When people think about great coffee in Southern California, Los Angeles often gets most of the attention. But just a short distance away, Pasadena has built a coffee scene of its own, with independent roasters, stylish cafés, neighborhood bakeries, and specialty coffee shops worth exploring.
Whether you’re looking for freshly roasted beans, a quiet place to work, a good brunch, or simply a great latte, Pasadena has plenty of options. From longtime local favorites to modern cafés, there is something for almost every coffee lover.
Here are 15 of the best coffee shops in Pasadena, California, to add to your list.
1. Jones Coffee Roasters
Address: 693 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Jones Coffee Roasters is one of Pasadena’s longtime coffee favorites. The local roaster offers a welcoming space where visitors can enjoy freshly prepared coffee while also picking up beans to brew at home.
Its in-house roasting operation is a major part of the experience, with a wide selection of blends and single-origin coffees available. The café also has indoor and outdoor seating, making it a comfortable place to meet friends or enjoy a quiet coffee break.
If fresh, locally roasted coffee is your priority, Jones is a natural place to start.
2. Coffee and Plants
Address: 62 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
If you enjoy coffee shops with a strong visual identity, Coffee and Plants offers a memorable experience. The café combines specialty coffee with a plant-filled, contemporary atmosphere.
The concept also puts an emphasis on sustainability and giving back, making it more than just a place to grab a drink. Its welcoming design makes it particularly appealing for anyone looking for a relaxing coffee stop in central Pasadena.
3. Philz Coffee
Address: 146 S Lake Ave #106, Pasadena, CA 91101
Philz Coffee is a convenient option for anyone who enjoys customized coffee and a relaxed café environment. The Pasadena location sits along South Lake Avenue, close to shopping and dining.
The menu includes handcrafted coffee and teas along with sweet and savory food options. One of Philz’s best-known drinks is the Mint Mojito, which combines coffee with refreshing mint flavors.
With early opening hours and order-ahead options, Philz is also useful for commuters, students, and anyone looking for an early caffeine fix.
4. Urth Caffé
Address: 594 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
Urth Caffé has grown from its Southern California roots into a recognizable café brand, but its Pasadena location remains a popular stop for coffee, tea, breakfast, and desserts.
Urth specializes in heirloom organic coffee and fine teas. Its menu also includes pastries, brunch dishes, and desserts, giving visitors plenty of choices beyond coffee.
If you enjoy a café with a larger menu and a comfortable atmosphere, Urth Caffé is worth checking out.
5. Dot’s Café & Bakery
Address: 3819 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
For coffee accompanied by pastries and desserts, Dot’s Café & Bakery is a neighborhood favorite. The café describes itself as a comfortable community spot offering coffee, tea, pastries, cupcakes, and a variety of breakfast and lunch options.
Its colorful and welcoming atmosphere makes it a good choice for a casual meal or coffee break. And if you have a sweet tooth, the bakery selection gives you plenty of reasons to stay for dessert.
Current hours: Monday–Sunday, 8 AM–6 PM.
6. Little Flower Candy Co.
Address: 1422 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
Little Flower Candy Co. combines a café, bakery, and candy kitchen in one charming neighborhood destination.
The café serves strong coffee alongside breakfast, lunch, pastries, and its famous handmade sweets. Its relaxed atmosphere, local artwork, and community feel make it a particularly inviting place to meet a friend or enjoy a slower morning.
If you’re visiting, don’t overlook the house-made candies and desserts that helped make Little Flower a Pasadena favorite.
The café is currently open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.
7. Copa Vida
Address: 70 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Located near Old Pasadena, Copa Vida is a stylish café known for specialty coffee, tea, and a menu that goes beyond drinks.
Its comfortable setting makes it suitable for everything from a quick coffee to a longer catch-up with friends. The location is also convenient if you’re exploring the shops, restaurants, and attractions around Old Pasadena.
For visitors who want coffee and food in the same place, Copa Vida is an easy addition to the list.
