Great coffee and fantastic staff come here not Starbucks !!!!the coffee is off the charts !! And lots of great food options !!

best flat white anywhere! Great food, great people as well. Wonderful vibe keep you coming back for more!

Amazing place for coffee and matcha! I love the upstairs area for working and the food and vibes!

Very cute place. Good cup of coffee. I had a cortado and a regular drip. Drip was a little weak but not terrible. A friend and I came for brunch after a hike. I ordered the salmon toast with was pretty tasty. I would have loved the bread to be more toasted and thicker. It seemed like regular sandwich bread. It was a $18.50 plate. A little on the high side if you ask me. My friend ordered the English breakfast (eggs, waffles, salad and sausage). She wanted pork but they said they only had beef or chicken. My friend ordered chicken and when her food arrived we were surprised to see cut hot dogs on her plate! It wasn't a cheap breakfast plate either. Please do better with your breakfast meat selection. read more

Criterion coffee - Hot dogs as chicken sausage. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I've only had Criterion's iced coffee via DoorDash before but based on initial experience I was keen to see what their storefront was like. Parking, like most in old town Pasadena, is limited to a few street parking spots and any that you might find at nearby parking lots. It was very lively on a late Sunday morning and every single table, both the few sidewalk tables, several on the ground floor, and several upstairs was full, minus a few that had reserved signs on them. Thankfully I was taking my iced pistachio vanilla latte to go, and took their busyness as a positive indicator of the quality of my pending drink. I was not disappointed! Their iced vanilla latte on its own is good, but the pistachio component, while trendy, was great. The drink was well balanced, not overly syrupy or sweet, and the creamy nuttiness of the pistachio was a welcomed addition and didn't overtake the coffee taste. Service was occupied with all the customers but still found time to answer the questions I had. The interior was clean and still festively decorated for the holidays which created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Will definitely be back. read more

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"Who gets an affogato at a coffee shop?" honestly I don't even know why I did it, but I dgafogato fr. Came here before heading over to the Huntingon on a hot Sunday. Wanted something to wake me up so a lil shot of espresso would do the trick, thought I'd cool off by having some ice cream at the same time. Was surprised at this lil spot tucked off in Pasadena, they had live music while I was there and I sat upstairs overlooking the entire first floor and it was dope. Got a bit of r&r on a Sunday before starting my day. The vibe was great, minimal design, great atmosphere, and overall good place to chill or get some work done. Affogato was terrific, and it cooled me down while still waking me up. Service was great, my lovely date was unsure on what to get but was reccommended the Cortado and she was happy about it. If you're trying to find a lowkey spot to chill at, definitely try this place out. They also have cold water available upstairs. read more

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

I'm absolutely in love with this place My husband and I came here today, and it's one of those places that makes you want to leave a review right away because the emotions are just overflowing Everything here is beautiful - the interior, the atmosphere, the presentation, the little details, and of course the food. It feels so elegant, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing that the experience begins even before the dishes arrive A special highlight was the menu with photos. It's such a brilliant and thoughtful idea. You can actually see what each dish looks like, understand what you're in the mood for, and truly enjoy the whole process of choosing That kind of care for guests really stands out. And the location makes it even better - right in the center of Pasadena It's such a beautiful area to walk around, and this café is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the moment. read more

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Wowza!!!!! Landed here yesterday after being disappointed by a coffee shop that wasn't opened. As we walked up to this place I immediately knew I had been here a year ago and was a little hesitant to walk in for fear it was the same place. But much to my surprise it was not! The new owners revamped it to modern day:) It is now just spectacular inside and there is a loft space with cozy seats to sit and enjoy your coffee made by Natalia! LOVED it here. Natalia was sweet to make me my drink of choice that was not on the menu. A Brown Sugar Latte made with real brown sugar:) 5/5. She had me at "homemade banana bread," which was a huge slice thank you very much, and delicious 5/5! My SYF, ordered an iced coffee with a bit of matcha sprinkled on top that he said was good:) *FYI - they only have 10 oz cups (as to keep the customer from having to decide) *The inside is super clean, spacious and newly remodeled & decorated. *Plenty of seating available *Parking - meter & local garages read more

