Coffee is good, girl at the counter with face piercings and mascara looked miserable and had 0 enthusiasm. No tip option came in clutch.

I never write reviews on here, but I really feel like I need to. My s/o and I used to come here almost every day the past few years before the pandemic. We're artists and loved the cozy, sometimes dark atmosphere the back of the place would get when we'd have a coffee and cookie. The whole rustic look and feel (although sometimes snug) was enjoyable and felt like a place with community and history. But then, we saw the update. All the art, wooden flooring, plants, bar tables and lighting that made the place feel home-y was gone. I like minimalism but this looked too minimalist. It looks like a part of a college hallway or reception area of some office. Not the vibe I'm looking for to get inspired. We anticipated going back for so long... such a shame. :( read more

We walked by this location in the afternoon while roaming Pasadena. It's super clean and modern inside with plenty of space for working. The staff is friendly and the menu is straightforward. They have coffee gear and beans for sale next to the register and it's a pretty expansive selection of goods. They carry Fellow products and roast their signature Intelligentsia beans (not in house). We got a Daily Brew and an Organic Jasmine Peach White tea. I was surprised they didn't do pourovers as a specialty coffee store but the staff member recommended the Daily Brew as their closest alternate option. All of their teas are brewed fresh to order so they did tell us it was going to be a 5 minute wait and that they'd give us our coffee then so it's served hot. We watched them weigh out loose leaf tea, steep, and serve the tea from a small pot to a double cup. Daily Brew - 6/10. Honestly mostly watery and not very flavorful. This also is coming from someone who drinks pourovers daily so drip coffee and/or coffee that's just sitting in a carafe isn't my favorite. It did come out hot and stayed hot throughout the drinking process but the coffee notes did not come through much if at all. It was pretty much a basic cup of coffee. Organic Jasmine Peach White Tea - 9/10. The tea had a lot of depth and flavor. The peach wasn't too overpowering or tart surprisingly and the floral scent was very welcoming. That coupled with us watching them delicately brew it made for a great drinking experience. Overall, I think I need to try another coffee drink to judge their coffee selections but I am not a fan of their beans so I would say the brand name gives this place their popularity a lot more than coffee. The tea was great and the service was excellent. Would like to see them explore more specialty coffee as they are such a shop. read more

OMG!! What did they do to this place ???? It feels like I'm having a coffee in a supermarket. Coffee is tasty, but they only have one size and it's small. Not a single pastry ( Saturday noon)!. Damn, I used to like this place and I was looking forward for the reopening. Very disappointed!!! read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

One of the best coffees I have tasted in LA. Such a cool location for some good quality coffee. Super comfortable and very friendly staff. The best part is that you can work/study there. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Iced americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Spacious space for people who want to stop by for a cup of coffee or spend the whole day doing some work. I tried their latte and it was very delicious. The portion of coffee, milk and foam are just perfect. I wish they have more pastry options to pair with coffee. My mom got their brew of the day and she also enjoyed it a lot. They also served in very hipster looking pot which make their coffee looks very unique. I will def come back. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Hands down my favorite coffee spot in LA. This was the first craft coffee spot that I went to many years ago when they first opened and it's still my favorite. They take so much care into every single drink that is made. I personally enjoy their soy mochas because of the great care they take into making sure the milk is the right temperature with a good amount of foam and their espresso is excellent. If anyone knows me, they know I'm a black coffee drinker and this is the one place I will make an exception for. I have had their regular brewed coffee as well and it's an exceptional cup of coffee. My boyfriend got a macchiato. This is a traditional macchiato so they put it into a small cup, top it with only foam and serve it with some seltzer water on the side. I love these details! The last time I was here I got a matcha croissant and was in heaven. So fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside with just a touch of sweetness from the matcha white chocolate (?) on just half the croissant. read more

A real nice place to cool off. Coffee or wine free wifi and study booths. Really great to have a short small meeting. Stellar service and the community is welcome. Park at the local parking structure. read more

We were there on Easter Sunday and the girl that took our order was unfriendly and a bit rude when I asked a question. The coffee was fine however there are many other places that I can give my business to. read more

