I picked Maestro for two friends' birthday dinner, and it turned out to be such a great choice. It's a cute, intimate spot, but what really surprised me was the food. Every single dish was a hit. The lamb shank, beet salad, pomelo, corn--everything was so special. And the fresh tortillas... oh my goodness. So soft, fresh, and delicious, I could honestly eat ten of them by themselves without any sauce. The interior is beautiful and stylish, although interestingly it doesn't really have a traditional Latino feel at all. Service was attentive and made the evening very comfortable. And don't skip the carrot cake! So moist and so good. You have to try it. Definitely a great pick for a birthday or a small celebration dinner in Pasadena. read more

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The vibe and the location of Maestro is classic old town Pasadena, a bit of old with a modern interior. The staff are friendly and offer helpful suggestions on your selections and the place is clean and cute for a date night dinner. My husband and I tried out Maestro for a date night. We went for a few of their menu items including the bone marrow esquite, enchiladas verde, and cochinita pibil. The food itself was okay, not special and didn't have a new or surprising twist, and not incredibly authentic either. Out of our dishes we shared, the bone marrow esquite appetizer was actually the standout. It had excellent flavor and seasoning though the tamal was dry inside, the sauces aided in the flavor and texture. They have an extensive drinks menu and an alleyway patio that seems to be popular. Overall it might be good for the drinks, the vibe is something you might find anywhere in Pasadena, the food is just okay, and the parking is paid in nearby structures on busy Union so be prepared. read more

A friend grabbed reservations to Maestro's for some dinner for the night. Heard good things about this spot. Parking is in parking structures throughout this area but watch out for the one way streets. They do not validate. Parking is cheap though. Started off with the calamari, oysters aguachile and guacamole. Calamari - My favorite of the appetizers. Very lightly breaded. Not overcooked. Small but shareable amount. The red bell pepper sauce dressed underneath is deep in flavor. This was a solid dish. Guacamole - Now being a guac connoisseur I found this guac pleasant. Creamy, a little limey, good flavors. Topped with cotija and I'm pretty sure cotija was present within the guac mix itself. Nice touch. Could have used a little heat tho. Plantains ehhhh were okay. Even though the tostadas were thinner I preferred those over the plantains. Oysters Aguachile - Aight. Fresh. Aguachile mix on top could have had some heat and more true aguachile notes like cilantro, onion. But still fresh and a nice appetizer. Arrachera (skirt steak) - Delicious. Definitely a big plate. I opted for veggie mix instead of the rice to go for more low carb. Very good. The steak was cooked perfectly. Well seasoned. Spring mix was a nice touch to have something lighter. Service was very prompt and friendly. I forgot our waitresses name but she was very nice. Definitely will be back. One thing about the dishes overall is that they did stay in their lane. I didnt find them exploring too much like differences or going in a certain way. Everything was executed perfectly and what you would expect. I sampled the birria and mole enchiladas. Those made me feel like yeah this is the way they should be made. And Im only a fan of specific moles. read more

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I can't believe I am so late to discovering this spot despite walking by all the time! Maestro in Pasadena delivers an exceptional dining experience with top-tier cocktails like the Guayabita and standout dishes including the Tacos Ahogados (taquitos in a broth) and the Arracherra (skirt steak with rice). The food is high quality and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The warm, stylish, and elevated atmosphere paired with attentive service and hands-on hospitality from the owners makes it overall excellent dining experience. They have outdoor seating too and it feels like you're in Europe. Check this place out! read more

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Decided to try this spot since I have resy credit with Amex. Was seated right away and the inside is cozy and nice. Service was incredible as well. Got the sesame salad, calamari, tetela (rec from server), and carne en su jugo. Of the 4, the salad was our least favorite - didn't have any flavor/texture. The calamari is on the crunchy end (kind of like chips), tetela was ok. The carne en su jugo was good but so small. Overall, pretty disappointed by the taste of everything (on the bland side) and the price is extremely high for what the food is. read more

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Came here on a Friday night with some of my girlfriends to catch up, have a good meal and a couple of drinks. For a Friday night around 7 PM the place was not packed or busy at all. There is a parking lot right behind it where I paid I $15. Don't be fooled by the five dollar parking signs, that five dollars is just for one hour. My friend did find meter parking for only three dollars. Now for the food....very average dare I say not really good? I was definitely expecting more. I had two cocktails which were good but nothing special. The atmosphere was nice and our server was fantastic however, after each of us spending $100 each, not including tip, definitely not worth the money. Unfortunately, I won't be back. read more

