More than a year after the Eaton Fire, many Altadena restaurants continue to operate despite the destruction of homes and businesses in the surrounding area. While national attention and press move away from Altadena, over one year later, local businesses continue to face fire-related challenges, from the buildings that sustained major damage or were completely lost to their owners still facing major obstacles with receiving insurance. For those that survived and continue to stay in business, they grapple with diminished foot traffic and the loss of major portions of their customer bases. These businesses still rely on the public’s support to stay alive and running.
So, what better way to support the community than to eat and drink at Altadena businesses? If you’re looking to shop local and get great food and drinks, here are some fantastic restaurants, cafes, and bakeries to check out. These places are a mix of longstanding staples, new businesses run by fire-impacted families, and well-loved and reviewed places.
- Altadena Cookie Co.
When I walked into Altadena Cookie Co’s Lincoln Avenue storefront, the first thing that hit me was the warm scent of freshly-baked cookies. Altadena Cookie Co, which originally began as an online business during COVID, now operates a new storefront on Lincoln after the fire delayed their opening plans for a physical location in January 2025 and destroyed the owners’ homes.
The bakery rotates their cookie selection frequently. When I visited, I tried the Mayan Mocha, Cookies and Cream, and Banana Cream Pie cookies. Each cookie was warm, soft, and tasted fresh out of the oven. For fans of dark chocolate, the Mayan Mocha is a must; for those with a sweet tooth, the Cookies and Cream is the way to go.
Not only are the baked goods amazing, but the atmosphere is lively and welcoming as well. Colorful murals line the walls, comfy chairs and arcade machines are set up in the corner, and large wooden tables line the middle of the room, encouraging visitors to stay and chat over sugary treats and drinks.
I can’t recommend this bakery enough! As the owners write on their website, “there is never a bad time for cookies.”
Altadena Cookie Co is open Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.
2. Miya Thai
A casual Thai restaurant in the heart of Altadena, Miya Thai offers comforting and authentic Southeast Asian dishes. Located on Lake Avenue, the restaurant survived the fire despite businesses directly across the street burning down, and it continues to operate. My favorite dishes from Miya have been their pad see ew, egg rolls, and tom kha soup, but their Thai fried chicken is an absolute stand-out. Everything I’ve tried has been warm and flavorful, and each portion has been enough for leftovers the next day! Along with this, Miya’s atmosphere is very cozy. The walls are adorned with nostalgic 80s memorabilia, and the entire restaurant is set up to feel as if you are walking into someone’s home. The decoration is probably deliberate— on their website, the owners describe their food as “homestyle Thai.”
Owner David Tewasart sums it up best on their website, describing Miya’s food as “the way we cook at home and the way my mom used to cook for me.”
Miya is open every day from 11 am to 9 pm.
3. El Patron
El Patron, one of the northernmost businesses on Lake, surviving the fire despite many surrounding homes and businesses sustaining damage or being completely destroyed. The restaurant serves classic Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, mole, tacos, and burritos while preparing them exceptionally well. My favorite dishes have been their burritos and meat-filled quesadillas, while online reviewers have highlighted their enchiladas and chile relleno. El Patron also offers breakfast, with dishes such as chilequiles, machaca con huevos, and pancakes.
As a family-owned restaurant, the interior contains many personal touches: family photos are hung on the wall, food reviews are framed, and restaurant memorabilia is strewn about. The place reminded me of traditional Mexican restaurants I would visit with my family when I was younger, from the smell of the chips and salsa that came with the meal, to the papel picado strung from the ceiling.
El Patron is open Sundays through Wednesdays from 9 am to 9 pm, and 9 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
4. Unincorporated Coffee
Unincorporated Coffee traces its humble beginnings to a garage in Altadena, but now operates storefronts in Eagle Rock, Tujunga, and, of course, Altadena, their home base and roasting location. As one of the few cafés operating in Altadena, they serve the West Altadena community and beyond. Unincorporated sells a wide variety of coffee drinks, ranging from specialty iced beverages to pour-over coffee. Some of their menu highlights are their house-made syrups, which are light and flavorful. Their lavender honey syrup, which I tried in an oatmilk iced latte, made the drink taste subtly floral and perfectly sweet. Some other menu standouts include the Fancy Latte, a creamy vanilla latte topped with sprinkles; their mocha (offered as hot or iced), and the Paco’s Delight latte, described on their website as “sweet, spicy, and citrusy,” made with a house made syrup, and topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon. The staff were welcoming and kind, and offered menu suggestions based on what kind of preferences I had for drinks.
Unincorporated is open every day from 6 am to 4 pm.
You can support these businesses that continue to persevere despite damages, whether it’s grabbing a coffee from Unincorporated and a cookie from Altadena Cookie Co, or a delicious meal from El Patron and Miya.