Great place for sitting and working with high quality coffee. I read a previous review about the black cherry mocha and wanted to order it, but it wasn't available, so I ordered the avena latte instead and it was great! Love the subtle hints of orange, cinnamon, and the cayenne. I'm very happy I found this place and will be back! read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Avena latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Intelligentsia is a cute coffee shop on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. It has a cute decor with lots of lights. I ordered a latte and it was perfect - smooth and delicious! Service is great and fast. Definitely recommend! read more

See all

Drinks were great but the customer service gets a FAIL! These Gen Z baristas have no social skills whatsoever concerning the bare minimum customer service and etiquette in letting us know when our drinks are ready! The manager is no better as it happened right in front of him. Oh, that's right, he's Gen Z too! read more

Try the Avena Latte! Delicious!! It is already sweetened and has a very unique flavor, still providing a caffeine rush.

I'm currently obsessed with lattes so I decided to try the Avena Latte. It was sooooo good. It was tasty and so creamy while letting the espresso shine through. This was my first latte ever with oat milk and I can say I'll be opting for oat milk more often. I also had the apricot pastry which I found was very good. It was perfectly flaky and the apricot was not too sweet. It was very complimentary to the Avena latte. This place seems good for studying or a meet-up. Parking can be difficult as is probably anywhere else in Pasadena lol read more

See all

No sure why I haven't reviewed this place yet, since it's one of my favorite places for coffee in Pasadena. Good expresso and lots of seatings. Just went in and got the best drink ever! Avena Latte (seasonal drink), "steeped cinnamon, ginger, orange peel and vanilla in a Turbinado sugar simple syrup with oat milk and expresso" was sooooo good, especially with some cayenne pepper! My other usual drinks were Latte or Angeleno. read more

I'm a huge coffee lover, like most I'm sure. I really loved the flavor of my Americano, it's my go to. The only issue I had is that it just wasn't big enough. I had that cup down in about three sips. I also had the cornflake cookie. Which was amazing and I'm running home to find a recipe for it so I can make them myself. I did like this place. Inside is super nice, the staff was ok, but unless I'm in the area, I don't see myself going out of my way to grab a coffee from here. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Got a chocolate hazelnut twist and small latte, wait for 5 min, which is fine for a Sat morning, but paid $13 plus tips. Latte tasted ok, even though it was not extra hot as I ordered. But the twist was not fresh, dry like it is 48 hours old. Come on. Charge extra in Pasadena I understand but sell fresh bakery for God's sake read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

They need to use organic cleaners. The smell of harsh cheap chemical cleaners detracts from the coffee.

Two stars for the customer service. I was feeling adventurous and got the Black Cat Fizz, which wasn't really my cup of tea, or coffee, but I wouldn't knock off any stars for that. The issue I had was that I was working outside and trying to enjoy my drink, and an employee came and nicely told me they were closing at 4pm and would start moving the seats inside in 5 minutes. I thanked her and went back to work. Literally 45 seconds later, another employee came and started moving the furniture in. He was not as polite as the first employee and bluntly said "we're closing, you can't sit here anymore". I ended up going next door to Wanderlust, where the employees are always wonderful. There are plenty of coffee shops in Pasadena, and I won't be going back to this one. read more

Intelligentsia is a consistent high-end coffee bar That takes a large amount of pride in delivering your perfect espresso and/or pour-over. There are other beverages that receive equal attention, but the star of the show here is the coffee. They were one of the first to the SoCal scene to produce the level of care you can taste. Yes, this may be the start of the hipster coffee you may have heard. I find their roast a bit darker and maybe a little higher level of bitterness. This may distract from some sweetness that some single organic purveyor beans may exhibit. The Pasadena location has ample seating space and is a nice location to visit after a fine dinner along this strip. They offer some food items so a visit from another occasion can also be a delight. read more

I found this place sitting along Colorado Avenue, and decided this was the place to stop. I came here for a mid-morning cup of joe, and to sit down and chill for a bit. Parking was found along Colorado, which was not hard to find in spite of a busy morning. I walked in to this spacious coffee shop with a high ceiling, and plenty of seating. The barista was so-so with friendliness, but I overlooked this as I just wanted a good cup of coffee. After placing my order, I stopped at their restroom, which is an elevator ride to the basement level. The restroom was clean, and it is shared with other businesses in that same building. Thankfully there was no wait. I went to pick up my drink afterward, and sat down at one of their high tables. I found my cappuccino was well-made, with a smooth taste and a good amount of caffeine. I sipped on my cappuccino while I returned emails and caught up on some work. After getting some work squared away, I continued on to my next stop in the area. This is an alright place to stop in, one of many good coffee options in the Pasadena area. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - The baristas pour their hearts into their drinks. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

