5 stars good music and atmosphere will be back to visit soon great staff and coffee good location clean

Came in to get work done and stayed way longer than planned. Got a flat white almond and it was delicious. The space opens up when you walk in so you're never fighting for a table. Plenty of seating, great wifi, and a crowd that respects that people are working. Playlist was also perfect. And the staff were super friendly. Def coming back! read more

Criterion coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Appreciate that this place is early for a morning grab. Staff was very nice and welcoming. Latte was good too. The avocado toast wasn't quite as surprising but they give a generous amount of avocado spread. Interesting mix of strawberry on top. Tastes healthy at least! During the weekday, free parking on the street till roughly 11am. Easy to find if you circle the block versus doing the $5 lot next to the cafe. read more

Criterion coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Matcha was clumpy and had an unfamiliar taste than any other matcha I've had. And food (ham and cheese croissant warmed up) took 20 min. I was trying to be patient but when I told the server I was still waiting on my food she responded very rudely saying she needed more information. The other server I think took note cause she was extra kinda after delivering our food. Side note: avocado toast not actually toasted but still yummy. Overall, food is ok. Coffee was good. Would skip the matcha. Service was decent minus the server who is rude. Place is nice and cute. read more

Cool spot to meet up a friend (not ideal for groups more than 3). Street parking is tough but there's a paid lot and garage nearby. Busy place, long wait times for tables on weekends. My friend and I both got the coconut cream cold brew but was not a fan of the taste of the cold brew. Pricey for what you get. read more

Criterion coffee - COCONUT CREAM COLD BREW (ICED) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Coffee was great, the bagel was alright. In my opinion the food was way overpriced for average. The vibe inside is awesome and the staff were super friendly. I definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area. read more

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This is a really cute and quiet coffee shop. They have seating by the coffee bar and an upstairs which is nice. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and a smoked salmon bagel. The barista was super friendly and helped me choose what to order. My vanilla latte was great! Not too sweet and a really nice flavor. It also came with some espresso chocolates which were cute. My boyfriend and I shared the smoked salmon bagel and it was good. A little expensive but it was good. I will definitely be back! read more

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Cute spot with lots of space for studying/hanging out! Food/drinks are not bad. Can be a bit pricey though. read more

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Really enjoyed Criterion Coffee! The coffee was excellent--smooth, flavorful, and clearly made with quality beans. I especially appreciated that the drinks tasted balanced and not overly sweet. The atmosphere is clean, modern, and relaxing, making it a nice place to sit down and enjoy a good cup of coffee. The staff was friendly and welcoming as well. read more

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Beautiful atmosphere, cozy seating, and solid coffee. Service is order at the counter and brought to your table of choice. The space is intentionally aesthetically designed and I love the touch of a fresh flower arrangement on the table. Definitely great for a coffee date or independent working. read more

Criterion coffee - Salmon Crepe Rolls - lovely presentation, tasty savory crepe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

I grabbed breakfast at this cozy cafe when I was last on a trip to Pasadena. It's in a charming part of town with a big tree out front. The coffee was hot and delicious and I got a big slice of lemon pistachio cake. What a combination. It was so rich that I couldn't eat the whole thing, but in a good way. If I lived locally, I would love that upstairs coffee/reading nook. read more

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This was such a satisfying impromptu coffee experience. My friend and I drove in from San Diego for Masters of Taste at the Rose Bowl, had some extra time and decided to grab coffee and picked this place based on it having the highest yelp rating for coffee in the area. The place is small and intimate downstairs but also has an upstairs seating area. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked in and they had a live cello player performing ! Customer service was also really good considering it was crowded. We ordered the affogato and the banana date latte. Both which were beyond phenomenal and we are coffee snobs. The banana date latte was giving very much smoothie vibes so not a strong coffee presence and very banana forward and well, I was in LOVE. The affogato was really good because the espresso was strong and had good flavor. 10/10 recommend and will be back when I am in the area. They also sale ice cream which we didn't try but is supposed to be good so if the coffee is any indication of how the ice cream will be, I think it's worth a try. read more