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Our food is delicious . I am familiar with yellow Mexican rice but first time try black and green rice . The some food the portion too small . Like the scallops only couple pieces and pricey . Our server Natalie is awesome very friendly and cheerful read more

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Reservations are required because they do get busy. However, same day reservations are possible. We got there around 5pm and we were surprised it wasn't busy but soon after it was fully packed. We sat in the outside patio, which have heaters. Service 10/10: our waitress was kind and friendly and gave us a background on the restaurant which interestingly has 150 kinds of tequila! Food came out quickly and most everything tasted great. My only issue was that some of my dishes lacked salt. The calamari are a must, they have a spicy kick to them. The desserts weren't my favorite because it was a bit too sweet for me but my husband loved the tres leches carrot cake. read more

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Before making a ressie, I extensively researched this place. The reviews were mixed, with people either loving this place or finding it to just be mid at best. I really wanted to be one of those people that loved this place but unfortunately, Maestro, while having a very intriguing menu, fell short of any wow factor (except with respect to their carrot cake). In order to get the full experience of this place, I stuck to appetizers and chose the ones most recommended by other patrons. Aguachile is a dish I always like to try. Admittedly , this is the first time I have seen it offered with oysters. For me, I would rather have had the oysters the good old fashion way. While this dish still had that spicy kick to it, I didn't find the flavors to be as complimentary as with other aguachiles I have had. Next is the Tetela. While I enjoyed the bean puree, this item too lacked in an overall flavor impression. The octopus, however, was very good and all of the ingredients nicely complemented each other. The bone marrow esquite was the biggest disappointment. To be fair, this was my first time trying bone marrow and I left Maestro questioning whether I was in fact a true foodie since I did not like the gelatinous bone marrow. After some research, I learned it should be served hot so it is buttery. The bone marrow in this dish was room temperature and congealed. The "special element" to this otherwise street food item was nonexistent. The last item I ordered before dessert was the quesadillas. I honestly couldn't decide on what else to get but I was still hungry so I went with a basic item. Surprisingly, this item that got no notable mention in the reviews, was delish! I would definitely recommend giving this dish a try as I was pleasantly surprised. Now the moment for Maestro to shine in this review - the Tres Leches Carrot Cake! I cannot emphasize enough that this has to be an item you order. If you like carrot cake and tres leches cake, even if the rest of your meal is a disappointment, this item will sorta take the edge off the disappointment. As a note, the cake comes with what I like to describe as churros made out of carrot slices. These "churros" will become soggy if you take your dessert home. So, make sure you eat all of those pieces before packing up your cake. If you arrive before 5 p.m., parking is $5 at 150 E Hollywood Street. Otherwise, you can find street parking and there are other lots to choose from varying in price. Note that if you do street parking, you are not able to increase the time on your meter unless you have someone else with you who has the app and will act as if your vehicle is their's. All in all, I would not return to Maestro except for their cake; however, don't be discouraged from trying this place out because the reviews are so mixed, you ay fall into the you loved it category. read more

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Great food, staff, and environment. I'm usually not the biggest fan of elevated takes on traditional cuisine, but Maestro's might be an exception. read more

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Food: My wife and I came here through our Amex Resy credit promotion, and we tried a good spread of dishes: scallops, carne en su jugo, queso fundido, calamari, and fried quesadillas. The calamari and the queso fundido were easily the standouts of the night: flavorful, well-seasoned, and plated beautifully. The entrées, unfortunately, lacked depth. They needed more seasoning, especially salt, to bring the flavors forward. One of the fried quesadillas had no cheese inside, which might've melted out during frying but still felt like something was missing. The scallops were cooked well but needed more intensity overall. Service: Service was excellent. Our servers were attentive, quick to clear plates, and kept our water filled without needing to ask. Everyone was friendly, and the pacing of the meal was smooth. Ambiance: Warm, modern, and slightly upscale with dim lighting and comfortable seating. It's a great setting for a date night or a relaxed dinner out. read more

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The roasted vegetables ended up being the sleeper hit of the meal. Everything had a nice balance of seasoning without drowning out the ingredients, and the pacing between dishes was spot on. The room felt polished but still comfortable, with enough background noise that it never felt too formal. read more

