Best Restaurants Open for Newyears Eve this year in Pasadena – 2024

I said it in Chicago and now I’ll say it in Pasadena, I’ll keep coming back for their seasonal vegan pizza options made with sourdough. Their chili paste, although not made in house, I a must to top any dish. If you don’t want a pizza (serves 1 hungry person or two not so hungry), try their ancient grain bowl with tofu, delicious and fresh. The guacamole and cauliflower wouldn’t be something I order again but they were good. Hadn’t had dates with cauliflower so that was a nice touch. The vibe always feels fresh and nicer than normal restaurants for a cool gather, date night or simply a nice dinner. This particular location of my favorite of three I’ve gone to. It feels fresh and spacious. Offering indoor and outdoor seating in Old Town Pasadena. Service is great, sometimes slower than other times but it gives you time to enjoy more drinks. Drinks are great! I suggest the spicy margaritas. They do have a happy hour but only one vegan option on that menu. Happy Munchies, aVeganAndHer

This is my third time dining here and it did not disappoint. A lovely indoor/outdoor atmosphere is inviting and a great place to eat, drink, and people watch (this location attracts some beautiful people). My server Sophia this recent experience was superb. She was a doll and super attentive and sweet. The meatloaf didn’t disappoint and the iced lavender match latte was a perfect way to start my meal. I also found paid parking on the street, it was $2.50 for two hours. I love that I could pay my check through the inKind app.

We stopped in Old Pasadena at this quaint restaurant. The outside seating is very comfortable. We ordered the quacamole, which was excellent, and then we order the best hamburger I've had in a very long time. This is a true farm to table restaurant. The food was so fresh that every flavor was detectable. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in this area!

This place is actually amazing. Some of the best fried chicken I have ever had, it is so crispy and flavorful. They have so many authentic Indonesian and Hawaiian dishes I wish I could have tried more. The staff are super friendly and welcoming, and the portions are great and high value. It is takeout only.

If you know, you know. This little hidden gem serves great Indonesian and Hawaiian comfort food classics. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but if it’s your first time, you must try the crispy fried chicken and the Indonesian fried rice. This place is clearly run by people who care about what they do, and it shows in the quality of the product. There’s not a lot of space inside, so it’s generally a takeout spot, but don’t let that deter you from trying it.

Pre-COVID, there used to be tables and seats to sit down, but now it's takeout only. I haven't had their Fried chicken in a while, so I got some this time. I asked for more of that dipping sauce it comes with, but when I asked for extra sauce, be prepared to pay an extra $1. Still, I'd come back! It's been a couple years, but I still like this place!

Wonderful from beginning to end. I went with family to celebrate my birthday. There were several other birthday celebrations happening the same night and several families out for Sunday dinner. Service was great, I only gave it 3 stars for service because our server definitely farted on a pass by our table, but the hostess was amazing and very attentive she even introduced us to the chef at the end of the night.

Sit at the bar! You'll get even better service than at a table. Last time we were here it was OK ... the food brought us back more than anything. This time they were booked so we sat at the bar, and the service was impeccable. We ordered the beef chili, which has a beef fat candle that you can NOT miss out on, the duck duo and the spaghetti. The food still didn't disappoint, and this time the service at the bar was just phenomenal. Amazing local gem.

One of the best filets I’ve ever had! No bad parts in the meat, the sauce was very tasty, and everything came together very nicely. Complimentary bread. Everyone was very kind and the service was quick. I also got the chocolate mousse to go and it was quite bitter. It is an acquired taste.

Drink and desserts: good Services: great Food: meh CostPrice: too pricey for its quality We arrived Friday before 5pm and didn’t have to wait for a table. We were here specifically for DineLA menu $65/pp for 3 course-meal. The atmosphere and services were good. It reminded me of steakhouse in some kind of historic house (turns out the place is Raymond Hotel owner’s caretaker’s home). Food was extremely underwhelming and under-seasoned. Corn soup wasn’t creamy and it was like from an instant pack and worse Kale salad was alright but hubby said he felt it wasn’t fresh. Maybe he was looking for veggies’ crunchiness and there was none. Steak - they didn’t ask for temperature, so we asked. The server said it is cooked medium rare. For an old-school American restaurant to cook steak like this, it’s a hard pass for us. Steak was worse for similar steak in Urban Plates and $45/pop on their regular menu. Very chewy and rubbery. Sauce had the weird mint? Fries were good Sea bass - it was under-seasoned and could have been more flaky outside. Rice wasn’t complementing the dish well. Desserts were the highlights - we liked it.

