Best Fun Restaurants in South Pasadena

14 restaurants available nearby

1. Bar Chelou

4.8

Exceptional(458)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • Pasadena

Booked 46 times today

Bar Chelou is a neo-bistro that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin's broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style. 'Chelou' (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel, and fun. The restaurant is located within the Pasadena Playhouse complex. If you plan to visit the Playhouse after dinner, please book a 5:30p reservation to ensure ample timing for your dinner. We also offer concession cocktails before a showing and during intermission. NEED TO KNOWWine corkage is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list. Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius. Gift cards are available for purchase on our website.

2. Le Grand Pasadena

4.1

Excellent(102)

Price: Moderate

• American • Pasadena

Booked 54 times today

Hey, craving something extraordinary? Le Grand Restaurant has epic dining deals packed with flavor, fun, and unforgettable moments!Start with our 5 for $25 Tapas Deal – choose any five of our chef’s favorite tapas for just $25! Perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo, it’s the ultimate way to explore a variety of bold, delicious flavors.For a true indulgence, try the Unlimited Tapas Experience at $49.99 per person, where you can enjoy endless servings of our chef’s top picks. Taste as much as you like—it’s an all-you-can-eat dream!Pair your meal with the Unlimited Cocktail Experience for $27, featuring unique creations by our expert mixologists to complement every bite.For something hearty, don’t miss our Signature Creekstone Farms Ribeye Platter—a premium 16 oz cut with roasted potatoes, caramelized carrots, cauliflower, creamy mushroom sauce, and peppercorn-parmesan butter. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or family!

A photo of Ventanas Restaurant & Bar - The Westin Pasadena restaurant

3. Ventanas Restaurant & Bar - The Westin Pasadena

3.8

Excellent(11)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Pasadena

Booked 3 times today

Come on in and taste the sun at Ventanas! Our acclaimed restaurant spills out onto a warm, welcoming patio overlooking a breezy courtyard. Sip California wines or a freshly made cocktail as you savor our inspired creations from our very own Chef Matthew Howell! With its laidback Spanish vibe and lively bar scene, Ventanas is one of the hottest spots in town for starting your day right with an amazing breakfast, lingering over lunch or spending a fun evening out. Escape the everyday at this Pasadena gem.

A photo of The Dive Oyster Bar restaurant

4. The Dive Oyster Bar

4.8

Exceptional(10)

Price: Moderate

• Oyster Bar • Temple City

Booked 10 times today

Welcome to The Dive Oyster Bar! Indulge in a distinctive coastal dining experience with our finest oysters and lively Cajun and Creole flavors. Our signature steam kettle cooking technique ensures every dish is perfectly prepared. From traditional Cajun classics to creative Creole innovations, our menu promises to excite your palate. Enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere as you savor southern flavors with a Californian flair. Dive into our menu and savor a culinary journey like no other.

A photo of Lemon Poppy Kitchen restaurant

5. Lemon Poppy Kitchen

4.9

Exceptional(5)

Price: Expensive

• European • Atwater Village

UPDATE: Our Summer Nights programming kicks off in June! We are hosting Smoke and Ashes on our patio Thursday June 6th 5pm-9pm, and our Friday Night Fish Fry returns Friday June 7th 3pm-8pm. Join us it'll be fun and delicious!

A photo of Girl & the Goat L.A. restaurant

6. Girl & the Goat L.A.

4.7

Exceptional(4093)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 101 times today

Chef Stephanie Izard and her team are thrilled to have joined LA’s vibrant restaurant community and continue our tradition of serving bold-flavored foods in a fun and lively family-style setting. Stephanie and her team have also crafted new dishes inspired by California produce and local flavors, like carrot-tahini dip with tahini tofu, and curried goat with radishes, pickled vegetables, and masa chips. To enhance the experience we offer a selection of wines from around the world with a focus on small producers, a rotating list of craft beers, and a list of innovative cocktails created by our bartenders. Located in the Arts District at 555 Mateo, Girl & the Goat offers dinner service Monday through Sunday, plus brunch Sunday. Girl & the Goat accepts reservations but always welcomes walk-ins, travelers and adventurers!

