Best of Pasadena 2024: Top Spots to Eat

Bar Chelou

View the original article to see embedded media.

A French-inspired bistro and bar in the Pasadena Playhouse courtyard. With chef Douglas Rankin at the helm, Bar Chelou has established itself as a key spot for upscale bites from cauliflower with Sichuan au poivre to Iberico pork chops and rainbow trout with corn rice. Perfect for a pre-theater meal or post-play cocktail. barchelou.com

Dos Besos

This cozy Spanish spot feels like a little slice of Europe in Old Town thanks to Barcelona-born chef Alejandro Llobet. Tuck into tapas made with jamón ibérico, Manchego cheese, albondigas meatballs, and pan con tomate, and enjoy a glass of wine. Hearty entrees include Mediterranean sea bass baked in rock salt and seafood paella for two. Dosbesospasadena

La Grande Orange

The eatery features an array of dishes from lemon ricotta pancakes and green chili burgers to pizza and swordfish tacos. Plus, the 1934 Del Mar train station setting feels as if you’re stepping back in time as you mingle between the LGO Cafe, Luggage Room Pizzeria, and the Otis Bar. lgostationcafe.com

Lucky Boy Burgers

A fast-casual, walk-up counter and drive-through eatery with two locations in Pasadena. Lucky Boy Burgers has built a cult following for its massive breakfast burrito loaded with bacon, eggs, and potatoes, served all day. The juicy ¼ pound charbroiled burgers, chili dogs and pastrami sandwiches are also delicious. luckyboyburgers.com

Colette

An unassuming spot nestled in a mini mall, Colette is where friends and families gather for some of the city’s most innovative Cantonese-influenced cooking. Sit on the patio with a spread of dim sum, stuffed chicken wings with sticky fried rice, and crispy honey shrimp. Colettepasadena.com

Pie ‘N Burger

View the original article to see embedded media.

An old-school burger joint, with a side of nostalgia including wooden swivel counter chairs. Established in 1963, this beloved retro spot is a perfect place to sit with a cup of coffee, a fresh fruit or meringue pie and linger with the newspaper. pienburger.com

Rose Garden Tea Room

This famed tea room at the Huntington museum features a high-end selection of teas, house-made scones and savory options such as smoked salmon, dill cream cheese and caviar sandwiches. Cocktails and champagne are also available by the glass. huntington.org/tea-room

Howlin’ Rays

Lines of customers snake around the corner of this eatery, which serves Nashville-style spicy chicken with perfect crunchy crust. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, try the “country” option or order the chicken and waffles. The stark, bold fluorescent décor by Preen exudes a high energy vibe. Howlinrays.com

Osawa

Sushi and shabu shabu reign supreme at this family-owned business run by Sayuri Tachibe and chef Shigefumi Tachibe, the former CHAYA executive chef. The restaurant was also a favorite of the late great food critic Jonathan Gold. For a picnic, try a Bento box loaded with sashimi, sushi, ribeye steak, and miso-marinated salmon. theosawa.com

Perry’s Joint

Continually voted the “best sandwiches in Pasadena,” this sandwich spot offers everything from turkey and tuna salad sandwiches to “fusions” with hot roast beef, pastrami, and a toasted hot link. Perry’s also serves an array of hot dogs and loaded nachos to munch on while listening to jazz and looking at pictures of Duke Ellington. Perrysjoint.com

Prince Street Pizza

This East Coast pizza brand continues its expansion with the opening of its sixth and largest L.A. County location on Colorado Boulevard. Enjoy pies made daily from scratch, including the Spicy Spring with Fra Diavolo Sauce, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella and pecorino romano. Go early to avoid the evening lines. princestreetpizza.com

The Terrace at the Langham Huntington

Driving past the stately grounds and porte-cochere at this grand hotel feels special. Equally divine is the outdoor terrace restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring a bounty of vegan and vegetarian options such as crispy lollipop kale, vegan meatloaf with garlic jasmine rice and root vegetables, plus truffle fries. Save room for dessert. Langhamhotels.com

Uovo

View the original article to see embedded media.

