The Best Specialty Coffee in Montrose & La Crescenta

Ask ten people for the best coffee near them and you’ll get ten answers, because “best” depends on what you’re after — the fastest cup, the prettiest one, the one that tastes like something. This guide is for the last group: people who want coffee worth slowing down for, somewhere in or around Montrose and La Crescenta.

We’re toasted., a family-owned café on Honolulu Ave in the Montrose Shopping Park. We’ve been pulling shots here since 2021, so consider this the honest take from behind the counter: what specialty coffee really means, how to find a good cup nearby, and what we pour that we’re genuinely proud of.

What “specialty coffee” actually means

“Specialty” gets thrown around a lot, so here’s the short version. It’s coffee where someone cared at every step — quality beans, a roaster who knows what they’re doing, and a barista who dials in the shot instead of just pushing a button. You can taste the difference. A good espresso shouldn’t be a bitter chore you survive; it should be balanced, a little sweet, and interesting enough that you notice it.

That’s the bar we hold ourselves to — whether you order a classic latte, a straight shot, or something built from our house-made syrups.

Looking for a coffee shop near you in the foothills?

The foothills are a genuinely good coffee neighborhood. Between Montrose, La Crescenta, La Cañada, and Glendale you’ll find classic diners that do a bottomless cup, sleek third-wave bars, and cozy neighborhood spots. If you just need caffeine on the run, you’ve got options. If you want a cup with some craft behind it — and a room you’ll actually want to sit in — read on.

Coffee in Montrose

Montrose is small, walkable, and made for a coffee stroll. If you’ve searched “best coffee Montrose” or “coffee shop near me” and you’re anywhere near the Shopping Park, we’re at 2420 Honolulu Ave — easy to find, easy to linger. Grab a cup, wander the village, come back for a refill. That’s a perfect Montrose afternoon.

Coffee in La Crescenta

La Crescenta folks, you’re about five minutes up Honolulu Ave from us. It’s a quick, pretty drive into Montrose, and worth it when you want your coffee made with care rather than grabbed at a drive-through. Same street, short trip, much better cup.

The coffee we pour at toasted.

Here’s what’s actually in the cup when you visit.

Stumptown “Hairbender” espresso

Our espresso is Stumptown’s “Hairbender” — a blend a lot of coffee people already know and love. It’s the backbone of our lattes, cappuccinos, and straight shots, and we pair it with eleven house-made syrups, so your order can be as classic or as adventurous as you like. Want to keep the buzz but skip the caffeine? We pour Trapper Creek decaf, too.

The $17 Coffee Flight — the fun way to find your usual

This is the one we send first-timers to. Our Coffee Flight is $17: four little cups, one happy table. Instead of betting your whole morning on a single drink, you taste your way through — comparing, debating gently about which is best, discovering a new favorite you’d never have ordered on your own. It’s part tasting, part excuse to linger, and it’s the most fun you can have figuring out your coffee order. (It also makes a surprisingly great first date.)

Also on the menu: Armenian coffee

We also brew traditional Armenian coffee — served small, slow, and rich — if you’d like to try something a little different alongside the espresso menu. Curious about it? Our guide to where to find Armenian coffee in Los Angeles has the full story; then come let us pour you a cup.

You can see everything we serve on our menu — and yes, the coffee is just as good when it’s keeping a Toast Tower company.

A great spot to work, meet, or just sit a while

Good coffee is only half of it; the room matters too. We’re a cozy, family-friendly space with free Wi-Fi, which makes us a favorite for weekday laptop sessions, catch-ups with a friend, or a quiet hour with a book. Mornings are lively, afternoons mellow out — and on Fridays through Sundays we’re open until 7 PM, so there’s plenty of runway to settle in.

Find us (hours, address, the basics)

You’ll find us at 2420 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020, in the Montrose Shopping Park. We’re open Monday–Thursday 8 AM–4 PM and Friday–Sunday 8 AM–7 PM, seven days a week — which often means we’re pouring when other spots have already closed up early in the week. There’s free street parking along Honolulu Ave and the Shopping Park lots nearby.

Questions before you come in, or want to plan a visit with a group? Call (818) 330-9350 or get in touch here. Your cup’s waiting.

Frequently asked questions

Where’s the best coffee in Montrose, CA?

Montrose has several good coffee spots along Honolulu Ave. For specialty coffee specifically — Stumptown “Hairbender” espresso, house-made syrups, and a $17 four-cup Coffee Flight — toasted. is at 2420 Honolulu Ave in the Montrose Shopping Park, open seven days a week.

What kind of espresso does toasted. use?

We pull shots with Stumptown’s “Hairbender” espresso and offer Trapper Creek decaf, plus eleven house-made syrups so you can build your drink your way.

What is the Coffee Flight?

It’s our $17 tasting: four small cups served together so you can compare and find your new favorite instead of committing to one drink. It’s the most fun way to get to know our coffee.

Do you serve Armenian coffee?

Yes — we brew traditional Armenian coffee alongside our espresso menu. Order a cup if you’d like to try it.

Is toasted. a good place to work on a laptop?

We’re a cozy, family-friendly café with free Wi-Fi, and we’re a favorite for weekday laptop sessions. Mornings are busiest; afternoons are mellow.