Low Cost · Pasadena
Cheap Restaurants in Pasadena, CA — Best Prices
Compare restaurants prices in Pasadena to find the best deal. All businesses are reviewed — cheap doesn't mean low quality.
As of July 2026, RatingsNearMe ranks 20 restaurants in Pasadena, CA by the RNM Score — a 0–100 rating built from Google ratings, review volume, sentiment, and profile completeness. The top-ranked is Mercado Pasadena with a 4.5-star rating from 738 Google reviews and an RNM Score of 92/100. Also in the top tier: Nick's Pasadena and Russell's. The average rating across all listed restaurants in Pasadena is 4.4 stars from 1,575 reviews per business on average.
Restaurants in Pasadena range from $ (budget, under $15/person) to $$$$ (fine dining, $60+/person).
Rankings updated July 4, 2026 · RNM Score = ratings (35%), review volume (30%), sentiment (20%), completeness (10%), availability (5%) · Not paid placement.
Best Overall
The Arbour
The Arbour stands out as the top-ranked restaurant in Pasadena for its innovative, seasonal menu and exceptional dining experience.
Most Reviewed
Urth Caffe Pasadena
A high number of reviews indicates a popular and widely visited spot, reflecting consistent customer interest and reliable word-of-mouth reputation.
For a refined meal, book ahead at The Arbour or Union Restaurant; for a casual, quick option, Urban Plates and Urth Caffe are excellent choices, but expect longer waits at peak hours.
Local Market Snapshot
20
Businesses listed
4.4★
Avg rating
1,575
Avg reviews
Jul 4, 2026
Last updated
Top Rated Restaurants
Praised by hundreds of customers, this Pasadena restaurant holds a strong 4.5-star rating.
140 S Lake Ave #101, Pasadena, CA 91101, USAHighly rated Pasadena restaurant with 4.7 stars from over 1,500 Google reviews.
336 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USAA popular Pasadena favorite with a stellar 4.6-star rating from over 1,600 reviews.
30 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103, USARestaurants Rankings in Pasadena, CA
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mercado Pasadena140 S Lake Ave #101, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA | 4.5★ | 738 |
| #2 | Nick's Pasadena336 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA | 4.7★ | 1,554 |
| #3 | Russell's30 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA | 4.6★ | 1,680 |
| #4 | Yard House300 E Colorado Blvd Ste 220, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA | 4.4★ | 2,794 |
| #5 | Gale's452 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA | 4.5★ | 997 |
| #6 | Urth Caffe Pasadena594 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA | 4.4★ | 4,971 |
| #7 | Union Restaurant37 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA | 4.5★ | 855 |
| #8 | Houston's320 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA | 4.5★ | 3,231 |
| #9 | True Food Kitchen168 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA | 4.4★ | 2,146 |
| #10 | Mi Piace25 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA | 4.2★ | 1,995 |
Ranked by verified ratings & review volume · Data from Google Business listings · Updated July 2026
All Restaurants in Pasadena
With 4.4 stars from over 2,700 reviews, this Pasadena restaurant is well-regarded.
300 E Colorado Blvd Ste 220, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
4.5 stars from nearly 1,000 reviews, a trusted Pasadena dining choice.
452 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
This Pasadena restaurant has a 4.4-star rating from thousands of reviews.
594 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Popular Pasadena restaurant with 4.5 stars from over 850 reviews.
37 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA
A popular Pasadena restaurant with a 4.5-star rating from over 3,200 reviews.
320 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
A solid 4.4-star rating from over 2,100 Google reviews.
168 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
Consistently rated 4.2 stars from nearly 2,000 Google reviews.
25 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
Over 1,500 Google reviews contribute to this Pasadena restaurant's strong 4.5-star rating.
270 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
A popular Pasadena restaurant with 4.5 stars from over 1,100 Google reviews.
146 Shoppers Ln, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Popular Pasadena restaurant with a solid 4.3-star rating from over 650 Google reviews.
455 S Lake Ave Suite 102, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Earned a 4.7-star rating from over 570 reviews in Pasadena.
527 S Lake Ave #120, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
A solid 4.3-star rating from over 530 Google reviews.
40 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
Highly rated family restaurant with 4.3 stars from nearly 400 reviews in Pasadena.
146 S Lake Ave #103, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Consistently earns 4.7 stars from nearly 200 glowing Google reviews.
1035 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91106, USA
Boasting a solid 4.0-star rating from over 100 Google reviews, this Pasadena restaurant is a reliable choice.
540 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Highly rated with 4.4 stars from over 3,400 Google reviews in Pasadena.
80 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
A popular Pasadena restaurant with 4.5 stars from nearly 1,900 reviews.
269 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
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Restaurants in Pasadena, CA — Compared
| # | Business | RNM Score | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercado Pasadena | 92/100 | 4.5 ★ | 738 |
| 2 | Nick's Pasadena | 83/100 | 4.7 ★ | 1,554 |
| 3 | Russell's | 82/100 | 4.6 ★ | 1,680 |
| 4 | Yard House | 78/100 | 4.4 ★ | 2,794 |
| 5 | Gale's | 80/100 | 4.5 ★ | 997 |
| 6 | Urth Caffe Pasadena | 78/100 | 4.4 ★ | 4,971 |
| 7 | Union Restaurant | 80/100 | 4.5 ★ | 855 |
| 8 | Houston's | 80/100 | 4.5 ★ | 3,231 |
| 9 | True Food Kitchen | 78/100 | 4.4 ★ | 2,146 |
| 10 | Mi Piace | 75/100 | 4.2 ★ | 1,995 |
Ranked by RatingsNearMe Score · ratings (35%), review volume (30%), sentiment (20%), completeness (10%), availability (5%) · July 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions — Restaurants in Pasadena
How do I find the best restaurants in Pasadena?
Look for businesses with 4.5+ stars, 50+ verified reviews, proper licensing and insurance, and transparent pricing. The top-ranked restaurants in Pasadena on this page are scored by our algorithm that weighs ratings, review count, and profile completeness.
Are restaurants in Pasadena licensed and insured?
Licensing requirements vary by trade and state. For most home service contractors, CA requires both a state license and liability insurance. Always ask any contractor for proof of current insurance and a copy of their license number before work begins — you can verify most licenses on your state licensing board's website.
How much do restaurants charge in Pasadena, CA?
Prices vary by scope, materials, and contractor experience. Use the free quote form on this page to request estimates from multiple local pros simultaneously. Getting 3+ quotes is the single most effective way to avoid overpaying.
What should I look for when hiring a restaurants in Pasadena?
Verify licensing and insurance, read recent reviews on multiple platforms, ask for a written estimate before work starts, confirm they pull permits when required, and check references from recent local projects. Featured businesses on this page are ranked by verified ratings and review quality.
How are the restaurants on this page ranked?
Rankings use a transparent algorithm: star rating (35%), review volume (30%), customer sentiment (20%), profile completeness (10%), and availability (5%). Featured Partner listings have paid for enhanced visibility but must still earn their position through real customer reviews — sponsored listings are clearly labeled.
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How Rankings Work on This Page
Every restaurants on RatingsNearMe is scored transparently: star rating (35%), review volume (30%), customer sentiment (20%), profile completeness (10%), and availability (5%). Businesses labeled exclusive or premium are Featured Partners — they have paid for enhanced visibility but must still rank through real customer reviews. We cap sponsored boosts so bad businesses can never buy the top spot.
Editorial notice: Ratings are based on publicly available data from Google Business listings. Consumers should independently verify licensing, insurance, and credentials before hiring any service provider. Last updated: July 4, 2026.
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