Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Pasadena? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sushi Roku - Pasadena

4.8

4.8 (1218)

$30 and under

Sushi

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Sushi Roku combines the finest, freshest fish from pristine waters around the globe with the kind of artistry that can only be provided by a mature sushi chef ensuring superlative traditional sushi, together with a splash of California innovation. Sushi Roku is a pioneer of contemporary sushi, incorporating diverse, non-traditional ingredients from Latin America (e.g. jalapeños) and Europe (e.g. olive oil) into its edible works of art. This unique culinary experience that bridges past and present is the result of an eagerness to embrace new ideas and a profound respect for tradition. Sushi Roku’s bold and diverse menu also offers an array of hot and cold specialty appetizers and an extensive selection of exotic entrées.

Top review

Lily

Dined 7 days ago

Very enjoyable evening out. My daughter and I enjoyed the very tasty food. The sake selection was unbelievable. We enjoyed our drinks appetizer and our entrée. Well done beautiful decor nice place for an evening out. My daughter and I were visiting from Northern California. So glad we followed Frank’s advice. Frank at hotel Dena recommended your restaurant to us.

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Experience

A Black & White NYE Affair at Sushi Roku

Nick's South Lake Ave

4.8

4.8 (3147)

$30 and under

American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails, an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Nick's Pasadena will reopen on April 12, 2021 for dinner starting at 4pm. We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Joe

Dined 6 days ago

Elegant. Great food and service. Wonderful atmosphere. Intimate. Lovely. It is a great place, even better than Nick's in Manhattan Beach.

Bar Chelou

4.8

4.8 (451)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Bar Chelou is a neo-bistro that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin's broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style.

'Chelou' (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel, and fun.

The restaurant is located within the Pasadena Playhouse complex. If you plan to visit the Playhouse after dinner, please book a 5:30p reservation to ensure ample timing for your dinner. We also offer concession cocktails before a showing and during intermission.

NEED TO KNOW
Wine corkage is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list.

Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius.

Gift cards are available for purchase on our website.

Top review

gabriel

Dined 1 day ago

Bar Chelou never disappoints!!! My wife and I have had nothing but exceptional experiences each time we’ve gone! The food…the staff and the environment are the best. We always have great conversations with the people sitting next to us as well.

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4.8

4.8 (958)

$50 and over

American

Eagle Rock

About the restaurant

Brian Dunsmoor’s namesake restaurant, Dunsmoor, is the latest iteration of his ongoing exploration of American heritage cooking. It is, first and foremost, a restaurant for the community that surrounds it, and a loving expression of the relentless research that has informed his cooking for the last ten years.

We offer the full menu at tables in our dining room and at the chef's counter, as well as at our outdoor tables. Reservations are recommended but we make every effort to accommodate walk-ins when possible.

Dunsmoor's wine bar, accessible either through the restaurant or via its own door on Ave 35, does not accept reservations and serves a limited menu of our raw and larder items.

Top review

Annathalia

Dined 3 days ago

It was our first time experiencing dining in this style, everyone was really friendly and the food was heavenly. It's my husband and I's first date night in a long while and I wanted to treat us. Their cornbread was so yummy and the mushroom crusted pork chops made me want to cry happy tears. Thanks so much for a great experience!

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Casa Cordoba - Montrose

4.7

4.7 (518)

$30 and under

Spanish

Montrose

About the restaurant

Casa Cordoba was established 2013 to deliver a truly authentic Spanish dining experience. Located in a classic Spanish building in the heart of beautiful Montrose, Casa Cordoba presents a truly immersive experience where Angelenos can step out of the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and experience a Taste of Spain.

You can experience Casa in our magical garden, dining room, or wine bar. We offer authentic Spanish cuisine including an extensive tapas menu, specialty paellas, and much more to go along with our hand selected wine list representing various regions of Spain.

Top review

Scott

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

The patio near the fountain is a great place to dine. On Friday’s there is a wonderful Spanish guitarist that turns a very nice experience into a wonderful one. Roberto our waiter is professional and has been there since it originally opened. He suggested a great bottle of wine to go with the melt in your mouth honey basted braised short rib that is served on lentils. Mushroom appetizer, artichoke appetizer and croquettes were all very good. Most unique restaurant in Montrose.

