I went to try this place that that I been looking at every Time that I visit old Pasadena And I finally took the decision to go and try some of their food The service is great and the place is beautiful I had to try a couple of their dishes and I like it, it's decent I would go back? Yes here and there but who knows read more

See all

A+ for ambiance and the service was great. We had the hummus and the pita bread was flat and flavorless. The fried cauliflower had so much balsamic it made our cheeks pucker (not in a good way). The fried calamari was lacking in flavor and the aioli had so much lemon. Our girls enjoyed their pesto pasta. The lemon drops were good. Flourless chocolate cake was dry. Tiramisu was also dry. read more

See all

Stop by here to have a quick dinner after my appointment in Pasadena. I basically googled the place and checked it on open table then booked it. It was on a second level which I wasn't expecting, but not a problem at all, and I was received well by the receptionist. She offered if I wanted the Patio, but since I was alone, I opted for the inside table, which was fine because it was more quiet. Steffi, the table server was super nice in spite of being very busy serving the patio area as well. I had the grilled octopus for my starter, and I'm so glad it was one of the best octopus I've ever had. For Dr the portion was pretty generous so I ended up just ordering the Mediterranean salad. It was really good. But I needed some kind of bread to eat those lemony tangy flavors of both the octopus and the salad, and so I asked Steffi for some bread I guess just to lessen the acidity. She responded sure you can have some, but we charge for it. And at that point, I didn't care cause my food was too tangy to be eaten by itself. I figured for three bucks I can pay for bread that used to be a gratis in most restaurants I go to. And I'm not a person that would nickel and dime everything but because it kind of is weird to be paying for bread in a restaurant like this place. I made sure I checked how much they charged the bread that they served me. Much to my surprise I was charged six dollars for the bread. You'll be the judge if it's truly worth the six dollars. I took a picture of the bread in here. Ambience was good and quiet because I was inside there was only one other table with a couple eating next to me. I looked outside on the patio. It was almost full, and the ambience was really nice also as well. There is paid public parking across the street which was $10 for me for the whole time I ate. Would I go back there? Probably not in the nearest future but will do but not by myself. Wasted too much of the bread and the Pellegrino that I didn't finish. read more

See all

First off, this place is loud due to a pounding drum machine. It's not music, it's electronic crap made to annoy you. Who on earth told you this was a good idea? I am so tired of places playing computer generated garbage instead of music. Service was otherwise excellent. Babaganoush is quite good. Hummus is half tahini - this makes it too rich and too heavy. Dolmas was over spiced. This dish is better when it is more simple. Patio is a nice location if not for the electronic noise. read more

There's a parking structure across the street. You may be lucky to find parking on the street with a 2 hour limit. Free street parking after 8pm. Restaurant was upstairs. The wait staff were alright. The Cafe Greek Salad had too much sauce. Ironically the Faroe Island Salmon didn't have enough sauce, but the sauce was good with the salmon. The lentils that came with the salmon were alright. The Tiramisu was absolutely amazing. Probably the best tiramisu we ever had. Would come back for the tiramisu. read more

See all

I was there this evening with friends. The drinks were definitely watered down...for what they charge for a martini...it should taste like a martini...not water! Shame on Cafe Santorini! Definitely, never going back! read more

A perfect dinner spot. The ambiance is perfect for date night or family dinner night. The service was amazing. Our server Alex is probably one of the best servers I have ever had. He was very friendly, gave great recommendations and took care of all of our needs. The food was great. My pesto chicken and pasta was so good. It was nicely seasoned and the pesto sauce wasn't overpowering. Genuinely, had a great experience and will definitely be back. PS: There is a parking structure right next to the restaurant so don't waste time looking for street parking. read more

We loved this place!! We always go out in Pasadena and somehow didn't know this place was a thing. Service was awesome, food was delicious and very good atmosphere overall. Would recommend outdoor sitting. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Cafe Santorini - LINGUINI CLAMS and FRIED SMELTS - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

I been coming here for almost 30 years. Can't believe how time has flown by. The place is still nice and good to seat on the outside patio. Old town Pasadena has always been a nice spot. Food quality was good as usual. Except no more complementary bread and some surcharge on the bill, which kinda didn't make me feel happy as all the prior times I been coming to this establishment. We are past the pandemic really not a good business practice to use surcharge. Especially for 2 dollar's. I was not happy with it. Probably will not be coming back to this place. read more

See all

Great customer service. A lot of the servers were very attentive. The food was absolutely delicious. I couldn't get over the mussels and that broth that came along with it! Very flavorful. Rigatoni had my heart! So good! Layout was nice and fancy. read more

