Kaldi Coffee & Tea

Break my Marbles! Get ready this is gonna be slasher. Kaldi Coffee & Tea is a corner coffee shop in South Pasadena. They serve basic coffee, tea, specialty drinks and pastries. Interior design and layout were cool sleek and spacious, respectively. Atmosphere was nice with plenty of natural light. Young staff were nice. They have front outdoor seats for those who prefer some view. I had a Mint Iced Coffee and it's complete whoppers! If Sauron exists this drink is perfect for him and his minions. It's blithering pathetic drink; there was not a good balance of elements in this mint IC. Drink was not brewed smoothly, not refreshing, banal plastic cup, and on top of it über milky. All I had was a tiny sip and I quivered. And I knew that it was a subpar-mediocre iced coffee. The price does not reflect the quality, I threw it away. No wonder the rating was utterly garbage. I suggest they overhaul their drinks. Overall, I will never come back again. And waste my resources. Not sure why folks enjoy this kind of iced drink.

I come here all the time to get my work done and it hasn’t failed me yet! I am obsessed with the cozy atmosphere, it literally looks like a coffee shop out of a Nancy Meyers movie. The coffee is great and made quickly and the staff seem to love working here- I see them hanging out even when they’re not working which in my opinion is a sign of a great coffee shop with great managers. I know this is a South Pas staple and for good reason- this coffee shop has been home to many workdays for me and I am grateful for such an amazing place to cozy up and get a nice drink.

Dropped by to get some drinks. All the seats were taken and the interior has a very local, homey feel which I like.

This cafe is on the corner by the South Pas library and it has a really laid back feel to it. The interior is light and cozy with fun art on the walls. The drinks here are good and there are a decent amount of food and pastry options. Lots of great seating inside and on the patio.

Nice neighborhood. Dog owners welcome! Came here on a Saturday where the street vendors and highschool band are present. Mediocre food and coffee-- not much of fresh coffee smell. & They got the order wrong,but with the pre-tip rules, there's really not much to do. I don't know if there's a restroom for guests, but a wheelchair may need to stay outside, because the double door is not automatic and only one side is open. There's seats outside.

They make a lovely latte. All of their stuff is good! The vibe indoors is very pleasant, and I basically always see people sitting outdoors during the day, enjoying the ambience of a quiet corner of SoPas right across the street from the library. Kaldi's a classic, for sure.

I like the ambience in the store but I get lots of coffee grounds in my coffee. The Mexican mocha taste wise is pretty okay but could have a less acidic coffee taste and a stronger cinnamon flavor, and I don’t like the sandy texture of the coffee grounds. Location isn’t bad, great spot for work.

Honestly, by far the worst coffee shop ever! When I came in, no one welcomed me in. I ordered a Mexican Mocha, it was a waste of $4. It lacks taste, it legit taste like coffee with milk. Where is the mocha? Also, the croissant was stale.. If you are not a regular here, expect to get bad service.

My favorite spot to get a Vietnamese iced coffee and study! It's a nice spot to pull up a chair and get your study on! Additionally, their turbo coke, tress leches latte, and cordaditos are amazing!

This is a great local coffee shop hidden on a beautiful side street in South Pasadena. It's a very comfortable place to enjoy a hot drink with lots of places to sit/work inside and more tables out front of the old brick building. We had the Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte and a Dos Leches Latte. Both were flavorful, smooth & warm on a cold day. The staff was both friendly & helpful and the shop is cluttered but clean. There is ample street parking and it is a lovely area to go for a walk.

My favorite local coffee spot. Best vibes inside! I'd come here all the time in high school with my best friends and order frozen vanilla lattes (and sometimes a grilled cheese or chicken pesto panini). Love grabbing an FVL and sitting on the couches inside or laying in the sun by the library!

