Guidebook for Pasadena
Food Scene
This is the closest gourmet coffee shop to our house and it's honestly one of the top 3 in Pasadena. #3 to be exact, but the other two are not walking distance. It's a great destination to go to for a fresh morning walk for a quick coffee and brunch. They don't have big meals, but they do have delicious pastries, toasts, salads, and sandwiches.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lavender & Honey® Espresso Bar
1383 E Washington BlvdThis is the closest gourmet coffee shop to our house and it's honestly one of the top 3 in Pasadena. #3 to be exact, but the other two are not walking distance. It's a great destination to go to for a fresh morning walk for a quick coffee and brunch. They don't have big meals, but they do have delicious pastries, toasts, salads, and sandwiches.
Carmela Ice Cream
2495 E Washington BlvdBest ice cream shop in town
This is our favorite restaurant in Pasadena. It's a fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, French, and Korean cuisines. I've never had a bad dish there. Everything is amazing.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Abricott
238 South Lake AvenueThis is our favorite restaurant in Pasadena. It's a fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, French, and Korean cuisines. I've never had a bad dish there. Everything is amazing.
Best Thai restaurant in Pasadena. It's owned by the same owners as Abricott, so many of the Thai dishes that you will find here are on Abricott's menu as well, but this restaurant is exclusively Thai. It's not a fusion.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Daisy Mint
1218 E Colorado BlvdBest Thai restaurant in Pasadena. It's owned by the same owners as Abricott, so many of the Thai dishes that you will find here are on Abricott's menu as well, but this restaurant is exclusively Thai. It's not a fusion.
#1 Coffee shop in Pasadena and, in my opinion, in all of Los Angeles. They won 3rd place for coffee in all of Southwest U.S. They have incredible breakfast and lunch sandwiches as well. Best Croque Madame in town!
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Copa Vida
70 S Raymond Ave#1 Coffee shop in Pasadena and, in my opinion, in all of Los Angeles. They won 3rd place for coffee in all of Southwest U.S. They have incredible breakfast and lunch sandwiches as well. Best Croque Madame in town!
2nd Best Coffee shop in Pasadena. I recommend the Lavender Breve here. It's AMAZING! Great vibes, just not much seating.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters
260 Allen Ave2nd Best Coffee shop in Pasadena. I recommend the Lavender Breve here. It's AMAZING! Great vibes, just not much seating.
My favorite Pizza place in the WORLD! Think of Chipotle, but pizza. It's $8 for a personal pizza with unlimited toppings of every meat, cheese, sauce, and veggie you can imagine. It will blow your mind!
84 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blaze Pizza
667 E Colorado BlvdMy favorite Pizza place in the WORLD! Think of Chipotle, but pizza. It's $8 for a personal pizza with unlimited toppings of every meat, cheese, sauce, and veggie you can imagine. It will blow your mind!
You know those hole in the wall ghetto restaurants that end of being a gold mine? This is it! This place has the best orange chicken I have ever had in my life! And I've had lots of really good orange chicken. In fact, all their dishes are amazing and I've had several Chinese friends of mine verify that this place is legit, authentic Chinese food. Great quality, cheap price, they do delivery.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
China Express
1519 N Lake AveYou know those hole in the wall ghetto restaurants that end of being a gold mine? This is it! This place has the best orange chicken I have ever had in my life! And I've had lots of really good orange chicken. In fact, all their dishes are amazing and I've had several Chinese friends of mine verify that this place is legit, authentic Chinese food. Great quality, cheap price, they do delivery.
This is the place that basically invented Fried Chicken and Waffles. Now it's a pretty well known dish, but they've been doing it for decades with no hipsters ever noticing. My wife is Southern and she certifies that Roscoe's has the best fried chicken in LA.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles - Pasadena
830 N Lake AveThis is the place that basically invented Fried Chicken and Waffles. Now it's a pretty well known dish, but they've been doing it for decades with no hipsters ever noticing. My wife is Southern and she certifies that Roscoe's has the best fried chicken in LA.
I am not a hot dog person at all. In fact, I have never bought a hot dog anywhere in my life except for at the grocery store and Dodger's Stadium...until I found Slaw Dogs. This place has all kinds of gourmet Bratwurst with the most psychedelic toppings you can imagine. I have taken many friends here and no one has ever been disappointed.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake AveI am not a hot dog person at all. In fact, I have never bought a hot dog anywhere in my life except for at the grocery store and Dodger's Stadium...until I found Slaw Dogs. This place has all kinds of gourmet Bratwurst with the most psychedelic toppings you can imagine. I have taken many friends here and no one has ever been disappointed.
Best donut shop in Pasadena. Trust me. My wife and I have been to all of them. This one is a hole in the wall, but it's the best.
