Highly Recommended 14 Dinner Restaurants Near Pasadena, California

Melanie Ortega The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful, with perfectly dimmed lighting that creates a cozy, inviting vibe. The service was personable, attentive, and made us feel truly taken care of. The food is farm-to-fork, featuring incredibly fresh produce and high-quality meats. Portions are generous, and everything was served hot and perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the bruschetta, braised beef ravioli, and the pear salad with almonds—each dish was so flavorful and thoughtfully made. To top it all off, the coconut cake was phenomenal—hands down one of the most delicious desserts I’ve had. I also had wine with my meal, and I loved the thoughtful touch of serving it in Brighton glassware. An amazing dining experience from start to finish.

ar bee Bone Kettle: A Flavor-Packed Gem in Pasadena From the moment we stepped into Bone Kettle, we knew we were in for something special. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance, sleek, modern, and warm with attentive staff who make you feel like a regular even on your first visit. But let’s talk about the food. The star of the show? Their legendary broth slow-simmered for 36 hours, rich, silky, and layered with flavor. Every spoonful feels like a masterclass in depth and technique. Every dish is beautifully plated and thoughtfully prepared, showcasing Southeast Asian flavors with a refined twist. The appetizers are equally impressive, and the craft cocktails hold their own alongside the bold cuisine. Prices are fair for the quality, and portions are satisfying without overwhelming. You can tell the team here takes real pride in their work. Bone Kettle isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. Highly recommend for date nights, foodies, or anyone who wants to taste something extraordinary in the heart of Pasadena.

Martha Gutierrez Love the live music by Ken Song! My husband is a pro trumpet player, and I love live music. The hamburger with the secret sauce was delicious. Had the Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon and an Old Fashioned, both were great…

Tony Simotes Traveling and just found this AMAZING restaurant in Pasadena, CA. OMG, go hungry and be prepared for a wonderful dining experience! From the moment we entered the restaurant the smells from the kitchen announced that the food here is special. Everything and I mean everything that our large group ordered was DELICIOUS. From soup to dessert (potatoe leak soup to an unbelievable peach cobbler with ice cream) everything was better than we could have imagined. If I lived here, Id call Foothill Restaurant my new favorite place!

Sophia The food it was very good. Certain desserts are not my favorite tho. The view it’s beautiful! I went there coupon times. The first time I went with my boyfriend I thought it was amazing! It was lovely spot to chat, hangout, or do some homework or just chill by yourself.

Jackie Sosa Went with my boyfriend today and everything was amazing. The food was incredibly delicious, the customer service was great, and the portions were very generous. The salad bar was honestly the best I’ve ever seen so much variety, from rice and bread to fried bananas, hummus, fruit, and so many other sides. Everything we tried was delicious. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Alyssa Fuentez We had a wonderful dinner experience, and Jasmine our waitress truly made the night special. She was friendly, attentive, and incredibly professional from the moment we were seated. Jasmine checked on us often, made great recommendations, and ensured everything came out perfectly. Even during a busy dinner rush, she never made us feel rushed or forgotten. Her positive attitude and genuine care really stood out. We’ll definitely be back and hope to be served by Jasmine again!

Zara Baghikyan We went to Houston in Pasadena for a family dinner celebrating an exciting new journey. The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was excellent — very attentive and friendly. This was my second time dining here and it was just as good as the first time. Highly recommend for both special occasions and regular nights out. We all really enjoyed it!

Kamil English The food was very tasty. I really liked the chicken parm and the pizza were very good. Oh! and I reaaaallllyyyy liked the guacamole! The server was patient and very attentive. It was too loud indoors; it was not easy for me to have a conversation.

Tomas Cortijo Traditional Mexican reataurant with a great food selection. I love that they have a large patio seating area, great to just get appetizers and margaritas, or to have a relaxing lunch with friends. I loved their rib eye steak and their flautas.

Cesy Chavez Flemings NEVER disappoint!!! Food was amazing, I had the salmon very flavorful, Daughter had the filet mignon medium rare it was exquisite!! Husband had The filet mignon as well it was perfect to his taste, we also order sides like Baked potato, Mashed potato, asparagus. Service was amazing our waiter Keon P was great very attentive, he checked up on us regularly he is truly amazing!!

E Nathalie Excellent ambiance. Monday night, no wait. The Ahi filet and the Angel hair pasta with shrimp were amazing. The flavors were on point. The service was attentive and unhurried. I would come again when Im in the area.

Ari D It is always an experience when you dine at Nicks. This is our first time on Lake & another great experience. It is not just food, the entire experience is what they are great at. Let’s start with service: The first time I ever ate at Nicks in Laguna, I had thought we got a great waiter. Many years and dinners after, every location, their team does a great job. They are on top of their game, watching the table and making you feel special. Your food comes out as soon as it is ready & hot. They make sure you have a great dinner. Arpa did just that for us. Atmosphere: Very cozy and feels just right. Not over the top, not trying to be something. This is going to sound old, but I am always happy when there is enough light to be able to read the menu. Food: Best for last. I can say I have not had anything that I can say was just ok. Right after eating, you always think, "I should come back soon." We also usually order the same things and always add one or two things to try. So far so good. We had pizza for the first time in Pasadena & would love to have it again. If any of these experiences were just ok, it is like driving a car with a flat tire. You can have the most amazing car, but you are not going anywhere.

Willy O This was by far one of the best places Ive had a meal at in a few years in all honesty. Wow The meat dish were awesome and the suggestion by the waiter was phenomenal. Lamb was amazing as well. I will make it back to California again. Just to eat here one day.