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was down the street shopping and this was the only legit breakfast place. workers had like boho gypsy vibes. I ordered my food. $53. wtf!! I pay it in absolute shock and digust of high price and I wait for my food. Took an insanely lomg time to come out. I ordered a tropical lemonade. the chick gives me a mojito. then argues this is what I ordered which clearly was not. I ordered the truffle mushroom brie toast. extremely hot and fresh. very tasty. i ordered the blitzes berry crepes. tasty but ricotta and sour cream dont go inside. overall $55 for breakfast and I leave broke and disappointed. oh well. read more

While enjoying a morning walk in old town, we decided to stop by Criterion for breakfast. They have outdoor tables which was great since we had a dog with us. I like to support a small local business and the employees here are very friendly. I enjoyed my drink and my food was very tasty. I had an espresso drink with banana and it was so good! read more

Criterion coffee - Breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came for a quick brunch and the spot if very cute! A homey cafe with two seater style tables and even some upstairs seating it looked like. Plus some cute outdoor seating too. I got the Dubai latte hot and the healthy wealthy plate. The Dubai latte tasted like a regular latter with crushed pistachios on top so I wished the chocolate/nutty flavor came through more, but this flavor might have been better cold instead. At $9 with an oat milk substitution, this was pricey to me. The healthy wealthy plate came with eggs, salmon, avocado, waffle, and a side salad. A solid breakfast but at $19.50, still felt a little much with half the plate being the side salad. Tasted healthy though! read more

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Criterion Coffee is a delightful spot in Pasadena. Today, I had the avaocado spinach smoothie, which had a creamy and thick texture. I wasn't a huge fan of the flavor, and felt it was missing something. However, I came once before and enjoyed the hot matcha latte! Calming, modern decor with a second floor with more seating, though it seemed pretty packed. Service was excellent and I'd come again to try more of their speciality lattes. read more

Criterion coffee - Avocado Spinach Smoothie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Wow, just Wow! I recently tried this place with a girlfriend and we ordered a chia tea, pistachio latte and a coconut tart and everything was tasty. They have a variety of milk options for those who need it and some gluten free options. I seriously dream of the coconut tart. It was the perfect blend of creamy and sweetness along with the crust being soft. The coffee was amazing, great pistachio taste but I would have loved if they added crushed pieces, I felt that would have put it over the top. My friend loved her tea Chai and then have an upper and lower seating level. Service was exceptional, cozy feeling but bright and airy at the same time. I genuinely don't like coming to Pasadena but I will for this place. read more

Criterion coffee - Downstairs seating area with the coconut tart and pistachio coffee. Try it and you'll love it! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

First time trying Criterion Coffee today and so glad that I discovered this gem in Pasadena! They have your traditional coffees, and also a list of autumn/winter specialty drinks. They also had lots of food options but a bit on the pricier side. I loved their interior seating, it is so beautiful and felt so cozy. They have a couple tables outside as well. Although there was only one person working at the front, service was really quick. I got a hot pistachio vanilla latte. It was the perfect sweetness and earthiness. The pistachio and vanilla complemented each other very well. My only complaint is there's limited parking and all of it is metered. I look forward to getting some work done here one day! P.S.~write a yelp review and you'll get a free drip coffee, croissant, or cookie for same day redemption :) read more

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This place is great! Clean space and good vibes. The staff was friendly and prompt. The drinks were in point and the food was equally delicious. Worth the wait if you show up during rush hour. Whether you're stopping by for a coffee or a treat give them a try!! read more

Criterion Bakery has become our go to café and truly one of our favorite places. For over a month now, it's been our weekend ritual, the perfect treat my partner and I share. Live jazz, beautiful energy, incredible service, and owners who are genuinely kind and present. It feels special every time. The husband and wife owners have created something truly meaningful here. From inviting the community in for a holiday weekend filled with music and giveaways, to simply showing up with warmth day after day, their care is felt in every detail. Our favorites never change, the avocado egg sandwich and a slice of the owner's homemade mandarin walnut cake, which is absolutely wonderful. We even brought family here on Christmas Day after being told they'd be open, only to arrive and see their door glass boarded up. Learning they had been victims of a burglary was heartbreaking. And yet, despite everything, despite exhaustion and personal loss of rest and time with family, they still showed up to serve their community. This goes far beyond business. It speaks to who they are. Criterion is warmth, home, resilience, and generosity, paired with excellent food and drinks. If there are awards to be given for heart, community, and commitment, I hope they receive every single one. Support them! read more

