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    Thunder Road Cafe

    4.4 (32 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Thunder Road Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THUNDER ROAD CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Thunder Road Cafe

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    Ana R.

    Great service from the lady with pigtails and slight red hair. Just confused if this place is called thunder road cafe or petrol coffee. Either way their Apple pie chai tea is delicious. Ambiance is very motor and automobile themed so I suggest checking it out.

    Iced Latte
    Yondon J.

    I stumbled on this cafe while I was working in the area and I was amazed. I love that this cafe is clean, has parking and the street nearby has cute shops and tree lined sidewalks! The barista was so nice and was helpful! The coffee was the showstopper! I loved the Agave Sugar sweetener and I will come back just for that! The iced coffee was so so good! I loved the area and the coffee!

    Patio Thunder Road Cafe swooped
    Rocky B.

    I have to admit I was bummed when Blackwood closed but wow Thunder Road Cafe swooped in and managed to open up an even more amazing spot! First off the ambience...the way they transformed the inside seating area is top notch! It's cozy, welcoming and still manages to be hip and edgy. Major improvement! We actually went back to back days for this review. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon just to check them out and I grabbed a glass of wine. Wine was perfect and what a setting to just relax in for a spell. Next morning we went for some lattes and sat outside. Definitely an upgrade to the seating outside but they did trim the branches on the trellis a bit so you're not as protected from the sun. Hopefully the leaves grow back in quickly. Lattes were so smooth I went and grabbed another to go. Will definitely be back! Oh and they have parking in the back now. Score!

    Lavender brew
    Spring G.

    Cool chill vibes ! Patio seating ! Lavender cold brew !! Yum ! Quiet ! Great for a morning coffee !

    Pumpkin Spice Latte
    CB C.

    Thunder Road Cafe has an exceptional pumpkin spiced latte (fresh pumpkin purée imported from OR), ample seating indoors and outdoors, and the barista who serviced me was wonderful (I believe her name was Izzy) with great hospitality.

    Amy C.

    Thunder Road Cafe is my new favorite spot on Santa Monica Blvd. It's got the perfect mix of grit and charm--part motorcycle garage, part cozy, design-forward café. Great coffee, great wine and beer selection, tasty food and pastry menu, and friendly staff who make you feel welcome right away. Whether you're here to write, catch up with a friend, or just hang out and sip a delicious Petrol coffee (the shop's own brand - a must try), the vibe is warm, relaxed, and easy to settle into. Great music selection as well. Austin Melrose has created something really special here.

    Outside
    Mr. C.

    AMAZING PLACE!!! The vibe, the furniture and the coffee is incredible! The barista was super cool, and made a great drink. Then grabbed a can of wine to drink there and a bottle for the road! I could stay here and work for hours.

    Jonathan F.

    This is the latest venture from the inimitable Umbrella Hospitality, a solo project by Austin Melrose. I've now dropped in a couple times and can say with certainty this is a next-level coffee shop. First, the coffee- debuting their own brand, Octane, you can essentially choose the roast based on popular gasoline strength. 89 as a medium roast is my favorite, silky and earthy notes- try it with a latte for sure. Roasting is perfect and baristas are friendly and prompt. Bags of Octane are available for purchase, which brings me to the next selling point- the atmosphere. This is layered with a delicate balance of two things that often would never go together- a chilled coffee shop vibe and vintage motorcylces built into the decor. Old helmets populate the shelving right next to retail items. The shop opens out to a brick-lined patio that looks more like a 1944 French Resistance alcove, quiet and enclosed by trees- good spot for work meetings actually. As it's a coffee shop, atmosphere is quiet, clientele seem chill, and speaking of chilling out, the retail section also sports a great fridge for alcoholic beverages available for purchase. I would make this cozy shop my second living room!

    Interior.
    Tery L.

    This is a new coffee shop that just opened on historic Route 66 in the West Hollywood area. Motorcycle enthusiasts--especially cafe racer fans--will love the vibe. The space has an outdoor patio, parking in the back, and they also serve food, beer, and wine. The owner is the same behind Melrose Umbrella Company, so you know it's a thoughtfully designed spot with plenty of cool details. It definitely shows in the decor. They serve Petrol Coffee, and it packs the perfect kick.

