pizzawarePasadena: you may know it as the home of the Rose Bowl or Norton Simon Museum. Perhaps you’ve driven through Old Town and seen the Victorian and art deco architecture on display there, but did you know Pasadena is also home to some of the best pizzerias in California? The best Pasadena pizza ranges from classic styles to innovative takes.
Come with me now as I guide you through eleven of the most spectacular pizza restaurants in Pasadena.
Most of the pizza shops that Pasadena has to offer are cozy family joints filled with good food and friendly staff, but some of the places on this list offer a more intimate and romantic dining experience, perfect for a date or anniversary.
If any of that sounds enticing to you, then read on and find out what I picked for the top eleven Pasadena pizza shops. Below is a list to get you started. Maybe you recognize a name or two.
Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana
625 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 765-9550
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Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana is an Italian fusion restaurant that serves up some truly spectacular dishes. Aside from the regular pizzas, pasta, and salads, they also have thin crust and gluten-free specials, some truly finger-licking antipasto, and unique desserts, including the Nutella pizza, with both regular and gluten-free options.
The restaurant’s vibe is relaxing and fun, perfect for a family dinner or date night, and the staff is gracious and accommodating.
All pizzas are baked in stone ovens and made with the freshest ingredients. There are also many alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.
Domenico’s
2411 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104, United States
Phone: (626) 797-6459
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Domenico’s is a sit-down family restaurant that offers all of the best comfort foods in huge portions at an affordable price. The restaurant is located in the northeast corner of Pasadena. It has a cheerful and lively atmosphere with plenty of seating and classic décor.
Domenico’s group specials, a plethora of pasta dishes, classic, mini, and gluten-free pizzas, calzones, soups, salads, cold and hot sandwiches, and a whole host of appetizers. They also provide catering services with a wide selection.
Long-time patrons return for the consistently high quality of the pizza and the convivial and comfy atmosphere.
Luggage Room Pizzeria
260 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States
Phone: (626) 356-4440
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The Luggage Room Pizzeria is a train station-themed restaurant full of rich and inviting décor. The atmosphere is bolstered by the historic location and industrial vibes. The Luggage Room also offers indoor, patio, and courtyard seating.
Patrons can expect top-end service with friendly, enthusiastic, and accommodating staff. The pizza is made from crisp and fluffy sourdough, topped with fresh, high-quality ingredients. They offer vegetarian options and kid’s sizes. There are also chopped salads, finger food starters.
Daily happy hour includes 50% off all drinks, including cocktails, beer, and wine, from 8 pm until closing time.
Pie Life Pizza
691 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States
Phone: (626) 720-7095
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Pie Life Pizza is a rustic shop that offers many unique pizzas for any pallet. The atmosphere is calm and intimate thanks to the narrow space and exposed architecture. Pie Life Pizza makes New York-style thin-crust pizza that pairs perfectly with casual and romantic dining.
Pie Life Pizza offers a whopping 17 types of 18” pizzas as well as two specialty pizzas and two gluten-free options. They also have salads, desserts, sides, and appetizers, in addition to catering services. You can buy pizza whole or by-the-slice.
While it may be hard to find this so-called “hole-in-the-wall” establishment, the search is well worth it for the tasty treasure.
U Street Pizza
33 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
Phone: (626) 605-0340
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U Street Pizza is a chic and modern establishment with Instagram-worthy foods. The restaurant is uniquely decorated in an open and urban concept and feels like the perfect cross between a bar and a café.
Just like the décor and atmosphere, the food of U Street Pizza is unique and charming. The restaurant serves a whole host of pizzas, with red and white sauce house pizzas taking the top spots.
They also offer salads, pasta, rice dishes, and even calamari. There are even specialty desserts such as the choco taco and bar drinks to wash it all down.
Cafe Bambino’s
290 N Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106, United States
Phone: (626) 577-5007
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Cafe Bambino’s is a much-beloved, quaint restaurant in the heart of Pasadena. Patrons rave about the exceptionally efficient and friendly staff. They are known for their splendid service and high-quality pizzas.