We ordered the eggs Benedict and crab cake Benedict. They were both perfect! The pancakes and cinnamon roll were also great. But what really sells this place is the atmosphere. Great place for a first date.

I've driven by this spot for over a decade and never thought to stop and explore. Now I know, I've been missing out on something truly special. Raymond 1886 is a hidden Pasadena legend, seamlessly combining historic charm with culinary excellence. Located in a beautifully preserved craftsman cottage with an incredible history, the ambiance is both inviting and sophisticated. Ask about the Raymond family legacy if you stop by, it's quite a story. Make sure to reserve a patio seat during sunset, the dappled light alone is a delicacy. I hear the happy hour is wonderful, perfect time to drop by and enjoy this beautiful hidden gem. The cocktail selection is outstanding, featuring creative drinks that are expertly crafted. They take pride in their hand crafted ice as well, which is intentionally shaped to cool the drink without diluting the ingredients. Not many other places put this much intention and thought into what they offer. The menu offers high-quality dishes that highlight seasonal and local ingredients. I was especially impressed by the Pasta Bolognese with beef and veal ragu. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall dining experience. The exceptional quality and atmosphere make it worth the visit. I can honestly say, this is the perfect spot for special occasions or a memorable night out and I wish I'd explored it sooner!

With a reservation took 10 minutes to be seated. Table had no straws in cup for straws. Had to ask for water to be refilled. Had asked for lemons for water. Got a plate with three. After using one a waiter took the other two before having a chance to use others on water refill. All without asking if we were done with them. Asked for steak to be medium-well. Steak was more pink than expected. Ribs were awesome. Baked potato was awesome. Coleslaw was delicious. French fries were ok. Brownie with ice cream was ok. Apple stredul was delicious.

This place has it all. Food is exceptional, service is excellent, atmosphere is exquisite. First time ever having artichoke and it was quite a nice experience. But the ribeye was to die for. I thought it would just be seasoned with salt and pepper, and when I took my first bite I died, went to heaven, and was resurrected. Absolute flavor explosion in my mouth, crazy good stuff. Very sophisticated interior too designed for small parties and an intimate dining experience. Absolutely 100% would recommend you will not be disappointed.

Houston’s is definitely a must try restaurant. The kitchen is always busy cooking some amazing food. The food is always cooked to perfection. The staff is very friendly & attentive. They also have great drinks which a waitress will offer a drink while you wait to be seated. There’s usually a long wait but you can enjoy the Koi fish while you wait.

First time having French food, and this place set the bar sky high. Absolutely incredible food, service and ambiance. Everything tasted exquisite and looked stunning. Had the Dine LA menu plus escargot and got to try so many different dishes. Each one was unique and incredible. Amazing experience.

Food and service was top-notch. We showed up 3 hours early. Host placed us at bar and took care if us. Good eas delicious and atmosphere was out of this world. The wine paring was spot on.

Great atmosphere, definitely a nice date place. The service was great and friendly. I didn’t have a reservation but they were able to give me a seat at the bar. I ordered the onion soup and beef tartare. Supposedly onion soup is their signature dish, but it was really salty, I was a bit disappointed…. Because it was a $20 bowl of soup. The beef tartare was excellent, it would be nice if they offer one extra slice of bread and some more salad leaves. I was happy that they have half bottle of wine that I can order. Wine list is quite nice.

This place is fantastic for lunch or dinner, dine in or take out. The food is fantastic and is super tasty with lots of selection. One of the better American restaurants with great service and nice ambiance. The portions are good and very filling, overall a great experience.

