Located in South Pasadena, Nicole's is a French bistro and market stocked with a variety of French specialties and gourmet foods. The local gem has ample seating inside and out, shelves filled with an assortment of imported French goods and pantry items, a menu brimming with French cafe staples, and various desserts on display. After discussing the different desserts with the pastry chef, I ordered the croissant bread pudding, pecan tart, and blueberry raspberry struesal. The desserts were all rich and decadent - a little on the pricey side ($7.50 per pastry), but well worth it. ****************** My Ratings: 1 Star: Terrible; just thinking about it makes me angry. 2 Stars: Wasn't a fan so Not likely to return. 3 Stars: Meh. Average. Might return if others drag me. 4 Stars: Yum! Likely to return. 5 Stars: Amazing! Would plan my day around it.
Nikki B.
Located off the beaten path, Nicole's is a hidden gem that is a favorite amongst the locals. I rarely drive down this street, so when I passed by I made a mental note to come back and check it out. This small family-owned Market & Café is reminiscent of the charming bistros you'd find in France. Once inside you'll notice that one half is a café and the other a marketplace featuring gourmet food and pantry items including cheeses, spices, pantry staples, wine, champagne, gifts, and frozen pastries such as croissants that you can bake at home. They offer a nice variety, so you can curate your own picnic basket for the Hollywood Bowl, the park, or the beach. This is a great spot to meet up with friends for breakfast, lunch, or just share a charcuterie platter and a bottle of wine. You order at the counter, and they bring your food/beverage to you. During my visit Theresa assisted me and she was darling. The desserts & pastries in the case all looked tempting and I wanted one of each. However, the beauty of the Chocolate Mousse caught my eye. It came in a lovely edible marbled chocolate cup shaped like a Tulip and was topped with white chocolate pearls. The mousse was decadently delightful - rich in flavor, creamy, and silky smooth on the tongue. This is a chocolate lovers dream come true. I'll be back to try the lemon tart and other pastries and to also pick up some frozen croissants to bake at home. *Great spot to visit after the South Pasadena Farmer's Market on Thursday. *Located next to the Gold Line Mission Stop. *Residential street parking.
Sandra Rodriguez (LA Soapbox)
Yummy salads, croissants, coffee, omelets and more. Always friendly staff. I love sitting in the patio and enjoying anything on the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Baguette
Tina C
Being from Germany/France, I am sooo happy to have this place around for baked goods!!! Cozy place to sit inside or outside. My favorite is the passion fruit cake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Passion Fruit Cake, Almond Tart, Apricot Tart, Brie and Tomato Sandwich
Jesse B.
Great service and quality of food from Nicole's. I ordered a Smoked Salmon Sandwich and a 1903 Craftsman Lager. The bread was nicely toasted and not soggy. It had a crispy texture but was soft on the bite. The Salmon was nicely smoked and had a great flavor. Highly Recommend. The goat cheese was wonderfully flavored combined with the capers and spread made for a delicious and wonderful sandwich. I also ordered a 1903 Craftsman Lager from the Craftsman brewery here in Pasadena. It was tasty and delicious. There is outdoor seating and indoor seating. The restaurant is clean and nice touches from France. I highly recommend coming here for lunch. Note, they do close at 3 except for the Farmers Market nights on Thursdays, which they close at 5. You won't be disappointed.
Anita Sengupta
Lovely French Cafe for breakfast or brunch with plenty of high quality veggie options. Also great shop with wine and other delicacies.Vegetarian options: Ovo lacto vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gilbert Balderrama
What a gem in South Pasadena, Ca. Sandwich and a cup of coffee made my afternoon.Nice selection of french import products displayed for sale as well. I took home two bags of excellent French salt for my cooking needs.I will return when in town.Great job guys.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Baguette, Brie and Tomato Sandwich
Vivian C.
Came here to get the butter! It is so good ! Looking around in the store and the hand cream got my attention and bought one which helps my extremely dry skins!! It is moisturizing my hands very much!!!
Deborah S.
My favorite favorite place to eat in South Pasadena and maybe in LA. I have never had a bad meal. I love to sit outside, relax in the sun and watch the Gold Line roll by. So totally French, I feel like I am in Paris. Friendly, nice staff, and lots of free parking nearby. If you like pate, have a pate sandwich and thank me.
Linda C.
