Top Italian Restaurants in Pasadena
Pasadena's global cuisine covers all of Europe, but none so popularly as Italian food. Here's a list of our top favorite Italian restaurants in Pasadena that will have your tastebuds buzzing with savory sauces and hearty pasta dishes.
Celestino Ristorante & Bar
For over 17 years, Celestino Ristorante & Bar, located on South Lake Avenue, has delighted the palates of Pasadena and travelers from all over the world, treating them to a taste of authentic Italian cuisine in the valleys of Southern California. They are known for serving seasonal cuisines made with the finest, freshest ingredients, combined with an elegantly casual environment where every customer is made to feel like family.
Gale's Restaurant
Gale's Restaurant is a bustling bistro featuring the most comprehensive selection of Northern Italian cuisine. Inspiration for many of the house specialties comes from produce that is in-season, and only the freshest products are used in the preparation of meat and seafood dishes as well.
Mi Piace
Mi Piace is popular, offering fresh, light Italian cooking embellished with New York flavors as well as a variety of exotic cuisine. Providing Pasadena with over 25 years of a wide selection of appetizers, salads, pastas, seafood, pizzas and weekly specials, Mi Piace is on the list of favorites for locals and is certainly an Italian restaurant that will never disappoint.
Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana
If you're looking for authentic pizza, Settebello is the hot spot for mouth-watering, classic oven pizzas. Located in the Playhouse Village, they use fresh ingredients, some ingredients imported from Naples, and a wood-burning oven. Their soft dough takes about one minute but even then, those 60 seconds are hard to wait when the cheese aroma fills your nose.
Union
One of Pasadena's most notable restaurants, Union is a 50-seat restaurant and bar featuring a deeply personal, seasonally Californian interpretation of Northern Italian cuisine. The restaurant not only pays homage to traditional Italian cuisine but also the cultural emphasis of the delight of sharing a meal with friends and family.
Porta Via
Porta Via is a casual Italian market, deli, bakery and restaurant offering prepared foods for dine-in or takeout. Try a sandwich of the day loaded with fresh vegetables and Sicilian flavors. Or grab a gift basket of meats and cheeses to share the deliciousness with a friend.
Stoney Point Bar and Grill
Stoney Point Restaurant is a landmark in the San Rafael neighborhood, open for lunch, dinner, and provides private dining for special occasions. They specialize in Continental cuisine and live piano entertainment.
Roma Market
Roma Market has been a cherished Pasadena staple for decades. Shop shelves lined with imported Italian products, browse seasonal produce, then head straight to the deli for their famous Italian sandwich—crusty bread drizzled with olive oil and filled with layers of capicola, mortadella, salami, and provolone. It’s a simple, classic combination that has earned a devoted following.
The Kitchen Italian Café & Pizza
Classic, cozy, and full of flavor, The Kitchen in Old Pasadena is a local gem. Their lineup of pasta dishes, pizzas, salads, and sandwiches makes it easy to find something satisfying, whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout.
Uovo
Located in the South Lake District, Uovo crafts pasta with passion and precision. Each dish features fresh pasta handmade in Bologna, Italy, then shipped daily to the kitchen in Pasadena. With a tasting menu and decadent desserts like panna cotta and tiramisu, this is a spot that turns dinner into an experience.
Sorriso Ristorante & Bar
Tucked inside Hawg Heaven, Sorriso Ristorante & Bar serves up Italian comfort food with an upscale twist. Their menu spans beloved classics—crispy pizzas, hearty pastas, and roasted meats, all balanced with vibrant salads and appetizers.
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