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    Yakiya

    4.5 (287 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndBars, Japanese, Barbeque
    Open 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Yakiya Photos

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    YAKIYA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Yakiya

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jason Y.

    Came here for their 10-course yakiniku experience and thought it was a great way to try a variety of dishes and wagyu cuts. The course featured both A5 Japanese and American wagyu and there was a lot of attention to detail throughout the meal. We started with the wagyu tartare and hamachi and both tasted super fresh. The steamed egg with abalone was silky smooth and comforting, while the cod was rich, buttery, and fatty in the best way. I also enjoyed the fresh crudité with the red miso dip as a lighter bite in between courses. The meats were definitely the highlight. The beef tongue was thick and flavorful, and I especially liked the scallion kosho because it balanced out some of the richness. The ribeye, short rib, and chuck were beautifully marbled, and the fresh wasabi was a nice touch that complemented the meat well instead of overpowering it. We also ordered the bone marrow rice on the side and I'm glad we did. It was rich, packed with flavor, and had chunks of meat mixed throughout. Our server also brought out birthday shots poured through the bone marrow which made the experience extra fun and memorable. Finished everything off with mandarin sorbet and vanilla ice cream which was refreshing after such a rich meal. Overall a fun dining experience with quality ingredients and good service.

    Thaovi T.

    Honestly, doing the 10-course menu at Yakiya is the move-every course came out super flavorful, and timed out perfectly so you don't even have to think about what to order. I was actually surprised it wasn't more crowded for how good the food is, especially with how welcoming and attentive the staff were the whole time. From the melt-in-your-mouth beef, everything hit the spot, and pairing it with a quick drink made for a great meal.

    Ariel D.

    Three for three, Yakiya has yet to disappoint. We celebrated our anniversary at Yakiya again, this year at the Pasadena location. It's good to know that the amazing quality is consistent between branches, both in terms of food and service. There is a lot more space between tables here, making the Pasadena location feel considerably more intimate than the Hacienda Heights location. The calm atmosphere at 8:30 on a Sunday evening was everything. Everyone who waited on us was incredible, but Jeffrey especially was an absolute delight.

    Betty W.

    Yakiya offers a refined and modern take on Japanese BBQ, with an atmosphere that feels intimate, elevated, and perfect for a special night out -- whether it's a date, a small gathering, or even a celebratory dinner. The highlight here is definitely the quality of the Wagyu. The experience leans more toward a curated meat tasting, with beautifully presented, juicy cuts that are satisfying without being overwhelming. Even with two 16-year-old boys at the table, everyone left full -- which says a lot. That said, I took one star off because the setup feels more like a traditional restaurant than a true omakase experience. Since you're seated at tables, there's a bit of passing plates and bowls back and forth with the server throughout the meal, which slightly interrupts the flow and intimacy you might expect from a classic omakase. If you're looking for a sashimi-focused experience, this isn't that -- it's much more Wagyu-forward. Service was a highlight. Jamie was attentive, warm, and made the experience feel smooth and well-paced. Overall, if you go in expecting a high-quality Wagyu tasting rather than a traditional omakase, this place really delivers. A great Pasadena spot when you want something a little more polished and indulgent.

    Eric L.

    This is my first at their new Pasadena location. I believe it was $128 per person and you are definitely satisfied by the end of the pre fixe. The beef is always tender and perfectly cooked by the staff. One thing to keep in mind is the bone marrow fried rice is no longer park of the omakase, but is available for an additional $24.

    Billy is a polished, suave barman
    Gary I.

