I knew Pasadena wouldn't disappoint me with a new coffee spot! Intelligentsia is a bustling shop with people coming in and out at a steady pace, and with good reason. When you walk in, the smell of strong, robust coffee hits you like the perfume department at Macy's - but you know, in a positive way. I decided to try something simple, a regular iced latte, and it blew away expectations! The coffee is strong, and even with some half and half, the robustness of the beans still fought its way to the surface. In hindsight, the coffee was smooth enough without the creamer, but when you have to drink standard-issue break-room coffee 5 days a week, your muscle memory involuntarily takes over. I'm usually not a big fan of giant ice cubes in my coffee and prefer them crushed or chipped, but the 3 large, perfectly cubed pieces of ice that the baristas dropped in my drink kind of worked. They got the drink colder than I expected (it was 98 degrees outside, so this is important), and lasted longer than the standard ice cubes that Starbucks dishes out. (And for those judging me for my ice review, the ice content of an iced coffee is just as important as the coffee itself!) However, I'm not sure if this would be a good place to do any sort of long-term work or studying. If you're lucky enough to find a table/seat/outlet, the chairs aren't exactly comfortable. Perhaps this is intentional to keep the foot traffic at a maximum, but it's something to keep in mind. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Iced latte ($4.25 single shot/$4.50 double shot). - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Interesting concept and smart in this market. The baristas use exclusively their freeze dried espresso for espresso based drinks so the bar area is clean/minimalistic. Given that I feel like the prices are still somewhat high for the labor needed to reconstitute the freeze dried stuff. But I must stay the baristas make a mean latte. Tried the avena latte which has a hint of spice - perfect for a cool LA morning. They have a good selection of freshly roasted beans for purchase including the instant espresso and oat latte. read more

Yoooo this place is sickkk. Loved the coffee and the ambiance. The place had hella seats and definitely a perfect work and meeting environment. Imma be back here for sureee. read more

Having spent about an hour here, I can say it's a mixed bag. The coffee is great, but it isn't life-changing. The aesthetic is good although it was difficult to find a seat (it's a Saturday afternoon so I understand). I will definitely mimic the comments about baristas with attitude. It seems like a mixed bag of helpful, friendly people and those who look down on you from their vaunted seat of beverage wisdom. You make coffee, my dude. Don't let it go to your head. The wifi is also slow enough to be detrimental. I keep testing it and am getting less than 1 MB/s, although it may be the Saturday rush contributing. Overall a pretty average coffee place in Pasadena. I'm going to try exploring some others to compare. It's not bad, just nothing to brag about. Edit: I am now obtaining 5 MB/s+ speeds at 6 pm on a Saturday. So the internet is likely fine, they simply don't have the bandwidth to accommodate a full saturday morning. Edit2: Yeah there is definitely an attitude to many of the people who work here. It's not a burden if I ask for water when the place is dead. Skip this coffeehouse. There's plenty of shops with better attitudes. read more

Highly recommend this coffee shop! Friendly staff and they make drinks well. I got the vanilla latte w/ almond milk, and probably the best of the ones I tried!! It is on the pricier side for a cup of coffee, but you will not regret. It has good amount of seating available, and may be a good place to chill with friends or get some work done! Restrooms need a code and is on the basement level. Only reason for giving one less star would be pricing read more

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

See all

Went there to study for finals. I loved the interior. It is very nice. Tried their matcha and it tasted like straight milk. Overpriced. Suggest getting anything but the matcha. read more

the ambiance was lovely on this rainy day in pasadena . the baristas were friendly and kind. love the coffee here- always. better then the chain i won't mention that taste burnt. intelligentsia is for those who are coffee lovers! read more

When you find yourself in Old Town Pasadena, there's much to do (eat/drink) here. Intelligentsia Coffee is one such place. Like many trendier coffee shops, Intelligentsia sports better quality coffee at a nice premium price. (Premium meaning $4-6 for a coffee, which is highway robbery) Still, if you can get past the prices, you will find that they serve some pretty good coffee. With a variety of coffee beans to choose from I'm sure you will find something that appeals to you. The shop itself is fairly dim so it wouldn't make for an ideal study spot but if you want to get work done, you could, I guess. Do note there aren't really tables to lay out a whole bunch of books; the work space consists mainly of a bar and bar stools. Sometimes they can take a long time to make your coffee so be prepared for that. Either that or get a very simple coffee. read more

The coffee is good here but there are so many other great coffee houses in Pasadena. Nonetheless, the coffee is still good here and the tea too. It's in a great location but the hours could be expanded more to make the place more accessible. read more