8. Amara Café
Address: 55 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Amara Café brings Venezuelan and South American flavors to Pasadena’s coffee scene. Alongside coffee and drinking chocolate, its menu includes breakfast, brunch, arepas, cachapas, empanadas, sandwiches, churros, and other desserts.
One of its standout drinks is the Caracas Latte, while the café’s churros and other desserts make it especially appealing for anyone who likes pairing coffee with something sweet.
Amara is a good choice when you want a full meal rather than simply a cup of coffee.
9. Blue Bottle Coffee
Address: 18 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Blue Bottle Coffee brings its specialty coffee approach to Old Pasadena. The café is known for carefully prepared coffee and a focus on freshness and flavor.
The Pasadena location provides a relaxed setting for enjoying espresso drinks, brewed coffee, and pastries. Its location also makes it convenient for visitors exploring Old Pasadena on foot.
For fans of specialty coffee and minimalist café environments, Blue Bottle is worth a stop.
10. CAR Artisan Chocolate Manufactory & Café
Address: 1009 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
Coffee and chocolate make a natural combination, and CAR Artisan Chocolate Manufactory & Café takes that pairing seriously.
The Pasadena café combines coffee and freshly baked pastries with CAR’s handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate. The bakery is particularly known for its chocolate croissants, while the chocolate menu includes bars made from cacao sourced from different regions.
It is an especially good choice if you’re looking for something beyond a traditional coffee shop.
11. Carrara’s
Address: 75 W Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91103
For an Italian-inspired coffee and dessert experience, Carrara’s is another option to consider.
The café and bakery offers classic Italian-style drinks and desserts, making it a good destination for espresso, cappuccino, gelato, tiramisu, and cannoli.
It is particularly appealing if you want to combine your coffee stop with something sweet and distinctly Italian.
12. Highlight Coffee
Address: 2071 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
Highlight Coffee brings a more colorful and creative personality to Pasadena’s coffee scene. The café is known for locally roasted coffee and an artistic atmosphere that reflects the surrounding community.
Its menu includes classic coffee drinks as well as more unusual combinations. The relaxed environment also makes it a nice place to meet friends or take a break while exploring the area.
For coffee lovers who prefer something a little different from the traditional café experience, Highlight Coffee is worth adding to the list.
13. Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters
Address: 260 N Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
If freshly roasted coffee is what you’re after, Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters deserves a visit.
The Pasadena coffee shop has been roasting small-batch coffee since 2006, with its beans roasted in-house five days a week. Visitors can enjoy freshly prepared coffee in the café or purchase beans to take home.
The shop also offers pastries and a relaxed environment that works well for catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee.
Current hours: Monday–Friday, 7 AM–2 PM; Saturday, 8 AM–2 PM; closed Sunday.
14. Republik Coffee
Address: 854 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Republik Coffee combines specialty coffee with an all-day café experience. Its Pasadena location serves handcrafted coffee, cold brews, breakfast dishes, salads, desserts, and other food options.
The café’s focus on community and comfortable design gives it a welcoming atmosphere, while its outdoor patio provides another option for enjoying your drink.
Republik is open daily from 7 AM to 6 PM, making it convenient for both morning coffee and an afternoon break.
15. Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar
Address: 1383 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
Rounding out the list is Lavender & Honey, a boutique coffee bar and deli that has served the Pasadena community since 2014.
The café offers espresso drinks alongside tea, lemonade, sandwiches, and other food options. Its warm, minimalist design creates a comfortable setting for a morning coffee or afternoon break.
If you’re exploring the northern part of Pasadena and want a local café rather than a major chain, Lavender & Honey is a great place to consider.
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Pasadena’s coffee scene offers much more than a quick caffeine fix. From local roasters like Jones Coffee Roasters and Jameson Brown to cafés such as Amara, Little Flower, and CAR that combine coffee with distinctive food and desserts, there is plenty of variety to explore.
Whether you’re searching for specialty coffee, a cozy neighborhood café, a place to work, or somewhere to enjoy brunch with your drink, these 15 Pasadena coffee shops provide a great starting point for discovering the city’s café culture.
And with so many independent coffee shops around Pasadena, there is always another cup waiting to be discovered.