Came here on a Sunday morning and the traffic picked up towards lunch time, but luckily the service moved pretty quickly. There is street parking around the area and a good amount of seating both inside and outside. We paid about $33 for five items, which is a little on the pricier side, but considering that this cafe reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film, I expected as much. Nutellamisu Latte - Skip This was my least favorite, even though I thought I would like this the most! I was expecting a lot more Nutella and coffee flavor, but it mostly tasted like milk. The cream on top is is thick and a little salty, and I actually thought it tasted better once I mixed everything together. Milk Bread - Definitely Get!!! I loved this bread so much. The bread came out warm and it was so soft and fluffy. The custard topping made it even better. It was thick enough to share but I ended up eating the whole thing for myself. I would absolutely order this again and then another one. Blueberry Scone - Would Get The scone happened to moist upon first bite but got drier towards the middle. I would recommend eating the scone would a drink. Dark Cacao Latte - Would Get I would recommend getting this if you want a little treat of cacao nibs with your drink. It wasn't overly sweet. Overall, the selection here for drinks is unique! I love how they are experimenting and striving for perfection. I would definitely come back for the milk bread and to try their other pastries. read more

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Love drink And dessert options! Very nice staff. Packed with people and limited seats Only open 9-4pm not open on Monday Limited time read more

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Been here a handful of times now. The service is great but it does get pretty packed. There's seating but more customers than the seating accommodates for the most part so consider yourself lucky if you're able to grab a good seat. There's only one restroom, just an FYI. The drinks are good and their cakes and pastries are definitely worth trying. I highly recommend this place for a good drink or after meal dessert. They have mooncakes but you'd have to order those in advance. There are other specialty items they have so be sure to ask the person at the register. Regardless of limited street parking and sometimes not being able to find a good seat, we've been back for their desserts and treats so that says it's worth a visit. Ambience is so cute too, feels like a little shop in Japan. read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

wonderfully adorable, clean, modern cafe that sells basque cheesecake! i love this space. the lady at the register was super sweet. however! i have to unfortunately deduct stars for the two desserts we tried. the cheesecake was especially a disppointment. basque cheesecake is supposed to be creamy and custardy in the center; this one was hard/dense like a regular cheesecake, yet for its density it managed to be not too rich in flavor. huh. the cake part of the lemon canele was just quite bland. haven't tried their drinks but both desserts left so much to be desired. i really wanted this to be my go-to basque cheesecake place in LA cause they're far and few between! this search will have to continue. read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

7/15/2026 A new coffee shop by Motto Tea Shop. MATCHA BASQUE CHEESECAKE Slightly dense in texture, but the matcha flavor was good. Light grassy and bitter flavor lingers in your mouth. There's also a bit of fruitiness in flavor. Decorated with blueberry, raspberry and fresh thyme. Because you are eating them all together, you can taste the blueberry, raspberry and thyme too. Didn't hate it, but felt the decorations were unnecessary. KYOTO LATTE Milky drink, fruity coffee. Slight smokiness at the end. Overall the drink was too milky for my preference. Coffee flavor was not strong to hold everything together. It just didn't stand out. I wouldn't order it again. YUZU ESPRESSO TONIC Yuzu forward. You can taste a hint of espresso at the end, which was good. Drink is on the sweeter side. It was refreshing. They gave out samples of the brazilian mochi ball and the canele. One with blueberry, one with matcha on top. They weren't something I'd buy, but glad I got to try them. AMBIANCE / SEATS It's a small and quiet cafe. Plate and cup decorations, overhanging large feather deco and a merch section to the right side of the cafe. There was a lot going on in the cafe. Twelve bar seats facing the window. A sofa with a coffee table and two chairs, a large wooden table with 6 seats. Outdoor seats with tables for 2 and one unisex bathroom. How they arranged the tables, it felt a bit cluttered in one area. No cozy vibes. CUSTOMER SERVICE Staff was nice, however, when there was a lull in customers coming in, staff started talking together and were not paying attention to the front. I had to get their attention to place another order with them. PARKING Metered street parking or paid public parking lot for all day parking. All day parking on Central Ct. & DeLacey Ave., directly across the cafe and is $10.00. It wasn't easy finding street parking in the area. Glad I got to try it, but most likely I will not return. I feel there are better coffee and tea shops to visit. read more

