Cafe De Leche

Small cute little coffee shop in the heart of Altadena on Lake Ave. Coffee is imported from central America and Mexico. They have a small selection of pastries to choose from if you're in the mood for something sweet to go along with your drink. The outdoor patio in the back is amazing. If you ever want to come and just do some work or read a book, it's nice and quiet, and all guests are respectful. Parking is street only. I ordered a small iced organic agave latte with oat milk extra sweet, and it was delicious . Prices are reasonable as well.

Loved this cozy and clean cafe! Delicious matcha and coffee but the hibiscus lemonade stole the show! A definite must try. They have such a beautiful patio in the back that is perfect for relaxing and sun bathing.

This place is too cute!! The baristas were super nice, great customer service. The inside of this coffee shop is aesthetically pleasing. I got a Horchata con Espresso, super delicious. I could taste the horchata and coffee. I ended up getting the Raspberry danish, it is super tasty! It was not too sweet, just the right amount of raspberry jelly. Would definitely be back here soon!

I went there on Saturday, I like the location and the coffee shop was really nice and quiet. I order 2 black coffee those were fresh and with good taste. Also I order a cold dirty chai it was definitely good. The garden is really nice to enjoy my drinks. The service was good and the prices are FAIR.

Very pleasant Coffee spot frequented by locals! Beautiful physical space. Bright and clean. Order in the front, and walk through the space to a lovely, open backspace with plenty of benches and seating. Covers from the sun, and cool plant life surround you as you stretch out and enjoy your drink. Feels like your own backyard! Appears to have Wi-Fi too! Plenty of street parking on Lake itself. Seemed to have good turn over in front. While there were usually one or two people in line, it was a steady and quick turn over. The cafe seems to partner with other food vendors to cook and have fresh, cooked on site, food partners! Pretty cool. Open 7-4 daily. Highly recommend. The hibiscus lemonade was sweet and refreshing. Prices were very reasonable! Cool art as well! Hope to be back soon. Dog friendly!

A little cafe with a big personality. An amazing menu of coffees, teas and you must try the chocolate milk! Staff is super friendly and make the drinks real quick. Small dining area inside but very cozy. Small front patio is nice and the back patio is big, shaded and has games. Lots of outdoor seating and the music they play is lively and fits the mood of the location. No parking but lots of convenient street parking.

Nice atmosphere and seating area. Drip coffees, pastries and sweet espresso drinks. No pour overs.

I’ve only been once, but what a nice surprise to go, I’ll definitely be going back! I first went here after a hiking echo mountain, the trailhead further up the road. Cafe De Leche is such a cute place, great vibes, and a very spacious and chill backyard patio/seating area. I had the mate latte and my friend a matcha late. The shop itself is small and parking seems like it could be tricky, but worthwhile if you’re local/in the neighborhood.

Not all who wander are lost. Some are just looking for coffee. In my case, it's tea. Café de Leche (desde 2008) is a beautiful little café nestled mere steps away from the San Gabriel mountains. This cafe was founded by Anya and Matthew Schodorf. This cafe has a wonderful rear patio and is a great place to take pre hike coffee sip before hitting the nearby trail. It was my first time on this coffee shop and was perfunctorily greeted by a female barista. I perused their modest menu list. I was desirous of having a lovely tea and opted for their Chamomile Peppermint tea (hot). As I sat down and took a gentle sip, it's bloody perfect. :D The coffee shop has relaxing atmosphere and naturally well lit. Moreover, they have coffee bags, mugs, decanters and merch for sale. Staff were affable, competent and professional. Similarly, their service was beyond on point. Street parking only. Prices were fairly competitive. Overall, I enjoyed my tea and experience. I recommend you check this adorable tiny cafe.