After all these years, Intelligentsia is still one of the most popular, hippest coffee spots in the area. Street parking is the easiest if your lucky. Free before 11 am. Decent crowd at 7:30 am on a random weekday. They serve Mr. Holmes baked goods here! I do not have to drive to LA anymore. No up charge either. No crufins though. I thought it was more family friendly but they do not have high chairs here. Latte - $4.75 - Strong, smooth, and milk art! I wanted it in the cup but they served it in a to go cup. Mr. Holmes Croissant - $4 Mr. Holmes Banana Bread - $3.50 Pastries were fresh and went well with the lattes. read more

Their iced coffee Moka is to die for. It's like rich, creamy, dark chocolate milk. I ordered mine with oat milk and it turned out great. Would definitely go back to try other things there! read more

Not the best cold brew with oat milk but ok for high standards. Good place to sit and work or read or talk though.

Great coffee, nice store and the location is easy to get to. I highly recommended it. I prefer the standard drip my self

Good coffee, but a little weird having a cafe close at 6 PM on such a busy street like Colorado. I knew it ahead of time but I had to scramble to find another location after they nicely kicked us out while on a date that was going well. read more

Last Saturday, my wife and I passed by the Intelligentsia Coffee in Pasadena, we entered the store to buy a bag of coffee since we just had our coffee stop in a bakery and patisserie nearby. I normally buy my Intelligentsia Coffee beans from Whole Foods, but I did find the Seasonal blends on the shelves - the blue bag that is not in Whole Foods - priced at $19 a bag. It priced slightly higher than Whole Foods where it normally sells for $17.99 for the same weight. I grabbed one and walked to the counter for checkout. The lady at checkout, scanned the bag, and turned square-like payment screen back-facing to me, and typed in something, and then turned it back to me for checking the tips boxes. I hesitated a sec, and gave a 18% tips - the hesitation was because of no really a service rendered but I gave it anyway. But that hesitation let my eyes on a screen for one second more than I used to do, and I noticed on the right upper corner, it showed $23. I asked her, is it $19 a bag? She replied, no, it is $23. Since the coffee display shelves is just 2-3 ft from the checkout, I walked to the shelves and brought the price tag with the name of the product. She looked at the price tag, and flatly said, the price tag is wrong. Do you still want it? My wife was standing next to me, she said, if you made the mistake in displaying the product price, you should at least honor it now and correct it after. The Intelligentsia lady ignored her. She repeated to me, do you want it or not? It was an embarrassing moment for us, but I said no, and walked away. Everyone in my shoes would probably do the same. My advice to people is to always check on what you are being charged and what is displayed on the menu or on the shelves next to the product, and don't be intimidated by the vendor's pressures. I shouldn't be embarrassed, the store should. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee in Pasadena is too pricey and Overrated IMHO. The Guatemala Coffee I had was really watery. Yuck. Rating: 2 Stars read more

See all

The coffee here never disappoints and it's always consistent. I always order the iced Avena with a lil Cayenne. So good

After paying for my double espresso the barista told me this location only uses their freeze dried espresso. Paid craft coffee prices for instant coffee. Super bummed. read more

My friend and I ordered two their signature coffee, I am not picky with coffee, but both are terrible. The staffs are unfriendly, too.

The intelligent choice for the jitter java.A coffee bar that has a straight to the point menu with no razzle dazzle but does have a couple of tasty creations.So speak your order and grab a seat in this open space bar setting.Instead of ordering my typical cup of joe I went for their ganache milkshake.Severed in a half pint shot glass,this was a tasty adventure with real bits of chocolate swirling inside this not so thick but smooth and creamy shake.Not to overwhelming but just the right amount so you can accompany your decadent delight with one of their vegan pastries or just a regular one if you're not into that.The decor is artsy with a rustic feel and the atmosphere is really chilled out. The service is on point and the baristas are knowledgeable with great recommendations.It's also a great place to work if you don't mind eclectic vibes flowing through the speakers. They also have merchandise for sale if you want to represent.That's my take on Intelligentsia coffee lounge. Peace out. read more

