surprise. Walled in and found out this special is not on the online menu. Ordered it, tastes real good. Fluffy bit not too airy, fried to the right amount. Maybe the sign was right? ‘Best donut in California’
July 14 · Sikai Xiao
The donuts are delicious, but they lack the “fun” factor I typically associate with donuts. The dough is delicious with great cake texture. The toppings have great flavor and aren’t overly sweet. However, the superior quality isn’t justified by the price discrepancy between a more traditional “local donut shop” donut, which gives just about the same amount of enjoyment (assuming you have decent local donut shops). It’s worth giving this place a try, but not the highlight of any trip to Santa Monica.Update: I gave the place a second try and was equally underwhelmed. The value proposition just doesn’t work for me. Regardless of price, I feel more satisfaction and enjoyment eating a donut from a local donut shop and would easily choose a local donut shop located next door to this place, even if prices were equivalent. The fact that a local donut shop donut is less than half the price, makes this place irrelevant. If I’m going to eat unhealthy, I’m not going to overpay and under-enjoy. By comparison Old Ferry Donut is priced similar to Sidecar, but Old Ferry Donut is absolutely worth the premium. My least favorite donut at Old Ferry was far more enjoyable than my favorite donut from Sidecar.Now for the review of the donuts on my second trip. The strawberry buttermilk was probably my favorite cake donut. The strawberry flavor really shines through in the cake and glaze. It had a nice consistency for a cake donut. Sidecar excels at cake donuts but not raised donuts, which is probably why I’m not a huge fan, since I prefer raised donuts far more than cake.Saigon cinnamon crumble was my next favorite cake donut. The cinnamon was strong but not overwhelming and the crumble provide a decent crunch component to the texture.The glazed old fashion was basic and didn’t seem much different in texture than their other cakes. It definitely didn’t have the crumbly, dense texture that I expect from an old fashion.The peach cobbler malasada was the greatest disappointment. I’m used to Hawaiian Malasadas (Sugar Beach Bake Shop in Maui is my favorite), this donut reminded me nothing of Malasadas I’ve had before. I expect a light airiness, slight chew, crisp exterior from a malasada, this has none of it. The peach compote was overly tart and minimally sweet. Perhaps this is more similar to a non-Hawaiian malasada, if so, I have no reference for that.The passion fruit pavlova was a toss up. The whipped cream with passion fruit sauce on the top was great. It was light, creamy, and with the perfect amount of sweetness. The pavlova seemed like a meaningless addition beyond trying to make the donut sound fancy. The filling was minimal, to the point that I can’t comment since there wasn’t enough inside to form an opinion. The dough, while described as raised, was not airy and light, but rather dense almost like a cake. I’m starting to get the feeling they use almost the same batter for every donut.I dropped my star rating by one star mainly due to the fact that other premium donut shops offer much greater enjoyment per dollar spent… old ferry donuts, dks donuts, rolling pin donuts, voodoo donuts, to name a few.
August 18 · Michael Bailey