Stopped in for a quick bite and a couple drinks (Modelo bottles and some 24oz draft) with friends and stayed for lunch and cocktails. They offer complimentary chips and salsa (verde) which really hits the spot on a hot day.
We ordered a share plate, molcajete de carnes, and were very happy we did. The volcanic bowl comes with beef, chicken, cactus, avocado, cheese and some vegetables, plus bean, rice and tortillas on the side. Depth of flavor was amazing, and the tortillas sopped up every bit of the broth.
Cocktails here are great, with pitchers of margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and multiple tequila flights for bigger groups or adventurers. This place also offer a MASSIVE list of premium tequila, mezcal and other spirits. If you’ve been missing refreshing, authentic Mexican drinks, this is definitely worth a visit. Flavors for margaritas and mojitos are a small charge, but the purée is well worth it if you’re not in the mood for lime.
One of the finest bars I’ve been to, with full glassware and well stocked bar (including good wine options) for nearly any kind of cocktail you could imagine. The atmosphere is very relaxed and cool. Perfect for a regular day, and easy to upgrade your order for a special occasion.
The real highlight here has to be the staff. Everyone was friendly and extremely efficient. Each seemed to know to make/pour drinks and also cover one another to run food out to tables as quickly as possible. Every drink arrived at our table quick and cold, and the food still piping hot.
Absolute 5/5 venue and one of my most memorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arinne Sidwell
At first glance, the restaurant is beautiful. The ambience of the restaurant was great, a beautiful blend of traditional Mexican decore with modern Mexican American art sprinkled throughout. I got the tequila pasta and my husband got the gobernador burrito; both were delicious. The food was so flavorful and well portioned. Finally, the service was great. Our server was friendly, attentive and prompt. He even packaged us up some complementary chips and salsa at the end of the meal because we enjoyed the salsa so much. It's rare to find a place that it great all the way around and this place here is one of those rare places.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Flores
First time at Anayas for their Sunday brunch (their regular menu is not available during brunch). Great selections - my favorites were the chicken mole, the menudo and shrimp ceviche. Their beans and rice are good too. Lots or other items to choose from too. Desserts were so yummy, a delicious flan, churros, a chocolate fountain for fruit make it hard to choose but the flan was my favorite! There is also a great bar. Definitely recommend!! Thanks Anayas, we’ll be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffany An
ANAYA's MEXICAN - REVIEW FOR JUNE 2025
Staying at the nearby AC Hotel, I was looking for a quick mexican restaurant nearby. Surprisingly, this restaurant is larger than expected and something i was looking for in Pasadena.
*Food - Order = Beef flautas with beans and rice = 25$ with tax and tip - I would order again! A little pricey but substancial amount and considering location. It was packaged well, although make sure to ask for cutlery if you're staying at the hotel
*Different than most mexican spots in Pasadena - - Aside from El Portugal nearby which is great for outdoor seating and the food isn't out of this world-- there isn't many big family seating mexican restaurants in pasadena; There are many hole in the walls along with taco trucks but not too many like Anaya's.
*Other - outdoor seating right on colorado + large indoor seating - happy hour specials - parking? = since i walked.. can't comment and seems like it may be street parking on colorado only which may be hard
I'll definitely check this place out for dine in! Heard the margaritas were worth trying pre a coworker!
Shout out to Joanna for being extra kind on the phone and staff seems very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luke Kratz
Excellent food and service.
Bart Locanthi
I was looking for some sort of Mexican breakfast, but didn't know what I wanted to have. Such a surprise to walk into a Sunday brunch buffet, with basically everything: green& red enchiladas, barbacoa, Chile rellenos...
Leslie King
Delicious fresh food, good margaritas. The service was great. We had tacos and enchiladas - we will be back
S Gonzalez
Terrible from reservation time to seating to customer service! Big disappointment been there several times however this experience was awful won’t be going back!!!!!!!!!
michael gold
We made a last minute decision to stop by Anaya’s. A huge note of thanks and appreciation to Jorge, Kim and Israel for a making our dinner exceptional. The service and food were excellent! We’re making plans to return with family and friends.
