On a cold, rainy day warm comfort food delivered via DoorDash was perfect! Everything we ordered was delish & we really couldn't decide on a favorite since it was all awesome! We ordered chicken stew soup, pulled pork, chicken, spinach, a meat sopa & a mini berry pie. Next time we will probably skip the sopa & try the brisket instead. Make sure to order a dessert! Berry pie was perfectly sweet-tart! We were very hungry & couldn't finish everything in one meal. Items may look small but nicely filling. Def will be back! read more

Great food, great coffee, great service, great atmosphere. Outside patio is lovely. Highly recommend when visiting Monterey.

Worth visiting the empty restaurant just to see what a $10, 3 oz, 3 inch empanada looks like. Then for the price of 4 of those, buy a giant meal for 2 right up the street, like we did. Paraguayan street food? That must be an EXTREMELY wealthy nation. read more

Over tourist traps? Looking for a local place to chill? Or, in my case...to stuff your face with deliciousness? Look no further than Café Guaraní. Café Guaraní Is a Paraguay Café serving empanadas, pastries, cakes, cookies, coffee, and tea (yerba mate). For lunch, they have salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Gluten-free friendly. They offer takeout, delivery (DoorDash), indoor dining, and outdoor dining. There's one table in front and a back garden patio. Dog-friendly. I came in a little before 11 am on quiet Friday and it was slim pickings for the empanadas, and they weren't making anymore for the day. Def call ahead if you're coming just for the empanadas. FYI, there is currently no mask mandate in Monterey County. Masks are only "recommended" for public indoor spaces. Most staff wore masks. Order at the counter, grab a number placard, seat yourself, and clean up after yourself. There's a collection of over a dozen of Latin American hot sauces but some of the bottles were completely empty. There's a self-serve water station towards the back patio. F O O D https://bit.ly/39a5cLI * Deep Fried Beef Mandioca (GF) w/ stewed beef, green onions, hardboiled egg ($6) Gave this a shot since they were out of the baked beef empanadas; it's the same filling but with a yucca shell. The exterior is crispy with a good chew and filled with tender shredded stewed beef. The hardboiled egg was missing though. * Baked Texas Brisket w/ post oak+pecan smoked prime beef brisket, salt, pepper, texas pit bbq sauce ($6) Crisp, flaky shell generously filled with mildly smoky and tangy shredded beef brisket. * Baked Chicken w/ cooked onions, nutmeg ($4) Least fav of the three; filled with chunks of dry, underseasoned chicken breast. Def needs a generous dose of chimichurri and/or hot sauce for flavor. The empanadas are served with a side of chimichurri. It was herbaceous but could have used more acid. Just a preference. * Alfajor: Argentinian Cookie Sandwich w/ dulce de leche, shaved coconut ($4) A local raved about this and told me she buys them by the dozen. Maybe it was an off batch but I thought it was just ok (dry). I prefer a more buttery, melt-in-your mouth shortbread cookie like Rosi's. The dulce de leche is sweet on its own so the shaved coconut made it overly sweet. Those with a sweet tooth may disagree though. S E R V I C E Friendly and prompt. A M B I A N C E CHILL! Seems like locals come to laptop camp in the indoor area. The back patio has four socially distant tables with a hammock. TT made a doggy friend in the patio, and they were making googly eyes at each other. Sorry dude, you don't have the balls for that. P A R K I N G Easy street parking. No meters. Overall, I really liked the chill, laid-back vibe of Café Guaraní and enjoyed most of empanadas. Worth a stop if you're visiting and looking to escape the touristy areas. read more

Cafe Guarani - Empanadas - Beef Mandioca, gluten-free yucca ($6), Texas Brisket ($6), Baked Chicken ($4) + Alfajor Cookie ($4) - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Never been to the cafe but tried the food today at the farmers market and took it home. The beef croquettes were delicious as was the chicken and rio "something" empanada. Can't wait to try the other flavors and visit the cafe soon. read more

