Dine

Taking its name from an important date in Argentine history, 1810 Argentinean serves up authentic Southern Cone cuisine, from empanadas, morcilla (blood sausage), chorizo dishes, and sweet breads to hearty pastas, salads, meat-centered entrees, and seafood. The bar offers wine, sangria, and beer.

Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 3:00-6:00pm.

Founded in 2011, 21 Choices Frozen Yogurt serves fresh frozen yogurts with flavors that change daily. Guests can personalize their yogurt by choosing from a wide array of delicious add-ins that include brownies, pretzels, animal cookies, nuts, and fresh fruit.

Named for the days when it served well drinks for $.35, the 35er Bar became a Route 66 mainstay after opening in 1963. Family owned and operated since then, the bar features more than a dozen beer varieties on tap with a strong focus on local and regional breweries; more beer options are served up in cans and bottles. A small menu of simple pub grub (nachos, fish ‘n’ chips, chicken wings, chili cheese fries) helps fuel the libation consumption. Numerous televisions keep you up to date on sporting events; for those into music, the downstairs area is open Thursday through Saturday nights and features a DJ.

The concept at Taiwan-based 85°C Bakery Cafe is simple: provide five-star quality coffee, cakes, and breads at affordable prices. Happy customers describe the plentiful pastries as “fluffy,” “flavorful,” and “fresh” and line up for items like egg tarts, brioche, iced boba milk tea, and the mango drink. The bakery’s name, you ask? The purveyors believe coffee holds its flavor best at a steady temperature of 85 degrees Celsius.

Cafe by day and ramen stop by night, Again Cafe and Chibiscus Ramen offers a unique concept on West Green Street. Between 8am and 3pm, guests can order bakery/brunch items, including savory or sweet waffles, pastries, and a range of specialty tea and coffee drinks. The eatery closes for two hours and reopens at 5pm as Chibiscus to serve ramen, which is homemade in small batches each day, the broth cooked from scratch for at least 14 hours. The communal tables, bright and airy space, and resident pooch Bon-Bon make for a perfect stop and a relaxing meal. 

Calling on the wide-ranging diversity of India’s regions, All India Café showcases home-style specialties and recipes that use only natural spices and ingredients; the focus is on healthful, low-fat dishes. The eatery has a comfy, bistro vibe and offers daily specials, including a chicken curry of the day, a vegetable special, and lentil and rice selections.

It’s all about the chocolate at Amara – premium chocolate that, thanks to original Venezuelan recipes, are turned into oh-so-good, melt-in-your mouth churros, truffles, fondue, and rich drinks. The compact and cozy café also serves up breakfast and lunch items – croissants, egg sandwiches, and scones – and the beloved Venezuelan savory “sandwiches” known as arepas.

An elegant yet simple café that looks like one you’d find in Paris, Aux Delices Bakery has been serving breakfast and lunch favorites for 25 years. Diners can find omelets, soups, salads, and panini, bagel, and breakfast sandwiches on the menu; many also come through the door for the Belgian waffles, delectable baked goods, and gorgeous fruit tarts.

Aux Delices specializes in catering for any occasion, including office luncheons, breakfast meetings, and holiday functions.

At Bar Celona, menus change seasonally, but diners can count on a savory offering of modern Spanish cuisine and tapas (small plates), special house paellas, and Spanish entradas (entrees.)  Menu items can be paired with the restaurant's award-winning red and white sangrias and a good selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. Bar Celona also offers weekend brunch and a late-night lounge with live entertainment. 

Long after its start in Berkeley and then West Hollywood in the 1920s, Barney’s Beanery opened its Pasadena location in 2006, becoming a favorite on Colorado Boulevard for its rock ‘n’ roll-pop culture décor and dozens of beers on tap. Patrons also like the plentiful TVs showcasing sporting events, loud music, and a real bus installed indoors. The extensive menu is centered on American fare but also includes pizza and “south of the border” selections. Kids feel right at home here too: pool tables, a small selection of arcade games, and that psychedelic bus can occupy them long enough for parents to enjoy a couple of drinks.

Beer and Claw offers a Cajun/Creole southern-style concept with a menu featuring seafood like shrimp, Dungeness crab and crawfish, as well as pork belly, onion rings, fries, chicken wings, and garlic noodles. 

If it’s whiskey you’re after, Blind Donkey is your spot. Here you’ll find a premier Whiskey Bar (65+ in stock), a solid lineup of craft spirits, and a curated draft beer list that’s in constant rotation. The bar’s food menu features standard pub fare and 10 different kinds of French fries. The open-late establishment encourages you to while away the hours with chess, shuffle board, and other games; its regular Wednesday Trivia Night is a big draw. 

Blue Bottle Coffee - originating in Oakland, California in the early 2000s - has grown to a network of cafes across the U.S. and in Japan with the steadfast goal of getting great coffee into the hands of everyone who asks for it. Coffee aficionados can find single origin coffees, blends, and espresso. The artisan coffee roaster works directly with farmers around the world to source the most delicious and sustainable coffees it can find; then they're roasted to exacting flavor standards and served at peak deliciousness. In Old Pasadena, enjoy Blue Bottle's outdoor patio the intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Mercantile Place. 

A Taiwanese hot soup specialty restaurant, Boiling Point has established itself as one of the most popular chains in Southern California. The Pasadena location is a concept restaurant introducing healthier organic menu options that are better for you and the environment, as well as higher grade cuts of meat. Customers can choose from a selection of 10 diverse hot soups, as well as desserts and tea, in a relaxed and stylish setting.  

Bone Kettle brings an authentic Southeast Asian bone broth kitchen to Old Pasadena, serving Indonesian-inspired small plates, bone broth soups, and desserts. The casual eatery features a modern and bright ambiance, offering both bar seating at the front of the restaurant and a handful of tables at the back.

