Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Pasadena

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best value 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!

Altaeats

4.9

4.9 (774)

$31 to $50

American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Tucked away on the Altadena/Pasadena border,
Chef Paul Ragan brings a feast of flavors to the dinner table.
Join us in our dining room or order the Roastie to go!

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Always a great place that has the best lamb chops in the LA area. We dine out at Ulta eats often and have never been disappointed. Dick and Mary

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Popular dish

Beef Wellington

Popular dish

Buffalo Brussels Sprouts

Sugarbird Cafe

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

Elsie

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

This place is perfect for an afternoon tea date with friends or a loved ones. The decorations are adorable and all the items for sale in the shop are great! The tea and the food is so delicious and just all in all a wonderful experience. Definitely will be coming back

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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*

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 1 day 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.

Nick's South Lake Ave

4.8

4.8 (3133)

$30 and under

American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails, an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Nick's Pasadena will reopen on April 12, 2021 for dinner starting at 4pm. We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Lisa

Dined 1 day ago

The service has not been consistent. They used to offer hot towels at the end of dinner. Now you have to ask for it.

Dunsmoor

4.8

4.8 (953)

$50 and over

American

Eagle Rock

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Alex

Dined 1 day ago

Great first experience. Would highly recommend the “chef’s counter” seating for date night. Will definitely be back soon.

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4.9

4.9 (2467)

$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 2 days ago

Noisy restaurant Otherwise everything else was good

Smitty's Grill

4.8

4.8 (2204)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

Pasadena

About the restaurant

The Smith Brothers bring you American comfort food at its best. Our menu features iron skillet cornbread, homemade chicken pot pie, BBQ baby back ribs, and more. Smitty's has always been defined by comfort, from the cozy booths and inviting bar, to the helpful staff who welcome each of our guests home.

Top review

Gwynn

Dined 3 days ago

We loved our experience at Smittys. The staff was welcoming and gave us time to explore the menu and chat - we never felt rushed. The grilled artichokes are not to be missed and it’s about the only place we know that serves sand dabs - yum! Highly recommend!

The Arbour - Pasadena

4.7

4.7 (2074)

$31 to $50

Californian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

The Arbour brings rustic elegant dining to the historic Pasadena neighborhood of south Lake Avenue. Paying homage to the extraordinary agricultural bounty of California, The Arbour’s menu showcases relationships with sustainable local farms and purveyors.

Top review

AlanVIP

Dined 2 days ago

After not going there for several years after not being pleased with our first few visits after they opened, we'd read nothing but stellar reviews, so we thought we'd give it another try. We were not disappointed The quality of the food, service and the overall place was stellar! Out waiter, Thomas (a 30-yr. Veteran of many Pasadena mainstays), could not have been more helpful, knowledgeable, efficient or charming! Food was on par with the best places around town, in terms of taste, creativity, quantity and quality! We re definitely going back, and soon!

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Roasted Mushroom Soup

Arroyo Chop House

4.7

4.7 (2453)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pasadena

About the restaurant

A modern take on the classic American steakhouse, Arroyo Chop House is one of only a few restaurants in Southern California that serves exclusively USDA Prime beef. This strikingly handsome restaurant, inspired by the Arts & Crafts architectural style for which Pasadena is famous, is clad in rich mahogany and the cozy booths are bathed in seductive light.

Our steaks are aged and hand cut daily and then perfectly seared in a 1,500 degree oven. Traditional steakhouse side dishes include creamed spinach, baked potatoes, asparagus spears with hollandaise sauce, and Arroyo Chop House's famous onion rings. We also offer live Maine lobster and fresh fish, Alaskan King Crab legs, fresh oysters, and shrimp. Compliment your meal with a bottle from our award-winning wine list and finish the night with one of our delicious desserts such as a Grand Marnier soufflé, warm apple pie, butterscotch pudding or chocolate pecan pie.

Top review

Dined 4 days ago

Outstanding food and exemplary service. A wonderful night out!

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4.6

4.6 (2079)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Tucked in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, Cafe Santorini is the spot to be in. Offering a variety of delicious Mediterranean dishes and a romantic second floor patio. Perfect for a date, a family gathering or a celebration. Cafe Santorini also offer a large banquet venue, The Rococo Room, which can fit up to 150 guests.

Top review

Shelley

Dined 1 day ago

We have been enjoying dinners at Cafe Santorini for many years and last evenings dinner with friends did not disappoint. We comfortably sat on the patio and the food, ambiance and service were all stellar. A great way to celebrate the holidays.

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Grilled Octopus Salad

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