Stumbled upon this small coffee shop for a quick pick me up and we were pleasantly surprised! Food was good, matcha latte was good and service was great! read more

Cafe Guarani - Yuka fries, matcha latte, brisket empanada - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

i was so happy to find a place that serves yerba mate! you just don't find that anywhere. Reminded me of being in Argentina. everything was delicious, especially the homemade chimichurri. we also ordered a vegan chili that we forgot to take a picture of but it was excellent! My only complaint was that it is a little pricey, but that's everything in this area of california. Miami is pricey too but $10 for an empanada is unheard of. That's no fault of theirs though and we knew food would be expensive in Cali. That being said i still highly recommend! read more

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I started coming here in the later part of the pandemic and I've been obsessed ever since. From their empanadas and mandiocas, to pastries and lattes, everything is so good. Their blueberry scones are the absolute best although I have noticed a slight change to them; they no longer drizzle the scone with a frosting (you view older posts of the scones, you'll see they are much lighter in color and have a little frosting on them). They're still good & way better than other bakeries around here! read more

Cafe Guarani - Fresh blueberry scone right out the oven and an iced dulce de leche latte - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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every time I'm in Monterey, I have to stop by Cafe Guarani. stumbled upon this place a while back and I am so glad I did because the empanadas are to die for!! my favorites include the smoked brisket, which often sells out, beef, and pulled pork. each have a filling that is so tender and flavorful accompanied by the best chimichurri sauce on the side. they give you a fair amount and what I love is how the empanadas have an imprint on the crust indicating what flavor is what - just so thoughtful and smart! sometimes they sell out of empanadas but they may just tell you that the next batch will be out in 20 if you're willing to wait. i usually eat here and order one empanada while i wait for the next :) i've tried the guava tart in the past which is a bit dry for me and the arroz con leche but the rice was a little too al dente in my opinion summary: great empanadas and such a cute ambiance. they decorate for christmas and they have a beautiful outdoor patio when it isn't raining. definitely a must visit if you're in monterey!! read more

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I visited Cafe Guarani on a Monday afternoon. It's a cute cafe located on a busy street so it's not easy to find parking, but you might get lucky! I ordered a box of vegan soy empanadas, a vanilla chai with oat milk, and a matcha latte with oat milk. I was the only person in the cafe at the time that I went; the drinks were ready in five minutes but the empanadas took about thirty minutes. I am very sad to say that I did not enjoy anything that I ordered. Honestly, I have not been this disappointed by a restaurant in a while. For starters, both the chai and matcha lattes were EXTREMELY bland. I am a chai enthusiast, I love all things chai, but i COULD NOT get behind it. I felt as though I was drinking vanilla-infused frothy water. I switched my chai for my moms matcha latte, thinking that maybe they were just lacking in the chai department, but no, the matcha was no different. Lacking. If you enjoy bitter lattes, you'll be happy. As for the empanadas, the pastry itself was good, flaky yet smooth and pretty tasty, however, the vegan soy filling was a big miss. The taste of the filling didn't match the taste of the pastry. It was more of a sweet-savory than a true savory, which was odd. Furthermore, the stuffing was watery so the pastry turned to mush in about ten minute, and I ordered an entire box. Tragic. Overall, I wouldn't come here again nor would I recommend this place to anyone. read more

Cafe Guarani - vegan soy empanadas (do not recommend) - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

S E R V I C E: My boyfriend and I were waiting for a table at the restaurant next door, and decided to get a drink. We were happy to see that this cafe had beer! We were greeted by the only worker at the store at the time (it was close to 7pm) and he was very sweet. He held a conversation well, gave great recommendations, and was all around a nice guy. We enjoyed our beer and light snack before dinner! F O O D: I had to try out their alfajor because of Yelpers raving about it! It had two soft cookies with a chewy caramel inside and shredded coconut on the outside - it was delicious! But my favorite thing from this cafe are their empanadas! I loved how you could tell which empanada was what because they had the name baked on the side of it! It was really cool! We brought home two chicken, one pork and and one beef. The chimichurri sauce was the perfect pairing to these empanadas! O V E R A L L: We had such a great experience here, we stopped by on our drive home. The energy is great at this cafe and I would love to come back and order more empanadas! read more