Criterion coffee - Heaven! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is one of the best. Extreme euphoria rammed hard into me as the urge to scream words of joy filled me. Tears of immense happiness trickled down as I continued to sip. I ordered the Pistachio Vanilla Late ($7.50 - Whole Milk - Iced). "ThAt's GoOD!!! aHhH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I visited Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) on Thursday (around 1:14PM). The business is located in Old Town Pasadena; the parking situation is very bad. Expect to pay money for parking (ex: Meter Parking, Paid Parking Structures). Many Meter Parking Spots have maximum time limits of one or two hours, so splurge on a Paid Parking Structure if deciding to spend a lot of time at Criterion Coffee (Pasadena). Eventually, I found parking at Pasadena City Hall. It's a leisurely six minute walk to Criterion Coffee (Pasadena). I paid $1.25 per hour; meters accept coins or card. This is enforced from 7AM to 5PM. Service is immaculate at Criterion Coffee (Pasadena). Staff (receipt says Solara) is professional, knowledgeable, and very accommodating. All Staff carried a cheerful smile, and Staff worked nonstop. When Solara carried the completed drink to my table, two minutes and 46 seconds had passed. Very quick! As mentioned, I absolutely adored the Pistachio Vanilla Late ($7.50 - Whole Milk - Iced). It's functional and flavorful. I greedily grabbed onto its caffeine embrace. I felt awake. With sips, I let the flavor of fresh pistachio whisk me away on a journey. The coffee is not overly sweet nor bitter. It's not overly milky nor acidic. Its chill, bright liquid flowed like silk. It's just... pistachio. This existence is embedded in the coffee, whereas there's no distracting artificial masking. I absolutely gushed how they built upon the coffee's flavor On ambiance, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is exceptional. The location is very clean, well-ventilated, and functional. This business efficiently uses its space. The ground floor's interior contains eight tables, and there's two small outside tables. There's about six electrical outlets embedded into the long, vibrant couch. If you walk upstairs, the above floor contains six small tables. I happily noticed the big electrical adapters on each socket. There are many spots to plug! Customer internet with password is available; customers need to speak with staff for the information. The music is soft, smooth, and soothing. In addition, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) has two chess sets (each on different floors). The ground floor has a self-serve water station. Near the back, there's a gender-neutral restroom. On the above floor, there's also a tiny stack of books and magazines. I also love how Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) felt extremely clean despite the many items, furniture, and ornaments. The colors were very vibrant. I even shared a small laugh when I saw the fake bookshelves upstairs. All in all, it felt like a sparkling, upscale cafe. There's magic here. If I were to nitpick, the menus were poorly maintained and sticky. Overall, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is one of the best. The Pistachio Vanilla Late ($7.50 - Whole Milk - Iced) is extremely delicious. I'm ecstatic the hype is real. The care and effort put into this establishment is very visible. Horrible parking aside, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is a must-try. 5 out of 5 - "GO!!" read more

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Tried the pistachio latte. Very well balanced on sweetness, milk, and coffee. The pistachio cream was very pleasant but too thick to actually pick up through the straw. I personally really enjoyed it and would come back. Parking is hit or miss since it's downtown pasadena. Had a handful of seats for people to study/work. 4.5/5 read more

Criterion coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Solid coffee and food. The cappuccino was strong and the service is very friendly! It's a quiet location good for working on your laptop. My breakfast sandwich was just okay. It could use some seasoning on the eggs and an aoli or sauce. But the croissant was AMAZING! read more

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I geeked over the interior of this place a bit. After months of wanting to try Criterion, I finally went today. There is ample indoor and outdoor seating and a stunning interior to go along with it- even the restroom tiles were cool I love that there's a more secluded section to sit upstairs in case you need some extra peace. I ordered a pistachio vanilla latte and grabbed a strawberry white chocolate chip cookie as well. The cookie was good. I loved the latte. It was the perfect texture & the flavors blend together nicely. The baristas are really friendly and gave great recommendations. One thing that stood out to me here was that they have so many different flavor combinations, whether seasonal or permanent menu items. I would love to see more options like this at other third wave coffee shops! Criterion Coffee is a 10/10 spot. I will be back (: read more

