Kaffeine

Lovely coffee shop with everything needed for just a quick cup of coffee, or lunch. Coffee is always made with care, excellent drip roasts always available. Even make oatmeal for breakfast. The ambience is modern and perfect for a work meeting or study time.

I was torn between Starbucks and Kaffeine but I am stoked I chose Kaffeine! I am sipping the vanilla latte-​I chose it because they use powder and not syrup and it is divine! Better than CBTL or the bucks. Based on another Unilocal review I got the Ginger scone and is soft and yummy!

Nice place, latte is quite good, ginger scone is divine :). But when I needed late afternoon caffeine boost (5:30 pm), the place was closed. Thus I ended up going to Starbucks that I hate.

Love this café! WAAAY better than that Starbucks on the corner of Green & Lake. Tried the Turkish coffee and it was great and reminded me of Abu Dhabi. I will definitely come back here again because that Starbucks on the corner has homeless people hanging out and stinking up the place.

I know there’s a Starbucks across the street, and I know Starbucks is familiar and comfortable. But I know a coffee shop does its coffee right when a sip can make me smile.
The iced americano was excellent. It had such a smooth taste, and wasn’t acidic like the one at Starbucks. My mom enjoyed her blended hazelnut drink as well.
Service was excellent, there was wifi, it was clean, and there was ample seating.

So many good things to say about this place.
When you serve fair trade coffee from worker owned and small farm supporting cooperative Equal Exchange it is always a good place to start.
Then add nicely designed space — clean, open, nice fixtures, more downtown LA than South Lake Pasadena — and keep friendly non-​pissed off to work here staff.
With all of the key elements in place I am carried by my euphoric sense of having found a new great place and am just hoping that everything does not get screwed up at the point of actually drinking the coffee. Success!
The coffee was brewed perfectly. A happier medium dark roast with full flavor that easily beats out the darker and more narrow flavored drip coffees churned out at the other coffee place across the street (it involves the color green a mermaid and stars) Had a muffin to go a long with it — a tinge dry but still very decent. I like the way the pastries are displayed. They had some other wrapped sandwiches etc that would get the job done if you need a quick bite.
If you live or work in the neighborhood I highly recommend making this your daily cup!

What an upgrade from Pumpernickle, that place was such a yawn, I’m glad it’s gone. I like what they did to the interior, they brightened up the space so it’s clean and welcoming. Both guys that I’ve seen working here so far were really nice so I don’t understand the reviews about their rude customer service. I’m a fan of their scones. They have a blueberry one and a lemon ginger one. They’re moist, slightly sweet, and have the perfect flaky but soft texture. I need to ask them where they’re from next time. As for their organic coffee, I haven’t ventured out much. I’ve tried an almond milk latte and soy latte so far. Both were good but I preferred the soy latte because they use a pretty bold roast so almond milk doesn’t work well with it. Parking is inconvenient on S. Lake but I would definitely recommend coming here if you live/​work walking distance to Kaffeine.

The coffee was really good and the customer service was friendly. Going to try out the food next time for sure.

Local business with excellent espresso drinks (not burnt like starbucks) and great customer service. My new favorite coffee spot!

I’ve been in here twice now, and the service has always been fast and reliable. The baristas definitely vary in their friendliness, but I’m not at the coffee shop for a long, interesting conversation either. The espresso is FANTASTIC in my opinion, and it’s all organic!
One point of contention is that I was there on my second visit when the barista came up to me and announced that he would be closing early due to it being slow. The sign on the window said they were open until 7pm, but he was leaving just before 4pm! Not a deal breaker, but they lost a star for it.
Give them a try, and stop using Starbucks and Coffee Bean right down the road.

I love love love their chai latte. It reminds me so much of back east where I use to order it from Dunkin Donuts. Starbucks Chai is a little too spicy for me so this was just right. I wasn’t a fan of the cheese cake… a little hard. My first time there, the owner was there and super nice and friendly. The second time, the bald guy was unfriendly and quiet. Prefer when the owner is there but either way the chai is amazing. New signage by the way! The place is also beautiful inside

Stopped by after a workout to try one of their lattes. I thought the Turkish latte sounded interesting and I ordered it. Nothing special except for the cardamom. I wasn’t too impressed. Maybe their regular espresso is good.

Random Act of Kindness: Pay it forward.
I visited Kaffeine for the first time today on the recommendation from a colleague at work. I thought the atmosphere was very sleek, the coffee was stellar –organic and made with care– and the staff was great.
I had a meeting there and I left my purse behind. It had my wallet and keys in it. On trying to leave work at 7pm I realized I didn’t have my bag and couldn’t get home.
I googled the number to Kaffeine on a chance the number went to the owners cell phone. Errol picked up. He said he has been looking for me all day and was worried about how I would get home. He was having dinner with his two sons about 30 minutes away. Instead of saying wait until tomorrow, he stopped what he was doing and came over and brought back my bag. He was so nice about it too.
Kaffeine is a new business in the area. My late was great — it was priced competitively to starbucks. The coffee is made with care. They are good people. Give them a try!

pretty tasty new coffee place that opened on lake. signage is just some banner sort of hung over the pumpernickel sign that used to be there.
have been a few times and the coffee is reasonably priced. (similar to starbucks just across the street).
the blueberry muffin is pretty good.
the almond milk latte is tasty.
americano was not bitter at all.

Great coffee, super fast service. Definitely better than the local chain across the street.

I want to like this place, I really do.
Being that it’s a privately owned coffee shop, I wanted to like it, support it, and give my business to them instead of Coffee Bean and Starbucks.
A coworker and I walked over (I just went for the walk), and we asked them when they opened–
barista: «today’s our first day.»
me: «OH! Congratulations!!»
barista: thanks.
Mind you, we were the ONLY customers in here. It’s not like he was too busy to maybe crack a smile.
Geez, a little enthusiasm goes a long way, buddy.
She orders an iced tea. Looks good, fresh mint leaves, the color is a bright yellow/​orange. Looks tasty. I wanted to come back to try for myself.
The following week, I go in, and ask for an iced green tea. I asked for room for cream, and asked if they had salt. I like a little tiny bit of salt and agave in my iced green tea. She said they had some kosher salt. Perfect.
Tea was good, not very strong. but I liked its flavor. Mint leaves didn’t have much taste. Maybe they should tear them to release flavor before throwing them in the cup. My coworker’s coffee was ok, nothing phenomenal.
The guy who gave me my drink (I think the manager? Bald guy, kind of stocky).didn’t even smile or try to be friendly, even AFTER I made small talk with him.
he gives me a bit of salt in a plastic cup
me: thank you so much… I know it’s weird, but I love adding a bit to my iced tea *smile*
him: looks up briefly, says nothing, and walks away.
You know, it’s not like I’m asking to have a full on conversation with these people, but smiling faces, and polite small talk isn’t too much to ask. For the price, and lack of friendly service, I’ll be back to Coffee Bean and Starbucks. At least they employ people who look like they actually want to be there and help their customers.
I tried liking you, Kaffeine… but I’ve worked in Pasadena long enough to see businesses open and shut down every few months or so. Either step up your game, or you’re in for a rude (and sad) awakening.

The coffee here is excellent! Soooo much better than Starbucks overly acidic and burnt taste. The latte art is fun too, a nice touch.
My favorite sandwiches are the grilled cheese with the roasted tomato spread and the turkey and Swiss panini (OMG so good).
The décor is relaxing and modern. A great place to study or have a coffee a date.
Some of the baristas are pretty cute too ;)

New spot that just opened up on Lake St. I’m not sure what the local regulations are on signage, but it would be very tough to pick out while driving by, and even walking by you barely notice it with the stark, slim modern font they chose.
As the other reviewers have mentioned, they did a nice job with the décor in the space — clean, a mix of modern lines and classic materials (e.g., a large marble counter), and there is plenty of space to sit.
I can’t vouch for the espresso drinks yet, but they at least have the right machinery. The regular coffee is a step up from Starbucks in terms of quality and flavor (less bitter, no classic Starbucks «burned» flavor), and pretty comparably priced at $ 2.75 for a large.
A small pastry selection, I picked the regular croissant and it was a solid effort that was clearly made with quality ingredients.
Friendly and efficient staff, good coffee and food, and reasonably priced (basically in-​between Starbucks and the «elite» shops like Intelligentsia). It’s a nice addition to the street, and I hope they do well.

Great décor and friendly staff I Was tired of going to Starbucks and I saw a new spot opening so I gave it a try got a med (16oz) coffee about 5 bucks hmmm ok I’ll forgive you for that it’s organic and it’s good coffee I would have gone for a pastry but they just had them on the counter ummm at least some parchment paper or a plastic tray gentlemen. I’m sure it’s clean but I just don’t like the idea of my bread laying on a counter top all in all I knock off one star just bc parking is terrible witch isn’t their fault but I found lil to hate about this place !!! :)

decent latte. at least better than starbucks. nice space. looks like they just opened.