Cafe Guarani - Alfajor with beer - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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One of the best espressos I've had. Flavors are bold and bitter with fruity notes and hints of cacao. my girl friend said her latte was really good as well. We sat in the back patio with was super chill . Great neighborhood spot. Will be back to try the food. read more

stopped by in the morning before going into the aquarium. empanadas were delicious, slightly more on the expensive side at $10 each. the empanadas were stamped with their filling type - so cute read more

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I can eat their Yucca Fries all day. And the Chocolate Caramel tart and Dulce de Leche roll everyday too read more

Cafe Guarani - Chocolate Caramel Tart. I ate the Yucca Fries so fast I forgot to take a picture - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

After calling a few places previously trying to get a small cake ready the next day and striking out, I finally had someone answer the phone when I called Cafe Guarani. The girl who answered was super patient and understanding and was really helpful in helping me with my decision. I ended up ordering 2 of the 4" cakes (I wanted enough for 4 people with no leftovers) and asked them to write a fairly long happy birthday if they could. She said they'd do their best. I placed the pickup for 4:30 and asked my friend's husband to grab them. He didn't realize they closed at 5 and so the Cafe called me at 4:45 asking if I still wanted to pick them up (whoops! Sorry!). I didnt see the cakes until we brought them out for dinner and holy I was super impressed. The cakes were beautiful and I couldn't really ask for more. They were the perfect size for a small party. I had the tres leches and the chocolate. The tres leches was amazing. Neither cakes were super sweet and I'd definitely would order from them again if I was celebrating in Pacific Grove again. Thank you Cafe Guarani for awesome cakes that really helped make the bf's birthday special! read more

Cafe Guarani - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

I loved the vibe of this cafe!! It was welcoming and chill. The customer service was amazing and they were very kind. I had a beef empanada and it had a boiled egg in it, which I've never heard of, but wanted to try it anyway. The empanada did not disappoint because it was very tasty. I would have paired it with a different sauce, but that didn't take away from the empanada itself. So happy to have stopped by here. read more

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This little spot is so cute and the empanadas are delicious. They have a really cute garden patio and the employees are always friendly. We live down the street and love stopping here! read more

I paid with credit card. Cafe Guarani is located on the street and offers some street parking. They are Covid ready and require masks. I went in on a Saturday morning and there were a couple people dining outside. There was no one inside so I didn't have to wait to order. This place is amazing! I got 2 dirty chais, beef, chicken, and smoked brisket empanadas, carrot cake, and 2 sugar cookies. It was about $50 for all but it was well worth it. (The carrot cake had a little too much icing for my taste, but it was still good.) I would definitely recommend this place and would go back. read more

Cafe Guarani - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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A great traditional mate and one of the best empanadas I've had in California. Absolutely would recommend this place to anyone. If I lived nearby, I could see myself spending way too much money here. read more

We tried the pulled pork and chicken empanadas. Very good and authentic. Highly recommend the pulled pork. Yucca fries and coffees were also great. Dulce de leche latte was very good. read more

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This is a fun place to visit if you want a light snack/meal. We tried their pulled pork and beef empanadas. Both were very tasty and came with this addicting chimichurri sauce. I wanted to slather that in every bite. We also tried their sweetened açaí Yerba mate and mate latte. I wish the açaí drink was a little sweeter but the açaí flavor was strong, and the latte tasted like a nice warm milk tea. Definitely loved the atmosphere and I believe if we stayed later they were going to have live music! read more

If you're ever in the area and looking for a nice spot to grab a good cup of coffee. This is it.

The food was excellent and reasonably priced. Staff was lovely as well. Try the brisket empanadas!

