By The Middleman Team | Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates
Pasadena has a coffee culture that rivals any neighborhood in Los Angeles. From historic roasters that have been perfecting their craft since the 1990s to Instagram-worthy cafes with creative lattes, the City of Roses delivers when it comes to finding your perfect cup.
We spend a lot of time driving clients through Pasadena's tree-lined streets, and over the years, we've discovered that a great coffee shop tells you just as much about a neighborhood as its architecture or school district. Whether you're relocating to the area or already call it home, these are the spots where locals gather, work, and start their mornings.
Key Takeaways
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Pasadena offers a range of coffee experiences from legacy roasters to modern specialty cafes
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Many of the best coffee shops in Pasadena are locally owned and roast their beans in-house
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Old Town Pasadena and South Pasadena have especially strong concentrations of quality cafes
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Several spots double as community gathering places with ample seating for remote work or catching up with friends
Local Roasters with Deep Roots
Some of the best coffee shops in Pasadena have been here for decades. Jones Coffee Roasters opened in 1994 and has become a neighborhood institution, operating out of a warehouse space on Raymond Avenue with a second location inside Vroman's Bookstore. Their beans come through direct trade relationships with farmers in Guatemala, Sumatra, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters started in 2006 when two friends who loved roasting at home turned their hobby into a business. Today, they serve smooth, full-bodied coffee from their Allen Avenue location with beans sourced from Africa, Central America, Indonesia, and South America.
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters started in 2006 when two friends who loved roasting at home turned their hobby into a business. Today, they serve smooth, full-bodied coffee from their Allen Avenue location with beans sourced from Africa, Central America, Indonesia, and South America.
What Makes These Roasters Stand Out
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Beans are roasted locally in small batches for freshness
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Direct trade relationships support farming communities
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Staff are knowledgeable and happy to help you find your perfect blend
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You can purchase bags to brew at home
Old Town Favorites Worth Visiting
The walkable streets around Colorado Boulevard are home to several standout cafes. Copa Vida on South Raymond Avenue offers everything from a quick $2 pour during morning rush to an upscale slow bar experience. The bright, modern space looks out toward the historic Castle Green and draws remote workers with free Wi-Fi and a lunch menu that goes well beyond pastries.
Republik Coffee on East Green Street brings a European sensibility to Pasadena with clean design, lush greenery, and excellent outdoor seating. Their black vanilla latte has developed a loyal following for good reason.
Republik Coffee on East Green Street brings a European sensibility to Pasadena with clean design, lush greenery, and excellent outdoor seating. Their black vanilla latte has developed a loyal following for good reason.
Old Town Coffee Shop Highlights
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Copa Vida: This sophisticated corner staple on Raymond Avenue pairs expertly roasted specialty coffee with an expansive food menu featuring sourdough sandwiches and seasonal brunch items.
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Republik Coffee: This stylish destination offers charming outdoor seating surrounded by lush greenery, providing a quiet sanctuary for enjoying meticulously prepared cortados and artisanal pastries.
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Lavender & Honey: This boutique cafe is famous for its signature lavender-flavored lattes and its iconic succulent wall that serves as a visual centerpiece for the elegant interior.
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Home Brewed: This specialized roastery focuses on the art of the cold brew, utilizing 20-hour steep times to produce a remarkably smooth and naturally sweet flavor profile.
Unique Cafes with Character
Pasadena's coffee scene goes beyond the traditional. Coffee and Plants offers vegan lattes, plant-based pastries, and creative specialty drinks in a space co-owned by singer Leona Lewis and her husband. The cafe pulls shots on a Slayer espresso machine and serves drinks like the 24K Charcoal Latte with activated charcoal and gold dust.
Amara Café & Restaurant brings Venezuelan flavors to your morning routine with spicy options that use chili pasilla in their lattes and hot chocolate. They also serve full meals like arepas and cachapas, making it a great choice when coffee alone won't cut it.
Amara Café & Restaurant brings Venezuelan flavors to your morning routine with spicy options that use chili pasilla in their lattes and hot chocolate. They also serve full meals like arepas and cachapas, making it a great choice when coffee alone won't cut it.
Cafes That Offer Something Different
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Coffee and Plants: This botanical-themed sanctuary serves only plant-based milk options alongside creative specialty lattes like the signature "Rose Bowl" floral latte.
