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Amara Chocolate & Coffee

4.5 (2.2k reviews)
Closed 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

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Amara Chocolate & Coffee Photos

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AMARA CHOCOLATE & COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Amara Chocolate & Coffee

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Crispy Trio Tostones
Wilson L.

Parking: There is a parking structure in the building that Amara is located in. It does get a bit crowded and takes a while to leave due to the fact there is only one path out. Exterior: They have an area out on the sidewalk with the canopy tents set up for outdoor dining. Interior: The restaurant is quite small with a couple of tables inside. Service: You grab a table on your own and order your food inside. They will give you a number to put on your table and bring you the food once it is done. There really isn't much service. Food: I got the Crispy Trio Tostones and shared an order of churros with my friends. The trio came with some beans, plantains, and coleslaw which went nicely with the tostones. The tostones were definitley very crispy. There was plenty of protein and it was very flavorful. The churros were a little bit disappointing. They were very hard and crunchy and did not really have much of a sugar coating on it. Maybe we just got a bad order? I might go back to try other things on the menu if I were in the area though.

Iced Aztec-Spicy Dark Mocha Latte Dulce de Leche "Amara" Latte Chicken-Avocado "Reina" Arepa
Ethan Z.

I came a for brunch after the Huntington gardens and admired this Lovely cafe. Though its a smaller sized establishment, it offers a variety of savory Latin inspired entrees, small traditional plates, creative espresso options, and tasty sweet treats. I love that the cafe offered something for each of our cravings. The spot seems prettty popular for brunch but luckily the line moved kinda fast and there was a table open on the side walk. Their menu will not disappoint. We decided to try a few items to share and lovely the quality of everything. The food was prepared somewhat quick and the service has very helpful and friendly. I'd consider retiring in the future for another quick brunch fix. Small enough to feel local, but efficient team makes it feel like a convenient stop if you're on the go.

Almond croissant (room temperature) and hot Venezuelan chocolate

Always great food, fast and friendly service. The coffee shop is small on the inside but they have many tables outside, and the place always has a cozy inviting atmosphere. I love their traditonal Venezuelan hot chocolate -- it's dark, a bit bitter, thick and rich, so different and better than the thin watery hot chocolate typically found in coffee shops. The Aztec mocha is also great - the chocolate actually tastes spicy and not just a hint of cinnamon. Food-wise the arepa and cachapa are great but my favorite has to be their almond croissant. I like that the croissant can be ordered at room temperature so the almond filling inside stays runny and creamy. It just feels so much more special compared to the solid marzipan filling in most almond croissants. The filling solidifies if you order it heated. Their croissant is on the more neutral side and not too butter-forward. Tip: dip the croissant in hot chocolate for an extra kick of flavor. Orders can be made at the counter or a self-order kiosk if the line is long. They also have an option for order ahead for pickup on their website and a loyalty reward program. Definitely a plus for efficiency. I also come early in the morning so it's not too crowded.

Inside
Sidney Z.

We were in a rush having to do this and that on a hectic Tuesday at noon. Our schedule this day was "wall to wall"! Finding ourselves in Pasadena and needing to grab a bit to eat, we see this little cafe pre-lunchtime. My (very intrinsic) wife said let's stop there (meaning Amara Chocolate & Coffee) as I have a good feeling about that place? Yes, I put a question mark there meaning "you have a feeling"? Anyways, being an obedient husband, I pulled over. Well, color me surprised! She was right - Amara Chocolate & Coffee was excellent! This small coffee shop, first and foremost made one of the best Cappuccino's I've had in a long time. But then came a rather delicious Caesar salad but then the coup de grâce was this perfect guava and cheese strudel "Pastelito. This pastry was so damn good, guess where I'm going now!

Suegra - so delicious!
Vanessa C.

Arepas for lunch! Yes please. They have delicious food from Venezuela. Plus sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. It's a cute little shop with patio seating. My favorite is La Suegra which has plantains, black beans cheese inside of an arepa. The chocolate is amazing served in coffee, ice coffees etc.

Rosa R.