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I love their truffle mushroom Brie. This would be my new breakfast spot! Cute decoration and nice ambience. read more

Criterion coffee - Truffle mushroom Brie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Oooffffffff this may be the best coffee shop I have ever visited in Pasadena. The design and buildout of this shop was truly an aesthetic dream. The upstairs offers privacy and quiet corners. Downstairs vibrant and fun, ready for a nice weekend cup of coffee... and of course outside is hard to beat in Los Angeles Service was impeccable and helpful the moment we walked in. First timers might be a little confused and thrown off by the larger than expected menu from a coffee shop. Ended up selecting a pastry (cinnamon bread, felt like a coffee cake) but the savory food looked amazing. It was a resounding yes about us returning. Here's what truly stood out. I was ordering for my wife and wasn't sure if she wanted a hot or cold matcha so I called her. She said hot and I couldn't recall if I had said hot to the cashier but I thought I did. When the drink came out it was iced and I was so mad (at myself). She immediately asked me if something was wrong and I explained to her I thought I said hot but can't recall. She jumped back to the espresso station and remade the drink hot. That for me is a very customer service focused employee that won my future business. Come visit this place to see if I am writing a review that is deemed worthy enough to stand by, I'm sure you'll fall in love as well. read more

I absolutely love this coffee shop! It's always clean, welcoming and the vibe is excellent for either a study/work session or a meeting with a friend. The coffee is delicious, the food is fresh and unique. The customer service is always 10/10! Everyone is so friendly and hospitable. Their lattes are amazing and every food I've tried so far is great. Their hazelnut espresso loaf is unique and delicious! read more

Criterion coffee - Hazelnut espresso loaf - must try! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Best coffee I've had in Pasadena. This is also the only coffee I've had in Pasadena. All the workers were very nice and there was plenty of seating inside. read more

The best vanilla latte I've had in a long time. A perfect compliment to King Taco next door. I don't know how that works but it works!

Everyone has been raving about Criterion's coffee, but I was all caffeinated out and stopped in for a treat instead. With fresh flowers on each table, the place emits chic European café vibes. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting with seating on two levels, which makes it a nice spot to visit with friends or catch up on some work. In addition to coffee and pastries you can also purchase savory toasts, salads, and other breakfast items. Their pastries and desserts are made fresh daily. I ordered the Pumpkin Nutella bread ($4.50). I could taste quality in the first bite. It was moist and delicious! If you need a break, Criterion is a great place to retreat from the hustle & bustle. I'll be back to try their coffee and enjoy another delicious pastry. read more

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Such a cute little coffee and breakfast spot! The ham and cheese crepe is delicious. And the seasonal fruit ricotta toast! Friendly and quick staff too. read more

I came in on a Sunday night before a long drive home. First of all, I loved the soundtrack they were playin Latin music! I ordered a caramel latte and ordered the cinnamon bread. Both were delicious and I would come back again! Instead of eating it on the way home, I went upstairs to the loft and ate it there. There was plenty of seating. Even though it was packed, it didn't feel full! There is plenty of space for everyone and you don't feel crammed. Overall I enjoyed the vibes here. read more

Criterion coffee - View from loft - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Their cakes are good, the ambience is nice and they have a section upstairs to sit to read, or do your assignments. Service is good too! read more

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

Criterion has turned out to become my favorite coffee shop in Old Town Pasadena. They have friendly service, wifi for remote workers, a great menu to select from for breakfast or lunch, and really good coffee + tea. I love the upstairs area that's comfy, not too loud, strong wifi, and has outlets too. read more

Great study spot with reliable Wi-Fi and ample seating/plugs. They have some great coffee!! I haven't tried their pastries (yet) but they look delicious. Not a huge fan of their matcha. read more

