The food at Amara is delicious and the chocolate is very rich. This is a restaurant is a counter order style, where they give you a number for your table, then bring your food out to you. Amara is located very close to the schoolhouse garage in Pasadena for parking. I tried the galipan cachapa and it was very good! The meat was mildly spicy, and the cheese was rich. I wasn't the biggest fan of the beans, but they were fine. It was very filling! read more

My friend and I stopped here on a weekday and were surprised to see how busy it was! It's an order first and then find your table kind of place (indoor and outdoor seating) - if the line is long, you can use the self serve kiosk in your right when you walk in! I ordered the galipan gachapa with scrambled eggs, beans, and avocado and a Dulce de leche latte which came with the cutest bear art (shout out to the server who made it!). For food, the portions look small but dang I was full after eating 50% of the corn pancake. I really loved the cheese inside - I thought it would be overwhelming but it was nice and light. The black beans were also a perfect complement to balance the meal. Overall, pretty good though slightly on the expensive side in terms of food. My plate was close to $20 but the latte was fairly priced as $6.60. Will definitely be back for drinks and maybe some churros because they looked bomb! Parking: lot nearby for $1 first two hours and then $3 every additional hour (tbt to when it used to be 90 min free rip) read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Galipan (Traditional or Vegetarian) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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It's been years since I've visited AMARA'S CHOCOLATE & COFFEE and I'm glad I was able to share this experience with my girl. I'm super glad to report that they are as awesome as ever. Their DRINKING CHOCOLATE was as decadent and delicious as I remember.. The CROISSANT may not be the best ever croissant ever made, but it was perfect with the drinking chocolate. The CAFE CON LECHE was strong and creamy and delicious. The pasty on the SPINACH EMPANADA is flaky and the filling was cheesy with the perfect spinach proportions. The people are warm and welcoming. The space is cozy, clean and welcoming. Yes, I meant to repeat that word. read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This food was BOMB, the reina y gouda arepa was so soft and was packed with avocado. I also got the Venezuelan mocha which was so rich and worked so well without being sweet. Workers were also very nice! read more

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This cafe deserves its high ratings. We stopped in because we were in town for the night. The woman at the front treated us like long, lost family, and recommended amazing dishes. The food, service, ambience were exceptional. read more

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Can't go wrong with a Venezuelan breakfast of Galipan Cachapa with Perico eggs, shredded beef and Mano cheese! With a Caracas latte AND a side of Spanish Churros with guava and chocolate dipping sauce! read more

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Best meal in LA hands down. If you ever come to LA/Pasadena, THIS PLACE is the ONE AND ONLY you should visit!! Try an Arepa (I got the Pabellpm with chicken) and a Cachapa (the breakfast one is amazing). The flavors literally sing in perfect harmony in my mouth. My mind (and taste buds) were BLOWN. This is also a great introduction to Venezuelan cuisine. Coffee and pastry here are also top tier! Must try the guava cheese and the cubanito cortado is perfection in a cup. Service here is amazing! They did a great job walking us through the menu. Such a cute vibe and lots of seating. This place is incredible and a true gem of Pasadena. read more

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The best hot chocolate in LA county! The service is always friendly, and the food is outstanding. I highly recommend the Spicy Cuban sandwich and the shrimp and avocado burrito. Aside from their rich drinking chocolate and their delicious milk chocolate, they also have a great selection of both hot and cold drinks. It's a wonderful place to eat breakfast, brunch, or even lunch. 11/10 recommend! I would give them 6 stars if I could. read more

Amara Cafe & Restaurant in Pasadena, CA, is a culinary haven for lovers of Venezuelan delights or great pastries and drinks. The pork and plantain arepa at Amara was delicious. I savored every bite. The flavors meld together to create a delicious masterpiece. A must-try! The apple turnover alongside a cup of hot chocolate was a delightful experience. Amara excels not only in savory dishes but also in crafting sweet treats and drinks that satisfy every craving. Amara Cafe & Restaurant is a must-visit when visiting Pasadena. From savory delights to sweet indulgences, the culinary journey at Amara Chocolate & Coffee is truly a treat for all the senses. read more

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Specialty coffees and their empanadas were delicious! Their hot Aztec latte was so good with the right thickness and sweetness (not too sweet). read more