Zen out in South Pasadena... You can drop in from the Subway Station a couple of blocks from here... 2 hour parking in surrounding neighborhood for days... We're camped right outside the South Pasadena Library on Diamond Street... Feeling like a diamond in the rough... Everyone's so nice... Everything's so quiet here... I'll take a seat outside and watch the giant trees light up with the morning sun... And keep sipping on my dirty chai oat milk latte... Like I said... Tao of Kaldi vibeszzz

Coffee culture in Europe is quite different than the US. The unique American coffee Culture has been slowing down for post pandemic era. But those local coffee bars have been safe haven for Casual date to entrepreneurs and intellectuals to exchange innovative ideas at the coffeeshop. ( Sorry Not Sorry Starbucks). This one, it s more personalized and stylized. 'Venti is Twenty' - Elizabeth Banks and Paul Rudd. ( google it if you don't know). So I am not here about a cup of Venti or a cute barista, Saoirse Ronan ( Lady Bird). I'm here for cheer the heck up over 15 years of local coffee bar since Role Models film released. Back in the day, I was in Brooklyn and day dreaming of SoCal. Hey, no more watching Yankee game and working at the restaurant. For sure, someone would knock on my door with Dunkin' coffee in East Coast but I made it to California. The very same spot Paul Rudd asked a large black coffee. As of today, a barista who look like Rooney Mara asked me how would you take the coffee, I'd say, " A large Black Coffee, pls. " FYC: woman owned Kaldi Coffee & Tea at serendipity South Pasadena. Just right across the library. And massive chocolate croissants!

Located next to Pasadena library, this hidden gem has the best honey vanilla latte! It's absolutely phenomenal! The perfect combination of sweetness from the honey and the delightful aroma of vanilla make this latte a true treat for the taste buds. The baristas at Kaldi are always friendly and welcoming, which adds to the overall positive experience. If you're a fan of lattes, I highly recommend giving their honey vanilla latte a try. It's a sip of pure bliss! It's giving me cozy vibes too! Not all tables have outlets because I was thinking to come here to do some work.

I was looking for a place to get some work done and came across Kaldi. It's a small, local cafe right on the corner of the street. It's right across from the library and they have plenty of free street parking. There were a few people, but plenty of seats were available to get some work done and outside seating for those who wanted to sit & chat. The overall ambiance is great. Plus they have free WiFi for the win! For my visit, I went with the honey vanilla latte. It was the perfect drink for my morning. There are also plenty of drink options as well. Overall, I was able to accomplish the 2 things I had in mind that day: to get some work done & to have a cup of coffee. This will be a great cafe to add to my list (and yours) for another coffee & work session!

A really sweet place immediately across the street from the library!! The apple cider was delicious and I appreciate that they have some food. I wish they had a bathroom though. The woman there was super nice and they even have a nice couch!

I've driven by Kaldi numerous times and always see people sitting outside enjoying their coffee, so when my darling girls mentioned they'd be in the area this place seemed like the perfect spot to meet up! I had no idea that Kaldi had been in the area for 29 years. The coffee shop is women owned and currently has a new owner, so disregard any previous bad reviews because she was darling! I didn't catch her name but she was working hard behind the counter and serving every cup with a smile. The shop itself is cozy. Plenty of tables to sit at and relax with a beverage and a pastry. It's a great spot to meet up with friends, read a book, or get some studying in. They support local artists and their artwork is displayed on the wall for purchase. Our order consisted of: Macchiato (Graciela), Mexican Mocha (Jessica), 3 espresso shot latte with oat milk (Te-See), and a Drip for me. We also shared a cheese Danish. I needed some extra fuel to help me finish a work project by a 1 p.m. deadline and the Drip did the trick. It was smooth & robust and gave me that extra boost. *Parking lot on the side of the building & free parking on the street.

Te-see is on a roll!!! I hit 2 new coffee shops this week...what??? Yes, damn straight. And this one is owned by a Woman!!!! Happy national Women's Month:) Thanks to my girl Nikki, she suggested we meet here with the beautiful Perez sisters, Graciela and Jessica. Had a college vibe with a sprinkle of "Portland," Oregon. Especially on another cold and misty morning. This coffee shop has been here for 29 years...Really? Who knew? New ownership now and well run. The owner was very friendly. She took my order which was ready in minutes. *My staple drink order: 3 espresso shot latte, extra hot with oat milk. Spot on! It was smooth, rich and hot!!! ~The girls ordered a macchiato, Mexican Mocha and small drip~ *Great location *Parking lot on the side of the building *Free street parking (read the signs!) *Plenty of tables inside and outside to enjoy a warm sunny day *Workable space

