There are hundreds of wonderful places to eat in Pasadena and many of them are a short walk from the Convention Center. Just across the street from the Exhibition Hall you’ll find everything from P.F. Chang’s Asian Bistro, to Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks, excellent dim sum, and a Subway sandwich shop. Head down Colorado Blvd to popular Lake Street and you’ll hit another eater’s paradise. Good options abound. Here are just a few of our personal favorites:
Mexican
El Portal
An old time Pasadena favorite, serving Yucatan/Mexican classics.
695 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-8553
http://www.elportalrestaurant.com/
La Fiesta Grande
624 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-5577
http://www.lafiestagranderestaurant.com/
Escuela Taqueria
Hidden down Miller Alley, this corner place has excellent tacos including pork belly, short rib and even serves breakfast!
One Colorado, 16 Miller Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 578-0646
http://escuelataqueria.com/
American
Dog Haus Biergarten
Dog Haus is known for its high-end sausages, burgers and sliders, all served on Hawaiian bread. It has great outdoor seating, and plenty of beer and wine on tap.
93 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 683-0808
http://www.doghaus.com/
Edwin Mills
This is a Pasadena hidden gem, with great cocktails, food, and atmosphere.
22 Mills Pl, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 564-8656
http://edwinmills.com/
Green Street
Known for serving classic American dining faire, Green Street is a little further away than some of the others on this list but located in a bustling area filled with lots of great restaurants.
146 Shoppers Lane, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 577-7170
http://greenstreetrestaurant.com/
King’s Row Gastropub
Offers an extensive beer selection and a smaller food menu. Great little outdoor dining area.
20 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 793-3010
http://www.kingsrowpub.com/
Le Grande Orange Café
A Pasadena favorite, serving excellent Ahi tuna tacos. So good you might have to wait for a table!
260 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 356-4444
http://www.lgostationcafe.com/
Lemonade
Go down the line to pick from a bevy of fresh made dishes at this busy cafeteria-style lunch spot. Located on busy Lake Avenue where shopping and restaurants abound.
146 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 304-7700
http://www.lemonadela.com/
Russell’s Burgers
30 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 578-1404
http://www.yelp.com/biz/russells-burgers-pasadena
Slater’s 50/50 burger
Burgers made with 50% beef and 50% bacon? You betcha! A family friendly place with plenty of beers on tap, specialty burgers and bacon poutine.
61 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 765-9700
https://slaters5050.com/
Tender Greens
Serves fresh salads with protein choices and excellent ginger soda!
621 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 405-1511
http://www.tendergreens.com/
Umami Burger
Burgers and fries done with ultimate umami!
49 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 799-8626
http://www.umamiburger.com/
Italian
The Luggage Room Pizzeria
Literally in the same building as La Grande Orange, be prepared to wait at rush hour, which is most of the time!
260 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 356-4440
http://theluggageroom.com/
Japanese
Sushi Roku
A favorite in Old Town!! Sushi Roku hosts an excellent happy hour with a wonderful atmosphere. You can’t beat the pear martinis.
One Colorado, 33 Miller Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 683-3000
http://www.innovativedining.com/restaurants/sushiroku
Kabuki
88 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 568-9310
http://www.kabukirestaurants.com/location/pasadena/
Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ
Grill your own meats at this favorite local spot.
70 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 405-4842
http://www.gyu-kaku.com/
Chinese
Grandview Palace
Quick friendly service and large portions!
60 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 577-2888
http://www.grandview-palace.com/
Fine Dining
Maison Akira
Specializing in French/Japanese Fusion
713 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 796-9501
http://www.maisonakira.net/
Roy’s Restaurant
Hawaiian Asian fusion cuisine.
641 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 356-4066
https://roysrestaurant.com/
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Old-school steak done right!
369 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 583-8122
http://www.ruthschris.com/
Dessert
Amara Chocolate & Coffee
An absolute FAVORITE. Family owned Venezuelan place with excellent coffee and sipping chocolates. Get a churro to go with it! Small-ish interior but seats outside and worth any wait.
55 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 744-1765
http://amarachocolate.com/
The Coolhaus Shop
Make your own ice cream sandwich with multiple choices of ice cream and cookie.
59 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(310) 424-5559
https://eatcoolhaus.com/
Pop Champagne and Dessert Bar
33 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 795-1295
http://www.popchampagnebar.com/
Coffee/Tea
Bird Pick Tea & Herb
A cute little spot to purchase teas from around the world and great gift items.
10 S De Lacey Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 773-4372
http://www.birdpick.com/
Chado Tea Room
79 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 431-2832
http://www.chadotea.com/
Copa Vida
Watch out for the hip crowd in this popular coffee spot. Free wi-fi makes for many a long stay!
70 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 213-3952
http://www.copa-vida.com/
Intelligentsia Coffee
The most expensive coffee around… is it worth it? You be the judge! No matter what, you’ll be in people-watching heaven in this hip Old Town spot.
55 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 578-1270
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
Jones Coffee Roasters
A really fun spot with excellent coffee. It’s a bit of a walk from the Convention Center and doesn’t have much outside seating but the coffee is worth it!
693 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 657-8096
http://www.thebestcoffee.com/local/jones-coffee-roasters/
Urth Caffé
This place is always crowded! A bit of a walk from the Convention Center but sure to please everyone with an extensive menu of coffees, teas and food.
594 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 844-4644
http://www.urthcaffe.com/
Zona Rosa Caffe
15 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-2334
http://zonarosacoffee.com/
Beer, Wine, Cocktails
The Congregation Ale House
A classic drinking spot with tons of beers on tap, outside seating and a fun laid back atmosphere.
Specialty: Beer
300 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 403-2337
http://congregationalehouse.com/
Everson Royce
This is more of a wine tasting room than wine shop, but it you want to buy a bottle – here’s your spot.
Specialty: Wine
155 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 765-9334
http://www.eversonroyce.com/
Lucky Baldwin’s
Classic Irish bar with all the trimmings.
Specialty: Beer
300 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 403-2337
http://www.luckybaldwins.com/
Magnolia House
A great spot a little further away than other spots on this list. It serves cocktails, very shareable food, and a lovely open location.
Specialty: Cocktails
492 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 584-1126
http://www.themaghouse.com/
The Speakeasy
Specialty: Cocktails
25 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 676-1205
http://www.speakeasypasadena.com/