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Came on a Sunday morning, and it was a bit busy. The cashier was super sweet, and the service was fast. There is street parking available. The atmosphere was really nice, and there's a good amount of seating both inside and outside. My order total was $33 for five items. It's a bit pricey, but for the atmosphere and quality, I wouldn't say it's unreasonable. Yuzu Tonic Espresso - 5/5 I really enjoyed this drink. It's refreshing, and the yuzu flavor is strong. You can taste the espresso, but it doesn't overpower the yuzu. It's nicely carbonated. Nutellamisu Latte - 2/5 I wouldn't order this drink again. It tasted like milk with just a hint of Nutella and coffee. The cream on top is salty and thick, and in my opinion, tastes better mixed into the drink. Overall, this latte didn't really stand out to me, especially compared to the Yuzu Tonic Espresso. Matcha Canelé - 4/5 A tasty treat. It had matcha cream on top with edible flowers. It wasn't overly sweet and had a crunchy exterior with a soft interior. Milk Bread - 5/5 This one had a custard topping. The bread was thick, soft, and came out warm. I'd definitely get this one again. Oreo Scone - 4/5 It has an Oreo on top. The scone is on the drier side, which actually makes it pair really well with the drinks. The Oreo flavor was good. read more

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Very decorative dessert cafe. Super cozy, it is a Japanese inspired coffee/cake shop that drawn inspiration from kissaten culture. Love the cake we got. It is super delicious and fluffy! The craft behind this truly amazing. The coffee we ordered that day was decent, but not as great as the dessert. One of the drinks we got was strawberry matcha latte, which is honestly decent. Maybe I am not into the mix flavor as I thought it would. It is my first time actually trying a strawberry matcha latte. Yes, it is kind of shocking haha. Apparently, many people states it is Ghibli inspired cafe. It is pretty and I could see the aesthetic. You just have to see it for yourself. One part behind their glass counter has an array of brewing instruments. A very cool collection, which is an appeal to coffee lovers. read more

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Aesthetic and pretty Japanese dessert cafe in Pasadena! To drink, I got the Iced Nutellamisu Cloudy Latte and it was pretty good. The drink was perfectly sweet and not too sweet. I liked the light cream top and the pattern with the cocoa powder. Mixed with the coffee, it was enjoyable and I liked the nutty flavor. It was pretty milk heavy though. I also liked the to-go cups the drinks came in which were pretty unique since you don't see darker coffee plastic cups often. I actually came for the Iced Pistachio Latte, but they were out of it for the day I went which was disappointing. The interior was lovely and great for enjoying the ambiance and relaxing. A good photo op area too. I did see there were some outlets and wifi available. A private bathroom is also available. The service here was great and the barista serving me was super enthusiastic which created a positive experience. Overall, a great cafe and I would come back to try the pistachio latte and desserts! read more

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This is by far the best Motto outta the 3. Cute decors, good customer service, and delicious cakes/cookies/drinks. Very pretty cakes. We ordered the Jasmine cake with grapes on top. It tasted kinda like cheesecakes. Very smooth and not so sweet. Hahh we ate it as a breakfast snack. We got a scone and an Oreo cookie. Both were good. Soft and fresh. I wanted the earl grey canele, but they didn't have it. The drinks were decent. I got myself a Kyoto latte. It was on the smaller end. It was pretty much a reg latte. However, it was made perfectly. Didn't get to try the other drinks but was told that it was decent. Cute seating area. Free parking before 11am, I believe. Afterwards, it's paid street parking. Will return to try the other items and drinks. read more