Kaldi is a nice, quiet coffee shop in South Pasadena that features a variety of drinks and pastries but not as much parking. Street parking is available, but read carefully because even on the same street, there is 2hr and 3hr parking parallel from each other on the one-way streets! I ordered a latte upside down, and it was tasty. However, the ham and cheese croissant could have been better. It was a bit flimsy and salty. It wasn't too crisp, and it was more of a chore and obligation to eat than an enjoyable breakfast / snack. The bag that it came in also got quite oily. Overall, I would label the ham and cheese croissant one of those look but don't order items. Outside of the food, the circular tables were a bit wobbly, so working was a little difficult. Additionally, I saw that the plug I sat next to didn't quite have power... I didn't check if this was true the entire cafe, but I thankfully had about 5% battery left before my parking time ran out

I love Kaldi's. Okay, maybe I get an almond milk iced latte every time and I think I've had around 20 from there, but it hits every. time. It is cool inside and there are tables to work with outlets. They always make my drink so fast! Even though I always get the same thing, they have a sign in front of the store with their seasonal specials, which you should definitely try.

Small little corner coffee shop in south Pasadena. It is across the street from the library. The neighborhood is cute with lots of trees and small neighborhood streets. There is a shared parking lot with designated spaces for Kaldi customers or you can find street parking. The inside is not too big, they have some outdoor seating as well. The overall vibe inside was quiet and not a lot of talking. Service was friendly but took a while, I wanted to try their mint latte and asked to have it made with oat milk. Interestingly, if you ask for an iced latte, they will charge you for a mint iced coffee, which is more expensive. Not sure how that makes sense, since iced coffee and iced latte are two separate things. However, I decided to try the hot mint latte. Substitution with oat milk is $1 extra. The drink was pretty good, but took very long to make. As they were about to close, we were booted from our table so that they can clean up. A little pushy, but it seemed like the regulars knew about this since they all sat in the corner on the sofa and couches. Not a big deal, but it could rub some people the wrong way.

I love the food and drinks. I would like to leave a stellar review but there are some problematic behaviors by the business owner at this location. First they have a bathroom, which is now no longer available to patrons. This is very inconvenient, as we all know it's there, but it's no longer available and you have to leave you drink, food, table, items, and go across the street and around the block, into the library, to use the facilities. Secondly the business owner is charging bogus, arbitrary credit card fees for purchases under $10 which is just really petty and cheap and below the standard of the neighborhood to nickel and dime patrons because you don't want to pay 2%. The business owner is blatantly telling us, the money comes first. It's cheap, low, and grubby to put that in front of a transaction, for 30 cents, which is more than the CC processing fee; and is frankly vulgar to do to customers. For the record I am a licensed mobile business owner, and a founder of an LLC with a retail and online component. The price points on the coffee and tea products is already above market, for the greater SoCal Area, and the price to pay for them, while sitting on cheap plastic furniture outside is the third rub. This used to be a destination, and it is still, but it is fallen.

Unless you want some burnt over priced coffee come here but you're better off going to starbucks at this point. Wouldn't recommend.

Nice spot in South Pas. Fun eclectic art and lots of seating. There's wifi to sit and get work done or meet with a friend but no bathrooms so use at your own risk. Lots of parking in the back lot or street parking.

Awesome location, fast wifi, quick service. The latte was kind of expensive, but I'm good with that as it ensures that there's always a seat available to enjoy the coffee and then with inflation the way it is currently it's not that surprising. I do wish they were open late like they used to be a long ago, but they do the same that many places do now: start closing before closing time! Kaldi is not alone in doing this, but if you're closing at 5, at least let your customers be at peace until 5 instead of sweeping and bringing chairs and umbrellas down before closing time!

I popped in on a Monday morning around 10am. There were a few people seated both inside and outside. The service was fast and friendly. I ordered off of their specials board and got the seasonal mint iced coffee. It was really yummy! A little pricey in my opinion for the size - nearly $7, but compared to neighboring places very averagely prices. I sat outside across from the library and it was a very serene setting with some good people watching. I'm not dying to come back, but I'd stop by again!

Great calm and cozy place. Good prices and service and most importantly great coffee!!!

Does a great job with great coffee. And it so convenient when I go to the South Pasadena Public Library.

