Best Brunch Restaurants in Pasadena
10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Republik Coffee - Pasadena
Tree-lined Lake & Green intersection location with all house-made syrups and sustainable practices
Notable Picks
8.3
Modern European cafe specializing in hand-crafted specialty coffee and fresh seasonal breakfast since 2019. Features charcoal lattes, single-origin espressos, and house-made syrups in an earthy-chic atmosphere with weekend jazz guitarist.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Toast with Goat Cheese, French Toast with Mixed Berries, Lorraine Quiche
What Makes it Special: Tree-lined Lake & Green intersection location with all house-made syrups and sustainable practices
#2
Urth Caffé
8.2
European-style coffeehouse in Mission Revival building serving exclusively heirloom organic coffee and sustainable farm-to-table cuisine. Roasts own coffee, features extensive patio, and offers spectrum from vegan to decadent pastries baked daily with French butter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Salmone on Brioche, Avocado Toast, Earl Grey Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Own coffee roasting operation with heirloom organic beans and made-from-scratch daily pastries
8.1
Husband-wife passion project combining neighborhood cafe warmth with wine bar sophistication. Features Caffe Luxxe coffee, 11 draft beers, and fresh Mediterranean-inspired fare with plastic-free commitment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cordova Breakfast Burrito, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Lox Bagel
What Makes it Special: Family-run spot merging quality coffee with wine bar vibes and sustainable practices
8.1
A Pasadena salad institution since 1979, built around the Dianne Salad — a Chinese chicken salad that moves over 2,000 orders a week — and the signature zucchini bread that arrives with every plate. It runs as a patio-first, group-friendly lunch spot where the menu leans heavily on composed salads with enough variety to keep regulars rotating. Weekend brunch draws crowds and noise; weekday visits land the same food with a calmer room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dianne Salad, GSR Zucchini Bread, Cornucopia Salad
What Makes it Special: Pasadena institution since 1979, famous for the Dianne Salad — a Chinese chicken salad ordered over 2,000 times per week — and their signature zucchini bread served with every salad.
8.1
This spacious dim sum palace offers traditional Cantonese favorites with modern ordering via QR codes. While not technically late-night, their 8 PM closing makes them one of the later options for quality Chinese in Old Town, with generous portions and fast service.
Must-Try Dishes:
XL Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai, Shanghai Soup Dumplings, BBQ Pork Buns with Pineapple Crust
What Makes it Special: All-day dim sum with QR code ordering efficiency
8
Chef Jose Acevedo brings Wolfgang Puck training to elevated Mexican fare, with a mole that skews sweet and tableside guacamole that regulars swear by. The happy hour crowd packs the patio for carnitas nachos and margaritas at reasonable prices—skip it at dinner if you're watching the bill. Works well for groups who want a polished Lake Avenue spot with strong drink service and manageable noise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Guacamole, Chef Jose's Flan, Enchiladas de Pollo en Mole Oaxaqueño
What Makes it Special: Chef Jose Acevedo's signature carnitas recipe passed down through generations, with hand-made tortillas and hand-squeezed cocktail juices
#7
HomeState
8
Austin-transplant Tex-Mex built on house-made flour tortillas that won KCRW's Best Tortilla in Southern California tournament and 12-hour slow-smoked brisket—the breakfast tacos and loaded queso are the core draw. The counter-service format and colorful patio with string lights keep it family-friendly and low-key, though weekend brunch gets loud and the small parking lot fills fast. Taco prices run higher than street-level spots for portions that don't always match, but the tortilla quality and brisket technique justify the trade-off for most regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Tacos, Brisket Tacos, Frito Pie
What Makes it Special: Austin-style Texas comfort food built around flour tortillas made from scratch and slow-smoked brisket, transplanted to Pasadena
Worthy Picks
#8
GRANVILLE
7.9
Farm-fresh California cuisine meets craft cocktails at Pasadena's only rooftop bar. This modern-casual concept emphasizes organic ingredients, hormone-free meats, and scratch-made dishes with global influences.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chipotle Chicken Club, Thick-Cut Pork Chop, Brussels Sprouts
What Makes it Special: Only rooftop bar in Pasadena with panoramic views
7.8
This charming family-owned café run by Chantal and her husband from Bordeaux serves authentic French breakfast and lunch fare with housemade pastries and daily coffee specials. The intimate space features both indoor seating and a side alley patio, creating a genuine Parisian café experience in Old Pasadena.
Must-Try Dishes:
Canelés de Bordeaux, Croque Madame, Salmon and Spinach Quiche
What Makes it Special: Authentic French owners bringing genuine Bordeaux traditions
#10
Yahaira's Cafe
7.7
A family-owned Mexican breakfast cafe on Colorado Blvd where the kitchen runs a tight rotation of egg-and-chorizo plates and oversized breakfast burritos, all served with cinnamon-laced coffee. The patio fills up on weekend mornings with a repeat Pasadena crowd that treats it like a standing reservation—compact and loud inside, but that energy is part of the draw for a spot built around hearty morning plates, not lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Chorizo & Eggs, Mexican Scramble
What Makes it Special: Family-owned Mexican breakfast cafe on Colorado Blvd where the coffee comes with cinnamon and weekend brunch draws a loyal Pasadena crowd to the patio