A Cute Little Coffee Spot in Pasadena!…read more Tucked across the street from PCC, Danbi Coffee is such a cute little cafe! I was lucky enough to find street parking nearby, which is always a win in Pasadena. The cafe is bright, clean, and airy, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, making it a great spot to grab coffee and snacks, study, get some work done, or simply chill and relax. I stopped by after work and ordered an Einspänner (Vienna Cream Coffee) along with two salted breads: cream corn and chocolate. Everything was delicious, and the coffee was a lovely treat after a long workday. Service was quick and friendly, too! Between the inviting atmosphere, tasty drinks and pastries, and comfortable seating, Danbi Coffee is definitely worth checking out. A sweet little spot to add to your Pasadena cafe list!

Danbi was an okay experience, just your typical cafe with your normal students & casual meetings in…read morethe background. I had the einspanner w/oatmilk! First sip I did taste the strong espresso; however after mixing it was pretty smooth and tasty. Throughout the afternoon I felt the caffeine level decreasing. So adequate for a short pick me up, not recommended to get you through the rest of your day. Cafe was cute & aesthetic, parking is available on the side of the streets and in the back!

Came on a Saturday morning after taking my mom to a doctors appt with her and my 1 year old…read moredaughter. We were looking for a casual spot with good food and fun and delicious coffee drinks. This did not disappoint! I got the pandan latte. Definitely heavier on the vanilla flavor but the pandan still comes through. My mom got the crème brulee latte and it was probably one of the better ones I've had. It wasn't just sweet - you could get the essence of that burnt sugar topping. For food we had the spam kimchi cheese croissant and it was so good! The croissant was nice and flaky. There was the perfect ratio of filling. It is a very craveable sandwich. All of this in itself deserved a 5 star review already, but one more thing happened I need to mention. We were just about to leave and I wanted a straw in my drink. I want to put it in the lid and instead I spilled it all over the counter. A woman who I presumed to be the owner immediately came over to clean the mess and told the girl at the counter to remake me a new drink. Given I was taking care of my mom and my daughter today, that small kindness meant a lot to me. Overall, highly recommend Dash. Good coffee and good people.

I've been to Dash a few times and have enjoyed it almost every time. One time my coffee was burnt,…read morebut that was the only negative experience. I love their pandan latte and their creme brulee latte. The creme brulee is on the sweeter side, so when I'm in the mood for that it's perfect. The service is quick and there's not many seats inside. The parking lot is tiny so parking situation is tough. I've had to park on the side streets before. Overall, Dash is a solid spot to check out!

This is was my first time at Republik coffee and it was such a great experience. The environment is…read moreperfect for studying or meeting a friend. I ordered the pink guava refresher which is made with coconut milk, guava puree, & blueberries. It was really delicious, and reminded me of the Starbucks pink drink but a million times better They also serve alcohol and have a gluten free pastry option. Can't wait to come back and try the pumpkin cheesecake latte.

Ordered UberEats since this used to be one of my favorite spots to order from but I haven't ordered…read morefrom them in several years so thought I'd give it a try! Got the Chicken Pesto Panini ($18) and it was pretty good. It was slightly too oily but the ingredients tasted very fresh. The chicken was a little dry and would have been better if it was more moist but not a big deal. Really enjoyed how the panini was packed with flavor and tasted delicious! The Matcha Latte ($7) was so disappointing. I requested it with less ice and less sweet so I got it 80% full. It literally tasted like milk and I couldn't taste any matcha at all unfortunately. They used to use very high quality matcha but the matcha used now is completely different. I was really looking forward to enjoying the matcha latte because it used to be one of my favorites but this was most likely the worst matcha latte I've had. Overall, the panini was good but the matcha wasn't good at all so I will definitely not get the matcha again!

SOO sad this cute place has closed :( I literally wanted to start a food blog to rave about their…read moreMatcha Croissant. I DREAM about this thing. Just got into it and they shut down. So so very sad what has happened to this cute alley in Pasadena and all the tenants leaving or being kicked out due to high rents.

*Update* Their cold brew is better and stronger than…read moreAlfred's. *Original* This is a large $7.50 cold brew. Taste of the coffee is solid. Service was pleasant. Will try the pastries the next time around.

