Restaurants in South Pasadena

“This is a destination restaurant, right in the heart of South Pasadena. The food is amazing, it's beautiful inside and outside (they have outdoor seating in the back as well), and the staff is nice.

Try the shrimp
Try the carrots
Try the bbq chicken
Try the fish

Legit try it all.”

“Had the Texas prime beef brisket sandwich. I’m from Texas and tastes like home. Definitely check this place out. Will be coming back for sure!!!”

“KEVIN! He took care of us for my birthday. Best service, best Guinness, best potatoes. Very friendly guy, we had a party of 12 and made sure we were all happy. The Guinness is poured the right way, the head is CREAMY, a must go to if you love Guinness. Ask for Kevin!”

“Nice romantic atmosphere which you can actually hear others talk to you. Deep fried whole catfish is a spectacular dish! Great attentive service by staff.”

“The Canoe House has great food, a creative menu, and a fun, tropical-themed atmosphere. We enjoy having lunch or dinner here with friends and family. They also have a good-sized meeting room if you have a group.”

“The best Chinese food I had in a long long time. We have been with six, sharing different dishes - a blast. Share the soup! Highly recommended.Thanks for reading my comment. Now, if you are curious enough about my "rating scheme", here's "the moment of truth. I am a music photographer who has traveled the world with the world's greatest musical talents (Michael Jackson, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, and Rammstein, to name a few) for almost 40 years. When being asked "Where do you live" I tended to ask "in hotels". At my peak, I "shot" 250 shows a year. Will say: been there, saw and tasted it, and a lot, as I may say, and much to the dismay of my doctor who is in my back to lose a few pounds. Quite a few, as I may add, which is why my wife and I walk ten thousand steps per day, where- and whenever we can - and explore a lot of new exciting places - places you may oversee when just driving by. While I love to share my experience with others, I am sometimes shocked at how people use their "power of the word" to down-rate amazing places because of minor incidents (in my all-time favorite​ restaurant Le Petit Four on Sunset Plaza the owner was even called a racist as he refused to toast the (free) bread in his packed restaurant - they simply do not offer toasted bread, as no French​ place does, as I may add). Or I just read "Chicken piccata so over-salted I hope the dog enjoys the leftovers tomorrow, I brought home most of the dish." Did they speak to their service? How could the restaurant learn that something was wrong when patrons even have their leftovers​ boxed to take home? As a dog owner,​ I want to take the writer and shake him or her really bad and say "You give over-salted food to your dog? Anyone with a bit of brain understands this is a horrible idea...​ I hope you agree.So If I had a say on this portal, I would offer just to see the ratings of my friends. So I would see what the ratings were by like-minded people. Sadly, I have no say. I try not to compare apples with oranges. A place like this does not correspond to "The Ritz". At first,​ I assume that a restaurant is clean, they do not greet you with a gun - and they deliver whatever they promise. I do not give stars for things that are expected. In my rating scheme, three or more stars are awarded if they actually exceed my expectations. Four, if I am sure I will come back. To achieve five stars, I must be willing to take a detour of thirty minutes or more to go again. Thank you for reading this.”

“Always good food. Always a good time.”

“The food is amazing and they have pictures of every item when you scan the QR code. So if you are not used to this type of food this is a great place to come and know what you're getting. Very friendly and welcoming to westerns like me.”

“The most amazing BLT with avocado that I have ever had! The desserts were to die for and the owners are very friendly and professional. A nice little restaurant that everyone should try!”

“It was a great experience We took our dear granddaughter to celebrate her birthday !!!”

“We’ve been here many times & it never disappoints. Chasu salad is delicious! And I love the roasted Brussel sprouts. Service is friendly and efficient. And the interior is so relaxing. A thoroughly first rate place.”

“Love the food love the place always delicious 🥘”

“Bravo Chef Bruno makes fabulous food.. Excellent service 🤩”

“This place has the BEST spicy pork I have ever tasted!!!!”

“Food is outstanding. Been a fan since the late 90's. Their Nabeyaki Udon is the best I have ever eaten. If you want it the way it is served in Japan, ask them to use a fresh, rather than hardboiled, egg. To go food can be frustrating. If they say 30 minutes, figure at least an hour.”

“The Avocado Toast is my favorite”

“Best sushi, ever! Style and quality is excellent!”