Very authentic looking and tasting !! Kiddos had sandwiches, I had an omelette and it did not disappoint. You order your food and get a number. The lovely lady at the register was kind and offered suggestions! They have cheese and wine available for sale like a little Parisian market , and hey had these beautiful baskets I will def be back again for brunch and a basket. There's seating inside and out
Proud to say I'm a regular. My partner and I enjoy the half sandwich and half soup special for lunch, and we look forward to coming here on the weekends! A big fan of their Prosciutto Pecorino Sandwich. While it's buttery, it's not greasy. As for the soup du jour....that's worth trying. From Butternut squash to potato leek, it's a pleasant surprise to see what's the soup of the day. I see other reviews saying the portions are small relative to the price, but I think it's fair. You won't be stuffed and sleepy after the meal, but you definitely won't be hungry either. The menu items seem fresh and light and even the desserts are delectable small bites. I like their crème brûlée. Not a fan of the pear dessert...it's an acquired taste but one day they served a very guilt-free chocolate mousse dessert shaped like an egg that was very fun to eat! There's ample seating inside and outside. It's especially nice to sit outside when the weather's sunny! I love watching folks biking or walking their dogs nearby. Sometimes an occasional peacock wanders into South Pasadena too. You order at the counter, grab a number to bring to your seat. People here are friendly. And the market has great frozen croissants you can bake at home. This cafe feels like a fixture of this neighborhood and I always love coming back!
Francois Pied
Cute market, but they seriously need to reevaluate their portion. The slices of ham & gruyere in my Ham & Gruyere sandwich were thinner than air. I left starving.Nice vibe otherwise
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Mia W.
Every item here uses the freshest quality ingredients. Our salmon salad and salami sandwich was ready before we were even finished looking around. Clean tables and great service. A must go to in south Pasadena
Aftin J.
Portions are small and everything is expensive. However, I love the casual and inviting vibe and loved looking at all the goods. There was one employee in particular who was just lovely and warm to all the customers. That always makes for a great experience. Would love to go back for a casual lunch soon.
Nicole V.
Love this place. I'm a Francophile and I feel they get the vibe right. Food and pastries are delicious and the staff is wonderful. Bonus is the little market with authentic hard to find treats and ingredients. Hello saucisson sec! Hours can be a little tricky to navigate at times but with regular frequency I've figured it out. This place is a really special gem in S Pas.
Located in South Pasadena, Nicole's is a French bistro and market stocked with a variety of French specialties and gourmet foods. The local gem has ample seating inside and out, shelves filled with an assortment of imported French goods and pantry items, a menu brimming with French cafe staples, and various desserts on display. After discussing the different desserts with the pastry chef, I ordered the croissant bread pudding, pecan tart, and blueberry raspberry struesal. The desserts were all rich and decadent - a little on the pricey side ($7.50 per pastry), but well worth it. ****************** My Ratings: 1 Star: Terrible; just thinking about it makes me angry. 2 Stars: Wasn't a fan so Not likely to return. 3 Stars: Meh. Average. Might return if others drag me. 4 Stars: Yum! Likely to return. 5 Stars: Amazing! Would plan my day around it.
Located off the beaten path, Nicole's is a hidden gem that is a favorite amongst the locals. I rarely drive down this street, so when I passed by I made a mental note to come back and check it out. This small family-owned Market & Café is reminiscent of the charming bistros you'd find in France. Once inside you'll notice that one half is a café and the other a marketplace featuring gourmet food and pantry items including cheeses, spices, pantry staples, wine, champagne, gifts, and frozen pastries such as croissants that you can bake at home. They offer a nice variety, so you can curate your own picnic basket for the Hollywood Bowl, the park, or the beach. This is a great spot to meet up with friends for breakfast, lunch, or just share a charcuterie platter and a bottle of wine. You order at the counter, and they bring your food/beverage to you. During my visit Theresa assisted me and she was darling. The desserts & pastries in the case all looked tempting and I wanted one of each. However, the beauty of the Chocolate Mousse caught my eye. It came in a lovely edible marbled chocolate cup shaped like a Tulip and was topped with white chocolate pearls. The mousse was decadently delightful - rich in flavor, creamy, and silky smooth on the tongue. This is a chocolate lovers dream come true. I'll be back to try the lemon tart and other pastries and to also pick up some frozen croissants to bake at home. *Great spot to visit after the South Pasadena Farmer's Market on Thursday. *Located next to the Gold Line Mission Stop. *Residential street parking.