This coffee spot practically has a five-star rating on Yelp. I can see why. The coffee is good, and they have a nice selection of fresh pastries. The baristas are nice. There are plenty of tables and seating. Wi-Fi is free. Parking is paid - you can find metered spots around the streets, pay-to-park parking lots, or paid parking structures. Adjacent to Criterion is a public lot that charges $10 for the whole day. Criterion has a whole upstairs area with more tables and seats! At the time I visited, someone had her dog there and it also got really hot. Apple Pay/credit cards are accepted. There's a menu for food, but I only remember seeing avocado toast. read more

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Both baristas were so kind and helpful! My drink was amazing, I ordered the banana and date oatmilk latte and it was phenomenal! Great study spot, super clean and soft music. Will absolutely be returning!! Natalia was the best!! read more

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

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My girlfriend and I stopped by here on a whim. The inside is very cute and homey, with plenty of seating for studying and work. The barista was extremely kind and helpful, suggesting the Banana Date Late. My girlfriend got the Matcha Banana Bread, both were delicious. They have upstairs setting as well. 5/5, will definitely be coming back! read more

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

Great spot for cold brew lots snacks pistachio affogato were great treats. Workers were very friendly and helpful. Only problem is parking isn't great for the area. read more

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

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I like the quote that said the coincidence is better than a thousand plan. This is what happened with finding Criterion Coffee. We were passing by the coffee shop. I followed my instinct and we came back to try it. The decor is impressive. It felt very cozy, relaxing and modern. They have two levels, I didn't have the chance to go upstairs. For the Criterion drink menu; they have nice coffee variety, tea, Ice tea, lemonades, Smoothies and milk shakes. They also have delicious savory toast options, salads, and breakfast favorite menu. We got the following drinks; -Pumpkin spice Latte (Almond Milk) 5/5 -Banana Date Latte (Oat Milk) 5/5 The Pumpkin spice Latte was excellent with perfect sweetness. The Banana Date Latte was unique. It had perfect balance between banana and date. I tasted both in every sip, in addition to enjoying little pieces of both too. It's a must try drink. Beside the drinks, we got two toasts; Prosciutto Toast 5/5 Toasted Multigrain bread with several layers of Prosciutto, arugula, roasted tomato, sundried tomatoes and pesto sauce. The Best Prosciutto Toast as my daughter described it. Hummus Toast (vegan) 5/5 I chose toasted olive bread, with organic Hummus, topped with red roasted pepper, and arugula. It came with strawberry on the side. The Hummus was very tasty and creamy. I wish I could have more. I ate too slowly to enjoy every flavorful bite. Then we ordered more baked goods too. -Banana walnuts Bread 5/5 We got Pumpkin Nutella, Date Ginger Matcha, and Cranberry orange scone to go. I was postponing my review until I tried everything. Pumpkin Nutella 5/5 Date Ginger Matcha 5/5 Cranberry Orange Scone 5/5 All the baked goods were outstanding and very delicious with perfect texture and well balanced taste. The service was top notch! The coffee shop was very clean. I am so impressed with Criterion Coffee. It is really a hidden gem in Pasadena. It is one of my top favorite coffee shop that I have tried so far and I anticipate that I will become a regular customer. read more

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What a lovely place to visit! I came here one morning a couple months ago and loved how open the space was. They played some good music as well to ease me into the day. I got the Rose Latte and thought it tasted amazing. The staff was really kind and brought my drink up to the second floor when they saw that I was busy working rather than just leaving it at the bar for me to walk downstairs and grab it's kind gestures like these that make the difference in the atmosphere of a cafe and I highly recommend this one! read more

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

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We're back for a visit and all is wonderful for our second visit. The owner is so kind and generously works with my dietary issues to make things work for me. Anyone with dietary issues understands what a massive blessing this is. We're here on Christmas Eve morning, and it's perfect: festive, calm, fun music, and the rain pouring down outside. Thank you for giving us a lovely experience once again, Criterion! read more