This is a very charming neighborhood cafe that feels like you are stepping into someone's living room. It's got quaint curb appeal, like an Altadena cottage. The eclectic coffee preparations indicate a sophisticated palate. I found the "cafe campesino latte" a wondrous Mexican inspired flavor that incorporated orange, cinnamon, and anise. It was not a "pump" from a pre-made sugar-flavor bottle and the blend with the coffee was masterful. I loved the seating area in the back with wooden box benches and really colorful yellow shade awnings that complement the southern California blue sky. A great place to work at a coffee shop if you can handle others background conversations... With the San Gabriel mountains towering above within a mile of the location this is a wonderful cafe to pop into in Altadena.

Stopped by before starting a hike near by and I'm so glad I tried something new! Cafe de Leche is a small coffee shop, with cute outdoor seating. They do a great job of providing shade and lots of greenery to liven up the back patio space. It's super cozy, but still open and fresh. I had a small oatmilk vanilla late and chocolate croissant. Total was about $12. There was a line out the door when I got there. I do wish they'd write names on the cups. They just write the coffee order. I didn't wait long for my order, but I wasn't sure if it was mine. No one else was claiming it, but it seemed way too fast to be mine. Maybe they just had impeccable speed! Either way it was delicious and I was very happy. Their horchata drinks look delicious and I can't wait to try next time I'm here!

Super friendly and efficient. We got a hot latte campesino and an iced horchata con espresso. The latte campesino had a description of star anise and orange peel. While subtle flavors really was a fantastic drink that highlighted these flavors. Not too sweet and not too bitter or milky. The horchata con espresso was a nice touch as well. I think the highlight of this place is the staff that interacted so well with every customer. The patio was nice and calm, cozy ambiance with many seated to just relax or study.

Horchata espresso w. Oat milk 5/5 staff were friendly and I will visit this cafe again there is convenient street parking

No place to go this morning. I wanted Cafe de Leche, but it burnt down in the Eaton Fire. I'll miss their quick service, the great coffee, the rich banana bread and chia pudding breakfasts, and especially the cute back patio. There's no place quite like it left in Altadena. I hope they rebuild.

They accept online orders. However , I recommend coming inside so you can see the full menu and specials. Locally owned adorable cafe with excellent service. You can purchase items from the cold case and merchandise. I had a rose latte that had real rose flavoring, not artificial. It was smooth and perfectly brewed. Free street parking. A bench in front and seating outside. Cafe was busy on a Saturday morning, but coffee came out quickly.

Staff was friendly. There's a list of menu items with color tabs, that's pretty helpful. They have juices, yogurts with fruit, salads, etc. The parking is very limited they do not have a parking lot. It's a small little café but has some outdoor seating.

Great service, great food, great ambience! The staff was really nice and patient. I enjoyed my scone very much and absolutely loved my chai chata drink! The only thing I would suggest that isn't a big deal is to raise the temperature in the zapper, it doesn't heat up food hot enough. Other than that, everything was wonderful and delightful!

I love coming here for a coffee and chilling in their back patio. Their prices are affordable, especially americano. Much appreciated! It's also my favorite spot to grab an americano as well. It's the best with a splash of oat milk. They have a decent selection of specialty drinks as well. As always, the horchata latte half sweet is my go to. Their back patio space is outside and just nice to enjoy on a sunny day. I would highly recommend stopping by with friends if you're in the area. I can't think of any cons besides the fact that they're not closer to where I live!

The coffee here is one of a kind! I always get the agave latte and I'm satisfied every time I leave. Sometimes I'll drive up that way just to get a coffee even if I have 1 million things to do because it's that good. The open area in the back is perfect for a casual hang out or even a study session. I brought my dog there before and just scrolled my phone, which was really relaxing. Highly recommend Cafe De Leche.

We will miss your presence every day until you rebuild. So sorry for the loss. The whole community is rooting for you.