I'm giving this establishment 1 star (but if I could've given 0 stars I would!) because last Wednesday I went to get some work done and needed to use the bathroom. I went to this girl at the counter and asked if I could use their bathrooms in which she replied with "we don't have bathrooms but the 'Levery' does." I frequent this area a lot and did not recognize that name. She kept pointing at the window, but all I saw was the park and school district building. After a lot of confusion, a boy next to her soon stepped in and I could tell the vibes weren't nice. I soon left, still confused btw, and heard the boy say "at least you know what a corner is!" to the girl. It was very loud because my seat was all the way across the cafe. Still needing to use the bathroom badly, I checked my maps again to figure out what she was talking about and decided to go back and have them point it out on my maps. The boy walked out from the counter and pointed to the library. I thought she said "levery" not "library" but instead of taking the time to smooth out the misunderstanding, they were incredibly rude and gross about the interaction. It was raining so instead of going to the library, I went to JONES COFFEE. There, I said I would buy croissant if I could use their restroom. They said yes and gave me the code- no problem! Once I was ready to buy their ham and cheese crossiant, they realized they didn't have any, but offered me a FREE PASTRY along with the one I settled for! It was a complete 180 from the customer facing mess I endured at Kaldi coffee. Moral of the story If you're in a customer facing business, make sure to be POLITE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS. If there's a misunderstanding with a customer, take the time to smooth it out. There could've been a number of reasons as to why I couldn't understand her. Any customer could've had: 1. A hearing issue 2. A disability 3. Issues with the machines being too loud 4. Anything really I would think this establishment wouldn't want to discriminate people of any kind, but who knows if they have these types of workers representing them. Also, go to Jones Coffee instead!

Amazing! Loved the coffee and the service. Super nice and chill place to get some work done or hanging out. This place will become my usual spot.

really enjoy this quaint little place. employees are nice and coffee is good. like the outside tables/chairs.

Not sure why this coffee shop has low stars on here. I visited two days in a row because I had a great experience. Staff was very polite and the Vietnamese ice coffee was excellent! Great location and plenty of seating. Will be coming here often. If you decide to work/study here bring your electronics charged I didn't see very many outlets.

Wonderful place to get lost in a good conversation with friends. They don't rush you to move, and the chai tea is very good as well.

90's style coffee shop I've been coming to for a long time. Great atmosphere/location. Costco' muffins for 4.75. They probably bought 20 for 9.99 or something. 16oz coffee for 3.25 which you can't dress yourself. No sugar/milk/napkin bar. Seems to be what everyone is doing today, and is sadly becoming normalized. Who thought we would be spending a half hour's (min) wage on a medium coffee and a crappy muffin?

Counter staff impatient, rude, passive aggressive, and refused service. Staff got very annoyed with me when I asked for specifics of ingredients. I explained it was my first time there and also had allergies. They voluntarily brought out the jar of spread and slammed it on the counter before saying they could refuse service. No enforcement of mask policy as patron with no mask at all in front of me was able to order and wait inside. When I questioned the mask policy, the man at the counted told me their boss did not provide extra masks and then refused service to me. I'll also report to health department.

This coffee shop in the best location for a coffee shop. Just needs a different coffee shop. Came there after the Pasadena bike ride event. It was so nice out. We got a table outside, then took turns getting our drinks, so someone is watching the bikes. I go in and theres an older angry lady berating the barista, asking her if she washed her hands. I'm just trying to get my coffee, but this lady just keeps on going. She's getting her tea made and the barista is actually touching the tea leaves with her bare hands. The lady gets her drink and mumbles something on her way out. I come up, order my iced coffee. And jokingly say "don't forget to wash your hands" and get a smile back. I was going to pay with card, but as a test I decided to give the girl $5 paper money, sweaty and filthy from being near my ass on the bike ride. The girl accepts the cash, gives me the change in paper and coin. I gesture the tip jar. All good. But now this barista proceeds to make my drink. Grabs the ice scooper out of ice machine fills my cup, fills the cup with coffee. Then proceeds to put the lid on and makes sure the lid is secure. All with her bare hands, not washed, no hand sanitizer. Gross!

Gets a B for effort. My god, I have never witnessed someone steam milk to pour into an iced latte.... I asked for a short latte because I wanted less milk. I got a full size latte and witnessed this poor girl steam my milk and pour into a very watery, over pulled double shot of espresso that looked like drip coffee...

Their mexican hot chocolate is good. I asked for less sweetener, and it was perfect.

