Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Pasadena? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Parkway Grill

4.9

4.9 (2468)

$50 and over

Californian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

The Smith Brothers trend-setter in regional American cuisine, Parkway Grill continues to define dining in the city and beyond. Parkway Grill specializes in a seasonal, market-driven approach to cooking that incorporates diverse influences and classic French technique. Throughout its over 30 years, Parkway’s innovative chefs have showcased an intriguing array of dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Demonstrating the ultimate commitment to fresh produce, Parkway Grill planted its own organic vegetable and herb garden behind the restaurant, which continues to thrive for over 25 years on a piece of prime real estate in the heart of Pasadena.

Top review

Carineh

Dined 3 days ago

Noisy restaurant Otherwise everything else was good

Shiro Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1600)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Pasadena

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Diana

Dined 2 days ago

The wonton ravioli and loup de mer were excellent, as was the service. So lucky to have this gem in South Pasadena. We celebrated a birthday and all truly enjoyed our dining experience. My son also enjoyed the grilled octopus appetizer - unique.

Alexander's Steakhouse - Pasadena

4.8

4.8 (2263)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

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.

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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 two tasting menus and a 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.

Top review

David

Dined 1 day ago

Hi. Previously spend my 40th here. Which was fantastic. And when our anniversary came up. Of course we wanted to celebrate here as well. Service great from the host, server, expeditor, busser.... Perfect. So warm and you can tell people enjoy working at AS. The food unfortunately didnt hit the mark as I was expecting. We did go out on a limb with the chefs tasting but felt we should have shared the 28oz bone in and couple of sides So heres just a quick review: Hamachi shooter. Excellent. so fresh and i love the bite of the vinegar! Beet salad. Surprisingly my absolute favorite part of the meal . Great combination of flavors and textures. The cheese phenomenal. And pistachio vinaigrette bomb. The uni/salmon roe. It was okay. I normally don't eat uni so understand that but you have to experience what the chef wants us to experience right? So I went for it.. Roe was a bit too salty, uni was fresh and the best part. The 'steam egg' portion I think that's what it was, was bland. Maybe mixing the roe would've made it better overall? Least favorite part of meal. Pork kakuni. Portion was little too big. I felt it was a meal in itself. It was slightly dry despite the lovely piece of pork fat (the best part btw). The skin was not crispy enough, rubbery and hard to chew. Not a fan favorite. A5 waygu. Cooked more rare than I like. Red throughout. Wouldve like more med rare. But luckily the part of the experience. The cut was ok, had a strip of cartilage in the middle. the sear was uneven. Pumpkin cheesecake and ice cream. Second favorite part. So good. Worth coming back for the cheesecake. The cotton candy always a nice touch and the service makes up for any shortcomings. Overall. Ill skip chef tasting next time. Id dive into the waygu menu and bone in ribeye. Two sides and a beet salad. Split between you and your date. We'll be back for sure. But we'll skip the tasting and go straight at the waygu!

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - Pasadena

4.7

4.7 (4019)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Anniversary

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4.7

4.7 (1872)

$30 and under

Argentinean

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Please note, that our outdoor seating is first come first serve. If you have a reservation through OpenTable, you will be seated, however, please allow a few extra minutes to ensure that we can properly sanitize your table.

Argentina is world famous for its cuisine. From homemade salads, pastas and fish to an abundant selection of our signature grilled meats, Malbec Argentinean Bistro brings you the best authentic cuisine prepared on our genuine Argentinean grill.

For reservations of parties larger than 6, please reach out to the restaurant directly. We will require a credit card hold to secure large party reservations.

Top review

NarayanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great grill menu and good Malbec wine selections. Ideal for Business or family

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Popular dish

Arroz Con Mariscos For One

Fleming's Steakhouse - Pasadena

4.7

4.7 (1424)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Your Pasadena Fleming's is conveniently located on the corner of Marengo and Colorado Boulevard. Fleming's in Pasadena is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner or simply wanting to enjoy a night out - we will create a safe and memorable evening in our Dining Room. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

scott

Dined 5 days ago

We always have our book club meeting here. Phillip did an awesome job. Happy Holidays!

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4.7

4.7 (563)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Upscale Japanese kitchen serving up an exquisite selection of sushi and fusion masterpieces. We are the pinnacle of quality, and the cornerstone of service. Join us and create incredible memories in our peaceful and cozy environment.

