Cafe Bolivar

Would definitely recommend! Worth trying. The food is really good and too greasy. Great vibe and customer service.

Cozy coffee place with amazing homemade arepas, looking forward to be back anytime soon prior to the end of my stay in LA.

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.

Yummy arepas!! My favorite was the one with grilled chicken breast and avocado.

Cute Venezuelan cafe with drinks, sandwiches, and arepas. Came here with a friend on a weekday for lunch and ordered some arepas to split. Each order comes with two arepas. We tried the chicken, the stewed beef, stewed pork, and mushroom. All of them were tasty and came freshly made (it takes about 20 minutes for the cook time). I also had a matcha latte with honey which was very tasty and nicely sweetened. The service was friendly and efficient. You order/pay first before taking a seat. Dine-in and takeout are available. Credit cards accepted. Metered street parking. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

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

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!

This place is awesome! The coffee is always amazing and my favorite thing to get to eat are the Arepas. These take a little extra time as they are made to order but it is worth the wait , they are amazing! Be sure to also get some soup while you wait (it is always good no matter what they have that day!) Great staff, great location to work or just grab some lunch, or have a coffee with a friend.

Just found out about this place today and we made a quick u-turn right away once we saw “arepa bar” written on the building . Soooo good! I think I found my new favorite spot 🤤. The pulled pork arepa was delicious and the Tamarindo drink was so good and both freshly made! Customer service was really nice and friendly ☺️.

Love the Arepas!! Have such cravings sometimes that I'll come all the way from San Pedro. The juice selection is wonderful too and LOVE the Latte, smooth but strong. It's a great little corner there to visit with some small Giftstores across the street always worth a visit!

I ordered a mocha and yeah, the wait was a little longer (around 6 minutes when ordered to-go), but it was absolutely worth it. The drink came out piping hot and the milk wasn’t burned !! (shockingly rare when it’s that hot), and the sweetness was balanced perfectly — you can still taste the espresso without it punching you in the throat. I went on a rainy day and the staff kept the space pretty spotless. Tables were getting wiped down within a minute of people leaving. The vibe is clean, calm, and spacious enough that even with the customers next to me talking pretty loudly, the acoustics made it feel fine instead of irritating. The mocha was $8, which sounds wild, but this is Santa Monica — that’s just standard. And honestly? For the same price, this is MILES better than the cafe across the street (Love Coffee Bar) not even close. Higher quality, better atmosphere, more seating, and it actually feels comfortable. Random (!!): their compostable cups don’t get soggy. I baby my coffee, and even walking home in the rain the cup held up extremely well. The staff aren’t super chatty, but they’re really friendly and feel more seasoned compared to the usual 20-something baristas (no shade, I’m 24). It was just genuinely pleasant. I’ll definitely be back. The coffee was that good! So good!

Love this place! Recently moved to LA and missed Venezuelan home cooking and saw that this place served arepas, so I had to try it out. 10/10

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.

Stopped by for the first time with my wife. She has been here already and suggested it. Lovely place with friendly staff. I’ve ordered arepas which comes with a choice of two. It was absolutely delicious. Will definitely come back for coffee next time. I also liked that they display artworks.

Impeccable service - everyone is so kind and amazing food and coffee.

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.

We wanted a cute cafe where we could get some work done away from home. What drew us to Bolivar were the arepas, and just as other reviewers have pointed out, they’re a must-try! We tried four different flavors, each one sensational. They were warm and crispy as well. The passionfruit juice and green tea were the perfect accompaniments to the arepas.

Cute simple neighborhood Cafe serving arepas, tasty sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Enough to prep your energy for whatever the weekend brings.

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!

Super yummy arepas. We enjoyed black beans made with love stuffed inside a maize pocket, almost like a polenta flavour bread. Also liked the mango, avocado and cheese arepa. The service was friendly and cafe very clean.

Such a peaceful vibe and atmosphere with excellent quality /pricing!

I grew up having arepas almost every day, so it always feels wrong to over spend on such a staple meal. Cafe Bolivar has amazing prices and delicious arepas. It's hard to find quality and affordable Venezuelan food. The staff is friendly and accommodating as well.

Sofia Rivera

I ordered a mocha and yeah, the wait was a little longer (around 6 minutes when ordered to-go), but it was absolutely worth it. The drink came out piping hot and the milk wasn’t burned !! (shockingly rare when it’s that hot), and the sweetness was balanced perfectly — you can still taste the espresso without it punching you in the throat. I went on a rainy day and the staff kept the space pretty spotless. Tables were getting wiped down within a minute of people leaving. The vibe is clean, calm, and spacious enough that even with the customers next to me talking pretty loudly, the acoustics made it feel fine instead of irritating. The mocha was $8, which sounds wild, but this is Santa Monica — that’s just standard. And honestly? For the same price, this is MILES better than the cafe across the street (Love Coffee Bar) not even close. Higher quality, better atmosphere, more seating, and it actually feels comfortable. Random (!!): their compostable cups don’t get soggy. I baby my coffee, and even walking home in the rain the cup held up extremely well. The staff aren’t super chatty, but they’re really friendly and feel more seasoned compared to the usual 20-something baristas (no shade, I’m 24). It was just genuinely pleasant. I’ll definitely be back. The coffee was that good! So good!