This restaurant opened in 1979 in its first location on Green Street. It moved to a nice location with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, with a specific bar area for drinks. They have an extensive for breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. The ambience is really nice, staff always friendly and professional. The food is always delicious as they use fresh and top line ingredients. Nice family atmosphere. Highly recommend for an excellent family or friends meal.

Delicious food in a retro modern dining room with booths and tables as well as an outdoor patio option. Don't skip on the appetizers, the chicken papaya quesdilla on corn tortilla was scrumptious, my mouth is watering thinking about it. Recommend all dishes featured in photos as they delivered great food across all plates. Paid parking garage available but Green Street Restaurant does NOT validate.

Classic American bistro comfort food done really well. Having wanted to eat here for a some time, I oddly ended up eating at Nick’s twice in two weeks. On both occasions the service and food were top notch. The space has the vibe of old Pasadena money, just modernized. The numerous members of the staff that touch your table were all friendly yet unobtrusive. The cocktails delicious (tip, add some vodka to the berry mock-tail) and the food, though not the most exciting menu, deftly executed. Oh, and that Warm Butter Cake… possibly the most scrumptious restaurant dessert I’ve ever had (twice).

Atmosphere and service were top notch. In my humble opinion, the fried chicken needed some seasoning, maybe a little S&P. The chicken breast was bland, but the buttermilk coating was on point, crunchy. The best part of the meal was the spinach dip and the warm butter cake. The spinach dip was hot, garlicky, and perfectly seasoned,

Cheeseburger was good. Fries are good size but portion size leaves a bit to be desired. Meatloaf dish was decent. Wife ordered the center cut filet which was to come with loaded baked potato which my wife was really looking forward to. Wasn't informed that the potato is only served after 4 p. m. Ambiance is very nice unless your seated in the very rear of the restaurant.

Absolutely delicious dinner with great service. Even sitting outside is cosy. We had the bread with giardinera and salted butter (great bread), the meatballs (oddly smoky), and an arugula salad (huge, may have needed a bit more lemon as we all commented on it and the bottom with more lemon was the best part). Two people ordered the squid ink and lobster pasta and enjoyed it. Two of us shared the spaghetti and meatballs, and the campanelle. The spaghetti and meatballs was huge, but as mentioned above, the meatballs are smoky and it wasn't our favorite. The garlic bread was very cheesy and only toasted on one side so I actually don't think anyone liked it. However, the campanelle was so delicious. The pasta was fantastic and the pork ragu was so good. We really enjoyed the fried rosemary. Our waiter was great at recommending a glass of wine, knowing exactly how to describe each of the ones we were considering.

Food was flavorful. Service was excellent. Reason for not a 5-star rating: 1)although everyone else enjoyed the taste of the food, I found it too salty; 2)we were confined to a table enclosed by the hostess podium at a corner; and 3)the tonnarelli was not al dente although the sauce was rich and tasty.

+Service/Atmosphere: Second time here, but first time dining inside made me really regret our decision. My friend recommended this place to-go during COVID and we really enjoyed the pasta dishes! However, this time around, the atmosphere seemed super rushed on a weekday. Cute ambient lighting and great for a romantic dinner. Although, we came right during the dinner rush and it was completely bright outside. There were a lot of customers both indoor and outdoor. Luckily, we made reservations as we were able to sit inside on a tiny table for 2 people. Service was good, but didn’t feel very welcomed. +Parking: Street parking or paid garage parking is a bit difficult in downtown Pasadena. +Food: They ran out of the lamb belly (fettuccini) early on, so we decided to try this Pesto dish. We were also told to mix the cheese in with the pasta, but I’m not a huge fan of that much cheese. Would not recommend, but if you want all of the cheese flavor, then go for it. 1. Charred octopus with fennel - best dish and highly recommend! 2. Torchetti - Pork ragu pasta. This was the best dish and would recommend, but we definitely preferred the lamb belly pasta dish. Good portion and even flavors. 3. Bucatini - We did not like the vegetarian pistachio pasta dish. The pasta felt undercooked and lacked flavor. Previously tried my friends tonnarelli cacio de Pepe, which was delicious and the lamb belly during Covid. Not sure what happened to the flavors, but oh well. +Dessert: 1. Crostata di nocciole - hazelnut was a perfect complement to the raspberry 2. Not sure if we got the olive oil cake or the pear cake, but it was just okay. We preferred the vanilla ice cream. +Drinks: 1. Nebbiolo Piemonte 2020 - This glass was very refreshing for a hot Summer day and a red wine. Good match for our dinner. 2. My BF always gets a sparkling / Italian soda drink anywhere we go, since he’s not a huge fan of drinking. We recommend any Italian soda drink. Overall, the food is a hit or miss, atomosphere is just okay, but not very welcoming. Waitress was nice though and provided a nice wine selection. Order the meat pasta dishes.