See all

​We were here for a company event, and the outside balcony is really lovely--it's a beautiful spot in a great part of Pasadena. The food was good and flavorful with a solid variety of Mediterranean dishes, and the staff were both pleasant and helpful throughout the evening. ​However, from a logistics and planning perspective, there is a major accessibility issue: the restaurant is not ADA accessible. You have to navigate large flights of stairs to get to the space, which is a huge factor to consider depending on your group. For parking, there's a lot across the street that runs about $10-$12. It's a nice venue, but the lack of accessibility is a significant drawback for me. read more

I've lived in Pasadena for so long and only walked by this hidden gem until I came here for a friend's birthday lunch. It seems hard to find amidst all the other restaurants in the area, but it's such a clean, classy, and open space. I had both the white and red sangrias, and I think this place makes my favorite sangrias. We had the Gorgonzola and apple salad to start, and I had the Chilean salmon for my entree. Everything tasted so high quality and fresh. I also thought their pita bread was a stand-out with their fresh hummus with olive oil. Servers were attentive and quick to bring and clear out everything as we finished courses. Greek/Mediterranean food isn't my favorite, but this place does it right. read more

Still one of my favorite restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area. Grew up on Cafe Santorini and came back a few weeks back for the first time in over 5 years. The ambiance is lively, service friendly, and food impeccable. For two, we shared the mezze platter, steak frites, and Greek salad. We probably over ordered but every dish was delicious. Service is punctual and friendly. Must get the ashta for dessert (the owners mother makes it). For parking, I'd recommend the structure across the street. Can't wait to come back more frequently. Wish I lived closer. read more

See all

We recently dined at Cafe Santorini and hit it on a perfect weekend afternoon before the dinner rush. Of course we sat on the patio. Shared a starter of tasty stuffed grape leaves. My wife had the rigatoncini al vodka and I had the red curry seafood risotto. Both were delicious. Service was excellent. We left before the crowd rolled in. read more

This is our go to place especially these past 2-3 years. You will never get disappointed with the quality of their food. Service is always excellent. We have tried almost every item on the menu and everything has been amazing. Their fried smelt is one thing that we always get. Appetizers are so good you can literally get full off the appetizers. And if you have a big party or an event you can book it in advance and they set up the corner for your event. read more

See all

We went to Café Santorini in Pasadena for our wedding anniversary dinner and really enjoyed the evening overall. The service and ambiance were nice. The rooftop patio with string lights and a warm vibe made it feel special for our celebration. I ordered the Risotto Seafood, which was yummy and flavorful with perfectly cooked seafood and creamy rice. My husband had the lamb shank, which was tender but unfortunately came with grains that were a bit dry for some reason. We still enjoyed our meal because the drinks made up for it. My red sangria was refreshing and delicious. We took our time, soaking in the beautiful night and architecture from the neighboring building. We ended with their pistachio ashta cake, which was nutty, light, and just sweet enough, paired with yummy Lavazza Black coffee/Americano. Despite the minor issue, we'd definitely come back for another date night to enjoy the ambiance, drinks, and dessert! @jhennybventures (ig/tiktok) read more

See all

The worst restaurant that I have ever been to. Whatever you order, it's very spicy and has no flavor. They should mention on their menus that the foods are super spicy. Also, Prices are extremely high compared to the quality. And lastly, no pet-friendly restaurants. Even though my very small dog was a service dog, two waiters ran to us and said, "You can't have your dog next to you; you should put it on the floor." I hate these kinds of restaurants. My dog was in her bag and wouldn't let me sit next to her. Never come back, and not recommended to anyone. read more

Such a wonderful dinner. The servers were all so kind and amazing. The food was so delicious. Pita and humus was very delicious. read more

Cafe Santorini - CHICKEN KEBAB & Lamb - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Amazing service and great food! Amazing atmosphere and Alex is a great server! Adorable eating area as well! read more

Cafe Santorini - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Everything we ordered was excellent except for the lamb shank- it was hot on the outside but cold on the inside. I think perhaps they microwaved it. My favorite was the Paccheri Al Pesto E Polo, the grilled octopus and the salads but everything was really very good. I also enjoyed the red curry seafood risotto and the chicken kebab. Samuel was very patient, made great recommendations. Coming back again, but not ordering the lamb shank. =) read more

Cafe Santorini - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I would say this is the best restaurant in Pasadena. The chef food is amazing. Every dish We order tasted 10 out of 10. Thank you Alex our server provided such a good service. His so humerous and kind love chat with him such a good time! read more

See all

Located in Old Town Pasadena on Union across from a paid parking structure. There is a sign and the restaurant is on the second floor. There's a bar inside and a few tables with more in a covered outdoor patio. The outdoor patio can be cold on a cool night, so bring a sweater/jacket. They have heaters that are fixed to the building wall, but they are only on one side of the patio. So if your table is on the street side, it's a bit chilly. Service was quick. Recommendations given if asked. They seemed busy and distracted, not overly friendly. We ordered the mezze tasting which was perfect for 6 of us. Has a little bit of everything. My linguini clams was good but not the best I've ever had. Wish I had a bit more of it to fill me up. The apple crisp wasn't my favorite. Presentation is great, place is great for a date night and even big groups. read more

See all

This is the place I go when I'm craving sangria. Great food, great drinks, and a nice atmosphere. read more

Cafe Santorini - Sangria - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I have returned to Santorini now a few times lately after a more than 15 year hiatus. Santorini continues to shine. We had a very nice light meal to celebrate my wife's birthday. The Santorini Mediterranean Mezze plate is is amongst the best middle eastern apps I have had, ever. And it is very substantial, more like a meal than an app (caveat: the pita bread was just adequate.) We also had the cauliflower dish and the pear and walnut salad which were both very good. The cocktails were delicious! (Though a bit pricey...) The service is spectacular. Amongst the best service I have received at any restaurant in Pasadena! Love the intimate and cozy ambiance, the patio, and the out of the way location in Old Town Pasadena. We really enjoyed the fresh electronic music sound track. Lastly, despite the name, Santorini is more of a bistro vibe than a cafe. Highly recommended! read more

Delicious food! Definitely try the Ashta cake, made by hand by the mother. Service was excellent, very accommodating to our requests read more

Café Santorini is an excellent place located in the heart of old town Pasadena in a beautiful historic brick building. They offer indoor outdoor dining and it's very romantic. It is noisy, but the service is excellent and the food is as well. They also have a great selection of wine. read more

This restaurant is five star all around from taste of food to presentation to service and ambience. I usually go here for birthdays because it is a lovely celebration and view from the second floor. I know it's been around for more than 30 years and it will probably be for Many more to come. It is a bit expensive so prepare for that, but you will have a good time. read more

Cafe Santorini - HUMMUS, BOREK, GRILLED CALAMARI salad - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

The location is perfect for a date or close friends. The food is amazing! Proportion wise can improve a little in linguini but it was delicious. My friend's meat was amazing. I would go back and recommend it, plus they sit next to a theatre which perfect for some food and a movie. The service was exceptional as well read more

See all

Ever since I moved to San Gabriel Valley I have been a regular at Cafe Santorini with my family. My previous post speaks volumes of the food quality, service and ambiance. We go there to celebrate all of our special ocasions and every time we visit Old Town Pasadena we have lunch there with friends and family. Their waiting staff is especially nice. I have nothing but good things to say. The food is of course amazing but the owner or the manager is also a really nice person. I once came there on a Monday as it was a 3 day weekend and completely didnt realize that the hours are different. I walked in with my daughter as she needed to use the restroom urgently and the bar staff looked at me funny when I said I wanted to use the restroom and dine there. The owner or the manager said please go ahead. Needless to say I was a bit embarrassed that I forgot it wasnt the weekend but I really appreciated they let my daughter use their restroom even though they were already clearly closed for business. Gestures of kindness like that make me respect this establishment even more. read more

Food and service was ok the drinks were really good! The ambiance very Romantic and elegant

The food and service was really great! Loved the outdoor seating! The food was great and highly recommend! read more

See all

I used to truly love coming here, but after last night I'm not sure I'll return. The service used to be exceptional, and something has definitely changed. I had a reservation and checked in with the host. I'm not sure if she was new, but she seemed overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. She asked if we preferred inside or outside seating and mentioned there would be a wait for outside. I told her we wanted to sit inside. Another employee, possibly a server, came over and the two of them talked for about five to seven minutes while I stood there waiting. After that, the host told me she needed to "get a table set." There were several two-person tables that were already set and available, so I'm not sure why that took additional time. We waited another five minutes before finally being seated. Once we sat down, the server came by right away and asked what we wanted to drink. We only wanted water. Instead of the usual carafes the staff pours for you, they brought over a glass bottle of water and two much smaller glasses. It was a strange change from what they normally do, and now it was completely self-serve. The server then disappeared for about thirty minutes before returning to take our order. We ordered the same dishes we usually get, but what we received was nothing like what we are used to. The pasta was completely different and the flavors were off. I also noticed that the TV at the bar has been removed. I'm not sure if they are trying to position themselves as more upscale with Javier's opening soon nearby, but whatever the intention is, this no longer feels like the Cafe Santorini I've always enjoyed. I left feeling very disappointed. read more

