Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Dunsmoor

4.9

4.9 (885)

$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

Alison

Dined 4 days ago

One of the best meals we've had in a while! Everything about the experience was amazing!

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4.7

4.7 (550)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Upscale Japanese kitchen serving up an exquisite selection of sushi and fusion masterpieces. We are the pinnacle of quality, and the cornerstone of service. Join us and create incredible memories in our peaceful and cozy environment.

Top review

Maryy

Dined 3 days ago

Such a thoughtful and generous staff. I requested a vegan cake for my boyfriend’s birthday and they purchased a vegan cake from a bakery down the street, just so they don’t let us down. So sweet! Thank you so much. We really appreciate it!

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4.7

4.7 (396)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Bar Chelou is Pasadena’s first true neo-bistro, a casual, convivial space 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.

NEED TO KNOW
for wine brought into the restaurant is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list. Liquor is not permitted to be brought into the restaurant.

Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius. We recommend parking in the municipal lot directly behind the building we share with the Playhouse or at the underground lot just across the street

Top review

Lisavip

Dined 1 day ago

We loved our meal at the bar at Bar Chelou. Fabulous service, delicious and slightly unusual food. I should say unexpected, but entirely delicious. We ate every morsel.

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4.5

4.5 (307)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Located in a 100-year-old Pasadena craftsman bungalow, Magnolia House is a hideaway for those in the know – unique cocktails and a small plate menu from around the world. Stop by for handcrafted drinks, a boutique selection of wines, and local craft beers on tap while the menu boasts market-driven selection of seasonal shareable plates.

Top review

Zuleyma

Dined 7 days ago

Magnolia House never disappoints!!! Great service and the food is always so good.

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Experience

Martini Mondays

Experience

Bourbon & Burgers Tuesdays

Experience

Wine Wednesdays

Casa Cordoba - Montrose

4.5

4.5 (468)

$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

MartinaSvip

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, service, and a lovely patio with a fountain.

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4.3

4.3 (949)

$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

JackieODinnerParty

Dined on Jul 7, 2024

Good food, nice ambiance. Good place for family dinner or date night.

Craft by Smoke and Fire - Pasadena

4.2

4.2 (612)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Pasadena

About the restaurant

At Craft by Smoke and Fire, we see ourselves as more than a restaurant; our mission is to be a cornerstone in the community. A place where you can find great food made by great people. Craft by Smoke and Fire offers an emotional souvenir in every dish. Craft dishes, Craft cocktails and great entertainment. We don't just feed the body; we focus on the soul. Please note to serve more families in our community, every party has one hour and a half to dine at the table. Thank you again for choosing Craft by Smoke and Fire Pasadena

Top review

Marin

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

Fun ambiance, loud enough for kids, and good food! Will recommend and be back.

No Comment

4.2

4.2 (102)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Pasadena

About the restaurant

A fusion of Mediterranean & Japanese Flare, Chef Edgar Ramos, has adapted the technique of joining these two culinary forces. Bringing forth innovative flavor combinations and unique menu offerings, such as the delectable Wagyu A5 Bites, topped with Sturgeon Caviar, Citrus Soy, Robatayaki Skewers, and our melt in your mouth 41 Day Dry-Aged Tomahawk. Hand crafted cocktails, decadent show stopping desserts, and live entertainment Thursday - Saturday nights, No Comment is Pasadena's newest and hottest resident.

Top review

Emily

Dined 7 days ago

We really like the place, food, music and customer service.We had a great time.

Kalaveras-Pasadena

4.1

4.1 (92)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on May 18, 2024

Service was great, food and drinks were delicious!!

Fogo de Chão - Pasadena, CA

3.9

3.9 (887)

$30 and under

Brazilian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

Top review

Samantha

Dined 7 days ago

It was our first time dining at Fogo de Chão and it did not disappoint! Every meat we tried was delicious and of course we had our favorites after the first round. We appreciated the cold salad bar but nothing exactly stood out other than the cheeses. Everything else was okay. Speaking of cheese, the cheese given with the honey was amazing! I had doubts when I was told about it but I am soooo glad I had it! Definitely one of the highlights of our night. Our complimentary birthday dessert was also delicious and very much appreciated. Lastly the drinks we ordered were 10/10. Very refreshing and not overly sweet. The only thing I would say made our night less enjoyable was the heat. It was hot outside and though the air conditioning was on, I believe that because the dining hall is so large and there are lots of people and movement, it’s obviously hard to keep the restaurant at a consistently cool temperature. So we loved everything and we will just have to come back when the weather is better. Thank you for everything!

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Experience

Silver Oak Wine Dinner

Experience

All Day Happy Hour

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