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Wow great vibes with great music The food was next level. I dont think i have had this level of good dessert in the US! As good as the ones I had back in Korea and Japan. The staff are also very friendly so great service!! read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

Street Parking nearby is free before 11am! Service continues to be consistently good and I love all their shio pan (salt breads) that I've tried so far including the tuna corn and the mentaiko! I also love their specialty lattes and recently tried their strawberry latte which comes iced and is delicious! read more

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One step in you can already tell that this will be a super popular store with all the cute decor/ super adorable cakes!! Omg It's only soft opening and it's already pack with people, it's not a very big store, probably fits 15 people or so? Just gotta be lucky to get a seat Anyway, love the coffee, the cake, the vibe. read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Super cute and aesthetic cafe. The matcha I hear was also so delicious. It definitely gives off studio ghibli vibes read more

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This place is so cute. Such a nice cafe to sit at. I loved my latte it wasn't too sweet which is how I like it. Basque cheesecake paired well with it. The coffee took a bit longer to make because of the pour over but I didn't mind :-) everyone is super nice! read more

Kissa by Motto - Cookies - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Adorable little cafe, with so many different types of drinks and desserts you can order. They have cute decor inside and also outside seating. I saw people journaling or just doing work here and it seems like a great place to socialize. I would get there earlier if you want to try some of the more popular desserts since they run out fast. Staff was sweet and kind, she even offered to time it with my friend's toast and drink so we can get all our foods at the same time. I got the jasmine matcha cake. It was dense and heavy but so good, it wasn't too sweet but creamy and so decadent and rich. read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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They recently had their soft opening! My friends and I tried various drinks and pastries, everything was sooo good! They also accept whole cake orders Service was efficient, with the queue moving very quickly and our orders being ready within a few minutes Very crowded with somewhat limited seating, so come early read more

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This cute and new coffee spot has been on my bookmarks lately, and it's currently in its soft opening phase. I happened to be in the area after my car wash today, so I decided to stop by. It's located on De Lacey in Pasadena. Parking was easy. I found metered street parking right in front of Kissa by Motto for just $1.25 per hour. If you want to park at a structure, the De Lacey Parking Facility is nearby. The café has a Japanese-inspired coffee and dessert concept. The ambiance is cozy, comfortable, modern, and super cute. Since they're still in soft opening, the menu may vary. I originally wanted to try their milk custard bread, but it wasn't available this morning. I went for the matcha raspberry scone instead and it was so good! The cashier was also very friendly and offered samples, and the pistachio chocolate was amazing. The service was a bit slow but it was still soft opening. Definitely a spot I'll come back again. read more

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Walking in, the store is very aesthetic and beautiful. The wood displays and beautiful flowers make the store so pretty. The music was pleasant and quiet. First impressions were good! When it came to ordering, the pastries all looked so good! However, my friends and I didn't want coffee and unfortunately they don't have many alternative options. Jasmine Basque cheesecake: $6.25 Very smooth and a strong jasmine flavor. The presentation is very pretty, and you can tell they stock it daily. It melts into your mouth- when I say smooth it was REALLY smooth. We gave it a 9/10. Lemon scone: $5.85 The lemon scone is very crumbly. The scone part is a bit dry and doesn't have much flavor. The top of the scone is very flavorful, and I enjoyed the lemon flavor very much. I would have preferred the lemon flavored to be distributed all around the scone. It would make the process of making the scones much more difficult, but using lemon zest in the batter might help. Very much enjoyed the lemon flavor though. Was pretty to look at too. 7/10 Raspberry matcha canele: $5.85 It was so hard to cut into it even with a metal knife. It looks cute but we don't recognize getting it. The cream was the only part we enjoyed. The outside is way too hard. The inside was soft but flavor wise was lacking. 4/10 Yuzu tonic: $7 This was definitely on me, because you most definitely should stir it. I didn't get a straw at first and just drank it as is, and it was awful. I stirred it, then the taste definitely changed. It tasted like a yuzu sparkling soda to be honest. A little bitter and super carbonated. I didn't like it at first but it was actually addictive to drink. Probably the carbonation part. It would be refreshing to drink but definitely an interesting combination to have with the pastries. I don't even like yuzu much but they didn't have anything else that wasn't coffee. Just don't be like me... STIR IT.. 7.5/10 We really liked that they gave the drinks in nice glasses and that the presentation is beautiful. You don't see that in cafes much anymore because that is a lot of dishes to wash... so we appreciated that. While the dessert was okay in general... I would still go again. I will probably try a coffee next time. Definitely wouldn't get the caneles. read more