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Star Leaf - Asian Cuisine

4.6

4.6 (198)

$31 to $50

Asian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

As an award winning restaurant group, Star Leaf creates a fine dining experience that combines ingredients and spices that will teleport guests across the Pacific to a tropical paradise. Founded in 2011, Star Leaf Pasadena is our first US-location in the beloved Playhouse Village. Every dish is prepared with passion and respect for the traditions that shaped Asian cuisine. The culinary team selects the freshest ingredients, ensuring each bite is a celebration of flavor and culture, while instilling innovative modern touches.

Top review

Geummy

Dined 5 days ago

Recommend 1000% great ambiance and food! The curry is amazing

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Experience

Star Leaf Happy Hour

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Pasadena, CA | Old Town

4.4

4.4 (1661)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Estellaleigh

Dined 4 days ago

We enjoyed a delicious holiday meal with fast, responsive service.

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Kalaveras-Pasadena

4.3

4.3 (101)

$30 and under

Mexican

Pasadena

About the restaurant

We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options.
We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 60 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits, as well as carefully crafted cocktails.

Top review

chris

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Went to celebrate my daughter’s birthday & it was fantastic! The servers & staff are top notch! Thank you so much!!!

Le Grand Pasadena

4.1

4.1 (98)

$30 and under

American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Hey, craving something extraordinary? Le Grand Restaurant has epic dining deals packed with flavor, fun, and unforgettable moments!

Start with our 5 for $25 Tapas Deal – choose any five of our chef’s favorite tapas for just $25! Perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo, it’s the ultimate way to explore a variety of bold, delicious flavors.

For a true indulgence, try the Unlimited Tapas Experience at $49.99 per person, where you can enjoy endless servings of our chef’s top picks. Taste as much as you like—it’s an all-you-can-eat dream!

Pair your meal with the Unlimited Cocktail Experience for $27, featuring unique creations by our expert mixologists to complement every bite.

For something hearty, don’t miss our Signature Creekstone Farms Ribeye Platter—a premium 16 oz cut with roasted potatoes, caramelized carrots, cauliflower, creamy mushroom sauce, and peppercorn-parmesan butter. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or family!

Top review

Shana

Dined 5 days ago

Le Grand in Pasadena provided an unforgettable dining experience on Christmas Eve. From the cozy atmosphere to the festive holiday spirit, everything was perfectly curated for a special night out. We started with the buffalo chicken wings, which were perfectly crispy with just the right amount of heat and tangy flavor an absolute crowd-pleaser. The espresso pork ribs stole the show with their tender texture and a unique smoky-sweet glaze that was incredibly addictive. The Elote was a delightful twist on a classic, with charred corn, creamy toppings, and just a hint of spice that made it irresistible. The pesto ravioli was rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented—an indulgent treat that rounded out the meal perfectly. The drinks were just as impressive. The hibiscus margaritas were vibrant, refreshing, and expertly balanced a wonderful festive cocktail that paired seamlessly with the bold flavors of the food. The service was exceptional, with the staff attentive and eager to make the evening memorable. Le Grand truly knows how to combine incredible food, drinks, and ambiance into a one-of-a-kind experience. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an incredible meal, Le Grand is a must-visit. Their tapas and drinks made our Christmas Eve extraordinary, and we can’t wait to return!

El Cholo Cafe

3.8

3.8 (963)

$30 and under

Mexican

Pasadena

About the restaurant

It all started back in 1923 in a small storefront in downtown Los Angeles. 95 years later and 5 generations later El Cholo has become synonymous with Mexican food all over Southern California.

Our Pasadena venue opened in 2000 and is at the Paseo Mall within walking distance of the Civic Auditorium and Convention Center, overlooking Colorado Blvd.
The menu consists of classics dating back to the original menu along with an array of more modern dishes showcasing the different regions of Mexico.

Four private rooms that can accommodate parties from 40-100 that allows our valued guest a memorable experience no matter the occasion.

Most famously known for our Margaritas and a menu featuring over 150 Tequilas. Both of our bars offer a comfortable environment allowing our guest to relax enjoy their experience.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Still a classic, and the table had a wide range of dishes from OG 1923 items to Chicken Mole Enchiladas, something added very recently. Margaritas are still great, and the vibe of the place maintains the same feel you get at the first location on Western, even here in a mall in Pasadena. Tableside guacamole is a must, and their tamales are among the best anywhere.

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