On the corner of Washington and Hill in charming northern Pasadena stands Lavender & Honey, a boutique, locally owned espresso bar and deli that is just as lovely as its endearing name suggests.
The concept for the shop was inspired by owners (and locals!) Charlie and Melanie Porter’s love for worldly cafe culture and their previous firsthand experience as Baristas — but most of all, the boutique shop’s concept was inspired by the passion of the Pasadena community’s local artists and their unique, quality creations (which are sold inside).
LA might be big, but this quaint coffee shop turns sharing a cup of coffee and conversation with a friend into the warm, community feeling that could be felt and appreciated in a smaller town.
Since the shop’s opening in 2014, it has been serving locals and visitors alike in a space which was formerly a ceramics studio for children — its open, airy feel, enormous front window with flooding natural light, and brick and white walled interior decor is fitting of its history. Inside, visitors will find shelves stocked with locally made jams and pastries, including gluten free options and a menu adorned with a tasty selection of toasts. Outside, there’s a patio with ample seating and *GASP* a parking lot to leave your car in for FREE (as well as plenty of street parking).
I ordered a drip coffee and the “Pasadena Toast,” (I had to!) made with avocado and chiles — but you’ll have to check out the entire “toast bar” which also offers the signature Lavender and Honey toast, alongside a plethora of other toast types.
This shop really takes the concept of a “bar filled with choices” to the next level by offering a lemonade bar, tea bar, coffee bar, hot choco bar (NOT just for kids…), sando bar, salad bar, and distinct “Kid’s bar” with rainbow colored “birthday toast!”
It’s a fantastic place in the Greater LA area to meet a friend for a chat, as well as a cozy place to settle in and get some work done (free WiFi!). The employees behind the bar are helpful, knowledgeable, and personable — and there are so many choices for coffee, sandos, toasts, lemonade, hot chocolate, and other goodies that you’ll never run out of new things to try.
Along with primarily sourcing ingredients for their food and drink locally, I read in an article about the shop online, that they are known to frequently donate to various local organizations and initiatives such as Five Acres, College Access Plan, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and PUSD schools… so in these tough times, if you live in the Los Angeles, Lavender & Honey is a fantastic business to reach out to and support. Once we’re allowed to travel beyond the lines of our individual neighborhoods again, you’ll most definitely find me here on the back patio in the sunshine, sipping on a lavender and honey latte.
Lavender & Honey is located at 1383 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104 and traditionally open from Monday- Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the shop’s most up-to-date offerings and beautiful photos of the diverse provisions on their Instagram page @lh_espresso.
Follow Metropolitan Molly updates by subscribing to my newsletter, website and on social media below:
Interested in nominating someone with a stellar story for the COVID Chronicles? Submit them, here.