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Located in the heart of Monrovia, California, Café De Olla Restaurant is a vibrant homage to authentic Mexican cuisine, celebrated for its rich flavors and warm, inviting atmosphere. This charming eatery offers a delightful all-day menu that showcases traditional dishes alongside unique twists, making it a must-visit for both locals and visitors craving genuine Mexican fare with a creative edge.
Step inside Café De Olla and you’re instantly enveloped by the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and homemade spices. The restaurant’s highlight is undoubtedly its signature Café de Olla — a spiced Mexican coffee that bursts with cinnamon and cloves, available both hot and iced, captivating your senses with every sip. Customers rave about this beverage as the perfect companion to their meal, and it’s easy to see why. Pair this with some Pan Dulce or the Concha French Toast, and you’ve got a breakfast experience that lingers in your memory.
The menu is as dynamic as it is traditional, offering standout dishes such as the Chilaquiles Divorciados, where crispy tortillas bask under two vibrant sauces served simultaneously, creating a playful dance of flavors and textures. For those seeking hearty options, the Machaca Burrito - stuffed with shredded seasoned beef wrapped in a soft tortilla - or the Steak & Eggs catering to classic cravings, deliver savory satisfaction. Noteworthy is the Hot Links & Eggs, an indulgent plate that balances spicy, smoky chorizo with perfectly cooked eggs, served alongside handmade tortillas that customers wish came in endless supply.
Weekend brunch aficionados will love the availability of special dishes like Pozole and Menudo, traditional Mexican soups rich with slow-cooked pork, hominy, and chiles, offering a soul-warming glimpse into Mexican culinary heritage. Meanwhile, the weekend-exclusive menu appeals to those who enjoy bold, comforting flavors steeped in tradition.
Transparency and inclusion define the dining experience here: Café De Olla allows patrons to order any dish from any menu at any time of the day, an uncommon and customer-friendly practice. The casual yet cozy ambiance makes it a perfect spot for a relaxed meal, whether you stop by early for a calm breakfast or settle in for dinner. Customer reviews reflect a genuine appreciation for the hospitable service and the welcoming environment, with attentive staff enhancing each visit by helping guide guests through the tempting menu.
Health-conscious diners are also well-catered to with the restaurant’s refreshing lineup of green smoothies—like the Bluekale Smoothie with natural yogurt and seasonal fruits, or the creamy, nutrient-packed Powerful Smoothie combining blueberries, avocado, and almond milk—providing vibrant, wholesome options that energize and satisfy.
For those seeking sweet endings, the selection of mini pecan pies, guava pecan pie, and berry banana waffles offer delightful moments of indulgence without overpowering the meal. These desserts, paired with café de olla’s signature coffee, round out the experience beautifully.
Guests consistently praise the authenticity and flavor depth found in every plate, particularly the chilaquiles variations and the Machaca en Eggs, as well as the quality of the coffee—the heart and soul of the café. While some mention slight tempo issues during busier times, the overall atmosphere and dedication to quality and service shine through, making Café De Olla a beloved spot that invites you back time and again.
Whether you’re a lover of traditional Mexican cuisine or an adventurous palate eager to try expertly crafted dishes, Café De Olla Restaurant delivers a memorable dining experience full of warmth, flavor, and genuine hospitality. With its prime location at 423 S Myrtle Ave and convenient parking nearby, it’s perfectly positioned for your next culinary outing in Monrovia.
I went to the Monrovia location on a Monday night around 530pm. It was almost empty and service was fast. The waiter was nice and checked on us several times. You can order any meal from any menu at any time of the day...Wooohoo!!! For parking, there's public parking in front of the Monrovia police station. It's about a block from Cafe De Olla. The café de olla hot coffee and the iced coffee are AMAZING!!! (No refills). Definetely coming back for more. The menu prices on the actual paper menu were different from the website so just double check. There's hand sanitizer at every time. That's good! The place looks clean. Music was nice. Oldies but goodies. My menu pages were sticky so maybe just clean the menues once in a while. Other than that, the place is excellent and the food is very good!!!
I've been 4 times and the food, service, and environment have been consistently above board. The chilaquiles poblanos are my favorite. The Cafe de olla is authentic and super sweet. The assorted pastries are dry, but they're meant for pairing with a hot beverage. The wait is long; use Google Maps reservation feature.
First time here and I would definitely come back! Kirby and Jacob our server was very helpful in making positive recommendations. Loved the Cafe Olla coffee. Very yummy, only added half and half. Service was excellent, great atmosphere. It got more crowded as we were there. The only thing a bit off was our meals did not come out at the same time and mine was not very hot. I attribute that to them being busy. The flavor was delicious! Come early if you don’t like to wait. Popular place.
We came back to this place for a second time. The food is great. This time I decided to try the plate with two fried tamales and chilaquiles. For the tamales you can pick de puerco “pork” or de elote “corn.” Both were good. I asked for a cafe de la olla late. Iced is $8 and hot is $6 which I personally think is overpriced. If you ask for regular cafe de la olla it’s free refill. Maybe I’ll stick to that next time. Overall it was a great experience. Will come again even though the prices are almost to the edge of being overpriced but nowadays not sure it’s the economy or this place has been like this.
Great food!.Had the Machaca en eggs and it was delicious. It comes with hand made tortillas. I wish they could serve the plate with 4-5 tortillas instead of 3. Coffee was awesome too. Will definitely come back to this place!!!!
Met up with a friend here for breakfast to catch up, and I can see why Cafe Ole is such a local favorite! The place has a warm, friendly vibe, and the staff greet you with genuine smiles — a great way to start the day. The menu leans toward American-Mexican breakfast dishes, and everything looked so good it was hard to choose. I went with the All-in-One Burrito, while my wife ordered the Omelette Beef Fajitas. Both were packed with flavor — hearty, authentic, and freshly made. You can really taste the care that goes into each dish. Parking is street-side since it’s in Old Town Monrovia, but it’s worth the stroll. Definitely a great spot for breakfast or brunch and catching up with friends. We’ll be back!
You can def taste the difference and quality, very authentic Mexican food in the heart of Monrovia. Service was a hit or miss, usually slow but worth the wait! I personally loved their pozole and fried pork belly the most, so good