I don't know if you can be nostalgic for something that is almost brand new but let us not quibble. The name is cute and catchy and the inside is extremely cozy and perfect for a rainy day (which it was during our visit). The furniture is lovely and the lighting is fantastic. I think they went for a quasi-Victorian look here. Someone did some good work with the interior design. The coffee drinks were solid and the French toast was generous and very good. The garden bagel with a side salad was very fresh and kind of healthy, but for the cream cheese (and the bagel itself--I don't know why but all bagels are just jammed with a million calories). Solid coffeehouse. I would return. Hint: the couch at the front is the sweet spot, if you can nab it. read more

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This place has been on my list for awhile so I was excited to finally try it out. I was having a Sunday fun day in Pasadena so decided to check it out after walking to several other close by restaurants that had long lines for Sunday brunch. I entered this cafe and was surprised at how empty it was other than myself, my friend and a dad with a small toddler. I ordered a latte and bagel breakfast sandwich that came out to $30+. That's why this place was empty. Food was good but that's insane pricing. Nice service! read more

The place is very cute and the vibes were pretty cool as well. Food was alright and the matcha was disappointing sadly and I'm not very picky. The workers are not friendly at all :( read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Matcha Strawberry French Toast Breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

A lemon wedge in a lox bagel! WTF. I ordered the smoked salmon bagel. They were out of plain and only had the everything bagel. Fine. Got the bagel, and it was fine, until about halfway through, I take a bite and there is this incredibly bitter flavor. I take out a lemon wedge, rind and all, and walk over to the counter. I ask the guy at the counter if the sandwich is supposed to have an actual lemon wedge in there, and he looks super uncomfortable and says, "yeahhhhh..." like he wishes it wasn't supposed to be there. Why would anyone think that people would want to chew on lemon rinds as part of a smoked salmon sandwich??? read more

Amazing coffee shop in the city of Pasadena. Inside of the shop is an old nostalgic feel to it with plenty of seating inside. Food seemed a bit pricey for me but it does look good. Services was great was given recommendations based on my preferences. My drink was a perfect balance of tasty, sweet and a bit bitter. Definitely worth a visit and I will be back to try the other drinks. read more

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Cafe: A good spot to grab a coffee and take a walk around the neighborhood. The space is uniquely decorated and has a nice vibe. Parking: Metered parking is available, and there was also a sign pointing to additional parking in the alley. Food: Continental breakfast-style options. Nothing particularly outstanding, but decent for a light bite. Coffee: It was my first time trying a milk tea latte. The flavor actually grew on me the more I drank it. read more

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Nostalgic Cafe is a quaint sleepy cafe located just adjacent to old town Pasadena. Just like its name, inside is decorated with an array of eclectic furniture and decor. Staff was kind, service quick. Would recommend as a great spot to study since it was relatively quiet on a weekday afternoon with a nice ambiance and plenty of seating options. read more

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Cool vibe, but pricey. $50 for a coffee, tea, bagel sandwich, and avo toast. The staff weren't very friendly. They just say what you ordered over the sound of the espresso machine and get annoyed when you can't hear them. They seemed more interested in a photographer than paying guests. The food was good, but my wife's avocado "toast" wasn't even toasted, so it became soggy. Again, cool vibe but that's all this place has going for it... at least during our visit on a chill Sunday morning. Side note: the Wi-Fi password listed is incorrect. read more

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This is a cute place in the Old Town Pasadena area. There's not too much seating indoors, but there's a mix of couches/chairs with some tables. I walked in and was impressed by the variety of drinks offered. I personally got the Matcha Rose Latte. It was a little more expensive than I expected, but I still enjoyed the taste of my drink. The service was also pretty fast, and I got my drink within 5 minutes of ordering. I would come back and try more of their drinks. I can also easily imagine myself working from here one day. read more

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I had a lovely French toast breakfast sandwich with bacon. And also ordered an almond cwa-sant. -Spelled to pronounce as such. lol read more