I get why everyone is raving about this place. The food, the vibe, the service - fire! We had the carne en su jugo and the birria. The carne en su jugo was so flavorful and juicy. It tastes exactly like the one my mom makes - as soon as I took the first bite it took me back to my childhood. The beef birria was good but was a little bit on the dryer side for my taste. We ordered the guacamole w/plantain chips and the tatela as starters. The guac was lemony and very light and almost fluffy. The plantain chips were so thin and flakey - sooo good! The tatela was ok but had a little too much masa and not enough filling in it. We parked at the public parking which was $15 for more than 1 hour. The restaurant is pretty much next to the King Taco off the Union St. side. I will definitely be back! read more

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Really friendly and warm customer service from all the employees and beautiful location nestled in old town Pasadena. Unfortunately the food was nothing to write home about, especially for the price. I think it's a great place to go for some apps (the cheese dip was amazing) and some nice cocktails. read more

Honestly.. this is a hidden Pasadena gem. We found it pre-pandemic, and although Chef Elena left- the quality has remained the same after all these years! Drinks are on point, food is savory and the ambiance is a whole vibe. There's a parking structure right next door, but it's Pasadena so be prepared to pay at least $15.. unless you get lucky finding parking on the street. But it's worth it. You won't find tacos here though.. but I'm pretty sure your taste buds will thank you for trying something authentic with a twist. read more

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Came on a Saturday night. Parking is hard to come back. You'll get street parking if you're lucky. The place was packed. You need to make a reservation. The staff were great. They were dressed well, courteous, and very patient. We sat outside. It's was very nice as there was live music. We got the Tamarindo Margarita twice. It was really good. They were $17 each. We didn't like the Mezcal Negroni $16, it was too sweet. The Bourbon Old Fashion $15 was really good and a definite reorder. The Agave Old Fashioned $18 was too sweet. We got the Guacamole for $16. We liked that it came with plantain chips. We also got the Bone Marrow Esquite $34, not a fan, and Arrachera $38. The chickpea rice was really good. Overall, it was a lovely dining experience. Some of the drinks were good. The food didn't live up to its price. Would come back for the drinks during Happy Hour. read more

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I hosted my Galentine's dinner at Maestro Pasadena and it was truly such a beautiful experience from start to finish. The team was incredibly accommodating and even allowed me to bring a few small table decorations to personalize the space, which meant so much to me. Our table was set at the front of the restaurant right by the window, and the aesthetic was absolutely perfect. The ambiance felt warm, stylish, and elevated while still being comfortable enough for us to relax and celebrate. The food was delicious across the board and every cocktail we ordered was top tier. You can tell so much care goes into both the presentation and the flavors. What really made the night special was the hospitality. Our waiter was attentive without being intrusive, constantly checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. The owners also stopped by, which made the experience feel even more personal and welcoming. If you are looking for a spot in Pasadena to host a birthday, girls night, or any special dinner, Maestro is such a great choice. We had the best time and I will absolutely be back. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Been here a few times now with friends and family, it's a hit every time! We've been fortunate enough to snag a table on the patio. Great food, wonderful ambiance, and a friendly/helpful team! Our most recent server, Jose, never made us feel rushed and timed our appetizers and drinks perfectly! For the picosita, ask about subbing mezcal for tequila. The oysters are paired wonderfully toppings. Tortilla were fresh, warm, and fluffy. If you're ordering the carnitas plate, we recommend asking for a salsa on the side! Parking: two garages on N Arroyo/E Union or street parking read more

Maestro Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The food was good, and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere. However, the portions were small, and the prices felt too high for what was served. The quality was good, service is good but the restaurant and overall experience did not fully support the price point. You can definitely find good food somewhere else for a better value. read more

This review is long overdue but came here for Dine LA and we can't wait to go back! Service was on point, friendly, gave fantastic recommendations and were great with refilling water. Gave us space to have conversation, but authentically checked on us to see if needed anything. The food is well seasoned and the chefs do texture very well. You get the play between soft masa and crunch from roasted corn, or fried sweet potato chips. Get the bone marrow esquite and you'll see what I mean! Ambiance is nice. My only issue is the tables are too high, or the chairs, are too low. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Bone Marrow Esquite w/ Tamal Cochinita Pibil - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I had the lamb chops...Are they still on the menu? They were cooked to perfection and a side of mint jelly. The service was excellent. The ambience was nice...I would have preferred a little more light. The parking wasn't good. read more

