The food here is very good. Not much access to electricity though. Also, do not sit near the restrooms. Window seating has awesome lighting. read more

I'm not a serious coffee drinker (I can do fine with cheap motel lobby coffee), so I don't really know the difference between what's supposed to be "good" and "bad" coffee. However, the coffee here fully convinced me that there truly exists a coffee hierarchy which I was previously oblivious to (sorry Starbucks). To be honest, I was pretty skeptical when my coffee loving friend brought me here -- the prices were pretty expensive and the cups were relatively small. But, to my surprise, that first sip of my hot matcha latte almost got me optimistic about life again. They used good, rich matcha powder, and it was far from the sad, watery, matcha drinks I was used to at boba stores. I would definitely recommend that and the iced latte! 4 stars though because it's rather on the expensive side. read more

In love with this place. Super delicious lattes and strombolis. They have a great selection and their lunch items look delicious as well. I can't wait to go back to try more. They also have a lot of outlets for those who want to take advantage of their free wifi. read more

currently sitting right now sipping on a vanilla almond latte while I work from home and i am so content! This latte is sooooo delicious! I'm always nervous when i get almond milk because it sometimes doesnt come out creamy or tastes weird but this latte is awesome! They also have really reliable wifi for the most part (havent encountered any issues yet) and ample seating! I really want to get something to eat... but holding myself back for now. Definitely will be back! read more

Skills skills skills! The baristas here have the skills to make one bomb AF drink. I've tried their lattes a couple of times and have yet to be disappointed. There seems to be a point in ones life where you settle for the bitter burnt coffee taste of your average coffee shop/ franchise. But let me tell you, once your lips feel the warm grace of your latte your life will be rejuvenated! I was so ecstatic! I totally forgot coffee could taste so good. I haven't tried any of their food options, so this review is solely based on the coffee and atmosphere. Speaking of... the ambiance of this place is very relaxing to me. There's plenty of space and seating to settle yourself into a cozy spot. The baristas and employees are welcoming and just too cute. read more

This is my favorite coffee place in Old Town. For some reason this place is very asian, which works for me since I am too. I think the owner is Korean. Anyways, this place is great because of all the seating that is available. If you need a place to work and get stuff done, this is it. The coffee and tea are similar in my opinion to other fancy coffee shops, pretty much a step up from starbucks and coffee bean. I like the natural lighting in half of the shop. The other half is a bit dark. It looks like they are also trying to get a beer license since they are set up to have draft beer. Not sure when that may happen. Best thing is that its right next to the parking lot and off the main strip, Colorado Blvd. Not as busy, pretty much just the right amount of traffic for a customer, not for an owner. Oh yeah, solid pastries. read more

Came here for the first time today. I have driven by in the past and wanted to get some coffee as the local Starbucks was closed due to COVID. I only got the iced coffee and it was delicious. With almond milk and cinnamon. A lot bit more expensive than Starbucks but worth it. Their avocado toast looks good also. I'll try it next time. read more

Great pastries (my favorite is the salted caramel bread). Baristas look like the guys from Intelligentsia but the place itself has a different vibe (a lot of light and not as industrial) This is not your local coffee shop where you can get your daily fix of caffeine because its very expensive. An expresso shot is over $3 and I couldn't find a cup of coffee below $4. This is more of a sit and eat and sip type of place so if thats what you are looking for, I recommend it. read more

I've never had their coffee here. I came to have brunch with a friend, the menu had all light/healthy food. It had a good decent amount of people in the shop, it wasnt too crowded. I ordered the chorizo egg hash, which was delicious! Overall I think the only thing I have to complain about is the price. But you pay high for quality food. read more

Copa Vida - Chorizo egg hash - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Everything is so delicious. Cannot wait to come again. So glad we found this place. Tomato soup, French toast, smoked salmon sandwich, latte:P read more

Probably one of the best cup of Americanos I've had. Beautiful space and decor. Not too busy on a Saturday morning. Grabbed a seat in the back room. The counter kinda looked dead (tv was off) but has potential. It'd be great if they offered more brunch options that are affordable and really use that back area. Staff were great and I'll probably be coming back! read more

A nice alternative to Intelligentsia down the street. Wife and I stopped by for a quick coffee and a snack. She got a decaf iced latte and the kale salad, while I had a macchiato. The coffee was on point- great complex shots with nice crema pulled from a fancy Kees Van Der Westen machine that looked like a million bucks. Well done! The salad was also good- but these sorts of snacks (e.g. avo toast, kale salads, granola bowls) are all consistently good. Come for the coffee- it's a nice big space that I wouldn't mind spending a few hours in. Well done! read more