Most intelligent people are nutty!! Let me explain it to you... Meet intelligentsia..the most intelligent coffee in Pasadena that serves nutty pastries like hazelnut croissant. Ordered caffe mocha and twice baked hazelnut croissant. Caffe mocha ($5.00): pretty coffee art and it's kinda good. The coffee is tasty but kinda sticky and thick. Twice baked hazelnut croissant ($3.75): crispy and nutty. I kinda like it. Great and friendly service. The workers know what they are doing and they are super helpful. Free wifi but no outlet :( I was looking for a peaceful place to yelp but couldn't really do it because I needed the outlet. I went here months ago but the place was packed so I didn't stay :( I went back recently on my day off and I was glad the place wasn't that busy. It's a nice hideout place during the day but it got crowded after a while :( because it's a popular coffee place that serves great coffee. I packed up and looked for another quiet place. QUICK TIPS: THE RESTROOM IS DOWNSTAIRS. GO TO THE BACK AND TAKE THE ELEVATOR/RESTROOM. PARK AT ONE OF THE FREE FIRST 90 MINUTES PARKING STRUCTURES. 4 stars!! My IQ just went up by 10 points after drinking this intelligent coffee =P Intelligentsia Coffee is yummylicious!! read more

See all

Laptop camper here. Intelligentsia's coffee is very good (probably the best in Pasadena), but the pretentious, uptight ambiance is highly unappealing. They have pastries (theirs are better than the other coffeehouses in town), a breakfast menu (e.g., French toast, fried chicken & waffles, $12 breakfast sandwich), a lunch/dinner menu (e.g., mac & cheese, pork belly sandwich burger, $16 braised lamb sandwich), wine and beer. When you walk in it's unclear where to order. The barista makes your latte in front of you and demonstrates his skill at foam art. They make their employees wear dress shirts. The pour over coffee is expensive, even more so than their expensive lattes ($4 for a latte & $5 for pour over coffee). It comes with a little extra in a clear flask. Why not just provide a larger mug? They don't have nonfat milk (argh). The drinks are smaller than average and more expensive too. Yes, there's free wi-fi but they certainly don't offer a comfortable place to camp. The chairs aren't even real chairs, just extremely hard planks of wood that maximize discomfort. There are no power outlets and the 80s music is deafening. The place looks like a bar/warehouse with high ceilings, a long wood counter/bar and wood floors. The lighting is very dim and the walls are dark blue and brick. They sell beans, shirts and coffee brewing equipment. You know you love me. X0 X0, laptop camper. read more

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

See all

Where do the intelligent people take a break from shopping in Old Town Pasadena? If you're smart, and clever, you'd know its Intelligentsia. Many have drank, eaten, studied, and socialized in this coffee/teahouse. We came here on a Saturday night, and it was rather crowded, so much that the pastries were sparse. Speaking of sparse, I was shocked when I received my order of green tea, as the bottle was on the small side. For $5.00, I'd expect to get a refill, or at least a taller glass. Though the tea was good, I don't think I received enough. All in all, this place is popular and the baristas are friendly. Comparably speaking, I think Urth Caffé will give this place much competition when they arrive in Pasadena. Until then, when I'm in the Pasadena area, I'm sure I may revisit Intelligentsia, as the crowd is trendy and, though pricey, they have quality selections. *3.5 Stars read more

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

See all

I love Intelligentsia! This place is awesome. I'm glad it's open late until midnight on Fridays and I'm assuming on Saturdays. The atmosphere in here is great for just catching up and chilling out. It's probably not the best for studying, but if you like that environment, then come on down! I actually didn't order a coffee last night. I ordered the Hot Chocolate with Soy Milk. Just as a word of warning, they do have soy milk... however, the chocolate ganache for the hot chocolate does have dairy. Anyway, I digress.... the coffee here is sooo good. Inside: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/intelligentsia-coffee-and-tea-pasadena?select=0wYZeq3ScdQC_IJeA93Y4g Hot Chocolate: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/intelligentsia-coffee-and-tea-pasadena?select=fQCj0VoPDLUFtliIutB5gw The service is really good too. They took our order and were very friendly. They even kept us updated since the tea took a bit longer to brew than the coffee. I recommend this place to anyone just having some time on a given day who want to just relax and catch up with friends or if you just want some coffee. Oh, and there is a happy hour here so not only can you get your coffee fix, you can also get wine and beer as well. read more

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

See all

Cool hipster spot. Cool atmosphere. Good coffee. The only downfall is that the outside seating is minimal and the inside is aways packed with people using their laptops. read more