Been a long time since we've been here, decided to do our monthly cousin's breakfast here. Sadly not everybody could attend but those that did really enjoyed breakfast. Unfortunately didn't take picture of our breakfast entrée, but it was good. Others, enjoyed Arepas with their lattes. Customer service was excellent on all levels, from placing our order, to food being delivered to our table. Thank you for the complementary churros, we really appreciate it!

Front: Pasadena   Back: fire n ice
Jennifer L.

I hadn't been back to this spot in ages, and this time I just went for coffee. As usual, there was a line, but it moved quickly. I ordered the Dulce de Leche Latte with less sweetness -- it was still on the sweet side for me, but the chocolate flavor was rich and decadent. I also added the spicy chili cocoa topping, which actually had a real kick to it -- surprisingly spicy, but in a good way! Definitely a fun twist on a cozy drink.

Andreas K.

And once again, simply delicious: Amara latte and chicken/raisin empanada ... a dream in plain daylight. PREVIOUS REVIEW 2 Return for a quick late lunch bite, and once again was not disappointed lol. The Aztec mocha coffee was a wonderful blend of spaces, flavorful, chocolate and strong coffee. In addition, a chicken pesto mozzarella sandwich provided a well-rounded, juicy and at the same time crunchy, very delicious afternoon lunch PREVIOUS REVIEW 1 One of the best, if not the bestest coffee I had in a long time. There is too much starbucky mediocrity taking over where everything across each respective store across the globe tastes precisely the same. But fasten your seatbelts for Amara - such a full aroma and smooth texture ... that with closed eyes, you'll be carried into other senses and travel to far countries, until reality catches up when the cup is empty!! Aztec and Amara Latte are splendid. BTW there are - not to mention - also wonderful bites (eg empanadas) to eat, too many to list.

Emma T.

LOVE IT HERE! such a good brunch spot literally everything here is so good and yummy. I cannot stress enough how perfect this place is. I recommend trying their churros its a must have. as for savories-- i recommend their burritos and arepas :) drinks are amazing, honestly super delicious coffee and I have yet to try their hot chocolate (really want to!! per recommendation from a close friend). For coffee I usually get their dulce de leche, it never misses. it's strong and perfectly sweet--which are the two things I'm extremely anal about coffee shops getting right. outdoor seating is so cozy and the weather in Pasadena is almost always great. parking is also stress free as there is a structure right behind it. I will always and forever recommend this place as it is the BEST brunch spot I've had. my friend group and I always come here at least once a month if we are able to. (also peep the photo I took of the churros last time I came here, honestly my best work haha)

Rachel M.

Food was fresh and tasteful. The music was modern but two beats slower to make it stylish. I had the asada plate, a beef/olive empanada, Madrid style churros, and the mango/pineapple lemonade. Everything was tasty. The churros hot chocolate is a powder mix that has a dark chocolate density. You can't compare it to American hot chocolate or French hot chocolate because it is different than both. Flavors aren't bold, but you will get a quality meal here. Prices are high but it is Pasadena and homemade creations. Service staff were kind and attentive.

Condensed Milk "Caracas" Latte
Amber D.

I'm way overdue to rate this place. A must try when you're in Pasadena. They have great tasting empanadas and sandwiches. I had a condensed milk latte with oat milk and the breakfast sandwich on my recent visit. They give you a number and bring your order to your table. Both were delicious. The condensed milk latte with oat milk was the perfect kind of sweet. The avocado egg sandwich was flavorful. It included string chips (not sure what to call it as it was very small). I will say over the years prices have gone up a bit which is a little disappointing also since the sandwiches are typically stand alone but it seems like most places are upping their price. Still a great place to visit when you want a latte or Venezuelan food.

Arepa
Ria P.

I wish I could count the amount of times I've been here just to see how crazy the number is. Amara is such a nice cafe/restaurant in Old Pas that has the best arepas. One arepa alone with chicken and the plantains is so filling and makes for a perfect lunch with either one of their iced coffees or famous hot chocolates. The churros are delicious and you can't go wrong with the Dulce de leche dip. I do wish the churros were a bit softer sometimes, but I will still enjoy them. Also, they have the sweetest team inside and are always so nice and sometimes remember that I always want double green sauce.

