50 Best Coffee Shops in Pasadena

“We love Criterion Coffee! The coffee is arguably the best coffee we’ve had!

The coffee shop looks really nice inside and has been very well decorated aesthetically!

It looks like it’s got a nice place to stay and work on the second floor, too

Wish we had more time here, but it’s a coffee shop that we’ll be returning to!“

“Great food and so friendly service.“

“One of the best coffee spots in Pasadena! Love coming here to get my caffeine fix in. I've tried most of the menu and you honestly can't go wrong picking any drink. They offer hot and iced coffee as well as matcha and a few pastries. The owners are extremely kind people who clearly love what they do and it shows. They also give back to the community which speaks volumes. I cannot recommend this cute little coffee truck enough.“

“Great lattes, coffee and tea selection“

“Republik Coffee is as solid as it gets. It has good food, good coffee, and a good ambiance, which makes it a great hang out spot.The breakfast burrito, an almond danish, and a hazelnut cappuccino. It's not a large breakfast burrito, but I felt like all off the ingredients were good quality. The danish was good,and the cappuccino was solid as well.“

“Whenever I find myself in Pasadena, I make it a point to stop by. As I step through the front door, the aromas are welcoming, the setting comforting, and with it a slew of memories rushes back. I discovered Jones in the early 2000’s during business trips to Pasadena. Through the years it became a must have visit, even during family trips. Leading the way is Rafael. He’s calm and welcoming and his presence is felt every where. In fact, during a 2021 visit he spotted my family and me, came over to greet us, and fondly recalled my children who he hadn’t seen in close to 8 years. It’s that type of personal attention , and good product, that has kept me coming back. Enjoy!“

“I have now eaten here 4 times out of the last 10 days. All this time not knowing this place existed has been wasted time. I’ve eaten something different each time and all of them have been amazing. Some of the best sandwiches I’ve had. The homemade pastries are a delight and the coffee they brew is quality. Can’t recommend it enough.“

“Friendly staff and easy to order! Great selection and even seasonal drink options. Definitely a great place.“

“A great spot for a delicious latte!“

“Such a perfectly chill coffee spot! I was here on a weekday afternoon and it was peaceful, airy, with lots of nice seating options (tables with chairs and a bench side with pillows, plus a couple soft chairs and a couch). Music was calm and perfect for a quiet coffee date or getting some work done. I'm a coffee minimalist so I can't speak for their more unique offerings, but my iced latte was great. Will be adding it to my regular rotation for sure!“

“As part of the Medical Team stationed at the Rose Bowl during the Eaton fire we want to thank Home Brew for providing delicious coffee everyday. 😁🔥“

“I love this new Korean cafe in Pasadena. Their matcha is soo good and creamy! The pastries are delicious as well! They have a lot of options to choose from coffee,non caffeinated drinks , tea, pastries. And fruits desserts I’m definitely going to try their cute fruit desserts when I come back.

Service is amazing, my drinks and pastries came out really fast and everyone was friendly.

Ambiance is cute, and plenty of seating. They also sell some merch like shirts, coffee, tea and cups.

I got some of their coffee, cups and shirts.

I will definitely comeback.

What I got:
Matcha Rain
Pistachio Croissant
Orange Grapefruit Black Tea
Tomato Basil Pesto Danish“

“Very nice ice cream. Rich flavors and smell so good. Also, one scoop is very big. :)“

“I first discovered Erva Yerba Mate at music festivals and food truck events around Los Angeles, and I was immediately hooked. Their yerba mate drinks are incredibly refreshing—fruity, ice-cold, and genuinely satisfying. What really stood out to me was how I felt afterward: a clean, feel-good energy from the caffeine with no jitters or crash. It’s honestly better tasting and more balanced than coffee - which I'm not a regular drinker of.

I was so impressed that I started going directly to the store to fill my growler and ended up buying bottled yerba mate for myself and friends. Every time I go in, the staff is warm, friendly, and happy to chat. I usually ask whoever’s working to make me their favorite blend, and it’s always fantastic. Consistently cold, crisp, and refreshing. That's why I've enjoyed trying so many flavors!

A friend of mine said he ended up buying a growler from them at the Atwater farmers market on Sundays. He's also hooked!

Parking is easy, which is rare in LA, and I love that it’s right around the corner from the ReStore—perfect excuse to hunt for good deals after grabbing a drink. The owners, Tiffany and Juan, are genuinely kind, welcoming people, and it shows in how the place is run.

I've brought bottles to parties and events for people who don't want an adult beverage and people were SO APPRECIATIVE!