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I decided to come here and meet up with a friend. The ambiance is so cute and is totally up for working from here. There is plenty of space and an upstairs. I ended up ordering a pumpkin spice latte with less sweetness and the pistachio loaf. The latte was perfect and not too sweet. The loaf was great and had plenty of pistachio. I definitely want to come back and try other drinks and treats. The service was stellar and she was so patient while I decided. You order first and then go to a table. I was brought my items and it did not take long. I really appreciate this place. read more

Criterion coffee - Pumpkin spice latte and pistachio loaf - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Seriously one of the best coffee shops I've ever visited! The Pistachio Latte was a work of art, such great attention to detail, pistachio crumbles and tiny bits of rose petals, sprinkled on the edge, with fantastic latte art and exceptional favor! Since we were in the pistachio flavor crave, we also ordered the pistachio butter toast with fresh fruit, pears, strawberries, and raspberries! I certainly should have taken a picture of that as well but we scarfed it down way too quickly. Again, exceptional flavor and so pleasing to the eye that we couldn't wait to dive in! When I visit towns like Pasadena, I always look for something local and fresh. This did not disappoint. As a matter fact, it's satisfied above and beyond what I've ever experienced before, and I am not exaggerating one bit! A must try. read more

Criterion coffee - Pistachio Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Criterion Coffee Mission Statement: Ignite Your Daily Adventure With A Cup Of Criterion Coffee. At Criterion Coffee, We Do More Than Just Serve Coffee - We Create A Cozy Environment For Friends, Family, And Coffee Lovers. We Collaborate With Unincorporated Coffee Roasters To Deliver The Highest Quality Coffee To Your Cup. Our Café Reinvents Classic Techniques And Adds A Modern Twist To Staple Breakfast Dishes. We Use Organic And Fresh Ingredients To Craft Exceptional Pastries, Sandwiches, And Salads. Each Product Is Freshly Made From Scratch Every Single Day. Criterion Motto: Meet the Criterion. Promotion: Write a review, get a free cup of drip for free. Didn't see this promo before purchasing out drinks, but it does exist. Pastry and Bread Program: Pastries are made in-house and breads come from bread lounge. Location/Parking: Located where Home Brew use to be at. Meter parking is available or you can find nearby parking structures to park at. Ambiance/Decor: Love the ambiance and the modern decor. So inviting. There's also a second level that can be used to do some work or catch up with your friends. Entertainment: They have couple of communal chess boards to play with and some books/newspapers to look at. Service: Service was great. The baristas were friendly, attentive, and quite informative about the shop. Drinks didn't really take long to come out. Drink Of Choice: Drip Coffee ($5) is quite solid. Not acidic at all. It's a bity pricier than other coffee shop, but that's alright. Criterion For Thought: Would definitely like to patronize the shop again to try more things on their menu. read more

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Ok I am obsessed with this coffee place. It's so cozy! The upstairs area is my favorite. Just be careful because the stairs are kind of steep. There are plenty of outlets everywhere. Maybe like 10-15 tables, so it can fill up quickly in the morning. But such a nice place to just chat with a friend or get some work done. Food here is top notch. I got the avocado egg wrap last time and it was delicious. Loved the lemony flavor, and felt so healthy cause almost everything was green. They have a big menu so be warned if you have decision overwhelm. I can't speak to their coffee but the tea was lovely. The employees are all lovely and super helpful. Like I literally have no complaints about this place. So cute! read more

Criterion coffee - Avocado Egg Wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I was in the mood for an summer iced coffee so I decided to try this place out. Its cozy but not claustrophobic with a second floor and free Wi-Fi. You'll find the students and workers on the quieter second floor. I saw the pistachio vanilla latte and I quickly chose that one. The pictures looked convincing. I expected the order to take longer but it was surprisingly fast compared to your regular average cafe time to order a drink. Bonus points there. Now for the important part: the drink. The iced pistachio vanilla latte was exactly what I imagined it would taste. All flavors were present with none of them overpowering each other. The balance was struck with expertise. read more