Kissa by Motto - Jasmine Basque cheesecake Lemon scone Matcha raspberry canele Yuzu tonic - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

Kissa itself was very new comer to the neighborhood, but not the case with Motto Tea, which probably a lot of people have been very familiar with. Loving the concept that totally reminded me of Japanese / Korean coffee shop concept with a twist of Boho, nature, and vintage blended in together. The chic yet cozy venue obviously drew the crowd interest and even visiting amidst a week day still exposed me to bit of a crowd. All the servers were super friendly and patient, answering my questions on what they offered and letting me taking my time to make my decision, but just one drawback was it took them pretty long to get the drinks ready. They seemed to be popular for the roll cake and basque cheesecake, but the various canelé flavors triggered my interest more so I opted for the Double Matcha canelé. Unfortunately I might not be a fan of the canelé base itself as it lacked the fragrant buttery flavor I fancied in a canelé and I did wish the texture was more chewy inside. The matcha cream on top was nice in balancing the sweetness, especially with the stuffing being bit on the bitter side. I got their Jasmine Matcha, which I thought come at decent price compared to similar ones in LA. It was so-so to me flavor wise. Decent but probably nothing distinctive that made it stand out. Perhaps I should give a try on either their specialty latte or cream top drinks next time. read more

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Soft opening right now! It's off the main Colorado Street shopping area but an easy walk from the De Lacey parking structure. The cafe is super cozy, playing some Japanese City Pop. Lots of people studying and hanging out. There's some outdoor seating as well. They have pour overs, matchas, and specialty drinks so I'm sure there's something for everyone. The pour over takes 5-7 minutes since they freshly pour to order. We also got a matcha latte and matcha jasmine basque cheese cake which was delightful. Pricing seemed fair. Would definitely come back! read more

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One of the yummiest cakes I've tried! The strawberry cake has a fresh strawberry taste, it's very fluffy and light so if you prefer cakes that aren't super sweet I would recommend! The staff are friendly and accommodating. There was a line but I got my drink order fairly quickly. The interior is decorated so cute as well, great for cafe photo ops ;) read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Omg I loved my pistachio cloudy latte. It came with a lady finger too. It's creamy and decadent and really has a pistachio flavor to it. Perfection! I liked the blueberry chocolate canele was yum. Matcha scone wasn't my favorite, too dense for my taste. But overall I would come back for the drinks! read more

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Really cute dessert cafe spin-off from Motto boba a couple blocks away. It was really packed but the workers had a good organization system. The dessert was cute and not too sweet. Pricing was standard for the area around $6 and up for any item. I wanted to get a drink but not when it'd come out to $7 with tax and tip. One star off because of how stuffy it was inside. I don't know it's from their plumbing or just the building air vent but it smelled moldy and damp. I think opening the doors more would help eliminate the smell. read more

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I've never had basque cheesecake before. I thought it was good. The slice itself was tiny. Honestly it wasn't worth the $6.25. It's good not great. read more

