Our Story

Cafe Santo was founded by Pilar and Marlon who dreamt of opening a space to gather the community around self-expression through art, food, music, and fashion. When Marlon arrived in Los Angeles from Oaxaca in 2010, he was looking for his calling and community. He worked his way through some of LA’s restaurants from dishwasher to a certified barista and knew he wanted to dedicate his craft to coffee. Pilar has been working in television production for over 15 years. Her artistic approach produces their visual aesthetic through photography, video, and art.

Together, in 2016, they created Cafe Santo to honor the work and countless hands who cultivate some of the best beans available throughout Latin America from seed to cup of coffee. They believe that coffee, with its unique ability to bring together people from all backgrounds around the world, fosters meaningful connections.

Cafe Santo collaborates with artisanal food makers from Oaxaca and Los Angeles community members to continue sharing the rich culture of Mexico and LA’s unique flavors. In 2021 they opened their first brick-and-mortar in the Eastside of LA, dedicated to community growth and embracing their culture.