Monrovia Eats: 8 Local Places to Eat We Love

Just off Myrtle Ave on E Lemon, The Diplomat looks like a Prohibition-era lounge, but serves some of the best Mediterranean food in Monrovia. Think hummus, grape leaves, falafel, kebabs, and more. We keep coming back, and it’s not hard to see why.

Start with the hummus topped with filet beef—unexpected but so good. The beef is tender, and the hummus is creamy and flavorful. It’s pita dipping heaven. For the main, we usually go for the lamb chops. They’re grilled to a perfect medium rare, marinated well, and so good we nibble the bones.

There’s a full bar here, too, and their Old-fashioned is solid. The space has a chic, rustic vibe with wood accents and dim lighting. Service? It’s always great, in our experience.

This is easily one of our favorite places to eat in Monrovia.

Does Monrovia have a wine bar? Yes—and it’s a good one. The Saltner is one of our favorite finds in Old Town Monrovia. We stumbled on it one day and have been fans ever since. Located just off Myrtle on E Colorado, The Saltner serves excellent wine and small plates in an intimate, welcoming space.

Their wine list is impressive, with selections from all over the world. If you’re not sure what to order, the staff is great at guiding you. I still think about the glass of Chianti they picked out for me—should’ve written it down. The menu focuses on cicchetti, Italian-style small plates. It rotates seasonally, but we’ve loved everything we’ve tried—charcuterie, Tuscan beef stew, meatballs, and a standout fettuccine alfredo.

The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed—great for date night, catching up with friends, or just grabbing a seat at the bar for a wine flight. Honestly, you could skip the wine and still come for the food. If you’re sober (like my husband), this is still a spot worth visiting for the food alone. The service is always warm and personal. On one visit, the owner and chef came to our table to chat about wine and food, even recommending other local spots to try. It made the experience feel even more special.

It does get busy on weekends, so we recommend making a reservation or showing up early. We’ve heard their Sunday brunch is worth planning for, too.

We had Lord Empanada on our list for a while and aren’t sure why we waited. We love empanadas and usually can’t resist trying a new spot. We were probably holding back because we take our empanadas seriously and didn’t want to be disappointed.

We finally checked it out after seeing it pop up on Yelp and social media. This family-owned Monrovia spot claims to serve some of the best empanadas in LA. And wow, they do.

We ordered a mix from the menu, and every single one was excellent. Fried to order, they come out hot with a crisp, flaky crust and flavorful fillings. Our favorites were the spinach and cheese, birria, pizza, and chicken. The chimichurri they serve on the side is also fantastic.

Of course, we had to try dessert. The cheesecake and apple pie empanadas came out hot and dusted in cinnamon sugar. The cheesecake was creamy and rich. The apple pie, served with dulce de leche, gave off those nostalgic McDonald’s apple pie vibes—but it was twenty times better.

We already can’t wait to go back. They also serve porchetta and tri-tip sandwiches, which we haven’t tried yet.

Indoor seating is limited, and so is parking, but there’s more across the street.

If you’re looking for a delicious brunch spot in Monrovia, check out Café de Olla. It’s one of the newer cafes on Myrtle Ave in Old Town, and the second location of their original Burbank spot. They’re known for their traditional Mexican coffee—café de olla—and flavorful breakfast dishes.

Start with a café de olla, served hot or iced. It’s brewed in a clay pot with cinnamon, whole cane sugar, and spices. Slightly sweet, rich in cinnamon, and a must if you’re into spiced coffee.

You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but we love the chilaquiles divorciada (rojos and verde), chorizo con huevos, and their churro waffle. The portions are generous, so if you’re going with someone, order one savory and one sweet to split.

They also serve classic breakfast options, and you can stop in just for coffee and pan dulce at their bakery counter.

Café de Olla is only open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. It does get busy, so get there early to add your name to the list.

Merengue is one of our favorite Cuban cafes and bakeries, located right on Myrtle Avenue. You’ll find all the Cuban staples here—café con leche, Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, papas rellenas, and pastelitos de guayaba.

It’s a small counter-service spot with limited seating inside and out. Order up front, then grab a seat and enjoy.

Their Cuban coffee is excellent and pairs perfectly with a pastelito de guayaba or toasted Cuban bread with butter for breakfast. The pastry case is packed with tempting options, and it’s tough to walk away without trying a few.

We recommend the Cuban sandwich for lunch, but our favorite is the Milanesa. Sandwiches come with their homemade fried plantain chips, which are crisp and addictive. On the side, grab a papa rellena stuffed with beef or cheese—great as a snack with a coffee, too.

This spot gets busy, especially during peak hours. Many people swing by just for the bakery, and they do make beautiful cakes for every occasion.

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Strolling down Myrtle one night after the fair, we nearly bumped into a woman walking out of K-Chicken & Beer. After a quick apology, I looked up at the sign, turned to my husband, and said, “We have to try this place.” The woman smiled, leftovers in hand, and said, “It’s so good. You have to try it.”

So we did. If you’re craving Korean fried chicken in Monrovia, K-Chicken & Beer delivers. Korean fried chicken is double-fried, extra crispy, and tossed in bold, flavorful sauces. It’s one of our favorite comfort foods.

You can order wings, drumsticks, boneless pieces, or a whole chicken. We usually go for the large 18-piece so we can choose two flavors—I pick something spicy, my husband usually wants something sweet. This time we tried the K-sweet & spicy and soy garlic. The wings were piping hot and perfectly crispy.

We also ordered the bulgogi fries with a fried egg on top. The mix is sweet and savory, but definitely on the sweeter side, so it pairs best with a savory chicken flavor and a beer. The fries are rich and filling, ideal for sharing with the table. This is a spot to bring your appetite.

The setting is casual, great for grabbing a beer, watching a game, and catching up with friends. The food hits the spot, especially if you’re in the mood for something fried and flavorful.

Nano’s Cafe is a cozy, family-run spot on the corner of Mayflower and Duarte Road. It’s a local favorite for weekend breakfast and brunch in Monrovia.

Their all-day breakfast menu includes classics like pancakes, omelets, scrambles, Eggs Florentine, and a country skillet. They also serve lunch with sandwiches, salads, and burgers.

One of our go-to orders is the Cinnamon Roll French Toast. We usually get it as a side to share, and it never disappoints. Last time, we paired it with different breakfast scrambles that were fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. If fruit is available as a side, order it. The seasonal mix is always bright and refreshing.

Beyond the food, Nano’s is special because of its warm, family-friendly vibe. It’s an easy choice for groups or a casual meal with family. We’ve had plenty of weekend brunches here, and the staff is always kind and great with kids.

Nano’s is open daily from early morning to mid-afternoon. It gets busy on weekends, so arriving early helps. They also have a second location in Sierra Madre.

Viet Phomula on Lemon Ave is a solid pick for pho in Monrovia. This small Vietnamese spot in Old Town is great for a quick lunch or casual dinner, and the food is consistently satisfying.

The menu covers the essentials—spring rolls, pho, and banh mi sandwiches. We haven’t tried the banh mi yet, but the pho was better than expected. We ordered the Viet Phomula Superbowl, which comes fully loaded with a beef short rib, beef balls, brisket, and more.

The short rib was fall-off-the-bone tender, the brisket was thin and perfectly cooked, and the broth had that slow-simmered depth we always hope for. It hit the spot on a chilly evening, and it’s a bowl we’d happily come back for.

Service was friendly, and food came out quickly, making it an easy go-to when you’re craving something warm and comforting in Monrovia.

Check out these other restaurants and places to eat in Monrovia:

• Sushi Nakata
• Las Marias
• The Peach Cafe
• J B Burgers