Natalie J.

Saw a line to this place and decided to check it out. Think Portos Cuban vibes, but make it Amara Venezuelan. Small space, with outdoor seating. A kiosk makes it convenient to order as well as the line does get long. Plenty of food and drink options. The wait time was surprisingly quick too. Had the dulce de leche hot drink which was ok, although I do wish it would have had more of the flavor of ducle de leche. Had the beef empanada which was delicious, a good size and decently filled. Appreciated the whole olives inside. Not a bad stop and would check out again to try some other items on the menu, especially the arepas as everyone seemed to be ordering those.

Farmer's salad

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8 months ago

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

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Amara Chocolate & Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Amara Chocolate & Coffee

Will you be open tomorrow morning? New year day?

We used to enjoy your arepas and coffee in the evenings. Is your business still only open until 3pm or was that a previous covid-era schedule?

I beluevectgey are still on shortened hours. Was there around 2 pm friday and noticed they were taking out all the trash from the cafe as i sat outside. Makes sense now as it was closer to 3 pm when i left.

Do they have any vegan options?

Yes! Just ask. :)

Do they sell frozen tequeños?

Yes Bags of 20 uncooked to fry and 16 cooked to baked

What is the crowd like on a weekday during lunch hour? Does it get busy between 12-1p in the middle of the week?

Yes they get pretty busy you can always call a head and pick it up

Is there wi-fi?

No, and it's largely because the place is small and busy, and they have a no-laptop policy, as the type of loitering that promotes is unfair customers coming in, wanting to have a seat and enjoy some delicious food and/or coffee. Don't let this… Read more

Is breakfast served all day?

No it's not

Is it very crowded at noon on Sundays?

This place is pretty tiny and fits maybe 25 people inside max. My friend and I went there this past Sunday at 12:30 and there were no seats available inside but there were 3 tables that seat 2 people available outside.

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Venezuelan Chamo Cuisine

Venezuelan Chamo Cuisine

4.5(564 reviews)
1.1 mi
$$

Firstly, the service is amazing. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and super clean. The staff…read moreare incredibly nice and the owner offered to get my dog water as we sat outside. The food itself is very much worth it, the Arepa is as beautifully cooked nice and crispy on the outside and the flavors were nicely balanced. The garlic and picante sauce paired perfectly. Nothing was over powering or underwhelming. I would def come back here again! Thank you for a delicious meal!

I've been to Venezuelan Chamo in Pasadena twice now, but didn't get to do the review from my first…read morevisit. I arrived here for lunch today. They weren't super busy. Lucky me to be the first in line. What a beautiful restaurant with all the bright colorful decor! Cool atmosphere plus good lighting with several tables/chairs plus limited bar stool seating. There appears to be a hammock, too. Not sure if it can be used or it's just decor. One all gender restroom is discreetly in the back of the restaurant. Really great place!! The gentleman from the kitchen came out to greet me and asked what I would like. The lady behind the counter took over to take the remaining of my order. They both recommended the Reyna Arepa that is filled with shredded chicken, avocado, mayonnaise, and lime juice. An arepa is a griddlecake made of ground maize dough. It looks like a pocket to me. Anyway, that's what I got. OMG, it was so delicious! Tons of shredded chicken at every bite. Very well balanced between chicken, avocado, and mayo. Arepa was crispy and delightfully. SO GOOD! Highly recommend it. I also got the passion fruit juice that was delightfully refreshing... not too sweet... just perfect! Super nice and friendly staff. Amazing service. Tasty foods in great portions. Welcoming and warm ambiance. I'll definitely return to get more Renya Arepa and try other food items. If you're craving Venezuelan foods or trying it for the first time, this place is for you!

