Beer & Wine
Pasadena's Food Scene
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.
Culinary Inspiration
Explore Local Flavors
Browse Restaurants
As the birthplace of Julia Child and hometown of beloved food critic Jonathan Gold, Pasadena is a celebrated food town located in downtown Los Angeles’ backyard. Sit down, take a load off, and embark on a culinary journey through foodie favorites, classic sit-downs, magical hole-in-the-wall joints, and innovative new fusion creations.
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.
More to Savor
Food
Whether it's football, hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, or any other game, Pasadena sports bars promise a roaring good time with a sports-obsessed fanbase.
Food
Ice cream shops thrive in Pasadena. And when the temperatures start to climb, it's prime time to go out in search of a scoop that will hit that icy cold sweet spot. From the traditional and Instagrammable to the offbeat…
Food
Whether you call it boba, bubble tea, milk tea, or pearl tea, there’s no denying Pasadena's bubble tea shops are packed with unique flavors and toppings.
Food
As the birthplace of the Cheeseburger, Pasadena is proud of it's cheesy burger scene. The list is packed with classic burgers and the old school spots that still make them, as well as innovative newcomers with tantalizing modern ingredients.
