Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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

Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens

4.7

4.7 (84)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

La Canada

About the restaurant

Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens is a new farm-to-table dining destination celebrating California’s boutique farms and locally sourced ingredients. Inspired by the vision of renowned chef Rich Mead, known for his deep ties to sustainably focused farmers and purveyors, Farmhouse offers a unique culinary experience set amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Descanso Gardens. Guests can enjoy a thoughtfully designed space that combines indoor and outdoor seating and a modern, airy aesthetic. With a dynamic menu of seasonal dishes and a garden-to-glass cocktail program, Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens is the perfect setting for both casual meals and special gatherings, inviting guests to connect with nature and savor the freshest flavors of the moment.

Top review

Brionn

Dined 3 days ago

Beautiful ambience and a carefully thought out menu. The staff was kind, attentive, and VERY knowledgeable about the food. You can tell that everyone that works there is excited about what they’re doing. The food was beautifully cooked and truly a unique experience in itself. Very enjoyable experience!

Shiro Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1619)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Open for indoor and outdoor dining and curbside takeout. Outdoors dining is subject to the weather. We have heaters but not for all tables. Please dress warmly. If there is a chance of rain we will have to cancel.

Shiro has been named the Zagat Guide's number one restaurant and is consistently one of the highest rated establishments in the guide (#5 in 2011; #2 for service in 2013). Shiro is summed up by it's ingredients. Menu items are driven by the best available, nothing less is acceptable. For over 35 years, diners have enjoyed our French and Pacific Rim inspired menu. A tradition of fine dining with excellent, friendly service. We may supplement our menu with a special Taste of Shiro (soup or salad, meat or fish, dessert). Wed/Th. The evening's menu is posted around 3pm.

As much as we love them, we must ask that your dogs and other pets stay home. Service dogs, of course, are welcome.

Top review

Joyce

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Love love EVERYTHING about Shiro’s!! 💗 the ambiance is so cozy and intimate the food is AMAZING! The staff are INCREDIBLE!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Pasadena

4.7

4.7 (4059)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Pasadena, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

Top review

Irene

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent food and service as anticipated! Always a good bet!! Jose really took care of us!!

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4.9

4.9 (1044)

$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

YvetteVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Best pork chop I’ve ever had in my lifetime. It was juicy, well seasoned, and large enough to share.

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4.9

4.9 (2213)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

Pasadena

About the restaurant

The Smith Brothers bring you American comfort food at its best. Our menu features iron skillet cornbread, homemade chicken pot pie, BBQ baby back ribs, and more. Smitty's has always been defined by comfort, from the cozy booths and inviting bar, to the helpful staff who welcome each of our guests home.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Thank you for a great dinner experience. Have fun eating g here.

Parkway Grill

4.8

4.8 (2486)

$50 and over

Californian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

The Smith Brothers trend-setter in regional American cuisine, Parkway Grill continues to define dining in the city and beyond. Parkway Grill specializes in a seasonal, market-driven approach to cooking that incorporates diverse influences and classic French technique. Throughout its over 30 years, Parkway’s innovative chefs have showcased an intriguing array of dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Demonstrating the ultimate commitment to fresh produce, Parkway Grill planted its own organic vegetable and herb garden behind the restaurant, which continues to thrive for over 25 years on a piece of prime real estate in the heart of Pasadena.

Top review

EDMOND

Dined 5 days ago

57th wedding anniversary! Server was remarkable and informed. Food well prepared! Ambience mellow! Couldn’t have been better! Thanks! Edmond

The Proper Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (616)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Canada

About the restaurant

Where our passion is simple: an approachable menu using the highest quality, best tasting ingredients in a comfortable and elegant neighborhood bar and grill. Our owners, Rick and Lisa Anderson and David and Cater Yost are committed to bringing the best customer experience to La Canada Flintridge. Whether it’s our signature Proper martini, a perfectly seasoned ribeye with Cajun butter, or crispy truffled Brussels that make the mouth water, you’ll savor the quality that our chefs and bartenders bring to every meal.

Come bring your friends and family to an unforgettable dining experience in an elegant and contemporary atmosphere designed to invite and excite.

Top review

Karine

Dined on May 25, 2025

Lovely little spot in a plaza setting. The ambiance was great. Great vibe and music. Service was lovely. Drinks were fabulous 👌 Food was delicious. Loved the brussel sprouts and Proper burger.

Alexander's Steakhouse - Pasadena

4.7

4.7 (2316)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Alexander's Steakhouse Pasadena reimagines the modern American steakhouse with refined Japanese influence woven into the menu. With one of the largest selections of imported and domestic Wagyu, every meal is a captivating experience filled with delightful surprises. From our signature bread service to the playful touch of cotton candy, every detail elevates your dining journey.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the beautiful Pasadena City Hall as you dine in our elegant atmosphere. Discover Bull & Barrel, our hidden bar, featuring rare and exotic whiskeys. Wine lovers can explore our renowned program, offering exceptional selections by the glass.

As a recipient of OpenTable's Diner's Choice, we invite you to indulge in Wagyu excellence, Japanese-inspired creativity, and impeccable hospitality—making every visit a memorable one.

Top review

Chiresse

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Alexander’s was such a great restaurant, especially if you want and love a great experience.

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Experience

20th Anniversary Wagyu Kaiseki Menu

Experience

"So Dram Good" Glenfiddich Flight

Experience

Join Us for Social Hour at Bull & Barrel Bar!

Nick's South Lake Ave

4.8

4.8 (3251)

$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

GregVIP

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

Food was really good and the service was amazing!

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4.8

4.8 (2469)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

A modern take on the classic American steakhouse, Arroyo Chop House is one of only a few restaurants in Southern California that serves exclusively USDA Prime beef. This strikingly handsome restaurant, inspired by the Arts & Crafts architectural style for which Pasadena is famous, is clad in rich mahogany and the cozy booths are bathed in seductive light.

Our steaks are aged and hand cut daily and then perfectly seared in a 1,500 degree oven. Traditional steakhouse side dishes include creamed spinach, baked potatoes, asparagus spears with hollandaise sauce, and Arroyo Chop House's famous onion rings. We also offer live Maine lobster and fresh fish, Alaskan King Crab legs, fresh oysters, and shrimp. Compliment your meal with a bottle from our award-winning wine list and finish the night with one of our delicious desserts such as a Grand Marnier soufflé, warm apple pie, butterscotch pudding or chocolate pecan pie.

Top review

DanaVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Over all meal was quite good. My bone in rib eye was very flavor-able, seasoned & cooked to perfection! The Caesar was better than most. My wife had the tuna tartar & grilled shrimp, both were very exceptional.

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