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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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.

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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...

Asian

Bone Kettle

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

Bakery/Café

Boy and the Bear

The Boy and the Bear

The irresistible charm of The Boy & The Bear's cafes is in the warmth and magic of Colombian culture. With locations across California, this roaster's...

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Located on Brookside Golf Course's expansive grounds, Brookside Restaurant is a great place to enjoy a meal with family and friends. Open to the public daily...

Bubble Puff Tea

Bubble Puff & Tea is created by two PCC alumni for the simple love of Tea and Hong Kong style egg waffles. Carefully sourced from premium tea plantations in...

European

Cafe Santorini

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Located in historic Old Pasadena, Café Santorini offers Mediterranean cuisine, cocktails and an excellent wine list. The ambiance of their indoor dining room...

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Fueled by a passion for tea and storytelling, Callisto Tea House is a woman-owned space offering high-quality single origin teas from around the world. Try the...

Bakery/Café

Carmela Ice Cream

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Artisan Creamery. East Pasadena is ground zero for Carmela Ice Cream chef/owner Jessica Mortarotti and business partner Zachary Cox, who now run three...

Bakery/Café

Carrara's

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Visit Carrara, a family-owned pasticceria, for fine, homemade Italian treats such as cakes, pastries, gelato, and espresso. Helmed by renowned Italian pastry...

European

CAVA Pasadena

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. CAVA Pasadena is a casual Mediterranean restaurant located in the South Lake Avenue District. CAVA Pasadena's build-it-yourself, seasonally-inspired menu...