I really hope they expand their food options soon—I love the empanadas and the sauces and would happily eat more there. This place is a gem and a regular stop for me now.

Highly recommend if you want a better alternative to coffee and a great local small business to support.“

“Charming place to put in some work (if you don’t mind the background music) when a change of scenery is needed.“

“Going local-origin for my next batch of pumpernickel bagels. Choco-latte and Nicaraguan chocolate down here are legit crazy awesome!“

“Really cute coffee shop with sammies and bagels with a very cozy interior. Nice for coffee chats or solo breakfasts One complaint - I came at 10AM on a Friday and they said they were completely out of bagels which is nearly their entire menu. Ended up getting a bagel order but on sourdough:)“

“Awesome coffee and quick service!! Love Philz!“

“We stopped by Hai Cha for boba tea after visiting the museum. The owner greeted us right away as we walked through the door. He's super friendly and he was very welcoming. We got Hai Cha special milk tea with boba. Waffle was boba. Yogurt smoothie and mango smoothie. The size of the smoothies were huge. We enjoyed our food.“

“I’m officially addicted to their Vanilla Honey Latte. Food is awesome as well!“

“I simply did not like the seating in this Starbucks. I wanted to sit inside, but all they had inside were stools. I do not sit well on stools so I had to go outside where the high's were going to be in the 90's. I went to another Starbucks instead which had chairs and tables inside.“

“Me gusta porque, me pongo al Internet, y un café caliente, para concentrar“

“All good good place the pancakes is fenomenal“

“Art Lunch is where art meets flavor! The food was so thoughtfully presented and tasted wonderful. A perfect spot for food lovers looking for something unique!“

“I am visiting from Massachusetts and THIS place is THE BEST for quality, portions, price and friendliness of staff!!! and also the nice location, seating options (inside or balcony outdoors!) sunny!..geat mountain view!..casual and super clean and organized! A+++++++ my 2nd day here in a row for breakfast and the coffee is EXCELLENT & large cups too! ❤️“

“Thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the charming, highly-rated Hello You're Welcome café. They make and bake everything in house- you can even see the ovens. Really friendly staff with a slight hippie vibe. Some items were made with almond flour, like their giant chocolate chip cookie, so I had to skip them (allergic). I was pleasantly overwhelmed by a delicious gigantic frittata slice with bacon, onions, and tater tots inside. Togadachi coffee is really interesting: the beans were fermented with lavender. Extra sugar helped me adjust to the unique flavor. The wall full of retail items features coffee beans in VHS boxes, which is a first! I love their mugs and bought one to take home.“

“We’re savoring something truly special today — Sailor’s Brew Coffee, featuring premium Ethiopian coffee, the birthplace of coffee itself 🌍✨ This cup is rich, smooth, and beautifully balanced, with natural notes that feel vibrant and clean — no bitterness, just a satisfying depth that lingers. Ethiopian coffee is known for its bright character and heritage, and Sailor’s Brew honors that tradition with care, quality, and purpose. What makes it even better? 🇺🇸 Veteran-owned 🌱 Ethically sourced 🔥 Craft-roasted for flavor, not hype This is the kind of coffee you slow down for — perfect for morning reflection, creative work, or meaningful conversations. Every sip tells a story of service, craftsmanship, and global connection.“

“Salted Caramel drink was perfect 👍“

“Whenever I find myself in Pasadena, I make it a point to stop by. As I step through the front door, the aromas are welcoming, the setting comforting, and with it a slew of memories rushes back. I discovered Jones in the early 2000’s during business trips to Pasadena. Through the years it became a must have visit, even during family trips. Leading the way is Rafael. He’s calm and welcoming and his presence is felt every where. In fact, during a 2021 visit he spotted my family and me, came over to greet us, and fondly recalled my children who he hadn’t seen in close to 8 years. It’s that type of personal attention , and good product, that has kept me coming back. Enjoy!“

“Best breakfast burritos ANYWHERE! great service! Accommodating! Great new bowls! Fantastic, high quality coffee and tea! Clean! Safe! Can order there, online, or through phone! Can eat inside, outside, pick up, or get curbside pick up service! They follow ALL CDC guidelines! I've been going there since they first opened. 👍👍👍👍👍😊“

“TB & TB is exactly our coffeehouse vibe - the coffee is incredible! I’d work here, meet friends or just chill on my own. The sweet treats were delicious and I can’t wait to get back! We bought some whole beans to brew at home and we’re not disappointed. Excellent quality making the perfect cup - hot or iced 🤩“