Sometimes I want a piece of toast for breakfast and sometimes I want a full-on meal. For the days that I'm super hungry, you can find me here. I tried the Asado Negro which had 12-hour smoked and sweetened roasted prime beef, plantains, rice, and a side salad. The meat was incredible. It was tender yet had a good bite to it and the flavors marinated all the way in. It's tough making me choose because I also tried the pabellón criollo with pork and man was it hard to stop eating. The pork is on the salty side but if you eat it with rice or black beans, it's a good balance of flavors. I was also surprised by how much I like the plantains. They were sweet but not overly sweet and almost served as a palate cleanser because I took bites every so often to balance out the savory meal. Of course, it's not a breakfast if coffee isn't involved. I got the cortado cubanito with homemade panela which was strong but a good wake-up call for the morning. I also tried some of my friend's iced chocolate drink which was super creamy and rich, almost like a dessert. I'm also a huge burrito lover so I couldn't resist the Spanish burrito which came with chorizo, bacon, eggs, cheese, avocado, cabbage, and sauteed veggies. I was not the biggest fan of bell peppers in my burrito so I avoided it at first but I came to see how it was supposed to contrast the really salty meats. I would not venture to say it was my favorite but it was fun trying a new take on a breakfast burrito. We ended our meal with guava and cheese churros which came with housemade guava sauce on the side and a load of queso fresco on the top. I personally liked it with just the cheese because the guava sauce was insanely sweet and the churro itself already had enough sugar. The waitress who helped us was so kind and we even got to meet Amara herself who truly cares about her customers and giving them the best experience and food possible. I would highly recommend visiting if you're looking for Venezuelan brunch. read more

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No wonder this place is packed!! Service is pretty good, although for a full house of people they still show patience. It is a small dining room, decor is simple but practical. The mocha latte is very good... Very smooth cocoa favour... Avocado toast was good too .. read more

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Great breakfast/brunch and snack hang out place - located in the heart of old town Pasadena on Raymond st. Got to find out about this place long time ago through Bachelor episode of Juan Pablo season when one of his dates took place at this cafe and was featured on air. Wish their churro were gluten free friendly (since I have gluten allergy). It looks so good and ... Me...just salivating every time I see the churro order is being delivered to the tables... But they have few items that are gluten free and able to be modified as dairy free by taking out the cheese. Their yellow corn Venezuelan pancake, Arepa, and Venezuelan empanadas are some of the gluten free items they have in their menu. Venezuelan empanadas are deep fried and the Argentinian empanadas are baked but not gluten free. The Pabellon arepa is juicy and the corn taste of the arepa is savory and tasty. Arepa is a must-try in this cafe. Sign up for their mailing list as they sometimes offer free drink with purchase or other announcements such as live music on Fridays or other promotions. Staff is friendly and helpful with anything such as cleaning tables, checking with orders or other questions. Parking is just around the corner in the lot - Schoolhouse Parking Facility on 33 E. Green Street (corner of Green and Raymond) It's $1 for the first 2 hour. read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Venezuelan Chicken Criolla Gluten-free (Pollo Mechado)-Empanadas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Heartiest chocolate drink you'll find around. Small, quaint and delicious. Great staff, super friendly and patient as there are too many good choices. read more

Our favorite place to enjoy a hot chocolate or sipping chocolate; wonderful menu with great breakfast and lunch food. read more

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This was delicious!! Would make the drive again for this meal. It was a little pricey but it was very good and filling. It's a cute little shop, there's limited seating but got there right before rush lunch hour and we were able to sit immediately. The service was quick, your order up front and then sit. read more

Longtime fans turned away-deeply disappointed. My cousin and I stopped by this morning, excited for a coffee date, she's been loyal to Amara for years. Unfortunately, that loyalty didn't seem to matter to the man working today-the same guy, oddly enough, who was super friendly the last time we came in together. This time? Completely different vibe. Don't remember his name but he's usually in all black and wears acrylic clear glasses. I went to grab a table while my cousin waited in line to order, and he came over and very rudely told me that tables were for customers only-as if we weren't literally in the middle of becoming customers. There was no courtesy, no patience, just this aggressive energy that made us feel completely unwelcome. We were honestly shocked. Flabbergasted, even. He had no intention of letting me explain myself kindly. My cousin even asked him their policy on selecting a table and he didn't have an answer! It's such a shame because we loved this place. But after being treated like that, it's hard to imagine ever coming back. A little kindness goes a long way-and so does the lack of it. read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

First time trying Venezuelan breakfast! It's so much lighter and healthier feeling than American breakfast. Their pancakes are made of corn and very light, not overly sweet at all. I got the dulce de luche (?) pancake plate with the plantains and added bacon. Everything paired so well together. My boyfriend got the blueberry pancakes plate. I'm glad I added the bacon because the portion sizes were small. I also got their guava cheese pastry to try and it was so delicious. Highly recommended if you love guava like me. The cold brew and coffee we got were very good. I liked sitting outside! The service was great, very informative, friendly and polite. The reason for 4/5 stars is because the portions are extremely small, even for me, someone who doesn't eat very large portions. I felt their pictures of their food on the menus make it seem like a bigger portion than it is. Price point is on the higher end, just fyi. Our two plates of breakfast, a small coffee, a small cold brew and one guava pastry came out to almost $60? Especially for how expensive it is.... The portions are too small. I'd come back though because it is very good food... just wish it was either less expensive or bigger portions lol read more