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Amara Café: This South Raymond Avenue destination adds Latin American flair to the local scene with spicy drink options, Venezuelan churros, and full savory meals.
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Rosebud Coffee: This community-focused roastery started as a coffee cart and maintains a mission to empower homeless and transitional-aged youth through professional barista training.
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Little Flower Candy Co.: This charming neighborhood staple combines a full coffee bar with world-famous homemade sea salt caramels and a curated selection of professional baking supplies.
South Pasadena Gems
A short drive from Old Town, South Pasadena offers its own collection of excellent cafes. The neighborhood has a small-town feel with towering palm trees and charming residential streets that make outdoor seating particularly enjoyable.
The area's walkability and proximity to the Gold Line make it easy to spend an afternoon cafe-hopping before exploring the neighborhood's historic homes and shops.
The area's walkability and proximity to the Gold Line make it easy to spend an afternoon cafe-hopping before exploring the neighborhood's historic homes and shops.
Premier Local Coffee Destinations
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Charlie’s Coffee House: Renowned for its inviting atmosphere and local art displays, this Monterey Road staple offers unique drinks like lavender-blended coffee and beet lattes.
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Jones Coffee Roasters: A true neighborhood gem located on Mission Street, this industrial-chic roastery serves direct-trade beans roasted in small batches and features a dog-friendly outdoor area.
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Kaldi Coffee & Tea: Housed in a historic 1903 bank building, this iconic cafe is famous for its appearance in the film Lady Bird and serves classic espresso drinks in a nostalgic, brick-walled setting.
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Two Kids Coffee: Founded by creatives with a background in architecture, this design-forward boutique cafe specializes in house-made almond milk and high-end specialty pours.
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Heirloom Bakery & Cafe: This warm community favorite is as much about the food as the coffee, offering freshly baked loaves and seasonal quiches alongside meticulously prepared espresso.
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Lost Parrot Cafe: Tucked under shady eucalyptus trees on Huntington Drive, this quirky spot is beloved for its tropical vibe, "Taco Tuesdays," and outdoor seating that welcomes furry friends.
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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Situated on Fair Oaks Avenue, this reliable local outpost offers a classic menu of ice-blended drinks and features ample dog-friendly outdoor tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best coffee shops in Pasadena for working remotely?
Copa Vida and Jones Coffee Roasters both offer ample seating and welcoming atmospheres for getting work done. Copa Vida has free Wi-Fi and a full lunch menu, while Jones has a spacious warehouse setting with comfy couches and mismatched chairs that invite you to stay awhile.
Where can I find specialty coffee drinks in Pasadena?
For creative lattes beyond the standard menu, try Coffee and Plants for their 24K Charcoal Latte, Lavender & Honey for lavender-infused drinks, or Amara Café for Venezuelan-inspired spicy options. Home Brewed specializes in cold brew and boba milk teas with unique flavor combinations.
Which Pasadena coffee shops roast their own beans?
Jones Coffee Roasters and Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters both roast in-house and sell bags to take home. Jones has been roasting since 1994 and offers beans from five different countries, while Jameson Brown sources from regions across Africa, Central America, and South America.
Copa Vida and Jones Coffee Roasters both offer ample seating and welcoming atmospheres for getting work done. Copa Vida has free Wi-Fi and a full lunch menu, while Jones has a spacious warehouse setting with comfy couches and mismatched chairs that invite you to stay awhile.
Where can I find specialty coffee drinks in Pasadena?
For creative lattes beyond the standard menu, try Coffee and Plants for their 24K Charcoal Latte, Lavender & Honey for lavender-infused drinks, or Amara Café for Venezuelan-inspired spicy options. Home Brewed specializes in cold brew and boba milk teas with unique flavor combinations.
Which Pasadena coffee shops roast their own beans?
Jones Coffee Roasters and Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters both roast in-house and sell bags to take home. Jones has been roasting since 1994 and offers beans from five different countries, while Jameson Brown sources from regions across Africa, Central America, and South America.
Find Your Perfect Pasadena Home
A great neighborhood is about more than square footage. It's the coffee shop where you become a regular, the streets you walk on weekend mornings, and the local spots that make a place feel like home. With 35 years of experience helping buyers and sellers in Pasadena, South Pasadena, and the surrounding communities, The Middleman Team knows these neighborhoods inside and out. Reach out when you're ready to find your place in the City of Roses and in SouthPasadena.
