Really nice staff, amazing service and the Afternoon Tea Service is amazing! The mini toasts, scones, the tea, all amazing!
JustinGN81
Callisto Tea House has been a favorite of mine for at least a year, yet I haven't shared until now. I've been selfish, trying to keep the place my little secret. But that's not fair. Callisto deserves the praise and to reap the accolades of embodying exactly what a teahouse should be.
Any place can sell a decent cup of tea, or have a clever interior with relatable artwork, but the true spirit of tea is in the experience. A teahouse should be welcoming, offering hospitality with an unassuming and gentle aesthetic. A place for a kind conversation, and for thoughtfulness. That is a teahouse, and that is exactly what Callisto offers. Each time I walk through the door, I can feel tension leave my shoulders. Sometimes I stop by for a quick visit, sometimes I linger for hours, but long stay or short, I enjoy every minute.
The tea is top notch, and expertly prepared. The crew knows how to represent each variety to guide you towards exactly what you're looking for. I'm partial to hot tea, but Callisto brings an excellent iced tea preparation and cold brews that stand tall on 100-degree days. The tea list is updated periodically, as it should be, as certain options are seasonal. And if you're looking to bring a piece home with you, they have loose leaf and teaware for sale.
There is an assortment of light bites that pair seamlessly with the tea. I love the scones, generally savory. And they have mini toasts with toppings ranged from local marmalades, roasted red pepper spread with walnut, cucumber with herbed cashew cream cheese, and more. Plus a few baked goods appropriate for those who like something a bit sweet. The scones, the sourdough for the toasts, the cookies, it's all baked in house, and it's all delicious.
Callisto is always a little busy without being too busy. It's a place to read, catch up with a pal, or get some work done. It's the little things that take this shop to the next level, and I think they get that. I'm a fan of how they always ask if I would like to choose my own teacup from their collection. I generally ask them to surprise me. And when they bring me a particular cup because it's their favorite and they want to tell me about it, I can see the chat as the genuine gesture of connection that it is.
If you need a cup of tea, yes. If you want to learn about tea, yes. If you're a tea veteran and have been looking for a local place to kick back and recharge, yes. I've chatted with the owners and they are lovely people, you can tell that this teahouse is a work of passion for them. And that positivity really shines through in their work and the establishment as a whole. I've had a handful of favorite teahouses over the years, but it had been a while. I am very lucky to have Callisto in the neighborhood.
Victoria Hernandez
Came here for Mother’s Day and it was wonderful! I really appreciated how much thought was put into the whole experience. The owner was SO kind and knowledgeable, she took the time to go through all of the teas we were curious about and recommended several. My mom had a great time and we’re definitely planning on coming back ❤️
Rafael Cruz
Very nice tea house with quality tea. Some of the options were very special and rare. The owner is knowledgeable and accommodating. :)
Wonderfully curated place to come relax, read, or get a little work done.
Yesod Stone
I met a friend here for tea and was not disappointed. Great atmosphere and lovely people. The foods were varied and tasty!
Kristen Annes
I'm new to using loose tea and asked for assistance. What lovely staff that took the time to tell me all about their offerings and help me choose several teas! I've been using them now for a few weeks and just love the selections. Will definitely be returning!
Willis O'Leary
Came here with my partner on the recommendation of our friends. Seriously wonderful tea, atmosphere, and service. The Gongfu service was excellent!
Sara Siwiecki
What a joy! We came here for afternoon tea (we wanted to try something new and had never had a tea and pastries afternoon tea before!) and had a fantastic time. The tea was delicious as were the accompanying toasts and pastries. They also had gluten free options which was great for someone in my group that has several dietary restrictions. The tea cups and plates were also so adorable. Also the afternoon tea was super reasonably priced! Would definitely recommend for a nice, peaceful, leisurely tea!
Robyn
Truly unique place! 10/10 experience. Try the yellow tea, a rare treat.
Anthea Carrillo
Great, unique teas, cute cups and the owner is so personable and informative. I look forward to coming back and trying them again.