Yummy salads, croissants, coffee, omelets and more. Always friendly staff. I love sitting in the patio and enjoying anything on the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Baguette
Being from Germany/France, I am sooo happy to have this place around for baked goods!!! Cozy place to sit inside or outside. My favorite is the passion fruit cake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Passion Fruit Cake, Almond Tart, Apricot Tart, Brie and Tomato Sandwich
Great service and quality of food from Nicole's. I ordered a Smoked Salmon Sandwich and a 1903 Craftsman Lager. The bread was nicely toasted and not soggy. It had a crispy texture but was soft on the bite. The Salmon was nicely smoked and had a great flavor. Highly Recommend. The goat cheese was wonderfully flavored combined with the capers and spread made for a delicious and wonderful sandwich. I also ordered a 1903 Craftsman Lager from the Craftsman brewery here in Pasadena. It was tasty and delicious. There is outdoor seating and indoor seating. The restaurant is clean and nice touches from France. I highly recommend coming here for lunch. Note, they do close at 3 except for the Farmers Market nights on Thursdays, which they close at 5. You won't be disappointed.
Lovely French Cafe for breakfast or brunch with plenty of high quality veggie options. Also great shop with wine and other delicacies.Vegetarian options: Ovo lacto vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a gem in South Pasadena, Ca. Sandwich and a cup of coffee made my afternoon.Nice selection of french import products displayed for sale as well. I took home two bags of excellent French salt for my cooking needs.I will return when in town.Great job guys.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Baguette, Brie and Tomato Sandwich
Came here to get the butter! It is so good ! Looking around in the store and the hand cream got my attention and bought one which helps my extremely dry skins!! It is moisturizing my hands very much!!!
My favorite favorite place to eat in South Pasadena and maybe in LA. I have never had a bad meal. I love to sit outside, relax in the sun and watch the Gold Line roll by. So totally French, I feel like I am in Paris. Friendly, nice staff, and lots of free parking nearby. If you like pate, have a pate sandwich and thank me.
Very authentic looking and tasting !! Kiddos had sandwiches, I had an omelette and it did not disappoint. You order your food and get a number. The lovely lady at the register was kind and offered suggestions! They have cheese and wine available for sale like a little Parisian market , and hey had these beautiful baskets I will def be back again for brunch and a basket. There's seating inside and out
Restaurantji Recommends
Proud to say I'm a regular. My partner and I enjoy the half sandwich and half soup special for lunch, and we look forward to coming here on the weekends! A big fan of their Prosciutto Pecorino Sandwich. While it's buttery, it's not greasy. As for the soup du jour....that's worth trying. From Butternut squash to potato leek, it's a pleasant surprise to see what's the soup of the day. I see other reviews saying the portions are small relative to the price, but I think it's fair. You won't be stuffed and sleepy after the meal, but you definitely won't be hungry either. The menu items seem fresh and light and even the desserts are delectable small bites. I like their crème brûlée. Not a fan of the pear dessert...it's an acquired taste but one day they served a very guilt-free chocolate mousse dessert shaped like an egg that was very fun to eat! There's ample seating inside and outside. It's especially nice to sit outside when the weather's sunny! I love watching folks biking or walking their dogs nearby. Sometimes an occasional peacock wanders into South Pasadena too. You order at the counter, grab a number to bring to your seat. People here are friendly. And the market has great frozen croissants you can bake at home. This cafe feels like a fixture of this neighborhood and I always love coming back!
Cute market, but they seriously need to reevaluate their portion. The slices of ham & gruyere in my Ham & Gruyere sandwich were thinner than air. I left starving.Nice vibe otherwise
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Every item here uses the freshest quality ingredients. Our salmon salad and salami sandwich was ready before we were even finished looking around. Clean tables and great service. A must go to in south Pasadena
Portions are small and everything is expensive. However, I love the casual and inviting vibe and loved looking at all the goods. There was one employee in particular who was just lovely and warm to all the customers. That always makes for a great experience. Would love to go back for a casual lunch soon.
Love this place. I'm a Francophile and I feel they get the vibe right. Food and pastries are delicious and the staff is wonderful. Bonus is the little market with authentic hard to find treats and ingredients. Hello saucisson sec! Hours can be a little tricky to navigate at times but with regular frequency I've figured it out. This place is a really special gem in S Pas.