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    Milk Brew

    4.5 (77 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Milk Brew Photos

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    MILK BREW ATMOSPHERE

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    Jacklyn D.

    Although, I had a really awesome experience and the owner was incredibly kind, I expected more out of the coffee. I really thought the concept of brewing coffee in milk rather than water was very interesting. The coffee created a creamy like texture in each sip. I was excited to try the banana milk brew, but the banana taste was not as present as I would have liked it to be. Before finalizing our purchase, we were given a sample to try the popular banana brew. I got the regular iced latte with corn milk. Again, just a basic iced latte made with a different milk alternative. They grind a measured amount of coffee beans in their fancy grinders and brew it using their fancy espresso machines. I do have to say, the layout and technology they have in this shop is very cool. I was impressed at how long the line got and busy this new cafe got. I went on Labor Day and spent a few hours from opening time until about 10:30 am. Parking is available for a limited time, or metered parking in front of the shop.

    Signature Banana Milk brew.
    Harry Q.

    The "renowned" Milk Brew, specifically the banana version, left much to be desired. The subtle coffee flavor was quickly lost beneath a strange taste, mouthfeel, and conflicting flavors. It was a weird macchiato of sorts--in the most literal sense: coffee-stained milk. But here's where things got interesting. I asked the barista if my daughter could sample some of the banana milk on its own. He kindly obliged, and I watched him grab a container of Mooala Banana Milk and pour her sample straight from it--the same brand you can pick up at Whole Foods. At the time, I assumed the banana milk was a house-made component of the drink, so seeing that admittedly surprised me and took away a bit of the allure. Regardless, it didn't change the bigger issue for me: I just didn't think the Milk Brew tasted very good. EDIT: The owner responded below and clarified that they have never claimed the banana milk is house-made and that they use Mooala, including a barista edition specifically for their Milk Brew. Fair enough. My assumption that the banana milk was house-made was exactly that--my assumption. That clarification doesn't change my opinion of the drink itself, though. The coffee was too subtle, the banana milk had a strange flavor, and the combination just didn't work for me. For something I'd heard so much about and was genuinely looking forward to trying, it was a big disappointment.

    Dave H.

    Excellent coffee! perfect cup! Teas, lattes, matcha, pastries and pour overs. Breakfast burritos too. Super friendly service - This gem might take the best coffee place in Pasadena! Plenty of street parking around the area. Nice modern ambience with natural light and free WiFi. Even with a line this place cranks out excellent beverages quickly.

    Matcha latte
    Thuy Dan T.

    Had a great experience here! There is 1 hour street parking right outside, otherwise some nearby paid parking ramps. The place is quite spacious where I feel like there could be some additional tables if they wanted to, but otherwise clean, simple decor with a beautiful tree inside and the space really boasts all the natural lighting from the windows. I got a matcha latte with oat milk, no additional flavoring and it was very smooth. Will definitely be back to try their other offerings. We ended up working there until they closed at 4PM and staff was incredibly friendly.

    Eddie G.

    Nice coffee shop on Colorado bl. Plenty of space inside side to do work. Grabbed a quick coffee to go but this place left a good impression on me.

    Ghalya M.

    Just come here for the banana milk coffee - just go. Thank me later. I am sure there other stuff are just as good but the banana milk coffee is creamy perfection. Friendly staff. Big open space. Bonus points for being dog friendly! Parking is street.

    High ceilings with many windows
    James L.

    A 4.5 for this coffee spot. We were at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for a taping of AGT, and we had to wait outside. Instead of baking in the heat, I crossed the street to get my caffeine dose. Inside is very spacious. Looks like the building used to be a bank with high ceilings and nice details. On a Wednesday afternoon, it was a full house, even though there were many tables. Several were taken by just one person on a laptop. Luckily, a guy left and freed up a place for us. The owner seemed passionate about his business. Very friendly and energetic when talking about coffee. My usual is a cappuccino, but this time, I tried something different; a cortado with banana milk. It's bold and had citrus notes. I'm not sure what type of beans were used but it's not my favorite, and I could barely taste any banana flavor. However, I really liked his passion and attention to details, even getting the exact weight to produce the perfect coffee drink. Perhaps I'll come back when they're a bit slower and chat about other kinds of coffee he offers. Though my cortado wasn't the best I've had, it gave me the caffeine buzz I desperately needed at the time.

