Great ambiance for either working or having a lazy afternoon with your friends. Love that they have vegan pastry options.

Very nice employees, the vibe in here is great and there's an upstairs seating area that's super cute

This was such a satisfying impromptu coffee experience. My friend and I drove in from San Diego for Masters of Taste at the Rose Bowl, had some extra time and decided to grab coffee and picked this place based on it having the highest yelp rating for coffee in the area. The place is small and intimate downstairs but also has an upstairs seating area. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked in and they had a live cello player performing ! Customer service was also really good considering it was crowded. We ordered the affogato and the banana date latte. Both which were beyond phenomenal and we are coffee snobs. The banana date latte was giving very much smoothie vibes so not a strong coffee presence and very banana forward and well, I was in LOVE. The affogato was really good because the espresso was strong and had good flavor. 10/10 recommend and will be back when I am in the area. They also sale ice cream which we didn't try but is supposed to be good so if the coffee is any indication of how the ice cream will be, I think it's worth a try. read more

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I grabbed breakfast at this cozy cafe when I was last on a trip to Pasadena. It's in a charming part of town with a big tree out front. The coffee was hot and delicious and I got a big slice of lemon pistachio cake. What a combination. It was so rich that I couldn't eat the whole thing, but in a good way. If I lived locally, I would love that upstairs coffee/reading nook. read more

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I've been going to Criterion Coffee almost every day, and it has become one of my favorite places. The quality of the food and ingredients is really noticeable -- everything tastes fresh and well made. I especially love their pancakes. They are soft, flavorful, and clearly made with good ingredients. You can tell the kitchen pays attention to quality and preparation. The coffee is also very good and pairs perfectly with breakfast. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, which makes it a great place to start the day. Service is nice always. Overall, it's a spot I keep coming back to because the food, coffee, and quality are consistently great. read more

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Came for a quick brunch and the spot if very cute! A homey cafe with two seater style tables and even some upstairs seating it looked like. Plus some cute outdoor seating too. I got the Dubai latte hot and the healthy wealthy plate. The Dubai latte tasted like a regular latter with crushed pistachios on top so I wished the chocolate/nutty flavor came through more, but this flavor might have been better cold instead. At $9 with an oat milk substitution, this was pricey to me. The healthy wealthy plate came with eggs, salmon, avocado, waffle, and a side salad. A solid breakfast but at $19.50, still felt a little much with half the plate being the side salad. Tasted healthy though! read more

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Criterion Coffee is a delightful spot in Pasadena. Today, I had the avaocado spinach smoothie, which had a creamy and thick texture. I wasn't a huge fan of the flavor, and felt it was missing something. However, I came once before and enjoyed the hot matcha latte! Calming, modern decor with a second floor with more seating, though it seemed pretty packed. Service was excellent and I'd come again to try more of their speciality lattes. read more

Criterion coffee - Avocado Spinach Smoothie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Wow, just Wow! I recently tried this place with a girlfriend and we ordered a chia tea, pistachio latte and a coconut tart and everything was tasty. They have a variety of milk options for those who need it and some gluten free options. I seriously dream of the coconut tart. It was the perfect blend of creamy and sweetness along with the crust being soft. The coffee was amazing, great pistachio taste but I would have loved if they added crushed pieces, I felt that would have put it over the top. My friend loved her tea Chai and then have an upper and lower seating level. Service was exceptional, cozy feeling but bright and airy at the same time. I genuinely don't like coming to Pasadena but I will for this place. read more

Criterion coffee - Downstairs seating area with the coconut tart and pistachio coffee. Try it and you'll love it! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

First time trying Criterion Coffee today and so glad that I discovered this gem in Pasadena! They have your traditional coffees, and also a list of autumn/winter specialty drinks. They also had lots of food options but a bit on the pricier side. I loved their interior seating, it is so beautiful and felt so cozy. They have a couple tables outside as well. Although there was only one person working at the front, service was really quick. I got a hot pistachio vanilla latte. It was the perfect sweetness and earthiness. The pistachio and vanilla complemented each other very well. My only complaint is there's limited parking and all of it is metered. I look forward to getting some work done here one day! P.S.~write a yelp review and you'll get a free drip coffee, croissant, or cookie for same day redemption :) read more