We recently visited Callisto Tea House in Pasadena for afternoon tea, and it was an unforgettable experience! The ambiance was calm and inviting, and we were immediately welcomed by the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff. They guided us through the different teas with genuine enthusiasm, making it easy to find something we loved.
The afternoon tea service was impeccable, with a beautifully arranged selection of the most delicious sweet and savory treats that complemented the tea perfectly. We also opted for the Gong Fu tea experience, which was a real highlight. Watching the traditional Chinese tea ceremony was mesmerizing, and it added such a special, immersive touch to our visit. The care and attention to detail in every pour and sip were remarkable.
Callisto Tea House offers more than just a meal-it's a complete, enriching experience. I highly recommend it to anyone in Pasadena looking to relax, enjoy quality tea, and learn more about tea culture!
Meg Ehis
Good stuff
Kid-friendliness: It's a good place for kids
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast, Tea Pairing
Hsing Louh
Amazing experience. The owner patiently walked us through a variety of tea despite us being complete novices to tea tasting. The food is also delicious and paired extremely well with the tea. Parking behind the building was extremely easy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mint mojito with no mint
Tea - feel like the 3 dollar tea bag you will get from your local supermarket, down to earth and a must have! Treat yourself Snacks - my guess is the owner purchased 10 bags of snacks in bulk from asian market, squeezed several finger nail size pieces from each bag and charged 10 dollars for it. “Treat yourself with an authentic ranch99 experience!” Perfect! SERVICE - after sitting down for less than 30mins, the female owner/server came in and asked as if we need to check out as if we were the pain in her ass.
Great experience! Highly recommend if you know nothing about tea culture and just want to come in and feel “respected” and spend your quality time less than 30mins before getting kicked out.
I don't know anything about tea unless it's Lipton lol, but I had fun. I had a custom tea tasting with first snow jasmine, indonesian oolong, and sunset. Sunset was not my favorite, but everyone has their own palette.
The tea server was cool and taught us random factoids like Assam is a city in India. Or that loose leaf teas steep in 80C water for 3 minutes. Well, they certainly take their tea seriously
Really nice staff, amazing service and the Afternoon Tea Service is amazing! The mini toasts, scones, the tea, all amazing!
Callisto Tea House has been a favorite of mine for at least a year, yet I haven't shared until now. I've been selfish, trying to keep the place my little secret. But that's not fair. Callisto deserves the praise and to reap the accolades of embodying exactly what a teahouse should be.
Any place can sell a decent cup of tea, or have a clever interior with relatable artwork, but the true spirit of tea is in the experience. A teahouse should be welcoming, offering hospitality with an unassuming and gentle aesthetic. A place for a kind conversation, and for thoughtfulness. That is a teahouse, and that is exactly what Callisto offers. Each time I walk through the door, I can feel tension leave my shoulders. Sometimes I stop by for a quick visit, sometimes I linger for hours, but long stay or short, I enjoy every minute.
The tea is top notch, and expertly prepared. The crew knows how to represent each variety to guide you towards exactly what you're looking for. I'm partial to hot tea, but Callisto brings an excellent iced tea preparation and cold brews that stand tall on 100-degree days. The tea list is updated periodically, as it should be, as certain options are seasonal. And if you're looking to bring a piece home with you, they have loose leaf and teaware for sale.
There is an assortment of light bites that pair seamlessly with the tea. I love the scones, generally savory. And they have mini toasts with toppings ranged from local marmalades, roasted red pepper spread with walnut, cucumber with herbed cashew cream cheese, and more. Plus a few baked goods appropriate for those who like something a bit sweet. The scones, the sourdough for the toasts, the cookies, it's all baked in house, and it's all delicious.
Callisto is always a little busy without being too busy. It's a place to read, catch up with a pal, or get some work done. It's the little things that take this shop to the next level, and I think they get that. I'm a fan of how they always ask if I would like to choose my own teacup from their collection. I generally ask them to surprise me. And when they bring me a particular cup because it's their favorite and they want to tell me about it, I can see the chat as the genuine gesture of connection that it is.