L P

Love this place! Recently moved to LA and missed Venezuelan home cooking and saw that this place served arepas, so I had to try it out. 10/10

Richard Wehmeyer

Stopped by for the first time with my wife. She has been here already and suggested it. Lovely place with friendly staff. I’ve ordered arepas which comes with a choice of two. It was absolutely delicious. Will definitely come back for coffee next time. I also liked that they display artworks.

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.

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.

Taylor

Impeccable service - everyone is so kind and amazing food and coffee.

Natalie Tran

We wanted a cute cafe where we could get some work done away from home. What drew us to Bolivar were the arepas, and just as other reviewers have pointed out, they’re a must-try! We tried four different flavors, each one sensational. They were warm and crispy as well. The passionfruit juice and green tea were the perfect accompaniments to the arepas.

R Ord

Cute simple neighborhood Cafe serving arepas, tasty sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Enough to prep your energy for whatever the weekend brings.

Amanda Fischels

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!

Mara Simmons

Super yummy arepas. We enjoyed black beans made with love stuffed inside a maize pocket, almost like a polenta flavour bread. Also liked the mango, avocado and cheese arepa. The service was friendly and cafe very clean.

A A

Such a peaceful vibe and atmosphere with excellent quality /pricing!

Carlos Guillen

I grew up having arepas almost every day, so it always feels wrong to over spend on such a staple meal. Cafe Bolivar has amazing prices and delicious arepas. It's hard to find quality and affordable Venezuelan food. The staff is friendly and accommodating as well.

This is my favorite cafe in Santa Monica—- a hidden gem. It’s a lot of locals and SMC students that go there. Great space to get some work done—despite the music and crowd noise for whatever reason there is a level of focus here. Outdoor seating available. FOR COFFEE LOVERS: get your coffee here and buy the coffee by pound. And of course you gotta try the arepas. 😊

Such a warm and creative vibe here. The arepas and empanadas are packed with flavor, and everything tastes homemade. The coffee is strong and rich, just how I like it. The artwork on the walls adds a personal touch. Love this spot for breakfast or lunch

Heavenly coffee and even more amazing arepa. You get two mini snack size arepa so you can mix and match. I always get tuna for one and mango/ farmer cheese for the other one and they are fantastic! delectable. Support local mom and pop shops. Their only competition on the west side is a farmers market arepa stand and i much prefer bolivar because the filling to corn cake ratio and the ability to sample two types with one order.

Rinat Vamos

Such a warm and creative vibe here. The arepas and empanadas are packed with flavor, and everything tastes homemade. The coffee is strong and rich, just how I like it. The artwork on the walls adds a personal touch. Love this spot for breakfast or lunch

Layla Khamoushian

This is my favorite cafe in Santa Monica—- a hidden gem. It’s a lot of locals and SMC students that go there. Great space to get some work done—despite the music and crowd noise for whatever reason there is a level of focus here. Outdoor seating available. FOR COFFEE LOVERS: get your coffee here and buy the coffee by pound. And of course you gotta try the arepas. 😊

Miyako Igari

Heavenly coffee and even more amazing arepa. You get two mini snack size arepa so you can mix and match. I always get tuna for one and mango/ farmer cheese for the other one and they are fantastic! delectable. Support local mom and pop shops. Their only competition on the west side is a farmers market arepa stand and i much prefer bolivar because the filling to corn cake ratio and the ability to sample two types with one order.

The arepas are made to order. Two minimum per order. Very tasty! They are small so if you are a big eater order 4. Their Venezuelan soda selection is great. Where else can you say "that Colita looks pretty good!" and get away with it? I hear that their coffee in the am is pretty good.

Pulled pork arepa is DELICIOUS. Been there only a couple times and the food tastes as good as the first. I only wish the owner was present more often because without him the staff is lifeless.

Great sandwiches and coffee, a little over my budget when it comes to a quick bite, but the staff is nice and the environment is good for sitting, eating, and working.

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.

Friendly and welcoming staff. Kind of small space, so may not be best for working or large groups, but cozy. I ordered an Americano - the cashier said that their standard strength is 2 shots of espresso. I ordered it black and it was delicious, smooth.