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Best coffee I've had in Pasadena. This is also the only coffee I've had in Pasadena. All the workers were very nice and there was plenty of seating inside. read more

Good space for study and work in Pasadena! The drink was great and the people are nice and cool! read more

Criterion coffee - It was good space for sitting and study!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Criterion Bakery has become our go to café and truly one of our favorite places. For over a month now, it's been our weekend ritual, the perfect treat my partner and I share. Live jazz, beautiful energy, incredible service, and owners who are genuinely kind and present. It feels special every time. The husband and wife owners have created something truly meaningful here. From inviting the community in for a holiday weekend filled with music and giveaways, to simply showing up with warmth day after day, their care is felt in every detail. Our favorites never change, the avocado egg sandwich and a slice of the owner's homemade mandarin walnut cake, which is absolutely wonderful. We even brought family here on Christmas Day after being told they'd be open, only to arrive and see their door glass boarded up. Learning they had been victims of a burglary was heartbreaking. And yet, despite everything, despite exhaustion and personal loss of rest and time with family, they still showed up to serve their community. This goes far beyond business. It speaks to who they are. Criterion is warmth, home, resilience, and generosity, paired with excellent food and drinks. If there are awards to be given for heart, community, and commitment, I hope they receive every single one. Support them! read more

Criterion coffee - Heaven! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place has not disappointed me; always friendly service staff and creative baked goods and drinks! They are clean, organized and provide a cool and comfortable experience for all! read more

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Tried the pistachio latte. Very well balanced on sweetness, milk, and coffee. The pistachio cream was very pleasant but too thick to actually pick up through the straw. I personally really enjoyed it and would come back. Parking is hit or miss since it's downtown pasadena. Had a handful of seats for people to study/work. 4.5/5 read more

Criterion coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Solid coffee and food. The cappuccino was strong and the service is very friendly! It's a quiet location good for working on your laptop. My breakfast sandwich was just okay. It could use some seasoning on the eggs and an aoli or sauce. But the croissant was AMAZING! read more

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I geeked over the interior of this place a bit. After months of wanting to try Criterion, I finally went today. There is ample indoor and outdoor seating and a stunning interior to go along with it- even the restroom tiles were cool I love that there's a more secluded section to sit upstairs in case you need some extra peace. I ordered a pistachio vanilla latte and grabbed a strawberry white chocolate chip cookie as well. The cookie was good. I loved the latte. It was the perfect texture & the flavors blend together nicely. The baristas are really friendly and gave great recommendations. One thing that stood out to me here was that they have so many different flavor combinations, whether seasonal or permanent menu items. I would love to see more options like this at other third wave coffee shops! Criterion Coffee is a 10/10 spot. I will be back (: read more

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Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is one of the best. Extreme euphoria rammed hard into me as the urge to scream words of joy filled me. Tears of immense happiness trickled down as I continued to sip. I ordered the Pistachio Vanilla Late ($7.50 - Whole Milk - Iced). "ThAt's GoOD!!! aHhH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I visited Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) on Thursday (around 1:14PM). The business is located in Old Town Pasadena; the parking situation is very bad. Expect to pay money for parking (ex: Meter Parking, Paid Parking Structures). Many Meter Parking Spots have maximum time limits of one or two hours, so splurge on a Paid Parking Structure if deciding to spend a lot of time at Criterion Coffee (Pasadena). Eventually, I found parking at Pasadena City Hall. It's a leisurely six minute walk to Criterion Coffee (Pasadena). I paid $1.25 per hour; meters accept coins or card. This is enforced from 7AM to 5PM. Service is immaculate at Criterion Coffee (Pasadena). Staff (receipt says Solara) is professional, knowledgeable, and very accommodating. All Staff carried a cheerful smile, and Staff worked nonstop. When Solara carried the completed drink to my table, two minutes and 46 seconds had passed. Very quick! As mentioned, I absolutely adored the Pistachio Vanilla Late ($7.50 - Whole Milk - Iced). It's functional and flavorful. I greedily grabbed onto its caffeine embrace. I felt awake. With sips, I let the flavor of fresh pistachio whisk me away on a journey. The coffee is not overly sweet nor bitter. It's not overly milky nor acidic. Its chill, bright liquid flowed like silk. It's just... pistachio. This existence is embedded in the coffee, whereas there's no distracting artificial masking. I absolutely gushed how they built upon the coffee's flavor On ambiance, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is exceptional. The location is very clean, well-ventilated, and functional. This business efficiently uses its space. The ground floor's interior contains eight tables, and there's two small outside tables. There's about six electrical outlets embedded into the long, vibrant couch. If you walk upstairs, the above floor contains six small tables. I happily noticed the big electrical adapters on each socket. There are many spots to plug! Customer internet with password is available; customers need to speak with staff for the information. The music is soft, smooth, and soothing. In addition, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) has two chess sets (each on different floors). The ground floor has a self-serve water station. Near the back, there's a gender-neutral restroom. On the above floor, there's also a tiny stack of books and magazines. I also love how Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) felt extremely clean despite the many items, furniture, and ornaments. The colors were very vibrant. I even shared a small laugh when I saw the fake bookshelves upstairs. All in all, it felt like a sparkling, upscale cafe. There's magic here. If I were to nitpick, the menus were poorly maintained and sticky. Overall, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is one of the best. The Pistachio Vanilla Late ($7.50 - Whole Milk - Iced) is extremely delicious. I'm ecstatic the hype is real. The care and effort put into this establishment is very visible. Horrible parking aside, Criterion Coffee (Pasadena) is a must-try. 5 out of 5 - "GO!!" read more