    Menu
    Aileen H.

    Milk Brew, located in Pasadena is across the street from Paseo Del Colorado. The interior is open and airy. There are nice big windows that bring in good lighting, As a baseline order for comparisons, I always get the iced oatmilk latte so I can fairly compare the drink from shop to shop. I got the iced oat milk latte without syrup, and it was solid. I also got the butter croissant and it was large, crispy and just the right amount of butter for me. I was not disappointed. Their pastries are from Out of Thin Air. There is metered parking nearby. I recommend downloading the parking app so you don't need to run out to feed the meter. The barista was friendly. It's a great addition to Pasadena's coffee scene!

    Banana milk brew
    Hollie W.

    I was intrigued by their milk brew concept since I've never heard of it before! I tried the banana milk brew, and I thought it was ok. It was actually a little grainy, but the coffee was smooth. It was worth satisfying my curiosity, but I wouldn't crave it. The space itself is really minimalistic and calming. I went on a Thursday morning and there were no seats inside since there were a lot of people studying or working. Parking is metered street parking, which can get tough.

    Aiden A.

    Don't sleep on this spot. I've been eyeing Milk Brew for a minute but haven't had the chance to get here. On a nice easy Sunday morning, this was the day. The wife got an oat milk brew with strawberry. I grabbed a banana milk brew. The flavor is perfect. Not overly sweet (although the banana milk is sweeter than a regular milk). The process for their signature drink gives a uniquely bold flavor that I can't quite describe. The aesthetics in this spot are cool, minimalist, modern. Lots of wood accents. There's a decent amount of seating but the space is large and it doesn't feel overly crowded. Parking is tricky but manageable. Although don't do what I did and park in the lot on the side. It's open to park in on weekends but only has a flat rate price of $13. You'd be better off parking at Paseo and walking across or hoping for a street spot.

    Banana Milk Coffee & Vanilla Oat Coffee
    Zaydian A.

    Amazing service, unique drinks, and one hell of a banana coffee. I came to Milk Brew a few weeks ago as I was in the area. Parking can be tough but it's a great area to walk around. The space itself is really nice, I would def work here if I needed to get out of the house. As for the drinks let's get into it: - Iced Banana Coffee (8.3/10) The way they brew/made this was super smooth. The banana milk doesn't overpower the espresso, was a perfect pairing. I had this drink a second time, it wasn't as good but I'd still order again. - Iced Vanilla Coffee (7/10) My gf got this one. She really liked it, but I just thought it was okay. Probably bc I prefer sweeter drinks. Overall great experiences the two times I came. I think what stood out the most besides the drinks was the service, the owners really care about their business and the quality of the drinks. Would I go again? Yes!

    Lavender milk brew with whole milk.
    Crystal K.

    Amazing! Let's talk about the aesthetic. It's very clean, spacious, and rather big for a coffee place. There are tables you can work, inside and outside. I can't say if it gets crowded (I did go pretty early, like 9 am), but it was quiet and the plenty of seating available. The staff were super professional, nice, and gracious! I ordered the lavender milk brew with whole milk. Let me tell you it was straight-up perfection! Not too sweet at all (and I'm sure they can adjust sweetness based on request!). I loved every sip of it. My only request is that they have bigger sizes. Like I downed my coffee in no time! I know coffee places in Pasadena are a dime a dozen but I really love Milk Brew and I think you might like it, too. Come check it out!

    Banana Milk Brew
    Jessica G.