Nostalgic Cafe - French toast with bacon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Overpriced is the first word that comes to mind. Let's start with the positives as there were some... the cafe was aesthetically pleasing. Cute decor all around. Great use of the space & quirky little knick knacks can be found all around. Onto the not so positive issues. The guy greeted us while making drinks but didn't offer any help until we asked for it. Only then did he say "I'll be right with you, just making some drinks." Yes, clearly... Ordered the BLT sandwich which came out to about $18. DEFINITELY not worth that much. It was the plainest BLT I've ever had. They did nothing to make it worth the price and the "salad" it came with were a few pieces of arugula with 2 pcs of cucumber. Not much of a salad. I understand that BLT in itself is a plain sandwich, so price it as such OR if you're gonna charge almost $20 bucks for it, make it worth it. Not very nostalgic with that price point. read more

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Relax and unwind in a quiet, peaceful setting in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, just a couple of blocks from Colorado Boulevard. Enjoy fresh breakfast sandwiches, bagel sandwiches, and drinks in a convenient location that's perfect for a calm and refreshing start to your day. read more

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I was walking past and decided to stop in to get a ube latte after a morning workout. It was a great pick me up! The space inside is so cozy and the old library feel. It's curated really well! The Ube latte came out pretty fast and the colors are stunning. Ube on the bottom and matcha on the top. The drink was smooth and had a strong flavor. On the sweeter side and very tasty overall! read more

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Came here on a day out with friends. There was only one person working, so it took a VERY long time to even be able to order. The food and the drinks we ordered were just ok. Nothing great. The shop is cute but small and not many places to sit. Not somewhere I would come back to. read more

Pretty little coffee shop. I ordered coffee and a pastry. The lady working the counter wasn't too big on conversation. But that's ok. Not too much to say. read more

Cute cozy and comfortable coffee and tea cafe with sandwiches, bagels, toasts and pastries. Great coffee including a Thai tea latte that I must try next time! Free WiFi. Super clean and cozy interiors. One of the cutest cafes in the area and lovely owners. Food and coffee is delish! Lots of cold and hot coffee and tea drink offerings. Please support LGBTQ+ friendly businesses too! Nearby public parking structure is first 90mins free. Couple of Outdoor tables for furry friends too! read more

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Horrible experience. Rude wait staff. How can you make a bad cup of tea. They managed somehow. Nice interior is VERY deceiving. Who would have thought that loud grunge/ punk music is the atmosphere they want in a place w Victorian Decor. When asked if the music could change. They both said said NO!!! How rude!!! read more

Cute little coffee shop in old town Pasadena with beautiful interior decor and furniture. They have caffeinated and non caffeinated beverages, pastries, breakfast items, and bottled beverages. I absolutely adore the decor and can see myself enjoying a drink and getting some work done here. read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I went Friday 9/11/26 the workers never smiled, never said hello or thank you. The very bored man said here you go when he handed me my change! Am I supposed to thank him or tell him " here you go"? The barista man working the counter was extremely rude. He waited to acknowledge me, never smiled, kept sighing, I had to repeat my order several times to him. He never listened to me. The music was loud and grunge rock. When a friend asked if the 2 employees could lower or change the music both men behind the counter yelled NO! Thats it just NO. Drinks are over priced. This place makes Starbucks seem like a deal and inexpensive. I will NEVER return. The tables and restroom were dirty. They have a lot competition in Pasadena but these 2 coworkers couldn't care less. read more

Pretty disappointed with this place. The worker taking my order was rude and dismissive of my allergy questions. The coffee was *incredibly* watered down and honestly tasted very bad. read more

I love the interior design of this cafe. It gives the nice cozy vibes. I ordered the matcha rose latte and it was pretty decent. I would come back to this cute cafe whenever I am in the area :) read more

Nostalgic Cafe is a quaint vintage-style coffee shop tucked away in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. This cafe creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the past as evidence by its light fixtures, aged wood furnitures and art decor. I think it is a blooming new addition to the Pasadena coffee scene, providing customers with a cozy space, a moment of peace and a delicious menu of coffee, breakfast, pastries, bagels and more! One can posit that the owners did due diligence on the decorations and layout of the coffee shop. We ventured to check-out this new cafe; we were perfunctorily greeted by a middle aged grey bearded male staff on the counter. I perused their modest menu. And I decided to procure a French toast x berries and a hot Levander Latte. The food was fresh, warm and delightful. Similarly, the hot latte was perfectly made to my liking. Service was on point. Staff were professional and competent. Atmosphere was relaxing. Indoor and outdoor seats were limited. Free wifi. Finding street Parking in the area is always challenging but plenty of parking lots. Overall, I enjoyed their latte and F/T breakfast. I will definitely come back and try other stuff. And I recommend this nostalgic cafe. read more