Cafe Bambino’s offers many types of pizza with light and airy crust, fresh toppings, and rich sauces. They also make pasta, wings, salads, calzones, sandwiches, and appetizers. Be sure to leave room for dessert, though, because they also serve two types of cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate cake, carrot cake, and seven kinds of ice cream.
Cafe Bambino’s serves a wide variety of French fry dishes and cheesy bread, too, so you might need to bring your second stomach.
The Kitchen Italian Cafe & Pizzeria
78 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
Phone: (626) 796-9802
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The Kitchen Italian Cafe & Pizzeria is a spacious family restaurant with a welcoming glow. It sits right off of the 134 and 710 crossing on the corner of Union and DeLacey.
The Kitchen is well known for its friendly and accommodating staff and prompt service. The portions are huge and rich, filled with creamy sauces and gooey cheeses. The Kitchen serves many delicious dishes, including regular, specialty, and by-the-slice pizza, with gluten-free options, pasta, salad, sandwiches, authentic entrees, and appetizers.
Many patrons have been frequenting The Kitchen for years and know the staff by name. This casual relationship between the wait staff and patrons almost makes it feel like dining with family.
786 Degrees – Sapori
1709 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104, United States
Phone: (626) 460-2786
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786 Degrees – Sapori is a quaint restaurant with indoor and patio dining. It offers many unique, award-winning pizzas, including vegetarian, vegan, and no-cheese options.
Located at the northern end of Pasadena, 786 Degrees makes some of the most delicious, gooey, authentic pizzas around. They use only the best ingredients and bake their pizzas in stone ovens.
The staff is very friendly and passionate, giving off that homemade-with-love vibe for every dish. You can order pizzas by whole, half-and-half, or slice options.
Perhaps, most interestingly, 786 Degrees offers a family pizza-making kit so you can build and cook your pizza right at home.
Pasadena Pizza Co.
336 Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91107, United States
Phone: (626) 793-9020
With the full arrays of pizzas, calzones, hot and cold sandwiches, pasta, salads, chicken wings, and desserts, it’s hard to go wrong at Pasadena Pizza Co.
The staff is well known for their friendly and accommodating nature that guarantees a great experience. Enjoy delicious, buttery crusts and fresh, rich topping on the signature pizzas, or take it easy with a sandwich and wings. Pasadena Pizza Co. offers meat lovers and vegetarian options so everyone can enjoy it.
The restaurant is casual and open, with tons of pinball machines at the back to play while you wait for your meal.
Tarantino’s Pizzeria Inc
784 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States
Phone: (626) 796-7836
Tarantino’s Pizzeria Inc is host to one of the coziest retro vibes a restaurant could have. The unique décor and long tables make the place feel like a family member’s house.
Tarantino’s offers a wide array of authentic Italian and fusion dishes, including pizzas, pasta, seafood dishes, sandwiches, antipasto, and desserts.
There is even an all you can eat special for certain dishes after 5 pm. On Monday, it’s the stromboli, spaghetti/supremo on Tuesdays, cheese calzones on Wednesday, and carmines on Thursdays.
You’re sure to love the food, service, prices, and atmosphere at Tarantino’s Pizzeria Inc.
Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta
1007 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030, United States
Phone: (626) 799-1344
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Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta is an affordable pizza joint that offers great service and large portions. The restaurant hosts both indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for any group size.
Try their famous gluten-free pizzas and pasta, or go wild with the 28” MEGA pizza suitable for 8-10 people. You can order whole pizzas or mix it up with a variety of by-the-slice options.
The laid-back atmosphere and diligent service make for an enjoyable and delicious casual dining experience.
Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta serves many brick oven pizzas, authentic pasta dishes, calzones, sandwiches, mini pizza rolls, and pizza fries – a meal unique to the Mamma’s.
Final Thoughts
So, what are your thoughts on my choices for the best pizzerias in Pasadena? Are you eager to try any of them, or do you think I left off any exceptional spots? Let us know in the comments or tell me about your experience in one of these beloved pizza shops.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for or you are looking to try something new, maybe you should give homemade pizza a go. If you want to try making pizza at home, here is a recipe you might find helpful for Chicago Style Deep Dish Meat Lover’s Pizza.
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