Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Nostalgic Cafe

    4.0 (113 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Nostalgic Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    NOSTALGIC CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Nostalgic Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Matcha Strawberry French Toast Breakfast
    Arturo R.

    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 :(

    Madi S.

    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.

    Nice coffee station
    Panissra N.

    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.

    Kristine H.

    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.

    Madison W.

    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.

    Exterior
    Peter D.

    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.

    BLT not worth $18...
    Rana R.

    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.

    Matcha Ube latte
    Thuy Dan T.

    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!

    Dave H.

    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!

    Inside
    Helen L.

    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.

    Welcome to Nostagic Cafe. #pasadena #hollyst
    Carl N.

    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.

    Brown sugar cafe latte (very good!) and a hot chocolate
    Flo M.

    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.

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Zip S.
    80
    28
    23

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Panissra N.
    783
    17
    166

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rana R.
    178
    621
    1643

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 14
    Love this 30
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave H.
    4981
    1014
    11392

    1 year ago

    Helpful 29
    Thanks 11
    Love this 27
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of 胜
    0
    1
    15

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Supachai P.

    Supachai P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 44
    Thanks 13
    Love this 50
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of CJ L.
    179
    17
    16

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 55
    Thanks 20
    Love this 51
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sally C.
    15
    164
    70

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Nostalgic Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nostalgic Cafe

    You might also consider

    Millie's Cafe - Pasadena

    Millie's Cafe - Pasadena

    4.1
    (2.6k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    highly recommend joining waitlist prior to getting there. great street parking- high curbs be…read moremindful of your step. lots of shady areas and other stores to go into while you wait. great menu with options for everyone. the drinks are great. staff are friendly. they work hard on turning tables to keep the line moving quickly. people are sat close together though which can be disruptive when needing to get up or sit down at the table. will definitely come back to try other menu items.

    8/3/26 Decent service, good food, mom n pop type of feel & ambiance in the heart of Pasadena…read more Indoor & outdoor seating available, dine-in & to-gos. Parking, street, free. Had this bookmarked & noticed that a few Yelp Friends have left their reviews on here. It looks like that hometown feel type of shop but the experience today was NOT that. Service was polite but not quite that welcoming that you would feel at a mom n pops shop. It's too bad coz if it were, we would frequent this diner/cafe. Most places that we're regulars at, we feel valued as patrons and are welcomed like family. I find less and less places have this kind of atmosphere. We ordered breakfast staples; Hubby ordered a machaca combo with flour tortillas & black beans, I opted for the (2 large!) banana walnut pancakes combo with chicken apple sausage, potatoes & over medium eggs. Our food arrived timely, hot and good presentation. Hubby said the machaca was decent because having had his fair share of machaca, these passed. My pancakes were huge! Flavor was good, as the banana slices & walnuts were cooked in, not just placed on top like most places. Macadamias would've been a better pairing though. The chicken apple sausage was flavorful & eggs were cooked as requested. Noise level was somewhat loud with all the clanging as tables were cleaned/bussed around us. Overall a decent experience for our first time visit, as mentioned, if the service was more thoughtful & welcoming, it would've made the difference from a 3 star to perhaps a 4 or a 5 star. Food for thought.

    Photos
    Irish Egg Benedict and slutty bun
    Irish Egg Benedict and slutty bun
    Chocolate chip pancakes and chilaquiles Benedict
    Chocolate chip pancakes and chilaquiles Benedict
    Country fried steak, Devil's mess, Chilaquiles Benedict and strawberry banana. @bunbaosibs

    See all

    Country fried steak, Devil's mess, Chilaquiles Benedict and strawberry banana. @bunbaosibs
    Copa Vida

    Copa Vida

    4.1
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I feel like it's rare nowadays to find a coffee shop that has actually good coffee + good seating…read more Copa Vida is a classic and for good reason! They have 2 units' worth of seating space so order at the counter and just find a space to sit. They'll call your name for you to pickup unless you order a food item. Americano ($4)-- Good espresso! It wasn't mine so not much to mention haha Latte ($5.5)-- Super smooth, good ratio of espresso to milk! It was just such a good classic latte. Not too milky and espresso was good not burnt/crazy acidic or anything. Mocha ($6.5)-- The mocha is real dark chocolate vs something like Hershey's syrup. You can definitely taste the difference! Good ratio of espresso and milk and I liked the dark chocolate! But if you're used to super sweet mochas then this isn't for you! Pretty reasonable prices for Pasadena no? Or am I just used to everything being expensive. But here the vibes are really nice. They have WiFi and outlets too so lots of people had a wfh set up. There's just so much seating and enough space in between where it doesn't feel cramped.