Pronto's Donuts
1441 E Washington BlvdBest donut shop in Pasadena. Trust me. My wife and I have been to all of them. This one is a hole in the wall, but it's the best.
Best Burrito's in town! And it's walking distance.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Burrito Express
1597 E Washington BlvdBest Burrito's in town! And it's walking distance.
Super delicious Persian/Mediterranean food for incredibly affordable prices. Fast food steak dinners. It's amazing.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
U Pick Cafe
720 N Lake AveSuper delicious Persian/Mediterranean food for incredibly affordable prices. Fast food steak dinners. It's amazing.
This place is a local favorite. It has won "Best Chicken in LA" from multiple renowned foodies and newspapers. It's super delicious and the portions are huge. My wife and I always order one plate and split it and we're always stuffed. I know it's Mediterranean...I think Lebanese, but I'm not sure.
Shawerma's my fav :)
121 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zankou Chicken
5065 Sunset BlvdThis place is a local favorite. It has won "Best Chicken in LA" from multiple renowned foodies and newspapers. It's super delicious and the portions are huge. My wife and I always order one plate and split it and we're always stuffed. I know it's Mediterranean...I think Lebanese, but I'm not sure.
Shawerma's my fav :)
Best taco truck in Pasadena. This is as authentic as it gets when it comes to taco trucks.
Arturo's TacoTruck
400 Fair Oaks AveBest taco truck in Pasadena. This is as authentic as it gets when it comes to taco trucks.
Cronut gourmet ice cream sandwiches. They even have several Vegan ice cream flavors that are all bomb and I'm not vegan. Need I say more?
Bengees
901 E Del Mar BlvdCronut gourmet ice cream sandwiches. They even have several Vegan ice cream flavors that are all bomb and I'm not vegan. Need I say more?
Donut Ice cream sandwiches. Not as sensational as Cronuts (at Bengees), but they have better toppings here and I like the the ice cream flavors better here too. So I'm torn by my love for Afters and Bengees. I don't know if I could ever decide which one I love more. Both are glorious!
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Afters Ice Cream
1265 E Green StDonut Ice cream sandwiches. Not as sensational as Cronuts (at Bengees), but they have better toppings here and I like the the ice cream flavors better here too. So I'm torn by my love for Afters and Bengees. I don't know if I could ever decide which one I love more. Both are glorious!
Outside of San Gabriel not many people know that San Gabriel is the world capital of boba. Nearly every boba shop in this city is above and beyond anywhere else in America. It's crazy! It's like their on a whole other level somehow. So Factory Tea Bar is my second favorite spot after Tea Republic. It's really big and loud and they have lots of board games you could play. Kind of a younger crowd...could be a good or bad thing depending on your taste. If you like quiet go to Tea Republic. If you like loud go to Factory Tea Bar.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Factory Tea Bar
323 S Mission DrOutside of San Gabriel not many people know that San Gabriel is the world capital of boba. Nearly every boba shop in this city is above and beyond anywhere else in America. It's crazy! It's like their on a whole other level somehow. So Factory Tea Bar is my second favorite spot after Tea Republic. It's really big and loud and they have lots of board games you could play. Kind of a younger crowd...could be a good or bad thing depending on your taste. If you like quiet go to Tea Republic. If you like loud go to Factory Tea Bar.
This is a probably the best boba shop in Pasadena. Unfortunately, Pasadena is not the world capital of Boba. We have good boba and if you want something quick and easy go to this spot. But I have to warn you it's really hit or miss here. Sometimes it's amazing and sometimes it sucks. It's not really consistent. If you are a boba snob like me and you want the best boba imaginable then drive 15 minutes south to San Gabriel, the world capital of boba. You will be blown away.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Au79 Tea Express
1671 E Colorado BlvdThis is a probably the best boba shop in Pasadena. Unfortunately, Pasadena is not the world capital of Boba. We have good boba and if you want something quick and easy go to this spot. But I have to warn you it's really hit or miss here. Sometimes it's amazing and sometimes it sucks. It's not really consistent. If you are a boba snob like me and you want the best boba imaginable then drive 15 minutes south to San Gabriel, the world capital of boba. You will be blown away.
Yes. We have a Chick-Fil-A in Pasadena. Calm down now...I know...it's pretty flippin amazing :)
98 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chick-fil-A
6750 Sunset BlvdYes. We have a Chick-Fil-A in Pasadena. Calm down now...I know...it's pretty flippin amazing :)
The best burger in Pasadena and arguably one of the best in the world. A little overpriced, but they do claim to have discovered a new taste bud called Umami. I'm serious. It's a scientific fact. Google it :)
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Umami Burger
49 E Colorado BlvdThe best burger in Pasadena and arguably one of the best in the world. A little overpriced, but they do claim to have discovered a new taste bud called Umami. I'm serious. It's a scientific fact. Google it :)
Lee's Sandwiches
8779 E Valley BlvdBest Banh Mi in Pasadena. Mr Lee's :)
If you want to go have a super romantic, classy brunch then this is the place to go. It's expensive, but the atmosphere is incredible and the food, drinks, and baked goods are AMAZING! And they're great for lunch and dinner too. They're just known for brunch.
