New Restaurants
Eating & Drinking
Restaurant openings aren’t seeing any sort of slowdown with exciting new spots across Pasadena. Here are the hottest new openings and food trends.
New Cozy Restaurants & Eateries
Pasadena's culinary scene continues to evolve with the emergence of new lunch eateries and cozy dinner spots that are garnering attention and praise. These culinary gems showcase the city's growing appreciation for culinary creativity and gastronomic adventures.
26 VietCafe
Originally from Canada, 26 VietCafe opened its first U.S location in Pasadena, where each plate showcases comforting Vietnamese dishes with a subtle Cantonese twist. Satiate your appetite with generous portions of pho with clear broth, Vietnamese crepes, and grilled pork over rice vermicelli noodles. Complete the meal with a sweet treat like the taro sago dessert, featuring soft and chewy pearls mixed with the distinct taro sweetness. | Location: 3562 E. Foothill Blvd.
Cheesesteaks by Matu & HiHo Cheeseburger
Quality lies in the culinary heart of Cheesesteaks by Matu and its sister restaurant, HiHo Cheeseburger— two casual eateries serving the best beef in the world. Under one roof, both establishments specialize in 100% grass-fed and finished Wagyu beef and offer premium ingredients from the potatoes to the milkshakes. Step up for high-quality sourcing in craveable comfort food at both dining destinations. | Location: 625 E. Colorado Blvd.
Dumpling WEI
After closing for construction, Dumpling WEI reopens and reintroduces itself to the Pasadena community, specializing in traditional Chinese and classic Chinese American comfort food. This woman-owned restaurant embodies strong feminine energy through its interior design, creating an intimate yet inviting dining space. Try the pork & cabbage bun, tomato and egg noodle, and dried chili spiced crispy chicken for a balanced meal. | Location: 1615 E. Washington Blvd.
Wagyu Master Shabu House
Wagyu Master Shabu House brings a new level of authentic Japanese cuts, rich broths, and a luxury all-you-can-eat experience to Pasadena. Curate each bite at the buffet featuring an expansive selection of premium vegetables, seafood, and sashimi with a build-your-own sauce station. Save room for dessert, the egg tarts, crepes, and original Swiss rolls are worth it. | Location: 300 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 240
Javier's Cantina
The long-awaited opening of Javier's Cantina has not disappointed. Enter the elegant restaurant through cave-like interior and anticipate a seat in luxurious white leather seats. Driven by Mexico's culinary heritage, highlights include sizzling fajitas, delicious enchiladas, and spicy jalapeño margaritas. | Location: 24 W. Union St.
KazuNori Sushi
Step up to the bar at KazuNori, where hand rolls are crafted and placed on the plate directly from the chef's workstation. This immersive bar experience is elevated by a commitment to quality. Skilled chefs serve hand-selected fish and warm rice, rolled in specially harvested seaweed, ensuring each bite is enjoyed at peak freshness. | Location: 635 E. Colorado Blvd.
New in Pasadena's Café Scene
Pasadena, known for its vibrant culture and love for good food and beverages, is buzzing with exciting new cafes, coffee shops, and tea houses. These trendy establishments have recently sprung up throughout the city, offering cozy corner cafes adorned with charming vintage décor, sleek modern coffee shops with minimalist aesthetics, and everything in between.
Tierra Mia Coffee
Calling all coffee lovers on the go! If you're looking for a quick coffee trip, Tierra Mia Coffee has you covered with a speedy drive-thru experience. Founded by the son of Mexican immigrants, Ulysses Romero is dedicated to serving the neighborhood with high quality coffee while honoring his heritage. Tierra Mia's hospitality extended before opening their driveway, by offering free coffee and pastries to the first responders of the Eaton Fire. | Location: 817 N. Lake Ave.
Miopane
Say "mmm!" to this specialty bagel shop. Miopane is a popular Taiwanese bakery that opened its first U.S. location in Pasadena. Their Taiwanese-style bagels are fluffy that come filled with cream cheese and their pastries have the perfect flaky texture that answer your baked goods dreams. The bakery brings sweet and savory flavors to the bakery scene with PB&J bagels, green onion croissants, cinnamon twist pastries, and everything and egg breakfast pastries. Pair a bagel or pastry with hojicha einspanner or coffee pillow topped with cold foam. | Location: 95 N. Raymond Ave.
Bevel Coffee
On the Altadena-Pasadena border, Bevel Coffee’s first brick-and-mortar café reflects the community’s resilience after the Eaton Fire. After serving the neighborhood from a pop-up coffee stand, Bevel Coffee continues to prioritize community and connection through their hospitality. The coffee beans are responsibly sourced and produced in small batches from Honduras, Ethiopia and more. The café invites guests to slow down and savor the local favorite cardamom latte with a breakfast bite. | Location: 1866 Allen Ave.
Salted Butter Company
Beautiful cake presentations and delectable pastries are at the forefront of Salted Butter Company. This neighborhood bakery showcases their signature ingredient of salted butter through hand-rolled croissants and savory creations. With plenty of baked goods and coffee drinks, Salted Butter Company will leave those salty and sweet cravings satisfied. | Location: 1 W California Blvd Unit 412
Bu Pastry Bar
Inside the charming, London-inspired Burlington Arcade on South Lake Avenue, Bu Pastry Bar offers classic French desserts with Asian-inspired flavors. The recently opened pastry bar specializes in freshly baked canelés, madeleines, and dacquoise cakes made with in-house purées and sauces. Discover new flavors as the menu rotates according to seasonality and specialty ingredients. Say oui to a classic matcha latte, coffee, tea or sparkling soda to complete a satisfying experience. | Location: 380 S Lake Ave #107
Marsatta Chocolate
Tucked inside Indiana Colony on Colorado Boulevard is Marsatta Chocolate's newest location. Chef Jeffray Gardner brings his bean-to-bar chocolate to Pasadena's dessert scene. Signature gourmet chocolate bars, handcrafted bonbons, and special Pasadena inspired flavors such as The Rose Bar and Gamble House Matcha-Orange Bar are some of the exceptional desserts from Marsatta Chocolate. | Location: 59 E Colorado Blvd