Thank you Phia S. For the YEE!! I have driven / walked past this spot many times. Now I know it's here and I'll be back. I came for the empanadas so that's what I'll talk about. Not greasy at all! Brisket and pulled pork in one. I arrived Jaír as some freshies were coming out of the oven. I had to wait a few minutes, no biggie. The place is adorable and also serves as a coffee spot with delectable looking desserts in the case. I was good and got my empanadas and left. They came with a lovely green sauce, not sure exactly what is was but it was welcomed as the crust was a bit dry. The filling hot and fresh. I would and will be back here for the cake. And an empanada. Free WiFi too, my phone logged right on., super comfy spot. Out back is their secret garden. Cheers you'all!! read more

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The secret garden is fantastic and coffee excellent. Not to be overlooked. I'll be sure to stop again next time I'm in town.

Parking was a bit challenging to find, but do not pass up on coming by! The workers were nice and patient with us. Unfortunately they were out of the empanadas we originally wanted, but the worker gave us great recommendations. The entire cafe gave amazing vibes and theres tons of great natural sunlight. It was all very clean and well kept. I was recommended the Soy Empanada and it was so delicious! read more

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Excellent coffees and a lovely gluten free cookie! I got the dulce de luca latte which was excellent and hubs had a decaf pour over. The barista was very nice. The food menu is very unique, looking forward to returning to try those empanadas! read more

Delicious, Cute, Local. Cafe Guarani was a short stop on an otherwise long trip, and a welcome r respite to the overly touristy cafes dotting much of the California coast. As a tourist myself, I don't mind much, but this was an exception. the empanadas were to die for, the coffee was good, and the staff gave us a good recommendation for a cute spot for photos, my only gripe is I wanted another empanada, but they were pricy. can't win em all. read more

Local and family owned, this is actually my second visit and I sampled more of the empanadas, and tried the Yerbe Mate hot this time. I so enjoyed the experience with the tea, after an informative demonstration and description by the owners daughter I sat and sampled my tea. (Photo of Bombilla) the stirring/sipping utensil. It was so fun to stir the tea, in the little cup called a Gourd, and I confess I did add a touch of raw sugar as I have a bit of a sweet tooth when it comes to teas and coffees. We ordered the empanadas: beef, and Texas Brisket. Both were flavorful and the dough is quite flaky and holds up well when pouring the olive oil tampenade with the sweet little spoon over the empanada. Yummy. I especially liked the brisket as it had a nice combination of sweet and savoury. I engaged with the owner Liliana and told her how much we were enjoying her food, and overall establishment. We discussed whether she felt the old business adage of "the customer is always right" is still applicable to today. Liliana beautifully stated that with the challenges we all face today there needs to be more give and take. She and her staff strive to make sure every customers needs are met, and that they have a pleasant experience. Customer service is important because if there is no returning customer, there is no revenue, and therefore no business. We discussed how people bring their energy and they then leave some of it behind when they go. She wants to of course have positive energy flowing, and I acknowledged that it is a very peaceful place. I thanked her for her time and for sharing her thoughts. I also assured her I would be returning again to enjoy the tea and tasty foods in the future. read more

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I thought the empanadas were pretty good! It seemed welcoming and overall it was chill environment as well.

Five stars because it nails what it's trying to be. It's a cute bakery with with South American influences. The empanadas, although expensive ($9 each) were delicious. I am not an empanada expert, but these did not feel traditional with the fillings and that's not a knock in them at all. This place feels like a fusion of cultures. The choices vary from smoked pulled pork or brisket in a bbq sauce, to ham in a béchamel sauce, along with a lot of vegetarian options. For me, smoked brisket can be a real hit or miss with no on between. I was skeptical on getting the smoked brisket but SO GLAD I did. It was insanely good. My wife also enjoyed her chicken, my dad approved of his diced ham and béchamel, and my two year old gobbled up her veggie empanada. This place is not just about the empanadas. They have a lot of choices of coffees and Yerba mate teas. My wife loved her mocha and I want to come back to try a traditional Yerba Mate. To finish it off, we took home a pastry that felt like a cross between a flan and a cheesecake. Also incredible. We will be back! read more