Consistently excellent quality, creativity, and service on every visit. The staff has great rapport…read morewith each other and genuinely seem like they are having fun, which in turn creates a welcoming jovial atmosphere (unless they have to tell folks to read the sign. Seriously please read the sign! Only 4 people inside at a time & don't block the hallway -- they'll call you in or you can monitor how many folks are inside)! I have tried nearly every Signature/Seasonal drink and you can't go wrong. Unless otherwise noted, all these drinks are "not too sweet": - Sicily: You'd think citrus & espresso would be too acidic, yet somehow the two compliment each other perfectly. If you like cold brew, give this a try! - Gui Hua Latte: The cardamom/osmanthus balance is excellent, sometimes coffee shops go too hard on the cardamom but Mandarin has struck the perfect blend - Toasty: A little sweeter than the other drinks in my view, but if you like cinnamon/brown sugar, this tastes like a cookie in drink form - Raspberry Shiso Matcha: If you have ever participated in a Matcha tea ceremony, this drink tastes like it all-in-one. It has a wonderful wagashi flavor - Sweet Potato Spice Latte: The fall drink to end all fall drinks. The brown butter really sets this latte apart from other PSL varieties. The coconut cream does not impart a strong coconut flavor, but instead a richness in texture. - Sea Salt Coconut Latte: By contrast, this does taste like coconut in all the best ways. Refreshing on a hot summer day with the mint & salt, neither of which overwhelm the senses - Mandarin Mocha: I'm not sure if this will return some other winter season, but the orange-cranberry marmalade mocha was too sweet for my taste. Great in small sips or if you have a sweet tooth though! - Blossom Latte: Clear winning winter seasonal drink. The warmth of the ginger and pink peppercorn combine with the espresso to taste like a snappy gingerbread. - Pineapple Espresso Tonic: I shouldn't review this one because I don't love tonic water to begin with, but the flavors were all there. I just don't think espresso and tonic should go together but some people seem to like that - Rose Hip Black Tea Latte: If you watch any baking shows, you know Rose is a tough flavor to balance, but of course Mandarin knows the secret formula. This is just a delightful spring drink, and the herbal/floral notes from the rose & tea taste like a walk in the Huntington Gardens feels. All of the pastries are delicious, and they sometimes have special guests come and sell their own home-cooked goods (check calendar/notices, I think it's the 1st or the 3rd Sunday each month)! Finally, the arcade is such a lovely tucked-away gem that I wish it was a bit more lively. Mandarin is bringing in a lot of foot traffic, and there's a lot of storefronts certainly benefiting from that, but I would love to see some kind of indoor sit-down place open up (maybe Mandarin could expand...). It's the perfect cozy atmosphere for working, reading a book, or catching up with a friend, but Mandarin itself is too small to house folks inside. There are only 4-5 tables outside in the arcade itself that are almost always taken when it's busy.

I regularly come here as I work nearby and each time is amazing! In my two most recent visits, I…read moregot the new raspberry shiso matcha (9.50) and the new seasonal drink: sweet potato latte (8.50) . raspberry shiso matcha: 9/10 ! I love how well the flavors mesh together without either the raspberry or matcha being too overpowering, and the flower is a cute added touch. I just dont think I would regularly order it at the price point but it is a great drink to try sweet potato latte : 9/10 ! it's beautifully made and such a unique drink ! the drink itself tastes great but not much of the sweet potato flavor I was hoping for. maybe the flavor just comes from the paste on the spoon? also so sad it only comes hot -- I'm the type of person who loves an iced coffee no matter the weather so I just chilled it in my fridge at work and added ice after it cooled down -- still absolutely delicious. to add, the staff here are always warm and welcoming and make my experience here a positive one each time !

Wildly popular bakery/patisserie located in Pasadena. This place got on my radar cause I saw that…read morethey were one of the best croissants/chocolate croissants in the Los Angeles area. I was in the area and wanted something light for breakfast and remembered that I've been wanting to come here. Parking was pretty easy to find on the street since it was early in the day. The line was almost out the door when I got there, but relatively short from what I've heard. Plus it moved pretty quickly. The people here were friendly and the space had an artsy vibe to it. Of course, I had to get the chocolate croissant and I also ordered a coffee to go with it. It was buttery, flaky, and had a good amount of chocolate. Definitely a gem of a place located in Pasadena. Would love to come back and try some more of their goods.