Along with fine dining for dinner, Bone Kettle is also open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday, 11:30am-2:30pm. The menu features Bone Kettle famous broth and noodle dishes at lunch price/portion, bites, sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls. Walk-ins are welcome, no reservations required. 

Brazilian Acai Bowls & Juice Bar provides an authentic menu because the owner is Brazilian and enjoyed all the benefits of acai berries growing up. Enjoy a selection of acai bowls and fresh juices. Vegan and vegetarian menu items are available.

Buca di Beppo is lively and fun – its family-style Italian dishes and boisterous ambiance are perfect for a large crowd. Dishes enjoyed for generations in villages throughout Italy inspire the authentic menu. Diners can enjoy an abundance of appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas, entrees, desserts, beer, and fine wine.

If you have a special event coming up, you can reserve one of the semi-private dining rooms; the restaurant also offers a wide variety of catering options for any occasion.

Consistently ranked as one of the best outdoor dining spots in Pasadena, Café Santorini is one of the longest-standing restaurants in Old Pasadena, opening its doors in 1993. Specializing in Mediterranean food, the café offers grilled meats, seafood dishes, an array of pastas and family-style appetizer platters, as well as a full bar and extensive wine list. The indoor dining room offers a cozy intimate setting, while the outdoor patio offers year-round dining under the stars in a romantic roof-top setting. The Rococo Room is Café Santorini's sister locale downstairs, perfect for special events and banquets. 

Cha Redefine was founded by tea and coffee enthusiasts with a passion to create a new interpretation of traditional tea. Cha Redefine has combined traditional tea with modern brewing methods to breathe new life into tea culture. The menu features unique tea flavors, sourced from travels across the Asian continent; patrons can find latte- and cappuccino-style drinks with premium tea instead of coffee. Cha Redefine distinguishes itself with the use of local fresh ingredients, pure cane sugar, no powdered creamer, and eco-friendly, bio-degradable packaging.

Calling itself "A tea lover’s paradise," Chado Tea Room offers a complete Afternoon Tea (served all day) without a hint of snobbery. Soup, salad, sandwiches, scones, and cakes are also available separately. More than 300 different types of specialty teas are on hand, as well as exclusive tea accessories. The beautiful tea room can be reserved for special events like bridal or baby showers; full catering service is offered too!

Chakra Indian Kitchen offers an authentic dining experience.  Everything is prepared with the high quality, rich taste and fresh to order.  Their experienced chefs make every order healthy, delicious and very special. 

Chef Tony Dim Sum is the newest project for Tony He, the chef behind the very popular Sea Harbour in nearby Rosemead, as well as Chef Tony, a beloved institution in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Here in Old Pasadena, Chef Tony has created a modern dim sum experience, blending Cantonese staples with inventive interpretations. The dishes are a reflection of Guangdong Cantonese cuisine layered with refined touches and high-quality ingredients. Guests won’t find rolling carts here; instead all dishes are made-to-order and include ingredients such as freshly shaved black truffles and gold leaf touches. The restaurant, housed inside the historic 1929 Bear Building, stays open late on weekends and offers cocktails, Tsingdao beer, and baijiu, the fiery Chinese spirit.

Coffee and Plants celebrates the power of plants, the love of coffee, and simple, wholesome products that are hand-picked, handcrafted, and created with love. Enjoy unique drinks like rose bowl latte and the blue lavender latte, as well as vegan baked goods. 

The warm and friendly Copa Vida is an artisan coffee shop featuring espresso and coffee from specialty roasters; the café also serves a wide range of teas. Copa Vida regularly lands on “best of” lists for the LA area, thanks both to its premium drinks and to its simple but healthy menu of sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items. They serve brunch on weekend mornings from 8:00am-3:00pm.

Sweet, savory, breakfast, and rolled "to go" crepes . . . Crepes de Paris offers a range of the European treat. The bright, sunny décor is reminiscent of a Parisian café, and its patio is a nice spot to get some fresh air under the palm trees and adjacent historic Castle Green.

Daddy's Chicken Shack got its start with a small stand at Smorgasburg, LA’s weekly food festival in downtown Los Angeles, and now finds a small home on Dayton Street in Old Pasadena, serving up American southern food with a hint of Asian flavors. The classic fried chicken sandwich has been lovingly perfected by the owners, and diners can also find popcorn chicken, fries, and even a few vegan selections. 

Modeled after a Bavarian Bier Haus, Der Wolf features 20 German and German-inspired craft beers, some unique to Der Wolf. Bavarian-inspired dishes – think sausages, spätzle mac, pretzels, and schnitzel – are served on communal tables under imposing chandeliers. Make sure to visit the Der Rathskeller bar downstairs: It features an incredible array of murals that calls both on mythological creatures, Teutonic battles, animals, and brand imagery from craft distilleries.

Part of the One Colorado Food District on Union Street, Dirt Dog takes Los Angeles street food up a notch with dogs made from high-quality ingredients and decadent combinations of flavors. Specialties include the Green Dog with chimichurri, Patty Melt Dog with cheddar fries and chipotle aioli, and the Dirty Chili Dog. Vegetarians are welcome here with soy-based veggie option. Favorite side options include Dirty Corn and Filthy Fries with guacamole, chipotle aioli, cheddar and cotija cheese; the dessert menu features deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos, as well as churros.

Dog Haus Biergarten creates hand-crafted hormone- and antibiotic-free hot dogs, sausages, burgers, and one Bad Mutha Clucka, all served on King’s Hawaiian rolls. The bar features a rotating selection of craft beers on tap and in cans, as well as wine and hand-crafted cocktails. Visitors can dine and drink inside or out: The restaurant's patio is one of the largest in the Old Pasadena. A hidden gem beloved by locals and visitors alike, Dog Haus Biergarten is located in one of the district's beautiful historic buildings and can be accessed via the alley between Arroyo Parkway and Raymond Avenue, just north of Green Street.