Went here on my birthday it was my first time but won't be my last and the staff was amazing the food was so flavorful they even sang a happy birthday song to me

The company I work for had a post meeting meal here on a Friday right around noon. The food was pretty good, depending on what you ordered. The portion size was good as well. Some of the menu items are more authentic than others but were still good. The tables are average for a restaurant in both style, appearance, and size, but can be combined for larger parties. The service was great. We were a larger group of about 10, and even though we had one server, some of the other staff assisted with chip refills and serving us the plates. I didn't notice many families with younger children, but because of our party size, we were moved to a wall area to combine tables. Over all its a good place to eat.

In my professional opinion, this establishment offers an exceptional culinary experience specializing in Mexican cuisine and beverages. The service provided is consistently commendable and delivered in a cordial manner. The ambiance is conducive to relaxation and enjoyment, making it an ideal location for dining and unwinding.

Usually a good spot. Had issues with our steaks being over/under cooked. Waited an extreme amount of time. I should say that our waiter and the manager did try their best to help us out. We ended up canceling the steak after what seemed forever. Especially after a group behind us sent their steak back and then got another on in less than 5 minutes.

Wow what an absolutely horrible experience. Food took over an hour to come out and when it did the steaks were not cooked properly and had to be taken back. Our waitress told us their manager would bring out the newly cooked steaks and that definitely did not happen. Another random waitress brought over a random order of food and honestly looked untrained and overwhelmed. Plates and cups stayed long after we had finished our meals and we had to repeatedly ask to have the plates and cups removed. But to top it all off we had a speacial guest join our table. A large roach ridiculous! When we brought it up to the manager they made it seem like it was a normal everyday occurance. So just expect to have a few unwanted guests at your table for dinner happens all the time apperantly! Will never come back to this trashy establishment

I had the 16oz Ribeye, and it was pretty good. It was not the best tasting steak , but it was good enough.

There for a celebration of life…getting together at our friends favorite restaurant…food was as delicious as ever and Lisa our waitress was amazing…she got everything correct, never missing a beat and even shared some laughs and took our group picture…which she said was at one of the best spots in the restaurant, as there was no glare.

Food was outstanding. My kind of hole in the wall place. Kendal (I think that was her name) served us and was outstanding. Especially considering there were 16 of us and we were not her only table. She really hustled. I had the catfish. It was cooked perfect. My grand daughter had the etoufee and it was great. Everyone at the table loved their food. Wished I lived closer.

The place is Amazing, food is ALWAYS hot and fresh. No lamp warmers there. They make your food when you order. Let's talk about those yummy hush puppies they give you while you wait for them to cook! If you're in Pasadena definitely give this place a try. Portions are huge and the prices are right!

Great experience.The young lady, our waitress, had a great personality. I forgot her name, but she plays in a band and was absolutely wonderful. She provided outstanding customer service, and the food was awesome! I had a Stromboli with chili cheese fries and fried mushrooms. My sister had a mushroom burger, and my brother in law had a salad with a Stromboli all very delicious. Great atmosphere we just loved it.

This place is a fun place to watch sports and hang out for a drink. Plus the pizza is good. I tried the meatsub sandwich to try something different and that tasted like cardboard. If you hungry stick with the pizza.