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Food and service was amazing. I wish I found this place sooner. Parking was easy to find on the street. read more

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I decided to come here and meet up with a friend. The ambiance is so cute and is totally up for working from here. There is plenty of space and an upstairs. I ended up ordering a pumpkin spice latte with less sweetness and the pistachio loaf. The latte was perfect and not too sweet. The loaf was great and had plenty of pistachio. I definitely want to come back and try other drinks and treats. The service was stellar and she was so patient while I decided. You order first and then go to a table. I was brought my items and it did not take long. I really appreciate this place. read more

Criterion coffee - Pumpkin spice latte and pistachio loaf - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

This spot is cute! There's an upstairs area that looked pretty cozy. Service was good, and my salmon wrap was delicious. The smoothie was tart but in a good way, and very refreshing. Knocked off a star because it's quite expensive, and for that price, I wish my wrap came with at least a side salad or something. read more

Criterion coffee - Salmon Wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Criterion Coffee Mission Statement: Ignite Your Daily Adventure With A Cup Of Criterion Coffee. At Criterion Coffee, We Do More Than Just Serve Coffee - We Create A Cozy Environment For Friends, Family, And Coffee Lovers. We Collaborate With Unincorporated Coffee Roasters To Deliver The Highest Quality Coffee To Your Cup. Our Café Reinvents Classic Techniques And Adds A Modern Twist To Staple Breakfast Dishes. We Use Organic And Fresh Ingredients To Craft Exceptional Pastries, Sandwiches, And Salads. Each Product Is Freshly Made From Scratch Every Single Day. Criterion Motto: Meet the Criterion. Promotion: Write a review, get a free cup of drip for free. Didn't see this promo before purchasing out drinks, but it does exist. Pastry and Bread Program: Pastries are made in-house and breads come from bread lounge. Location/Parking: Located where Home Brew use to be at. Meter parking is available or you can find nearby parking structures to park at. Ambiance/Decor: Love the ambiance and the modern decor. So inviting. There's also a second level that can be used to do some work or catch up with your friends. Entertainment: They have couple of communal chess boards to play with and some books/newspapers to look at. Service: Service was great. The baristas were friendly, attentive, and quite informative about the shop. Drinks didn't really take long to come out. Drink Of Choice: Drip Coffee ($5) is quite solid. Not acidic at all. It's a bity pricier than other coffee shop, but that's alright. Criterion For Thought: Would definitely like to patronize the shop again to try more things on their menu. read more

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Ok I am obsessed with this coffee place. It's so cozy! The upstairs area is my favorite. Just be careful because the stairs are kind of steep. There are plenty of outlets everywhere. Maybe like 10-15 tables, so it can fill up quickly in the morning. But such a nice place to just chat with a friend or get some work done. Food here is top notch. I got the avocado egg wrap last time and it was delicious. Loved the lemony flavor, and felt so healthy cause almost everything was green. They have a big menu so be warned if you have decision overwhelm. I can't speak to their coffee but the tea was lovely. The employees are all lovely and super helpful. Like I literally have no complaints about this place. So cute! read more