I loved the coffee and back yard, it reminded me of Palm Springs retro spots. I was a little disappointed that they would not take cash for the coffee

Visited this adorable coffee shop around 8:30 on a Friday. Waited in a short queue, but thoroughly enjoyed the music in the meantime. You can definitely tell that the owners were thoughtful about the interior design. Had such a lovely interaction with the employee in a Pikachu hat at the register - all the baristas were calm in demeanor and friendly. An important combination for a hectic environment such as a coffee shop. I ordered a large hot latte with honey and whole milk + a Thai cold brew. Both were so delicious and I'm picky about my hot drinks! I was so surprised when I walked into the backyard patio. Such a fun surprise - I will definitely be returning with family and friends. This is the perfect place to catch up and enjoy your morning coffee.

I have been going around trying matcha latte hot (unsweetened) from quite a few shops and I'll just say this Matcha was slightly underwhelming .... Maybe we were looking for a more small town feel Employees were very kind and welcoming :) Preference is preference and I suppose I gravitate towards a more wooden feel, the little backyard area feels very cute and calm with lil cactus for vibes

This might just be my favorite coffee shop in LA. First of all it is situated in the serene city of Altadena. Everything about the shop is so aesthetically pleasing and homey (take a look at the pictures). They have a gorgeous mural on the side of the building and the inside is beautiful. Another thing I love about this place is that they sell merch! Diner mugs to shirts, they have merch that is cute and worth purchasing. There is also an outdoor seating area in the back to enjoy your coffee and chat with friends. I was in the mood for an iced matcha so I got that and thoroughly enjoyed the light, earthy flavors of the tea. The service was quick and the baristas were friendly. If you're a coffee or tea lover looking for a new spot to try, Café de Leche should be on your list.

This place is super cute and cozy. They have a lovely outdoor seating area. Got a rose oat latte and it was great. Really enjoyed doing some work here.

Super cute cafe shop with outdoor patio. The cafe de olla - Campesino café is so delish! I also had a yummy lemon poppyseed scone - so good!

There are few places like this one in LA. I feel like home there. CDL has been one of my favorite places in LA for 7 years now. The owners are the sweetest, everyone there is nice, and the coffee is delicious. Hanging out on the back patio is one of those treats:)

Beautiful coffee shop with fantastic coffee and friendly service. Looking forward to having you guys back.

Recently, my friend and I took a trip to Pasadena for a concert we were attending to. On our way back, we stopped to get coffee at this establishment. I absolutely loved the name, and wanted to check it out. Since this establishment is in a very small location, only two people were allowed inside. When we first got there, there was a small line outside, which probably took 10 minutes for us to reach the front. My friend and I both ended up ordering the Iced Horchata con Espresso with oat milk. I also got one of the chocolate chip cookies. Now, the reason why I am rating this coffee shop 4 stars is because there was quite a difference between my friends and my iced Horchata con espresso drink . Hers had a bitter weird aftertaste, while mine tasted creamy and delicious. After we both shared our thoughts on our coffees, ( as we both love coffee,) she explained to me how she disliked hers. That's when I went ahead and tried hers and noticed that they were two completely different drinks, (even though we ordered the same thing.) I offered my friend another drink, to which I simply walked inside and asked for it to be remade. The staff were kind enough and completely okay with remaking me the drink. On the other hand, the decorations of this cute establishment were totally on point. They were super modern and chic. They also had a cute outside patio where customers could enjoy their coffee. Overall, I enjoyed this great establishment and their coffee. I would definitely go back and recommend others to try it out.

The place is cute and has plenty seating in the back. Ordered an Iced horchata con expresso and a blueberry muffin. I've tried various iced horchata lattes and this one was by far, my least favorite. It tasted like straight up iced coffee- no horchata flavor. The blueberry muffin was yummy, though.

The Coffee is great! I love that there are a few toys around for kids to play with. Usually I avoid staying at cafes due to having a three year old that won't stay still. However, I feel very comfortable coming here and enjoy how calm it is.

Check this little coffee shop in Altadena and it was really good. Their iced horchata with espresso is one of this most popular. Would definitely come back and get it again. They also have a patio in the back that can be a great place to hangout with friends. The service is also good and their barista are friendly and helpful.