I normally take pictures of the food and the place, but I don't think I did this place justice so I…read moredidn't include them. This place is known for their artisanal chocolates as well as their chocolate and even regular croissants. I thought I was a croissant person, but today I found out that I am not a dessert croissant person. I ironically find the chocolate bars decent and was underwhelmed by the chocolate croissant. I am also realizing that I may not be a huge chocolate person recently. I don't like to waste food so I found myself just trying to stuff it into my mouth to get it over with. I will come back again for a regular croissant. My friends and family all rave about the croissants from this place having one of the best croissants in town. I wish I could tell you that I lived that experience to tell the tale. I got an iced honey latte with oat milk that was delicious though. Service was okay. They were nice enough. I didn't have much interaction besides the transaction, so I cannot speak too much on this? The place looks ideal for people to sit and do some work or study. Some customers kind of block the only pathways around though to no fault of the franchise. It's just young people not really having spatial awareness when out in public. In summary, I had just an okay experience. Gave this place 4 stars for the iced honey latte with oat milk.

I recently had a negative experience at Criterion Coffee and left a review about it. Almost…read moreimmediately, the owner reached out to me personally through Yelp to apologize and offer a refund. I really appreciated the effort he made to address the situation and make things right. He seems like a genuinely good man who truly cares about his customers and his business. Criterion is a lovely place to sit, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee, and it's a breath of fresh air to see an owner who cares so much about his establishment and the people who walk through the door. Please give them a try.

Love this little cute place. High quality specialty coffee. I came here with family For a nice cozy…read moreafternoon.

Friendly service. I like that they have pastries, burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of…read moredrinks (matcha, coffees, teas, hot cocoa). The baristas make sure they make each drink carefully and allow you the chance to try it before you head out. There's plenty of seating. Some long bar tables, benches, and a sofa. It was quite loud inside on a Saturday so good to know if you need a quiet place to work. I saw quite a few people working on laptops as well as groups of people catching up. The front door has a sign stating that the entrance is wheelchair accessible. They also have a gender neutral bathroom.

Love their mint mojito - wait times can be a while during the weekends or rush hour…read more I honestly never know where to park when I come here. People are pretty friendly - it can be a bit noisy if you're trying to work here

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!

My coworker introduced me to this place by brining me a Cafe de Olla cold brew. Before you get too…read moreexcited, I was told that unfortunately it is a seasonal item until the end of the month. Such a heartbreaker! However, the location has an unique vibe to it and plenty of tables to sit. There is no wifi jusy fyi. Their pastries are also delicious. Don't think they bake them in house but they still taste fresh. Street parking. Sometimes it get packed and you might have to walk but for the most part, people are in and out of location so parking spots might open

This place will probably take all my money because if I lived any closer, i would come here…read moreeveryday and grab a Sicily. I absolvely love how unique and well-balanced this particular drink is - with its Ethiopian cold brew and orange blossom water. What stood out to me was how the zestiness of the orange/lemon/and lime combined complemented the richness of the cold brew. The sugar adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the coffee. I must have ordered the Sicily so many times that they should just name the coffee after me. The staff here is wonderful and the baristas genuinely seem passionate about what they're serving. I know what I like so I haven't gotten around to experimenting with the other coffees, but I can feel the intention behind the menu! Mandarin 2 has a very minimalist aesthetic, and the space is on the smaller side. There are few tables, some smaller stool seating, and a standing counter. I would look elsewhere if you're hunkering down for a place to work but if you're looking for a lively chat with friends, this would be the spot. There is soft, upbeat music playing and this place is popular so people come and go! For Pasadena, parking is surprisingly easy because this is located closer to the edge of the city near a residential neighborhood. Peacocks also frequent this residential neighborhood, which is a fun sight to see. Mandarin 2 is like the cool sibling that I look up to, visionary and cool! This place is definitely on my list of coffee shops for my weekly fix and worth checking out.

super nice 2nd location by mandarin with indoor and outdoor seating available. limited number of…read moretables if you're planning on doing work here but everyone has been so nice and has offered to share tables if they see that you're trying to work. I ordered their matcha tonic and it's the perfect amount of tonic water, matcha, and yuzu. really refreshing and the perfect drink for the summer heat. the workers are really nice and kind. this is the perfect spot to get some work done, read, or catch up with friends street parking available in the neighboring areas