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Delicious empanadas. Great cafe latte. Outdoor seating. Small indoor area. Churros look good but I didn't try them. I'll be back next time I'm in Pasadena. read more

Coming off a 12hr night shift hungry and wanting a comforting meal. The food was delicious. The Galipan Cachapas dish was a well filling comforting dish. The workers gave wonderful service with a good attitude and helpful suggestions since this was my first time. I'll come again for sure. read more

It was really good, my friends were pleasantly surprised. The food is new to us. The owner was very helpful. All the plates were delicious. Will be back with the husbands. Todo muy rico y buena atención. read more

Nice place to calm your venezuelan food cravings. Croissant was good and coffee was ok but attention was underwhelming even when i spoke spanish to them. Cachito was mushy on the bottom as it had been sitting in water, likely not going back due to the attention read more

Got here around 8:30am on a Sunday and ordered the asado negra and added a side of plantains. You can choose between Venezuelan cheese (HIGHLY recommend) or Gouda cheese and for the side you can choose between beets or coleslaw. FOOD IS AMAZING!!! The beef is super tender and juicy and the Venezuelan cheese is sooooo delicious!!! The Venezuelan cheese is like mozzarella but a little bit more airy in terms of texture? Sooooo good overall! Don't get fooled by the picture! The portion is HUGE and very filling! There are both indoor and outdoor seating! The inside is super cozy and cute! There's a parking structure right nearby and I believe $1 for the first two hours. The menu selection is huge too so will definitely be back! read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Asado Negro Arepa with plantains - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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One of my favorite cafes in the area the churros are amazing! Could come here every day of the week eat something different and be in awe! Come check this spot out if you haven't already! read more

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Delicious, fresh, fantastic service, indoor seating as well as shaded outdoor seating that is protected from sun and the street traffic. Highly recommend. Had a great huge coffee read more

Amara is a small but unique Colombian restaurant located in the city of Pasadena. It has a home vibe and the employees are the really elpful and kind when deciding what to order. I got the torta Cubana. It was delicious and mouth watering. read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Amara has amazing dark chocolate coffee drinks and Venezuelan flavored breakfast entrees. All outdoor tables are shaded. You will often see owner Amara lead by example by directly greeting and helping customers with their orders. Order on toast or the cafe's website for faster service. We were thoroughly impressed! read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Amara entrance. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place is so cute! I love how intimate this place is. Been dying to try this place and finally got to! The empanadas were really good! Tried both, beef and chicken Empanadas. Both Delicious ! But my ultimate favorite was the churro and latte! perfect combination!! The churro was plated so beautifully! The service was good. You order at the counter and they bring you the food. will keep coming back! read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Empanadas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great vibe. Best arepas in town. Great place to come with family and don't forget to try their amazing churros

The place was cute, friendly service and yummy food. Their avocado toast was fantastic. I also loved their dark chocolate cortado. Their churros were yummy, but pretty pricey. Seating is easy if you're a small party, but it's a bit challenging if you're more than 4 people. read more

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I stood in line for my turn to order at the counter. It's a popular cafe place in Old Town Pasadena. Found a table outside and enjoyed my hot Nutella Latte, not too sweet. Everything was served hot and fresh! The only issue was that I was not made aware that the avocado cilantro sauce that came with the churros was additional charge because the empanada was good enough without any sauce on the side anyway. There was a charming guy who I think was the owner; he went to our table checking in on us and asking if there was anything we needed. He made my day because he seemed genuine. read more

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Amara is a small cafe on Raymond between Colorado and Green St. There's indoor and outdoor seating. On weekends, the line is usually out the door. There is a kiosk inside to place an online order or you can order through Yelp. I first heard of Amara years ago from a friend who was obsessed with a good latte. I have to admit, they make a really good, creamy and tasty latte. I usually order caramel or hazelnut. Today I wanted to treat myself so I ordered the horchata and a vegan breakfast burrito. The horchata is so creamy and had swirls of caramel, topped off with cinnamon. It was absolutely divine. I savored each sip of caramel, rice and cinnamon goodness. It is made well just like their lattes! The burrito ... oh man .... Their burrito was packed with love. Usually I take off the excess tortilla, but none to be found on here. It was neatly tucked and filled with quality vegetables and beans. It was pressed so the tortilla was crispy and flaky. The tortilla was thin and didn't have the obnoxious flour smell or taste. It wasn't even greasy or overly sauced. If possible, this burrito was refreshing as if I was biting into a harvest salad. As other yelpers mentioned, their churros and arepas are amazing. Give this place a try! Bon appetit! read more