288 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Urth Caffé
459 S Hewitt StIf you want to go have a super romantic, classy brunch then this is the place to go. It's expensive, but the atmosphere is incredible and the food, drinks, and baked goods are AMAZING! And they're great for lunch and dinner too. They're just known for brunch.
This place is an INCREDIBLE Chinese bakery. I didn't even know that China had bakeries until I found this place. If you've never had Chinese baked goods this place is a must. You will be astounded at the variety and richness of flavor in every baked good you eat. They have pretty good boba and tea as well. We like the hot Taro Tea.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
85°C Bakery Cafe
61 S Fair Oaks AveThis place is an INCREDIBLE Chinese bakery. I didn't even know that China had bakeries until I found this place. If you've never had Chinese baked goods this place is a must. You will be astounded at the variety and richness of flavor in every baked good you eat. They have pretty good boba and tea as well. We like the hot Taro Tea.
This it the best vegetarian/vegan place in town. They have meat too...but it's organic. In fact, everything is organic, local, and they have plenty of gluten free and paleo options as well. It's one of the hottest, newest restuarants in LA. They've had a location in Santa Monica for years and this is their second location. And of course, they chose to open it in Pasadena :)
95 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
True Food Kitchen
395 Santa Monica PlThis it the best vegetarian/vegan place in town. They have meat too...but it's organic. In fact, everything is organic, local, and they have plenty of gluten free and paleo options as well. It's one of the hottest, newest restuarants in LA. They've had a location in Santa Monica for years and this is their second location. And of course, they chose to open it in Pasadena :)
If you want to find one super classy, yet unique restaurant for a romantic date that will "wow" your spouse...this is it. The Raymond is the quintessential Pasadena restaurant experience. If you want to truly experience the history, culture, and cuisine of Pasadena the Raymond is the place to do it. The building was built in 1886 and was a restaurant off and on since 1901.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Raymond Restaurant
1250 South Fair Oaks AvenueIf you want to find one super classy, yet unique restaurant for a romantic date that will "wow" your spouse...this is it. The Raymond is the quintessential Pasadena restaurant experience. If you want to truly experience the history, culture, and cuisine of Pasadena the Raymond is the place to do it. The building was built in 1886 and was a restaurant off and on since 1901.
Super duper cute cafe. My wife is obsessed with this place and and lady who goes here will be too.
Lincoln Avenue
Lincoln AvenueSuper duper cute cafe. My wife is obsessed with this place and and lady who goes here will be too.
Have you experienced the Cupcake craze yet? Well, Sprinkles is the pioneer of the cupcake craze in America and they are honestly still the best. Their original location is in Beverly Hills, but this one is just as good. I highly recommend ordering a cupcake ice cream sandwich.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sprinkles Americana at Brand
629 Americana WayHave you experienced the Cupcake craze yet? Well, Sprinkles is the pioneer of the cupcake craze in America and they are honestly still the best. Their original location is in Beverly Hills, but this one is just as good. I highly recommend ordering a cupcake ice cream sandwich.
This place has the best cake in the world. I'm not a cake person, but this cake is the best I've ever had in my life. The atmosphere here is incredible. The food and coffee is great too. It's a restaurant. But they're cake is what we go there for.
310 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Alcove
1929 Hillhurst AveThis place has the best cake in the world. I'm not a cake person, but this cake is the best I've ever had in my life. The atmosphere here is incredible. The food and coffee is great too. It's a restaurant. But they're cake is what we go there for.
The most epic foodie spot in LA. If you are a foodie you HAVE TO GO to Grand Central Market!
968 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gran Mercado Central
317 S BroadwayThe most epic foodie spot in LA. If you are a foodie you HAVE TO GO to Grand Central Market!
Sightseeing
Our city hall is the most iconic and one of the oldest buildings in the city. It's grounds are always open and well lit at night. It's a romantic and fun place to walk around in the day or night.
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
City of Pasadena City Hall
300 S Raymond AveOur city hall is the most iconic and one of the oldest buildings in the city. It's grounds are always open and well lit at night. It's a romantic and fun place to walk around in the day or night.
Now that NASA is gone, JPL is once again the space exploration capital of America. It was on the Martian movie with Matt Damon. It's pretty hard to get a tour here. You have to book it way in advance, but if you plan it out with enough time you could get a tour and I hear that it's amazing. They're the ones who sent out the Mars Rover. They were built out of Cal Tech before NASA ever existed and were thus pioneers of American space exploration.