This spot is very adorable located in Old Town Pasadena off of Arroyo Parkway. You can find street parking but if you can't you can find free 90 minute parking at a parking structure nearby. I ordered the Iced Dubai Chocolate Latte & the Spinach & Cheese Pastry. Visually, this drink was stunning. I love the layers with the chocolate drizzle and the pop of green at the bottom. The top was sprinkled with a nice crunch which was a nice added texture. The latte was light, smooth, and refreshing without being overly sweet. The pastry was delicious but a little overly hard on the edges. The service was fast, and the staff were very nice. What a great spot! They have have outdoor and indoor seating, and more seating upstairs as well. read more

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The strawberry matcha (almond milk / half sweet) is what I needed to get my paper done. This place will be added to my STUDY GO TO. I appreciated that there were plenty of tables and outlets (definitely intentional in providing power strips). For a midday Monday morning, majority of the tables were occupied in the bottom. I appreciated that they had a whole upstairs for added tables and quiet. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Will definitely come back and maybe treat myself to a baked good or ice cream! read more

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Great cafe for study or lunch with a colleague, the vibe is great and they even have live music

Having gone through previous owners, but nothing compares to its most recent redesign! Criterion falls nothing short of it name: the service is attentive and go the extra two cents to make your experience comfortable. Then,there's the coffee -- delicious : p Pair it with a pastry and you're celebrating something special. I went on a Saturday morning and there was live Jazz and what a great vibe to complete the experience. Criterion exceeds the standard-- thank you! read more

Criterion coffee - Menú - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Drinks: Iced Dubai Chocolate Latte was superb with the crunchy texture from the Dubai Chocolate in the coffee Service: friendly service with everything made-to-order Design: interiors has an Old Town Pasadena vibe with the brick wall, black chairs/shelves, coffered panel ceilings, and an upstairs sitting area Overall: if you want great coffee/espresso & tea drinks in an off-the-beaten path small business owner coffee shop near Old Town Pasadena, then check out this spot read more

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Cute little two story cafe that has WiFi, great seats, good food, charging ports, and a big selection of freshly made in house pastries. Everything in the pastry case is made by the owners according to the girl taking our order- some of it looks really decadent. We had the mushroom brie toast and it was very yummy and appreciated the blackberry halves detail on the toast- it's the little things! Decent music, the playlist/ speakers had some crackling breaks consistently through the 2-ish hrs we were there for and it was somewhat disruptive to work flow if you aren't wearing headphones. Ok coffee, kinda syrupy not that strong cold brew that comes off more of an iced coffee. Ok parking, parking lot that's hit or miss, street parking, or walk a couple blocks for the underground parking lots. read more

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This place has not disappointed me; always friendly service staff and creative baked goods and drinks! They are clean, organized and provide a cool and comfortable experience for all! read more

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This coffee shop made such a great impression on me that I'd absolutely come back to Pasadena just to visit again! We ordered the egg and avocado croissant sandwich to share, along with a hot rose vanilla latte and an iced banana cream matcha. Everything was so delicious! The sandwich was fresh and flavorful, and both drinks were amazing. Such a cute spot with great vibes already looking forward to coming back! read more

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This spot is cute! There's an upstairs area that looked pretty cozy. Service was good, and my salmon wrap was delicious. The smoothie was tart but in a good way, and very refreshing. Knocked off a star because it's quite expensive, and for that price, I wish my wrap came with at least a side salad or something. read more

Criterion coffee - Salmon Wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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10/10. It's impossible to come in and not find something you're in the mood for due to the variety. Prosciutto Toast is among the best food I've ever had at a cafe, and the portion size is solid for the price. Staff is helpful and very friendly. Great music playlist. My second time in -- will definitely be back again! read more

Criterion coffee - Prosciutto Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Nice atmosphere and good drinks. The staff at the counter, who might have been the owner was very nice and friendly. She suggested the banana date latte. We also got the iced pistachio vanilla latte and matcha latte. We all thought that the pistachio vanilla was the best. I think the matcha flavor was weaker than how I prefer it. The atmosphere was very chill and relaxing. About 7 small tables on the bottom floor and some seating also in the loft. Overall satisfied with the drinks, service and atmosphere. read more

Criterion coffee - Matcha latte, Pistachio Vanilla Latte and Banana Date Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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