8 New Must-Try Restaurants in Pasadena for Your Get-Together

Pasadena is a great city that attracts a steady stream of new residents and visitors. The weather, the sights, and the lovely neighborhoods make Pasadena one of the most sought-after Los Angeles destinations. Locals also love the local restaurant scene. Besides the standard lineup of local favorites, Pasadena has recently seen a lot of new restaurant openings.

 

Here’s a list of great new and recently opened eateries in Pasadena to try with your friends, family, colleagues, or clients. When you’re not just grabbing an espresso or bubble tea from one of the city's many cafes, sit down and enjoy one of these restaurants.

Bar Chelou is an upscale new restaurant offering gourmet European and other international cuisines. The menu features fresh meats and vegetables prepared creatively in new and exciting combinations. Entrees include indulgent Ibérico Pork Chop, Bluefin Tuna, or Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye. Bar Chelou is ideal for anyone with refined tastes eager to try something new. Afterward, save room for Brûléed Cheesecake and other fine desserts.

Marina Pasadena is a recent addition to the Pasadena scene that more than lives up to the city’s reputation for great food. Marina features finely crafted Italian food with a distinctly Southern California influence. What makes this Pasadena restaurant outstanding is not only the quality of the dishes and the beauty of the presentation but also the ingredients sourced locally in California. Enjoy the tastes of Italy and So-Cal alongside a well-paired glass of wine for a memorable night out in Pasadena. You can make reservations or place an order through the restaurant’s website.

This old favorite in Old Pasadena recently reopened for a fresh experience. Chef Tony features dim sum and other traditional Cantonese fare brought to you by the brilliant mind of Chef Tony He. The small portions and delectable bites allow you to fill up slowly as you try as many tantalizing dishes as possible. Enjoy the culture, the taste, and the atmosphere at Chef Tony Dim Sum.

The name of this restaurant is Spanish for “two kisses,” and that’s what you’ll want to give the chef at Dos Besos. The presentation is fantastic, and the cuisine is comfort food and novelty all rolled into one. Words can’t do justice to the dishes at Dos Besos, so it’s highly recommended that you check out the restaurant’s Instagram page, especially if you like lobster. In addition to great meat and vegetable tapas, Dos Besos has mastered the art of seafood. Reserve a table and enjoy the best of land and sea indoors or on the outdoor patio at Dos Besos.

The George is a great place to enjoy high-end versions of classic American and European cuisine. This instant classic of a restaurant offers meals that are hearty as well as elegant. Enjoy meals such as the 7-oz. George Burger with Angus beef, candied bacon, and gruyere cheese complemented by tomato chutney, arugula, and roasted garlic aioli. Come for dinner, brunch, or happy hour and enjoy cocktails with a cultured and refined meal.

Fogo de Chao serves a special cuisine that even many seasoned foodies have yet to try: Brazilian barbeque. The restaurant may have other locations, but don’t take Fogo for an ordinary chain. Their Pasadena location houses in-house dry-aged meat lockers, and guests can marvel at the culinary skill of Fogo chefs at the restaurant’s open-air churrasco grill. Enjoy your meal with a Brazilian-inspired cocktail, Brazilian beer, or South American wine. The restaurant is open for lunch, brunch, dinner, and happy hour. You can also enjoy the convenience of takeout, curbside pickup, or delivery from Fogo de Chao.

One of the great things about living in a cultured city like Pasadena is that you can enjoy cuisine from around the world, including elsewhere in the U.S. The city’s new Howlin’ Rays offers a taste of the American Midsouth with classic Nashville-style hot chicken. With half a dozen different heat levels and everything from wings to whole birds, Rays will have you howling for more classic Southern cuisine. Whether or not you can stand the heat, you won’t want to leave the kitchen at Howlin’ Rays.

Le Chateau de Tien Tao is a polished, high-end Asian restaurant brought to you by an experienced chef from Taiwan’s capital. Taipei. Le Chateau’s menu is top-notch, but given the aesthetic perfection of the restaurant’s culinary presentation, you need only see their online photo gallery to understand the appeal. These beautiful dishes include Bone Marrow Rice with Ribeye, Seared Scallop, and Tiger Prawn Thai Salad, just to name a few. The appetizers are equally delicious, and they still manage to work in satisfying favorites like salmon and Wagyu beef in the starters.

These are just a few new must-try restaurants in Pasadena. You’d have to be a local to try them all, and if that sounds like something that would interest you, a Pasadena real estate agent could help make it happen. Laurie Turner is a local agent with properties throughout the city and the surrounding area. She can show you the best neighborhoods in the area, including those that place you near local restaurants and entertainment. Contact Laurie Turner when you’re ready to get to know this culinary capital from a Pasadena real estate agent’s perspective.

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