    Yakiya are two words meaning grill store which sounds a bit stilted in Japanese. Yakinikuya is the usual default word for a grilled meat restaurant. I then found out this is the high-end restaurant for the Panda Express group using a Japanese format with all things Wagyū (wah ghee yu). Being in Los Ángeles, there are other culinary influences seeping in such as Korean, Argentinean, Indonesian, etc. and of course Chinese. Decor can be described as contemporary East Asian with touches of Japanese Wabi-Sabi understated minimalism & refined Chinese accoutrements such as the gold tone metal chop sticks at the table which continues the motif. There is a bar which was manned by Billy who is a polished, suave barman comfortable and capable enough to perform in a Guide Michelin Trois Étoiles restaurant. He entertained us showing us rare ultra premium Suntory Hibiki Whiskey aged 30 years and Yamazaki Single Malt aged 25 years. 1) Wagyū Smoked Tartare is plush, lush topped with a quail egg yolk and microgreens ceremonially mixed sur la table while there is a wafer of burning Hinoki Japanese Cypress to give off incense like smoke. Placed on a crispy square toast point. 2) Crudité of carrots, crispy cucumber, purple bell pepper with Aka Miso/ red Miso paste. Huge, airy, Indonesian Rengginang/crunchy fried rice chip. 2) Chawan Mushi: A more viscous version of Japanese egg custard soup garnished with woodsy Shītakè (shee tah keh) & what may be Chinese dried Abalone. 3) Miso Black Cod: Sweet white Miso caramelized and cod slightly burnt, sprinkling of Asatsuki/Japanese chives. 4) A5 Zabuton Nigiri: Wildly marbled Kagoshima Wagyū. Zabuton, meaning seat cushion, is the chuck area, located between the neck and the rib of a cow. Plush Zabuton wraps around a small Nigiri of Sushi Rice and topped with Kuki Wasabi/fermented, pickled Wasabi stems. Underlying flavoured soy sauce in the dish. 5) SRF American Wagyū Tongue: Thin disks with hash grill marks chewy yet soft eaten with a flavourful rough chiffonade of green onions, aromatic, toasty sesame oil, sea salt which seems to have Chinese sensibilities. 6) SRF American Wagyū Harami Skirt Steak: Harami means belly meat and it came out pleasantly chewy with good, fatty beefiness. Deliberately cooked to medium to emphasize the chaw. Excellent Chimichurri sauce of green herbs, aged garlic, thick olive oil that complemented the beef. 7) SRF American Wagyū Shortrib: Another wildly but not as marbled, thicker slice that had a pleasant chaw. Used the green onion chiffonade. 8) Wagyū Garlic Rice: Korean Bibimbap like crispy yet moist rice texture augmented with green onions, toasted ground garlic and fatty beefy Umami. Same flavoured soy sauce. Starchy and rich to finish off any hunger present. 1-8a) Kikusui Daiginjō Sakè (sah keh): Using the rare Kikisui Sakè rice, rich body with hints of acid, Kōji/rice earthiness, touch mushroomy, faintly fruity, dry apricot, Japanese Hachiya Persimmon. 8) Yuzu Sorbet with Basil oil: Refreshing mildly bitter sour citrus with slightly musky green herbal. All the staff is very accommodating, welcoming, service oriented. Since they do all the grilling, they instinctively know when to swoop in according to the customers' pace which is amazing. Christian was informative, food knowledgeable, savvy. He helps create a feeling of hospitality that goes a long way in enhancing the Yakiya experience. 4+ stars

    Ann C.

    My aunt took me here for my birthday dinner. We came on a Sunday around 5:30 PM. The restaurant wasn't quite full yet, but it does get more busy as the night went on. We loved their decor. We got YAKINIKU TRADITIONAL CHEF'S TASTING MENU | 10 COURSE for $78 per person. All the food was really good, definitely high-quality. The food that needed to be cooked was prepared table side by our server. The timing of each course came was just right. This place is definitely an experience. But for people that don't eat as much, they didn't have a lot of selections for people that wanted to order à la carte. Other than that, the food was excellent.

    Megan H.

    This is my second time at Yakiya, and I think it was better than the first time! I'm not sure how it's even possible. Food: AMAZING. The cuts were perfection. The first cold dish is so beautiful. I do not usually eat raw meat, but my experience is pretty pleasant here. The beef tartar tasted very fresh. The cooked cuts melt in your mouth! My favorite dish was actually the miso cod! It's sooooo flavorful. I dream about it still. It's comparable to the black cod dish from nobu. The bone marrow fried rice is just as great as the first time I had it! I want to come back everyday to eat it! Service: Our server is amazing! He cooked everything so well. He made small talk with us and was pretty attentive. Parking: FREE PARKING LOT OUTSIDE! Overall: Their restrooms bring me back to Japan. The seats automatically open up when you enter a stall. All the courses were definitely unforgettable. For the price, everything was unbeatable. It's a wonderful celebratory meal or a regular date night meal. I will definitely be back in the future!

    Ask for off menu drinks
    Peter H.