Joe Aragon
This was not a good dining experience. We went on Cinco de Mayo because it didn’t have a line. They were busy, but didn’t seem like it was an insane day. We ordered the Queso Fondido as the appetizer, the waiter asked if we wanted chorizo or mushrooms added. We explicitly said no because my partner is vegetarian, when it arrived it had Chorizo, we didn’t realize until I took a bite….Took 20 mins from ordering our drinks for them to arrive and to tell them we ordered no chorizo….and they still hadn’t taken our food order. It was about 40 mins in when we finally ordered our entrees. My friend asked for a steak chile relleno, he thought he was the vegetarian so he asked if chicken stock in the rice was ok…. We pointed out we were ordering a steak chile relleno so obviously that would be ok and he wasn’t the vegetarian… he seemed to understand and I even confirmed twice before he left that it’s a steak chile relleno… when it arrived it had no meat. Again another 20 mins for him to come back and tell him we got the wrong order. One mistake is fine, but this was 3! Drinks taking 20 mins to arrive and two wrong orders! They didn’t really seem apologetic, didn’t offer us anything. My burrito wasn’t hot, except in the center, the vegetarian dish my partner ordered didn’t come with cheese (I guess they thought vegan and vegetarian are the same). Food was meh, but I will say their salsa that comes with their chips are top notch! We will definitely not come back again.
Amazing restaurant loved the food and loved the atmosphere plus the customer service.
Ernesto Aguilar-Meza
No disappointment here; every time is a good experience. They have a great food menu and good drinks for happy hour and Margarita Mondays. Give them a try; it's a great place to have a nice gathering with yourself, family, friends, or a special someone.
KATALINA
I recently had lunch there. Food was fine, not exceptional. I paid $28 for a plate (decent enough) but I didn’t realize my margarita was going to cost $21 (each), and mostly ice at that. Overpriced for what you get. And this was a lunch menu! I won’t be returning.
David Stein
First time trying the food at this attractive, smallish, yet airy Pasadena outpost of Anaya, located on the bustling restaurant stretch of Colorado Blvd. Ordered takeout, and decided on the conchinita pibil. (I ordered an additional side of flour tortillas, to go along with the corn that I requested with the entree, after reading reviews online mentioning that the tortillas were handmade.) The pork dish was excellent--extremely tender, flavorful, well-seasoned and perfectly prepared large chunks of pork, with a depth of flavor that exceeded my expectations. Additionally, the tortillas--particularly, the flour tortillas--were fantastic! Everything tasted fresh, and even the frijoles were brimming with flavor. Highly recommend this spot. The man at the front helping to retrieve my order and handle my payment was very accommodating and friendly. I plan on returning to this restaurant.
Daria Walker
Delicious food, great drinks, friendly service, and a really beautiful restaurant. I also love the location. Definitely my 'go-to' for lunch or dinner in downtown Pasadena.
Stopped in for a quick bite and a couple drinks (Modelo bottles and some 24oz draft) with friends and stayed for lunch and cocktails. They offer complimentary chips and salsa (verde) which really hits the spot on a hot day.
We ordered a share plate, molcajete de carnes, and were very happy we did. The volcanic bowl comes with beef, chicken, cactus, avocado, cheese and some vegetables, plus bean, rice and tortillas on the side. Depth of flavor was amazing, and the tortillas sopped up every bit of the broth.
Cocktails here are great, with pitchers of margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and multiple tequila flights for bigger groups or adventurers. This place also offer a MASSIVE list of premium tequila, mezcal and other spirits. If you’ve been missing refreshing, authentic Mexican drinks, this is definitely worth a visit. Flavors for margaritas and mojitos are a small charge, but the purée is well worth it if you’re not in the mood for lime.
One of the finest bars I’ve been to, with full glassware and well stocked bar (including good wine options) for nearly any kind of cocktail you could imagine. The atmosphere is very relaxed and cool. Perfect for a regular day, and easy to upgrade your order for a special occasion.
The real highlight here has to be the staff. Everyone was friendly and extremely efficient. Each seemed to know to make/pour drinks and also cover one another to run food out to tables as quickly as possible. Every drink arrived at our table quick and cold, and the food still piping hot.
Absolute 5/5 venue and one of my most memorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
At first glance, the restaurant is beautiful. The ambience of the restaurant was great, a beautiful blend of traditional Mexican decore with modern Mexican American art sprinkled throughout. I got the tequila pasta and my husband got the gobernador burrito; both were delicious. The food was so flavorful and well portioned. Finally, the service was great. Our server was friendly, attentive and prompt. He even packaged us up some complementary chips and salsa at the end of the meal because we enjoyed the salsa so much. It's rare to find a place that it great all the way around and this place here is one of those rare places.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time at Anayas for their Sunday brunch (their regular menu is not available during brunch). Great selections - my favorites were the chicken mole, the menudo and shrimp ceviche. Their beans and rice are good too. Lots or other items to choose from too. Desserts were so yummy, a delicious flan, churros, a chocolate fountain for fruit make it hard to choose but the flan was my favorite! There is also a great bar. Definitely recommend!! Thanks Anayas, we’ll be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ANAYA's MEXICAN - REVIEW FOR JUNE 2025
Staying at the nearby AC Hotel, I was looking for a quick mexican restaurant nearby. Surprisingly, this restaurant is larger than expected and something i was looking for in Pasadena.