The iced american and simple egg breakfast I got was great. NO complaints there! Staff was accommodating and they also use a rewards program (five star) so take advantage if you become a regular! I went with the intention of pulling out my computer and doing some work on my computer before having to go into work and although there are a lot of seats, there are not a lot of outlets. The only reason why they lost a star is because wifi was not accessible for me or anyone trying to log on at that moment in time. I confirmed with someone on staff and they said that "they probably turned it off again." Eek...So, I took that as there is a limit to how many people can use it at one time because others were obviously still on the network. After a few attempts I sat my computer aside and ate my breakfast. Tried again about 15 minutes later and voila! I was able to login. Only issue...it was soooooo slowwwwwww and I was unable to work on the wifi. wah wahhh. Because of that, I will most likely only return to grab a drink to go. read more

love this new coffee spot in pasadena! plenty of outlets for people working on laptops. almost every table against a wall has one. they brew coffee right too. pricey ($4.50-$5 for a cup) but the comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff make it worthwhile. lots of people come here to work or have meetings. tried the kale salad ($9.00) off their lunch menu and it was very enjoyable. right now they offer brunch only on weekends but staff said they will be expanding their menu soon. read more

Copa Vida - yummy fruity cup of kenyan coffee. $4.50. - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

$5 pour overs. $4 croissants. The coffee tasted no different than a drip I can get anywhere else for $2. Also, I didn't even get milk with my coffee. Had I added almond or soy I would be paying nearly $6 for 12 ounces of coffee!! I'm never coming back here. The only reason Copa Vida receives two stars instead of one is because they offer cold brew, which I didn't get to try and won't be trying. Do yourself a favor, save yourself the visit from a cafe with a nice interior and that's about it; it's what you're paying for. read more

Nice place to impress visitors with. High quality drinks/tea. A bit pricey. Lovely design. I see lots of people working there....have yet to try it because of Old Town Pasadena parking issues. I would like to go to here and work. read more

This place has the best coffee and customer service in the area! Also digging their holiday / seasonal options.

My favorite coffee spot in Pasadena LOVE the shakerato and the affogato! Love the atmosphere

The atmosphere is so much better here than Starbucks. The place has a great selection of tea and coffee as well as delicious treats and food. The staff is polite, helpful and kind. The prices are actually better than Starbucks froo froo drinks. I really recommend Copa Vida! read more

Copa Vida - Organic Pearl Jasmine Tea! Delicious and calming. :) - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

When we got there, there was a line at the door--the place was packed. This promising, I thought. Very cute inside with a lot of charm, however, it went downhill before it had a chance to go up. As we approached the counter to order, I was still a bit undecided on whether I wanted the porridge or vegetarian breakfast burrito so I asked the guy at the counter taking our order --side note-- (pay before you sit type of place). He was not very inviting, but I figured since he works here he would have a suggestion, I was wrong. When I asked him he was short and in so many words said hasn't tried either and that they both aren't something he would get. Seriously?! I think a good place has the people who work there try what's on the menu so they have an idea of what is there and can make recommendations. Not only has he not tried them, but he also had to say that they both don't look like something he would eat. Wow! I ended up getting the breakfast burrito--no help to the guy. We sat down, and it took awhile to get our food. When it arrived, I noticed there was salsa, but no hot sauce. I didn't see it anywhere either. I had to go back to the counter and ask the same rude guy (yay), but that got nowhere. Apparently, it is in the back. C'mon, they should have a station with hot sauce and ketchup, so people don't have to jump through hoops to get it, which is what I ended up doing. The counter guy obviously didn't do it, so I had to wait by the kitchen for someone to ask. I finally was successful, and he just poured some hot sauce in a small plastic container and gave it to me. I was hoping to get the bottle but oh well. Finally, when I was done some guy came and asked "oh do you still want the hot sauce" apparently the counter guy finally got around to it, but I had already finished my food. Lame! This was my experience, but I am sure people have had better. There doesn't seem to be a lot of breakfast places around that area so I would say give this try. I just hope you have a better experience than me. read more

Copa Vida - Veggie breakfast burrito and the other dish had chorizo I believe. - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Lovely place with a to die for matcha latte. Very laptop-friendly and a nearby 90-minute free parking garage. Great ambience in the historical district of old Pasadena. read more

Today is their soft opening. I stopped in for a cafe latte to go. Very tasty beverage expertly prepared. Staff was very polite and courteous. I was not expecting them to serve food, but they do! Their menu looks great and I can't wait to go back. I had to stop myself from wandering around to look at what everyone was eating. I work upstairs from this place and believe they will have many prosperous years with this beautiful space. Welcome to the neighborhood! read more

This is my new favorite cafe / hang out spot. I love both the coffee and espresso here. It's a great little cafe to catch up on some of the things you've been watching to browse or read online. Or maybe you just need a couple of hours to get away from the house and get some work done. I've done this more than a couple times here - the atmosphere is great and the wifi is wonderful. The coffee is hand-crafted from differing regions depending on when you go. Personally, I like espresso better, but if you are a coffee fan, go for it. Their kale salad is also great if you need a snack. :) read more

