Best Cozy Restaurants in South Pasadena

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

DowntownEast LAHollywoodPasadenaSan Fernando Valley / ValenciaSan Gabriel Valley

Neighbourhoods

ArcadiaArts DistrictAtwater VillageBurbankCommerceDowntown

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

113 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Raymond Restaurant restaurant

1. The Raymond Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(3598)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Pasadena

Booked 49 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

2. Magnolia House

4.6

Exceptional(344)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Pasadena

Booked 35 times today

Located in a 100-year-old Pasadena craftsman bungalow, Magnolia House is a hideaway for those in the know – unique cocktails and a small plate menu from around the world. Stop by for handcrafted drinks, a boutique selection of wines, and local craft beers on tap while the menu boasts market-driven selection of seasonal shareable plates.

3. Dunsmoor

4.8

Exceptional(982)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Eagle Rock

Booked 68 times today

Brian Dunsmoor’s namesake restaurant, Dunsmoor, is the latest iteration of his ongoing exploration of American heritage cooking. It is, first and foremost, a restaurant for the community that surrounds it, and a loving expression of the relentless research that has informed his cooking for the last ten years.We offer the full menu at tables in our dining room and at the chef's counter, as well as at our outdoor tables. Reservations are recommended but we make every effort to accommodate walk-ins when possible. Dunsmoor's wine bar, accessible either through the restaurant or via its own door on Ave 35, does not accept reservations and serves a limited menu of our raw and larder items.

A photo of The Huntington's Rose Garden Tea Room restaurant

4. The Huntington's Rose Garden Tea Room

4.7

Exceptional(1379)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • South Pasadena

Booked 138 times today

Rose Garden Tea Room is set within the historic Rose Garden, the Tea Room offers an elegant and memorable experience inspired by the tradition of English tea service with a distinctive California twist.Any party with more than 6 guests MUST call to make their reservation or email tearoom@huntington.org. Please do not divide your party into multiple reservations, as each Open Table reservation will be treated as individual and will not guarantee adjacent tables. Please note that visiting the Rose Garden Tea Room requires purchasing admission to The Huntington. When planning to visit the Tea Room, please purchase a separate ticket to The Huntington for the same day as your Tea Room reservation. Tickets are available at huntington.org

5. Bar Chelou

4.8

Exceptional(472)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • Pasadena

Bar Chelou is a neo-bistro that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin's broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style. 'Chelou' (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel, and fun. The restaurant is located within the Pasadena Playhouse complex. If you plan to visit the Playhouse after dinner, please book a 5:30p reservation to ensure ample timing for your dinner. We also offer concession cocktails before a showing and during intermission. NEED TO KNOWWine corkage is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list. Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius. Gift cards are available for purchase on our website.

A photo of The Terrace at The Langham, Pasadena restaurant

6. The Terrace at The Langham, Pasadena

4.7

Exceptional(1381)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Pasadena

Booked 28 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(2098)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Pasadena

Booked 36 times today

The Arbour - Pasadena is described as having a 'nice ambiance' with reviews highlighting the 'warm and inviting' decor. The fireplace is noted as a cozy feature, creating a romantic setting. The mix of industrial/modern decor, wood accents, and concrete floors contribute to the overall cozy feel. The ambiance is rated highly in reviews, indicating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - Pasadena restaurant

8. Ruth's Chris Steak House - Pasadena

4.8

Exceptional(4046)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Pasadena

Booked 45 times today

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.Ruth's Chris Steak House in Pasadena, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

9. Celestino

4.7

Exceptional(3604)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Pasadena

Booked 34 times today

Celestino is a cozy spot in Pasadena known for its fresh seafood, homemade pastas, and variety of desserts. Customers appreciate the warm, friendly atmosphere, with one saying, 'The place is somewhat a little too crowded but cozy. Great ambiance and food is good.' Others mention the restaurant's peaceful outdoor areas and the congenial atmosphere among guests. The menu is diverse, and the staff is described as cheerful and professional.

A photo of Alexander's Steakhouse - Pasadena restaurant

10. Alexander's Steakhouse - Pasadena

4.7

Exceptional(2288)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Pasadena

Booked 30 times today

You will enjoy the beautiful patio setup we have in Pasadena. We have instituted all health and safety precautions to ensure all of our guests and employees feel safe and can enjoy themselves. If you have any questions, please contact us and our team will take the pleasure of assisting you.Alexander's Steakhouse offers a fine dining interpretation of a Modern American Steakhouse with hints of global influences throughout the menu. Featuring classic cuts such as Ribeye, Bone-In New York and Filet Mignon, to sustainable seafood, our signature Hamachi Shot and a large selection of Wagyu. We also highlight dry-aged steaks and offer the finest and most luxurious products available including an extensive Wine List. A full bar featuring some of the most unique specialty cocktails is a great way to begin your evening here at Alexander's Steakhouse.

‘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

M
MaryVIP
Los Angeles •74 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Wonderful dinner after coming back from the symphony. Sara is a great server. Ambience is great. Drinks and dinner (we had The Artichoke) were outstanding. Another very enjoyable time at The Raymond!
More info
The Raymond RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Pasadena
•
4.5
D
Daniel
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Service is A1 staff is super friendly and helpful. Dishes were all delicious and well priced. Would definitely recommend to try!
More info
DunsmoorPrice: Very Expensive• American• Eagle Rock
•
4.8
B
Ben
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Wonderful, memorable dinner! Service was impeccable and the duck was a highlight.
More info
Bar ChelouPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• Pasadena
•
4.8
J
Jenny
Los Angeles •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Our server, Yasmine, was absolutely phenomenal. My friend and I look forward to tea at the Huntington Library every time, but it was made significantly better having Yasmine. She was so attentive and personable; it felt like she was celebrating with us. The food was delicious! Some standouts were the Lamb sandwich, the cucumber, and the truffle mushroom (an accommodation for my friend’s shellfish allergy). We’ve tried many teas across LA, but the Huntington’s is #1.
More info
The Huntington's Rose Garden Tea RoomPrice: Very Expensive• Afternoon Tea• South Pasadena
•
4.7
L
Liza
Los Angeles •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 19, 2025
Perfect. All brunch spots should be like this. I almost want to gatekeep this because it’s so good.
More info
Magnolia HousePrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Pasadena
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4.6