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.

Ix Tapa
Restaurant

ix Tapa Cantina

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...

Restaurant

Janejira Thai Bistro

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...

JIN Tea
Restaurant

JIN Tea Shop

Handcrafted DrinksJIN Tea Shop has the strong belief that tea has more to offer then a pleasing aroma with great taste. Tea has health benefits good for the...

Restaurant

Jones Coffee Hut

Along historic Route 66 where the Arroyo Parkway extends into city streets, this teal hut with vivid folk art sits perched in a convenient spot right before...

Jones coffee roasters
Restaurant

Jones Coffee Roasters

Local Coffee Roasters. Jones Coffee is a family run coffee company headquartered in Pasadena, their roasting facility doubles as a coffee shop in a...

Restaurant

Jumak

Jumak serves authentic Asian cuisine spread across two unique menus. During lunch they offer a traditional simple Korean menu and during dinner they offer an...

Restaurant

Kabuki Restaurant

Kabuki Restaurant's diverse menu showcases traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine and includes an award-winning Kid’s Menu (Restaurant Hospitality...

Restaurant

Kathleen’s Restaurant

Kathleen’s Restaurant was established in 1982 by Efren Bugarin and Kathleen Meymarian. You’ll find that Kathleen’s menu offers a wide variety of California...

Restaurant

Kaviar Sushi Bar

Kaviar Sushi Bar offers a diverse Japanese selection from traditional fare to modern dishes inspired by Executive Chef John Hans Yeo. The artfully curated...

Restaurant

Kimono no Kobeya

Located in the Burlington Arcade, Kimono no Kobeya is a boutique shop with the largest selection of authentic Japanese kimonos on this side of the Pacific....