Copa Vida

Steve Chang and his wife opened Copa Vida in 2013, building the concept around Chang's own immigrant upbringing and a wish to create a place people feel they belong to rather than a straightforward coffee sales pitch. The room sits inside a historic Old Pasadena brick building near the Rose Parade route, giving the shop a sense of permanence beyond its own decade plus of operation.

Copa Vida began small batch roasting its own beans in 2015 after acquiring a Diedrich roaster, and now runs a dedicated roastery facility elsewhere in Pasadena in addition to this Raymond Avenue cafe. Vegan options, a dog friendly patio and full wheelchair access round out a room built as much for lingering as for a quick espresso.