Art Borja

The arepas are made to order. Two minimum per order. Very tasty! They are small so if you are a big eater order 4. Their Venezuelan soda selection is great. Where else can you say "that Colita looks pretty good!" and get away with it? I hear that their coffee in the am is pretty good.

Venezuelan Arepas in Santa Monica, California. Price varies, they come in small sizes, more like a “slider arepa” My order as per de menu which is not clear, was 6USD, but there is a minimum order of 2 per order so it was 12*+. Since I saw the owner and talked to him, he was able to sale me just one arepa, it was an exception. You have to know how they taste before ordering two, right? It was good, I would prefer a standard size normal arepa for One price. Coffee was good too!

The benches and chairs are not comfortable, and you have to look for electrical plugs. There are really only two plugs, one on the far left as you walk in and one in the middle. There are no plugs to the far right. I have been there about six times, and never found the servers that nice. Not sure why. It's pretty hot in here. If Love Coffee Bar is full, it is a good alternative. Their wifi sometimes has issues for some Macs I have noticed. I am still waiting for them to get more plugs and more comfortable chairs, and some smiling servers.

The guy who helped us was really nice, but as a Venezuelan, I expected more authenticity in the arepas. They aren't bad, but they can definitely be much better. The tamarind we ordered was delicious though. I'd recommend this more for a coffee spot, if you need to study or have a chill coffee date, but that's about it

I was intrigued by this coffee place, the name gave me a hint that the owners should be from Venezuela, The gentleman who took my order was very friendly and caring, I ordered the cafe latte on ice. Everything seemed good until I took a sip there was a very weird aftertaste and when I smell the cup it smelled like putrid water, I don't know if it was the coffee or the ice. But this was very disappointing. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I hope they get a better source of water.

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.

Pancho Villa

I was intrigued by this coffee place, the name gave me a hint that the owners should be from Venezuela, The gentleman who took my order was very friendly and caring, I ordered the cafe latte on ice. Everything seemed good until I took a sip there was a very weird aftertaste and when I smell the cup it smelled like putrid water, I don't know if it was the coffee or the ice. But this was very disappointing. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I hope they get a better source of water.

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.

Drove all the way from Glendale on a regular Saturday (not a holiday) and arrived at 6:15 pm only for an employee to say it was closed. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and the cafe bolivar website all show this place closes at 7:00 pm.

Brenda Reyes

Drove all the way from Glendale on a regular Saturday (not a holiday) and arrived at 6:15 pm only for an employee to say it was closed. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and the cafe bolivar website all show this place closes at 7:00 pm.

I was really looking forward to trying Arepa Coffee Shop for the first time. When I walked in, the initial interaction with the cashier was great—he was friendly, and I told him I was excited to try the food. He mentioned it would be about a 15-minute wait for my arepa, which was totally fine. Unfortunately, that’s where things started to go downhill. After waiting around 20 minutes, I noticed things were getting a bit chaotic, so I politely checked in with a staff member. She couldn’t find my order or my receipt, and it became clear that something had gone wrong. They eventually figured out there was a mistake, but I ended up waiting another 15 minutes after that—so in total, it took about 40 minutes to get my food. The arepa itself was tasty, but definitely not worth the long wait and confusion. What really disappointed me the most was that no one apologized or acknowledged the mix-up. It left a bad impression, and sadly, I probably won’t be returning

Amy Cooper

I was really looking forward to trying Arepa Coffee Shop for the first time. When I walked in, the initial interaction with the cashier was great—he was friendly, and I told him I was excited to try the food. He mentioned it would be about a 15-minute wait for my arepa, which was totally fine. Unfortunately, that’s where things started to go downhill. After waiting around 20 minutes, I noticed things were getting a bit chaotic, so I politely checked in with a staff member. She couldn’t find my order or my receipt, and it became clear that something had gone wrong. They eventually figured out there was a mistake, but I ended up waiting another 15 minutes after that—so in total, it took about 40 minutes to get my food. The arepa itself was tasty, but definitely not worth the long wait and confusion. What really disappointed me the most was that no one apologized or acknowledged the mix-up. It left a bad impression, and sadly, I probably won’t be returning

I went in and I ask a coffee with skimmed milk or condensed milk when ordering i forgot if they had it and I ask the cashier he just looks at me and he does not even know what I am asking for. I keep asking what milks they have and he can't not even answer. Until I spoke in Spanish then he started to help. Im felt so embarrassed and when I turn around my co worker was behind me I payed and left didn't bother to stay to get the coffee and food.

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.

They served me food with hair in it and didn’t even have the basic decency to offer a refund. Out of the 7 times I went there, 4 times my food had hair in it. One time, even a sauce I bought had the lid completely tangled with hair. This last time, I finally requested a refund because I will never go back in my life after experiences like this. They told me the refund would be processed in two days, and now they’re telling me to wait until Monday. Completely irresponsible and unacceptable.