    Yakiya is a wonderful Japanese steakhouse specializing in yakiniku (Japanese grilled meats) in a center table grill with smoke free ventilation. We went during Dine LA and had the 8 course menu and every one was A+ delicious. It included premium cuts like Japanese A5 Wagyu, American Wagyu, Prime beef and a cod that was so buttery and flavorful it was as good as the beef. Jimmy our server made the whole visit such an enjoyable experience for our table of 4. He was a great storyteller and imparted a greater appreciation for the preparation and the quality of the beef. Some cuts are sourced directly from Japan. Billy took care of us at the bar and made some delicious cocktails notably the Mr. Miyagi whisky with puréed ginger and sweet fruit essence. Form the moment you gaze at the entrance adorned with colorful Japanese lanterns and step into the softly lit lobby, you can feel the amount of attention it took to create a harmonious space complete with comfortable seating, beautiful premium bar area and tastefully designed dining room. Definitely worth subsequent visits and a place to take your best friends and family.

    Egg with abalone.
    Brandon K.

    Great service. Didn't have to really do much since the employees here cook for you and always come and check on you. Will come back to try their 11 course menu and see how it defer from the dine in LA special one. Got a few drinks as well to try them out. Their old fashion with the marshmallow was a nice touch and my girlfriend really enjoyed the fog drink. Nice decor inside very modern. Only problem is when I tried calling them to reschedule my reservation that I made a mistake on i didnt get a response when I emailed them and couldn't get through their phone number so I just had to let it go and make another reservation. Which someone would answer or pick up the phone

    Julia H.

    Was in the area and decided to try due to the good reviews. Was worried it was going to be like Chubby Cattle which we didn't like. Thank goodness the food was good. Got the original set. Liked how they asked if we all eat raw meat because of the tartare. They were and to substitute for an extra piece of meat for the non raw meat eater. All the food and meats were well seasoned and spot on. The only negative was the rice was at the end was a like bit too sweet. Servers came around often refilling drinks and were friendly as well. If i lived in the area, I would come more often.

    Crudités with red miso
    Ves S.

    Came for DineLA! We got the lunch set course for $68 which included tartare, chawanmushi, black cod, A5 zabuton nigiri, Wagyu skirt and short rib, crudités, garlic rice and yuzu sorbet. We added bone marrow to the garlic rice and a A5 ribeye with poached egg. We had reservations and for a set time, as the servers have to prepare some dishes tableside. Most tables seem to also do DineLA so the tables got served the courses together. Nine other dining parties came at the same time as us with three servers taking care which could be a little short staffed. Since we came late by five minutes we were seated last of the time slot and didn't get offered a drink menu. While the dishes seemed small, by the end of the meal we were quite full! The A5 dishes were quite tasty. The Wagyu ones in comparison were less rich but the chimichurri sauce helped. We got some extra dishes not on the menu (Wagyu ribeye and tomatoes) which were a pleasant add! Plenty of parking in the lot shared with Hook burger and various cooperate offices that are not open on weekends.

    DineLA January 2026
    Cindy C.

    Came here for DineLA with two other friends. We each got a drink to pair with our dinner. FOOD I don't think there was a single dish I disliked. Definitely wished I had more of a few things. The miso black cod was delicious. The different meats were flavorful and rich. I really liked that there is a built-in fan for the grill so the smoke doesn't get on your clothes. INTERIOR Definitely trendy vibes. Great spot for date night or just cozy gathering with friends. They had stations that could seat up to 8 people comfortably. SERVICE Attentive! They refilled my water a few times without needing to ask. They also cook the meat for you too. PARKING They have a spacious parking lot so parking was not an issue for us. WOULD I COME BACK? Yessss

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    Page 2 of 8

    Ask the Community - Yakiya

    Hi. Anyone know the all month 10 course is mean August or till end of September ? I just saw the promotion in FB. Thanks. Aug 22. 2025

    I think the end of Aug., but may extend it. Call the restaurant directly for confirmation!

    What is the dress code for this restaurant? Are shorts okay?

    No dress code. You can even choose to sit at a patio dining for less noise!

    What is the difference of yakiniku dinning room with shabuya dinning room?

    Yakiniku is BBQ, Shabuya is Hot pot

    Are food allergies addressed and honored?

    Not all the time. What restaurant put on their menu that they add MSG? I am highly allergic to MSG and trust me when somebody doesn't put it on their menu. I suffer from it.. I get the wonderful trip to the hospital.… 

    Do the guests cook the meals themselves or is someone cooking it for them table side?

    They cook for you.

    How much is set meal?

    It's $128 per person (plus tax and gratuity).

