Restaurants & Bars

Pasadena's Food Scene

Chong Ching Yao Mei

Restaurants & Dining in Pasadena

Trying new cuisines is one of the most thrilling experiences for taste buds and cultural immersion. Pasadena is home to over 650 restaurants, where upscale restaurants, ritzy steakhouses, charming cafés, modern eateries, mom-and-pops, food halls, pop-ups, breweries, sports bars, cocktail bars, and food trucks culminate to unearth global cultures through a celebration of food.

The late Pasadena resident and celebrated Pulitzer Prize winning food chronicler Jonathan Gold was a champion of Southern California’s diverse culinary landscape. His legacy carries on as Pasadena’s food scene sees a culinary renaissance with an exciting blend of longtime locals, immigrant families, and world-class chefs in the kitchens. With rideshares and parking abound, come and enjoy the flavors.

Explore Pasadena’s new restaurants and food trends, eat your way through the award-winning restaurants, find innovative vegan restaurants, cheer on your favorite team at lively sports bars, dive into our guide to Asian food, indulge in the sweet satisfaction of must-visit bakeries, and get into the celebratory spirit with our cocktail guide.

Meet the Pasadena Makers

Bone Kettle Brunch

Brunch Town Pasadena

Listen up, fellow brunch enthusiasts! Pasadena's the ultimate brunch town for foodies. You can brunch in a historic building, in a craftsman home, and in a variety of different cuisines, such as Asian, Mexican, and even Venezuelan. There's also a big selection of vegan spots, all-American diners, and cozy nooks with rustic-chic aesthetics all around town.

Pasadena's Guide to Brunch

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Motto Tea boba tiger bubble tea

Pasadena Boba Trail

Take a journey through the boba tea and bubble tea shops scattered throughout the city. . It's like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you're in search of the perfect boba drink. This trail takes you to some of the best and most popular boba spots in Pasadena, each offering their unique flavors and creative combinations. From traditional milk teas to fruit-infused concoctions and even experimental flavors, the Pasadena Boba Trail has something to please every boba lover's palate. You can hop from one shop to another, stopping along Pasadena's Route 66 hotspots along the way!

Pasadena Boba Trail

Browse Restaurants

Use the dropdown menu to search our directory for outdoor dining options, specific types of cuisine, and more. Already know what you want to eat? You can also type the name of your favorite restaurant into the search bar below.

Bakery/Café

Home Brewed Bar

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Cold Brew Coffee Shop. Home Brewed Bar specializes in artisan cold brew coffee and tea, and non-dairy milk, boba from all over the world and each cup is...

American

Hook Burger

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Hook Burger isn’t just a burger joint – it’s a labor of love focusing on humanely raised, 100% fresh, incredible-tasting ingredients. It’s redefining...

American

Hot Wings Cafe

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Hot Wings Café in Pasadena is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat. The establishment specializes in chicken wings, sandwiches, burgers and more in a casual...

American

Howlin' Ray's

Howlin Rays Food

Howlin' Ray's finally opened its doors to a second location in Pasadena and it is scorching hot! In 2016, their Nashville-style hot chicken brought the heat to...

Bakery/Café

I Like Pie

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Old Pasadena welcomed a new pie shop dishing out individual pie experiences with delicious personal pies. Flavors change seasonally based on regionally sourced...

European

Il Fornaio

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Authentic Italian Dining. Il Fornaio is where you will find authentic Italian dishes made with fresh indgrediants and traditional cooking techinques....

Intelligentsia Coffee 1

Intelligentsia is a specialty coffee pioneer and has been serving some of the world's best coffee to Los Angeles since 2007. The Illumination Bar in Pasadena...

Latin American

ix Tapa Cantina

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Mexican Eatery and Bar. ix Tapa Cantina offers a rich variety of standard and traditional favorites, including birrias, carnitas, and pollo en mole poblano. A...

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Janejira Thai Bistro is a family-run restaurant in the Playhouse Village of Pasadena. Their Thai dishes, made with fresh local ingredients and spices from...