Are you searching for the best restaurants in Pasadena, CA? If yes, then you are in the right place.
Pasadena is a town in Harris County, Texas, U. S., the second-largest city in Harris County and the twentieth most populous city in Texas.
At the 2020 U. S. census, Pasadena had a population of 151,950.
Pasadena is a vibrant city that offers numerous recreational activities and outdoor sports. If you are athletic, you will enjoy running, swimming, or casual strolls in Pasadena’s parks.
The city has excellent restaurants and food spots that serve exquisite cuisine in warm, comfortable atmospheres.
Below is a perfect list of the best restaurants in Pasadena, CA.
Best Restaurants in Pasadena
1. The Luggage Room Pizzeria
If you want a family-friendly restaurant to have a great mealtime, The Luggage Room Pizzeria is an incredible option and one of the best places to eat in Pasadena, CA.
This restaurant prioritizes aesthetics and delicious cuisine. The lighting at The Luggage Room Pizzeria is impeccable and gives the restaurant a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant offers tasty dishes with fresh, healthy ingredients and simple but excellent cooking.
The Luggage Room Pizzeria serves delicious starters, salads, breakfast options, taco platters, burgers & sandwiches, and pizzas. The bar menu is an exciting list of housemade signature cocktails, red wines, sparking & rosé, white wines, and beers.
The Tuna Tartare is a delicious appetizer made with sushi-grade tuna, radishes, ponzu, and guacamole.
Enjoy the Avocado Festival Pizza made with Hass avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon zest, basil, and house red sauce.
If you are a bit of a daredevil, the Limelight cocktail made with house tequila, elderflower, mezcal, cucumber, and spicy serrano is a delightful pick.
The Luggage Room Pizzeria opens from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm from Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm on Saturday, and 09:00 am – 09:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 260 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States. Phone: +1 626-356-4444.
2. Russell’s
Russell’s is your neighborhood restaurant for fantastic breakfast and brunch options. It is also recognized among the top restaurants in Pasadena, CA.
Russell’s is a cozy, comfortable place where you can enjoy a midday treat or a full breakfast.
The restaurant serves delicious gourmet omelets, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, salads, bistro entrees, Belgian waffles, French toast, Croque Madame, and Croque Monsieur.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast of Chili Omelet made with chili & beans omelet topped with melted Jack, Swiss, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or Gouda Cheese.
Russell’s serves interesting Breakfast Cocktails from regular mimosas to Blood Orange Mimosa, Bellini, Kir Royale, Bloody Mary, and lots more. The restaurant also serves sparkling wine, juices, and beverages.
Russell’s opens from 07:00 am – 02:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 06:30 am – 02:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 30 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States. Phone: +1 626-578-1404.
3. Parkway Grill
Parkway Grill serves delicious authentic American cuisine and is one of the best Pasadena restaurants.
Parkway Grill offers an excellent dining experience with the restaurant’s classy setting and fantastic service.
This restaurant offers an exciting menu of tasty starters, soup, salads, pizza, pasta, seafood, and BBQ.
You can have the Pan Seared Crab Cakes made with avocado salad, slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, and lemon remoulade as your appetizer.
The Parkway’s Caesar Salad made with shaved Reggiano, Tuscan white anchovies, and buttered brioche croutons is an excellent vegetarian-friendly meal.
Enjoy the Ragù alla Bolognese served at Parkway Grill. This delicious pasta made with shaved parmesan, pappardelle, and heritage pork is a delightful choice.
Address: 510 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States. Phone: +1 626-795-1001.
4. Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar
If you want a fine Italian dining experience, Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar makes excellent Italian cuisine and is one of the best restaurants to eat in Pasadena.
Gale’s restaurant serves family-style Northern Italian cuisine prepared in California style. The restaurant prepares and serves delicious dishes, including whole wheat and gluten-free options.
The restaurant has a lovely, shaded outdoor area surrounded by beautiful flowers, offering a nice view of the city.
Enjoy the Housemade Meatballs with Ricotta made with Gioia whipped ricotta, basil, and two meatballs.
The Chicken Piccata made with lightly floured chicken breast, lemon, capers, and parsley is an excellent entree choice.
Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar is open from 11:30 am – 08:00 pm from Monday to Saturday and from 03:00 pm – 08:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 452 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States. Phone: +1 626-432-6705.
5. Houston’s
Houston’s is an American-Style restaurant that serves a good range of meal choices and is among the best places to eat in Pasadena, CA.
Houston’s offers a fine dining experience in a comfortable and stylish environment.
This restaurant is ideal for a formal occasion or romantic dinners for two and requires you to dress in kind.
Enjoy your favorite dishes, from sushi to salads, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees.
The Caesar Salad is an excellent vegetarian-friendly meal with rustic croutons, grated Reggiano, and eggless Career dressing.