My favorite coffee shop for hangout and studying. I love their Campensino Latte. It is a Piloncillo, star of anise with espresso. The staff is always kind and informative. Parking is available on the street or next to to the street.

I got a hot cocoa with oat milk. They gave me cow milk. It took me a few sips to understand what was going on. I threw away most of my expensive drink. But the worst thing is that I THREW UP AT WORK. Please be more careful with your customers' orders. Some people have serious allergies

Stopped by yesterday to grab a coffee after visiting a local farmers market. Tried a regular iced latte with oat milk and it was perfect. My husband had the Thai style cold brew coffee which was sweetened with condensed milk and cardamom. Super strong. I found it disgusting but he loved it. Next time might try something flavored like the horchata latte. The line was kind of long but the beautiful seating area out back made it worth it! So serene. Small restroom inside and they had a food truck out front on this particular day.

Stumbled upon this cafe shop and it seems like quite a popular spot around the city! Parking can be a bit of a hassle since you would have to turn the corner and find the street parking there, but it wasn't too bad at the time I went on Saturday morning. All the stores around are pretty cramped together, so street parking would be limited! This is a pretty small coffee shop, but a decent sized back patio. I really liked how they decorated their space in the backyard and loved how so many people even brought their dogs here! Extremely dog friendly here. It's a nice place to catch up and talk with friends over coffee. The coffee here was not bad as well! Solid coffee shop for Altadena. A plus for a clean bathroom here too!

I love that my dog is welcome, and how quaint the patio is. The coffee is always strong, I don't like that sometimes when you come too close (like 10-15 min before) to closing you get a look when you order an iced latte OR I've been told they're already closed but that's only happened a few times. There's so many coffee shops so it's not a big issue but it has had me going to the ones that don't make it an issue more frequently.

I got a Horchata with espresso and it had espresso grounds in it and I kindly asked if I could get it replaced because the grounds were pretty big but they were very rude and gave me attitude. It was also sad to say the pastries were also stale :(

Cute small coffee shop with nice outdoor seating in the back. Chai latte was bomb! Loved the friendly service and chill vibe!

DO NOT GO HERE! THEY OVERCHARGE AND ARE VERY RUDE ABOUT IT!! I went in on Friday, March 22, 2024 for two drinks, a nitro, cold brew, large, and a regular size horchata with espresso. My total came out to $17.25 and I tipped one dollar. once I left my husband who frequently goes there and is actually the UPS driver who delivers their stuff, tells me that I was charged wrong and then I realized that it was very wrong. I called on Sunday because by the time I called on Saturday they were closed and the lady behind the phone told me that they were way too busy and she would look into it and call me back and just dismissed the whole thing. She was very rude and I told her that I wasn't even looking for my money back but that if my husband can just go and get a drink instead since it's 40 minutes from my house, but she has yet to get back to me and I will not be visiting this location anymore.

Café de Leche never disappoints!! The last two times I visited, I ordered the iced agave latte and the horchata con espresso. Both were delicious. The outdoor patio is also lovely and makes Café de Leche an ideal place to catch up with friends. If you're in the Altadena area, definitely worth a visit.

I tried this location for the first time today (I love the Cafe de Leche on York), and probably won't be back. Super cute place, great back patio. Unfortunately, I had a really unpleasant interaction with one of the baristas. I ordered two London Fogs (which are tea lattes), and the short female barista with the very short brown hair called out "hot teas" when they were ready. Just to confirm, I said "I ordered London Fogs?" And with an eye roll and an attitude that was borderline impressive to muster up before 8am on a Saturday, she goes "A London Fog IS tea." As a barista myself, this was a painfully pretentious interaction, especially considering the fact that she's just...wrong. That would be like calling out "Espresso" and getting upset when someone says "oh I ordered a latte". They're just...not the same thing. If you're going to be pretentious, at least know what you're talking about. So despite how much I love their little patio, I'm just going to stick to the York location.

