Zephyr Coffee House and Art Gallery

2419 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
626-793-7330

Working in Zephyr’s front room and porch, I often hear first time visitors remark on this coffee shop’s charms. (See picture below.) Built into a Craftsman bungalow and carefully tended by its current occupants, Zephyr is a favorite meeting place for job interviews, knitting circles, and Pasadena City College (PCC) students. Self-serve drip coffee, Stash and loose-leaf teas as well as a wide selection of espresso drinks and ice-blended drinks can be had. A large outside patio gets crowded around lunchtime, where patrons enjoy freshly made crepes and omelets. The walls double as a small art gallery, but unlike many coffee shop galleries, the art displayed at Zephyr doesn’t suck.


Atmosphere: 4.5 stars
Zephyr’s appeal is largely its atmosphere. It is furnished by overstuffed couches and wooden chairs, with three large tables close to outlets. A collection of smaller tables inside have always seemed an odd choice to me, but popular with the coffee-and-a-book crowd. Polite little signs admonishing patrons to keep their shoes and feet off the couches, leave the track lighting alone, or to not plug in their computers slightly mar the otherwise friendly atmosphere. Fresh cut flowers and well-tended plants are tastefully placed throughout the bungalow. In the patio, avacodo, citrus, and apple trees provide some of the produce used in crepes and fruit salads.

Details. Since Zephyr is a house, it features three small rooms and an enclosed porch. Some patrons are shy to enter one of the small rooms if someone is already there, I say go for it! There are board games and design magazines strewn about, and Zephyr also pays for a shared copy of the LA Times. A frequent drinks card means the eleventh coffee is on the house.

Parking. There are about 10 spots on Colorado. Although they are marked 2 Hour, no one has ever been ticketed for staying all day. If these spots are full, a quick drive around the block will yield more options.

Neighborhood. Zephyr is a sunny spot on an otherwise pretty bland stretch of Pasadena’s eastern Colorado Boulevard. Occasionally, the free wireless from the Comfort Inn across the street makes its way into the front room.

Hours. 7am – 7pm weekdays, closes 6:30 on Friday; Opens at 8:30 on Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Wireless. None as of January 31st, 2007.

Credit Cards. Nope. Cash Only with an in-house ATM machine.

Service. Very friendly and efficient. Unless you order the self-serve coffee, they bring the coffee to you. This really cleans out the line by the cash register, but means that many patrons don’t bus their tables when they leave. The owners and managers are young and often the ones serving you.

Coffee: 4 stars.

The drip coffee is self-serve and affordable.. A small cup is $1.50 and a large cup is just $1.75. Refills, 50 cents / 75 cents. Espresso drinks are well-made and well-priced, never too hot. (Small cappuccino is $3.40.) They really keep on-top of refilling the pots, too.

The tea selection is a stand-out feature of Zephyr, although a little expensive. They also will ice any flavor you want. Iced Moroccan mint tea is a summertime favorite of mine.

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