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The staff is RUDE, I was excited to show my aunt this place and one of the staff member asked her to stand up stating "you cannot just sit down if you have not ordered yet" while I was ordering at the cashier, I am disappointed this used to be one of my favorite spot in Pasadena, they apologized after they realized that I am also Venezuelan, but well, it is what it is, save your trip and go somewhere else! read more

The menu here has depth and a great vibe! Get here early because us foodies know this place knows how to make incredible coffee and food! Executive summary Service:5/5 Depth menu:5/5 Flavor:5/5 Location:5/5 Parking:5/5-paid or street Returning :absolutely! Homemade pastries, coffee is strong with quality ingredients so if you need your coffee jolt, this place is a home run! read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - How do you say no to this! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Was walking around hungry and so glad my friend and I stopped by! I ordered the Orinoco (spicy pork with plantains) Arepa which was so delicious! I ordered mine without cheese and asked for some hot sauce on the side- delish! The side of beets complimented the heaviness of the savory pork and sweet plantains. I washed it all down with a mango lemonade. Service was very friendly and attentive. I can see why it's a popular spot. Highly recommend this spot! Indoor and outdoor seating available and plenty of parking nearby. read more

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A friend told me about this place 2 years ago so when he and his wife suggested we have brunch here...hmmm, might as well try it once and for all. Here are some helpful info and tips: 1. Parking - closest one is Schoolhouse Garage (don't ask me why the name but just find it) for it was the closest parking structure. First two hours is $1 and $2 for each additional hour, $12max. 2. Food - let me first say I love Venezuelan food and when we visited Miami, we went to this one place twice for we just fell in love with Venezuelan food and we have been looking for one comparable here in LA. We ordered the following: *Arepas pabellon - with pork as recommended by staff with Venezuelan queso and beet salad. This was just ok for me and my daughter said the same - could have used something else so not on the dry side. *Arepas asado negro - 12 hour smoked beef, my son liked this one and came with either coleslaw or beet salad. *Churros - with guava sauce (our favorite) and Nutella (just ok) *Venezuelan hot chocolate - wow just wow - thickest drink I have had and so good and rich. It is a cross between a dessert and hot drink for me. At one point, I dipped my churro in it for that was how thick it was. 3. Service - the servers were super, super nice and made us feel at home. They were all friendly and took the time to talk to us and we never felt rushed despite the long lines. Impressive! I was picky with my arepas but there are so many items I would love to try on the menu so will definitely return! read more

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Great little locals spot serving up Venezuelan food for breaky brunch and lunch You order and pay at the counter, find your table and the food is delivered to you Casual vibe dining inside and out , we chose to sit in the morning sun outside and it was perfect on a cool day Food is fresh delicious looks great on the plate and you can see the care and attention that has gone into preparing each plate Apparently as I learned today Venezuelan's don't cook with spice so ask for the hot sauce if you like a little fire to kickstart the morning They nailed the coffee as well !! Great spot worth a visit if in the area read more

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How have I been in Pasadena for 6 years and haven't gone here before? The arepas are wonderful: the combo of the meat, cheese and plantains provide a perfect savory-sweet blend that would satisfy anyone's taste buds. Also, can we talk about the churros and chocolate? They remind me of what I had in Spain! Also, I'm not the hugest churro fan because they typically don't taste as great after they've been out of the fryer for more than 5 minutes, but these were perfectly done and savored as we sat and enjoyed our meal. The chocolate paired perfectly well with one of their lattes! They have outdoor seating, wait is not too long, kid friendly, dog friendly. THE perfect cafe. I can't wait to take more people here and try more of their menu. What more could you ask for? read more

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - Madrid Style Churros - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Amara has a great selection for every taste. The people that frequent it are just as international as our family, which makes for a great ambiance. The young short waiter with a baseball hat that no longer works there and Maggie make the service amazing though. They are the stars of this café! read more

This review is specifically with respect to the iced Venezuelan chocolate with milk (although, I think you can ask for the base to be with water, but I didn't get a choice when I ordered). If you're considering whether you should order this drink, here is your sign to do it! The chocolate flavor has depth. It's rich, decadent and the level of sweetness almost teeters on the side of too sweet, but actually the sugar portion is just right. The price is high for what you get, but I think it's worth the experience. It's $6.10 (see receipt attached). Also, this cage is located in a hot spot in Pasadena. It's near so many other businesses that you can easily go to this place for dessert or choose to eat Amara's savory food (since they serve a variety of items). read more

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