See all

I'd make sweet love with Intelligentsia Coffee, if I could. Bold flavor with a bit of smokiness from the roasted beans, well, I love it all day long...just can't afford it that's all. Yeah, it's a little pricey, but it's a premium beverage. Chicago, LA, and New York -- that's where you'll find the Intelligentsia cafes, plus, tons of other locations throughout the country that feature the coffee as their own. That's exactly where you'll find me, dry humping the coffee. Location: Pasadena, CA =================== You're familiar with the phrase, "Party in the front, party in the back", usually reserved for mullet wearing individuals. Well, not only do they feature some of the finest brews of coffee you'll ever find, they also have a bar in the back with a small amount of craft brews, the beer kind, and a handful of wines. That's cool. They close at midnight on Friday and Saturday, make a perfect setting for a date or friend get-together. The industrial design with exposed pipes and beams are mixed with warm woods and brick, creating a most comfortable yet rustic atmosphere. The tall ceilings and windows/doors on both ends front and back, create an open space with light. Outdoor seating for a few tables along the boardwalk of Colorado Ave is also pleasing and good for people watching, and just enough of distraction for a great place to study or work on a project. Affogato [$5.25, 3.5 stars] -- small and tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream along with a double-shot of espresso make for a very quick experience, and nearly not worthy. Coffee, ice teas, and the like...5.0 stars all the way, baby! Needless to say, I loved my experience. read more

See all

Went here on a hot, winter afternoon in search of coffee. I ordered an iced latte from here and enjoyed it a lot. I thought that it wasn't too sweet and had just the right amount of espresso in it. The space was quite large inside and also makes for a great place to do some work. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Iced latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Please bring back the way it was in 2019. Freeze dried espresso is not the wave of the future. I have to drive out to Silverlake if I want intelligentsia now. read more

Instant espresso for $7?! It wasn't bold and they were out of pistachio milk so that was a bummer because it's advertised as a signature drink. Where's the craft in this coffee, I expected more from Intelligentsia. After being closed for so long I was excited to come back but it was pretty disappointing. read more

I came to this Intelligentsia located in old town Pasadena from 10am-12pm on Sunday 7/16/23, and witnessed employees were touching their face and nose, and drinking from an open cup multiple times while serving in between customers at front service counter. There were also non-service animal, dogs, were allowed inside the food establishment. There was one dog kept on barking, and the staff did not bother to ask the patron to leave. This food facility is unsanitary in regards to public health. I don't think they even have a Food Manager Certificate or did not train their employees on safe food handling. I will never come back here for sanitary reasons. Ambiance was spacious and coffee was mediocre. Food or pastry tasted old, obviously being delivered by outside vendor. read more

I LOVE INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE! Whenever I am in Pasadena this is one of my go-to spots for coffee. Sometimes the line at Intelligentsia can get a big long but most of the time it is quick. The staff is always welcoming and has a smile every time I visit. I usually get the iced latte or iced coffee. Both are always good. The coffee is on point. They also have the cornflake cookie which is amazing. It goes really well with the coffee :) Make sure to try it next time! read more

Quick Review: Got a cold brew that was really tasty. Strong, balanced, and crisp. The ambiance is as hipster as any other coffee joint. It's casual, it's friendly, and quality feeling. That said, it is a coffee shop. No sudden rushes of new emotions will happen here. It's nice coffee. It's not Starbucks, if that's a plus for you. It's reasonably priced by Starbucks pricing standards. read more

Friends and I got two brews of pour overs (different beans from different countries. One tasted stronger while the other was more smooth; just ask your barista). Also had a latte (their regular Black Cat). All the coffee was great and did not disappoint. It's pretty pricey but it's the experience of trying out Intelligentsia! Also, the pour over brews were actually pretty large in quantity (you get some in a beaker and a cup). On a saturday afternoon, this place was packed! Luckily we found a table to squeeze in, but it's definitely not a place to study. The line was long, but each coffee is freshly made to order, so it's worth the wait. Plus, they have Mr Holmes Pastries and it's next to Pie Hole and Coolhaus, and a walking distance from 85 degrees... so it's yummy to eat some sweets with your coffee. Ambiance was dim but nice (the lights on the ceiling looked like starlights!) but their chairs are hipster uncomfortable. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all