Mmmmmm... That chocolate, marshmallow, caramel cookie.... To die for. *licks fingers* What a cute little coffee/tea shop. Definitely a great addition to Old Town Pasadena. This doesn't seem like the type of cafe I would take my books to, but rather a good friend to sit and catch up. Menu is unique and simple with a few signature items, but the workers are very helpful with my indecisiveness. They don't serve blended drinks, but they had a drink that was shaken and frothy on top. I can't remember the name, sorry! They also had espresso served with vanilla gelato... will definitely be back to try this one. The price is a bit costly averaging about $5 a cup and the cookie was $3. But indulge a bit... it's worth trying. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - To die for! Marshmallow cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Hipsters couldn't incite more blind hatred if they were all ginger-haired Al-Qaeda members. But why? Could it be their taste in music? Fashion sense? Attitude of superiority? Perhaps. Or perhaps it's their stupid, ugly faces. We may never know -- Cracked.com This place is coffee for hipsters, hand roasted and filtered, by hipsters (in skinny ties no less. Where are the fedoras?). Long line, dead-pan amusing service, cool latte art on both the latte and hot chocolate...I hated myself for liking the drinks so much. Damn you hipsters with your Gothot roasters and Direct Trade coffee served in a narrow, hip industrial looking space with wooden (douglas fir even!) high counters! I don't give a sh*t about Honey Badger espresso but I did like the fact beer and wine are served here along with limited food options. BTW, Christy L. is right..don't take it personally if someone disses a place you love. Food, and hot warm filtered beverages, is subjective. read more

Before you read my following review, I just wanted to share something with my close fellow yelpers. Writing Yelp reviews is all about one's own personal opinion...HOWEVER every now and then, you get these messages from strangers who completely disagrees and here's what they have to say... "You really shouldn't make uneducated statements, if you knew any thing about the specialty coffee industry, which means coffee snobs then you would know intelligentsia is at the top. Your pallet just isn't up to par apparently. Stay at la mill and drink there poor quality drinks." -Brian D. Member since May 2011 Friends-0 Reviews-0 Thanks Brian D. for sharing your thoughts about my review. However, my poor taste palette and poor stomach couldn't handle all that acidic bitterness. Maybe it's because my poor taste palette is used to drinking too much $100/lb 90+ percentile coffees that it wasn't up to par for the strong, bold bitter and acidic coffee I've tasted at Intelligentsia. I'm sure they are at the top of the coffee chain for one reason or another. But IN MY PERSONAL OPINON, that coffee was not right for ME. And this following review is based upon CHRISTY L.'s experience and opinion of the two coffee's she had tried at the establishment. With that being said.... :) You're probably wondering....WTH?? Why is she giving this place a 1 star when the rest of the Yelp world is giving them either a 4 or 5 star review? Let me explain the 1 star. After hearing such high praises about the coffee at this place, we wanted to see what the hype was all about. Since we LOVE La Mills, we were curious to taste and see the different brewing method at Intelligentsia. We walked in and the barista told us to look over their menu. Hmmm, we saw TWO different coffees. One was bold with a hint of chocolate and the other was citrusy and floral. We asked if there were any other types of coffees we can try. He told us that we can only order out of the TWO that were on the menu. Without much choice or options, we ordered one of each. Keep in mind that we both like to drink our coffee black. We were hoping to taste coffee that were in the high 80-90 percentile. I did a research on their coffee beans and they seem to be on the top. Also, the top barista's in the US are from Intelligentsia. Our mistake was ordering regular coffee. What we should've tried were their latte's. I really wanted to love Intelligentsia and was hoping that this place would deliver different varieties of high quality coffee with exceptional ratings so that I won't have to drive all the way to Silverlake for my coffee bean refills. Unfortunately, they one served TWO coffees. I drank the bold chocolaty one while he drank the citrus floral one. We both liked his better because mine just tasted like dirt. It was very acidic and kept getting suck on my throat! Eeeeek! We were hoping to see a list of different beans and brewing methods but ended up with two very acidic bitter low grade cup of coffees. Maybe next time I'll drop by for their latte's instead. Seems like most people give them a higher rating for their latte drinks. As for the coffees, no thank you. I will just stick to La Mill's. It's not fair to compare but in this case, I can't drink my coffee tasting the way Intelligentsia brews it. Not to mention the type of beans they use. On a brighter note, I saw a Toddy Iced Coffee maker which I bought and was very pleased with the way my iced coffee turned out! 12 hours of brewing and tasted better than starbucks iced coffee! Very cool urban coffee place hangout that sells not only coffees and espresso's but also beer, desserts and sandwiches. If you are a true coffee snob, I wouldn't recommend their coffee. Unless...you prefer dark, bold bitter acidic coffee. read more

Sorry y'all, I'm quite content with Starbucks. When I drink coffee, I drink it for the caffeine. I guess my taste buds aren't quite refined when it comes to coffee. I can understand how a coffee connoisseur, aka snob, would find this place to be their cup of tea (pun intended?). Sure, I don't mind paying for a high quality product, but $4.50 for a glass of cold brew with over 50% ice? That's downright awful, I can't be spending $5+ every time I come here, and I also expect to sit down and get some work/studying done which leads me to my next big complaint. NO POWER OUTLETS. AT ALL. Seriously guys? I have to deduct a star for that as well.... Surprisingly, I didn't encounter any rude baristas that I keep hearing of/reading about on various yelp reviews. They were actually very cordial and informative of their products. Metered parking available on Raymond or parking structure nearby, first 90 minutes free if I remember correctly. read more

