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    Celestino Restaurant

    3.5 (1k reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM

    Celestino Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    CELESTINO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Celestino Restaurant

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    veal special $68
    Jeffrey L.

    Came here to celebrate a birthday for lunch, and what a lunch it was. Started off with some complimentary house bread that you can add olive oil and balsamic to. Ordered a bottle of Cabernet and off we were. I had the server recommended veal special ($68) which had an amazing mushroom sauce. I think this was the clear winner in comparison to the ribeye steak the birthday boy had. Though $68 was the most expensive dish compared to the rest of the menu, and quite a hefty price tag for a lunch, the veal exceeded my expectations. The mushroom sauce complimented it so well, I will admit I can't help but think that was a really good chop. The decor inside is very old fashioned, dimly lit. Service was really good, and I'm torn giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of five, but I can't see this as a 5 star must go to restaurant. I would likely rate it 4.4 stars. The spacing between tables is pretty small, I imagine if it was incredibly busy, you could hear every conversation.

    Caesar Salad
    Al L.

    Came here unexpectedly with my 83yr old friend Bob. It's always tough cause well he's 83 lol. The Hostess-sat us outside as it was perfect SoCal weather, and we arrived just before the lunch rush. Bob really wanted spaghetti and I am glad we came here. Lots of parking behind the building. The waiters were attentive and polite. The drinks were brought out quickly and the service was fantastic. Dining with an elder can be challenging yet the staff were patient and not condescending. The salads were brought out , along with bread and everything was evenly spaced out. The Ravioli was delicious and Bob enjoyed his spaghetti. The restaurant is very nice and I wish I'd taken more photos. Great food and excellent service, what more can you ask for

    Duck Ragu
    Natalie M.

    We haven't been here in years and sort of forgot about it. But we were taking some out of town friends for dinner, and an in town friend recommended it. So glad we went! We all loved our meal. The restaurant has a big outside patio, several smaller offshoot rooms but we were seated in the fun main room. Our server was incredible...so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We brought our own wine (only $15 corkage fee!) and although they have a great wine list, we were happy it was an option. We started with a delicious beef carpaccio, wonderful crisp Caesar salad, and the spinach, pear and pecorino salad. Mains were an amazing cacio e pepe which has added saffron, lamb bolognese with cool garganelli pasta, duck ragu with parpadelle, and the bistecca della Fiorentina. The pastas were cooked perfectly and were so good! And the steak was a win too. All in all, a very delightful meal! We won't wait as long to visit again.

    Branzinooooooooo
    Monique W.

    The seafood risotto was incredibly fresh -- each bite bursting with the delicate flavors of the ocean. Perfectly cooked rice, rich and savory with just the right creaminess, paired beautifully with tender shrimp, scallops, and calamari. The dish was both comforting and elegant. The service was amazing, attentive without being intrusive, and the ambiance made the whole dining experience truly enjoyable. My son absolutely enjoyed his Ravioli and we shared the Branzino. I highly suggest that you order the Branzino.

    Danny S.

    I recently had the pleasure of dining at this cozy Italian spot for a holiday party and it was a great experience. The ambiance was warm and inviting, perfect for a holiday party where we were seated in our own room The service was excellent, our waiter was attentive and made sure our glasses were always full and that we had everything we needed throughout the evening. The food was served as a set menu for the event. The carpaccio was amazing. The filet mignon was a bit too peppery for my taste. The restaurant has their own dedicated parking area at the back of the restaurant. This is a huge plus, especially given how challenging parking can be in busy Pasadena.

    Chef's Special Ravioli with mushroom sauce and stuffed with beef and cheese.
    Julia K.

    Celestino is a cute little Italian restaurant on Lake in old town Pasadena with a small private parking lot in the back. It can be hard to find if you're not looking for it, as we have driven up and down Lake for years and never noticed this restaurant until we were referred by a family member to try out our for my husband's birthday tonight. Pros: The menu is inexpensive in comparison to other restaurants of is kind in the area and seems like it's been here for decades. They have a variety of homemade pasta dishes and the staff are very friendly and give you a full rundown of the specials which are not listed on the menu. I actually went with the special ravioli stuffed with beef in a mushroom sauce. My husband LOVED his seafood pasta (linguini mare) Cons: My dish was kind of bland, needed more salt although it had a nice presentation. The parking situation is a little weird where it looks like it's a $6 plus 50 cents service fee to park but then once inside there are many signs that say complimentary parking for Celestino patrons, kind of confusing. The bread that was brought out was $3 and we didn't actually order it, but we did enjoy it. I just wish it was something you have to ask for if you are going to be charged for it. Overall it was a decent dinner and I'm glad my husband chose well for his birthday meal, perhaps I will try something else next time and have better luck.

    split salad
    John T.