Last night, with family in town, we decided to enjoy a casual yet elevated Mexican dinner at Maestro, and it was exactly the experience we were hoping for. We started with the guacamole, served with plantain chips. The guacamole itself was bold, flavorful, and delicious, the kind I could have eaten by itself. My only critique is that the plantain chips leaned a bit too much on the overcooked side. They didn't taste burned, but as you know, the flavor of plantains changes the longer they fry, and a lighter touch would have really let the guacamole shine. From the start, our waiter Nestor welcomed us warmly. The space itself is on the smaller side, but the design makes it feel open and inviting, large beautiful mirrors create an illusion of expansion, while the intimate layout keeps it cozy. We were seated at a partial booth, which was perfect for my parents, as the soft backing gave them comfort and support. For dinner, our table ordered the enchiladas, while I had the enmolada, essentially an enchilada topped with rich mole sauce. My enmolada was fantastic, better than the enchiladas, which were fresh and good but not out of this world. They also come served with a side salad rather than the traditional rice, beans, and cheese, so it feels a bit lighter than what you may expect. To pair, I tried the Maestro Margarita with hibiscus. It is served in a scotch glass, strong and well balanced, and felt like the perfect cocktail for the evening. The atmosphere throughout dinner was relaxed yet refined, with just the right amount of energy. Maestro offers both indoor and patio seating, and it was such a beautiful night that the patio would have been a great option as well. What I really appreciate about Maestro is how versatile it feels, equally fitting for a birthday celebration, a family dinner, or a night out with friends. Plus, the location could not be better, right in a walkable part of Old Town Pasadena that is lively without being too hectic, making it easy to continue the evening with a stroll down Colorado Boulevard. If you are okay with splurging for an experience, Maestro is your spot. That said, I would love to see the restaurant explain more about why it is priced at that level -- where the ingredients are sourced, if they are organic or regenerative. Without that story, it can feel like a miss in value. Overall, Maestro delivered a thoughtful dining experience with excellent food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I look forward to returning soon. read more

Outstanding !!! 5 Star restaurant and service !!! Drinks are exceptionally good !! Flavors are popping !!! Highly recommend add to Pasadena top restaurants read more

I ordered the beet salad and the guacamole and oh my God they were both so good. I wanted to lick the plate. Definitely going back soon to get my fix read more

IT WAS SOOOO EXCELLENT. The standout for me? The corn tortillas (not pictured). They were thick, chewy, and unlike any corn tortilla I've ever had, so good I swear they almost tasted like they were made with mochi flour. Fresh, handmade to order, absolutely unforgettable. And the tres leches carrot cake?? WOW. Moist, rich, and topped with crispy carrot pieces, super unique and ridiculously good. A must-visit if you're in the area! read more

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Maestro's is simply dope.. I live in Pasadena and I went there to just chill because I met Marco, one of the b-tenders I met last Sunday night at PEZ - another awesome restaurant; Intimate, chill, and btw they had 250 mezcals-tequilas!! Try the Hibiscus or Picosita Margarita. Tell Paul GM or Rodrigo that I sent you.. read more

Maestro Restaurant - This is Marco - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came here for dinner recently and it was soooo pleasant. I had the tamarindo margarita swapped for regular tequila and it was DELICIOUS and strong! I couldn't get a pic of all the dishes but everything we had was great. I loved my steak dish and the guacamole was unique in its texture and flavor. I loooved the carrot cake tres leches. The inside is nice and there's a cute patio outside with live music. My only critique is that it could be inconsistent I had come back again and my drink wasn't as good as the first time so I guess it depends on who's making it. Overall love! read more

Maestro Restaurant - Guacamole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Maestro is THAT spot. Came for a family dinner and WOW, everything was divine. I had the mole dish. It was rich, layered, and packed with flavor. You can taste the depth and care in every bite. Easily one of the best I've had. And the Mezcal Campfire cocktail? Smoky, smooth, and dangerously good. Perfectly balanced and beautifully crafted! It made the whole experience even better. The ambience is upscale but still warm and inviting, great energy without feeling chaotic. Perfect for date night, celebrations, or a classy family dinner. Food, drinks, service, ambiance 10/10. We'll absolutely be back. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Mole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I been to this place a few times, and I am never disappointed. Their service is impecable. This time I sat inside, it's more of a quiet and intimate setting. Now their food, is yummy. We started with the guacamole with plantains, such a good combo. Followed by their oysters aguachiles which also have shrimp. Omg, my mouth is watering as I write this review. Cheers, Barbara read more