See all

I absolutely love Intelligentsia!! It's a fairly new addition to Old Town Pasadena because I don't remember ever seeing it before! I just happened to come across it while walking down Colorado Blvd. so I decided to give it a try. I looove the vibe and ambience inside! It's not your typical quiet cozy cafe. It's a lot more energetic and hip with jazzy music playing, and a darker cooler feel with its electric blue walls, red accents, and lots of little hanging lights. But I did see some people studying and working on their laptops. I also love their setup! It's an actual coffee BAR and there's also high tables + stools, as well as many lower tables. There's plenty of seating inside! I got the 333 blend iced tea as recommended by the barista. It consisted of chamomile, rose hip, and peppermint. It was super refreshing and I'd totally get it again! I also tried their earl grey macaron and black cat macaron (named after one of their coffee blends). They're definitely the prettiest macarons I've ever seen. They even had glittery specks (ooh la la!) on them so at first I didn't want to eat them. But of course I did (how can I resist a macaron?!). I was surprised by how much I liked them, although they weren't the best I've ever had. Overall, I reallyyy like this place and I'll definitely be back whenever I'm shopping in the area again! :) read more

As you have read my previous posts, I'm all about the Intelligentsia Latte. Yes, with each sip, my memory recollects Italia. I thought I loved the Abbot Kinney location the best but today's visit was on par, and frankly better that Silverlake. You must also know that I am a HUGE fan of the television series "Chuck" on NBC...and am in love with Yvonne Strahovski. What does that have to do with Intelligentsia? I'm not saying I had a celebrity sighting or anything, but as I walked up to the register, I noticed the striking resemblance of the girl behind the register as that of Agent Sarah Walker! OMG!!! I nearly fainted! (^_^) I ordered my usual Large Latte and a Chocolate Raspberry with Rosemary Tart. My latte...was...perfect! I also discovered my favorite pastry at Intelligentsia is now this tart! It was so creamy with perfect balance and infusion of rosemary. Truly a revelation! It paired wonderfully with my latte. Close runner up to the tart is the Lemon Pistachio Tea Cake. I really think I'm gonna start patronizing this location more...no, not because of the blonde bombshell that could pass as Yvonne's twin sister (although that doesn't hurt! lol), but because it's sure closer than Abbot Kinney and tastes better than Silverlake! ;-) read more

See all

From the ashes of one unsuccessful business along Colorado Boulevard, rises another and it would be a fairly safe bet that the newest location of Intelligentsia is going to be a very successful venture in Old Town Pasadena. It's a welcoming space, maybe not as dramatically interesting as I was expecting but nice. Extremely high ceilings and deep blues, brick and wood and glass make a retro modern vibe but the seating is only adequate and not exactly abundant. For such a large space, it doesn't seem to seat that many patrons. The counter area is a whirlwind of movement and it's a lot of fun to watch the baristers cook up their concoctions in front of you. There's definitely a sense that they take their jobs seriously, and I've heard from many that this is some of the best coffee in LA. Personally I don't drink coffee, one of the few vices I never acquired so I can't say much to that except my wife does and she vouches for the quality. I'm sure the coffee is great, but even better is the food. They have such lovely desserts, including a delicious rasberry pastry and blueberry muffin and a dozen others I wish I could have tried. We also shared an excellent meatloaf sandwich that was a nice cross pollination of modern and traditional ingredients. It's small but filling and it comes with a tasty salad on the side. If you don't drink coffee, they also have a great old style Dr. Pepper. The bottle is insanely small, but I have to admit it was so tasty it made me wonder why they ever changed the recipe. This version is fruitier and tastier and I would definitely order it again. It seems they'll be adding beer and wine in the future which will be great. Best Plates: Meatloaf sandwich, Oldstyle Dr. Pepper, Coffee, Raspberry Pastry, Blueberry Muffin Food/Coffee - A Ambience - A- Service - A Value - A- read more

See all

Not only is their coffee good but the suspender-clad-bowtie-wearing-baristas will bang you out a cup of single source coffee in no time and they can whip up a latte, cappuccino or mocha faster than you can say "I'll have another". Don't be deterred by the seemingly never-ending line that usually dances its way out the front door - it goes quick enough that, if you blink, you may miss the pastries that guard the counter. ... be warned if there is a Breakfast Cookie and we happen to be there at the same time and you snag it before I do... I will fight you to the death for it. Aside from crack, I'm not sure what they put in the cookies but they are delicious and it's highly likely that they aren't nutritious... but then again, there is Raisin Bran involved under the pile of Powdered Sugar so I'm game and will continue my obsession until I die. Cheers my friends... after Intelligentsia you will never crave Starbucks again. read more

See all

Service really means a lot and if it is bad it shows. I am updating my earlier review because I feel bad service really isn't too cool in my book. I had been a regular customer since the beginning of the year after receiving a gift certificate as a holiday gift. My son and I came in this morning and he placed the order for us. He forgot to say the order was for here instead of to go and I just did not feel like drinking my latte out of a paper cup. When we moved up in line and were getting ready to pay I asked the only female barista who was working if I could have mine in a cup. She would not even look up and acknowledge my question and just ignored me. I think I repeated myself because I thought maybe she didn't hear me. No, she was definitely ignoring me and didn't want to be bothered. Then I turned to ask one of the guys and he was at least polite. I should have gotten her name or said something to whomever the manager was then and there, but my son didn't need to witness any mama drama. Check out any of my earlier reviews. I am the most laid back person you'll ever meet until you piss me off. Your rude employee managed to do that. ATTENTION OWNER & MANAGEMENT: This rude employee was the only girl working at 11:00 am on a Sunday morning, May 20, 2012. Customer service is important as well as a good food and coffee. Even if I loved the coffee I won't come in anymore if the service sucks. It is time to wake up and smell your own coffee or you're going to lose more customers. I'll go back to Jones Coffee Roasters next time I am in Pasadena. At least the staff is friendly there. Feel free to message me. read more

See all

Really nice location. BARISTAS: Good looking baristas (as is usual at Intelligentsia. Men have the alternative sexy-nerd rockabilly 50s look and Ladies have the cool tattooed woman bad-ass look). More importantly, baristas are very knowledgeable about their coffees and get excited about recommending a brew depending on your taste palette. SEATING CHART: You can chose to sit in the front and pretend to work while your eyes get distracted with every customer that walks in to order; or you can sit in the back, way more low key where you can actually focus on your book or project. You can sit on a high stool at a table or a church bench. Plenty of seats along the bar too. DON'T WORK TOO HARD! The absence of plugs, the loud upbeat music, cool temperature, dim lighting and the uncomfortable chairs means stick around but not for too long. Go home when your computer battery runs out, when your eyes start to squint from reading, when you start trembling and lips turn blue from the cold, when your back hurts from bad back-support. It's ok though, if Intelligentsia's layout was more conducive to people sticking around they would not be able to handle the mob of coffee connoisseurs that pass through the glass doors each day. RESTROOMS. Though it appears they are a bathroom-free facility, fret not! Restrooms are located through the back and down the stairs. Kept pristine clean! EAT, DRINK and BE MERRY! They offer a full menu of appetizers, tapas and gourmet sandwiches (pork belly on brioche bun for example) and a decked out bar offering specialty beers (bottle and on tap) and both international and local wines. DOPE and DOUCHIE! The clientele is a toss up some tables filled with douchie guys checking out every girl that walks in. But also a fair amount of artsy mellow coffee drinkers who genuinely come for the drinks instead of for the social scene (I fall into the latter category of course). Great place to come if you are single and are open to meeting interesting strangers (just make sure you chose wisely: DOPE not DOUCHIE!) COFEE CONNECTIONS Overall I appreciate what companies like Intelligentsia and Blue Bottle Coffee bring to the scene. Elevating the culture of coffee drinking and making it an art to sample, sip, enjoy a drink that can be understood through its different phases: from the grounds, earth, atmospheric temperature in the region it was planted, to the time the beans were picked, their ripeness, the way in which they were roasted and finally ground and brewed for your enjoyment; this process makes me more connected to what I am eating/drinking and it makes me more grateful and aware of the effort and intensive labor of love that it takes before the cup is handed to me with a smile. read more

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

See all

A bit of confusion at the bar/register but it was resolved with ease. The way the menu is printed on paper shows coffee drinks in one section and the teas in another section. In the tea section it lists its type of green teas, black teas, etc. As you scroll down, there is one drink in the tea section that says Chai. That's it. Just one word: Chai. Thinking this meant chai tea, I ordered the Chai Tea. As we waited by the register for our drinks, the cashier guy starts to ring us up. As he reads our order, I hear him say Chai Latte. I correct him letting him know that I ordered the Chai Tea, not Latte. Apologetically, the cashier informs me that they do not carry chai tea and that they have a pre-brewed spiced mix used to add to their lattes. Caught in a spot where I tell him that I do not drink dairy, he lets me know that they carry soy milk and that he will not charge me extra for the soy. In addition, he eases my embarrassment by letting me know that the menu used to say "Chai Latte" but recently changed it to just "Chai" and ever since they changed it, it's been confusing for customers. NOTE TO INTELLIGENTSIA: As a first time customer, I thought Chai meant Chai Tea. I had no idea that Chai is Chai Tea Latte. Please consider clarifying that on your menu. Thanks :) I still give this place 4-stars because that Soy Chai Tea Latte is damn delicious! The hipster-y staff was nice, friendly, and informative. The decor and atmosphere is cool, laidback, and artsy. I would totally hang out here. read more