If you need a cup of tea, yes. If you want to learn about tea, yes. If you're a tea veteran and have been looking for a local place to kick back and recharge, yes. I've chatted with the owners and they are lovely people, you can tell that this teahouse is a work of passion for them. And that positivity really shines through in their work and the establishment as a whole. I've had a handful of favorite teahouses over the years, but it had been a while. I am very lucky to have Callisto in the neighborhood.
Came here for Mother’s Day and it was wonderful! I really appreciated how much thought was put into the whole experience. The owner was SO kind and knowledgeable, she took the time to go through all of the teas we were curious about and recommended several. My mom had a great time and we’re definitely planning on coming back ❤️
Very nice tea house with quality tea. Some of the options were very special and rare. The owner is knowledgeable and accommodating. :)
Wonderfully curated place to come relax, read, or get a little work done.
I met a friend here for tea and was not disappointed. Great atmosphere and lovely people. The foods were varied and tasty!
I'm new to using loose tea and asked for assistance. What lovely staff that took the time to tell me all about their offerings and help me choose several teas! I've been using them now for a few weeks and just love the selections.
Will definitely be returning!
Came here with my partner on the recommendation of our friends. Seriously wonderful tea, atmosphere, and service. The Gongfu service was excellent!
What a joy! We came here for afternoon tea (we wanted to try something new and had never had a tea and pastries afternoon tea before!) and had a fantastic time. The tea was delicious as were the accompanying toasts and pastries. They also had gluten free options which was great for someone in my group that has several dietary restrictions. The tea cups and plates were also so adorable. Also the afternoon tea was super reasonably priced! Would definitely recommend for a nice, peaceful, leisurely tea!
Truly unique place! 10/10 experience. Try the yellow tea, a rare treat.
Great, unique teas, cute cups and the owner is so personable and informative. I look forward to coming back and trying them again.
Restaurantji Recommends
We recently visited Callisto Tea House in Pasadena for afternoon tea, and it was an unforgettable experience! The ambiance was calm and inviting, and we were immediately welcomed by the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff. They guided us through the different teas with genuine enthusiasm, making it easy to find something we loved.
The afternoon tea service was impeccable, with a beautifully arranged selection of the most delicious sweet and savory treats that complemented the tea perfectly. We also opted for the Gong Fu tea experience, which was a real highlight. Watching the traditional Chinese tea ceremony was mesmerizing, and it added such a special, immersive touch to our visit. The care and attention to detail in every pour and sip were remarkable.
Callisto Tea House offers more than just a meal-it's a complete, enriching experience. I highly recommend it to anyone in Pasadena looking to relax, enjoy quality tea, and learn more about tea culture!
Good stuff
Kid-friendliness: It's a good place for kids
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast, Tea Pairing
Amazing experience. The owner patiently walked us through a variety of tea despite us being complete novices to tea tasting. The food is also delicious and paired extremely well with the tea. Parking behind the building was extremely easy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tea - feel like the 3 dollar tea bag you will get from your local supermarket, down to earth and a must have!
Treat yourself Snacks - my guess is the owner purchased 10 bags of snacks in bulk from asian market, squeezed several finger nail size pieces from each bag and charged 10 dollars for it. “Treat yourself with an authentic ranch99 experience!” Perfect!
SERVICE - after sitting down for less than 30mins, the female owner/server came in and asked as if we need to check out as if we were the pain in her ass.
Great experience! Highly recommend if you know nothing about tea culture and just want to come in and feel “respected” and spend your quality time less than 30mins before getting kicked out.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Scone, Tea Tastings and Private Events Available, Avocado Toast
I don't know anything about tea unless it's Lipton lol, but I had fun. I had a custom tea tasting with first snow jasmine, indonesian oolong, and sunset. Sunset was not my favorite, but everyone has their own palette.
The tea server was cool and taught us random factoids like Assam is a city in India. Or that loose leaf teas steep in 80C water for 3 minutes. Well, they certainly take their tea seriously
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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