This is probably the most hipster coffee shop that I have ever been in. There was a high school/college group of guys who were playing bluesy jazz music, and there were art students drawing with watercolors. My sister and I were extremely excited to have ventured into such a hipster spot. After contemplating what to order and getting suggestions from the barista, I finally settled on a Colombian coffee, while my sister got a peach tea. They come in the cutest Copa Vida ceramic cups and the leftover coffee/tea is in a small individual pitcher. It was pretty pricey and we stepped in mainly for the ambience. My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the band, and gawking at the super hipster baristas and customers, but the coffee wasn't something extremely spectacular. read more

CUTE and SIMPLE hipster cafe!! Came here for BRUNCH on a SUNDAY and it was BUSY but there's PLENTY of SEATING! I noticed some people came for a quick bite while others were planning on staying for hours. Regardless, this place is super CASUAL and WELCOMES EVERYONE. CROQUE MADAME--O.M.G. Can I die and go to heaven now? This was an OPEN FACED sandwich w just one piece of bread. The BREAD was SO SOFT and FLUFFY and CRISP in the right places. Topped with a RUNNY EGG and a HUGE SLICE of HAM, I could not get enough of this dish. The caramelized onions and Bearnaise sauce pulled everything together. FRENCH TOAST--HEAPING mound of not-your-typical French toast and apricots(?) and/or peaches(?) on the side. The bread was exactly like the bread in the croque madame. It's so versatile bc it tasted as good w richer and more sweeter flavors. Unfortunately, the FRUIT compote was TOO TART and left me with a bad aftertaste. It was a BIG PLATE. GARDEN OF EDEN drink--too watered down. What a disappointment bc the description sounded really good. APRICOT ESCAPE ROOIBOS--Not sure if it was apricot but it was the rooibos on the SPECIALS. LOVELY tea. It was so cool to see it being brewed and dripped via a French press! It was a tolerable FRAGRANT tea and the taste became MORE FULL-BODIED the closer you got to the bottom of the pot. I wanna come back when they have live music!! FYI PAY, GRAB A NUMBER, AND SIT DOWN FYI CHEAP read more

Had their iced mocha and it's the first time I've actually liked an iced mocha in my life. Most of the time iced mochas I've had were too sweet to keep drinking or too thick. Copa Vida's is something I can sip on for days! It's this smooth and refreshing taste coming from their house made chocolate. Now as I'm typing this i'm craving it again. I think I'm gonna go get it again. The interior is spacious and has a lot of seating, but it's usually bustling with peeps studying or collaborating to overthrow the government. read more

I started going to Copa Vida in San Diego and it was the perfect spot to start my morning with a healthy breakfast and amazing coffee. There is a lovely ambience and welcoming staff with great quality food and service. read more

This is a very nice little cafe with amazing coffee and delicious food. I really enjoy the soy latte here. I also had the croque madame here. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The side salad came with a very nice lemony dressing. The ham and chees in the middle of the sandwich was delicious as well. The only thing I would change is the egg on top of the sandwich. It could have been cooked a few seconds more. While the egg is supposed to be runny and it was, I can see the egg white was a little undercooked. Overall, I really like this place. The staff is always nice and the place has very clean and modern look. read more

Copa Vida - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place has a great vibe and they are really cool about letting people hang out and work. Staff are really nice. My favorite spot to grab some good and coffee and work. 1 Negative. The veggie sandwich is good but pretty unhealthy. Lots of cream and while it tastes good don't get it if you're look for something with a lot of vegetables. They could cut down on the spread and add more veggies and that would make it a lot better. Positives: 1) Free Wifi 2) Nice staff 3) Coffee is $ but good. Usually get a latte or iced coffee. Very good and I'm not a coffee expert but my friends who are say its top notch. 4) Atmosphere is nice. Good music, nice open floor plan, lots of seating and outlets, cool vibe. 5) favorite dish is the kale salad read more

Copa Vida is one of my favorite coffee bars to go to. Perfect location off the corner of Raymond Ave and Green St in Old Pas...stays open late which is awesome for my meeting/working hours. The cold brew is amazing--and as weird as it sounds, I'm all about their ice cubes. Perfect size, and takes a while to dilute.The food/baked goods are a vast array and are as tasty as they look. All in all, great spot with an awesome team. read more

Came here today for lunch. We are locals, so we come often, but today I'm actually inspired to write a review. I came with my two daughters and husband to eat lunch and we ordered the turkey melt sandwich and the croque Madame. After sitting and waiting for 30 minutes for them to bring us our lunch, I was starting to lose my mind with my two small children. They said their computers weren't working, tried to rewrite our order, did their best to accommodate. When the food finally did come out, they were beyond sorry and sweet about it. They brought us the food, which is of course delightful, two coupons for two free entrées, and fully refunded our lunch. This was so above and beyond, that it seemed to cure my mother stress. Quality business, quality people, quality food. read more