As of DEC 2020: This Dots location is currently closed due to COVID-19. Visit their website for other locations. 

A cute-as-a-button shop, Dots Cupcakes offers boutique-style cupcakes that are baked fresh daily with quality natural ingredients like French Valrhona chocolate, Madagascar Bourbon, Tahitian vanilla extract, and organic fruit preserves, just to name a few. Customers can choose from large or mini sizes – 25 flavors available each day!

Edwin Mills takes its name from the roads intersecting at its door: Mills Place and Edwin Alley. The lively gastropub-tavern features quality cocktails and an urban-American menu with burgers, fish tacos, salads, and various entrees. The comfy eatery is housed in a building that is more than 100 years old; its ambiance showcases this history with the original exposed beams and brick walls, as well as reclaimed wood accents.

A long-time presence in Old Pasadena, El Toreo has been family owned for more than four decades. Marked outside by its vintage neon side, the restaurant serves authentic Mexican fare in generous proportions, complemented by imported Mexican beer. Vintage photographs, Mexican ephemera, and a retro jukebox gives the little café an old school feel.

Entre Nous French Bistro opens in a cozy setting on Green Street - the owners, Mathias Wakrat and Jean-Christophe Febbrari, are former partners at Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock and hail from the French Riviera. While the fare is decidedly French - rack of lamb, duck confit, and bouillabaisse, for example - the wine list features selections from across the globe, including California, New Zealand, and a rosé from Wakrat’s hometown, Saint-Tropez.

Family-owned and operated, Father Nature Lavash Bistro is a counter-service restaurant serving fresh, natural, and authentic Mediterranean foods. Lunch crowds seek out the falafel wraps, shawerma and fatoush salads, and hummus plate, among many other favorites.

Fig Sprout's menu centers on roasted, free-range chicken - guests can choose from many meal combinations that range from 1/4 to 1/2 chicken (light and dark meat options) served either a la carte or with your choice of one or two side dishes. Sides include Curry Rice with crispy onions, Roasted Potatoes, Butter Squash with sage garnishing & browned butter, and House Slaw.

Named after a term that references women who sell fresh-caught fish, Fishwives brings New England-style seafood with a twist to the West Coast. The easygoing, good-spirited seafood restaurant features menu items like fish and chips, tacos, lobster rolls, clam chowder, and ceviche. It also features an oyster and raw bar, as well as craft beer and wine. The eatery's fish is flown from dock to table within 24 hours; selections center on traceability and sustainability.  

Family-owned and operated for over 15 years, Grandview Palace serves Chinese cuisine that is individually crafted and made to order. Open for lunch and dinner; dine in, take out, or delivery options.

Green Earth, a family-owned restaurant, is 100% vegan, focusing on fusion cuisine that adapts dishes from Italy, Mexico, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S. The eatery strives to use organic ingredients whenever possible, and all to-go materials, from utensils to containers, are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Fall, 2020 note: Currently closed due to COVID-19. 

Named for the verdant street on which it resides, Green Street Tavern is an upscale, intimate restaurant that features the finest California comfort food with a European influence. Seasonal appetizers and entrees are created from locally farm grown beef, seafood, chicken, and organic vegetables. The menu also features a small but carefully curated wine and beer list.

A chain with locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ features small charcoal grills at every table, allowing diners to become their own expert cook and to share their best creations, a la carte style, with their tablemates. It offers a wide range of meat, including the best-sellers Harami Skirt Steak in Miso marinade and certified Angus Kalbi Short Rib in Tare Soy marinade. Other popular items include pork, lamb, duck, chicken, garlic shrimp, and a variety of vegetables.

Hello Gelato is a small sweet-treat parlor that offers an impressive array of flavors. Free samples of the varieties help customers narrow down their choices; if you’re still undecided, you can ask for a split scoop – two flavors in one cone or cup.

Hey, That's Amore! is an Italian-inspired deli-cafe and coffeehouse. Along with coffee, groceries, and gifts, customers can find a sizable menu of sandwiches and bagels featuring genoa salami, mortadella, prosciutto, pastrami, and other Italian meats. The café often hosts community events, including art exhibits, musical performances, movie nights, poetry groups, and Italian classes.

Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan cuisine is prepared with authentic Himalayan herbs and spices at this cozy café, which offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet and a full dinner menu with plenty of vegetarian options. Imported beer and California wine selections are served.

Home Brewed Bar celebrates the grassroots culture of collaborative brewing, sharing diverse styles of teas and coffees from all over the world. Signature coffee and tea roots are cold brewed for 20 hours, and “Brewtenders” create every cup in real time, making the bar’s selections of cold brew, milk teas, coffees, and boba well worth a try. Customers can also create their own coffee or tea brew using milk alternatives, “enhancements,” and more than a dozen flavors.

Hot Wings Cafe sports a full menu of sandwiches and sides, but the bustling crowd is there for the wings, served mild, hot, or extra hot along with house blue cheese dressing, carrots, and celery. The venue’s flat-screen TVs show sporting events, and customers can choose from more than 20 different kind of beer and wine.

With a name that means “the baker” in Italian, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana (eel-for-NIGH-oh) brings traditional Old World cooking techniques to the heart of Old Pasadena in the One Colorado Courtyard. The bustling, charming eatery restaurant has indoor/outdoor eating spaces and serves from a sizable menu that includes pizzas, pastas, salads, rotisserie and grill entrées, and weekend brunch items; a children’s menu is also available.

