Since January 7, 2025, the Pasadena-Altadena region has been hit hard. In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Pasadena and Altadena saw their communities disperse after thousands lost homes or were displaced from this bustling Northeast corner of Southern California. The impacts have been heartbreaking, including for restaurants: Recent weeks have seen a temporary closure for the 20-year-old Perry’s Joint while Bar Chelou permanently closed in February. Chef Doug Rankin stated that nearly 30 percent of his regular customers lived in adjacent Altadena.
Pasadena, of course, is well-known for its historic suburban neighborhoods and annual Rose Parade. With a slew of openings over the past few years and always-busy standbys scattered around town, the City of Roses is still one of Los Angeles’s most diverse and notable dining scenes. In this update, we add in the gloriously revamped local icon Panda Inn, as well as Pez Coastal Kitchen; Perry’s, which is temporarily closed, and the late Bar Chelou leave the map. Here are the best Pasadena restaurants to try right now.