Restaurants & Bars

Pasadena's Food Scene

Chong Ching Yao Mei

Dining

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, 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.

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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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...

Fried Rice

Located half a mile from Pasadena City Hall and the Pasadena Convention Center is Pearl Thai Eatery, an authentic Thai restaurant. Inside is an intimate dining...

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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Best Sandwich in Pasadena. Perry's Joint is continually voted as the best sandwich spot in Pasadena. Known for massive deli-style sandwiches loaded with...

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 house made 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...

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Poke Salad Bar serves up fresh poke bowls, a Hawaiian dish consisting of cuts of raw fish tossed with rice, vegetables, and umami-enhanced sauces. Choose your...

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Popping Yolk Cafe is one of SoCal’s most popular brunch spots. Now open in Pasadena, the cafe offers an inviting atmosphere to all. They serve brunch favorites...