Indiana Colony— a namesake derived from the first group of settlers in Pasadena – is a charming marketplace of local, independent food and retail vendors. Housed in a historical building, the collective has been beautifully restored and features the original brick walls and wood floors, giving it a coffeehouse ambiance. Guests can take advantage of plenty of seating and the relaxing atmosphere while enjoying these merchants: 

• Legacy Tea & Spices
• Pressed Juicery
• The Pie Hole
• Wanderlust Creamery

Cozy, hip Intelligentsia Coffee invites lingering and sipping – its warm lighting, eclectic seating, exposed brick wall, free WiFi, and beautiful reclaimed wood accents are quintessential coffee house elements.

The coffee bar – one of four Intelligentsia locations in the LA area – offers a full menu of single origin coffees served whole bean, brewed, and espresso, as well as elegant teas and refreshing iced drinks. A secondary bar serves up boutique beer and wine. A back entrance allows for quick access to ample parking nearby, and outdoor seating makes it a perfect rest stop on Colorado Boulevard.

A night-life venue and restaurant, IX Tapa features classic dishes from Mexico’s west coast, from familiar entrée favorites to a large offering of bar bites. With over 7,000 square feet of space grandly appointed by LA-based design firm AKAR Studios, IX Tapa boasts live music, dancing, and a complete schedule of entertainment options.

Jamba, formerly known as Jamba Juice, brings a fresh take on its menu, featuring plant-based smoothies, juices, bowls, boosts, and fun-size, on-the-go bites.

Jimmy John's tasty sandwiches use fresh ingredients, including all-natural meats, veggies that are hand-sliced daily, and homemade bread that is baked all-day, every day. Diners can  also ask for all the “Freebies” that can fit onto a sandwich. Sandwiches are "freaky fast" - ready in 30 seconds. Jimmy John's offers delivery and catering for any occasion. Visit in store, or place an order online or by phone.

JIN returns to the original essence and spirit of the tea experience, selecting only the finest organic tea from Taiwan. Adjacent to the Boiling Point, the intimate café serves artisan tea, cold brewed tea, milk tea, and organic specialty tea. JIN Tea proudly holds Germany’s CERES organic certification and meets the U.S. National Organic Program (NOP) standards. The tea undergoes strict organic verifications ranging from location, altitude, airborne substances, neighboring crops, and other categories.

Kabuki Restaurant showcases traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine that includes  sushi, entrees, lunch specials, happy hours, and an award-winning Kid's Menu (Restaurant Hospitality Magazine). Enjoy patio dining along Colorado Boulevard - it's dog friendly too!

Kaviar Sushi Bar is an upscale Japanese kitchen serving up an exquisite selection of sushi and fusion masterpieces. Join us and create incredible memories in our peaceful and cozy upstairs environment, with a birds-eye view of Raymond Avenue and Old Pasadena's historic setting. 

A casual eatery with counter service, King Taco was founded in 1974, initially opening in a converted ice cream truck and now operating more than 20 locations throughout LA. Featuring a wide variety of authentic Mexican foods, King Taco has been recognized by prominent food critics and has also placed within the top 100 of Hispanic Business Magazine’s “Top 500 Hispanic Businesses.” Its fans attribute the success to its use of fresh ingredients and consistent quality.

A true pub with a rotating and curated beer selection to prove it, Kings Row Gastropub feels like a friendly neighborhood joint, complete with frequent live music, shuffleboard, and a small but solid menu of tasty artisan food. Choose your drink from a menu that specializes in small-craft and local brewers and Belgian ales (handcrafted cocktails and wine selections are on hand too) and grab a spot at one of the three seating areas: the open-air “patio” bar, dining room, or outdoor beer garden.

Housed in Pasadena’s historic 1935 Del Mar train station, La Grande Orange Café is a vibrant, bustling, charming eatery offering American fare – salads, sandwiches, burgers, and meat and seafood entrees, all with a modern flare. The restaurant's impressive wine list focuses on West Coast wineries; handcrafted cocktails and a few selections of craft beer are also available with meals or at the restaurant’s adjacent Otis Bar. Weekend brunch is popular here, and LGO’s sister/next-door restaurant, The Luggage Room Pizzeria, is a great bet too. 

Labobatory is bubble tea bar serving a broad menu of unique, custiom-craft boba teas, smoothies, and coffee drinks. Its name references the "experiments" that owner Elton Keung continuously creates, all designed with locally sourced ingredients like Vietnamese coffee and condensed milk to the tiny tapioca balls. Patrons like the options to adjust the sweetness level, choose from add-ons, and request organic whole or alternative milks.  Perusing the menu might offer the most fun, with items showcasing names like "To All the Yogurts I've Loved Before," "Wah! So Cookie!", and "Vladimir Pudding," and "50 Shades of Earl Grey." Labobatory can also cater boba for your events. 

Legacy Teas & Spices is an artisanal gourmet merchant of high-quality spice and tea blends. In addition to carrying more than 200 signature blends, the locally owned shop also feaan extensive collection of pure spices, gourmet sea salts, peppers, flavored sugars, and dried fruits. Housed in the charming Indiana Colony collective of merchants, Legacy invites customers to stop in for one of the many varieties of refreshing iced teas offered daily or a hot tea of their choice.

A locals’ favorite and long-time mainstay in Old Pasadena, Lucky Baldwins Pub opened in 1996 as an authentic British pub. The laid-back venue serves up more than 60 unique and rotating beers on tap. Throughout the year, Lucky Baldwins also celebrates European drinking festivals, including its renowned Belgian Beer Festival, IPA festivals, and Oktoberfest. Hungry drinkers can also find a full kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner pub grub.

What was once the 1930s-era luggage room of the Del Mar Train Station is now home to the Luggage Room Pizzeria. The menu features pizzas fired in the wood-burning oven, many of them vegetarian and all of them distinct for the thin, sourdough-like crust and inventive combinations of local and seasonal toppings. The focus here is almost entirely on pizza (with good reason!) although the menu does offer a small selection of salads, as well as craft cocktails, wine, and beer.

