“ I get brunch here -- my go to favorite is chorizo with eggs. Love the beans and the fresh homemade tortillas. It's paired with a fine cafe de olla -- the best I've ever had. ”

“ We loved everything about our dining experience. Lovely ambiance, excellent service, creative cocktails and authentic dishes. We devoured the ensalada de nopalitos (cactus), camarones a la diabla, and empanada and thought that the mole negro was the best ever. So glad a friend recommended this place to us! ”

“ Food is great, authentic and flavorful. The host is very hospitable and friendly. Interior is quiet and takes you to the home of the cuisine. ”

“ Read about this place in an article about landmark restaurants in Santa Monica. Tried it with my family and it was great. We enjoyed sitting on their patio. Service was warm and welcoming. We got our drinks quickly and liked the salsa. Everyone ordered moles which are house specialties. The food tasted amazing. Highly recommend coming here. ”

“ After visiting a museum, we were starving for a good meal. In the middle of the way we decided to try the Oaxaca food. The red is real typical, a CV little up scale, the portion is quite big, the mole was delicious! The service is very nice and fast. The ambiance is really cool. They serve you with a traditional Mexican clothing. My husband went é in Oaxaca o Xe, and he felt like being there. Reasonable price, $22 per person and two plates. ”

“ Really great food, lovely vibe, and really friendly service! Recommend very highly. Of the things I tried, I thought the goat tacos were better than the mole, but both were very good. ”

“ Found this location while in the area. We were seated quickly and help out fast. Its a nice location with bright colors and music. The waitress was nice. The food was good, although some things were bland. And it was really expensive. Maybe we will give it another try. ”

“ Gracious service, delicious food, above and beyond effort to provide a positive ambiance. I cant give Monte Alban enough stars. They deserve 6 stars for niceness and excellent service. The nicest service I can remember and a unique experience with their dishes. Ok, this is a Mole restaurant and that means their takes on Mole especially with its connection to authentic flavors will not be for everyone. This is not a Mexican restaurant that serves mole. It's a Mole restaurant. They have many flavors (four that I tasted) and they ranged from good to excellent. You kinda have to find the flavor your palette enjoys. I actually liked the alternative moles vs the usual dark chocolate one that most restaurants have. The yellow (which looked orange to me) was spicier and the green was almost like a peruvian aji verde sauce. I loved the Oaxacan Queso Fundido so much. The soup, and enchiladas which I tried were great. All around a well done meal. The ladies serving us were very nice and ran that place to a T. I'd definitely go back. And they can handle large groups without any issues. Be there and enjoy the unique dining experience. I'm going to try their burritos next time! ”

“ We used to come here all the time, unaware that Monte Albanian shared the same strip mall as the sublime Kato prior to COVID and its current Michelin fame. In any case, if you're looking for good Oaxacan food on the Westside, don't look any farther since this is about as good as it gets. You are greeted by the scent of the highly complex Mole sauce and a friendly host who will seat you at tables and chairs that appear to be made of Mexican hardwood. Our server, complete with fedora and flowered necktie was efficient and quick, adding a cozy feeling. The tostadas were hot and not greasy although they lacked the ultimate burnt corn taste of the handmade variety. Beer was served in a glass rimmed with chili salt according to the current trend, although I'll skip it next time the standout was the chicken mole, a 1/2 pound succulent pounded chicken breast in the complex mole and wrapped in a tortilla, one of the better examples of this dish. The tacos and other dishes did exude a pronounced Oaxacan flair. Though better artisanal Mexican restaurants are out there, for the price, convenience, and food quality, Monte Alban is a winner, likely to be added to your go-to list. ”

“ Monte Alban is a hidden gem in West LA. I love this casual, family-oriented Mexican restaurant. Every visit I've had has been so warm and welcoming--the staff are kind, there's usually litle to no wait, and the food is delicious. Their menu marks their mole dishes as their specialties, so I usually order the mole burrito with an horchata. My girlfriend also really likes their fried plantains with rice and beans too. One time I tried their fried grasshoppers, and they tasted great! They tasted similarly to small dried shrimp in some Asian dishes, in case people wanted some comparison. A few times I have gone there was also a singer performing during dinnertime, which added to the homely environment. They have outdoor seating now along with many lunch specials that I am hoping to try. I see a lot of people order their Molcajetes too. Getting there is pretty easy--the restaurant is located in a strip mall on Santa Monica Blvd, so there is parking on-site and good bus coverage too. I definitely recommend coming to Monte Alban! ”