My dear friend from high school had bought a cake from Merengue Bakery and Cafe (Cuban) in Monrovia for me and another dear friend's birthday. It was SO GOOD! Moist and not too sweet.. just perfect! We loved it! I had to come here myself and buy a cake to share with my colleagues at work. I ordered the same Chocolate Ganache cake over the phone. The lady I spoke with was very pleasant and nice. On the day of pickup, it was early morning. Parking on the streets was easy. Staff was ready to receive customers upon entry. Very cute bakery shop with good seating inside. Tons of beautiful looking pastry selections behind the glass. I was enamored! I couldn't stay too long as I had to get to work. Picked up my cake and I was on my way. Cake still had the same yummy and tasty flavor! Although, I did learn something about the cake. It needs to sit in room temperature for about 30 mins prior to serving. Otherwise, cake will be a little hard versus soft. Anyway, I returned here again on another day to pick up some savory pastries and a Tiramasu cake for work. I called in the catering order for 1 dozen beef balls, 1 dozen cheese balls, 1 dozen chicken empanadas (very flavorful and tasty, a must get!), 2 dozens cheese rolls (just as good as Porto's cheese rolls), a couple half dozen sandwiches plus one The Tony (huge and heavy Cuban sandwich!). The gentleman I spoke with was very courteous and helpful. If you order a minimum of a certain quantity, discounted prices may be given. On the day of pickup, it was a huge order so I needed some help to my car. The staff was very welcoming and willing to assist me. Thank you Merengue for your amazing cakes and baked goods along with exceptional service. Keep up with your super Cuban craft! I highly recommend this family-owned Cuban bakery and cafe. I barely hit the surface on my last two visits. I am coming back for more deliciousness. See you here!

My go to spot for Cuban sandwiches and a Malta. Can't forget los patelillos de carne or relleno de papas. Good service chill ambiance. I take my Friday noon runs here then people watch while stuffing my face. Or pick up to go. Pastries are good too. So if you around check them out. See for yourself.

A solid Cuban cafe in the downtown Monrovia area. There is free parking surrounding it and the downtown area is pretty lively overall. There is some seating available and you order at the front counter, pay, and get a number. They have bakery items like guava pastries, cheese pastries, fruit tarts, and more. They also have a menu with salads, sandwiches, wraps, plantains, and more. As a vegetarian, the options seem limited and they do not decrease the price if you get a salad without meat. However their side salad is a good portion and their house dressing is delicious. Other vege friendly sides like plantains and fries are also good and freshly fried. They also do have a caprese sandwich that is vegetarian friendly.

EAT CAKE! This place is a MUST for anyone craving authentic Cuban food with a trendy vibe. I devoured the Merengue Frita - their take on a burger, and it was insanely good. Juicy patty, perfectly grilled onions, crispy shoestring potatoes...flavor explosion! And don't even get me started on the pastries! The atmosphere is super cute and the staff is friendly. Perfect spot for a casual bite with friends. Pro Tip: Don't skip dessert! Those pastries are calling your name. #CubanFood #MonroviaEats #HiddenGem

After my breakfast I was craving something sweet and found this little gem. If you're a Porto's lover, you'll LOVE this place even more! In my opinion, the authenticity here is quite different from the bigger chain places like Porto's. You can tell the pastries here are from scratch and made with quality ingredients. I decided to try a slice of Oreo chocolate cake, a few cookies and several mini pies. The cookies are addicting, some are filled with what I think is cajeta (caramel) of some sort. They are buttery and so soft. I wish I had names but, I tried one of everything they were offering and they are all amazing. That slice of cake was a dream! The Oreo buttercream was perfect, the cake itself is so moist with the perfect amount of richness. I'm going to guess they are using Dutch processed cocoa powder. I can't wait to try other cake flavors, they all looked amazing. If you love pie, these mini treats are perfect for parties , the office or just to snack on. I ordered several. My favorite was the pumpkin and fruit pie. They also have food and I can't wait to come back. The bakery is clean and super cute. The display of pastries is too beautiful to pass up. Definitely support this small business!

This has been one of my favorite lunch and snack stops for years in Monrovia. My personal favorites are the Cuban sandwich, empanada Argentine, and the guava pastry. In the summer, I have found the ice tea to be quite refreshing. If I'm not feeling like the plantain chips, I find the side salad quite good. They can get crowded at peak times, but the food usually comes quickly after ordering. I can usually find a seat, but the library park a short walk away provides a nice to go option.

A few months ago, darling Ms. Hannah brought me a carrot cake ball from Merengue. It was by far one of the best carrot cakes I have tasted. The cake was moist, and the cream cheese frosting was spot on. Recently, I was in the area and took the opportunity to stop in. This Cuban Bakery/café is cozy with indoor & outdoor seating. The display case is filled with an assortment of beautiful pastries & desserts. They also serve lattes, breakfast, lunch, & dinner dishes. Madeline assisted me and she was the sweetest. The lemon tarts looked pretty so I ordered one of those (also available as a mini). Much like the carrot cake ball it was absolutely delicious! A light, flaky crust with a creamy lemon filling that was the perfect balance of tart & sweet. The crust had a thin layer of white chocolate to keep it from getting soggy and there was also a white chocolate lattice on top and gummy lemon slices, which added to the visual appeal. In terms of desserts this place knocks it out of the park. I'll have to come back and try some of their Cuban specialties. *Free street parking and back lots.

Stopped by on a rainy Saturday afternoon for lunch and treats. There are a dozen small tables for groups of 4 that are first come, first serve. We came in right at the perfect time to grab a table, otherwise we would have to eat outside in the cold or taken our order to go. I didn't see or was offered a physical menu and had to look it up on my phone because the menu on the wall was too hard too read. Overall the food is pretty good for the price. My salad was fresh and the avocado dressing was pretty tasty. We ate next door the week prior and it was almost x2 as much per entree. The kids meals are very reasonably priced and comes with a nice large cup of fresh fruits. They have a huge assortment of pastries which I have been told is better than Porto's, but I wouldn't really agree. Overall, lovely place for a quick bite and treats.