Top review

Raffaele

Dined 7 days ago

Perfect experience good food!! 200%!recommended.. is expensive but you will be happy !

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4.7

4.7 (59)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Montrose

About the restaurant

Welcome to Sugarbird Cafe, Montrose, CA's unique scone and tea cafe.
Nestled in a cozy, shaded outdoor courtyard, it's the perfect spot for casual tea under the Cali sun, with limited indoor seating for a more intimate vibe. Variety of scones, from classic strawberry buttermilk to unique Cali-inspired flavors like fig rosemary, all perfectly crunchy outside and moist inside. Elevate your tea experience with our handcrafted teas, delightful tea sandwiches, and house-made jams. Please note, we need 36 hours advance notice for special dietary requests for wheat-free, vegan, or kids menu, 10 & under. 18% gratuity is auto-included on the bill & parties of 6 or more will have a 20% charge.

Join our community for a taste of global afternoon tea menu at our outdoor garden.
To ensure your spot, BOOK 36 hours in advance—text 818-282-7299 to CONFIRM your reservation for same-day reservations. Don't miss out; we're featured in [LA Times]. Sip, savor, and make tea time your daily retreat!

Top review

Bette

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

My three great friends and I met a Sugarbird to celebrate a Christmas tea, and it couldn’t have been nicer. The outdoor seating area feels like a little room with the umbrellas and the pretty tables. We were lucky to have cool but not cold weather, and were prepared to sit outside, so being in the sun added to the feeling of enjoying a backyard tea. The scones were outstanding, particularly the blueberry lemon, and the feta chive. All the sandwiches were beautifully prepared and the sweets were fantastic as well. Our servers took such good care of us and gave us plenty time and space to enjoy each other without rushing at all. This is a yearly tradition for us and we all agreed it was one the loveliest times we’ve had together. Keep it up, Sugarbird! P.S, they have scones to go, and you can also get frozen ones to take home and bake. Certainly did that!!

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Experience

*Wheat Free Casual Tea - Scones + Tea Only

Experience

*Orginal Casual Tea - Scones + Tea Only

Experience

Afternoon Tea ( 6 or more) w/ tea sandwiches*

Tokyo Wako - Pasadena

4.5

4.5 (75)

$31 to $50

Asian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Treat yourself to an explosion of flavor with sushi and steaks at Tokyo Wako in Pasadena. This Japanese restaurant serves Asian-inspired cuisine in a sleek space. Tokyo Wako offers an extensive menu that includes appetizers, seafood dishes, salads, soup, noodles and a host of entrees — all cooked with fresh ingredients. Enjoy sashimi, nigiri and innovative sushi rolls. Tokyo Wako also serves Japanese yakiniku, grilled meat dishes, delivering the perfect yin to seafood's yang. Complement your meal with an exotic cocktail. Popular with the locals in Pasadena, Tokyo Wako caters to private events. It boasts banquet rooms that can be used for everything from large corporate events to business functions. Located on Colorado Boulevard, this restaurant is open daily.

Top review

Nancy

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Service is very good. Food needs to be improved. Fried rice overcooked was turned blackened food Simon Fish overcooked was dry I ordered scallop but come wrong dish Simon and shrimp

Pez Coastal Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (48)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Executive Chef & Proprietor Bret Thompson, with a rich culinary background spanning prestigious establishments in the U.S. and abroad, brings his expertise to Pez Coastal Kitchen. Joined by his wife Lucy Thompson-Ramirez, they have left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles dining scene with their previous ventures, including the beloved Pez Cantina and LA Burrito Co. in Montebello, but at Pez Coastal Kitchen,Chef Bret’s focus shifts to innovative techniques such as curing, smoking, and specialized dry-aging of seafood which will be a distinctive feature.

The menu at Pez Coastal Kitchen reflects our culinary team's commitment to excellence, offering a tantalizing array of appetizers, chilled seafood, crudos, family-style entrees, exceptional sides, and innovative desserts. From Chilled Beets with hazelnuts to Whole Fried Fish and decadent desserts like Warm Chocolate Butterscotch Peanut Butter Cake, each dish is crafted with precision and creativity.

Top review

William J .

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Wife’s birthday, she had a Great time! Alongside friends and family.

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