Like other reviews, nice staff but VERY slow service. It took 25 minutes to warm a pastry up when it was not busy. Staff looks frazzled and confused while preparing food.
Carlo N.
Have you ever wished for a nice cold coffee drink on a hot day or a warm arepas? Well you’ve come to the right cafe.
Cafe Bolívar (est 2001) is a cute corner South American coffee shop on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. They have good selection of coffee & tea drinks, selective pastries, salads, breakfast, and special arepas. This cafe has a calming atmosphere with background music that’s not too loud, and the staff are skilled. I came on a sunny warm afternoon to grab a cold drink/light lunch. I had a Cold Brew and Chicken Arepas. I enjoyed their refreshing cold brew coffee drink but so much on the pollo arepas. Its chicken was dry; arepas outside was crispy and crunchy but the inside was not moist. Moreover, their size was bloody small.
Cafe’s interior was naturally bright and aesthetically decorated. Indoor/outdoor seats were comfortable. Prices of the drinks were fair, however, arepas seem expensive. Service was on point. Staff were cordial. Free wifi. Plenty of street parking.
Overall, it’s a nice coffee shop.
Molly Phillips
My absolute favorite place to work on the west side! Two outlets, indoor, outdoor and counter seating, great sun light, and quiet enough to get things done. The mango arepa changed my life and makes every bad day better
Tristan Torgersen
Great spot for delicious arepas and coffee. This was a tasty meal, and for vegetarians, the mushroom ‘chorizo’ and black bean options are tasty.
I loved my matcha oak milk latte as well, and the service and atmosphere of the cafe really invites you to sit and stay, unlike so many grab n go LA shops that feel cold. The comfy couch chairs and tables, the nice service, and the tasty food contributed to a new favorite shop on Ocean Park.
Leah Schweibinz
Beautiful cafe. Great coffee, food, and service. The interior is really pretty, good music, and good seating. It can look closed from the outside due to the window tint.
Love: vanilla ice latte, iced mocha, & the arepas
Zachery Metzger
Dope spot! Hard to find, but you must find it
daniel montilla
Loved it
Ry Bacorn
Fantastic breakfast spot for small bites.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork Arepa
Lauren P.S
This place is so good the arepas are top tier and some of the best in LA. It’s really hard to find good ones. They also have pastries, coffee, tea and yummy juices!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork Arepa
Criole
i think what keeps me coming back here is just how friendly the staff are every time, whether i am just coming in for a coffee or arepas during my wfh day. not only are the arepa’s delicious, the lattes are pulled beautifully as well. such a wonderful local gem
Yum! Someone recommended this place today and luckily it's in my neighborhood. Got the cortado coffee which was perfect. Also got the mango and pulled pork arepa. The mango arepa was definitely my favorite. The combination of the rosemary with the freshly ripe mango was ?. I really love this little cafe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Una Bazdar
Delicious arepas with just right portion sizes. The chicken filling was exceptional. But the real unexpected highlight was the coffee - a great coffee! We are coming back one more time before heading back to Japan end of the week for a final arepa fix.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patt Bryant
An unpretentious coffee shop with simple square tables ( about 8) with chairs. Flat ambiance, but flavorful and potent coffee available along with a limited number of pastry types. The metuba coffee was excellent, I think.
Kid-friendliness: One booth like seating area is available.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
RM AB
Well done… excellent food, freshly made arepas!!! They don't sell empanadas, that's the only bad thing and the size of the arepas is small, but I think the flavor makes up for everything. 100% recommended?????????? ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
B “Gonzo” Hong
1st timer. Business trip.Was going to walk across the street to a different coffee shop and this caught my attention. So glad I went in and there is 20 minute parking in front. Pay by card or coins at the meter.Homemade juices ready to go. Pour over. Mocha. Homemade scones and croissants.Cute little vibe and spot to drink and eat or do work.
Like other reviews, nice staff but VERY slow service. It took 25 minutes to warm a pastry up when it was not busy. Staff looks frazzled and confused while preparing food.
Have you ever wished for a nice cold coffee drink on a hot day or a warm arepas? Well you’ve come to the right cafe.
Cafe Bolívar (est 2001) is a cute corner South American coffee shop on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. They have good selection of coffee & tea drinks, selective pastries, salads, breakfast, and special arepas. This cafe has a calming atmosphere with background music that’s not too loud, and the staff are skilled. I came on a sunny warm afternoon to grab a cold drink/light lunch. I had a Cold Brew and Chicken Arepas. I enjoyed their refreshing cold brew coffee drink but so much on the pollo arepas. Its chicken was dry; arepas outside was crispy and crunchy but the inside was not moist. Moreover, their size was bloody small.
Cafe’s interior was naturally bright and aesthetically decorated. Indoor/outdoor seats were comfortable. Prices of the drinks were fair, however, arepas seem expensive. Service was on point. Staff were cordial. Free wifi. Plenty of street parking.
Overall, it’s a nice coffee shop.
My absolute favorite place to work on the west side! Two outlets, indoor, outdoor and counter seating, great sun light, and quiet enough to get things done. The mango arepa changed my life and makes every bad day better
Great spot for delicious arepas and coffee. This was a tasty meal, and for vegetarians, the mushroom ‘chorizo’ and black bean options are tasty.
I loved my matcha oak milk latte as well, and the service and atmosphere of the cafe really invites you to sit and stay, unlike so many grab n go LA shops that feel cold. The comfy couch chairs and tables, the nice service, and the tasty food contributed to a new favorite shop on Ocean Park.
Beautiful cafe. Great coffee, food, and service. The interior is really pretty, good music, and good seating. It can look closed from the outside due to the window tint.
Love: vanilla ice latte, iced mocha, & the arepas
Dope spot! Hard to find, but you must find it
Loved it
Fantastic breakfast spot for small bites.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork Arepa
This place is so good the arepas are top tier and some of the best in LA. It’s really hard to find good ones. They also have pastries, coffee, tea and yummy juices!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork Arepa
i think what keeps me coming back here is just how friendly the staff are every time, whether i am just coming in for a coffee or arepas during my wfh day. not only are the arepa’s delicious, the lattes are pulled beautifully as well. such a wonderful local gem
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Yum! Someone recommended this place today and luckily it's in my neighborhood. Got the cortado coffee which was perfect. Also got the mango and pulled pork arepa. The mango arepa was definitely my favorite. The combination of the rosemary with the freshly ripe mango was ?. I really love this little cafe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious arepas with just right portion sizes. The chicken filling was exceptional. But the real unexpected highlight was the coffee - a great coffee! We are coming back one more time before heading back to Japan end of the week for a final arepa fix.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An unpretentious coffee shop with simple square tables ( about 8) with chairs. Flat ambiance, but flavorful and potent coffee available along with a limited number of pastry types. The metuba coffee was excellent, I think.
Kid-friendliness: One booth like seating area is available.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Well done… excellent food, freshly made arepas!!! They don't sell empanadas, that's the only bad thing and the size of the arepas is small, but I think the flavor makes up for everything. 100% recommended?????????? ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
1st timer. Business trip.Was going to walk across the street to a different coffee shop and this caught my attention. So glad I went in and there is 20 minute parking in front. Pay by card or coins at the meter.Homemade juices ready to go. Pour over. Mocha. Homemade scones and croissants.Cute little vibe and spot to drink and eat or do work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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