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.

Asian

Panda Inn

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Panda Inn proudly serves Mandarin and Szechwan cuisine mixed with innovative style throughout Southern California. The variety of delicious entrees celebrates...

Asian

Paper Rice

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Paper Rice is a Vietnamese restaurant in Old Pasadena that puts a "make your own" twist on traditional Vietnamese classics. Enjoy a custom spring roll or rice...

American

Parkway Grill

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Quintessentially Pasadena. Parkway Grill opened to rave reviews in 1984, and has been a powerful force in the regional american cuisine movement ever since....

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Pasadena Fish Market is a no-frills, counter-serve stop with limited seating featuring fried fish and traditional Jamaican fare. The market also sells raw fish...

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Pasadena Sandwich Company is a family-owned and operated NY-style deli since the 1950s where the meats are cooked daily in-house and the salads homemade with...

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Pasadena Wine Shop is a woman-owned wine shop in the Playhouse Village that features wines, ciders, beers, and sours. The store highlights black-owned...

European

Perle Restaurant

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Perle is a family-owned French-inspired restaurant located in a beautiful, historic setting in Old Pasadena. Perle's menu was thoughtfully created with one of...

American

Perry's Joint

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Perry's Joint is the best place to get massive deli-style sandwiches loaded with fresh veggies and well-seasoned dressings, specialty desserts, smoothies, and...

Pez Cantina

Pasadena welcomes new upscale seafood focused eatery, Pez Coastal Kitchen, to bring a lively and innovative dining experience. With a focus on sea and...

American

Pie 'n Burger

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Pie 'n Burger's breakfast features housemade breads, fresh pecan rolls, cinnamon rolls, and their thin pancakes are a favorite. They are known for their...

Asian

Pillow Talk

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Pillow Talk is a small Japanese coffee and sandwich that serves adorable sandwiches and mini cakes that are beyond Instagram-worthy.

American

Plate 38

Plate 38

Located on Colorado Boulevard, Plate 38 serves new American fare inside a modernized industrial-cool space. Brunch is made from scratch and features a...