Greece is at the top of my list to visit. And Santorini is one of the coolest places there. So when I heard we'd be having a family dinner at Cafe Santorini prior to my sister's wedding, it was an easy sell for me. We had a reservation at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday evening. Located in downtown Glendale, they don't have a parking lot so your best bet is street parking or a parking garage. Keep in mind, if you're going to park on the street like I did, there's a two-hour limit. Ambiance (4/5): Nice restaurant. We sat on the rooftop patio which is awesome when the weather's nice (it was a bit toasty for us). They have lights on the railings so it's especially picturesque after the sun sets. Service (4.5/5): Taking care of a group of 21 people is no easy task. Our main waiter did a fantastic job. He checked in regularly, was attentive, and didn't make any mistakes. Which is easy to do when you're taking care of such a large group. A job well done. Drinks (4/5): I started with a Oaxacan old fashioned before transitioning to a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. The old fashioned had mezcal as its base. I love that I'm seeing more and more spots do different versions of an old fashioned. Cafe Santorini has a nice cocktail list, wine list, and beer list. Full bar with quite a few interesting cocktails which I always appreciate. Food (4.5/5): Coming in, I was expecting Greek food. While there are Greek influences, the owner is Lebanese so you see a lot more of a Middle Eastern influence. And it's more than that. A fusion of sorts. With Indian and Moroccan dishes mixed in, too. A little deceiving but an interesting menu nonetheless. I had the beef brochette which consisted of tender large cubes of beef tenderloin (cooked medium rare to my liking), rice, a grilled tomato and pepper, and a side of pita bread and hummus. The portion size was generous and everything was delicious. The meat was succulent, the rice flavorful, and the hummus delivered. I also tried some fries and they were well seasoned and delicious, too. A great meal all-around. The dessert, on the other hand, left something to be desired. I had the warm apple tart which is served a la mode with a side of vanilla gelato. Usually a big winner in my book, the thin tart sprinkled with cinnamon was a bit lifeless. Don't come to Cafe Santorini expecting a Greek meal. Come expecting a great fusion meal. read more

I had a recommendation to try this place from over 10 years ago but never got around to it until recently and I'm glad I did! Just a heads up this is a place that seats you when your whole party is present. Also there are stairs to the venue so if you need an elevator there is another entrance from the alley just call the place and ask them about it! The mezze plate was so delicious. The hummus was creamy and the babaganoush too. And the grape leaves were juicy and not try. I tried the baby gem salad and it could have used a bit more vinegrette in my opinion but was still delicious! Will most likely return to try some of their other goodies but the mezze plate is a must! read more

See all

Finally got around to dining at Santorini. We started off with hummus, pita bread, and icy cold Mythos; great combo! Shout out to Samuel who was very attentive and helpful with our request for a side of spicy sauce. We ordered the Branzino with capers over house potatoes, delicious! The seasoning was perfectly balanced and did not need any additional flavoring. Also, ordered the Pesto e Pollo and wow, the pasta sauce was perfectly creamy with a hint of fresh cilantro garnish that elevated the pesto flavor. Finished the evening with their delicate and sweet pistachio and rose water cake. Surprisingly, a very good duo of flavors. All worth splurging! read more

Celebrating my daughter's graduation, Reserverved a table one month before. We had reservations and still had to wait over an hour. The owner or manager , not sure who he was , but he was so rude. Sould of took my $700. dinning bill else ware. But our friends would of been inconvenienced last minute. FYI, food was sub par for the price. read more

Food is fresh and outstanding! The appetizer sampler platter with all the traditional starters is a must. Everything was bursting with flavor. The service was friendly and on point. The manager Pano went out of his way to make us feel welcome. Will be back! read more

See all

The food was good for the most part but inconsistent. I would again but the environment was a bit loud

Like a VIRGIN, it was our first time eating here and it was worth a try! My dear monster, I mean mother in law wanted to eat here for EASTER dinner... We reserved a table for 10 people. My niece and nephews ordered the lamb brochette. My mother in law ordered the branzino and we got the shrimp with angel hair pasta. I didn't have a chance to try the other dishes but, we LOVED our pasta dish! It reminded me of a rich marinara sauce with shrimp pasta... Parking is conveniently located across the street and it is $2 for every 15 minutes! Good food, service and ambience check! Cheers everybody!! read more

My girlfriend and I spent a few weeks traveling in Greece last summer (including Santorini). We found the food here to be pretty authentic and solid. Everything we had was good, but my absolute favorite was the fried smelts followed by the halloumi cheese. The waiter could be a bit more helpful, but the service was nice and quick. We walked in without a reservation on a Thursday evening, but we were seated without waiting. I would not call the ambience romantic or upscale, but it's a nice restaurant a couple, a group of friends, or a family can have a good meal here. If you happen to be in Pasadena and are hungry for Greek food, you should give them a try. read more

See all