Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in South Pasadena

61 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Gus's BBQ - South Pasadena restaurant

1. Gus's BBQ - South Pasadena

4.6

Exceptional(2036)

Price: Moderate

• Barbecue • South Pasadena

Booked 36 times today

Since 1946, Gus’s has been serving the good folks of South Pasadena (and beyond!) true Southern hospitality and some of the best real pit BBQ around. Housed on historic Route 66, Gus’s is a tribute to Southern life, where family, tradition and celebration are of the utmost importance. A menu filled with traditional Southern cooking and authentic, wood-smoked BBQ is complemented by an impressive range of whiskies, wines, cocktails and local craft beers. Today, Gus’s is a space for a warm welcome, a cold mint julep, and a big plate of the best flavors from the American South and Midwest. You’ll leave knowing exactly why Gus’s food has been hailed, “….so good that we found ourselves eating more than we’d imagined” by S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times and was named one of the top 10 BBQ restaurants on the west coast by Sunset Magazine.

2. Shiro Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(1592)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • Pasadena

Booked 4 times today

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.

A photo of The Raymond Restaurant restaurant

3. The Raymond Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(3553)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Pasadena

Booked 37 times today

Hello Friends,We look forward to welcoming you to The Raymond 1886. Please make reservations online or by calling the restaurant on 626-441-3136. If you have any special requests please note we will do our very best to accommodate however we cannot guarantee them. We have both outdoor seating in our wonderful patio spaces and indoor tables in the beautiful cottage and bar.Bar 1886 is open Sun-Thursday until 9pm and Friday - Saturday until 11pm. Walk-in welcome! Cheers,The Raymond 1886 Team

A photo of The Lobby Lounge @ The Langham Hotel Pasadena restaurant

4. The Lobby Lounge @ The Langham Hotel Pasadena

4.3

Awesome(725)

Price: Very Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • Pasadena

Booked 13 times today

Join us for Afternoon Tea at The Langham Huntington Pasadena, Los Angeles with live entertainment. Enjoy a seasonal menu including mouthwatering sandwiches, baked scones, scrumptious sweets and a flavorful array of tea selections. Delicious Gluten-free and Vegan menus available. Please include the number of adults (and if they have any dietary allergies) and number of kids (and if they have any dietary allergies) in your reservation notes to enable us to best prepare for a seamless experience.Offered Thursday-Friday 11am-3pm (live pianist) & Saturday-Sunday 10am-3pm (live harpist).Our grace period for reservations is 15 minutes.20% Gratuity will be included in all final Afternoon Tea experiences; all prices exclude tax.Parking $15 with Afternoon Tea validation.

A photo of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery restaurant

5. Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery

4.7

Exceptional(166)

Price: Expensive

• American • Pasadena

Booked 20 times today

Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery is a neighborhood oasis that showcases live-fire cooking with seasonal ingredients behind an adorable cheese shop that offers unique and thoughtfully curated artisan cheeses and renowned provisions. With our spaces for large parties, an open kitchen, darling outdoor patio, and a beautiful marketplace, Agnes offers many opportunities for celebrating a wide variety of occasions.The holidays are a wonderful time to discover Agnes with the Cheesery offering several stunning products worth sharing with all of your friends and family. From large format cheese, meat and crudité platters, tinned fish, delicious gifts, freshly baked treats, to our decadent Sides & Pies holiday offerings. Enjoy and relax during the holidays with Agnes catering your parties and family get-togethers. Founded by Chefs Thomas and Vanessa Tilaka Kalb, stop by while exploring the famous Gamble House, Rose Bowl, Castle Green, Huntington Library or strolling through Old Town Pasadena.

A photo of The Terrace at The Langham, Pasadena restaurant

6. The Terrace at The Langham, Pasadena

4.4

Awesome(1350)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Pasadena

Booked 26 times today

The Terrace serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring a California bistro-style menu comprised of the freshest seasonal and sustainable ingredients.