“great drinks and food! nice fun and relaxing setting”

“the food is amazing and the service was excellent, also all of enjoyed the food”

“The reviews are right, the onigiri and hand rolls are delicious. The service is super quick as well.

The seasoning is perfect and the rice is molded well, as in you can taste each grain of rice rather than places that crush the rice to death. They make it perfectly here. The nori does get soggy if you take out, but that's to be expected and unless you want a crispy bite, it's perfectly fine.

The crab handroll was amazing, by far my favorite. I would definitely go again.”

“I’ve been going to Towhey’s for over 20 years. I love their breakfast. I love their cheeseburgers. My daughter Micaela used to be a hostess in Alhambra. It’s one of my favorite go to restaurants. I love sitting at the bar. Also when they’re busy it’s a fun place to have dinner.”

“Two Kids has great drinks and solid snack options. Just be aware it’s a no laptop cafe, which I didn’t realize until I was leaving because the sign is small (my apologies to the staff!)”

“Francis Bakery makes the BEST Chestnut cake in California!
Chestnuts come from Japan and the cake is so soft and moist.
I order my Birthday Chestnut cake from Francis every year! Every bite is a gastronomic experience🤩😍😋❣️”

“my best... PATTY MELT WITH FRIES OR THE RIB EYE STEAK MEAL!! GREAT SERVICE! and the boys like it too !”

“everything because i worked there and i made everything .. everything Is freshly made everyday .. ITS the BEST .. ill back one day”

“I’ve had poke all over the continent, and this is my all time favorite. Anytime I’m in town, this is always a stop that I look forward to. Please never change the formula of portions, freshness, and selection.”

“Whenever I find myself in Pasadena, I make it a point to stop by. As I step through the front door, the aromas are welcoming, the setting comforting, and with it a slew of memories rushes back. I discovered Jones in the early 2000’s during business trips to Pasadena. Through the years it became a must have visit, even during family trips. Leading the way is Rafael. He’s calm and welcoming and his presence is felt every where. In fact, during a 2021 visit he spotted my family and me, came over to greet us, and fondly recalled my children who he hadn’t seen in close to 8 years. It’s that type of personal attention , and good product, that has kept me coming back. Enjoy!”

“I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Kaldi Coffee on our interview date. Ever wondered where they shot the coffee scenes for films like Lady Bird, Prom Night, The Ugly Truth (AKA my favorite rom-com ever in the entire world) and tv shows like Brothers & Sisters, Parenthood, and most recently Splitting Up Together? Who knew that it was right underneath our noses tucked away in beautiful Pasadena, CA! Kaldi Coffee & Tea certainly has the appeal of the go-to coffeeshop with its weathered brick walls, worn wooden seating arrangements, maintained hardwood flooring, and classic oldies tracks playing in the background. Even with its somewhat infamous reputation in the film and television realm, the food and drink options are reasonably priced. An array of classic coffee and tea options with a seasonal signatures, like the deliciously refreshing honey vanilla latte that I couldn’t help but choose, showcase that they try to cater to every type of customer that rolls in. From the minute you step through the shop’s forest green framed doors, you can just tell that generations of coffee lover have come through here. Plus there is a strong sense of community with local artwork on display, and a bulletin board with notes of local events, offers, listings, etc. tacked to them. If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to spend the day reading, playing music (on their front seating area of course), or are a movie and tv buff looking to visit a place with some history, Kaldi Coffee & Tea is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.”

“Great sandwiches. I especially enjoyed the atmosphere and the great service from the owner. A+ for customer service. The gentleman was exceptional. Don’t get quality service like that anymore. Would definitely recommend supporting this sandwich shop. We’ll be back! 🙌🏼”

“the freshest, tastiest meal I've had in awhile, will be a regular!”

“Great location, great outdoor sitting area. The food quality is going down hill but still good. The breakfast burrito was ok but their pancakes, french toast are what I should have ordered.”

“BEST PIZZA IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA”

“A Visit to Kafana
This coffee shop is excellent! If you’re visiting LA by RV, car, or plane, give Kafana a visit. It's located in the perfect spot in quiet little South Pasadena, right above LA and before Pasadena. The shop is right next to a great woodland area called the Arroyo Seco Parkway, so you can take a nice nature hike.