Fancy hipster coffee spot in the middle of Old Town. Good coffee nice place to meet up have coffee or a drink. Today I tried this different drink coffee fresh lemon and sparkling water it's actually really and refreshing on this SUPER hot day.. read more

The scent of the coffee hits you as you walk through the doorway. Nice decor, very roomy. The espresso drinks were good, very smooth. The recommended hand pies were surprising good, as the guy stated, not very sweet. Besides it being a bit pricey, it's a nice place to try. read more

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

Less than a week after my experience at Savor Los Angeles with Intelligentsia, I got notice of one opening up near where I live. Instead of driving out to Silver Lake or Venice, I got to check out Intelligentsia: Pasadena on its grand opening day. Little did I know it was an actual full restaurant with a liquor license coming soon! From its modest entryway, I entered into a wood and brick-laden coffee "loft" with a smiling barista ready to take my order. The service was wonderful and the staff were not flustered or stressed as you would expect them to be during a grand opening. Both the cashier and I were unaware that a lot of the food menu had began to run out by the time we ordered around 1:30PM. The manager made it his duty to come find me after we seated to inform me that they ran out of a sandwich I ordered and apologized. He ensured me that they were not expecting such a high demand and therefore asked to make me something else instead. I gladly obliged and were given a few different options from which I chose the fava bean salad. The salad was prepared meticulously and had just the right proportions of dressing, cheese and vegetables. The acidity of the dressing with the cherry tomatoes and fava beans graced my taste buds and I was pleased. The roasted vegetable flatbread came pre-sliced, hot and ready to eat. Everything here comes market-fresh and once I took a bite of the flatbread, I could taste the difference. This is definitely a dish you can share. In fact, I would recommend splitting dishes if you come with a group so that everyone can get a taste of the menu. There's wi-fi for your laptops but I believe there are no outlets like at the Silver Lake location, so be careful if you decide to come here to study or do work. From high tables to low tables to the bar, there is plenty of seating for whatever kind of visit you are planning on having. As of now, there is no outdoor seating but the front seating area with its large windows give you the light and air needed to feel like you are dining al fresco. Also, the ninety(90) minute complimentary parking in Old Town allows any Intelligentsia customer ample time to enjoy their purchases and drive off without a charge, which I thought is perfect for locals like myself who want to come back often. For one week it will only be open from 10-4, but afterwards they are set to have coffee and to-go meals ready to order by 6 in the morning. Overall, the ambiance, service and most importantly, the food and drinks held strong to the reputation behind the Intelligentsia name. This restaurant is a much needed addition to the Old Town Pasadena restaurant mix and I'm sure the word will spread fast making it one of the hottest spots in the area. Check out my blog in my links for photos and my entry on this place! read more

Being a Bay Area native, I'm not all that familiar with each area of SoCal (seriously, with that many cities packed together, where does one start and another end?). However, I always imagined Pasadena being relatively rich in trendy restaurants and eateries. During my weekend down there though, I wasn't that impressed by several of the places we tried. Maybe we just went to the wrong ones (or the right ones at the wrong times?), but I expected more. It's a good thing they have Intelligentsia though...they certainly helped to restore a bit of faith in what Pasadena has to offer. Now, I'm no coffee expert, so maybe I'm grading this a little generously...but damn I need to find some places like this in SF! Although the ambiance gives off this trendy/hipster vibe, don't think they're just about image. No lie, Intelligentsia serves up some legitimate java. Ordered their large mocha for a caffeine pick me up and WOW. I usually only get mochas when I try somewhere new (my measuring stick for coffee shops), but I would get this one all the time if I could. Between the creamy and rich flavor, the silky texture, and the smooth taste, there was a lot to like. In fact, it may even surpass the Cherry Street mocha I had in Seattle as my all-time favorite. Too bad there's no way to do a taste test between the two though...that would be SO delicious. Admittedly, Intelligentsia is a little pricey compared to most other coffee shops I've come across, but it's also way better as well. Considering I'd be a regular here if I lived in the area, it's no surprise we ended up coming back again before hitting the road to go home. I just wish I had bought some of their packaged coffee grounds to bring back with me! Maybe that would have made me part of the intelligentsia. Maybe... read more