I have been coming to Kaldi for 28 years. My wife and I used to take our infant daughter there once she was born. We have loved the location and the pleasant, laid back staff. It became a second home to us as a landmark location and place to relax. Since COVID, the hours have shortened and it's no longer open in the evenings due to staffing issues. However, this morning I was accosted by the new, sole employee after I sat down and was having a discussion with my wife. Kaldi was completely empty, inside and out. Usually I go in and grab something to eat once settled. This employee interrupted my conversation, asked if I were waiting for someone, and then immediately demanded I leave or he'd call the cops because I hadn't ordered anything yet. He was belligerent, arrogant, rude, abusive, and ruined any chance Kaldi had of me buying anything today, nor will I ever go there again as long as they have someone so unsuited to the job. I'll speak to the owner, but I have to encourage you to go to either La Monarca or Jones Coffee Roasters, both a block away. In 28 years of our family going to Kaldi, I have NEVER been verbally attacked by an employee like that. In fact, nowhere in any store have I ever been treated like this. I'm still in shock, and I'm sad. I cannot give them my business anymore, and I ask that you don't either. Here's the employee in question, sitting where I left. He seemed eager to pick a fight, and just as eager to show off he had my seat!

Not sure what's up with the negative reviews. People need to chill out. This place is great. Consistently good chai lattes. A laid-back vibe outside with tables and chairs on a tree-lined street. Usually an acoustic guitar or two. No complaints here. Fellow Yelpers, we need good spots like this to remain in South Pas and your petty whining about minor things isn't helping.

$4 peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Dos leches coffee, regular, and salted caramel coffee, large. The dos leches was good, you can taste the coffee although it is sweet. The salted caramel was very yummy, maybe a bit too sweet. You can not taste too much of the coffee, I wish it was more coffee tasting. The sandwich was whatever. Staff was not so friendly.

This corner is movie and television commercial famous. There's been thriller movies, car commercials, and many other products filmed here. I always tell the employees that the owner should put up pictures from those films up on the wall. Now to the coffee, we ordered an iced coffee and it was perfect.

We stopped in late in the afternoon on a warm Sunday late in the afternoon. Had the dog with me, and he had just stomped around Urban Pet on Fair Oaks. Decided to give him a little walk in what shade we could find and he practically brought us to Kaldi. This is a very nice little coffee shop across the street from a public library and nice little park. The sandwich board outside of the cafe was advertising an iced Mexican latte, which sounded pretty good on a warm Sunday afternoon. Once inside I was faced with several drink options, including a honey vanilla latte, and lots of really good sounding drinks. I was drawn by the Mexican latte, though, so it seemed like a destined decision. Their desert case was empty and in the process of being cleaned for the evening, so I didn't get a chance to browse any of their sweets, but it's nice to know they have pastries and several sandwiches to choose from. My drinks were made fast, came out excellent and they literally locked the door behind me as I left, so we were there right at close, but I never felt rushed or put out. The drink was nice. Hints of chocolate and warm cinnamon, creamy, but not too sweet. Perfect end of the afternoon. I'm definitely interested in trying more of their menu. They're right up the street from my favorite pizza place, Mamas Brick Oven, in South Pas, so we'll try and make a point of stopping by and getting a few more items off the menu in the future. Oh, and not sure if they're dog friendly. I didn't ask if my guy could come in, and he waited patiently outside, but there was a glass filled with dog treats right as you come in the door, so they're at least looking out for the pups in the neighborhood. Always a plus.

Really cute spot! Sat outside and enjoyed a delicious lavender latte and a fresh tasting croissant. Great place to catch up with a friend. Will be back!

Been here a number of times over the years, coffee is always shmeh, but their chocolate croissants are lovely. It's in the perfect location in south pas... just wish the coffee was of better quality. Their espresso is sub par. Stick with plain coffee.

I took a small break from working at home to pickup breakfast and support a local business but was extremely disappointed with the reception at this place. A young lady, Sierra, is clearly not equipped to be interfacing with customers. She was rude from the start of my experience there. Acknowledging customers when they say Good Morning or at least greeting with a smile is what we are accustomed to as business are all struggling to retain loyal customers. Sierra not only did not make me feel welcomed, she also impolitely told me to step outside when I returned, as requested, 20 minutes after placing my sandwich order. There's absolutely no sense of proper customer service. If the owner cares about this business, he should seriously re-consider his staff.