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Venezuelan Chamo Cuisine - Inside

Inside

Venezuelan Chamo Cuisine - Reyna Arepa

Reyna Arepa

Venezuelan Chamo Cuisine - Inside tequenos de queso

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Inside tequenos de queso

World Empanadas - Catering Always Available. Call Now! 818.561.4999

World Empanadas

4.4(1.4k reviews)
10.1 mi
$$
Established in 2012
Vegan friendly

I really wish I knew about World Empanadas sooner because I just found out about it and I have been…read moremissing out on some amazing empanadas! I ordered a dozen empanadas for the take and bake option. I love the take and bake option because it is like having freshly baked empanadas in my own kitchen! I baked them per the directions on the website and it worked perfectly. The take out window was very convenient and online ordering was easy. World Empanadas has so many empanadas flavors to choose from. I tried a bunch of flavors and I liked all of them! My favorites were the Santa Fe chicken, breakfast, spinach, and the chile con carne. They all had amazing flavor. The order came with a big serving of chimichurri and that was a nice addition to the empanadas. World Empanadas also has breakfast burritos that I am interested in trying next time. Since I don't live close, this is my new stop when I'm going to Burbank airport. World of Empanadas is amazing and I highly recommend getting their empanadas!

I finally had the pleasure of trying World of Empanadas and I'm honestly so impressed…read more First of all, their horchata... SO good. Like genuinely one of the best horchata I've ever had, it was super creamy and flavorful but not overly sweet. I tried one of their desserts being their banana and Nutella empanada along with other savory empanadas. Everything was amazing. The Nutella + banana one was definitely a standout for me because they did not hold back at all. It was packed with chocolate and banana in every bite, which I loved because I'm a huge chocolate person. It didn't feel skimpy or dry at all, just super rich and satisfying! For the savory options, I tried the chile con carne, Santa Fe chicken, the breakfast, and the beef & potato. Every single one was delicious, seriously you cannot go wrong with any of them. BUT my favorite was for sure the Santa Fe chicken!! It had so much flavor and tasted really well-seasoned. You can tell everything is made with care. Their green chimichurri needs its own praise. I've tried a fair amount of chimichurris from different restaurants and grocery stores, but this one!!! This one is done perfectly. I can't describe the flavor to you, you just have to try it haha. It goes so well with any of the empanadas! Also, the empanadas came out HOT. Like actually steaming when I opened them, which made them that more enjoyable. Everything tasted really fresh. On top of that, the service was so sweet. The girls working there were really kind and welcoming, which just made the whole experience even better. Definitely coming back because I'm already craving that horchata and Nutella banana empanada again!! Thank you so much for having me :)

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World Empanadas - Empanadas Baked To Perfection

Empanadas Baked To Perfection

World Empanadas - (W.E.) World Empanadas. W.E. ARE EMPANADAS

(W.E.) World Empanadas. W.E. ARE EMPANADAS

World Empanadas - World Empanadas will continue to provide quality food and safe, clean services for as long as our doors stay open!

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World Empanadas will continue to provide quality food and safe, clean services for as long as our doors stay open!

La Fonda Antioquena - Empanada

La Fonda Antioquena

4.1(563 reviews)
10.2 miHollywood
$$

Are you ready to eat a hefty and hearty meal? La Fonda Antioquena is one of few Columbian…read morerestaurants in LA. I've been here a few times since I tag along with my Columbian friend for brunch here. This place is not for vegetarians. So, keep on driving or skip reading this if you are. The empanadas here are delicious. My favorite type of empanadas. Made with a crunchy, fried corn dough filled with meat. Served with encurtido, it's a Columbian salsa type but little spice. What I had recently here is sanchocho. This soup reminds me of a caldo de res but with oxtail, plantain, yucca. It also has potato and corn. Very hearty and comforting. It's served with a side of white rice on the side and arepa. If you every come here for breakfast, you'll be fed like a champion. Try the bandeja paiso.. Take your gout pills first. It's a meat fest. Serving of fried pork belly (crispy chitarrones), grilled steak (churrasco). It's served with rice, beans, egg, plantains, arepas, Comes with heart healthy avocado and a tomato for good health. You might have a hard time standing up after this meal. The service here is always good. Well especially because my friend is a regular.