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This café has a charming Japanese-inspired aesthetic and offers a surprisingly good selection of canelés, which was what initially drew me in. The pastries looked beautiful and had decent texture and flavor, although the taste overall was just average rather than memorable. The coffee was also fine--nothing particularly impressive, but good enough for a casual visit. Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. We chose to sit on the outdoor patio, but there was no clear system for notifying customers when drinks were ready. We ended up walking back inside multiple times to check on our order, and it wasn't until the third trip that the drinks were finally ready. The staff seemed indifferent and communication was minimal throughout the visit. Overall, it's a pleasant spot if you're looking for a Japanese-style café atmosphere and a variety of canelés, but the mediocre service and average food and drinks make it difficult to justify going out of the way to visit again. read more

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nutellamisu latte was good but not incredible. it tasted like chocolate milk but i guess that's to be expected based off the name. jasmine matcha was good though--loved the floral taste but wish it had more matcha flavor! the blueberry canele was decent, not sure if i'd get again service was okay... they were pretty busy but it took awhile to place an order read more

Kissa by Motto - blueberry canele, nutellamisu latte, jasmine matcha - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

Super cute new addition to cafes in Pasadena! Just a block from old town so parking can be tricky but we got lucky with a spot right outside. Lots of seats to work at inside and out. Service was friendly and drinks and treats were yummy. Will want to order a custom cake here in the future- some nice options! Loved my grape tonic so much! read more

Kissa by Motto - Chocolate chip cookie and matcha strawberry scone - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The pastries are alright. They were also expensive. I didn't like their canele. Their matcha cheesecake was salty. Their matcha is alright.. You order but they might not even have the pastries available. I ordered a mushroom focaccia after asking them if they had it, and they said yes. I paid for it only for them to say it sold out when ready to pick up. They had to refund me. So when ordering at the cashier, we have to ask and make sure they have the pastries we want in stock. Fortunately, staff are all very nice and accommodating. read more

I honestly blame IG for shoving Kissa by Motto in my face, but I had a chance to swing by one afternoon and I do not regret it one bit. Located right off the 210 in Pasadena, snuggled between some newer apartment buildings you will find Kissa by Motto. Someone mentioned that they it was giving Ghibli and I can see why. If you have every watched a film before, then you know what I mean. Very homestead and warm vibe that is evident throughout the cafe. Kissa has a plethora of pour overs (both special and everyday favorites) as well as a variety of americano, espresso, and latte options. But what really drives people through the door isn't just the coffee it is the pastries. I came in the afternoon and the scones had been devoured since 10am. I ended up with a Oreo and Marshmallow cookie, which by all accounts, was good as I inhaled it after the first bite. To pair the cookie I went with Their Kyoto Latte which lasted longer due to the tasting the elegant notes of the custom pour over they use for the base. Overall, I plan to go back and really get more out of Kissa. Be forewarned that the lines to get long and patience during these times is appreciated. There is street parking for a small fee, but well worth the cost if you want to sit and be delighted by not only the coffee and pastries, but the vibe in general. Cheers, and hope to you there! read more

I was excited to go here but honestly, it wasn't THE BEST. But customer service was an A+++. Love the team here! ORDERED: overall 3.5-4/5 Matcha Latte - it just tasted like a good sweetened milk. The matcha flavor was faint. Nutellamisu Cloudy Latte - on the sweeter side but I can tell the espresso was strong with a citrusy aftertaste (not a bad thing). Strawberry Matcha Scone - outer layer felt dry. Inside wasn't too sweet and it was moist. Would try something else next time. read more

Absolutely the best matcha latte ever!!!! It's tiny but cute and cozy. Everyone's super sweet and friendly! I would definitely come back here again!! read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