This authentic Italian pasta bar concept in the courtyard of the Pasadena Commons hand makes its own fresh pasta daily—in Italy and fly it in overnight. The three tasting menus feature dishes including tonnarelli in a signature pomodoro sauce with imported tomatoes from Basilicata and sprinkled with 24-month-aged parmigiano reggiano. Uovo.la

Sugarfish

Thanks to master sushi chef Kazunori Nozawa and his son, Tom, fans of Sugarfish are well-acquainted with the art of “trust me” sushi ordering. Omakase meals with sake have become a way of life. Celebrating 15 years, Sugarfish remains one of the top choices for excellent quality Japanese nigiri, sashimi, hand rolls and uni. Sugarfishsushi.com

Saucy Chick Goat Mafia

Where Mexican meets Indian fare on Rosemead Boulevard. This restaurant merged its cuisines following a successful pop-up run at Smorgasburg on Sundays at The ROW DTLA. Expect Indian Mexican rotisserie chicken dishes with traditional Mexican goat birria tacos. saucychickgoatmafia.com

Torta’s Mexico

This tiny spot on Fair Oaks Avenue features delicious recipes from the owner’s hometown of San Juan Yucuita — a small pueblo in Oaxaca’s Nōchiztlān District. It also serves the best vegetarian tacos in Los Angeles. Torta’s is also a top locale for breakfast and, of course, the tortas (grilled Mexican sandwich) on crusty bread with various fillings, including chorizo. tortasmexicopasadena

Ginger and Spice Noodle & Grill

Whether picking up a Vietnamese coffee or Boba tea, this neighborhood favorite also serves a delicious all-day breakfast burrito. Other customers flock here for the Pho noodle soup (including veggie options), teriyaki rice bowls, spring rolls, and chicken wings — all great for catering your next party. gingerandspicenoodle.com

Celestino

This Italian family restaurant, owned by the Drago brothers, has been a fixture on Lake Avenue for over a quarter of a century. Executive chef Calogero Drago remains at the helm. Expect mushroom truffle balls with fontina cheese fondue and chopped salad with grilled shrimp. Other favorites include baked pasta dishes and osso buco with risotto. Celestinopasadena.com

The Raymond 1886

Gather at a table for brunch or dinner by an indoor or outdoor fire at this historic Craftsman-style eatery. The restaurant serves some of the best cocktails in the city, as well as seasonal salads, roasted artichoke with forbidden rice, and seven-hour braised short ribs. Theraymond.com

Pez Coastal Cantina

Chef Bret Thompson and Lucy Thompson-Ramirez of Pez Cantina in downtown L.A. have opened Pez Coastal Cantina in the old Slater 50/50 space on N. Raymond Avenue. Showcasing expert skills in curing, smoking, and dry-aging meats and seafood, highlights include a black kale Pez Caesar salad with nori crisp, steelhead trout rillette, Kingfish crudo and whole fried fish. Pezpasadena.com

UNION

View the original article to see embedded media.

Marie Petulla is the co-owner and visionary of this award-winning Northern Italian restaurant, which sources many of its greens and veggies from local farmers. Since opening in 2014, UNION has collaborated with Pasadena Community Gardens and John Muir High School, both of which grow produce for the restaurant’s ever-evolving seasonal menu items. unionpasadena.com

Maestro’s

Those in the know flock to Old Town for this upscale Mexican restaurant’s staple dish of braised bone-in lamb shank and the zesty citrus summer salad with guava vinaigrette, queso fresco, roasted beets and quinoa. Take a seat at the small indoor bar or the outdoor patio for a margarita, chips and salsa. Maestropasadena.com

Arroyo Chop House

For over 40 years, this Pasadena institution has been a must for any celebratory event or special date night. Owned by Gregg and Bob Smith, the prime steaks and chops are the primary draw, but don’t miss the table side dessert presentation of signature chocolate or Grand Marnier souffles. Arroyochophouse.com

Perle

Classic French dishes get a modern California seasonal spin by owner and executive chef Dean Yasharian, who worked in Michelin kitchens in New York and London before winning Food Network’s Chopped . The menu features meat, seafood, vegetarian and plant-based dishes. Perlrestaurant.com

The Arbour

Farm-to-table fine-dining takes center stage at the Arbour, owned by chef Ian Gresik, who’s worked with local legends Joachim Splichal and Celestino Drago. Gresik cooks upscale, comforting California fare including beet salads, and roasted tomato soup and shrimp penne. One highlight is the Instagrammable spicy beef chili candle made from animal fat that you dip into with toast. thearbourpasadena.com

Lunasia

Originally an Alhambra locale, the Pasadena outpost of this dim sum house on Colorado Boulevard features Shanghai pork soup dumplings and steamed BBQ pork bao. If you are dining with a group of friends, try the extremely rich Macao-style roasted pork belly. lunasiadimsum.com