    View All 10 Questions

    Wild Parrot Brewing Company

    Wild Parrot Brewing Company

    4.6
    (151 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    I think this might be my new favorite brewery! Love the wide selection of just really great beers…read morethat they consistently roll out; present favorites are the sours and IPAs! Love that they have their own kitchen serving yummy food (the brat and chicken quesadilla are our favs!) so we're not scrambling when a food truck cancels last minute. Love how genuinely friendly everyone who we've met working here has been (thanks Joe, Ian and Clarissa for making us feel so welcome!)! Love the super chill vibe of this whole establishment! Love that they have a parking lot! Love the cookies! In short, I'm just so grateful that our friends invited us to join them here for weekly trivia fun on Tuesdays! This is such an amazing brewery! Highly, highly recommend!!

    I've worked blocks away from this place since they opened and knew they had outstanding reviews but…read moreonly first came here with my wife a few years ago. It is now our favorite local place to unwind with a few libations, some games and usually an enormous, delicious pretzel. The staff is next-level friendly, and it rubs off on the customers, most of which are regulars. They host so many events and always keep the menu exciting. Plus they have an awesome dog-friendly patio! Love this place. The only negative thing I'd say is that the roar of the customers against the hard-surfaced walls and ceiling can really get overwhelming at times, but whatever. Not usually a big deal. Just hit the patio if it's too noisy inside. Definitely check out the place if you haven't yet.

    Photos
    Hazy IPA 4-pack to take home
    Hazy IPA 4-pack to take home
    Chicken Nachos
    Chicken Nachos
    Spinach dip delish!

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    Spinach dip delish!
    The 1894

    The 1894

    4.5
    (74 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Tucked inside Vromans you'll find 1894, a small bar serving wine, flights, selection of cocktails…read moreand nibblers. We enjoyed beer, wine and a charcuterie (from Agnes Cheesery). The service was top notch attentive, friendly, and courteous. A relaxing and chill environment surrounded by books.

    If you love books, wine, and that cozy intellectual vibe, 1894 is an absolute must-visit in…read morePasadena. This bar is tucked inside Vroman's Bookstore (already one of the most charming and iconic bookstores in the area) so the entire experience feels like stepping into a warm, literary universe. You can browse for a new book, take in the bookstore's atmosphere, and then walk straight into the bar. Honestly, it's the perfect outing. What makes 1894 truly special is how intentionally it celebrates literature. Everything in the bar pays homage to the bookstore. The drink menu is full of clever, book-inspired names. You'll find cocktails like Pride and PearJudice Pride, Fifty Shades of Earl Grey, and other fun literary twists. Every drink feels like a little wink to readers, writers, and book lovers, and it adds such a unique charm to the experience. The vibe is super quaint and warm, dim lighting, and a creative atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours. The wine is on the pricier side ($19-$21 per glass), but the quality delivers. Customer service was excellent. One of the bartenders spent time chatting with us. He pointed out a chalk artwork behind the bar a dramatic portrait he drew himself featuring expressive, literary-style faces, like Edgar Allan Poe, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, etc. It fits perfectly with the creative, bookish aesthetic of the bar. If you're into books, wine, and unique experiences, 1894 is a spot you absolutely can't miss. Perfect for a date, a solo unwind-with-a-book moment, or a fun night with friends who appreciate a good story and a great drink.

    Photos
    French Pilsner and truffle popcorn
    French Pilsner and truffle popcorn
    2 drinks trying to get "picked up"  Floral Spritz & Pride & Pearjudice
    2 drinks trying to get "picked up" Floral Spritz & Pride & Pearjudice
    The Warm Brie & Baguette with honey - absolutely fantastic!!

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    The Warm Brie & Baguette with honey - absolutely fantastic!!
    T. Boyles Tavern

    T. Boyles Tavern

    4.0
    (446 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    My sister and I found this spot when searching for a place to watch the Dodger's game…read more Love the aesthetic and general vibe of the location. Perfect dive bar for just relaxing and getting away from the other chaotic Pasadena spots. They have a lower and upper level. I ordered their stout and was not disappointed. We also ordered the nachos and salad. Great food. Great portions. Service was excellent. There is a lot next door but you can also look around for street parking. Would definitely come back.