    It had been a long time probably before COVID since my last visit to Copa Vida. I recently met up…read morewith couple friends for Sunday brunch and was surprised to see they've expanded into the space next door. The place was packed, and we were lucky enough to grab the last available table. I ordered the stacked pancake breakfast along with an iced matcha latte, which was refreshing after a workout class nearby. My husband chose the brisket lunch burrito. Our food took quite a while to arrive, close to 30 mins! But the staff was very apologetic and even brought us a complimentary muffin while we waited. The pancakes were light, fluffy, and delicious. I swapped the bacon for tofu, and it made for a satisfying breakfast. However, my husband wasn't as impressed with his brisket burrito, saying it was a bit dry. Based on this visit, I'd recommend sticking with the breakfast items, pastries, and of course, the coffee. Copa Vida still makes a great cup of coffee!

    Photos
    Copa Vida
    Croque Madame
    Croque Madame
    Copa Vida

    See all

    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    4.5
    (2.2k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    Was in Pasadena the other day, and had not eaten yet, so decided to go by Nick's, since I had never…read morebeen, and try a few of the items that sounded tasty on the menu. Made a reservation about an hour before, so when we got there we were seated immediately. After a quick glance at the drink menu, had to get the Mai Tai with lilikoi foam on top. So delicious. Had my first lilikoi foam in Maui and I love that I'm starting to see it around Los Angeles now. Adds such a punch of flavor to an after we balanced drink. For food, we started with the bacon deviled eggs and shrimp taquitos. Those deviled eggs were lightly fried, which was different, then had apple wood smoked bacon on top, just a really tasty bite. The shrimp taquitos were also not what you would expect, nice and light but still very good. Entrees we went with the center cut fillet and the prime rib dip with swiss cheese on a brioche bun. That sandwich just melts if your mouth after dipping it in the jous, and the cheese was the perfect accompiament. The fillet was cooked perfect as well, coming out medium rare. Overall, great restaurant in Pasadena. Definitely get the Mai Tai, Devine eggs and prime rib dip. Taquitos were good and, if you're feeling like another hg er appetizer, definitely a way to go . The fillet, also great but I feel you can get it anywhere.

    If you are looking for a reliable spot primarily for a great atmosphere, this traditional American…read morerestaurant fits the bill. ​The food is fairly decent overall, though it delivers a very typical American menu experience. The offerings rarely change, and while reliable, there is nothing truly extraordinary or memorable standing out in the flavor profile. ​Ambiance: The atmosphere is the main draw here. It is comfortable and inviting, making it a great backdrop for a casual outing. ​Service: The service is a bright spot--friendly, attentive, and consistently good. ​Overall, it is a pleasant, dependable neighborhood restaurant that is worth visiting for the vibe and good service, even if the menu keeps things safe and familiar.

    Photos
    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Nick's South Lake Avenue
    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    See all

    Oh La La

    Oh La La

    3.7
    (612 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I stopped by Oh La La in Pasadena for coffee and pastries, and I have to say I was genuinely…read moreimpressed with their coffee program. We didn't have any of the brunch dishes this visit--we specifically came for the coffee and pastries--but after this experience, we'll definitely be coming back to try the food next time. The cortado was made with Boxx Coffee Roasters beans, and after chatting with the barista, I learned they also have a dedicated water filtration system specifically for their coffee. That level of attention to detail isn't something you expect from every brunch café, and it definitely showed in the final cup. The cortado was well executed. The milk was smoothly integrated with the espresso, creating a balanced body that held together throughout the drink instead of separating after a few sips. It was served in the proper glass with clean presentation and solid latte art. The temperature was slightly hotter than my personal preference, which is understandable in a brunch setting, but overall it was a great cortado and far better than what many brunch cafés serve. The pain au chocolat was outstanding as well and a perfect pairing with the cortado. The service made the visit even better. Our server, Michael (aka Bev), was welcoming, attentive, and provided excellent service from start to finish. I also had the chance to compliment the barista on the cortado. Although I didn't get her name, she was very kind, took a few minutes to explain their coffee program, and shared that they use Boxx Coffee beans along with a dedicated water system to ensure the cleanest possible cup. It's always nice to meet people who genuinely care about what they're serving. Overall, Oh La La exceeded my expectations. It's refreshing to find a brunch café that puts this much effort into its coffee program while also serving great pastries. I'll definitely be back--next time for the food as well.

    My friend and I were quite disappointed. The ambience is gorgeous, and the staff was nice…read more However, service was extremely slow and inattentive, they were out of all bowls at 11AM, and the meals were overpriced. I know that food is super expensive these days, but it was too much for what it was. The jambon beurre was not traditional; the baguette was so thick and wide, which overpowered the ham and cheese. The chicken club was nothing to write home about. On the plus side, the pastries were fantastic. I even tolerated the raisins so I could devour the orange wheel croissant. Monkey bread was perfect, not too sweet.