I really hate this location. The one in Eagle rock is much better. Basically spent almost $10 on an iced latte that they call iced Horchata. When I received the drink it was all milk. And when I tasted it it didn't taste like an iced coffee. I went back to see if they can add a shot and we did for three dollars more. So it came out to almost $10 for a iced latte.

Why are the baristas suddenly all kind of mean and rude? I have been coming to this place for years. I have always been a fan of the coffee and the aesthetic and the vibe is great. Sometimes they run out of ingredients, sometimes the espresso machine is down, bakery items running low... these things I can forgive. Hey it's tough running a business. None of these things have ever deterred me from coming back and back again. The staff though.... Come on. What happened to politeness, patience, customer service. The other day a barista after forgetting the cream I ordered with my coffee said he forgot it and then said because "cream is disgusting." I chuckled at first but then thought... that was probably the first time I ever heard a server tell me something was disgusting at there establishment. That's a bold move. Listen man... I get it... it's taboo in Los Angeles now not to order oat milk or some other plant based milk, but I like cream and if I'm paying $6 for a cold brew I don't really need a lecture or to be shamed about it at 8 in the morning. You feel me?

Small but cheery coffee shop with plenty of seating on the stylish outdoor back patio. Note that there is no seating inside as most of that area is for retail -- bags of coffee, t-shirts, ceramic mugs, etc. I always get the same thing -- a small cappuccino -- and it's always made well, in the American style (it would be considered a latte in Europe), meaning that there isn't a lot of foam. Baristas are always friendly and you can order online by going to Cafe de Leche's website if you don't want to wait. If you want to try something different, you can order a hot horchata with espresso, a Mexi mocha, agave latte, cafe campesino (house-roasted coffee with piloncillo, cinnamon, anise, and orange peel), or mate latte. The pastry selection is small but flavorful: flaky almond croissants, ham and cheese croissants, danishes, banana bread. We love going on the weekends because there's always a pop-up there: On Saturdays from 10a - 2p, it's Sus Arepas (Colombian and Venezuelan food -- So So So Good!) and on Sundays, it's a Mexican cuisine stand, which has excellent breakfast sopas. Parking: There is no parking lot but there's plenty of street parking. One tip: The south side of Mariposa St. (just around the corner) has 2-hour parking while the north side of the same street has 1-hour parking. Park on the south side!

Good coffee, good service and has a yummy taco pop up on Thursdays and Sundays. Somehow there never seem to be pastries so I haven't been able to try those. However, if you want something tasty, try one of their specialty drinks. I'm a big fan of the Cafe Campensino and my husband enjoys the iced Horchata con Espresso. They're nice treats when we feel like straying from our usuals.

Pretty cafe with a great outside area in the back. Went there each day on vacation Daughter loved the chai latte.

Absolutely lovely local coffee spot. I adore the horchata con espresso and am so happy they can make it with decaf. I also loved the campesino latte (with flavoring similar to café de olla including cinnamon, orange and anise.) 100 percent pandemic safe, with all safety protocols being followed and very friendly service. They serve the complete range of milks last time I checked (soy, almond, etc.) I've also tried their whole bean coffee, which was delicious and also entitled me to a free drip coffee. Yay! What a deal. You could grab your coffee and go for a little socially-distant stroll in the neighborhood or take your coffee out for a drive. Street parking. Highly recommended.

Stumbled upon this coffee shop while on a walk with my friend. We stopped in and I ordered an iced vanilla latte. I was so pleased that they had a decaf espresso option since I am caffeine sensitive. It was SO delicious! Perfectly sweetened without being overly sweet. Everything about it was just right. The atmosphere was also pleasant and we loved the ample outdoor seating. Will definitely come back again!!