We came here when it was Pi Day. Our server was great, unfortunately we were unable to get her name but she did make sure we were okay. As appetizer we got Fried Pickles and Cheese Sticks. The Fried Pickles were really thin and crunchy. Still good. The Cheese Sticks were really good as well. We were looking up to trying their stuffed pizza but unfortunately they were out of it. We got a XL Meat Pizza. My partner said it was delicious although for me it was like any other pizza. Would definitely come back though to try their stuffed pizza.

This is my go to steakhouse when I'm in the area. The meet is always flavorful and tender. I don't know if you could get anything that would not be delicious. I will be back next month! (Revisited a few months later and another fantastic meal! Maudeens center cut fillet was delicious !)

Came for Fathers Day lunch and was impressed with the service despite being super busy…. Food was amazing and service was great !!! Highly Recommend and will definitely be back again !!!!

One of the few places that has gluten free bread & it is really good. Our ribeye had a little more fat than we like, but it was cooked as requested & flavorful! Landon was a great waiter who was always smiling!

So my husband and I just left this location roughly 30 mins ago. We ordered take out at the bar and drove home to eat which only is 5 mins away. THE FOOD WAS NOT FRIED FRESH AT ALL. We are first timers and ordered the fish and shrimp combos which were $17.98 & to our surprise it’s like the seafood was caught in PetSmart or some miniature aquarium/fish tank, fried earlier and put on our plate. This is not even 4 oz of fish at least. Our sides were just as awful and cold- red beans and rice and corn also hush puppies were definitely “hushed” and hard as a rock. Also red beans were scorched. As far as service it took about 5 mins of awkward silence at the host desk, without knowledge of who would take our order. As someone with Louisiana/Cajun roots, this restaurant did not meet any of the standards set back home. HIGHLY UPSET AT THE MONEY JUST WASTED

Always enjoy the food and service. Food and drinks are more than delicious. Our server Faith always recommends the best drinks that compliment our entrée choices. The swomp Thang was great. I think it's called Hurrycane Hell. Thanks, Faith.

It was a last minute date for me & hubby. We had never gone but my friend had told me I should try it her son use to work here and food was really good. Honestly, they did not disappoint the salmon was cooked perfectly and my chicken was amazing. The manager and waitress were so nice. We will definitely be going back with the whole family. Made our night the perfect date. Thank you!!!

Quaint, little restaurant… it’s been around for quite a while. The interior was a bit dated. BUT the service and food were great. Tamara, our server, was so friendly and kind. Make sure you ask for the rolls with butter! They are served warm and fluffy! I had the spinach salad with grilled chicken along with the hot bacon ranch dressing—So very tasty and all fresh veggies! Hubs had the lunch special of chopped steak with onion and mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes. He said his lunch was good.

This was my first visit and I really loved it! 1.The lighting was perfect, not in your face bright, has a tavern feel and very comfortable 2. The wait staff and Gen. The manager was very helpful and attentive. Made me feel very welcomed and appreciated. 3. Music is not too loud to have a conversation 4. The place is very clean! A+ 5. The food was very good! All American traditional dishes. 6. The ambiance in general is very pleasant. 7. Everything looks very organized and temperature was pleasant 8. They have good homemade desserts Overall I was not disappointed coming here, ( although this place has a long history here but I finally came to check it out ) if you are ever in Pasadena or near Pasadena, I suggest you come here and have someone with you to relax and enjoy the food and conversation

That pineapple paradise is a problem! Great simple cocktail with a nice presentation. The steak was also incredibly full of flavor, and the texture was just perfect! This is absolutely going to be a regular steak spot from now on.

It was my first time there, and I even told the waitress it was my first time, so this plays a part in my evaluation. PROS: staff was cordial, the AC in the bathroom was nice and cool compared to the warm dining room. Coffee was good. Portion size was fair. They had Sugar Free syrup on the table (which was a deciding factor in ordering a waffle), the eggs were cooked as requested. I wasn't feeling good so I wanted something bland and the mashed potatoes and gravy hit the spot! Also, the entire menu is available all day so that is a plus. NEUTRAL: the 3.5% charge for using a credit/debit card is calculated on the price of the meal AND the sales tax combined...see copy of my receipts. CONS: There was a $1.99 up charge for sourdough toast; however, it would have been nice if that was disclosed while ordering. Now the kicker: $9.50 for ONE waffle! We ordered this after eating the main breakfast without the menu in front of us, so when we got the bill, I was beside myself. Plus, the waffle was the same quality you get at hotels that offer a free breakfast...there was nothing special about it...definitely go here if you want overpriced food.