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Cute place, decent food and espresso drinks, good music no silverware, plastic utensils only in clear plastic sealed baggies (basically for take out) only one juice option (apple), The servers didn't actually serve. When my drink was ready I was called from my table to grab the drink from the counter and it was the same again when the food was ready. They have been open for business exactly a month so perhaps they are working out the hiccups. Look forward to coming back at some point doing a new review and hopefully leave a full five read more

A cute little cafe in Pasadena. I had Rosa coffee and it was quite tasty. The ambiance inside the cafe was very relaxing. I wouldn't mind spending a great sunny Sunday afternoon in this cafe. read more

A very cute coffee place with some good food choices. I don't think the seating is necessarily conducive for getting work done and it's really better suited to catching up with friends as opposed to a business meeting given the smallish inside and "living room" vibe and furnishings. Found street parking easily (get rid of your coins at those old Pasadena meters!). One small size for to go coffee that is pretty good. Definitely a neighborhood find. read more

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Very excited to try this cafe out, conveniently located next to the Courtyard Marriot in Pasadena and just a 5min walk from the center of Old Town Pasadena and a great stop when visiting the Armory Center of Arts right around the corner. The ambiance inside is very relaxing and cozy, lots of little spots to sit and have great conversations. Lots of great flavors for their drinks available including their Taro latte and the brown sugar latte was very good. Lots of people having brunch on a Sunday so will have to come back again to try. This shop is Asian owned and fits with a lot of the diverse small businesses in the area- love to support local when we can. read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Brown sugar cafe latte (very good!) and a hot chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

I want to bring everyone I know here now. Definitely worth searching parking for! Got the cold brew with a splash of oat milk while catching up on some work. Great, quiet spot to catch up with a friend, read, or do some work/homework. Service was great. Fun and comfy seating spots. Will come again! read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

The environment is very small, and the living conditions are a little old and beautiful. It is suitable for leisure. The boss is very nice. The location is very good. Turn around the subway and turn around the Courtyard Hotel. read more

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Update your website & Yelp. They no longer have breakfast. Just bagels and counter pastries. Disappointing. read more

Cozy. Was pretty empty on Tuesday afternoon. I really liked the seating and decorations around the cafe. They didn't have everything on the menu available when I was there. The Thai tea I got was ok. read more

I was looking for coffee shops in Pasadena that opened early, and Nostalgic Café was on the list, so I stopped in to grab some caffeine before hitting the gym. Not only is this place charming but the décor emits a warm, cozy vibe that welcomes you to stay for a while. I was enamored with the vintage furniture and fixtures. I felt like I was in someone's living room. This is a great spot to catch up with friends, get some work done, or just relax and enjoy the moment. In addition to coffee & tea, breakfast and lunch items are also available. I ordered a Caramel Latte ($5.95) and took in the ambience as I waited. I noticed they use Holy Kakow syrup, which I had not heard of. This Oregon based company produces organic syrups that are made by hand in 25-gallon batches. I can definitely say that these syrups make a difference. They are even better than Monin. I took a sip of my caramel latte, and it was the most delicious latte ever! The beans weren't over roasted, and the coffee flavor was not overwhelming. I could taste the caramel, but it wasn't too sweet. In fact, it was perfect because I typically drink my coffee black. Occasionally, I'll treat myself to a latte. I'm looking forward to going back and trying other menu options. *Street Parking and nearby parking lots. read more

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Place was so beautiful and one of a kind. Very peaceful and old theme. I ordered an avocado toast and it was delicious along with my vanilla ice coffee. Service was good as well, very welcoming and kind workers. read more

