mandarin coffee stand

"Verdict: A legitimately cute cafe with good coffee. Mandarin Coffee is the rare cafe that'll please anyone who believes frequenting cute coffee shops is a surrogate for a personality and people who simply want good caffeine. Only four adults can comfortably fit in this Pasadena cafe, but the cramped space is part of the charm. That, and the fact Mandarin Coffee Stand is inside a British-themed shopping arcade, complete with a red phone booth for photo-ops. The real reason there's so much hype around this place is their coffee drinks. Their pour-overs are all made with beans sourced from China. Other combinations are balanced and smart here, like espresso tonics that get brightened up with tart pineapple jam and the Vienna latte that's silky from sweat cream without overpowering the espresso. Come during the week to avoid a wait." - sylvio martins, brant cox, nicolas zhou

"Prepare to stay awhile at Mandarin Coffee in Pasadena, located within the Burlington Arcade’s glass-covered courtyard. This Asian and woman-owned cafe offers a seating area as enjoyable as the espresso drinks, like the cappuccino made with espresso and sweetened coconut cream. The bright, natural-light-filled breezeway makes for one of the most vibey coffee meet-up locations in Los Angeles." - Mona Holmes, Rebecca Roland

"Mandarin Coffee is a small cafe inside a charming British-themed shopping arcade. The space transports you somewhere far away from Pasadena (Hogwarts, perhaps?), even if you’re waiting in line outside due to the limited space. The creative Chinese-inspired drinks are worth queuing for, though, like an espresso tonic brightened up with tart pineapple jam and a bold Vienna latte made silky with the perfect amount of sweet cream." - sylvio martins, garrett snyder

"The quiet Pasadena corridor Mandarin Coffee lives in has a certain charm—European flags hang from the second floor and flap in the wind, there's a bright-red phone booth next to the tables, and wrought-iron chandeliers collect dust above. In other words, if you're looking for a coffee experience outside the typical, crowded mill that borderline feels like a WeWork, this quirky cafe is right for you. A majority of the seating is outdoors in a cool, hushed hallway, where you'll sit next to kimono shops and vintage barbers (an ideal setting for anyone who, for whatever reason, needs almost complete silence to do anything on a laptop). And the coffee here is worth the trip alone. Try the Gua Hua latte, a creamy espresso drink infused with sweet olive honey and cardamom bitters, with a dash of oat milk." - Kat Hong