Enjoy the fresh-caught, deliciously-prepared Pan Fried Petrale Sole served with coleslaw and tartar sauce.
Address: 320 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States. Phone: +1 626-577-6001.
6. Cafe Santorini
Cafe Santorini is a beautiful dining spot and a great place to eat in Pasadena.
The restaurant has a lovely rooftop dining space with incredible lighting, a warm ambiance, and a classy look.
This restaurant is an excellent spot for family dinners, romantic dates, and semi-formal gatherings.
Enjoy a classy meal starting with Santorini’s “Grilled” Calamari. This delightful dish is made with grilled baby squid served over field greens and tossed with lemon herb dressing.
Cafe Santorini serves a delicious range of dishes from Mezze to Grilled Kebob, Risotto & Pasta, entrees, and desserts.
Cafe Santorini opens from 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, from 04:00 pm – 10:00 pm, from 11:30 am – 10:00 pm on Saturday, and from 11:30 am – 09:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 64 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States. Phone: +1 626-564-4200.
7. Green Street Restaurant
Enjoy fine dining in this fantastic restaurant. Green Street Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Pasadena, CA, that is worth visiting.
The restaurant has incredible indoor and outdoor seating. Green Street restaurant serves tasty dishes in a warm, comfortable environment.
Green Street Restaurant serves salads, soups, tacos, sandwiches, pasta, entrees, drinks, and other delightful options for breakfast and brunch.
Enjoy a bowl of Chipotle Lime Shrimp made with sauteed chipotle-lime marinated shrimp, mango, black beans, brown rice, onions, crema, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and avocado.
The Mixed Seafood Grill is a delicious choice made with skewers of salmon, snapper, red pepper sauce, shrimp, grilled vegetables, and brown rice.
Green Street Restaurant opens from Monday to Sunday from 09:00 am – 08:00 pm.
Address: 146 Shoppers Ln, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States. Phone: +1 626-577-7170.
8. Union
Union restaurant is a community spot for incredible meals and a great place to eat in Pasadena.
The restaurant is a bubbly Italian restaurant and bar which serves well-prepared Northern Italian cuisine with a touch of California style.
The restaurant serves everything from starters to handmade plates of pasta, well-prepared fish and meat, and other tasty family meals.
A plate of Lamb Merguez Sausage is a delicious option made with Beluga lentils, paprika, and Coleman farms mustard frill and is worth a shot.
Union restaurant opens from 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm from Thursday to Sunday.
Address: 37 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States. Phone: +1 626-795-5841
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9. Mi Piace
Mí Piace restaurant is a unique Italian cuisine spot and is worth adding to your list of best places to eat in Pasadena, CA.
This restaurant consists of a kitchen, lounge, and bakery and is famous for serving cuisine made with light Italian cooking with a New York accent.
The restaurant has beautiful outdoor seating, and the interior design is remarkable. It is an excellent spot for a formal gathering or a romantic dinner for two.
Mi Piace serves several options for Primi Piatti, pasta, salads, signature cuts, chicken, fish, pizza, and lots more.
Mi Piace opens from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 11:00 pm – 12:00 am on Friday and Saturday.
Address: 25 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States; Phone: +1 626-795-3131
10. Marston’s
If you want an immersive, authentic American dining experience, then add Marston’s to your list of top Pasadena restaurants.
Marston’s is a family-friendly restaurant that offers full dine-in service and fresh, healthy American cuisine. The restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Marston’s serves exciting breakfast options like the Ciabatta Breakfast Sandwich. This delicious meal made with two eggs prepared in any style served on ciabatta bread with bacon, tomatoes, and spicy jack cheese, served with potatoes, is delicious.
You can try the Huevos Rancheros made with two eggs served over grilled corn tortillas, black beans, or your choice of Texas chili, topped with avocado, sour cream, and Pico de gallo.
The restaurant also serves oatmeal, toast, special potatoes, cottage cheese, hamburgers, fresh fruit bowls, omelets, and many more. The restaurant also serves vegetarian-friendly options.
Marston’s opens from 07:30 am – 02:30 pm from Monday to Friday and from 08:00 am – 02:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 151 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States. Phone: +1 626-796-2459.
11. Arroyo Chop House
If you want to enjoy delicious meat cuts, steak, seafood, and excellent drinks, Arroyo Chop House is a great place to eat in Pasadena.
Arroyo Chop House serves rare U. S. D. A. Prime beef, aged and hand-cut, handcrafted cocktails, fresh seafood, and other incredible dishes made with fresh, healthy ingredients.
The restaurant offers a classy dining experience with its sophisticated atmosphere and incredible interior decor.
Enjoy a delicious range of dishes from starters to salads, steak, wagyu, seafood & chicken, sides, and desserts.
You can start your exquisite dining experience with the well-spiced Barbecued Shrimp or Scallops wrapped with pancetta. The C. H. Primi Chili is delicious if you love spicy meals.