    Background On Visit: Year after year after year, Celestino would participate at the Masters Of Taste Food Festival. Thought to myself that I would finally come into the shop to try out their food at the restaurant. Credit Cards: They're accepted. Restrooms: They have restrooms available. Location/Parking: Free parking on Hudson! There's also meter parking up front along S. Lake Ave.. Ambiance/Decor: Ambiance was okay, but wished the lighting was better. Had to use my cell phone's flashlight to see the menu. It was quite loud inside also. So I had to project my voice higher when I was talking. Service: Service wasn't great. Waiter didn't give a heads up that there was a splitting fee and told us that there is free refills on bread, but in actual reality, it was not. We ordered another order of bread thinking it was free and refillable. Also, it took a while to get our check. After seeing the check, I was fuming. We just paid the check and left without complaining to the staffer. Food For Thought: 1) Fruite De Mari: Thought the dish was good. The seafood was fresh and the sauce was quite addicting. I was having a great time layering the spaghetti on top of the bread that was ordered. 2) Eggplant Parm: No complaints about this dish. Celestino For Thought: Probably won't come back, but hope this review doesn't deter other from trying out the shop.

    My extremely mediocre Bronzino I was very, very, very disappointed
    Dutches M.

    So I'll start by saying I'm usually a very generous reviewer. We sat in the back as part of a larger group and I quite liked being away from the main room by the kitchen. The table had a couple starters bufallo mozzarella, tomato and arugula, calamari, arugula salad, and a pear, goat cheese and beet salad. Then for main course the table tried so many things I was privy to taste the Osso bucco with saffron risotto which was yummy, along with the pheasant both had a very home like taste, I however, had the whole Bronzino, which was pretty mediocre and unfortunately fairly fishy. The desserts were also subpar. Our server was OK but spoke very fast and we had a hard time catching what all the specials were . I might try the place again, but might is the keyword

    My kids loved the spaghetti with meat sauce

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    Love this place. The staff is amazing and the did big experience was great. The food was great. We had and unforgettable night.

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    Page 9 of 27

    Celestino Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Celestino Restaurant

    I don't see a listing of beers on their website. What beers are available?

    How the parking?

    Great! There is a free parking lot off Hudson (which is a one-way street going north) right behind the restaurant. You'll see the sign for Celestino on the right hand side of the street just North of Cordova and you can pull in and follow the signs… Read more

    Is there a reservation fee when reserving private restaurant areas?

    I was there but for lunch and we walked in without a reservation. They are very friendly just give them a call and ENJOY!

    Do you have gluten free pasta?

    Yes

    Do they make wholewheat pasta?

    I did not see any whole wheat pasta listed on the menu, so I would think not. But they are very nice people, so if you ask to bring it in to them, probably they would be happy to make it for you in the style of one of their pasta dishes.

    How much is corkage fee?

    $20 per bottle as of July 2023

    Are there any vegan options?

    There used to be. However after informing the waiter twice that we were vegan, my husband's and my dinners were served with cheese. When we pointed this out our dinners were remade... smaller, with less of the "good stuff" and completely tasteless.… Read more

    Is this place free corkage fee?

    $15 per bottle as of 08/2018

    View All 10 Questions

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    UOVO | Pasadena

    UOVO | Pasadena

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Had such a great experience at UOVO Pasadena! We decided to do the tasting menu and every course…read morewas delicious. The pasta was amazing, but what really stood out was how much thought went into each dish and how fun it was to try a variety of things we probably wouldn't have ordered on our own. A huge shoutout to Julianna, who took such great care of us all evening. She was incredibly sweet, attentive, and knowledgeable without ever making us feel rushed. Her wine recommendations were spot on and paired perfectly with the food. You can tell she genuinely enjoys what she does and wants guests to have a great experience. I didn't even think to take pictures because I was too busy enjoying the meal, which probably says a lot! Between the food, the wine, and Julianna's wonderful service, it ended up being one of my favorite dining experiences in Pasadena. Can't wait to come back.

    Kind of a late review, but we came here as a foursome for lunch on a beautiful weekend day about a…read moremonth ago, with an artisan fair out in the courtyard, a beautiful setting for a wonderful lunch! We decided to splurge a little and we got the top tasting menu across all four of us. Which means essentially we got a taste of half the menu -I'd recommend this for a five star experience! Of course everything was delicious. My favorites were the yellowtail crudo, and the carbonara -a classic done well makes for a five star experience. Our server was very knowledgeable and friendly, we really felt welcomed. And -I hear we got really lucky but I think we dropped in right after the lunch rush so we felt unhurried and didn't have to wait to get a table.

