HOW TO SPEND A 24-HOUR STAYCATION IN PASADENA
With its tree-lined streets, picturesque parks, and Craftsman-style homes, Pasadena may very well be Los Angeles’s quintessential suburban paradise. However, scratch beneath the well-manicured lawns to find a neighborhood that is as dynamic and as diverse as any in greater Los Angeles. From timeless institutions to modern hit-makers, the dining destinations in the neighborhood reflect the tastes of its residents and the tourists who visit year-round. The itinerary below highlights some of the most essential places to eat while exploring the city and its many attractions, including The Huntington, the annual Rose Parade, Old Town Pasadena, and more.
8 a.m. — Coffee and croissants at Artisanal Goods By Car
Start the day at Artisanal Goods By Car, where owner Haris Car prepares stellar espresso drinks and Los Angeles’s ultimate chocolate croissant. For an a.m. pick-me-up like no other, warm up to a cup of spiced drinking chocolate or a shot of choco-spresso. The chocolate-based drinks are made from sustainably sourced cacao beans and highlight each origin’s unique flavor profile. For those who prefer a more traditional coffee drink, the cortados and flat whites are great, too. The shop’s deftly made bean-to-bar chocolates make for fantastic food souvenirs. 1009 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena.
9 a.m. — Georgian breakfast at Old Sassoon Bakery
The smell of freshly baked bread has been wafting out of Old Sassoon Bakery and down Allen Avenue since 1986, beckoning passersby to stop in for a taste of Haroutioun Geragosian’s signature beorags (savory hand pies), lahmajoun (flatbreads), and soul-warming khachapuri. The boat-shaped Georgian breakfast flatbread comes topped with a blend of cheeses, a single runny egg, and a few pats of melted butter. While soujouk (sausage), basturma (dried beef), ham, bacon, and chorizo are on hand for topping, the simplest version is usually the most satisfying. While in the neighborhood, stop into Garo’s Basturma for some house-made dried beef and Vrej Pastry for an intricately layered slice of honey cake. 1132 Allen Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91104.
11 a.m. — Morning snack at Roma Market
Snag “the Sandwich” for a mid-morning snack at Roma Market. Renowned city-wide for its simple and satisfying prowess, the Sandwich is the creation of Rosario Mazzeo, the deli’s 85-year-old owner who still holds court in the market most days. Its foundation, a sturdy Italian roll drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt, is layered with provolone, mortadella, spiced coppa, and salami. A vegetarian version is made with cheese and artichoke hearts. Peruse the market’s impressive selection of imported goods from Italy, including bronze-cut pasta, holiday panettone, and more. 918 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena.
12:30 p.m. — Legendary lunch at Pie ‘N Burger
Little has changed at Pie ‘N Burger in its 60-plus-year history. Cash is still the only accepted form of payment, the best seats are still the wooden swivel chairs stationed along the Formica counter, and the two namesake dishes remain comforting and consistent. The burgers are expertly layered with all-beef patties, crisp iceberg, house-made Thousand Island dressing, and dill pickles between griddle-toasted buns, while the pies’ flaky crusts come filled with either seasonal fruits (summer’s ollalieberries and spring’s rhubarb are among the favorites) or curds, puddings, and creams that are available year-round. From Caltech professors to local AYSO teams, Pie ‘N Burger has been serving the diverse Pasadena community since 1963. 913 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91106.
3 p.m. — Afternoon sweet treat at Carmela Ice Cream
Jessica Mortarotti opened Carmela Ice Cream on the edge of Pasadena after years of selling her delightful ice creams from a pushcart at local farmers markets. After lunch, swing in for a seasonal scoop made with organic milk. The list of flavors changes from day to day, but tubs of the shop’s perennial favorites like salted caramel, mint cacao, lavender honey, and brown sugar vanilla bean are always ready for the regulars. The scent of freshly shaped waffle cones and cups fills the air, enhancing the experience. 2495 E. Washington Boulevard, Pasadena.
5:30 p.m. — Pre-dinner drinks and bites at Bar Chelou
Chef Doug Rankin brought an award-worthy restaurant to Pasadena when he opened Bar Chelou in the Playhouse Village, which was named LA’s best new restaurant of 2023 by Eater. While it’s hard to classify Rankin’s cooking into a neat category, his well-composed plates go heavy on vegetables, lean into global influences, and never shy away from flavor. While dinner reservations can be tough to come by, the inviting bar area takes walk-ins. Order a few small bites to share – the clam toast with leeks, boquerones, and scallop tartare are exemplary – along with a cocktail or a glass of wine to ease into the evening. 37 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.
7:30 p.m. — Chinese feast at Colette
Gather ‘round the lazy susan for a Cantonese feast by chef Peter Lai at Colette in Hastings Ranch, about a 15-minute drive from Old Town. The new-school spot made waves in LA’s Chinese food scene in 2023, capturing the attention of diners for its spectacular riffs on classic Cantonese dishes and wholly innovative creations. While the restaurant’s name and Instagram-friendly decor remain unchanged from the previous tenant, the menu is completely new. Find the chef’s signature crispy chicken stuffed with shrimp paste atop every table, along with heaping platters of beef chow fun, salted egg yolk shrimp, and sweet and sour pork. Dinner reservations, along with advance orders of the more labor-intensive dishes, including winter melon soup, Singaporean chili crab, and stir-fried lobster with sticky rice, are imperative. 975 N. Michillinda Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91107.
9:30 p.m. — After dinner drinks at 1886 Bar
It’s possible to get a well-made cocktail at many Pasadena-area restaurants, including Maestro and Agnes in Old Town, but make the trek to 1886 Bar in the city’s southwest corner for the kind of vibes only found at a historic institution. Whether you order a seasonal special or one of a half-dozen classics, each one is shaken or stirred with care and is best sipped around the firepits on the patio. 1250 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105.
11:30 p.m. Late-night bites at Lucky Boy
Head to this Pasadena institution for the final meal of the day. Place your order with one of the gruff fellas at the front window and wait for your number to be called. The dish to get is Lucky Boy’s famed breakfast burrito, jam-packed with hash browns, eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, chorizo, or ham, which is a favorite for regulars at all times of day and night. Spanning eight inches in length and weighing in at close to two pounds, this flour tortilla-wrapped behemoth has been fueling residents since 1973. 640 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena.