Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

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

Shiro Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1680)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Shiro has been named the Zagat Guide's number one restaurant and is consistently one of the highest rated establishments. Shiro is summed up by it's ingredients. Menu items are driven by the best available, nothing less is acceptable. For over 38 years, diners have enjoyed our French and Pacific Rim inspired menu. A tradition of fine dining with excellent, friendly service.
Specially priced " TASTE OF SHIRO" menu is available every Wednesday and Thursday.
The evening's menu is posted around 3pm each day.

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

LindaGold

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent service and delicious reliable food especially the shrimp mousse wontons. Keep up your tradition Sherril!

Sabrina’s Pizzeria Napoletana

4.9

4.9 (211)

$31 to $50

Italian

Montrose

About the restaurant

Welcome to Sabrina’s .
We’re so glad you’re here.
Sabrina’s is a family-owned restaurant rooted in a deep respect for Italian tradition. While many new restaurants lean into reinvention, our philosophy is grounded in authenticity—in our food, our service, and the atmosphere we create. We believe that perfection in traditional dishes leads to the most memorable experiences.
We serve Neapolitan-style pizza, traditional Italian pastas, rustic entrées, and house-made desserts in a welcoming indoor-outdoor setting. Every dish is crafted with the highest quality ingredients, including imported Italian flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh fior di latte mozzarella.
Located in the heart of Montrose Village in Glendale, Sabrina’s is a place where friends and families come together to enjoy genuine hospitality, timeless recipes, and the warmth of community.

Top review

Edik

Dined 6 days ago

Very nice place with great pizza, appetizers, meals, desert! We had the steak and branzino in addition to few pizzas and that all were delicious. Staff is very professional. Our waitress was from Greece and very friendly. Had a fun evening and great food. Highly recommend.

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The Proper Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (687)

$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

RichardGold

Dined 3 days ago

Food was incredible, and the service was outstanding! Definitely coming back

Chifa 國偉

4.8

4.8 (56)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Eagle Rock

About the restaurant

Join us for a taste of our Chinese Peruvian Family recipes! We offer traditional Cantonese, Taiwanese, and Peruvian dishes (grandmother approved!). Our in-house created cocktails and mocktails (with botanicals) will ready your palette as we prepare your meal. We also have a selection of natural/bio wines. Celebrate with family & friends over a delicious meal and great conversations!
Lunch: Walk-Ins
Dinner: Walk-Ins and Reservation

Top review

StuartGold

Dined on 15 Oct 2026

Delightful and unique restaurant well worth a drive! Service was super friendly and the menu very delicious.

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Experience

Black Pepper Lobster Pre-Order

Casa Cordoba - Montrose

4.8

4.8 (730)

$30 and under

Spanish

Montrose

About the restaurant

Casa Cordoba was established 2013 to deliver a truly authentic Spanish dining experience. Located in a classic Spanish building in the heart of beautiful Montrose, Casa Cordoba presents a truly immersive experience where Angelenos can step out of the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and experience a Taste of Spain.

You can experience Casa in our magical garden, dining room, or wine bar. We offer authentic Spanish cuisine including an extensive tapas menu, specialty paellas, and much more to go along with our hand selected wine list representing various regions of Spain.

Top review

AnahitGold

Dined 5 days ago

Always love coming here. The service is great, the food is always delicious and cooked to perfection. Going on the weekend add an extra fun treat since they have live guitar music. Overall 10/10

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Experience

Live Music at Casa Córdoba

Experience

Wine Wednesday 50% Off Bottles

Experience

Happy Hour @ Casa Córdoba

Queen's Raw Bar & Grill

4.8

4.8 (58)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Eagle Rock

About the restaurant

Queen's Raw Bar & Grill brings southern east coast charm to Eagle Rock with impeccably fresh seafood, ice-cold martinis, and warm neighborhood hospitality. From oysters piled high on ice and lobster rolls to wood-fired specialties and our signature burger, the menu blends shoreline classics with the best of California's seasonal bounty. Whether you're joining us for a casual weeknight dinner at our horseshoe bar or celebrating a special occasion on the covered patio, fair winds and full glasses await. We can't wait to see you.

