Cafe Bolivar

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.

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.