Criterion coffee - Avocado Egg Wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This spot is very adorable located in Old Town Pasadena off of Arroyo Parkway. You can find street parking but if you can't you can find free 90 minute parking at a parking structure nearby. I ordered the Iced Dubai Chocolate Latte & the Spinach & Cheese Pastry. Visually, this drink was stunning. I love the layers with the chocolate drizzle and the pop of green at the bottom. The top was sprinkled with a nice crunch which was a nice added texture. The latte was light, smooth, and refreshing without being overly sweet. The pastry was delicious but a little overly hard on the edges. The service was fast, and the staff were very nice. What a great spot! They have have outdoor and indoor seating, and more seating upstairs as well. read more

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Walked in here by chance, and fell in love with it. Great ambience. Awesome music. Coffee is great. Pastries are even better. Service is fast. There is an upstairs and downstairs seating area. Will definitely be back! read more

The strawberry matcha (almond milk / half sweet) is what I needed to get my paper done. This place will be added to my STUDY GO TO. I appreciated that there were plenty of tables and outlets (definitely intentional in providing power strips). For a midday Monday morning, majority of the tables were occupied in the bottom. I appreciated that they had a whole upstairs for added tables and quiet. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Will definitely come back and maybe treat myself to a baked good or ice cream! read more

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Having gone through previous owners, but nothing compares to its most recent redesign! Criterion falls nothing short of it name: the service is attentive and go the extra two cents to make your experience comfortable. Then,there's the coffee -- delicious : p Pair it with a pastry and you're celebrating something special. I went on a Saturday morning and there was live Jazz and what a great vibe to complete the experience. Criterion exceeds the standard-- thank you! read more

Criterion coffee - Menú - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Drinks: Iced Dubai Chocolate Latte was superb with the crunchy texture from the Dubai Chocolate in the coffee Service: friendly service with everything made-to-order Design: interiors has an Old Town Pasadena vibe with the brick wall, black chairs/shelves, coffered panel ceilings, and an upstairs sitting area Overall: if you want great coffee/espresso & tea drinks in an off-the-beaten path small business owner coffee shop near Old Town Pasadena, then check out this spot read more

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Cute little two story cafe that has WiFi, great seats, good food, charging ports, and a big selection of freshly made in house pastries. Everything in the pastry case is made by the owners according to the girl taking our order- some of it looks really decadent. We had the mushroom brie toast and it was very yummy and appreciated the blackberry halves detail on the toast- it's the little things! Decent music, the playlist/ speakers had some crackling breaks consistently through the 2-ish hrs we were there for and it was somewhat disruptive to work flow if you aren't wearing headphones. Ok coffee, kinda syrupy not that strong cold brew that comes off more of an iced coffee. Ok parking, parking lot that's hit or miss, street parking, or walk a couple blocks for the underground parking lots. read more

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Delicious cortado a ricotta filled crepe. It was not as sweet as I expected so I asked for a side of maple syrup and it was delicious. It was a perfect place for Sunday breakfast, I was able to get work done and sit in main room(first floor). They also have a loft on top. I enjoyed my time, service was great. read more

Criterion coffee - Ricotta filled crepe with cortado. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Stopped by to have coffee while in the area. A really cute and cozy coffee shop with indoor seating and very few tables outside. It's two stories so you can even sit upstairs. Customer service was friendly. I ordered a cappuccino and enjoyed it much. I also ordered a bagel with lox that was around $20. So pricey I would say and the bagel wasn't fresh at all. Overall the ambiance was great and I enjoyed my few minutes here at Criterion coffee read more

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Super cute coffee shop by downtown Pasadena! The decor was both cozy and spacious with wifi, a nice spot for a coffee date or studying. Bonus that they close later than many coffee shops. The barista kindly checked whether there was dairy in the gluten free chocolate cake (just eggs), and it was yummy. Would come back! read more

Criterion coffee - GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE - CAKE SLICE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Nice atmosphere and good drinks. The staff at the counter, who might have been the owner was very nice and friendly. She suggested the banana date latte. We also got the iced pistachio vanilla latte and matcha latte. We all thought that the pistachio vanilla was the best. I think the matcha flavor was weaker than how I prefer it. The atmosphere was very chill and relaxing. About 7 small tables on the bottom floor and some seating also in the loft. Overall satisfied with the drinks, service and atmosphere. read more