7. HATCH

4.7

Exceptional(645)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 12 times today

HATCH is a modern Japanese tapas restaurant that celebrates creative sharing plates and yakitori. Japanese cooking methods with bold international flavors are presented in a fun dining experience. Our beverage program includes handcrafted cocktails, artisanal sakes and rare Japanese whiskies.Our mission is to make socializing as delicious as possible.

8. CULTURAS

new

5.0

Exceptional(1)

Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Downtown

Booked 3 times today

Culturas is a restaurant that offers a taste of Latin America in the heart of Los Angeles. The menu features dishes from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil, all of which are expertly crafted to ensure an explosion of flavor in every bite. The restaurant also has a full bar, serving refreshing caipirinhas, margaritas, and more. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with Latin American music and decor that captures the spirit of the continent. Whether you're looking for a romantic night out or a fun night with friends, Culturas is the perfect place to experience the best of Latin American cuisine.

9. Dahlia

4.9

Exceptional(21)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 4 times today

Experience an intimate space for afternoon tea at Dahlia, our newest DTLA destination nestled amid the Downtown bustle. Enjoy a selection of botanical teas and garden-fresh treats in a cozy setting. Gather with friends for a delightful afternoon within Dahlia’s immersive interiors, designed by Kelly Wearstler. Drawing inspiration from Mexican modernism and Moroccan aesthetics, the space features a rich palette of pinks, warm ambers, and verdant greens, complemented by textured tilework, vintage furnishings, and a stunning glass installation from LA’s Judson Studios. Indulge in curated experience by our talented team, Caroline Styne and Chef Suzanne Goin, showcasing local and seasonal ingredients.

10. Mona Pasta Bar

4.7

Exceptional(67)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 7 times today

Mona Pasta Bar Dinner dishes highlight the marriage of Italian techniques with Southern California ingredients including Pesce Crudo with citrus cured hamachi, kosho beet vinaigrette and hazelnuts, Burrata & Tomato with burrata pugliese, heirloom tomato, pine nuts, pesto and squash blossom, Casarecce with lamb sausage and rapini, Lumache - alla vodka, and a Whole Branzino with caramelized fennel. The menu is designed for snacking over a glass of wine, sharing with friends and/or enjoying a more coursed out dining experience. Pasta, a focal point of the offerings, will all be made in-house.The wine list is focused on fun, daring, low-intervention, natural wines to accentuate and complement the food. The primarily Italian focused list with opening selections from Sicily to Puglia will be rotating based on seasonality and availability.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Steven
California Central Coast •2 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Great service great food I will definitely come back
More info
The Dive Oyster BarPrice: Moderate• Oyster Bar• Temple City
•
4.8
T
Theresa
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We had a reservation for 15 guest and everything from the food plus the service was outstanding. Our waitress was the best!! She was very attentive to all my guest. Multiple of my guest was already planning to come back. Thank you for the amazing experience!!
More info
Le Grand PasadenaPrice: Moderate• American• Pasadena
•
4.1
T
Terry
San Francisco Bay Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We had a wonderful dinner, and a wonderful time at Bar Chelou! The food was a constant flow of unusual, delicious flavors and textures. The service was perfect, from being greeted at the door to table service. Our services paced delivery of the small plates so we could really enjoy them. No rushed feeling here. And our servers recommendations were spot on. Finally, the food was reasonably priced, so we feel we can return again and again.
More info
Bar ChelouPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• Pasadena
•
4.8
A
Alvaro
Los Angeles •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 5 Sept 2024
Excellent service! Turkey avocado sandwich was delicious as was the gazpacho.
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Lemon Poppy KitchenPrice: Expensive• European• Atwater Village
•
4.9
M
Marguerite
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 Sept 2024
They set up a table for 12 for us with 10 minutes notice and did an outstanding job. Great food, service and atmosphere!
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Ventanas Restaurant & Bar - The Westin PasadenaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Pasadena
•
3.8

Best Fun Restaurants in South Pasadena

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14 restaurants available nearby

1. Bar Chelou

2. Le Grand Pasadena

3. Ventanas Restaurant & Bar - The Westin Pasadena

4. The Dive Oyster Bar

5. Lemon Poppy Kitchen

6. Girl & the Goat L.A.

7. HATCH

8. CULTURAS

9. Dahlia

10. Mona Pasta Bar

See what locals rave about