A photo of The Arbour - Pasadena restaurant

7. The Arbour - Pasadena

4.7

Exceptional(2058)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Pasadena

Booked 40 times today

The Arbour is a gem in Pasadena, serving up Californian cuisine with a rustic and elegant twist. The restaurant's menu is a testament to the area's agricultural bounty, featuring relationships with sustainable local farms and purveyors. It's described as a cozy and charming spot with a warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for a relaxing evening or entertaining guests. Reviewers rave about the food, service, and ambiance, calling it a hidden gem and one of their favorite places to eat.

8. Gale's

4.6

Exceptional(3333)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Pasadena

Booked 21 times today

Gale's Restaurant is a totally local Pasadena spot for delicious Northern Italian fare, tucked away from the tourist chains in Old Town. Couples, families and friends that seem to have just finished a day outdoors snuggle among the brick walls and small marble tables, drinking cocktails and wine from elegant Brighton goblets. Start off with Bruschetta, Burrata Salad or Gale's Simple Salad and then move on to the country-style Tuscan steak or one of the house made ravioli specials. For dessert, don't miss the Tiramisu or Gale's iconic Coconut Cake. The wine list is a favorite among the guests for it's variety and excellent value.

9. Mi Piace

4.5

Awesome(4051)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Pasadena

Booked 61 times today

Mi Piace is a neighborhood gem in Pasadena, renowned for its over 30 years of serving up crave worthy Italian cuisine. It's praised for its excellent food, service, and ambiance by patrons, who have been dining there for special occasions and even for multiple decades. The restaurant takes pride in its product and service, making it a go-to spot for guests. One reviewer mentioned, 'Food is consistently good. Been a patron for multiple decades and always a go to choice for guests.'

A photo of True Food Kitchen - Pasadena restaurant

10. True Food Kitchen - Pasadena

4.6

Exceptional(3175)

Price: Moderate

• American • Pasadena

Booked 38 times today

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in Pasadena for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Agustin
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Fantastic food, flavorful with just the right amount of food on the plate. Great service and a wonderful somalier.
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Agnes Restaurant & CheeseryPrice: Expensive• American• Pasadena
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4.7
SP
SergeantPeaches
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Wonderful ambience - feels like you’re in a cozy (but classy) old home. Service was wonderful. All the food was delicious, and the cocktails are unique and very good. So far, I’ve only been with larger groups of family, but I’d love to come back for a romantic dinner.
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The Raymond RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Pasadena
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4.6
M
Molly
Los Angeles •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We have been coming to Shiro's for many years and, once again, they reminded us why this is our favorite "special occasion" restaurant. The food is always excellent -- tasty and beautifully presented. Last night we enjoyed 2 favorites, the salmon tartar tacos and the catfish. The staff is very friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is lovely including the soft jazz piano playing on the sound system.
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Shiro RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• Pasadena
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4.9
J
Jacquilyne
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 17, 2024
Laura is an awesome server. The only thing better than the service is the food. Delicious. 10+ Stars.
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Gus's BBQ - South PasadenaPrice: Moderate• Barbecue• South Pasadena
•
4.6
A
Arin
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 17, 2024
An incredible culinary experience, if you can afford it. $250 for brunch for 2 people. But well worth the splurge. From the quality of the cuisine to the ambiance to the exquisite service, an all around superb once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.
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The Lobby Lounge @ The Langham Hotel PasadenaPrice: Very Expensive• Afternoon Tea• Pasadena
•
4.3

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South Pasadena

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in South Pasadena

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61 restaurants available nearby

1. Gus's BBQ - South Pasadena

2. Shiro Restaurant

3. The Raymond Restaurant

4. The Lobby Lounge @ The Langham Hotel Pasadena

5. Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery

6. The Terrace at The Langham, Pasadena

7. The Arbour - Pasadena

8. Gale's

9. Mi Piace

10. True Food Kitchen - Pasadena

See what locals rave about

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