I didn't realize Intelligentsia was such a big deal, but apparently I'm really late to the game. I think I was warded off by a name as elitist as 'Intelligentsia', which is literally a social class of people who view it as their role to shape society's culture and politics through their own enlightened critique. Call me the most jaded cynic, but that sounds like a lot of hoity-toity verbiage to describe aloof hipsters absorbed in their own pretension. But I digress... Intelligentsia has garnered a strong reputation as a quality coffee bar, offering expertly developed and processed Direct Trade coffees. I'm almost completely ignorant when it comes to coffee, so I'm not even going to pretend like I know what I'm talking about in terms of flavor profiles and the merits of different brews. Suffice it to say that Intelligentsia makes a big hullabaloo about their complete mastery of everything coffee-related and that's good enough for me. The spacious interior is modern and industrial with exposed ceilings and brick walls. There was a line at a really random hour in the middle of the day, so I'm assuming the place is pretty much always busy. There's a definite air of self-absorbed sophistication about the place-- the kind of ambiance that makes me wryly assume that everyone is immersed in philosophical conversations about art and literature. All of this doesn't negate the fact that my Dirty Chai was delicious. It had a wonderful depth of flavor and the spicy notes were very pronounced. It was creamy and smooth-- high quality stuff. My friend's sweet latte was also very tasty, although I couldn't tell the difference from others I've had. The baristas are clearly extremely knowledgeable about coffee and take obvious pride in quality and in their specialty craft. I probably won't be back to Intelligentsia anytime soon because its affectation annoys me, but I can't let my personal opinion affect the review of a solid product. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Iced Dirty Chai and Sweet Latte. Yummy! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Good organic coffee, nice place to taste and relax after a good walk around the area. I try the organic matcha tea late it was delicious. I like how the guy who take your order take the time to explain to you the drinks they have and the taste of it, even when there is a big line behind you. read more

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

I've been to a few Intelligentsias (including my home branch in Silver Lake, which I have yet to review), and this Pasadena outpost is my favorite so far. I think a lot of this preference has to do with the fact that the Pasadena Intelligentsia is more a cafe than a coffee stop, with plentiful seating and a beer and wine menu. I came with Michael K. after lunch on a Tuesday, and the place was busy but not overcrowded. I loved the place right away. The calm, cool vibe was very welcoming, and the bright blue painted walls and exposed lighting were just the sort of affectations that put me at ease. The set-up reminded me quite a bit of the original Stumptown in Portland. Maybe a little less hipster, since Pasadena is older than Portlandia, but same kind of constructed edge. There was a short line for service, but the baristas were very friendly and kept the whole experience pleasant. When we got our coffee, we took it outside to the sidewalk patio. Lovely place to sit. Mike had a cold brew and I had an affogato, as I was in the mood for dessert. The cold brew was nice, bitter but refreshing, and I loved the affogato, two espresso shots poured over vanilla ice cream. Espresso and ice cream do wonderful things to each other, and I enjoyed each tiny spoonful of softened ice cream and milky coffee. Since Mike was on spring break and I was temporarily unemployed, we decided to stay for a drink, because why not? We moved to a table inside and got two beers. The beer and wine menu wasn't huge, but it was well curated, with four enticing beers on tap. We opted for the Brouwerij West Tripel and the Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout. The Brouwerij was a nice hoppy Belgian style ale, and the Lost Abbey a rich imperial stout. Both were superb, and I'll be looking out for them on my next visit to my neighborhood liquor store (it's a very good liquor store). Our beers contained 8.25% and 11% ABV, which explains both why I liked them so much and why a single round gave me such a nice buzz. We left Intelligentsia in high spirits, and enjoyed the warm weather and general pleasantness of downtown Pasadena as we walked over to Vroman's. It was an afternoon well spent, and I'd love to come back for another double session of coffee and beer. read more

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee aficionado so my review is based solely on the ambiance of the place and whatever else I want to critique. Sunday, funday! Was in Downtown Pasadena and I wanted to enjoy the macarons we got from down the street so we came in here. Place looks really nice. They have about 4 tables outside but seating inside is great as well. High ceilings with a red brick wall on one side, blue on the other, and hard wood tables and chairs in the middle. Wine and bar towards the back, coffee in the front. I love the vibe. Definitely a great place to hang out or people watch. Ordered their Macchiato and a bottle of coconut water, totaled $10.25 read more

See all

Coffee place... going to do my list to make it easier for you... LIKES: * Ambiance - the decor reminds me of NY * Hipster atmosphere (I can be one sometimes) * Barista was nice * Latte art!!! * They serve alcohol! :D DISLIKE: * Waiter was not nice - he kinda just brushed me off when I wanted to ask a question * Pricer than other places * Parking situation - PARK on street or in parking garage - but they are doing tons of construction nearby SO-SO: * Black Cat Expresso Latte - it wasn't sweet... very plain. I'll try it again because I know this place can be good in drinks. :D read more

See all

While I do love the coffee here, I wish they had more menu options . Love the vibe of the place, service was great, very friendly and really knows their products. I enjoyed my iced as well as my husband's hot latte, would also love if they had larger sizes available. More flavors as well as blended options would be great, but for being so simple, the quality speaks for itself and is brewed perfectly. Great stop in the area! read more

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

Great quality all around! The baristas here are super nice and do a great job at making people happy! I usually get a hot chocolate here as a treat and it's awesome! I love the beautiful " latte art" too! read more

