Whether you are a coffee lover (like me), love finding cozy and welcoming spots to take a break, are choosing a plant-based lifestyle, or just love plants in general, I have stumbled on the perfect spot that encompasses all of it. Nestled in the beautiful One Colorado Square in Old Pasadena is a darling cafe on a mission called Coffee and Plants, and I have a sneaking hunch you are going to want to visit.
At this cozy cafe, there are plants and flowers everywhere, from the warm and inviting brick wall exterior and outdoor patio to the Insta-worthy plant wall inside and the fresh sprigs that adorn the tables. And if you are a true plant-lover, you can also purchase healthy little potted plants and fresh flower bouquets while you’re here. Being surrounded by plants and flowers makes you want to settle in, take a deep breath, and stay awhile. But at Coffee and Plants, the idea of plants goes way beyond the aesthetic.
The cafe was founded by singer-songwriter Leona Lewis and her friend Achraf Sekhiri, who saw that, in the rising availability of plant-based options, coffee was still not quite there. Enter this lovely cafe where the plant theme goes far deeper than the vibe. The mission of the coffee shop is simple, “to help the planet one cup at a time!” For one thing, the menu is 100 percent plant-based with a commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint by “eliminating the damaging environmental impacts of the dairy industry.”
Taking things a step farther, Coffee and Plants partners with the National Forest Foundation to plant a tree for every 100 cups sold. With two locations now - the second is in Studio City - even more good is being accomplished. So you can enjoy your favorite espresso drinks, single-origin pour-over and drip coffees, specialty teas, and more, and feel even better about them. And we can’t forget about the scrumptious pastries, tartines, and croissants. Yep, they’re plant-based, too.
If you’re not a big coffee person, the menu has a great selection of alternatives including hot cocoa, matcha (and pink matcha!), chagaccino, tea au lait, and several delightful seasonal specials. I can’t wait to try the cafe’s signature Blue Lavender Latte, made with homemade lavender syrup and butterfly pea powder that gives the drink its whimsical blue color.
As someone who usually chooses non-dairy alternatives when it comes to lattes and cappuccinos, I love the fact that you don’t have to pay for that option here. At most coffee shops, choosing coconut or oat milk comes with a fee, and coconut whipped cream is rarely even an option, but at Coffee and Plants, plant-based is standard — and celebrated!
Did I mention that the cafe is wonderfully pet-friendly? Bring your furry four-legged best friend in for a yummy (and healthy) Puppuccino — coconut whipped cream topped off with a tasty biscuit. In fact, “pet-friendly” doesn’t tell the whole story. Coffee and Plants donates proceeds from select items to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary to help abused and neglected animals.
Time to indulge your love of coffee and the power of plants! Have you been to this adorable cafe in Pasadena, CA? We want to hear your thoughts! Find out more by visiting the Coffee and Plants website and Facebook page. And while you're hanging out in beautiful Old Pasadena, why not explore a bit with a fun walking tour and scavenger hunt?
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