    Got pretty astonished by how huge the space was, looking like a sizable office space converted into a minimalistic coffee shop. The signature drinks they offered were literally what they called out in their name. It's apparently a Japanese coffee-making technique by brewing the coffee directly with milk instead of water. As the process took quite plenty of time, it let the coffee taste stayed strong yet smooth. What made it fun was they offered different options of milk including corn and banana! Thanks to the barista who warned me that the banana milk came sweet within the default mode so I opted for no extra syrup. When you went for other milk, you typically would want to add the housemade syrup. I felt it was right balance between being creamy yet still allowed the coffee flavor leading.

    milk brew with lavender

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    2 months ago

    Absolutely loved this coffee shop! It was my first time trying their overnight milk brew coffee with banana milk, and it was amazing.

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    23 days ago

    Unique coffee that is delicious! A great place to get work done. Lots of space and outlets which is a plus. Staff is kind.

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    25 days ago

    Everyone was so sweet and the milk brew was SO good, will definitely be coming back again :)

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    Ask the Community - Milk Brew

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    "Black Vanilla Latte" One of the popular signature drink.

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    Mandarin Coffee Stand - Vienna and Toasty

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    How do they fit so much charm into such a small space?…read more Mandarin Coffee, tucked into the Burlington Arcade in Pasadena, is a gem for lovers of high-quality Chinese specialty coffee and teas. Sure, you'll find the usual espresso drinks, but you'll also spot a few matcha options, creative fizzes, and refreshing tonics. As for pastries? The selection is stunning and freshly made. Peek into the glass case and you'll have a hard time choosing. Pro tip: don't pass up the devil's food cake donut. It's soft, airy, rich with high-quality chocolate... seriously yum. The staff are super friendly and it was fun catching them singing along to the shop playlist while carefully crafting drinks for each customer. The shop is cozy, so expect a line out front. It does move quickly though and is absolutely worth the short wait. There's no seating inside, but a few tables are set up along the arcade walkway for enjoying your treats outside. Parking is pretty easy with a large shared lot behind the arcade (plus some street parking if you're lucky). On my visit, I kept it simple with a vanilla latte, which totally hit the spot. I'll definitely be back to try the Gui Hua Latte and, of course, another devil's food cake donut!

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    One & One (2 of them) SO Espressos in the background

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    I would give Artisanal Goods by CAR 10 stars if it were an option. We've been around the country…read moreand the world and have had some truly world-class pastries, and CAR has a rightful place in that conversation. The quality of the ingredients and attention to detail are apparent in every bite and every sip. It is well worth the wait you'll most likely encounter. No matter how busy they are, the staff will greet you warmly--even coming out with umbrellas like they did for us when it was raining--and take the time to help you order, converse, and genuinely make you feel welcome. There are limited tables inside to enjoy your haul, but if you're lucky, a spot will open up and spare your car from the flaky goodness that will inevitably rain down all over your clothes and upholstery. Either way, it's worth it. CAR is exceptional.

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    Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters - Snowball latte  20 oz white mocha/coconut $6.50

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    Finally visited Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters!…read more Jameson Brown has been on my ever-growing list of coffee shops to try, and I'm so glad I finally made it in! Tucked on a brick corner building in Pasadena, their simple signage is easy to miss (I've driven by so many times and never noticed!), but stepping inside, you find a spacious and inviting interior with ample table options and even a cozy fireplace in the back. Parking is street only, so you might have to walk a bit during peak times, but it's worth it for the atmosphere alone. There are a couple of outdoor tables too, if you want some fresh air. Jameson Brown is an artisan roaster sourcing beans from around the globe, barrels of beautiful coffee beans are on display and you can watch the baristas access them as they craft each drink to order. The menu is displayed on a giant blackboard, with special and seasonal offerings up front by the counter. New pastry selections include treats like calamansi cheesecake pandesal and sticky buns (with vegan options as well). The staff were incredibly friendly, patient, and welcoming as I took my time deciding what to get. I went with my usual vanilla latte, plus their specialty Vienna latte. The espresso in my vanilla latte was bold and delicious, and while I'm not a big cinnamon fan, the Vienna latte (with honey and cinnamon) was perfect to bring home to my husband. Loved the open space, perfect for meetings, game nights, or just working from a coffee shop for the day. So glad I could finally check this one off my list. Highly recommend!

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    Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters - Busy inside

    Busy inside

    Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters - Inside

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    Milk Brew - coffee - Updated September 2026

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