Lauryn M.

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.

Sharon G.

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.

Amanda L.

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

Marcela L.

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!

Thuy Dan T.

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!

Sofia V.

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.

Jamie P.

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.

Janelle N.

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 :)

Zee P.

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!

Ian A.

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!!"

Daniel L.

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

Michelle A.

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!

Ginger I.

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 (: