Zona Rosa Caffe

(626) 793-2334

15 South El Molino Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101 34.1455 -118.137

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Neighborhood: South Pasadena

Price:

$

Last updated 6.15.11

Category:

Restaurants, Coffee & Tea Shops

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Live Music, Outdoor Dining

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Zona Rosa Caffe

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Named after a bohemian enclave in Mexico City, this lively cafe is the centerpiece of the Pasadena Playhouse District. The two-story, vibrantly colored coffeehouse is a hub for local intellectuals, artisans and coffee connoisseurs. The menu features Mexican chocolates and South American coffee beans, as well as house favorites drinks like the Zona Rosa cappuccino and Zocalo Con Plato, a chocolate and banana ice blend. Il Fornaio provides the baked goods like chocolate croissants, muffins and scones.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
During the summer, the cafe features live Latin jazz every Thursday night. The bands, which have included the likes of Ozomatli and Quetzal, set up in the adjacent alley.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a funky, cozy little place with great espresso drinks and fruity concoctions.”
  2. “Zona Rosa definitely has a niche all to itself in L.A.- great drinks made with Mexican chocolate in a small but laid-back atmosphere.”
  3. “It's got a great location, next to the playhouse, so if you're looking for a place to kick-back before the play, maybe give it a try.”
  4. “Though the chairs out front look about as comfortable as a iron fence, the service is great and the theater/jazz scene provides a interesting flow of customers.”
  5. “Get your coffee (there's no food), then head upstairs to the comfortable couches.”
  6. “Being the kind of person that loves the coffeehouse atmosphere, I am always thrilled to find somewhere like Zona Rosa that actually has good drinks!”
  7. “Excellent coffees, great atmosphere, cushy upstairs lounging.”
  8. “love the coffee drinks here but tend not to go because I usually can't find parking or seating here.”
  9. “They're small, but the upstairs is a great atmosphere”
  10. “great atmosphere.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Zona Rosa definitely has a niche all to itself in L.A.- great drinks made with Mexican chocolate in a small but laid-back atmosphere.”
  2. “was thinking to myself, " Did I order the Zona Rosa LATTE sans whip cream?”
  3. “The Mexican hot chocolate is very good.”
  4. “They have the most incredible mexican hot chocolate along with those Il Fornaio bake goods, just yummy!”
drinks
94.44000244140625% positive
  1. “This is a funky, cozy little place with great espresso drinks and fruity concoctions.”
  2. “Good coffee and friendly service.”
  3. “Being the kind of person that loves the coffeehouse atmosphere, I am always thrilled to find somewhere like Zona Rosa that actually has good drinks!”
  4. “Small coffee shop with a comfy area upstairs.”
  5. “love the coffee drinks here but tend not to go because I usually can't find parking or seating here.”
  6. “The coffee is the worst I have ever had in my life, it taste like dirt”
  7. “Zona Rosa definitely has a niche all to itself in L.A.- great drinks made with Mexican chocolate in a small but laid-back atmosphere.”
  8. “They're caramel drinks are the best, in my opinion, and I love the fact that they have a great selection of non-coffee beverage for those hot afternoons.”
  9. “It's a tiny, hole in the wall coffee shop that serves up fantastic coffees and teas with a mexican flavor.”
  10. “This coffee house is a cool place to hang with friends.”
  11. “Try Zona Rosa, a unique coffee house that offers good drinks, cheap.”
  12. “It's a nice place yet the coffee is no good”
  13. “well, if you're looking for good coffee.”
  14. “Get your coffee (there's no food), then head upstairs to the comfortable couches.”
  15. “Let me tell you, the Zona Rosa Cappuccino is the best drink I've had in Los Angeles period!”
  16. “the best coffee ive found in LA!”
  17. “Probably one of the few places in Pasadena that you can get your hands on a good mexican mocha drink.”
  18. “best coffee”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “They have the most incredible mexican hot chocolate along with those Il Fornaio bake goods, just yummy!”
  2. “Get your coffee (there's no food), then head upstairs to the comfortable couches.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “They're caramel drinks are the best, in my opinion, and I love the fact that they have a great selection of non-coffee beverage for those hot afternoons.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's got a great location, next to the playhouse, so if you're looking for a place to kick-back before the play, maybe give it a try.”
  2. “talking/music. It's a nice place to go to a.”
  3. “great place to study if you don't mind a little background”
  4. “It's a nice place yet the coffee is no good”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “Very friendly South American vibe to the place.”
  2. “very good service.”
  3. “Though the chairs out front look about as comfortable as a iron fence, the service is great and the theater/jazz scene provides a interesting flow of customers.”
  4. “Good coffee and friendly service.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Try Zona Rosa, a unique coffee house that offers good drinks, cheap.”
  2. “My tip: get the Zona Rosa Cappucino, it's very rich and worth every penny.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/25/07

Best Coffee Pasadena

by rharvey at Citysearch

Zona Rosa Caffe in Pasadena has Eclectic mexican decor with drinks with a twist mexican hot chocalate,iced cap ,red eye expresso shots and hello dolly cookies/brownies my fave.Good place to relax and drink a cup or come thursday night for the free musical entertainment ,in the now found out area of the playhouse district

2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/01/07

Best of City Search???

by gustomc at Citysearch

Ok, so I had read the reviews and most seemed positive, so seeing as I only live about 15 minutes from this place, I decided to give it a go. I had driven by it before, and it looked kind of like a "hole in the wall" kind of find, so I was kind of excited. That's just what I was looking for.

My wife and I went on a Friday night, and there were 4 people in the upstairs and 2 people sitting outside. We came in and were perusing the menu. I remembered reading some reviews about the Zona Rosa Cappucino, but I was debating because I usually just go with a double-shot of espresso. My wife said she would go for the double shot, so I went for the Zona Rosa Cappucino.

For the coffee illiterate, a cappucino is supposed to be 1/3espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and a 1/3 foam. The Zona Rosa Cappucino was described as also having Mexican chocolate, and whipped cream, which is really more of a mocha than a cappucino, but whatever.

Anyway, my wife's double shot of espresso came out. Good, light-brown colored crema, but with a burned aroma. It had a mildly burned taste, and filled a ~4oz cup.

Now, as for my "cappucino...." Picture a clear glass about 6 or 7 inches tall, with a consistent brownish-white color..... no foam at the top..... no whip cream.... I was thinking to myself, " Did I order the Zona Rosa LATTE sans whip cream?"

Anyway, the ambience of the place is okay, if a bit quiet. Cool art upstairs, but I'd recommend sitting outside. As for the coffee.... well, if you're looking for good coffee.... look elsewhere. If you like Starbucks style, extra burned coffee, maybe this is the place for you. It's got a great location, next to the playhouse, so if you're looking for a place to kick-back before the play, maybe give it a try.

  • Pros: Location, Ambiance...
  • Cons: Burned Coffee, Drip out of Dispensers...
3 Star Rating: Average

04/12/07

It's a nice place yet the coffee is no good

by skywalker00 at Citysearch

The coffee is the worst I have ever had in my life, it taste like dirt ....please invest the money in the Java guys!

  • Pros: ambience
  • Cons: Parking
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/15/06

best coffee

by dogdropping at Citysearch

omg this place rocks!!!!!! great atmosphere... very good service...clean!!!! the best coffee ive found in LA!!!!

  • Pros: AMBIENCE....SERVICE
  • Cons: PARKING
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/15/05

Zona Rosa Cappuccino!

by artc at Citysearch

This place rocks! Friend of mine told me about Zona Rosa Caffe and the mexican chocolate drinks they have. Let me tell you, the Zona Rosa Cappuccino is the best drink I've had in Los Angeles period! This coffee house is a cool place to hang with friends. The music and art are refreshing, you feel like your not in Los Angeles.

The Details on Zona Rosa Caffe

Place Categories:

  • great espresso drinks
  • worst coffee
  • nice little place
  • great coffeehouse atmosphere
  • great service
  • very rich penny
  • very good mexican hot chocolate
  • cool art upstairs
  • fantastic teas
  • great fruity concoctions
  • fav orange
  • refreshing art
  • comfortable chairs
  • good mexican mocha drink
  • order zona rosa latte sans whip cream
  • great location
  • comfy area upstairs
  • refreshing music
  • comfortable couches
  • perfect hangout
  • best coffee ive
  • best coffeehouse
  • very friendly south american
  • interesting flow
  • love coffee drinks
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