Loved coming in for breakfast with my best friend we had a wonderful time eating and catching up with each other in such a quite yet busy place must try if you want good quality food read more

Copa Vida - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

A nice and cute coffe place, good food and coffee. Just a tad too noisy for our meeting so we ended up shouting a lot. Probably better on a weekday. Nice and convenient right across from public parking. read more

Definitely somewhat of a hipster establishment in the neighborhood. Can't think of anything more quintessentially hip in a neighborhood that is fast losing that title. Who cares. The coffee here is decent and that is a true testament given the insane high quality in the surrounding area. The place itself is fun, inviting and definitely a good mix of people typing away, others chatting about nothing, others people watching, a few sitting there just to look pretty and everything in between. Pastries are good here. Personally I prefer the real food. The service here is really whatever. Nothing worth mentioning. Only reason I give it three starts is that the prices are a tad high but nothing out of the ordinary with any other high caliber coffee shop. It's also a tad crowded. I'll probably be back. Only on weekdays. read more

Hmmmm, a lot of coffee options and some ginormous toast. This is not a place that I would have even considered something for breakfast but we were invite by some friends for breakfast. Good Coffee? Check. Breakfast? Check. Great Service? Check. Old Town? Check. 4 stars because of the cuteness and coffee options. But minus one star for the limited food menu. I'd hate to find parking in a crowded area to just get coffee. read more

Great atmosphere. Very convenient to the Schoolhouse parking lot with 90 minutes free. Tasty drinks. Great place to get work done on their WiFi. My only complaint is that they don't have enough of a selection of foods to go with their drinks. Otherwise it's close to being an ideal Cafe. read more

A definite 5-star place! We checked out this place because of the rave brunch reviews and kid-friendly atmosphere. We drove out and parked in the big parking structure across the street (free 2 hours with $2 per hour after - great deal). We rode the parking lot elevator with a friendly-looking Asian guy who looked crazily like Forrest Y's cousin-in-law but otherwise didn't think anything of it. Fast forward to standing in line at Copa Vida and who do we see behind the counter but the guy in the elevator! We learn that the guy is Steve, the owner of Copa Vida! He shows us the food menus (sitting to the left of the registers - I loved the french toast and the chorizo hash is tasty too) and we mentioned that it was our one year old daughter's birthday. He ends up bringing out a complimentary Italian apple tart with a candle in it - so sweet!! Some cool things we noticed: - An honor system coffee are - $2 if you bring your own mug - Day old pastries for only $1 Cute spot, great location, super friendly service - yay! read more

I finished a job interview and wanted to treat myself, so I walked to the beautifully decorated and welcoming Copa Vida that I have heard so much about. I loved that they have a space for people to work, and their staff was quick and kind. I think I must've ordered the wrong thing because the turkey melt wasn't good at all. The portion was HUGE and it looked very pretty, but I ended up eating just a few bites and left the rest on the table because it just wasn't worth taking to-go. The salad on the side was good though. For $16 (with tax and tip), I'm giving it 3 stars because not only was I disappointed by my gigantic yet unappetizing meal, but the internet connection was so slow and choppy so I really couldn't get my work done there efficiently. It would be a nice place to work if most of your stuff is done offline. read more

When you're looking for a hideout and want to avoid the Lavender & Honey or 21 choices crowds. Copa Vida has a fine selection of loose leaf teas, shaken teas, and local roasted beans. The space has plenty of seating and a few outside. Wifi is speedy too! One downside is that there are only a few outlets ): Location: away from the hustle & bustle of Colorado Service: Excellent! Incredibly friendly and welcoming staff More: They have awesome scones from a nearby bakery read more

I was a bit overwhelmed walking in here, as there were many choices to choose from over there several menu boards. The staff was patience and friendly, while I looked over the menu. We can on a Sunday morning, and the place was not too busy, there was several open seats. The atmosphere was inviting, and the space felt open and clean. We enjoyed their brunch, however they only a handful of selections, but we both found something we liked. The hubs had chorizo over potatoes and a fried egg, and I had the French toast with pineapple and banana. I was worried this would be "fancy" food that lacked taste, but I was happily surprised. Both dishes were quite enjoyable. Decently sized meal and well priced for Pasadena (roughly $30 for brunch for two). The French toast was moist and I love the fruit they added to the top. Definitely a great brunch spot. Next time, I'll delve deeper into their whole coffee process. This time a had a macchiato(served espresso style) and the hubs had a latte. Both were bold coffees, very robust tasting with a artful design on the top. read more

See all