Maestro features modern Mexican fine dining and craft cocktails centered on mezcal and tequila. The farm-to-table-centric menu, created by Chef Elena Vega, features everything from traditional tacos and enchiladas to innovative dishes made with fresh fish, shellfish, lamb, duck, short ribs, and steak. The cozy spot showcases exposed brick walls, mosaic tiles, neon art, and a large banquette. Weekend diners can enjoy brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am-2:30pm - menu items include chilaquiles, chorizo and egg tacos, avocado toast, French toast, and fried quesadillas. Bar selections focus on creative cocktails made from high-quality tequila and mezcal, as well as craft beer and wine.

Main Chick Hot Chicken is a passion-inspired food concept serving unique Nashville-style fried chicken. Diners can choose from single sandwiches to combo meals; they'll also be asked for their preferred level of spiciness, ranging from "Naked" to "Supreme." Sides include crinkle-cut fries, mac 'n' cheese, potato salad, and creamy slaw. 

Mama M Sushi & Rolls specializes in offering an extensive menu of exactly that: sushi and rolls.  Enjoy their excellent and authentic quality for a delicious dining experience.

Matcha & Kone serves up matcha-flavored soft serve ice cream and related menu items like parfaits and floats. Guests can also find a range of fruit smoothies, blended ice teas, milk tea with boba, and signature coffee drinks. 

A mini-chain based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Me + Crepe (pronounced "Me and Crepe") serves Chinese-style crepes, or jianbing, one of China's breakfast staples and a popular savory street food. Patrons can watch the cooks pouring thin films of batter onto flat surfaces, breaking up the egg yolks as they sweep over the pancake with a miniature hand-sized rake. The crepe is finished with tianmian jiang, a salty-sweet sauce and red chili oil, before offering customized toppings for diners - choices include Peking duck, green onions, pickled mustard greens, beef, cheese, sausage, spam, and tuna salad. 

One of the longest operating restaurants in Old Pasadena, Mi Piace Italian Kitchen features an award-winning kitchen famous for serving up light Italian cuisine with a New York accent – specialty pizzas, seafood, pastas, and much more. Its interior stylish martini lounge, stainless steel bar, illuminated tables, and red leather couches are complemented by its lively sidewalk dining area – one of the most popular in Old Pasadena. 

A third-generation chocolatier with origins in the Ukraine, Mignon Chocolates creates all its treats locally by hand without the use of chemicals or preservatives, using only original family recipes. The result? Melt-in-your mouth truffles, seasonal varieties, exotic flavors, and just good old-fashioned chocolates. Custom theme or shaped chocolate pieces can be crafted for special events or with company logos.

Motto Tea Cafe offers a variety of hot and iced teas and fruit drinks like Kyoto Uji Matcha, Japanese Genmai. Motto also serves sweet and savory pancakes all day using premium ingredients imported from Japan. Motto’s distinction is its use of all natural loose tea leaves, pure cane sugar, and organic milk - they do not use tea powder, corn syrup, or creamer in any products. 

One Colorado is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment district spanning one city block in Old Pasadena, between Colorado Boulevard, Union, De Lacey and Fair Oaks. This award-winning destination unites the urban environment of 17 historic buildings with 40 contemporary fashion and dining attractions, including Crate and Barrel, The Gap, Joie, J Crew, Anthropologie, Patagonia, Sage Vegan Bistro, and Il Fornaio Cucina Italia.

The One Colorado Courtyard, designed in the tradition of European town squares, is one of Old Pasadena’s public gathering spaces, offering regularly scheduled outdoor film screenings, live music, art markets, children’s programs, and site-specific art installations. 

One Zo Boba is a bubble tea brand from Taiwan, established in 2015,, that creates all boba tea drinks in-house. Drink flavors include Taro Milk Tea, Uji Matcha Latte with Honey Boba, Brown Sugar Milk, Roasted Rice Tea, Black Tea Latte with Sesame Boba, among many others. Patrons can also find a selection of green teas and smoothies. 

Osawa brings together sushi, Shabu Shabu, and Otsumami on its menu while practicing the Japanese tradition of omotenashi, or hospitality – the exquisite Japanese art of welcoming and serving guests. The tapas-like Otsumami menu features dishes like shishito tempura stuffed spicy tuna and king salmon ceviche with chili lemon soy; while the Shabu Shabu menu shines with options like Kurobuta pork, fresh market seafood, and Saga Beef. Diners can choose from nearly three dozen types of sushi. Sake, wine, and beer are also offered.

Paper Rice is a Vietnamese fast-casual restaurant that features a menu centered on a build-your-own-spring-roll concept. it is family-run and includes the combined expertise of extended family. Spring Rolls are healthy, light, and fresh. Diners can also choose Spring Roll Bowls or Banh Mi Sandwiches. For those that love meat and seafood, choose from Vietnamese nem nuong (charbroiled pork sausage), caramelized pork belly, charbroiled beef, turmeric fish, grilled lemongrass chicken, and grilled garlic shrimp. Vegans and vegetarians can select sesame soy tofu or load up with extra veggies. 

Originating in Denmark, Paradis Ice Cream believes that ice cream should be made fresh every day, using only high-quality ingredients. The local chain is known for its unique flavors and a creamy consistency derived from using top-notch Italian ice cream machines and limiting air incorporation to only 20-percent. 

Surprisingly, the ice cream is considered relatively low calorie and low fat, thanks to the use of fresh milk in the ice cream and pure water in the sorbets. The taste remains, however, incredibly flavorful, rich, and diverse -- look for a rotating roster of nearly 100 flavors! And for those with dietary restrictions, look for vegan selections each day.