This place is so easy to pass up while walking or driving by. I recommend you make it an occasion to stop by on a sunny day and sit in the back courtyard area to enjoy some coffee and sweets. The service here is always friendly and the ambiance inside is chill. There are plenty of drink options and the pastries are all made in house. The guava tart was a solid 3/5. Pastry was delicious but the guava flavor didn't really come through. The Alfajor cookie was a straight 5/5. The coconut flavor was there but not overpowering. The cookie itself tastes like shortbread. The dulce de leche was just enough to hold the cookie together but it wasn't TOO sweet. The matcha had a great flavor and the price to sub oat milk for regular was fair (0.50) The empanadas here... uh-may-zing! We only purchased one today but this is our 4th visit here. The accompanying sauces add a next level layer to these, especially the chimichurri. My only grip is maybe $7 for one empanada is getting a bit overpriced? Considering the neighboring options, this place is it little on the high end in terms of price but you really can't complain about the quality. It's fantastic. read more

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Decided to stop by a local coffee shop before going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cafe Guaraní did not disappoint. I got the dulce de leche latte, perfect amount of sweetness! .. which is tough to do. I also got a guava pastry which was ok, perhaps it needed to be warmed up, the coffee stole the show! read more

Cafe Guarani - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Amazing food and coffee, one of the best empanadas I've had in California. The staff were friendly and it was a very nice relaxing ambiance.

I came here because of a special they were running, which was supposed to include 2 free empanadas. We ordered 2 empanadas and a latte and a hot chocolate, came to $21- so obviously I was charged. I mentioned at the beginning I was there a special event experience and gave them my name. They checked me off, and charged me. I didn't say anything because I brought a friend and told her I was paying. The table where we sat was STICKY. My phone literally stuck to the table. There were flies flying around. We got our ham and cheese empanadas after about 20 minutes. They told us there would be a wait. They brought both in 1 to go container. I went up to the counter to ask about plates.... Stood there while they were engrossed in whatever orders they were working on. Finally got 2 plates. The empanada tasted exactly like a Hot Pocket. My latte was fine. I am glad I had the opportunity to try a new place. Honestly I can't imagine I would return. read more

Secret garden in the back was adorable and the food was so good we grabbed the ham and cheese empanadas and the brisket ones, the hot cocoa was creamy sweet and so cute! read more

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We loved Cafe Guarani!!!! Every restaurant should have a staff like this place! Beyond kinds and they service with a smile. We ordered empanadas and yucca friends. Super delicious!!!! And the vibe here is so beautiful I fell in love with decro and the tables have this glitter finish I'm so going to recreate my table at home. read more

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I'm now addicted to Yerba maté thanks to this place. Have you ever been to Paraguay? I haven't, but this cafe really made me consider going on a trip down there. If you've never had Paraguayan pastries this is a good place to start. They offer a lot of different types of breaded pastries, from savory to sweet, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. Alongside their empanadas they also offer croquettes, desserts, Yerba Mate, coffee, and hand crafted syrups. The staff was super helpful and super fast in crafting my sopa. Which is a corn cake w cheese onions and the option to add beef. I also ordered a guava empanada. The flavor of the bread reminded me of paneton with a thicker consistency. Really enjoyed this place and wish there was something closer to the Bay Area so I could drink Yerba Mate more often. read more

Cafe Guarani - Yerba mate and pastries in the background - Cafes Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Great place! We walked in on a whim and were emidiatly impressed with the friendly staff and atmosphere. Great coffee (spiced Guatamalin spiced mocha) and empanadas. We loved it so much we came back the next day. The yuca fries are so good. Even better with the chimichurry aioli ( you need to ask for it). Hardest decision you willneed to make, is which empanadas to try! read more

This casual coffee shop is famed for its Yerba mate, but I'm reviewing the empanadas - unique and intriguing flavors (brisket and pulled pork) that were great. But it's really overpriced. Two empanadas cost $20, which really is a bit too much. Vinoma (in the North Bay) is more affordable and just as good. Service is fine - it's a counter. And parking is easy (on a rainy weekday in Pacific Grove). read more