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First time here- I LOVE it Wow the ambiance, the service the food! The coffee I can't say how wonderful! This is a dream of a place. Plug in your laptop and work, enjoy the ambience love the decor. It's just wonderful! read more

Food and service was amazing. I wish I found this place sooner. Parking was easy to find on the street. read more

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This is such a welcoming place. Wonderful staff. Great coffee. I love the Honey-Rose Latte but a straight-up non-fancy latte is also excellent. And the bagel here is delicious. It's huge and somehow light. Not dense at all. When I sit here with a book, a coffee, and a bagel, somehow the world makes a little more sense. read more

Criterion coffee - Such a nice place to sit and read with a really good coffee. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

I loved my food and strawberry mojito. I enjoyed studying there and they even have an upstairs. They had music playing in the background! The service was amazing. read more

Criterion coffee - French Crepe Rolls with Ricotta and Fresh Berries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

I absolutely loved this place the moment I stepped in. They had beautiful live music, and the coffee was great. If you're around the area, this place is worth checking out! read more

Amazing cozy little spot. The Barista Natalia was great and super helpful! Definitely will come back soon

The food was amazing 10 out of 10. Highly recommend. I got a chai latte with oat milk and it was delicious.

Food - Truffle Brie toast (on GF bread), ham and mozzarella omelette, and berries with yogurt and homemade jam. The balance of flavors was spot-on, and portions were generous--borderline too much, but we happily finished everything. Drinks - Chai latte and black coffee. The chai was bold and spicy with plenty of ginger--flawless. My husband loved the black coffee, which is no easy feat. Staff - Friendly and helpful, though the menu doesn't note gluten-free substitutions. Ambiance - Cute, clean, and peaceful. Bummed we didn't take photos read more

My favorite neighborhood spot. Friendly staff, delicious food, and superb ambience. Love taking my laptop here for a couple hours and having a nice coffee. Highly recommend! read more

Criterion coffee - Honey almond cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

I came in a Sunday morning to meet up with a friend for brunch. The place was lively and packed, but we were able to secure a table pretty quickly. You just place your order at the counter and then wait for an open seat. They have a huge menu selection, and lots of pastries good to choose from. The food was a bit pricey, but it was really good, and the portion was pretty generous. I ordered a flat white coffee, and the coffee was just okay. I also ordered the Criterion breakfast board, and that was a huge spread. My friend ordered a prosciutto toast, and that looked amazing too. Also, I'm not sure about the schedule, but around 1 pm, someone came in to play live music. I would definitely go back to try more things. read more

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

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Very cozy cafe, friendly staff, and nice ambiance. Can be a nice little spot to study, or even just a cute spot to come with a friend or partner for a coffee and a small bite. My personal favorite to have ordered had to be the Salmon toast, as a savory taste type of girl, it was so good! As for their coffees, very unique menu to choose from, and very nice tastes. Though if you prefer to have your smoothies on the sweeter side, definitely ask to sweeten your smoothie while ordering!! Very nice!! read more

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My team and I went to have breakfast here and the cashier a white LGBTQ+ woman, was very rude and had a smart mouth. Pretty disappointed and I'm sure it was because we were Hispanic individuals. read more

My favorite coffee shop for my morning bike ride to Pasadena, sidewalk table to enjoy the Europen ambiance and wait for the attentive service of bringing my latte right on the table. What a way to start my weekend here read more

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

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I was in Old Town Pasadena for five days. There are literally ten coffee places in this area. On the first day, my husband went to Blue Bottle because it opens the earliest, but once he told me they don't let you add your own cream, I wasn't interested. So I tried another place that was just okay. On Day Two, I decided to try Criterion because it has five stars. I'm glad I did because It's a great place! I went four mornings out of the five I was here. The baristas are friendly, my Americano was fantastic, and there are plenty of tables. It's a really pleasant place to drink coffee. The food looked great too but I didn't sample any of it. I can see why it has five stars! read more