Arroyo Chop House serves incredible Roasted Beet Salad made with Bleu cheese, mousse, micro greens, orange segments, balsamic reduction, and avocado.
The Barbecued Shrimp Salad made with House BBQ Shrimp, red onion, and tomato is an incredible salad choice if you love shrimp.
The Wagyu options offer luxurious grilled beef meals with the famous Japanese breed Wagyu cattle. The meat made from this extraordinary cattle breed has a unique flavor and tenderness. Enjoy the New York Strip, Ribeye, or Filet at affordable rates.
Arroyo Chop House opens from 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 05:00 pm – 08:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 536 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States. Phone: +1 626-577-7463
12. Bistro 45
To experience classy French dining in a warm, comfortable environment, you should visit Bistro 45. This elegant restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Pasadena, CA.
Bistro 45 has an elegant and tastefully furnished dining area with incredible lighting, a classic table arrangement, and a traditional and contemporary setting.
This fantastic restaurant creates memorable dishes with high-quality proteins and organic produce.
Enjoy a delicious variety of starters, pasta/risotto, soups and salads, pizza, side dishes, and desserts.
The Caridad Mussels & Littleneck Clams, made with creamy Madeira reduction, Magic Valley Shallots, lemon thyme, and Gilroy garlic served with Bistro 45 fries, is an excellent appetizer, especially if you are dining with friends.
Share a box of Primavera Pizza made with seasonal organic vegetables, garlic or eggplant puree, and olives with friends or family if you love vegetables. This option is vegetarian-friendly.
Enjoy a large Greater Omaha Hanger Steak plate made with whipped potatoes, garlic chips, and herbed butter asparagus. This delicious meal is a healthy and tasty choice.
You can finish with the Meyer Lemon Trio made with chilled sliced lemon souffle, warm lemon pudding cake, lemon curd, and raspberry sauce.
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Bistro 45 opens from 05:00 pm – 08:30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday, but the restaurant is closed on Monday.
Address: 45 S Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106, United States. Phone: +1 626-795-2478.
13. Malbec Argentinean Cuisine
This South American-style restaurant is an award-winning restaurant recognized among the best restaurants in Pasadena, CA.
Malbec Argentinean Cuisine offers tasty appetizers, salads, homemade plates of pasta, main dishes, BBQ, special sauce, side dishes, desserts, and lots more.
Treat your taste buds to a delicious plate of Salmon con Salsa Verde made with grilled, natural salmon, parsley, anchovies sauce, cilantro salad, and olives.
The Budin de Pan is a delicious dessert made with Argentinean-style custard bread pudding, raisins, figs, chantilly cream, dulce de leche, and figs.
Malbec Argentinean Cuisine opens from 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Monday, from 04:00 pm – 10:00 pm from Tuesday to Thursday, from 04:00 pm – 10:30 pm on Friday, from 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm on Saturday, and from 12:00 pm – 09:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 1001 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91106, United States. Phone: +1 626-683-0550
14. President Thai Restaurant
President Thai Restaurant is a great place to eat in Pasadena if you want incredible Thai cuisine.
This authentic Thai restaurant is an elegant dining spot with unique artistic features, incredible interior decor, great lighting, a classy table setting, and a comfortable environment.
You can try the Egg Roll wrapped with cabbage, glass noodles, and carrots served with plum sauce.
The Shrimp Cake is a delicious option made with real shrimp and Thai Herbs, fried to perfection with crispy panko, and served with plum sauce.
President Thai Restaurant opens from 11:30 am – 10:00 pm from Sunday to Saturday. This is also one of the best Pasadena restaurants.
Address: 498 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, United States. Phone: +1 626-578-9814
15. True Food Kitchen
Have a fantastic bite and refreshing sip of incredible homemade dishes and drinks at True Food Kitchen. This restaurant is a top place to eat in Pasadena.
True Food Kitchen serves a wide variety of incredible dishes from starters to pizzas, salads & bowls, burgers & sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. The restaurant has a fantastic bar menu with a good range of cocktails, wines, and beer.
You can start with the Wild Caught Tuna Tostada made with tuna, avocado, sesame cracker, jalapeno pepper, and citrus ponzu.
The restaurant has vegan, vegetarian-friendly, and gluten-free options. The restaurant also has a kids’ menu.
True Food Kitchen opens from 11:00 am – 09:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:00 am – 09:00 pm on Sunday.
Address: 168 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States. Phone: +1 626-639-6818
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Plan to Trip to Pasadena
Pasadena is a great place to visit if you are excited about being in a vibrant city with several fun sites.
This bustling town has an incredible number of shops, malls, stores, restaurants, parks, recreational activities, and historical sites.
Pasadena is one of America’s best “under-the-radar” suburbs with great features. A trip to Pasadena is worth it; plan a visit to this city today!