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Maestros in Pasadena is a must do for date night. This place has a serious sexy vibe and ambience. The food is delicious and served with flair from the outgoing servers and staff who were truly accommodating. I went for a work dinner reception and I wish I wasn't working so I could have ordered more delicious food to try. I ordered the Cochinita Pibil and it was so damn delicious. Layers of flavors just melt in your mouth. It feels like it's been marinating in juices of loveliness for hours. Aguachile was outstanding! Definitely would recommend ordering that. Mezcal margaritas were smooth, smoky and refreshing. The parking sucks but there are parking lots a few blocks away. They also have outdoor dining that's very festive and definitely a party on a warm day. Lastly their ladies bathroom has cute floor tiles that spell guapa (pretty in Spanish) perfect for those shoe cam selfies declaring your prettiness. I had a wonderful time! read more

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Great food, service wasn't too bad, but felt rushed . The ambiance was nice, dim lights and relaxing. I feel it was a bit over priced. As a chef in the industry for over 25 yrs I get the setting, dishes and all but my dish - carne en su jugo had a lot of fat n small portion. The beans and tortillas was amazing, however, that's not costly . I would have liked a better cut of meat for what I paid. I'm might come back k t o try some more dishes. Thank you ! read more

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So expensive and hoity toity. A thing of bread is $7 and everything is just ok. The bar and restaurant are noisy. Wine is minimum $50 a bottle. You can get a better steak and food at Romeo Cucina in laguna niguel or laguna beach. read more

Saw an IG Reel showing the bone marrow esquite and had to try it for myself! Made reservations for Friday night and were seated immediately. Super speedy service, even as it got busier as the night went on. Now on to the food! Cocktails were delicious, tho the Agave Old Fashioned will put some hair on your chest. Very strong and Smokey from the Mezcal. Loved the Maestro Margarita - the hisbiscus was sweet but not overwhelmingly so. The guac & plaintain chips were salty & delicous. Then it was time for the bone marrow esquite. I had very high hopes for this one as I'm still searching for a bone marrow dish that will live up to Black Hogg in Silverlake (RIP). This was fine. The chicken mole was the star of the table though. A little pricey but this area tends to be, so wasn't too surprised on that front. read more

Food was amazing and our servers took really great care of us. The restaurant was perfect for our group and had a great selection of drinks and shareables. They even brought out champagne to celebrate one of our friends birthdays. read more

Maestro Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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A place that I been wanting to try and finally I got there service was great, our server was very attentive and it seem that she is being doing this for a long time The ambience was good a little to noise but is understandable everyone was drinking it seems that the drinks are the thing to do there The food was made perfect for the pictures but the flavors weren't there, la k of a lot of flavor and no creativity at all. Definitely going back to see if it was just a bad day or definitely this place is just about the drinks read more

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A cute restaurant away from the commotion that old town brings. Usually, when I go to a new restaurant, I opt for family style to try as many dishes as possible. If you like margaritas, I highly recommend the "tamarindo" margarita. If you don't like margaritas, I still highly recommend the same drink because it will make you fall in love with margaritas. Hands down, it is one of the best types of margaritas I've ever had, and all their tequila has no additives. I was surprised that this restaurant had been open for eight years, and knowing that it had been open for eight years, the interior felt so new, which shows that the restaurant has been well-kept. I read in the reviews that the corn tortillas are outstanding, and I'm here to confirm that fact. If none of your dishes come with it, it is worth ordering a side to experience what I'm discussing. The presentation was excellent, and I will include pictures of the beet salad and the three entrées we picked. Entrees: mole, arrachera, and enchiladas (Not pictured but highly recommended from the appetizers is the "queso fundido.") read more

The food here was so disgusting I came on a night they were short staffed but the rice was beyond watery and the chicken harder than a rock. It looks hairy and the food is worse than fast food. Service was attentive which I appreciated but for what we paid the food was not good at all stay far a at from here there's so many other options in the city . I was extremly disappoint if offered a refund id take it that's how awful the food was the rice wasn't edible had to toss it horrible cooks read more

My first time at the place, I was very satisfied. The staff is great, the food is amazing. The tamarindo margarita with tequila is a 10/10z read more

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Beautiful modern restaurant! Nestor was my waiter and was super friendly! The drinks are delicious. Great place for big groups/ family / date night read more

Maestro Restaurant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

The food was good we sat outside with heaters it wasn't cold at all they some new drinks non alcoholic also with alcohol tho I didn't drink so I didn't know if good but the food was very good the appetizers were taste also tasty I will b going back read more