Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

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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The Proper Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (596)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Canada

About the restaurant

Where our passion is simple: an approachable menu using the highest quality, best tasting ingredients in a comfortable and elegant neighborhood bar and grill. Our owners, Rick and Lisa Anderson and David and Cater Yost are committed to bringing the best customer experience to La Canada Flintridge. Whether it’s our signature Proper martini, a perfectly seasoned ribeye with Cajun butter, or crispy truffled Brussels that make the mouth water, you’ll savor the quality that our chefs and bartenders bring to every meal.

Come bring your friends and family to an unforgettable dining experience in an elegant and contemporary atmosphere designed to invite and excite.

Top review

CindyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The restaurant was excellent. Loved the food, decor and service was great!!

Bar Chelou

4.8

4.8 (447)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Pasadena

About the restaurant

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 KNOW
Wine 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.

Top review

Jasmine

Dined 5 days ago

I love Bar Chelou! The shelling beans will stay with me forever!

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Gus's BBQ - South Pasadena

4.6

4.6 (2045)

$30 and under

Barbecue

South Pasadena

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

BruceVIP

Dined 3 days ago

I have eaten here for decades through several owners. It has always been good. Good food and a great location.

Star Leaf - Asian Cuisine

4.6

4.6 (186)

$31 to $50

Asian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

As an award winning restaurant group, Star Leaf creates a fine dining experience that combines ingredients and spices that will teleport guests across the Pacific to a tropical paradise. Founded in 2011, Star Leaf Pasadena is our first US-location in the beloved Playhouse Village. Every dish is prepared with passion and respect for the traditions that shaped Asian cuisine. The culinary team selects the freshest ingredients, ensuring each bite is a celebration of flavor and culture, while instilling innovative modern touches.

Top review

David

Dined 4 days ago

Our waiter Mikey was attentive, responsive, and personable. The food was delicious and the overall experience was great. I’ll definitely return here.

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Experience

Star Leaf Happy Hour

Gaucho Grill - Pasadena

4.2

4.2 (309)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

We host a celebration of contemporary Argentine cuisine and the tradition, values, and culture of the Gaucho lifestyle. We take pride in providing our guests with an authentic experience in a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for social and business lunches, entertaining dinners, and fun celebrations. Established in 2016. Gaucho Grill USA began its operation in Hollywood, CA in the early 1990's. The earliest restaurants practiced traditional Argentine cuisine and have been quite successful as a result. The newest location in Downey, CA unveils a new, contemporary approach to fine Argentine steaks, cuisine, and libations. Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse in Downey has a fully-operating bar and nightlife which perfectly complements the already fervent environment within its walls.

Top review

Dave

Dined 5 days ago

great food, good service, however the room is pretty loud.

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Celebrate in Style: Free Birthday Bash at Gaucho!

Craft by Smoke and Fire - Pasadena

4.2

4.2 (644)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Pasadena

About the restaurant

At Craft by Smoke and Fire, we see ourselves as more than a restaurant; our mission is to be a cornerstone in the community. A place where you can find great food made by great people. Craft by Smoke and Fire offers an emotional souvenir in every dish. Craft dishes, Craft cocktails and great entertainment. We don't just feed the body; we focus on the soul. Please note to serve more families in our community, every party has one hour and a half to dine at the table. Thank you again for choosing Craft by Smoke and Fire Pasadena

Top review

HiramVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Love the food, drink menu changed, new drinks not so great

Kalaveras-Pasadena

4.2

4.2 (101)

$30 and under

Mexican

Pasadena

About the restaurant

We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options.
We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 60 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits, as well as carefully crafted cocktails.

Top review

chris

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Went to celebrate my daughter’s birthday & it was fantastic! The servers & staff are top notch! Thank you so much!!!

Le Grand Pasadena

4.1

4.1 (88)

$30 and under

American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Hey, craving something extraordinary? Le Grand Restaurant has epic dining deals packed with flavor, fun, and unforgettable moments!

Start with our 5 for $25 Tapas Deal – choose any five of our chef’s favorite tapas for just $25! Perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo, it’s the ultimate way to explore a variety of bold, delicious flavors.

For a true indulgence, try the Unlimited Tapas Experience at $49.99 per person, where you can enjoy endless servings of our chef’s top picks. Taste as much as you like—it’s an all-you-can-eat dream!

Pair your meal with the Unlimited Cocktail Experience for $27, featuring unique creations by our expert mixologists to complement every bite.

For something hearty, don’t miss our Signature Creekstone Farms Ribeye Platter—a premium 16 oz cut with roasted potatoes, caramelized carrots, cauliflower, creamy mushroom sauce, and peppercorn-parmesan butter. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or family!

Top review

BruceVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Food was amazing. Each small plate hit the mark. Reasonable price. Quick service. Definitely would return again if I’m in the area.

El Cholo Cafe

3.9

3.9 (961)

$30 and under

Mexican

Pasadena

About the restaurant

It all started back in 1923 in a small storefront in downtown Los Angeles. 95 years later and 5 generations later El Cholo has become synonymous with Mexican food all over Southern California.

Our Pasadena venue opened in 2000 and is at the Paseo Mall within walking distance of the Civic Auditorium and Convention Center, overlooking Colorado Blvd.
The menu consists of classics dating back to the original menu along with an array of more modern dishes showcasing the different regions of Mexico.

Four private rooms that can accommodate parties from 40-100 that allows our valued guest a memorable experience no matter the occasion.

Most famously known for our Margaritas and a menu featuring over 150 Tequilas. Both of our bars offer a comfortable environment allowing our guest to relax enjoy their experience.

Top review

Jon

Dined 7 days ago

It was a nice enough place for a quick bite before seeing a show at the playhouse. Staff was very nice and helpful.

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