Ye Olde King’s Head Gift Shoppe & Bakery

Crammed to the ceiling with everything from home, all of it — it’s an impressive import outfit & you have to wonder how they got all those china tea cups over here in one piece.
Inflated pricing shouldn’t be a shock here, but it is. The prices are a shock and you really must want those chocolate hob nobs and those Milk Trays. Still… it’s such a treat.

GREAT PLACE!
What more could you possibly want out of an English pub/​restaurant? I couldn’t find anything I wasn’t pleased with. I’ve had this restaurant on my list of places for a very long time and finally made it out and it was definitely worth it! Just wish I did it sooner now.
Environment:
A quintessential English spot. You’ll feel as though you stepped into the door and straight into England. It may have just been «right place, right time» but having our pleasant waitress with the British accent and every patron around us speaking King’s, it added to the whole experience.
Service:
Fantastic from start to finish. Our waitress was moving and talking fast but never lacked in understanding or service. Another gentleman came by with our drinks within almost seconds of our order and refilled quickly. Food came out really quickly. Almost TOO quick if you know what I mean, but definitely a good thing.
Food:
Fish and Chips — how does one go to an English restaurant and not try the old staple? We ordered one King portion (2 fish vs the Queen’s 1 fish) and also a kid’s meal. Definitely the largest piece of cod I’ve ever received on a fish and chip order! Fish was fresh and flakey. Batter wasn’t overly greasy and tartar sauce was good. A must order!
Shepherds Pie — I tried some of this and it was good. I’ve had others and, to be honest, they all kind of go down the same road. But, it is good.
Kid’s hamburger — very dry, not much flavor. Unfortunately it’s what my kid wanted but who would normally order a burger in an English pub?
Scotch Egg (starter) — the most unimpressive portion of our meal. Accompanied with some nice, brown gravy and our waitress brought some hot mustard as well. It wasn’t bad by any means, but nothing fantastic to me.
Sticky Toffee Pudding — this is a must get dessert. Everything about it was great. Not overly sweet. Not overly sticky. Nice, warm pudding. Fantastic stuff…
Boddington’s on tap… The End. =o)

Birds Custard, Rose’s lime marmalade, Beef Bangers and Daddy’s brown sauce… I am well sorted !!!

Oh. My. God. Best English food store I have been to (outside of England)! As an expat who has been in California for 16 years, I know the struggle of finding real British goods.
16 years ago, it was impossible to find a Crunchie bar — and every «Britannia arms» you entered served hotdogs and had baseball junk all over the walls. I hoarded Monster Munch in my dresser, and binge-​ate whenever visiting the UK.
Since then, things have gotten a lot better. You can get your basics (HP sauce, baked beans, Aero bars) at most supermarkets, and can find english food stores dotted around with help of google.
Anyway — I happened to be in Santa Monica for a work trip, and decided I could go for some cadburys. I googled «english food store» and Ye Olde King’s Head came up. Naturally, I left for the airport early so that I could drop by and see what they had to offer.
I was blown away by the selection! Not only were there 4 rooms of english food and products, but one was a bakery! The selection was so great, I might as well have been in an english store. They stock every flavor of walkers, every chocolate bar, sweet, and squash. There are frozen sections with the essential pies and pasties, and a fridge full of tango and Ribena… you name it, it’s here.
It’s probably a good thing I was alone. I bought a mini Victoria sponge to eat in the car (yes…powdered sugar all over the rental), and nearly broke the bank stuffing as much as I could into a carry-​on bag.
I didn’t even get to try the restaurant, which I’m assuming cooks all those amazing pies, pasties and delicious British treats. So i’ll have to be back soon.
Ps: Who am I kidding, I still hoard Pickled Onion Monster Munch in my dresser.

had irn bru and angel’s delight. enough said!

What a wonderful shop! My family and i went in there late last night to check it out and were so beyond thrilled! great gifts, wonderful jams and jellies, chocolates etc and all imported. the two ladies working there were very very kind and helpful. We can’t wait to go back next time we’re up in Santa Monica. plus they have homemade pastries and meat pies that are to die for!!! if you haven’t been you totally need to go!

Good selection of British produce. Even had tesco curry sauces! I just wish there was more flavour selection of hula hoops!

I was passing by on the way back to my car after visiting the pier and decided to peek inside. To my surprise, they had IRN BRU, a beverage which I fell in love with during my stay in Scotland a few years ago. My Scottish chums call it the Coca-​Cola of Scotland. It’s basically just an orange soda, and I don’t always drink soda, but when I do, it’s IRN BRU. Anyway, I danced and squealed when I saw my beloved Scottish drink staring at me from the fridge. I grabbed six, at $ 2.25 per pop, which is still cheaper than trying to get it shipped from the U.K.
They have an impressive and expansive collection of British (English, Scottish, Irish) goods, drinks, gifts, and trinkets. I could’ve spent hours browsing. Whether you’re from the UK and missing the tastes of home, or an admiring traveler looking for your favorite remnants from your last visit, you can likely find it here.
Where they loss stars was for customer service, or lack there of. The customer in front of me had a British accent and he was greeted with and spoken to in the most cheerful, playful, and friendliest of manners. It was like a little party. But come my turn, it was like a possession had taken over the cashier. There I was, highly giddy with my arm full of IRN BRU, and she was acting like I was coming for her first born. I received no return smile, no responding «hello,» no nothing but an attitude and a scowl. What did I ever do to you? Then she had the nerve to ask if I needed a bag for my ½ dozen bottles of IRN BRU. DO I LOOK LIKE A KANGAROO? No, I don’t have a built-​in pouch, so yes, I need a bag. Ugh. I hate when bad customer service ruins what would have been an otherwise excellent experience.

