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.

Fine Dining Restaurants

Casual Dining Spots

Deli/ Market Locations

Cheesy, delicious pizza, ooey-gooey pasta, refreshing, fresh bruschetta — there's no denying that Italian dishes stand as staples in so many of our diets... and our foodie dreams. In Pasadena, these undeniably tasty flavors are found in every corner of the city! Dine on elevated meals with local twists, bite into authentic plates, or find some comfort in classic dishes. These top Italian restaurants throughout Pasadena have whatever you're looking for, and are serving it up hot and ready!

Fine Dining

Celestino Ristorante & Bar

South Lake District | 141 S. Lake Ave.
Hours: Times vary

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.

Local Tip: “Our favorite main dishes were: Risotto Funghi e Mascarpone, Gnocchi della Casa con Fonduta al Tartufo, and Ravioli di Spinaci e Ricotta al Pomodoro e Basilico.” - Ashley B. Yelp

Union

Old Pasadena | 37 E. Union St.
Hours: Mon - Fri, 5 pm - 9 pm | Sat - Sun, 4 pm - 9 pm

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.

Local Tip: “The squid ink is always my go to. You truly can't go wrong with any choice as they're all delicious.” - Lauren F., Yelp

Uovo

South Lake District | 146 S. Lake Ave. #103
Hours: Sun - Sat | 11:30 am - 10 pm

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.

Local Tip: “The Crema di Parmigiano consisted of small pork-filled tortellini in a rich, tangy cheese sauce. The first few bites were spectacular. The pasta was perfectly al dente and generously coated in sauce.” - Luke T., Yelp

Marina Pasadena

South Lake District | 841 Cordova St.
Hours: Sun - Thurs, 5 pm - 9 pm | Fri - Sat, 5 pm - 10 pm

For some elevated dining, Marina Pasadena is the ideal spot. The locations provides local flavors with an upscale atmosphere. This neighborhood favorite sources its ingredients from local farmers markets, making it local in more ways than one. Take a bite of these fresh ingredients with Marina's unique pizza combinations, rich pasta and risotto dishes, or one of their heart mains (like their steak or pork chop).

Local Tip: “The Caesar salad and lamb chops is a must get every time we go.” - Rose L., Yelp

Casual Dining

Gale's Restaurant

Fair Oaks Corridor | 452 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Hours: Mon - Thurs, 11:30 am to 8 pm | Fri - Sat, 11:30 am to 9 pm | Sun, 3 pm to 8 pm

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.

Local Tip: “The Portobello Ravioli, stuffed with crab and shrimp in a cream sauce with wild mushrooms, was a standout dish that left us wanting more.” - Atin Matt, Google Reviews

Mi Piace

Old Pasadena | 25 E. Colorado Blvd.
Hours: Sunday - Sat | 11 am - 11 pm

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.

Local Tip: “I had the Rainbow Trout which was a meaty filet and properly sauced. It was just perfect.” - MooshLA, TripAdvisor

Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana

Playhouse Village | 60 N. Lake Ave.
Hours: Sun - Thurs, 11 am - 9 pm | Fri - Sat, 11 am - 10 pm

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.

Local Tip: “I got the pizza, arugula salad, Arancini and meatballs in delicious marinade sauce it was out of this world.” - Mahra Afshar, Google Reviews

Stoney Point Bar and Grill

West Pasadena | 1460 W. Colorado Blvd.
Hours: Sunday & Tue - Thurs, 5 pm - 9 pm | Fri - Sat, 5 pm - 10 pm

Stoney Point Restaurant is a landmark in the San Rafael neighborhood, open for lunch and dinner, and provides private dining for special occasions. They specialize in Continental cuisine and live piano entertainment.

Local Tip: “The duck, Stoney Point chicken, and sand dabs make great entrees.” - Sean9964, TripAdvisor

The Kitchen Italian Café & Pizza

Old Pasadena | 78 W. Union St.
Hours: Sun - Sat | 11 am - 9 pm

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.

Local Tip: “The bruschetta is amazing! Highly recommend this appetizer.” - tmsterling, TripAdvisor

Deli/ Market

Roma Market

North Pasadena | 918 N. Lake Ave.
Hours: Sun - Sat | 9 am - 5:30 pm

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.

Local Tip: “The. Sandwich. It's so simple and so delicious!” - Natalie M., Yelp

Porta Via

Fair Oaks Corridor | 1 W. California Blvd., #312
Hours: Mon - Sat | 10:30 am - 5 pm

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.

Local Tip: “The Thursday sandwich special is my favorite, Turkey on baguette with other deliciousness that makes it perfect.” - Alex Hernandez, Google Reviews

Italian Deli Company

District 2 | 1615 E Washington Blvd
Hours: Mon - Fri, 10 am - 10 pm | Sat - Sun 8:30 am - 10 pm

The Italian Deli Company serves every corner of Italian cuisine. Try pasta dishes made with house-made pasta, or bite into freshly sliced deli meats before digging into pizza. Stop by for breakfast and try their homemade espresso with a slice of their frittata.

Local Tip: “The Cacio e Pepe was Chef's Kiss! The Linguine was al dente, the sauce was delish, and the seafood was fresh." - Nikki B., Yelp

Explore more delicious dining options in Pasadena, we have so much more to offer!