With the almost endless amount of South Pasadena Restaurants restaurants that show up when you search for something to eat in the area, it can feel like an overwhelming task to find the right restaurant to satisfy your cravings.
But have no fear, we are going to make your life a little bit easier. Our local guide has handpicked the 11 best restaurants that South Pasadena Restaurants has to offer.
The 11 Best South Pasadena Restaurants
Canoe House
Canoe House is easily the best Hawaiian restaurant in South Pasadena and the area within a 20 mile radius of it.
When you walk through their doors, you will be immediately transported out of the hustle and bustle of the city and into a relaxed Aloha vibe.
Their menu is large and encompasses everything from breakfast to dinner and some highlights of their menu include the short rib loco-moco, the Hawaiian fried rice and the macadamia nut french toast.
Save some room for dessert because the pineapple upside down cake, a la mode, is seriously a treat for the taste buds.
805 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Gus’s Barbecue
Although you can start a heated debate when you ask locals which South Pasadena restaurants serve the best breakfast, pizza or burgers, there’s one thing this city universally agrees upon, the best barbecue in town can be found at Gus’s
This South Pasadena classic has been around for many years and has been serving the community quality southern barbecue and they have no sign of letting up.
Their menu is extensive and has everything a barbecue can dream of, but there are a few items that stand out from the rest. Their St. Louis spare ribs is some of the best you will ever taste. Their smoked sausage is brimming with incredible flavors and their fried chicken is always cooked to perfection. Oh and I forgot to mention, you have to start things off with the cast-iron cornbread which comes with jalapeño jelly and honey butter.
808 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Fiore Market Cafe
Fiore is a quaint and cozuy restaurant that flies under the radar of most residents and is one of our favorite South Pasadena restaurants for lunch. The owners of the restaurant turned a once old apartment into a cozy little affair that goes unnoticed to the untrained eye.
When it comes to food, they are serving up some really tasty sandwiches. The short rib is absolutely delightful and one of the best I ever had. The pork belly hits all the right notes and the textures is just a pleasure to bite into.
Fiore is the perfect place to order a sandwich, sit on the patio and chat with friends, family and acquaintance as the afternoon makes it way through the day.
1000 Fremont Avenue South Pasadena, Ca 91030
Radhika Modern Indian
When you want to treat your taste buds to the exotic flavors of India, you come to Radhika, the best Indian restaurant in South Pasadena.
Everything here is good and we mean EVERYTHING, but we especially love the Kashmir Lamb Shank, which is slowly and delicately cooked with dry ginger, fennel, kashmiri chilies, asafetida, mustard onion seed and topped with their house yogurt sauce. The meat is fall-of-the-bone tender and the spices works so harmoniously together to create a sensational tasting experience. Dip the naan bread into the sauce and you will be in heaven.
966 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Modan Artisanal Ramen
Your search for the best ramen restaurant in South Pasadena can begin and end at Modan Artisanal Ramen.
The broth is the heart of ramen and the broth at Modan is labored over for hours, resulting in a thick and rich soup that just nourishes the soul.
If its your first time, get the Modan ramen. It starts with their signature pork bone broth and layered with pork chashu, wood mushrooms, scallions, seaweed paper, marinated soft boiled egg and finished off with a drizzle of black garlic truffle oil.
One taste and you will understand why locals love this place so much and why we had to include this on our list of best South Pasadena restaurants.
700 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Cos&Pi
Put Cos&Pi at the top of your list for best breakfast and brunch in South Pasadena. This local favorite is serving up all your breakfast favorites and while there isn’t anything innovative or unique about their menu, their commitment to perfecting simplicity makes them stand out from the rest.
Once you bite into their flaky and buttery breakfast croissant with its two thick pieces of bacon and the runny eggs, you’ll understand why there is a constant line out the door.
303 Pasadena Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Tomato Pie Pizza Joint
Any self-respecting guide to the best South Pasadena restaurants needs at least one pizza joint on it and we couldn’t be happier to endorse Tomato Pie Pizza Joint.
Tomato Pie Pizza Joint crafts the best NY style pizza in town with the most amazing thin crust. You can give a slice to any New Yorker and it will past the smell, touch and taste test.
They also have a huge menu with pastas, calzones, salads and various appetizers. Be sure to get more than a few garlic knots, those things are seriously addictive!
Tokoro Sushi
Tokoro is a great family-owned sushi spot that’s serving up some of the best sushi in South Pasadena.
They have an extensive menu and whether you are in the mood for rolls, sashimi, tempura, teriyaki or even salad, they have options to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
They have a great selection of classic rolls and innovative ones that are sure to satisfy. Try the Tummyrocker Roll, it comes with spicy tuna, jalapeno and avocado topped with yellow-tail, avocado, onion, garlic ponzu and their spicy sauce.
They also have great lunch specials where you different boxes and bowls for a great price.
802 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Aro Latin
Aro Latin planted its roots in the city in 2014 and has firmly established itself as one of the best restaurants in South Pasadena with its modern take on Latin American cuisine.
On their menu you will find items such as the Paella del Mar, a Spanish rice dish that is layered with mussels, scallops, shrimp, calamari, Portuguese sausage and fish. Other notable items include Mole Poblano con Pollo, a Oaxaca chicken dish that is smothered in a sweet and savory chocolate based sauce.
They are super gluten free friendly with many options available and they have a menu for vegans as well.
When it comes to drinks, they have a full bar program with mixologist crafted drinks, craft beer, wine and an awesome selection of tequila.
1019 Mission Street Suite:B, South Pasadena, CA 91030
The Raymond 1886
A hidden gem nestled in a cozy enclave in a residential neighborhood, The Raymond is one of the best upscale restaurants in South Pasadena.
Come here when you want a dining experience that includes great drinks, stellar food and an warm and quaint ambiance.
The proper way to start things off at the Raymond is to order up a drink from their much acclaimed bar. You can’t go wrong with theFermi Paradox, a concoction crafted by mixologist Andrew Garcia, where bourbon, St George spiced pear, sage honey, lemon, and egg white harmoniously intertwine to produce a drink worth writing home for.
When you are ready for food, wet your appetite with their refreshing steak tartare and then move on to their filet or sea bass. Save some room for dessert because their Peaches and Cream Butter Cake is out of this world!
Fosselman’s Ice Cream
And last but not least we have an ice cream shop that should be your first consideration when thinking about dessert in South Pasadena.
Fosselman’s has been around since 1919 and has more than a century worth of history behind it. Their commitment to using only the finest locally sourced ingredients has helped them stand the test of time.
They offer 48 different flavors of classics, seasonal and a few innovative ones. They also serve up sundaes, banana splits, malts and ice cream sodas.
My go to flavor is their mint chocolate chip. They use pure peppermint extract and combine it with guittard milk chocolate to create a incredibly tasty treat for the taste buds. If you dare say it taste like toothpaste, I might have to fight you!
Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit.
She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.
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