    Main area. Pretty sure the motorcycle is decor, you can't park your sleds indoors.

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    2 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    11 months ago

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    Austin M.

    Thank you for the note Philip! Our team appreciates the support.

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    1 year ago

    Great new spot in town! Awesome coffee and they offer a locals discount too All the staff have been super friendly every visit.

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    8 months ago

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    Ask the Community - Thunder Road Cafe

    Review Highlights - Thunder Road Cafe

    Just confused if this place is called thunder road cafe or petrol coffee.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I stopped into V Wine Room on a reconnaissance mission before a date later that week and discovered…read moresomething more than a suitable setting--I found a refuge from a strained business life. The atmosphere is quiet and sophisticated, the kind of place that immediately lowers your shoulders. The staff are attentive without hovering, genuinely warm, and deeply knowledgeable. Craig and Randee are true sommeliers: intelligent, perceptive, and able to guide you to exactly the right pour based not just on preference, but on mindset. That said, the wine list is so strong you could throw a dart and land well every time. The food complements the experience beautifully. Order a pizza and a charcuterie board and let them do their work alongside the wine. After leaving, I sat in my car for a few minutes just to savor the lingering sense of peace and equilibrium--exactly what I needed to carry me into the following day. V Wine Room isn't just a destination; it's a pause button.

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    Zinqué

    Zinqué

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    Took my parents here for the first time the food was great. The servers were professional and…read morefriendly. I did have to let them know that the bathroom needed attending to and they took care of it immediately. We will definitely return.

    We had lunch today after watching parade. We started with fresh brewed coffee and mimosas, which…read morewere a great way to begin the meal. We both ordered the Steak Frites cooked medium rare, and they were excellent. The steaks were perfectly cooked, tender, flavorful, and exactly as ordered. The fries were crispy and delicious, especially when paired with the chimichurri sauce, which added the perfect amount of freshness and flavor. We chose to sit outside with our dog and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and provided great service throughout the meal. The only downside was an interaction with the hostess. It was a warm day, and I briefly had my dog sitting on my lap while trying to help him cool down. She came to our table and rather abruptly told me to put my dog back on the floor. While I understand restaurant policies must be followed, the situation could have been handled in a much friendlier and more professional manner without being rude and giving an attitude. That said, the food was excellent, the patio was enjoyable, and our waiter helped make the experience a positive one. We'd definitely come back for the Steak Frites alone!

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    OR Bar

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    PRIDE weekend is always a good time to be in WeHo. Jamie W and I flew down earlier this month and…read morewasted little time looking for the buzz-worthy bars to patronize. Funnily enough, The Infatuation, of all resources, ranked this spot as the top gay bar among the twenty currently in business in WeHo. It's conveniently located a couple of blocks from Hamburger Mary's where we had reservations for the drag show. I know what you're thinking. So predictable. Anyway, we had time for a round before the show. The big black door did not give us an indication of what was inside, but the 1970's art deco font of the bar name did. Inside it felt more like a Studio 54-era lounge with a big rectangular bar in the middle. However, the owners managed to avert tackiness and provide comfy plushness. The period artwork, gray banquettes, and massive amoeba-shaped chandeliers add to the sophisticated ambiance. This was definitely not the typical WeHo club west of La Cienega. There's no dance floor, so you won't hear clunky platform shoes on a rainbow florescent floor. However, you'll likely hear classic Donna Summer or Earth, Wind & Fire wafting through the space. With their black, open-collar shirts and untied sequin bow ties, the bartenders were cute and attentive. We were all set for the evening with the $15 Espresso Martinis with their house vodka (Photo 10). COCKTAILS - 4 stars...smooth martinis with the right kick AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...1970's redux without the glitter SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly bartenders at the ready TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely one of the better gay bars in WeHo...just our speed RELATED - Exploring West Hollywood? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/JdAIzNkGmG

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    Ysabel

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    I went to Ysabel on May 4th, 2024, and it recently came up again in my social media memories, which…read morereminded me of the place. At that time, I went there with my mom for brunch, and I remember the atmosphere being really nice. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly, and overall it was a very enjoyable experience.

