The best restaurants in Pasadena in 2026 are Union for handmade pasta, Agnes for a modern American dinner, Bone Kettle for Southeast Asian bone broth, Lunasia for dim sum and the Parkway Grill for a classic California menu. Pie 'n Burger is the old-school counter favorite, and Carmela makes some of the area's best ice cream.
Most of Pasadena's best restaurants are in or near Old Pasadena, easy to walk between after a day at the Huntington or the Norton Simon.
Handmade pasta in a small, buzzy room.
Union serves seasonal Northern Italian dishes and handmade pastas in a tiny Old Pasadena space.
It is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley.
Good to know: Book ahead; it is small.
37 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Modern American cooking and a cheese shop.
Agnes is a restaurant and cheesery with a modern American menu, a big patio and a shop selling cheeses and provisions.
It is a lively choice for dinner.
Good to know: Start with a cheese board from the shop.
40 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105
Southeast Asian bone broth and small plates.
Bone Kettle serves Southeast Asian-inspired dishes built around a long-simmered bone broth, plus small plates and cocktails.
It is a modern take on Indonesian and Southeast Asian flavors.
Good to know: Order the signature bone broth.
67 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
Dim sum in Pasadena from the Alhambra favorite.
Lunasia's Pasadena location serves dim sum and Cantonese dishes, with the same well-loved buns and dumplings as the Alhambra original.
It saves the drive farther east.
Good to know: Arrive early on weekends.
239 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
A Pasadena classic for California cuisine.
Parkway Grill has served California cuisine in a warm, brick-walled room since 1985.
It is a reliable special-occasion spot.
Good to know: Live piano music on some nights.
510 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105
A 1963 counter for burgers and homemade pie.
Pie 'n Burger is an old-school counter near Caltech, serving griddled burgers and homemade pies.
It feels unchanged in decades.
Good to know: Save room for the pie.
913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
A classic steakhouse with prime cuts.
Arroyo Chop House is a classic steakhouse with prime steaks, martinis and live piano music.
It is Pasadena's top steak dinner.
Good to know: Book ahead on weekends.
536 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105
Seasonal small-batch ice cream.
Carmela makes ice cream with seasonal fruit and herbs.
It is an easy dessert stop.
Good to know: Try the seasonal fruit flavors.
2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
Union, a small Italian restaurant in Old Pasadena, is one of the most acclaimed. Agnes is a strong newer favorite.
Lunasia has a Pasadena location serving dim sum.
Old Pasadena has the most options within a short drive of the Rose Bowl.
Pie 'n Burger, near Caltech, has served burgers and pie since 1963.
City garages, many with a free first 90 minutes.