This review is long overdue, as a long time resident of Altadena prior to the opening of Cafe De Leche I used to make the trip down the hill to a barely average national chain for a cup of Joe. I am far from a coffee snob however I can taste bitter. Cafe De Leche never disappoints. The coffee is great and if you are not sure what your preference is, the knowledgeable staff is happy to make recommendations. The ambience is very comfortable, the back patio is tranquil. What really makes this place a joy to visit is the staff. They are always kind, friendly and helpful. You never feel rushed when visiting this location no matter how busy they are. Special shout outs to Kimmy, Lio, Anthony, Paulina and last but not least Ethan. This team is what other places should strive to assemble.

Efficient and comfortable service. Good pastries. Room out back to sit and eat. Convenient for me as I live close by.

I really like this place, the outdoor patio is perfect for days when you want to change the ambiance and not just work from home, the patio is tucked away in the back of the coffee shop making it quiet enough to work. The coffee is also great, my personal favorite here is the horchata con espresso which offers a nice balance (not very sweet). The jalapeño and cheese bagel however, is the star of the show here -- this bagel is amazing! Although they do not have dedicated parking, I have never had an issue finding a spot near-by.

I've been eyeing this cafe for awhile. Since I have some time off I figured I would start trying different coffee shops out in the area. Cafe de Leche was my first stop this week. My husband and I kept it simple, I ordered the Mexican Mocha and he had the blueberry muffin. Both items were decent, no complaints here. The coffee came out pretty fast with little to no wait time. I love their setup and the prices are competitive my drink wasn't real sweet at all and tasted balanced. I was happy to scratch Hilltop off of my list !

I love this place I used to live in Pasadena but went this past weekend to visit family. It is a hidden gem with delicious coffee.

Popped by on a Sunday morning for an Iced Horchata Con Espresso and the place was definitely buzzing! It's a small shop, and so, be prepared to wait in line outside the door. Cafe de Leche is located on Lake Avenue, just pass Marcheta Street a little bit in Altadena. Definitely a hidden gem that is located right next to Rancho Bar. A small, cute and quaint (blue and white) coffee shop. Taco Casa stand is also set up right next to them. The shop inside is nicely ventilated and clean. If you plan on hanging out, there is a beautiful patio in the back, but it gets filled up quickly. Otherwise, majority of patrons take their food and drinks to-go (like me). There is also one Unisex Restroom available. Parking: Street parking all around (watch for signs). COVID-19 Safety Procedures: All patrons and employees wore face masks, hand sanitizers are available and social distancing practiced. $6 Total ($5.25) Large Iced Horchata Con Espresso with Almond Milk ($0.75 charge). They also have Whole Milk, Skim Milk, 1% Milk, Oat Milk and Breve Milk. My Horchata Con Espresso was tasty, smooth and brewed-awakening. Though, I didn't detect the Horchata flavor as much. However, I do appreciate the double shots of espresso which instantly hit me. $3.85 Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Scone: I was a bit bummed that they didn't have any savory items on hand. Therefore, I got the Vegan Poppy Seed Scone and this did not disappoint! Love the crunchy outside edges and the inside was thick, moist and fluffy. Topped with the sweet and creamy lemon glaze and poppy seeds on top, yum! Service: Both baristas working there were sweet and friendly. One gal took down my order, warmed up my Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Scone and rang up my transaction while the other one prepared my Horchata Con Espresso. Service was quick and I was in and out of there within less than 15 mins. Overall, this was a fun coffee shop to try out and I'll be back again next to try out their other drinks. Just gotta make sure to come here a little earlier next time to beat the crowd and heat (started warming up around 9:15 a.m., when I had gotten there).

I wish there was half star rating because I would give them a 4.5, super cute little spot. Stopped by after a hike and their iced coffee drinks definitely hit the spot. Their back patio is a vibe for sure with their California dessert decor, it was giving Joshua tree chic. They had a little Mexican food pop-up right next to it that looked delicious, convenient to get a bite to eat with your coffee.

Great vibes out on the patio very relaxing! friendly staff and their Chai chata coffee is amaaaazing!