Perle offers a sustainable and organic-focused menu featuring classic French dishes, as well as modern, seasonal creations influenced by California’s fresh cuisine. Perle also features a mirrored menu concept, with half of the menu consisting of meat and seafood dishes and the other half composed of vegetarian and plant/based dishes.

Chef Dean Yasharian is the owner and executive chef at Perle. Yasharian’s work ethic and passion for food emerged from his upbringing on a farm in upstate New York and has continued throughout his 20-year culinary career. He has trained in the U.S. and Europe under world-renowned chefs, including Daniel Boulud, Gordon Ramsay, and Daniel Clifford. Most recently, Yasharian was the executive chef at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, where he designed and restructured the kitchen and menu, improving performance in efficiency, quality, and profitability.

Its founders created Pressed Juicery with one goal in mind: to bring delicious, premium, and nutritious juice to everyone. They focused on great taste, simplicity, and affordability for everyone. Located inside Old Pasadena’s artisanal co-op Indiana Colony, Pressed Juicery offers cold-pressed, ready-to-go drinks that are blended daily and designed to provide vital nutrients that optimizes customers’ health.

Prolece Tea serves a variety of tea drinks, including boba, house milk tea, rose on lychee tea, and jasmine green tea, among many others. 

For over two decades, Q’s Billard Club has been a neighborhood restaurant, sports bar, and late-night hang-out, located above Barney’s Beanery. Q’s features a delicious menu, 10 pool tables, more than 45 TVs, three outdoor patios, a DJ spinning your favorite music, and a friendly staff to assist you.

In 2015, the well-established Japanese chain Ramen Tatsunoya chose Old Pasadena as its first U.S. location, and the eatery’s popularity is evident by the lines out the door most days. Recognized by connoisseurs, Tatsunoya is dedicated to perfecting the ultimate bowl of ramen. The traditional tonkotsu menu includes koku and jun, their signature ramen, as well as items inspired by the city of Pasadena.

Rocco’s Tavern features a large and lively bar with a restaurant and outdoor café inspired by the classic Italian eateries and taverns of the East Coast. Prominent TV screens showcase games with LA sports teams. Rocco’s Tavern serves Italian-Style comfort food, serving lunch, daily Happy Hour, dinner, and late-night dining.

Roll Factory by Stray Cat serves poke bowls with salmon, yellowtail, seaweed salad, and spicy crab meat, to name a few key ingredients; bowls come with a choice of sides. Diners can also select from soft serve ice cream with flavors like rose berry, milk, black sesame, and matcha. The ice cream is served in taiyaki (fish-shaped bread, originating in Japan) or in a cup. 

Roots & Rye Açai Bar was founded in 2018 to feed the ever-growing health-conscious consumer. It offers fast and healthy alternatives that are both beautiful and delicious; the company helps educate the public about health and wellness.

Guests can select from menu items that include açai bowls, smoothies, gourmet toasts, and coconut-based milkshakes and ice creams. Menu items can be customized with a range of ingredients, which include chia seeds, fresh fruits, bee pollen, goji berries, flax seeds, coconut oil, and more. 

Holding court on Fair Oaks Boulevard “since 1930” (as its retro neon sign proclaims), Russell’s is a locals’ favorite, especially for breakfast and weekend brunch. Specialties include Croque Monsieur, Croque Madame, Belgian waffles, French toast, and gourmet omelets. The restaurant also serves a well-rounded lunch and dinner menu, focusing on burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, and “bistro entrees.”

Sage Vegan Bistro serves organic, sustainable, plant-based food centered on produce that comes from local farmers committed to practicing organic, pesticide-free farming, and regenerative agriculture. Daily farm deliveries means that most dishes feature produce picked that same day or the day before. Diners can enjoy everything from breakfast to dinner, brunch, craft cocktails and beer, desserts, with a choice of indoor dining or a spot on the expansive patio, which offers delightful views of the charming One Colorado Courtyard. 

A bustling Vietnamese spot especially during the lunch hour, Saigon Noodle Restaurant is known for its savory pho, although a variety of appetizers, fried rice dishes, beer and wine are also on the menu. It gets great reviews for its fast service, generous portions, and flavorful dishes.

Originating in 2011 in Portland, Oregon, Salt & Straw has quickly become a West Coast favorite for inspired ice cream flavors made with intention.  The family-run business opened in Old Pasadena in late 2019 as the company’s first scoop shop in the San Gabriel Valley - it joins LA locations in the Arts District, Venice, and Larchmont Village, Studio City, and West Hollywood. 

Known for its curiously delicious flavors – including custom menu favorites exclusive to LA like Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese and Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough - Salt & Straw also features classics such as Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, James Coffee & Bourbon, and Roasted Strawberry & Toasted White Chocolate.  All flavors are handmade in small batches using organic, sustainable and thoughtfully-sourced ingredients such as cream from Scott Brothers Dairy, a family-owned Southern California farm. 

The cozy Old Pasadena location features a nostalgic-meets-modern design, with the use of curved oak edges, parquet wood inlay, custom terrazzo flooring, and a window bar that invites guests to enjoy their ice cream while taking in the vibrancy of Pasadena’s iconic Colorado Boulevard. 

ShanDong Dumplings, a San Gabriel Valley spot well known for its handmade Northern Chinese dumplings, opened its Old Pasadena location in 2015. The menu features more than one dozen varieties of dumplings, including steamed, boiled, and pan-fried. Diners can choose from shrimp, pork options, and excellent sheng jian bao and xiao long bao. Passerby on Fair Oaks can even watch the process – the restaurant’s dumpling-makers busily create their masterpieces in a street-facing window.

Slater’s 50/50 refers to founder Scott Slater’s original creation: the 50/50 patty made of 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef. The restaurant’s menu is full of amplified burgers and indulgent dishes to pair with a stellar selection of local and regional craft beer available on tap. Slater’s uses Brandt Beef, a family-owned local beef producer dedicated to hormone-free product and sustainable practices.