    Photos
    Beautiful ambiance of OHLALA
    Beautiful ambiance of OHLALA
    Chocolate Almond Croissant
    Chocolate Almond Croissant
    Peach n cream

    See all

    Peach n cream
    The Reyn

    The Reyn

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Great simple diner! Service is very friendly and fast, solid food all around, and a buzzing…read moreatmosphere. Putting into my rotation of local spots for breakfast. Get a side of banana bread to go.

    The Reyn is a popular breakfast spot in Pasadena and a place I still visit from time to time,…read moreusually when meeting friends or colleagues. Despite its popularity, I find the food to be fairly average. Much of it tastes like it's made from standard commercial food-service ingredients rather than prepared fresh. On the positive side, the prices are reasonable, the dining room has a pleasant atmosphere, and the staff is generally attentive. Overall, it's a decent neighborhood breakfast restaurant - nothing particularly memorable, but nothing especially disappointing either. The Reyn Special - 3/5. A classic breakfast plate with eggs, bacon, hash browns, and banana bread. The eggs and bacon are fairly average, although the bacon tends to be overcooked and dry. The standout is the hash browns. They're cooked with a nicely browned, crispy crust while still remaining fairly moist inside. The real highlight, however, is the banana bread. It tastes homemade and is easily the best item on the plate. Crepes - 1/5. This dish comes as two separate plates: one with the ricotta-filled crepes and another with eggs, sausage, bacon, and your choice of fries or tater tots. Unfortunately, the crepes are the weakest part of the meal. The ricotta-filled crepes don't taste freshly made and instead resemble a pre-made food-service product that's simply reheated before serving. Both the crepe and ricotta filling have a generic flavor with noticeable artificial notes. You can choose either banana or strawberry topping, but both sauces taste overly processed and artificial. The accompanying breakfast plate is noticeably better. I chose the tater tots, which were well prepared - crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside. The bacon, however, was again overcooked and dry, making it tough to chew. The sausage was acceptable but unremarkable. Scrambled Supreme - 2.5/5. Despite the name, this is essentially an omelet. The eggs have a mild, neutral flavor, and the fillings are okay but don't stand out. Coffee - 2/5. The coffee is classic diner coffee in every sense. It's somewhat watery, heavily roasted, and finishes with a flat, slightly bitter aftertaste. It's neither particularly good nor particularly bad - just standard coffee that does the job. Overall, The Reyn succeeds as a comfortable, affordable breakfast spot with a pleasant atmosphere and friendly service. While the food is average, and several dishes rely on ingredients that taste commercially prepared rather than freshly made.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    French toast with the Leo's breakfast
    French toast with the Leo's breakfast
    Sour dough toast

    See all

    Sour dough toast
    Bone Kettle

    Bone Kettle

    4.1
    (2.9k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    I decided to come here for a birthday celebration and ooo la la the ambiance really set the mood…read more Service was spectacularrr. I appreciated our server for constantly checking in. Now, let's get to the important part- the FOOD! -Garlic Prawns: 5/5 WOW chef's kiss. I got this because of all the positive reviews I saw on Yelp. I love love love how they left the shrimp's skin in the dish, where you could eat them like chips! They were not hard at all...and perfectly crisped! -Thai Steak Salad: 5/5 the steak MELTS in your mouth and was not chewy at all. I'm not sure how they were able to make the steak so soft and delicious. -Crying Tiger Lambchops: 5/5 I'm not a fan of lamb, but these lamb chop were deliciouso!! The sauced up lettuce side that it came with, complimented the lamb really well. -Nasi Goreng w/ Wagyu Ribeye Cap: 4/5 This Indonesian fried rice was good, but the Wagyu meat kind of tasted a bit odd, but maybe that's just me because my bf loved it. -Singaporean Chili Lobster: 3.5/5 I wasn't really a fan of this since the based flavor had such a strong tomato/ketchup taste... When I made the reservation, I politely requested if there was a way for them to make the bday celebration special, and I'm glad I wrote that because at the end of our meal, our server brought out a Pandan Crème Brulee: 5/5 !!! It was very delicious that we devoured it all! Overall I will def be back to try the oxtail dumplings that I saw people constantly ordering. Note, there is a 20% tip charge that automatically gets added to your check!

    The food is pretty good and definitely unique compared to what is typically found in the SGV area…read more It's a mix of different southeast Asian cuisines together, with a Western twist. Portion sizes are great, and definitely filling. Service is a bit slow, and the food does take a while to come out.

    Photos
    Bone Kettle, reservations highly recommended, indoor and outdoor dining available
    Bone Kettle, reservations highly recommended, indoor and outdoor dining available
    Loco Moco w/ Garlic Rice, available only at weekend brunch
    Loco Moco w/ Garlic Rice, available only at weekend brunch
    36 hour Bone Kettle bone broth w/ Top Sirloin & noodles, 100% organic beef broth

    See all

    36 hour Bone Kettle bone broth w/ Top Sirloin & noodles, 100% organic beef broth

    Nostalgic Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...