Pasadena is synonymous with old Hollywood glamour, Craftsman architecture, and the roses of its iconic parade.
Yet beneath that gleaming postcard image is a city where neighborhoods bubble over with culinary innovation, global influences, and a laid-back, sun-kissed energy.
Whether it’s a historic brunch spot on Colorado Boulevard or a tiny noodle shop on a side street, Pasadena’s best restaurants draw loyal crowds for good reason: here, every meal feels like part of the local story. Here are five spots where Pasadena really shines.
The Raymond 1886
Hidden at the edge of town in the storied remnants of a Victorian-era hotel, The Raymond 1886 is a romantic, wood-clad bungalow bursting with character.
Cocktails here are legendary—smoky, botanical, creatively presented—and the kitchen serves up New American comfort food taken to new heights.
Think seared duck breast, short ribs with root veggies, and a changing roster of artful small plates using California’s best produce.
On cool evenings, the patio glows beneath twinkle lights, and inside it feels like a speakeasy from another era.
It’s the spot for special occasions…but many locals will tell you their favorite time is Sunday brunch, when the place buzzes with Pasadena regulars.
Roma Market
Just off Lake Avenue in Pasadena’s heart, Roma Market is more than a market—it’s a local legend.
Owner Rosario Mazzeo has been here forever, slicing prosciutto and crafting the city’s most beloved signature sandwich (a simple combo of Italian meats and olive oil on fresh bread) since the 1950s.
From the aisles of imported olives and pasta to the hand-written menu, it’s bustling at lunch with everyone from city workers to high school kids.
You come here for the paper-wrapped sandwich, grab a cookie, and maybe leave with a bottle of olive oil and some family gossip. Roma Market isn’t just a lunch stop—it’s a living slice of Pasadena tradition.
Bone Kettle
Bone Kettle sits right in Old Pasadena but you’d never guess the depth of flavors they coax from Southeast Asia’s best comfort food traditions.
Chef Erwin Tjahyadi specializes in Indonesian and Pan-Asian fare, built around a rich, aromatic beef bone broth that simmers for 36 hours.
Diners pile in for the oxtail dumplings, sticky wings, and crowd-favorite bone broth ramen, all in a setting that’s sleek, airy, and full of local buzz.
Come for lunch and you’ll catch professionals slurping noodles; by dinner it’s a destination for foodies in-the-know, date-night couples, and families wanting truly soul-warming flavors.
Pie’n Burger
Pie’n Burger is old-school in the best sense: tiny, bustling, and almost unchanged since 1963.
Famous for its thin, crispy burgers and house-made pies (try the boysenberry if you see it), it’s a shrine to vintage American diner culture, right down to the counter stools and paper hats.
Breakfasts are big here too—fluffy pancakes, hash browns, and perfectly poached eggs delivered with warmth from a staff that knows half the customers by name.
Film students, retirees, and after-school teens all crowd in, and on weekends, there’s almost always a line. A meal here feels like time travel, complete with bottomless mugs of coffee.
Union
Chef Bruce Kalman’s Union is a small, brick-walled spot where California sunshine and Italian tradition dance harmoniously.
House-made pastas are the star—delicate, chewy, and dressed in sauces built from Santa Monica market produce, Sonoma cheeses, and local olive oil.
Menus change with the season, and while the short rib with parm polenta is legendary, you can find everything from bold cacio e pepe to wood-fired eggplant and grilled bread with house ricotta.
Attentive service, a bustling open kitchen, and the best desserts in the city make Union a true Pasadena staple—whether you’re celebrating or just dropping in at the bar for an Aperol spritz and a plate of handmade gnocchetti.
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