SOH Grill House serves modern Korean barbecue with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients, including grown vegetables, prime beef cuts from Northern California, and hand-picked spices.

The restaurant boasts a unique design element too: The grill vents are designed using a type of "down draft system" that pulls smoke out through exhausts vents in the walls, allowing customers to walk away not smelling like smoke or barbecue.

Lively, casual and coolly sophisticated, SORRISO serves authentic Italian cuisine with a contemporary California twist. The menu includes steaks and chops grilled to perfection, as well as salads, pastas, pizzas, and seafood. SORRISO also boasts an extensive wine list and specialty cocktails, and late night guests can relax in the late-night lounge featuring live entertainment. 

Starbucks, an international chain, has a large, homey location on Colorado Boulevard that offers free WiFi, a selection of premium teas, fine pastries, sandwiches, and snacks – and of course, rich-brewed Italian-style coffee and espresso beverages.

Stone Company Store Pasadena features a stellar tasting room with 20 rotating taps of Stone Brewing Co. beers, including year-round, special, and one-time releases, as well as periodic special vintages. Customers may also purchase growler fills to-go or enjoy four-, eight-, or 16-ounce pours on location. Keg, bottle, and merchandise are also available for purchase.

Located at Del Mar Station in Old Pasadena, the Store is a convenient stop for people commuting on the Metro Gold Line or just passing through town. The 1,700 square-foot store has a dog-friendly patio area with tables and chairs for patrons to relax and enjoy a delicious craft beer with their four-legged friends.

The ubiquitous Subway chain finds its home in Old Pasadena on Holly Street. It serves up fresh, made-to-order sub sandwiches.

Sushi Enya in Old Pasadena opened in early 2017 – another location can be found in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles. Chef Kimiyasu Enya trained for over ten years in Japan – he and the kitchen team receive fresh products from the fish market every day. The menu focuses on fish-based Japanese sushi and American sushi rolls, but also offers contemporary dishes like ceviche and special rolls for vegan diets. Sushi Enya also features daily specials and the chef's tasting "omakase" course. Wine and sake are available.

Headed by Chef Ike San, considered one of the best Sushi chefs in Los Angeles, Sushi Kimagure is an upscale Omikase service restaurant ("trust" the chef and he will serve you the freshest catch of the day) and is open for dining by reservation only.

Sushi Roku combines exceptionally fresh fish with a splash of California innovation to create a range of sushi options, which showcase flavors from a variety of international influences. Dining selections also include luscious salads, hot and cold specialty appetizers, and an extensive selection of hot entrees. The bar serves specialty cocktails, extensive wines and sakes, and a hand-picked selection of Japanese beers, and features a daily Happy Hour.

At Sushi Stop, everything is served on small plates and start at a fixed price of $2.95, a price designed to encourage customers to be adventurous with a large and diverse menu. Beer and wine are served.

Swedish Scoops showcases fresh homemade gelato, along with sandwiches, coffee, and other Swedish authentic desserts. 

Taco Libre brings together the best of Mexican food and culture. Enjoy a great selection of quality tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and even bowls.

Tacos 1986 brings some of the purest flavors of Tijuana street food to Pasadena!  Choose from asada, mushroom, adobado, or chicken offered in tacos, quesadillas, mulitas, and vampiros, all on their fresh corn tortillas. 

Taste of Pace is a catering company that also offers to-go meals, centered on nutritious California cuisine in a "Build Your Own Bowl" model. Patrons can order Immune Boosting Bowls, Individual Meal Plans, and Family Package Meals - mixing and matching ingredients is encouraged! Enjoy experimenting with combinations of flavors and ingredients that are whole foods and full of amazing healthy taste. 

A cozy, tranquil respite, Tea Rose Garden was established in 1994 by Grace Kim Heinstedt to combine two passions – her love of the art of flowers and the art of "taking tea." Tea Rose Garden is indeed a unique place that offers a full-service flower shop, beautiful tearoom, and patio garden, all surrounded by fine gifts and little treasures. Along with afternoon tea, patrons can enjoy a good selection of sandwiches (tea and regular), sweets, fruit, and salads.

The Alley, a Taiwanese bubble-tea chain, specializes in premium tea-based tapioca drinks, using quality, roasted tea leaves sourced from various regions. Its menu is made up of several beverage series, such as milk tea, brewed tea, and fruit tea and juice. Its signature drinks are the brown-sugar "Deerioca" series - named for the brand’s trademark tapioca pearls, cooked with brown-sugar lava for two hours. The slow-cooking process makes them satisfyingly soft and chewy with a distinct sweet flavor, served warm.  Guests can choose to pair the Deerioca with fresh milk, soy milk, oat milk, or matcha.

Guests describe The Cellar as a "hidden gem" and "romantic"; indeed, the cozy and intimate wine bar is below-ground and decorated with antiquarian books, portraits of famous classical pianists, and comfy couches. Along with an extensive wine selection, the menu features charcuterie boards, oysters, snacks, and desserts. Patrons can also choose to sit on the garden patio, which is located off of Mercantile Alley. 

To enter The Cellar, look for the security guard stationed near the Vans and Lush stores on Colorado Blvd. Keep in mind that the venue does not allow baseball caps, shorts, sports attire, or slippers. 

Known for its extensive menu that satisfies just about everyone, The Cheesecake Factory is a bustling, vibrant chain that claims a high-profile spot in Old Pasadena at the nexus of Fair Oaks and Colorado Boulevard. The eatery serves lunch, dinner, late night supper, Sunday brunch, and of course, desserts!