    Photos
    UOVO | Pasadena
    Bar Seating over looking the kitchen
    Bar Seating over looking the kitchen
    Cacio e Pepe

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    Cacio e Pepe
    Union

    Union

    4.1
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    Pasta is amazing! The vibe here is so cute Staff was…read morefriendly and the waitress that helped us made excellent recommendations There was bread here I didn't get a picture of, but that's also a must have! You can't go wrong with any of the pastas Parking around here wasn't easy, but found a parking structure a block away Definitely recommend a reservation

    We ate here on 05/29/2026 for the second time, and overall it was a great visit. We first dined…read morehere about a year ago; however, I feel it has dropped one star from before. However, I'm sure this restaurant will do fine, as it has been a part of Pasadena for so long. We had a reservation for 7:30pm, and we were seated in the back of the restaurant. I didn't even know they had a back room, as last time we sat in the front. All of the dishes tonight were shared, except for the drink. I had the White Lotus drink, which was very similar to an Aperol Spritz. We shared the Pork Meatballs. These were 5 out of 5. They were so tasty, dense, large and the sauce and spice were perfect. We then shared the Mushroom Gnocchi. This is exactly how it sounds; however, I felt it was definitely lacking flavor, and would give it a 4 out of 5. We then moved on to the main course, which was the Pork Chop with an Apricot Sauce and a herb salad with fruit. I would give this dish a 5 out of 5, excellent. We ended the meal with the Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble. This was kind of the disappointment of the meal. It wasn't bad; however, it was not a crumble; we didn't taste any strawberry or rhubarb. The ice cream on the top was the highlight of this dish. It would get a 2 out of 5. Our server was very nice; however, a little rushed at times, especially during the early part of our service when the restaurant was nearly to capacity. Overall, a good to great visit. I would still return again in the future.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Spaghetti Alla Chitarra
    Spaghetti Alla Chitarra
    Olive Oil Cake

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    Olive Oil Cake
    Cafe Santorini

    Cafe Santorini

    4.0
    (3.5k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$
    Established in 1993
    Rooftop seating

    Cafe Santorini is a rooftop restaurant in a brick building in Old Pasadena. You can access from…read morestreet level via stairs or elevator. Its also right across the street from a pay parking lot. We came here for lunch on between visits at the Kidspace Museum. The food is a blend of Greek and Turkish cuisine and is overall outstanding. Our picky 6yo son normally only eats yellow-white saffron basmati rice but he enjoyed the brown basmati rice from the chicken kabob. The chicken looked very basic and dry with grill marks but surprise - it turned out to be one of the juiciest chicken thighs ever. 5 stars for the chicken kabob. Other excellent dishes are the pear-walnut salad, giant puffy pita bread, and hummus. Wife went for the seafood cioppino with its amazing tomatoey broth perfect for dipping bread.

    Haven't been here in years and decided to take my mom for lunch…read more Great vibe, we sat in the patio, and service was top Notch. Ordered several shareables- Labneh dip with sourdough bread - 8 out of 10 Fried smelt- 10 out of 10 Greek salad - 9 out of 10, a little heavy on the olive oil but still very good Main course- Steak frites - 5 out of 10, presentation was great but really HEAVY on the salt, (they changed out my fries, and I didn't think my steak was salty at first, but as I ate, certain parts were just too salty) didn't change it out, I was full anyway Moroccan Lamb with couscous - 9 out of 10 - my mom loved it. ( They only make a certain amount daily, I believe, so they mentioned if we were considering to put in the order because the lamb goes quickly- which we did. Desserts - A rosewater cake - 8 out of 10, very light and refreshing Mango sorbet - 9 out of 10, we combined the sorbet with the cake and made for a perfect bite Overall: 9 out of 10 for me. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Cafe Santorini
    Cafe Santorini
    Cafe Santorini

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    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    4.5
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    Nice atmosphere, classy-chill vibes, but not I absolutely have to dress up, but you can I guess…read more Anyway to the most important part, the food, I tried some of my friends Deviled Eggs, which were the best I have ever had, but I am kind of whatever about deviled eggs to be honest, so take that for what's it's worth. However, the Original ribeye melt was to freaking die for soooo good, excellent! This place is a little on the pricey side, but everything is going up fast currently so there's that. But I must say, you owe yourself, treat yourself to something nice every now and then. The service was nice, the atmosphere was superb, and the food was excellent. I hear the drinks are great as well, not really a drinker so I would not know, I normally get a water and unsweetened ice tea everywhere I go. I'm just a Yelper, foodie, explorer, and pop culture enthusiast from Los Angeles making his way in world, all the best to you and yours, enjoy