Top review

Steve

Dined on 14 Oct 2026

Ok, already a fan, but sitting at the beautiful bar (we requested it) was so great. Bunny was so cool and gracious, as was the whole team. Clams Casino? I’d fly from out of state for that, and the chicory Caesar with anchovies was killer. Martinis were flawless, and the fries tasted amazing dipped in Kaluga caviar. Our fourth visit. My favorite along with Hermon. So good. Thanks Team Queen’s!

Gale's

4.7

4.7 (3549)

$30 and under

Italian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Gale's Restaurant is a totally local Pasadena spot for delicious Northern Italian fare, tucked away from the tourist chains in Old Town. Couples, families and friends that seem to have just finished a day outdoors snuggle among the brick walls and small marble tables, drinking cocktails and wine from elegant Brighton goblets. Start off with Bruschetta, Burrata Salad or Gale's Simple Salad and then move on to the country-style Tuscan steak or one of the house made ravioli specials. For dessert, don't miss the Tiramisu or Gale's iconic Coconut Cake. The wine list is a favorite among the guests for it's variety and excellent value.

Top review

Walter

Dined 3 days ago

My favorite place to eat in Pasadena, especially the outdoor seating

Wife and the Somm

4.7

4.7 (162)

$30 and under

Californian

Highland Park

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Glassell Park, Wife and the Somm is a charming neighborhood bistro that invites you to indulge in a world of culinary delights and exquisite wines. Step inside and be greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance, where the aroma of fresh, seasonal ingredients fills the air. The ivy-covered walls and cozy interior create a sense of intimacy, while the spacious patio and front courtyard offer a delightful al fresco dining experience.

Husband-and-wife team Chris and Christy Lucchese, passionate about food and wine, have curated a menu that showcases their love for fresh, locally sourced produce and expertly paired wines. Their ever-evolving seasonal offerings feature an array of shareable plates, from handmade pastas and charcuterie boards to roasted baby beets with whipped feta and toasted almonds. Each dish is a testament to their culinary artistry, designed to tantalize your taste buds and complement the carefully selected wines.

Top review

Lynn

Dined 5 days ago

A wonderful experience. My 4th visit. I brought a wonderful friend for their 1st visit. He loved it! Bonita, our server, made all of our interactions engaging while taking great care of us. She gets an A+. The food was excellent. Presentation attractive. Unique ingredients. Memorable. Thank you Wife and the Somm. Until next time.

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Experience

Somm Table

Experience

Sunday Brunch at Wife and the Somm

Experience

Snacks On Us at the Bar

Monna by Gev's Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (73)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Montrose

About the restaurant

Monna By Gev's Kitchen Restaurant invites you to experience a unique fusion of Middle Eastern cuisine and steakhouse favorites with it's live music . Located in the heart of the city, our restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring traditional Middle Eastern dishes and expertly grilled steaks. Join us for a memorable dining experience with warm ambiance and attentive service. Book your table now on OpenTable and savor the best of both worlds at Monna By Gev's Kitchen Restaurant.

Top review

Celeste

Dined on 26 Sept 2026

Delicious, fresh food. The Georgian dumplings are incredible. Also had the lamb chops and they were perfect. Bird milk cake for dessert was top notch. Wait staff are attentive and friendly. Live music contributed to the lovely ambience. Will definitely put this on rotation.

Neighbors & Friends Kitchen

4.4

4.4 (85)

$31 to $50

American

South Pasadena

About the restaurant

At Neighbors & Friends: The Kitchen, hospitality and community come first. Founded by Kaiy Smith-Biesman and rooted in her Black Southern and Italian heritage, The Kitchen brings together soulful Southern comfort and Coastal Italian influence in a way that feels nostalgic, intentional, and unmistakably personal.

Our menu is made for sharing and known for dishes like crispy Hushpuppies, Pickle-Brined Fried Chicken, Oxtail Ragu, and our French Dip Burger. The atmosphere is lively, social, and full of personality. Think 90s hip-hop meets an old-school Italian dinner party with California ease. The music is up, conversations flow, and the room feels alive.

Guests can expect a curated wine and beer program, wine-forward cocktails, local collaborations, and warm hospitality that feels personal, never performative. Located in the heart of South Pasadena near Mission Street, The Kitchen is where friends become family.

Top review

Patel

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was OUTSTANDING !!! From the ambiance to the cocktails, to the staff, to the music, to the table-mates, AND THE FOOD!! The chefs are remarkably talented! I will be back!!!

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Experience

Saucy Chick × Neighbors & Friends

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