“Alfred Coffee in the City of Pasadena is highly recommended. Service is impeccable. Kudos to “Christian” for his wonderful and friendly customer service. Go Salesian HS!! #Classof2015“

“Love Rosebuds and the artisan chocolate bars🥰“

“Dark chocolate mochas are my favorite. The baristas are very courteous and friendly.“

“I look forward to my morning #COFFEE and seeing the #MorningCREW every day. I drive past 2 other locations to get my coffee here as the staff are very friendly and efficient and the shop always clean. Even in this time of COVID, I am happy to say I always feel safe and secure visiting this location. I am proud to call this my #HomeSTARBUCKS!!!“

“Hey, Yall Are Awesome, I Love Ya!“

“This is amazing place, so warm, pretty and clean. One of my best coffees EVER! The food and pastries are homemade and delicious! And the staff is so friendly! Perfect location and free parking lot around the corner. Such a nice experience, I ll definitely come back and recommend it 100%! 💯❤️ Thank you so much!🙏✨️“

“This Starbucks on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena really stands out because it’s located on one of the cleanest and most well-kept streets in the area. The environment feels calm and organized, and everything inside is neatly displayed. The staff are low-key but genuinely friendly, not overly busy or chaotic like other locations. It’s also less crowded, and they always get the drinks right. Definitely one of the better Starbucks experiences around.“

“Best wine selection in Southern California for sure“

“This is the best Starbucks I’ve ever been to — hands down!
The coffee here tastes amazing, better than anywhere else. The staff are always so friendly and generous with the servings. I order a cup every morning, and it never disappoints. Thank you all for starting my day right! Xin❤️“

“Outstanding customer service, great product quality, and very fair prices. The atmosphere is delightful, with coffee, fresh bakery selections, and macarons, which is exactly what brought me in today. The café’s décor gives off a cozy, welcoming lounge feel, and the team running the front is fantastic. Miguel and his coworker kindly stayed open an extra ten minutes so I could make a quick stop, and their warmth and generosity really stood out. We even had a pleasant conversation, which made the visit feel personal rather than transactional. I’ll definitely be coming back to lounge here again, thank you team!“

“I have gone there twice now & both times the staff was very friendly. The food has been & tasted very fresh! I look forward to going back again soon! � Thank you & keep up the good work!“

“We bought a suitcase just so we could stuff it with vegan goodies right before flying home to NZ. We got multiple kinds of vegan roasts, tinned soups, deli slices, vegan steak, mac and cheese boxes, and pot noodles. I only wish we had more baggage allowance to have got more. Updated from previous review on 2026-01-12“

“Fillmore Starbucks is the best, friendliest and cleanist place. I have many times texted and reported them as such. I have reported others as not as nearly clean or friendly. And I frequent MANY, MANY STARBUCKS WITH MY GOLD CARD WHICH I LOVE AND COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT.“

“Went today for a community event they had with local vintage car clubs. Such a good time - really cool cars, great oldies music, & lots of folks out enjoying the sunshine.

We got the Adelita Latte & Jamaica lemonade. Both were great - the mixed lemonade was just the right amount of sweetness for me. Also got a butter croissant which was flaky & rich. Great to see their pastries are baked by Homeboy Industries.

Definitely coming back.“

“The staff here is always so friendly and welcoming! The Tuxedo Hot Chocolate is a must-try if you love rich chocolate flavor, it’s creamy, perfectly balanced, and just the right amount of sweetness. This location is always clean, cozy, and a great place to relax or get some work done.“

“This is a great Intelligentsia location. It is clean, spacious, lots of room to sit and work or chat with friends, and it is not crazy loud or packed.

Drinks are excellent and on par with other Intelligentsia locations.

Parking is available in multiple nearby parking garages or metered on the side streets. Great location near lots of stores, restaurants, and transit“

“Great crew serving great coffee.“

“Nice Customer Experience 😊😊😊😊😊“

“The Burlington Arcade is so gorgeous and mandarin coffee stand fits right in! While the storefront only allows 4 customers at a time, waiting outside doesn’t feel bothersome because you’re in such a beautiful space.

While they do have citrusy flavors on their menu, much of their focus is on serving Chinese coffee among classics. I got the gui hua latte (which only comes hot) and it really grew on me, with the complex flavor combination of coffee, slight spice, and florality. Their Vienna latte was smooth and rich while their honey yuzu fizz was bright and refreshing. There are a couple of tables in the walkway, but I wouldn’t count on doing work here or staying for a long period of time. Parking is pretty easy in the lot, though!“