Love this place. I accidentally grabbed the wrong drink and the ladies were so nice to help me get my order. They did not get mad or frustrated which really made me feel supported and like a person. With COVID-19, some are very condescending and mean, not this place. Love the environment and will be coming back :-)!

Stopped in here to grab a cup of coffee before my photo shoot up street (mortyvision.com) and I have to say that this place makes a great cup of coffee. I got the regular Morabe drip coffee with some oat milk and it's quite satisfying. Also the barista was super nice and the vibe of the inside was spot on. I'll be back.

Wifi password: elcentro Situated on the corner of the street across from the public library, Kaldi is one of many local coffee shops in Pasadena. This one has a spacious interior with a large open space and decently friendly staff. They sell sandwiches here too, but I noticed their pastry display was somewhat lacking (around 1:30). The Mint Iced Coffee was good and I'd say it's comparable to Philz, if not better. I liked how they didn't leave the giant mint leaf in there, taking up my coffee space ;). The Pomegranate Iced Green Tea was super bland and essentially slightly-flavored water. It's an okay place to study, but the table was a bit low so I had to hunch over a bit to work. There's some outside seating as well if you want to bring your doge. The neighborhood is pretty awesome, very reminiscent of San Francisco or Seattle.

Everyone was so kind here! Such a cute little community coffee shop. The mint ice coffee was very yummy. Great place to work. I didn't get one but the pastries looked delicious

Wednesday, July 3, 2019 11 AM Quaint little coffee house in a very old and historic building in South Pasadena. Been here a few times over the years but never wrote a review. Not really much to say other than I love the environment and vibe of the building itself. Inside feels like your in an old farmhouse out on the ranch. I love it. Today I had a chocolate muffin. Delicious like they possibly made it themselves. My photos below...

I really like kAldi's! I go here a lot-their Mexican mocha is the best drink. I'd go here more often but their tip system is cash only. I don't want to shop somewhere without tipping so when I don't have cash on me I go to La Monarca. I don't like them as much, but they take tips on credit card. I'd upgrade my review from a 4 to a 5 if the tip situation were better.

I ordered my drink and went outside, about 10 minutes later this guy comes charging towards me and yells at me to move my chair. Apparently I had put my chair in the wrong place, which, fine, tell me politely and I'll move it but it wasn't necessary to yell. Also, I have no idea who this cranky and aggressive guy was - manager, owner, customer? He didn't identify himself, and I hadn't seen him behind the counter, he was sitting at a table inside. I finally had to tell him to just go away and stop yelling at me. I'm giving them two stars because the women who work the counter are very nice and professional. If they have to work with this guy, I feel for them. Coffee - it's ok, nothing special. There are 3 other small business coffee houses within walking distance and I'm guessing no one will yell at you.

Friendly and cute coffee shop. The barista is friendly and the latte was excellent Also had the danish which was fresh and delicious. They do also have WiFi which helps and the immediate area around Kaldi is super cute They don't have a bathroom which is an issue but there is a public library across the street you could use I suppose.

Very cool little coffee shop in South Pasadena! There's ample street parking. Met a friend here at around 2:30. There were people going in and out pretty consistently. I ordered a non fat chai latte and it was really good! Staff is nice and has a very cool atmosphere.

I've been coming here for awhile to support local and never understood why they got such bad reviews. I mean, the coffee isn't mind-blowing, but it's also not terrible. And the service, while not tip-deserving, is also not a deal breaker. Today I finally understand why it's rated so low....No public restrooms. They send you to the public library which wouldn't be too bad (just across the street) except if it's closed, you're outta luck. They told us to try La Monarca (a bakery/cafe) on Mission (8 min walk) but you'll have to buy something from them in order to use the restroom....so you're better off just going to La Monarca in the first place. This is the first cafe I've been to that doesn't offer a restroom. They obviously must have a restroom for their employees and it's disappointing that they didn't think to make an exception for when the library is closed.

Stop here for lattes after my morning bike rides - why do I love their lattes when there are so many other choices... * They have 3 sizes * They don't rip you off for alternative milks * The staff is really great * They taste good Get ya some morning joe at Kaldi! Looking forward to trying some of their food too. :)))))