Cafe Bolivar

"The brainchild of Venezuelan and Japanese owners, this hyper local spot in the Sunset Park neighborhood is equal parts coffeehouse, arepa bar and art gallery. It’s hard to know which part is better because they serve it all up with quality and style. From fresh salads and sandwiches to Oaxacan hot chocolate and locally roasted coffee, Bolívar defines the term “Glocal.”" - TRÜF

"Café Bolivar is a great spot to get work done for a few reasons: it's always soothingly quiet here, there are plenty of outlets by the shop's large windows, the WiFi is speedy, and, most importantly, they make great arepas. Come to this South American café in Ocean Park for strong Colombian coffee, a delicious lunch of corn cakes stuffed with anything from pulled pork to fresh cheese, and plenty of space to zone out and make that looming deadline. " - nikko duren, brant cox, sylvio martins

"Santa Monica’s Café Bolivar specializes in subtly sweet, dense, and stuffed arepas that come with meat, cheese, and creamy avocado fillings. This place makes theirs fresh to order, with our favorite being the pulled pork - golden masa filled with tender pork shoulder that’s slow-cooked for nine hours in a tomato-based sauce, seasoned with Caribbean spices, and topped off with cilantro and pickled red onions. Arepas come in orders of two, so feel free to mix and match and enjoy them with your coffee. The Bolivar is great and consists of a double shot of espresso mixed with condensed milk for a decadent twist on our morning routine." - sylvio martins

"Cafe Bolívar, Santa Monica. The brainchild of Venezuelan and Japanese owners, this hyper local spot in the Sunset Park neighborhood is equal parts coffeehouse, arepa bar and art gallery. It’s hard to know which part is better because they serve it all up with quality and style. From fresh salads and sandwiches to Oaxacan hot chocolate and locally roasted coffee, Bolívar defines the term “Glocal.”"

"This South American-style cafe on Ocean Park is a perfect place to get work done. If that’s your goal, get here early to grab a prime seat by the window (and near one of their plentiful outlets). Bolivar has great coffee, a decent selection of pastries (definitely get some arepas), and fast wifi, and while it gets busy, it never gets too loud to focus. When you’re in Santa Monica and want to avoid the crowds on Abbott Kinney, head to Bolivar. Food Rundown Pulled Pork Arepa We’ve eaten plenty of pulled pork across this city, but few versions can compare to what you get in these tasty arepas. The pork shoulder is super tender with a sweet and tangy Caribbean spice blend that pairs well with the semi-sweet masa and pickled shallots. Add some green salsa too if you’re looking for a little extra kick. Ripe Mango Arepa At first, we thought the fresh cheese and avocado filling would make this too rich and creamy, but the thick mango slices provide some necessary acidity. The garlic confit and rosemary aioli also add some good sharpness. Make sure to try one of these. The Bolívar The rich double shot of espresso melds together with condensed milk to create a viscous and decadent cafecito that will simultaneously satisfy your morning sweet tooth and clear your morning brain fog. Mocha Oaxaqueño If you want something a little less sweet, get one of these. The cacao flavor in this coffee drink is earthy and smokey, and pairs perfectly with the espresso." - Team Infatuation