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

"Coffee is a democratic nature - it can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere." ~ Intelligentsia The company I work for in San Diego runs on coffee, with around 6 different ways to make and drink coffee on the spot. Intelligentsia Coffee Beans are the go-to coffee beans that our company orders and is the absolute favorite among us employees. The Black Cat Analog Expresso and Frequency Blend beans give a sweet and chocolatey flavor that helps us start and end the work day on the right foot. Started in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange, Intelligentsia has involved into more than just the simple coffeebar they had originally envisioned and further branched into 3 major cities - Chicago, Los Angeles and New York - with a training lab in Atlanta. They also claim to work very closely with their coffee bean producers and planters, maintaining international fair trade standards and giving back to their team generously. Knowing how much I enjoyed Intelligentsia coffee at work, my fiancé drove us on a day trip from San Diego to Pasadena to enjoy a true cup of Intelligentsia coffee made by the professionals. I am always a little intimidated by coffee bars and breweries, because a few other places we have been to have nose-in-the-air, hipster baristas and bartenders that are quite unfriendly. On the contrary, baristas at Intelligentsia are coffee professionals dressed like coffee professors. Open and patient in answering coffee questions, the quality of service left me in awe. The attentiveness and knowledge of the Intelligentsia baristas and team is stellar, allowing us to feel comfortable and welcomed. Our barista (I really should of asked for his name, but I remember he had these cool rubber bands on the temple of his glasses) was phenomenal in brewing our Sugar Glider cappuccino and macchiato. He also asked if we would be at the cafe for awhile and surprised us with a generously large cup AND mini-glass pitcher of Los Inmortales on the house. It was delicious with a light sweetness to it. Our coffee was paired with a little carrot cake treat. We learned that this particular Intelligentsia is the only one that offers wine and beer, and they have a bar-stool area where you can enjoy any beverage that you are in the mood for: wine, beer, coffee, hot chocolate, loose leaf tea, etc. As of June 2016, they do not carry coffee beer brewed from their selected coffee beans on the menu, but from time to time this will change. Big thanks to my fiancé, who drove ~123.4 miles to Pasadena for us to indulge in one cup of expresso and to my friend/colleague Anh for recommending the coffee shop. We had a great experience! Keep up the wonderful work throughout LA, Intelligentsia! read more

See all

I've been here a few times over the years, usually walking by them during the weekend because its alwats so packed. But when I get a chance to sit down and relax with a delicious cup of coffee, I do. The staff is always very friendly and I've never been disappointed with their coffees. But half of the time, the music is loud which kills my enjoyment and I order my coffee to go. But its a nice cafe to hang out, meet friends or work. Plenty of seating with tables, chairs, and benches. Always clean and organized everytime I come here. Bathroom is available but you need to get the code from them. The prices are a bit high but the quality matches the price so I don't mind paying it. I recommend this place. www.DineSavorRepeat.com www.facebook.com/DineSavorRepeat www.instagram.com/DineSavorRepeat www.twitter.com/DineSavorRepeat www.pinterest.com/DineSavorRepeat #DineSavorRepeat #FoodPhotohrapher #FoodJournalist #FoodCritic #RestaurantCritic read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Mocha - delicious blend of chocolate & coffee #DineSavorRepeat - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came here because my co-worker was crazy about it and said we have to take our ex-co-worker here because who knows when she'll visit again? AND because we were dying in the heat from our brunch place, so we had to find a place to talk with the AC on. I had no idea where this place was until we arrived in Old Town Pasadena. You will find this place next to the Foot Locker on Colorado/Raymond. The Vibe - Coffee shop feeling indeed and another unique feeling as well. They have a few cute light bulbs hanging on the ceiling, the music playing in a medium loudness, but you can still talk to the people around you, unless you are sitting right above the speakers. There are lots of coffee products. So many choices if you are a coffee maker person. How To order - you order at the counter, so get in line and start thinking what you want. It takes about a few mins for them to brew your drink, depending on what you get. Service -I had no idea what i liked other than something bitter, so I told the guy that. So he suggested to get a macchiato. when I got the order, out wasn't what I ordered, so they had to make a new one, but also gave me the extra drink they screwed up. I wasn't a mocha person nor a whole milk, so I ended up giving it to my friend. Seats - There are a few high tables. Enough to fit 6 people. A few small tables for 2-4 people. There are outlets at certain tables. *Note: Not only is this place a coffee & tea, during the evening, they serve wine/beer! Interesting mixture. I must come back and try their drinks in SOY! read more

Best coffee and BEST location. I've had Intelligentsia at other locations but they don't prepare it to the same high standard. Feels like a bar when you walk in (well they DO serve alcohol, mainly wines), so if you aren't assertive and if you kind of stand off to the side you will never be able to order. Ordered a plain latte... but on second thought, should have made that a vanilla latte. Was very smooth, but I found myself adding rock sugar to compliment the strong espresso + milk flavor. Smoothest espresso I've ever had... even the milk was thick, foamy, and actually tasted good with no bitterness. Great chill atmosphere, especially if you are a bit hipster. read more

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

See all