It's also located inside a gym, so you can work, work out, and hang out all at the same time! Both the staff and the customers are very nice, and the vibe is excellent. You can hang out and get tons of work done in the nice, laid-back atmosphere. The decor is spot-on with nice brick and wood elements, and character furniture pieces make you feel right at home. You might even forget you aren't at home!

Open late until 10 p.m., you can relax and enjoy the great window views. With an assortment of workspaces and tables, you can find just the right spot to get inspired. Check it out! Highly recommended by the Urban Nomads team.”

“Mexican food that hits. Got the Loaded Shrimp Fries $16, so good and huge portion, enough for 2-3 pp. Strawberry/pineapple drink was yummy too. Lady at the counter was super nice!”

“The ladies here are always really nice and attentive. The food is great, it's my go-to. I really love the salted Phoenix chicken with rice. The desserts and baked goods are amazing too”

“Healthy and delicious smoothie bowls”

“Beautiful store great associates.”

“Delicious coffee that hits the spot and very good baked goods. My husband and I both loved Union Bakery which we found by accident and were pleasantly surprised... We will come back for more nom noms! Thank you!”

“staff was great. super friendly!”

“If you're into mushrooms, the Garlic Truffle ramen was delicious and had the right amount of mushrooms and truffle flavor. Very filling. I went for lunch on a weekday and there was no wait. Service was friendly.”

“Omg we just found a gem in South Pasadena! Barkley is amazing — they have something like an open mic on Sunday evenings where people can sing, play music, or even dance.”

“For the longest time, I had been passing this spot although never went inside. I told myself I would return when craving some Americanized Chinese food.

Well, today my chance arrived. I came in to get chow mein and orange chicken for lunch. I felt like I needed veggies, so I got those.

The veggies were just boiled vegetables in oil. Nothing special. In fact, they tasted kind of bland. But they did the trick anyway, and I got full when I ate them before everything else.

Prior to actually dining here, I'd heard that the orange chicken can be too sweet. It was, although when compared with others I'd had I didn't think so. Seemed on par.

Chow mein was really light... I don't know what they put in it. I am a noodle person. Therefore, I enjoyed this. I got the feeling that the Chinese food they serve is a lot healthier and lighter than other competitors.

I'd come back when craving Americanized Chinese in the area.”

“Absolutely delicious food. ❤️”

“First time going with my daughter. I love it. Fresh bread and the food absolutely fresh I got in love this place ❤️❤️❤️❤️”

“Great location, greeted with a smile and excellent service👌”

“I ve been coming to this location about 6 months and I can’t express how professional and friendly are the guys taking and giving the orders -
They definitely earn my business👌”

“Honestly, it's Baskin Robbins. You really can't go wrong. I've seen some of the 1 and 2 star reviews, and I just don't agree with them at all. I've been here plenty of times, and they've never disappointed me. The customer service has always been really good. The staff actually takes the time to help you with your order instead of rushing you. They also recently remodeled the place, so everything looks clean and updated. If you haven't been here in a while, or at all, I'd definitely recommend stopping by and checking it out for yourself.”

“First time visiting Ono. Food was OUTSTANDING!! Chicken and beef platter and a mixed fish plate. Will be back!”

“Nice golf course especially for beginners. They 18 holes of par 3’s and driving range.”

“easy parking at this location. mobile orders are ready in a timely manner and the staff is extra friendly!”

“Really fresh, healthy food and a very friendly staff.”

“This is cool spot that’s very popular with students. They offer a great variety of treats - you’ll find something you like”

“Love all the food and the drinks are great too. Just afraid it will get too busy at lunchtime and no seat for me! :)”

“We went to Charlie’s for the first time today. Service was friendly and the owner(?) apologized for the short wait, but there was really no need. The drinks were good! I got the white chocolate mocha and it had a rich chocolate flavor with just the right amount of milk. My partner got a latte and he gave it a thumbs up. The coffee cake wasn’t great. The inside is nice and our seats were comfortable. We’ll be back!”

“The Quality of the food has Improved greatly, there just a small step below the oak tree inn in south Pasadena.Very much improved.I have had no complaints about the food and i've been a customer for over 10 years, there is a big difference from then until now. Somebody is purposely given lousy ratings when they're not close to being true. We always eat in”

“It’s sooo yummy! Cafe de olla and all the delish pans!”

“Overall, it’s our go-to Blaze in the area and food is consistently good. Sometimes it’s hit or miss on the friendliness of the staff. The tap water out of the soda machine tastes terrible there though…”