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What an unexpectedly cute gem of a café in Pasadena. Felt almost like falling nostalgically into one's own or grandma's living room. Comfi chairs, interior vintage items combined with enjoyable company and excellent coffee. Limited menu items but the salmon bagel was delicious. read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

The three danishes we bought were all stale and for the price they charged for three bagels (one having nothing but butter and the other having just cream cheese, the third was the ham bagel breakfast), it's absurd. The price was 60 dollars for our meal and left us widely unimpressed and didn't meet our expectations. However, I will give props because the ambiance was nice and the servers weren't rude or anything. The chocolate mocha was always very good. read more

We rented out the venue to host a private event and were very satisfied with the turnout. The rental was reasonably priced and included a dedicated barista with discounted beverages. The ambience was so charming and they let us decorate the space as well. It's perfect for a small event. The manager Preeya was very easy to talk to. Would definitely recommend! read more

Cute little cafe near old town Pasadena! We immediately loved the decor and felt like we were transported to an earlier time. Also loved all the plants they had in store. Ordered their salmon and breakfast bagels and they're pretty loaded! The salmon was def our fave. We also ordered their strawberry matcha and Ube matcha. We wish the Ube matcha looked like how it was advertised in the store as it looked layered, but when we got it, it looked like there was just a bit of Ube foam on top. read more

Probably won't come back. The cappuccino I got was like a Starbucks one, too much foam and was just a coffee with milk. Croissant was barely warmed up and saw the barista cut the toaster off early before finishing. Barista in the morning was barely audible and didn't really get much good service. The nostalgic part feels more forced than I'd like, but that's most shops I guess being antique for a vibe. The furniture and everything else was great and was generally charming. I definitely won't come back to try again. It looks better from the outside looking it. read more

Nostalgic Cafe has been on my list ever since I visited Mama M Sushi (right next door). There are sooo many small cafes in Pasadena to try, and I really enjoyed walking into Nostalgic Cafe. Whoever did the interior decor - props! Feels artsy and timeless, almost as if you're in an older movie set. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and I ordered my usual Iced Latte. It came without a lid and straw, though you could ask for them if needed - yay less plastic! The first sip? Pure nostalgia - for what I wished most lattes would boast, a nutty, subtle dark chocolate taste but neither bitter nor acidic, for what a good iced latte tastes like. Returning? Yes! Any time I'm nearby, this will be a regular visit for me. Parking may be a bit difficult, but thankfully the parking structures nearby have affordable parking for the first two hours, perfect for an afternoon break. The cafe is also well lit and COOL, perfect for those increasingly hot summer days. (And as a plus, they even have Wi-Fi!) read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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What a cute cafe located off the beaten path in Pasadena! I loved the decor and the warm feeling as soon as I walked in. I met the gorgeous Olivia here for an afternoon coffee and chat. We sat on the front comfy couch for 3 hours without being bothered. It was wonderful. I have never had a Taro Latte...I loved the frothy milk with swirls of purple. So pretty. And yes, delicious! (Thanks Amelia!) They also serve food here if you are hungry. The menu looked good. There is free internet, plenty of tables to hang out at with your laptop or chat with friends. Definitely coming back soon! *Metered parking *Pay Station parking near by *Some great shops near by worth checking out read more

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If you have never been to Nostalgic Cafe, you are missing out! I'm not entirely sure why this spot never popped up in my search for coffee shops in Pasadena before, but I'm so glad it finally did and I was able to give it a try. The cafe is super inviting - it really does give you a nostalgic feel of the 90's from the green desk light to all the upholstered chairs with so much character. This would be a fantastic spot to catch up with friends! Perhaps not so much to work, unless you can keep your laptop on your lap, as there aren't real desks for good working posture. As for food and beverages, I ordered the taro latte with a shot of espresso, oatmilk and half sweet. I loved it! The taro flavor was strong but not overpowering. Because it wasn't too sweet, I was able to drink most of it! I also had the thai tea with oatmilk, less sweet, cold - the tea flavor that reminds you of thai tea was strong, but it wasn't sweet like typical thai teas which was fantastic! I would highly recommend coming here to grab a drink and catch up with friends. I cannot wait to come back to try their milo drink and lavender latte! read more

Nostalgic Cafe - Taro Cafe Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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