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove DrNow that NASA is gone, JPL is once again the space exploration capital of America. It was on the Martian movie with Matt Damon. It's pretty hard to get a tour here. You have to book it way in advance, but if you plan it out with enough time you could get a tour and I hear that it's amazing. They're the ones who sent out the Mars Rover. They were built out of Cal Tech before NASA ever existed and were thus pioneers of American space exploration.
Arts & Culture
This is the best Museum and Botanical Gardens in LA, even better than the Getty in my opinion. But it's not free like the Getty is. It's $18 a person I think. If you've ever seen the paintings of the blue boy and the pink girl the originals are here along with countless other ancient works of art. Their Library holds original manuscripts of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's plays, the journal of John Muir, etc. But the most amazing part of The Huntington are the gardens. They have Japanese, Chinese, Tropical, Desert, Australian, and Rose gardens each one of them is so mesmerizing that it takes you at least an hour to walk through one.
999 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdThis is the best Museum and Botanical Gardens in LA, even better than the Getty in my opinion. But it's not free like the Getty is. It's $18 a person I think. If you've ever seen the paintings of the blue boy and the pink girl the originals are here along with countless other ancient works of art. Their Library holds original manuscripts of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's plays, the journal of John Muir, etc. But the most amazing part of The Huntington are the gardens. They have Japanese, Chinese, Tropical, Desert, Australian, and Rose gardens each one of them is so mesmerizing that it takes you at least an hour to walk through one.
This museum has a huge collection of Rembrandt, Fragonard, Goya, Degas, Vuillard and Picasso. Also, it has an entire floor of ancient eastern art. It's definitely a place to visit if you have time.
485 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Norton Simon
411 W Colorado BlvdThis museum has a huge collection of Rembrandt, Fragonard, Goya, Degas, Vuillard and Picasso. Also, it has an entire floor of ancient eastern art. It's definitely a place to visit if you have time.
FREE MUSEUM!
If you want to go to one of the greatest art museums in the world and definitely the most renowned on the West Coast, go to The Getty. My favorite is still the Huntington, but The Getty is larger and more renowned.
2309 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Getty
1200 Getty Center DrFREE MUSEUM!
If you want to go to one of the greatest art museums in the world and definitely the most renowned on the West Coast, go to The Getty. My favorite is still the Huntington, but The Getty is larger and more renowned.
Pasadena is known as the city where "Craftsman" architecture was perfected on the West Coast and The Gamble House is the pinnacle example of craftsmen architecture. It's the winter home of the founder's of Proctor & Gamble. It's pricey to go to, but if you're into craftsmen architecture it's a must.
157 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Gamble
4 Westmoreland PlPasadena is known as the city where "Craftsman" architecture was perfected on the West Coast and The Gamble House is the pinnacle example of craftsmen architecture. It's the winter home of the founder's of Proctor & Gamble. It's pricey to go to, but if you're into craftsmen architecture it's a must.
Getting Around
The Metro Gold Line takes you straight into downtown LA. It's a 30 minute ride. And from DT you could go anywhere in LA County.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Allen station
The Metro Gold Line takes you straight into downtown LA. It's a 30 minute ride. And from DT you could go anywhere in LA County.
Parks & Nature
This trail leads to a waterfall...perhaps the only waterfall in LA county. And it's much more beautiful now that the rains have come.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eaton Canyon Falls Trail
Eaton Canyon Falls TrailThis trail leads to a waterfall...perhaps the only waterfall in LA county. And it's much more beautiful now that the rains have come.
Eaton Canyon is a state park great for camping and hiking
167 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eaton Canyon
1801-1945 Veranada AveEaton Canyon is a state park great for camping and hiking
Great place for a morning jog or to take the kids to play. There is a huge park and a 3 mile running track around the stadium grounds with magnificent views of the mountains.
575 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estadio Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl DrGreat place for a morning jog or to take the kids to play. There is a huge park and a 3 mile running track around the stadium grounds with magnificent views of the mountains.
Everything Else
This is a place where there is nearly 24/7 worship and prayer to Jesus. If you've never been to a house of prayer I encourage you to go even if you are not a Christian. It's not a church. It's a neutral place where musicians from all over Los Angeles rotate leading live worship every two hours from 6 am to 10 pm M-S. The prayer is private and individual as you sit in the atmosphere of worship. So bring a book or your laptop and soak in the presence of pure worship to God.
PIHOP - Pasadena International House of Prayer
1403 N Lake AveThis is a place where there is nearly 24/7 worship and prayer to Jesus. If you've never been to a house of prayer I encourage you to go even if you are not a Christian. It's not a church. It's a neutral place where musicians from all over Los Angeles rotate leading live worship every two hours from 6 am to 10 pm M-S. The prayer is private and individual as you sit in the atmosphere of worship. So bring a book or your laptop and soak in the presence of pure worship to God.