*Food
- Order = Beef flautas with beans and rice = 25$ with tax and tip
- I would order again! A little pricey but substancial amount and considering location. It was packaged well, although make sure to ask for cutlery if you're staying at the hotel
*Different than most mexican spots in Pasadena -
- Aside from El Portugal nearby which is great for outdoor seating and the food isn't out of this world-- there isn't many big family seating mexican restaurants in pasadena; There are many hole in the walls along with taco trucks but not too many like Anaya's.
*Other
- outdoor seating right on colorado + large indoor seating
- happy hour specials
- parking? = since i walked.. can't comment and seems like it may be street parking on colorado only which may be hard
I'll definitely check this place out for dine in! Heard the margaritas were worth trying pre a coworker!
Shout out to Joanna for being extra kind on the phone and staff seems very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service.
I was looking for some sort of Mexican breakfast, but didn't know what I wanted to have. Such a surprise to walk into a Sunday brunch buffet, with basically everything: green& red enchiladas, barbacoa, Chile rellenos...
Delicious fresh food, good margaritas. The service was great. We had tacos and enchiladas - we will be back
Terrible from reservation time to seating to customer service! Big disappointment been there several times however this experience was awful won’t be going back!!!!!!!!!
We made a last minute decision to stop by Anaya’s. A huge note of thanks and appreciation to Jorge, Kim and Israel for a making our dinner exceptional. The service and food were excellent! We’re making plans to return with family and friends.
This was not a good dining experience. We went on Cinco de Mayo because it didn’t have a line. They were busy, but didn’t seem like it was an insane day. We ordered the Queso Fondido as the appetizer, the waiter asked if we wanted chorizo or mushrooms added. We explicitly said no because my partner is vegetarian, when it arrived it had Chorizo, we didn’t realize until I took a bite….Took 20 mins from ordering our drinks for them to arrive and to tell them we ordered no chorizo….and they still hadn’t taken our food order. It was about 40 mins in when we finally ordered our entrees. My friend asked for a steak chile relleno, he thought he was the vegetarian so he asked if chicken stock in the rice was ok…. We pointed out we were ordering a steak chile relleno so obviously that would be ok and he wasn’t the vegetarian… he seemed to understand and I even confirmed twice before he left that it’s a steak chile relleno… when it arrived it had no meat. Again another 20 mins for him to come back and tell him we got the wrong order. One mistake is fine, but this was 3! Drinks taking 20 mins to arrive and two wrong orders! They didn’t really seem apologetic, didn’t offer us anything. My burrito wasn’t hot, except in the center, the vegetarian dish my partner ordered didn’t come with cheese (I guess they thought vegan and vegetarian are the same). Food was meh, but I will say their salsa that comes with their chips are top notch! We will definitely not come back again.
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing restaurant loved the food and loved the atmosphere plus the customer service.
No disappointment here; every time is a good experience. They have a great food menu and good drinks for happy hour and Margarita Mondays. Give them a try; it's a great place to have a nice gathering with yourself, family, friends, or a special someone.
I recently had lunch there. Food was fine, not exceptional. I paid $28 for a plate (decent enough) but I didn’t realize my margarita was going to cost $21 (each), and mostly ice at that. Overpriced for what you get. And this was a lunch menu!
I won’t be returning.
First time trying the food at this attractive, smallish, yet airy Pasadena outpost of Anaya, located on the bustling restaurant stretch of Colorado Blvd. Ordered takeout, and decided on the conchinita pibil. (I ordered an additional side of flour tortillas, to go along with the corn that I requested with the entree, after reading reviews online mentioning that the tortillas were handmade.) The pork dish was excellent--extremely tender, flavorful, well-seasoned and perfectly prepared large chunks of pork, with a depth of flavor that exceeded my expectations. Additionally, the tortillas--particularly, the flour tortillas--were fantastic! Everything tasted fresh, and even the frijoles were brimming with flavor. Highly recommend this spot. The man at the front helping to retrieve my order and handle my payment was very accommodating and friendly. I plan on returning to this restaurant.
Delicious food, great drinks, friendly service, and a really beautiful restaurant. I also love the location. Definitely my 'go-to' for lunch or dinner in downtown Pasadena.
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