    What an excellent spot to celebrate... anything! I came here with friends just to do a nice dinner…read morewhile they were in town. Nick's South Lake Ave. did not disappoint. Expect to spend a few shiny pennies, but it's well worth the splurge. We went all out, and enjoyed the asparagus fries, some mocktails, and adult beverages to enjoy along side our steak dinners. We pretty much all ordered the Bistro Plate, and all loved it! All the meats were cooked perfectly, and the soup was amazing! That nights soup special was the ginger carrot. It was so well balanced, smooth, full flavored and all around perfect. My friend and I, also ordered a side of mashed potato, and again amazing and worth it. The whole meal was the perfect portion. No leftovers, and certainly not hungry for the rest of the night! Our server was on point, attentive professional. The ambiance was warm and welcoming. The meal from start to finish was just as expected for a fine dining experience. 5 star all the way. A must. Chef's kiss. I will 100% be back.

    Photos
    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Nick's South Lake Avenue
    Nick's South Lake Avenue

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    Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana

    Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana

    4.0
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Settebello Pizzeria is a good spot to have some pizza, especially in the Pasadena area. The pizza's…read moreare freshly made to order and have a variety of options to choose from. I would rank the service a 5/5. They were very helpful and accommodating. The restaurant has an industrial atmosphere with large space to sit many groups. 4/5 The pizzas are solid 3.5/5. While I have other favorites in LA the whole experience is worth it.

    I drove across town 25 minutes to try this establishment as it came highly reviewed. Greeted and…read moreseated promptly. Started off with an old fashioned of which was standard $14. Then saw a unique appetizer salad item on menu "Involtini" $16. It was a great appetizer consisting of arugula, and goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto, with an impressive large thin sliced piece of Parmesan on top drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Very unique and good, I look forward to replicating at home with a little more balsamic. I ordered the Settebello $21 pizza as a main entree of which I thought was advertised with pancetta, mushrooms and Italian sausage. Pizza came out hot and fresh, but with prosciutto instead of the perceived menu listed pancetta. Pizza sauce was good, the sausage and mushrooms were great. Crust was a little doughy, not crispy but charcoal charred in places. Not phenomenal but not bad, middle of the road overall. Service started off great but fell flat to the floor. Drinks and food came out on time indicating bar staff and kitchen staff were on point. Waiting staff could up their game. No check up or check in. No offers for drink refills or another round. I had to ask for refills on water. Final bill $56.35 for one drink, appetizer and pizza for a solo dinner. Three (3) stars at best! Room for improvements.

    Photos
    Beet Salad
    Beet Salad
    Insalata Grande
    Insalata Grande
    Insalata Romana

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    Insalata Romana
    Bodegon No 69

    Bodegon No 69

    4.4
    (655 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant over the weekend with my mother and sister. From…read morethe moment we walked in, everything was exceptional. The customer service was warm and welcoming, the restaurant was clean and well maintained, and the ambiance created the perfect dining experience. What made this visit especially memorable was how authentic the food tasted. I recently spent two amazing weeks in Peru, and this meal instantly took me back. I was able to enjoy two of my favorite Peruvian dishes, and they were absolutely delicious and full of authentic flavor. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great food and a wonderful atmosphere. It was truly an amazing experience, and I look forward to coming back. The only thing that could have made it even better would have been if they offered traditional picarones for dessert!

    I've been eating here for a while and have generally been happy with the food and service. However,…read moreI had to lower my rating after a recent catering order experience that was disappointing. This was my second time ordering catering from them. The food was good, but the service was especially frustrating. I spent over 30 minutes on the phone, in both English and Spanish, trying to process payment, which lead to nowhere till I had to drive myself to the restaurant to swipe the card manually. When it was time to pick up the order, the restaurant could not spare anyone to help bring the food to our car, despite it being a large catering order and the pickup taking place on a very busy avenue. What was most disappointing was the lack of concern or willingness to offer any assistance. The food arrived late for our event as a result. While the food was good, the poor service has made me reconsider ordering catering from them again, returning as often, and recommending them to others. It's a shame because I genuinely enjoy the food, but there are other options available. Hopefully, the service issues I experienced with catering do not eventually carry over into the restaurant experience.

    Photos
    Alpaka greeters!
    Alpaka greeters!
    Seafood Ceviche (Marinated well super rich and not raw leading to melt in mouth seafood)
    Seafood Ceviche (Marinated well super rich and not raw leading to melt in mouth seafood)
    CHOCLO SERRANO

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    CHOCLO SERRANO

    Celestino Restaurant - italian - Updated June 2026

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