Delicious food and such a good experience here! They don't serve alcohol, but honestly the fresh…read morejuices totally make up for it -- so yummy and refreshing. Plato paisa they was to go..! It was delish! Definitely coming back!

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La Fonda Antioquena - Restaurant

Restaurant

La Fonda Antioquena - Empanada

Empanada

La Fonda Antioquena - Gas. Period. Fiyaaaaaa

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Gas. Period. Fiyaaaaaa

Rincon Argentino - miga sandwiches and other offerings

Rincon Argentino

4.7(256 reviews)
4.9 mi
$

This is one of a few Argentine places that can justify the kind of mileage I have to put in to get…read moremy fix. It's not just a butcher shop, it's a mini Argentinian embassy for my taste buds. Walk in for a quick fix and walk out with enough freshly made empanadas and high quality meat to feed a small village. The selection is fantast and the staff is very friendly. ​The real danger of this small little shop, is the dry goods section. I can't just "shop" there. I have to gaze at their wall of snacks like a culinary historian. Seeing all those Argentine brands and dry goods triggers a massive wave of nostalgia for all the goodies my family would bring back in overstuffed suitcases every time they visited Argentina. I inevitably find myself surrendering to some alfajores. ​The main reason I drove here was for the sandwiches de miga. The ham and cheese is our household "fix," and I'm pretty sure my family would trade me for a fresh stack of them if given the opportunity. I always make sure to grab a few empanadas to go too. I left happy, fully stocked, and already planning the next haul.

i randomly came across an IG reel of this girl who was looking for these tea sandwiches she once…read morehad on a date and the sandwiches looks sooooo good! i was excited to see that the tagged shop was near my house so i sent my husband to get some and they did not disappoint! we got the: miga mixto sandwiches beef milanesas sandwich beef empanadas chicken empanadas ham and cheese empanadas spinach empanadas yall, EVERYTHING WAS BUSSIN! that's that the kids say haha their bread is crispy and soft, has a nice chew. all the empanadas were filled generously with quality ingredients. we loved ALL. OF. IT. highly recommend. my husband said the ladies were nice and helpful. the shop was clean and had deli, bakery and grocery offerings. the storefront is unassuming but the inside is MAGICAL!

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Rincon Argentino
Rincon Argentino - Variedad de sandwich de miga

Variedad de sandwich de miga

Rincon Argentino - Menu as of 10/18/25

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Menu as of 10/18/25

Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine - Beef stew

Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine

4.6(91 reviews)
8.9 miDowntown
$$

Amazing! Food was very tasty and cooked right at the front of the restaurant by the owner and chef…read more We ordered Griot with rice and beans, goat with djondjon (mushroom) rice and oxtail with white rice. Also tried the passion fruit juice. The whole family loved it! They were welcoming and helped my son to complete his project on Haiti with additional cultural knowledge.

So glad that they have a brick and mortar. Yes it's in DTLA and the area may scare away some. Yet…read moreI am sure that was also the issue early on in the revitalization of the downtown LA area. Think Cara Cara, Perch and even neighborhood surrounding Bottega Louie in their infancy in LA That being said you are doing yourself a major disservice if you don't stop by and order GREAT Haitian food. What sets Haitian food apart from Caribbean food as a whole are the combination of spices and delectable flavors. Black Mushroom Rice (Djon Djon). Griot (Fried. Pork chunks). Think Cuban Masitas but with much more flavor Banan Peze (Fried Plantains. But with more flavor than the tostones you may be used to) The food here is well prepared and authentically Haitian. You want good Caribbean food come here. No lie. It's located in an historic building. Original, yes old red leather seats, vintage ceiling fans as well as old wooden tables. But it provides a charm and a window to the heyday of the area. We had our food to go and were not disappointed when we arrived home to finally sample it Salmon, Griot, Pate, "Saus Pois Avec Du Riz Blanc" (Beans cooked to a sauce with white rice) another Delicacy If you call yourself a foody take the time to stop by. You won't be disappointed

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Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine
Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine - Creole shrimp

Creole shrimp

Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine - Legume

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Legume

Amara Chocolate & Coffee - coffee - Updated May 2026

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