This café is such a cute spot! The interior is cozy, beautifully decorated, and they also have outdoor seating, making it a great place to relax, catch up with friends, or enjoy a slow afternoon. The highlight of our visit was definitely the jasmine matcha and the jasmine grape cheesecake. Both were delicious! The jasmine flavor came through perfectly without being overpowering, and the cheesecake was light, creamy, and refreshing. I'd absolutely order both again. We also tried the tiramisu coffee, which was a bit disappointing. The cream on top was good, but the coffee itself didn't really have much of the tiramisu flavor I was expecting. Unfortunately, the savory scone was the biggest letdown. It was extremely dry, and after one bite, I didn't even want to keep eating it. The service was okay overall. The person who took our order was very friendly and welcoming, but both the food and drinks took a while to come out. It wasn't a huge issue since we weren't in a rush, but it was definitely noticeable. read more

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I've been to Motto before and it was just okay. My wife discovered this place and wanted to come check it out. We got a couple of their baked good and a drink and that was over $20. So to me, a bit on the pricier side. The pastries were good and the drink was fine but definitely on the pricier side. read more

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the matcha was pretty solid and it was really cute inside. we also tried the hojicha basque cheesecake which was super dense and strongly hojicha flavored which we liked. definitely will be back again to try other things! read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

For a coffee-specific spot, I have to say that their coffee is not my favorite. I'm not a big fan of a fruity/acidic aftertaste and that has been my experience with their lattes here. However, I'm a fan of everything else especially their lightly-toasted shokupan bread slices topped with savory & sweet spreads such as sweet corn or cheese! It pairs well with an iced matcha latte and this spot has been busy since it's soft opening phase, which I believe is still the case as of today. Their decor has a minimalistic aesthetic to it, where influencers (wannabes) take up space in order to capture their aesthetically-pleasing video/photo. read more

Kissa by Motto - Tiramisu canelé was good! - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Really cool new coffee spot with a unique concept and aesthetic that stands out from the usual cafés around town. The pourovers were well done -- clean, balanced, and clearly made with quality beans and attention to detail. The desserts and pastries also looked amazing, almost too pretty to eat. Definitely the kind of place that's easy to spend time in while enjoying coffee and a snack. Only downside is that it's a bit pricey, especially if you're ordering coffee and pastries together. Still, the quality and overall experience make it worth checking out at least once. read more

I've been here twice now and I really enjoy how quiet and cozy the store feels. Their plating is very intentional and their desserts are pretty good as well! The garlic toast and Earl grey toasts are some of my favorites, and I also really enjoyed the Jasmine Matcha Latte. read more

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I passed by during lunch hour on a weekday. It is a cute spot hidden in an apartment complex. The space is not huge but they have high ceilings, lot of natural light and cosy decorations. They have canele, cheese cakes, scones and some pastries. I tried their canele and scones. They both taste pretty good, especially the chocolate pistachio and matcha strawberry flavor. The canele is not as crunchy as those by Bu Pastry Bar, but I like they have fruit and cream toppings here. The scones are pretty soft and not very sweet. The staff is very nice as well, they even offer you sampling. read more

Kissa by Motto - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My friends and I really wanted to try this place when we saw it online and it didn't disappoint! We tried various sweet treats and they were all so yummy. They weren't super sweet which I really liked. The chocolate + strawberry basque was super creamy and very chocolaty so the strawberry really balanced it out. The soufflé cake was fluffy and light with a sort of cream cheese frosting. The vibe is super cute, not super loud but there is a nice ambiance. read more

Kissa by Motto - Chocolate +Strawberry Basque, crème brûlée chocolate cookie, soufflé cake - Cafes Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I Feel that I will visit this coffee shop regulary... No drip, americano only... BUT as I have said it before, if the bean is good... americano will be good.... this place hit the spot!... Scones are delish.... The lemon scone was good, will get again... BUT the blueberry chocolate scone had me wanting more... soft with crispy edges, you can taste the cocoa, and the blueberry cream was on point... just good amount of sweetness Service was great... friendly staff, but no real interaction... did answer my questions in a patient amd friendly way... so thank you Decor was nice, somewhat vintage look, and makes you feel as you just stepped into a coffee shop in Japan... Plenty of street parking Since the city became greedy, pay for parking!! Definitely will go back, when you go... Enjoy.... read more