On Yer Bike and get here right away! I always make a stop on every visit to Santa Monica. I love looking at everything in the store. Reminds me of my time in Scotland and England. I can buy everything to make the delicious meals I ate over there here in my own kitchen. I highly recommend custard mix, hob nobs, any chocolate sweetie, galaxy bar with caramel or boost bar really you cannot go wrong trying any chocolate.

This place honestly doesn’t have the friendliest staff in my opinion. I am a friendly person and like to greet people with smiles. Don’t think that goes well with them… In any case I got the things I wanted and left. I won’t return if I find another store that offers me better service and scent. I felt like the store has some stench to it. I wish Jewel Osco was here. I remember they used to sell British food items in Chicago.

This place is one of a kind. One can get Coffee Crisps and Aero Bars from Canada. Though my diet doesnt really allow that, when Im in the mood to indulge I have a place to get them in LA.

A great shop and lots of goodies from home. We’re glad this place is here as we can always pop in and buy bits from home. I wish prices were better but they need to profit too ;-)

I have forgotten to review this place. We have been coming here many years.
We buy English tea from them. We drink tea a lot, so we come here often to buy some tea.
Their pastries both sweets and savory ones are really good.
Their Aussie pies are better than the pies from Aussie Pie Kitchen on Main Street. And it is much cheaper here.
Every item is really good and very cheap.
When we are hungry for something small, this is a nice place to stop by real quick to grab something to eat.
People who work here are friendly too.
A Santa Monica City parking structure is just across the street.

Such a cute place with such a wide selection of British goodies!!! So pleasantly surprised to find this place while walking by. I was planning on making my own Christmas pudding this year, but this store had a huge selection of pre-​made ones to choose from. Also scored some mincemeat filling to make mincemeat pies!
Also the staff are super friendly and answered some questions for me regarding the best pudding to buy.
Didn’t get to try the pastries, but they looked great.

Went to this insane over priced store the other day. Just because something is imported doesn’t mean you can charge 10 times the amount for it.
There was a heavy set English woman working there with wavy hair, tied back. Within 20 seconds of being in the store she had:
1. Passive aggressively called me a convict because I have an Australian accent.
2. Called President of the United States a criminal.
3. Was super passive aggressive.
I was amazed that someone would attempt to offend someone as much as she did in such short amount of time. This woman was straight up an awful person. She had a passive aggressive response to every part of the transaction, when we left the store we all talked about how insane awful she was.
I will be telling all of my English and Australian friends not to shop here.
If you are the owner of this place consider firing her. Feel free to contact me to verify any of my statements.

came in to get some pastries. no one was there! tried looking for someone but the cashier on the other room where all the nik naks are was super busy with 4 people in line. waited a while, circled around a couple times, did some twirls, my stomach was growling and time was ticking, and so i gave up. walked out. no one saw.

The five stars is for the Fish and Chips!!! Ok not entirely for the fish and chips alone, the restaurant itself is wickedly huge and classic. I’ve been meaning to come here for quite some time and finally had the opportunity to come with some co workers. We spent the afternoon shooting darts, eating the most amazing fish and chips, and sipping on beers.
I strongly suggest getting the fish and chips. The batter is light and crispy all the way through. For such a thick cut of fish it’s cooked perfectly through with the perfect texture and taste. The fries are unmatched, just perfectly fried and banging. I appreciate that the fish and chips are served immediately, we went through at least 10 plates of them and shared all of them and they were piping hot when we received them. I later read something on the LA times about the best fish and chips in Los Angeles, and Ye Olde King’s Head holds that title.
Tips: Parking is everywhere street and lot. Dress casual, comfortable shoes, jeans, whatever it’s a bar.

Excellent breakfast– in fact this place is a hidden gem. Get the kings breakfast, bangers, ham, beans, and ask for the fries toast (like French toast) then instead of coffee try their tea — this is a British breakfast and it’s bomb. I’m going back to the motherland. Ya baby!!!

This store has a wonderful selection of British type snacks. Candy, pastries, meat and sweet pies in the back. (There is an actual pie shop in the back. I suggest the meat pie).
The women working here are wonderful to chat with. Ask them for suggestions. Talk to the other patrons as you will find many a Brit who will tell you about candy from their youth and why you should buy it.
They close earlier than the bar/​restaurant so if you’re going to dinner or drinks at Ye Olde King’s Head, make sure you come here first.

Oh god scones, gooseberry pies, meat pieeeeesss! It’s all sooo goood! Whoever is baking for this bakery knows their stuff! Flakey, not too sweet, not too salty, just the right portion. Avoid the scottish egg tho. Yuck. Salt lick. All items are priced below $ 4.50. Tetley tea with milk and honey is well balanced, really smooth. Get one to go. I got greedy and bought an extra scone for the next day but preservative-​free means they were not as soft and fluffy. Sad face. Next time I’ll gobble them both the same day. Worth it.
The gift shop is a little pricy. A plain bar of milk chocolate cadbury chocolate will run you about $ 4, the same price for a sharfen berger chocolate bar. Lots of fun novelty items. My advice to you is to browse the gift shoppe but purchase at the bakery.