The Crack Shack has intentionally crafted both the chicken and egg for diners to enjoy. Menu items are created using locally raised, free-living chickens with no antibiotics - just as nature intended. Enjoy high-quality fried chicken, eggs, sandwiches, salads and slaws, chicken oysters, fries with roasted chicken and jalapeno cheese wiz, bacon deviled eggs, and biscuits. Celebrity chef Richard Blais is at the helm of The Crack Shack. Blais, known for winning Top Chef: All Stars, and his co-founder, Michaell Rosen, started the restaurant in San Diego in 2015. 

Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 3:00-6:00pm. Meal Steal Mondays: Any sandwich, fries and fountain drink for $14.

A small, family-owned eatery, the Kitchen Italian Cafe and Pizzeria serves up New York, Sicilian, and Chicago style deep-dish pizza, as well as authentic entrées, pastas, salads, calzones, and sandwiches. The restaurant can provide full catering for parties ranging in 5-500.

The Pan serves classic American comfort food - most notably breakfast all day. All food is made from scratch and made to order.  Diners can expect specialty pancakes, omelets and scrambles, breakfast burritos, as well as burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers. The restaurant is homey, bright, and colorful with folksy, charming signs and knickknacks throughout. Next door, visit the tiny tiki-themed bar, where you can order all menu items and enjoy a selection of craft beer. 

Happiness one slice at a time. That simple mission is carried out all day every day by The Pie Hole as the counter-service eatery inside Indiana Colony wows patrons with sweet and savory pies made from scratch with high quality ingredients. Favorites include Mexican Chocolate, Earl Grey, and Cereal Killer. Visitors can also find other baked items, as well as Pie Hole’s house blend coffees, which are organic, Rainforest Alliance Certified, and roasted to exact specification.

Serving the authentic Himalayan cuisine of Nepal, Tibet, and India since 2001, Tibet Nepal House uses a wide range of herbs and spices common to Himalayan cooking to create uniquely delicious and healthy food for diners. The tranquil restaurant is decorated with Buddhas and prayer wheels and features a simple yet appealing menu with steamed dumplings, curries, and noodle dishes. Patrons might also enjoy the traditional Tibetan butter tea, Nepalese milk tea (chia), and the house famous rice pudding (khir).

Tortas Mexico offers an authentic Mexican dining experience with dishes and sauces from San Juan Yucuita in the Nochixtlan District of Oaxaca State. The specialty of this casual, counter-service is, of course, tortas – a type of Mexican sandwich made with meat or eggs and garnished with avocado, onions, jalapenos, and tomato. Diners can also find tacos, burritos, sopes, and a small breakfast menu.

True Food Kitchen offers a seasonal menu for the health-conscious palette; it's a restaurant concept and lifestyle brand inspired by the principles of Dr. Andrew Weil's anti-inflammatory diet, a blueprint for a lifetime of optimal nutrition. Offering a wide selection of vegan, vegetarian, naturally organic, and gluten-free options, along with dishes for those following a paleo or Mediterranean diet, True Food Kitchen caters to wellness by providing delicious, healthy food.

In 2014, Chef Bruce Kalman and Marie Petulla partnered to open Union, a 50-seat restaurant and bar featuring a seasonally Californian interpretation of Northern Italian cuisine centered on pasta, seafood, market-fresh produce, and fine-quality locally sourced ingredients. The intimate neighborhood restaurant is consistently recognized as one of LA's top establishments – it made Jonathan Gold’s Top 101 Restaurants in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Diners can enjoy selections from local, hand-crafted vendors; house-made charcuterie, pickles, and pasta; and a small but carefully curated wine list.

Union Street Sandwich Company is a locally owned business with a homey, welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great place to grab a sandwich, a coffee, or any of the freshly baked morning-muffins and coffee cakes, and offers free WiFi. If you’re in a hurry, the eatery also offers quick, ready-to-go menu items and curbside pick-up. Staffers are happy to help you cater any business meeting or event.

Vanilla Bake Shop is a charming neighborhood bakery with fresh, from scratch cakes, cupcakes, icebox desserts, and assorted sweets, all of which use high-quality ingredients and offer timeless taste. It's signature ingredient? Real Madagascar vanilla beans in all desserts, of course.

Inspired by her globetrotting adventures, Adrienne Nicole Borlongan created Wanderlust Creamery in 2015 with its foundation in world flavors - think innovative ice cream fusions like Japanese Neapolitan, Thai Tea, Ube Malted Crunch, Australian Pavlova, Hawaiian Toast + Guava Jam, and Koldstal. The Old Pasadena Wanderlust is the fifth location in the LA area, tucked inside the artisanal Indiana Colony and offering perfect window seats for patrons to watch the street action along Colorado Boulevard. 

We Olive is a premier retailer & tasting room of California extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and California wines.

The magical alchemy of California’s hot dry summer days and cool, evening temperatures, myriad soil types and microclimates, combined with the passion and commitment of its artisan growers, result in world class olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We Olive Pasadena is a fun and exciting place to taste the finest artisan made extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars and delicious gourmet foods. In other words, it is a foodie’s paradise, a culinary shopping experience, and an educational destination for people passionate about delicious food and health.

The wine bar features small batch California varietals – basically, wine that you wouldn’t be able to find in a grocery store. Although We Olive does not sell bottles, the store offers wine by the glass every night of the week, as well as beer and mixed drinks that include balsamic vinegars and olive oils like the Balsamic Lemonade and the Balsamic-Marinated Berry Spritzer. The store offers a small menu featuring items like flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, and tapas - dining is available indoors or on the back patio.

Fronted by a gorgeous antique bar, at which bartenders craft specialty cocktails (with a focus on whiskey) and beer and wine selections, White Horse also features a lounge and dark and moody dining area. The restaurant displays its architectural history with pride, showcasing gleaming polished wood, bronze railings, crystal chandeliers, and vintage-style wallpaper. The menu offers small plates, steaks, salads, burgers, and entrees.