Bevel Coffee in Pasadena: A Sweet Start to Your Next Road Trip

A road trip can’t start without a good latte.

No matter where I’m headed or what the weather looks like outside, there’s a very good chance there’s a drink in the cup holder next to me. Coffee has become part of the road trip ritual: the music, the snacks, the excitement of getting out on the road. On a recent drive from Altadena to Palm Springs with my boyfriend to celebrate our two-year anniversary, there was only one place I wanted to stop before we headed toward the desert: Bevel Coffee on Allen Avenue in Pasadena.

I had seen the Latinx-owned coffee company before as a mobile espresso bar outside Prime Pizza. I always made a mental note to stop by, but life has a way of turning “someday” into weeks, months, and now it’s a little too late. When I saw that Bevel had officially opened its very first brick-and-mortar shop on February 28, I knew it was finally time.

From the moment we walked in, the shop felt like the kind of place that someone worked hard to bring to life. The kind of place built slowly: one early morning, one espresso drink, and one long day at a time. There’s warmth and confidence to the space that feels like it was learned during the mobile days just waiting to be applied here.

The staff were pleasant and patient as we studied the menu. They asked questions about our preferences and made suggestions to help us find a drink we’d enjoy. You could tell they’re the kind of people who what to help everyone discover Bevel in the best way possible. Whether it’s your first time or a repeat visit where you want to try something new, the staff are great..

Instead of deviating from our norm when ordering, we leaned into it. My boyfriend ordered a hot regular latte—the kind of order that says everything. He’s the sort of person who judges a coffee shop by how well they make the basics. No distractions, just espresso and milk. If a shop can get that right, it can get anything right.

I, on the other hand, ordered exactly what I always want before a road trip: a sweet flavored latte. The kind of drink that feels like a little treat and a little extra energy all at once.

Both were excellent.

His was smooth, balanced, and simple in the best way. Mine was sweet without going overboard and exactly what I wanted as we packed ourselves back into the car for the drive. Somewhere between the first sip and pulling onto the road, I knew this would not be my last visit.

From stepping inside to walking away with drinks in hand, Bevel felt like more than just a quick coffee stop. It felt like the beginning of finding a new favorite. The kind of place you want to support because you can tell how much heart went into building it and you’re excited to see how far they will go.

And with that, we were off to the desert.

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Address: 1866 Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
Phone: (626) 345-5220
Hours: Daily – 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Social: Website, Instagram, and Facebook.