Criterion coffee - Matcha latte, Pistachio Vanilla Latte and Banana Date Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Wow! The food at this cafe is really delicious! I did not expect a "coffee" place to have such good food but it was really flavorful and filling. I ordered the criterion omelet and it hit the spot! The omelet itself was fluffy, the pastrami thick, flavorful and not too salty. It also came with a side of well-dressed salad that really rounded out the plate. For drinks, I ordered a smoothie but would not recommend it as it was a bit artificial tasting for me. The cafe is on the louder side, and there is an upper level that's more quiet but it gets filled up fast. Staff were kind and friendly. Would definitely visit again. read more

Criterion coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Food was fresh and savory a little pricey but I was pleasantly surprised with the taste of the smoke salmon quinoa salad. Service is great, friendly staff. Clean environment and they have a restroom. It is a great spot to work from home or study. Music can be a little too loud if you're having meetings. There are plenty of outlets and seating but it seems to be a popular spot as it was busy throughout the day. read more

Criterion coffee - POKE BOWL WITH SMOKED SALMON - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

I travel the world in search of a good quiet and cozy coffee shop. It is surprisingly rare to find one that is more like a haven. My partner and I needed a quiet place to relax before dinner and I'm glad we came across this shop. First of all, the coffee is organic and delicious. Additionally, there are many random touches that contribute to the energy. There is comfortable seating and a whole area for working / reading, complete with extension chords for laptops. Even the chairs have felt pads at the bottom so they don't shriek when they are moved. There is water with lime, which is always a nice touch. The decor is adorable. And the staff is really kind. I can't eat pastries so I can't comment on that but they looked good. I respect a good coffee shop that cares about customer experience. We'll look forward to coming back again! Update: also discovered that they have live music events! Ok I'm definitely loving this coffee shop and can't wait to come back! read more

Criterion coffee - I'm randomly excited about the lime water - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

A cute and convenient coffee shop in Old Town near a Metro stop. My boyfriend, brother, and I all ordered the strawberry matcha; my brother raved about the ceremonial matcha while my boyfriend highlighted the fresh strawberries. We each got pastries that you could tell were made fresh, nice portion sizes too! read more

Criterion coffee - Strawberry matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Such a cool hidden gem! We were looking for a place for a mid-day snack and were fortunate to find such a spot! Their coffee was so so so good and we tried their banana bread! It's worth the price and made us come back for another visit! read more

I'm absolutely in love with this place My husband and I came here today, and it's one of those places that makes you want to leave a review right away because the emotions are just overflowing Everything here is beautiful - the interior, the atmosphere, the presentation, the little details, and of course the food. It feels so elegant, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing that the experience begins even before the dishes arrive A special highlight was the menu with photos. It's such a brilliant and thoughtful idea. You can actually see what each dish looks like, understand what you're in the mood for, and truly enjoy the whole process of choosing That kind of care for guests really stands out. And the location makes it even better - right in the center of Pasadena It's such a beautiful area to walk around, and this café is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the moment. read more

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I had some business in Pasadena and wanted to make a pit stop at a new cafe... To my surprise, I had never stumbled upon Criterion coffee - how?! I walked in and was welcomed by the staff member, who quickly took my latte order and prepared it for me as I admired the relaxing, natural interior decor. The iced latte was tasty, boasting a subtly nutty flavor while retaining boldness and body. Between all the beans that I've tried, this is easily one of the most "well-rounded" espressos that I've tasted. As with many cafes, there is Wi-Fi. Parking can cost a little; it's Old Town Pasadena, after all. However, this is well worth the visit. Need to spend some time here? You may relax on the outdoor patio along a quiet street, sit downstairs in with a calm, rustic, modern feel, or... venture onto the balcony for a cozy, library-like atmosphere. Returning? Yes, whenever I'm making a drive-by Pasadena, you may likely find me coming back here! read more

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Came on a Sunday afternoon and it was almost full, but luckily a few people were heading out and I grabbed a spot upstairs. Ordered the prosciutto toast and the salmon quinoa salad -- both delicious, healthy, and filling. Friendly service, and the live piano music added a really lovely touch to the atmosphere. read more

Criterion coffee - Prosciutto Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

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