    My friend and I came here on a Sunday around 6 PM. I think that's a perfect time to go because…read morethere's basically no one there, and by no one I mean Instagram influencers. There's valet parking. Their restaurant is very much open with indoor, outdoor & bar seating I believe. The staff in this establishment are more formal/high-end etiquette style. I appreciate their attention to detail such as cleanliness, food presentation, hospitality, attentiveness, and menu knowledge. Yelp has three dollar signs, believe it. I think there's charcuterie board was like $46 or something. Yeeeaaaahhhh but hey my friend was paying so it worked for me haha! Rigatoni: flavorful, decent size, pretty presentation, very greasy if you're gonna take it home and eat it later! Steak 12 oz: this one I didn't try my friend ordered it. I believe she asked for well done and she thought it was too well done... I don't eat well done steak so I would probably recommend someone to order medium well. The drinks were great! We got harmony and I think something with a Cherry name. I would recommend this place, be prepared to spend at least $200. But it's a really cute space with great staff, it's in a prime location and quality food.

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    Chicken
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    Met Him At A Bar

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    One thing we get to enjoy when we live in a large, sprawling city like Los Angeles is not only a…read morewide range of ethnic eateries but fun themed clusters too. That is what we found at Met Him At A Bar (MHAAB from here on out, LOL). Right on the opposite corner is Met Her At A Bar, and it is next to Her Thai and catty-corner from The Night We Met. Whew! A lot to digest. We picked this one to start with and may try the others. Parking is an issue, but the gods were smiling on us and we found a spot at the end of the block, free. Whew. I am not sure we will always be that lucky, but if you don't mind hiking a bit, there are paid parking lots/garages in the vicinity. Now, back to MHAAB. Good food, cheery bright space, best for lunch, imho, with a nice selection of all the usual up-and-coming dishes, for reasonable prices. The service, courtesy of Connor and Carlos, was excellent. The food is all fresh and with loads of eye-appeal. See my photos. The space is spotless (look at the windows, that is always a tell). The portions are generous so we took half of everything home (except dessert and beverages). The decor is organic. Music overhead was upbeat sort of eclectic disco and catchy. Two suggestions for the owners: amplify the vegetarian choices and find a way to knock down the echoic factor -- it was a bit hard to hear our own conversation with all the hard surfaces bouncing noise around. Other than that, it was a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon in Mid-Wilshire. Check it out.

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    Bright and airy. Perfect for brunch.
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    CALAMARI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS
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    A great little spot. Their food feels elevated, and the service is always excellent. I live nearby…read moreand it's a great spot to meet with a friend or have a date night. I'm not a wine expert but I do enjoy it, and can tell a good wine from a bad one. They have great offerings and you can trust the suggestions from employees, they will know just what you're looking for.

    I think this restaurant is a hidden gem for food enthusiasts! I love how Thai cuisine is getting…read moreincorporated with several other types of cuisines in LA, and Cardinale du Vin is one of the few that can make fusion food well. Unfortunately, I think the vibe is completely off with this type of food, and I think it's hurting their customer base (I.e, there's a sports watching day, and live DJ?, but the food is definitely more for upscale vibes). I also didn't know they have a rotating menu with different chefs, so when I came in craving for something like steak frites and find out the don't have it even though their sample menu lists it on their website, it kind of throws my mood a little. Moreover, their wine list is not extensive considering it's a wine bar, and wine mentioned in their name :) Anyways I've digressed. With this special menu, I ordered the scallop tostada and maitake taco. The scallops were very fresh, and it was a very well balanced dish. I would totally order this again! The maitake mushroom was exploding with flavors, though I find the sauce a little too salty for my taste. If I came here just for food, I'd come back and try new things!

    Photos
    Outdoor seating with Thai flavors and wine
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    Every Tuesday Night Leopard Pizza Co takes over the food menu
    Every Tuesday Night Leopard Pizza Co takes over the food menu
    Inside - bar area

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    Inside - bar area

    Thunder Road Cafe - coffee - Updated June 2026

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