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.

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Come experience this boutique style cupcake shop. Cupcakes are known to increase levels of happiness and fulfill sweet cravings.Baked fresh daily, Dots...

Bakery/Café

Drips Cheesecake

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Drips Cheesecake is the first brand in the United States to specialize in chocolate-dipped cheesecake. They bake every single cheesecake using an original...

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Old Pasadena Gastropub. Edwin Mills by Equator is a gastropub that can only be accessed through on of the historic alleyways of Old Pasadena. The space is...

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Authentic and Traditional Mexican Food. El Cholo restaurants feature authentic and traditional Mexican dishes, many of which have come from family recipes...

Mexican

El Metate Cafe

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El Metate Café. El Metate Café is an family-owned authentic Mexican sit-down café located in the Playhouse Village. It is great for breakfast, lunch and...

Mexican

El Toreo Cafe

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Mexican Restaurant in Old PasadenaEl Toreo (Spanish term for "bullfighting") has been around for about seventy years, the family that currently owns it has...

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Based in a small cottage, Entre Nous is relatively "new" to Old Pasadena and offers classic French delicacies like escargot, salmon tartar, and filet mignon....

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French-inspired. Europane is walking distance from the Pasadena Convention Center off of historic Route 66. Since 2010, Europane has served breakfast and...

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Since 2019, Chef Michael Gray has been dishing out some of the most unique and innovative takes on classics from burgers to good 'ol Southern delights. Try the...

Bakery/Café

Fika Fika Coffee

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Fika Fika is one of Southern California’s popular local roasters serving the best coffee and teas. In addition to their signature classics, they are most known...