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.

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. And of course, there's always a trendy barista ready to whip up your favorite latte art masterpiece or a fruity mimosa to get the party started. Get your most brunch-appropriate outfit and head to Pasadena.

Pasadena's Guide to Brunch

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.

Outdoor Dining

Arroyo Chop House

Classic American Steakhouse. Arroyo Chop House is a classic American steakhouse located near the mansions of Millionaire's Row. Their USDA Prime beef is aged...

Bacchus Kitchen
Outdoor Dining

Bacchus’ Kitchen

Pasadena Restaurant. Bacchus' Kitchen is a casual restaurant in Pasadena's Bungalow Heaven neighborhood. Chef Claud Beltran opened this restaurant in 2014...

Bar Chelou rice dish photographed by Wonho Frank Lee
Outdoor Dining

Bar Chelou

Drawing inspiration from the eclectic, boundary-eschewing bistromie movement in Paris, Bar Chelou is Pasadena’s first neo-bistro. From Chef/Owner Douglas...

Barney's Beanery ceiling bar
Outdoor Dining

Barney’s Beanery Pasadena

Route 66 Roadhouse. Barney's Beanery is a Route 66 Roadhouse located in Old Pasadena. Their large newspaper-style menu features 40 craft beers on draft, a...

Coffee, Tea, Juice

Bearology Pasadena

Located in the Indiana Colony Market, Bearology serves tasty boba teas, smoothies, and milk teas in commemorative takeaway glass jars.

Blind Donkey
Outdoor Dining

Blind Donkey

Craft Whiskey Bar. The Goat Group, a distinguished company led by beer and spirits expert Ryan Sweeney, Brandon Bradford, and Alen Aivazian first launched...

Only in Pasadena

Boba ChaCha

Boba ChaCha is a chic, Instagram-worthy boba shop located in Old Pasadena. Their menu consists of sweet drinks, smoothies, unique tea flavors ranging from...

Outdoor Dining

Bobby’s Place

A Pasadena institution since 1964, Bobby's Place is Pasadena’s longest running burger and burrito stops. Stop in for their famous bean and cheese burrito.

Asian-owned food

Boiling Point Concept

Soul Warming Based out of Southern California, Boiling Point specializes in Taiwanese-style hot pot. In 2015, the group opened this new concept restaurant in...

bone kettle noodle soup
Outdoor Dining

Bone Kettle

Southeast Asian Kitchen. Bone Kettle adds a new twist to the Pasadena culinary community by introducing their culturally-inspired dishes. Bone Kettle's broth...

Brookside park
Outdoors

Brookside Park

Park Near the Rose BowlPasadena's largest fully maintained park facility (61.1 acres) is located just south of Rose Bowl Stadium. Lots of parking is available...