I am from out of town but had driven by here ,so this morning, we stopped. My husband had the special strawberry waffle , with eggs and bacon. The waffle was delicious. From the first bite , I could taste the strawberry. The bacon was amazing , thick, and huge pieces that were cooked just right. I had the 3 egg meat lovers with cheese omelet it was very large and stuffed with meat, I think the cheese was American, which I don't really care for , but it was well melted. I love the fact they let you order half hash browns , a little crispy ( burnt), but did not taste like it. The grits were very good, and they put a spoon in them with butter on it. A soft, fluffy homemade bisquit , completed my meal. The service was outstanding from the moment we walked in and were greeted by everyone. The kitchen is open , so you don't feel like they are hiding what they are doing. As a born and raised Texan , I loved the decor. I will be back to try lunch. I don't know why anyone would go to a chain when this gem is in the area.

Best French toast I’ve had from a restaurant!!!! Flavor is good and they are soft! So yummy. Place is clean, restrooms are clean.

Betty was such an amazing server she was very attentive to our needs. Gave us good recommendations on drinks and food. Loved her service. She's at the bar if you're ever wanting good service. Every time we visit Houston we try to stop at El General it never disappoints.

Me and my family had a great time here. The seafood and drinks were delicious, so many flavors that were new to me and surprised me. Thanks to our waitress, Imelda for her fantastic service and I would definitely recommend coming here to enjoy the lively energy and music.

Best experience by far, had Imelda as our server and was very attentive and quick to answer any questions on the menu I had. Would definitely recommend. only complaint is we didn’t realize no matter how many people (it was 3 of us) they automatically charge gratitude of $89. Other than that everything else was great.

I forgot to take pictures of our food when it arrived, so I’ll just have to go back again ( perfect excuse lol). Our waitress didn’t seem to be having a good day. The chef put his foot in the food we cleaned our plates. The manager walked around asking different tables if everything was to our standards he was very nice. I ordered the triple threat margarita, and it was the bomb. Ordered it twice. When I go back I’ll add pictures of my meal to this review.

We came here after reading an article on the best restaurants to take kids. It did not disappoint. Food was INCREDIBLE, service was so fast and so helpful. The free ice cream was a great surprise! Wish we had one in Tennessee!!

Our food was really good and we had a very capable friendly waitress nabbed Taylor that took care of its very well. Only point for me was I wish my rice would've been greater more thoroughly.. but I won't take away a star for that. I had shrimp fajitas I enjoyed and the white queso was tasty. My partner enjoyed his chicken fajita salad and tortilla soup.. we will return

Although their service here is great, there’s not that many plates I am happy to choose from. The quality of food from Cheddars has definitely changed over the years so I don’t come here often but I came because I took someone out to lunch and this is one of their favorite places. The ambience was laid back and the server was nice and gave me some great recommendations. I went with the chicken Dijon and mushrooms with a side of carrots and broccoli and was able to almost finish my plate. My date had the chicken fried chicken and loved it!

Took a little too long for the drinks and appetizer and we were really hungry but we did manage , and waiter didn't get some of the stuff we order but we got it after asking but once we got our food we were happy , I wouldn't complain but there wasn't a lot of people and it was a Monday so it's ok hopefully they will get our orders a little faster next time , just want to give constructive criticism it's all

This is the only Cheddar’s I’ve ever been to and we come here pretty regularly, at least twice a month, and it never disappoints. I always order something different from the menu and it’s always delicious, and let’s not forget the drinks… the Margaritas are on point. The service is awesome, we’ve never had a bad server. Kudos to management and the whole team.