    The only T. Boyle I know is T. C. Boyle, so maybe it's fitting I went to T. Boyle's Tavern with a…read morebunch of novelists after a book event at Vroman's. It was a great place for some casual, mildly literary drinking on a Thursday night. The bar was in an alley, and I was happy to find free, easy street parking right outside the alley entrance. The alley was well lit enough that it didn't feel sketchy, though if I were inclined to beat someone up, this would probably be a convenient place to do it. The space was slightly below ground, down a flight of stairs from the alley. It felt like an Irish pub/sports bar with a tap list of California beers in addition to Coors Light and Guinness. Service was friendly and reasonably fast. I had a Made West Hazy IPA and a Pizza Port Amber, both of which I've had and enjoyed several times in several places over the years. I also ate some fries that were lying around, probably but not certainly by someone I at least sort of know. They weren't bad. I live kind of far from Pasadena and T. Boyle's isn't a destination bar, but I'd come back for another round or two after Vroman's. It's a comfortable spot with good draft beer, where you can relax and have some conversations.

    Photos
    The bar.
    The bar.
    T. Boyles Tavern
    One good place.

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    One good place.
    The Blind Donkey

    The Blind Donkey

    3.9
    (721 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    Chill vibes, extensive drink options, very casual in the heart of downtown Pasadena…read more Various parking options nearby in all direction. A great place to start before heading out, stop through during a shopping or restaurant hopping experience, or a fun way to end the night!

    I've been to this bar multiple times and have always had a good experience, which is why what…read morehappened yesterday around 5 PM was so surprising and upsetting. When we walked in, there was a tall, bald male bartender and a blonde female bartender working--neither of whom I've seen here before. We ordered two drinks, but the service from the male bartender was inattentive from the start. At one point, my friend tried to get someone's attention to ask for a lime and wasn't acknowledged. She ended up grabbing a lime herself from the garnish tray--which I understand isn't ideal--but the response we got was completely out of line. The male bartender became immediately hostile and started aggressively cursing at my friend. When I calmly asked the female bartender if this was normal behavior, he inserted himself into the conversation and said, "she put her fucking hand in the fucking jar," in a very confrontational tone. I tried to de-escalate the situation and respectfully explained that there was no reason to speak to us that way, but he continued the hostility and ultimately told us to "get the fuck out." At that point, I paid for our drinks and we left. What made this especially disappointing is that this has never been our experience here before. We've always enjoyed this bar and have had positive interactions with the regular staff. If this had been my first visit, I would not come back. I understand that what my friend did wasn't appropriate, but it absolutely did not justify being yelled at and cursed out. I hope management addresses this, because this kind of behavior is not reflective of the bar I've come to know.

    Photos
    Whiskey selections
    Whiskey selections
    Triple-fried Fries
    Triple-fried Fries
    Hatchet job

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    Hatchet job
    Magnolia House

    Magnolia House

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Pasadena is one of my all-time favorite cities and they have some great restaurants. We hadn't been…read morein this side of town in a while, so I asked my son to find us a new spot to try today. We ended up at Magnolia House for a late lunch/early dinner. They also serve breakfast/brunch only on weekends. Walked in around 4:30pm and we were greeted by Brian, one of the managers. Brian was the standout star of the whole experience! His energy was exceptional and he is such a great conversationalist. He checked on us several times throughout our meal and made sure we were doing well. He on his own was HANDS DOWN a five star human being. At first, he wanted to seat us in the back corner but I told him the table was too small and he accommodated us with a bigger table. Our server Kiana came up to the table with a pleasant smile and greeting to take our drink orders. I got a glass of cranberry juice along with some water. My son got the American Dream cocktail along with some water. We skipped on dessert. From 4-6pm, they have a happy hour menu with some of their cocktails and shareable plates. The portions are just a bit smaller and the prices are a little lower. It's a good way to sample different items. I think we got a good variety of food to enjoy. To start, we got the Little Gem Salad. It was such a unique combination of flavors and SUPER delicate/light. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The next starter was the Zucchini and Feta Fritters, which was good but not the best out of everything else we ordered. The zucchini was a bit mushy but the batter it was fried in was crispy. Another starter we shared were the Moroccan Spiced Chicken Wings. These wings are gigantic and very flavorful. They definitely pack some heat, so be careful. I don't think the A/C was NOT working to begin with, so the place was already hot. The wings made us sweat even more. For entrées, we got the burger and the pork belly. Brian said they are known for their burger and after taking the first bite, it's clear as to why. It was absolutely PERFRCTION. So delicious! The bun, the meat, the cheese, the onions, and the crispy bacon...all of it mixed together into the perfect burger. I had wanted to add some mushrooms and avocado to it, but Kiana said they were unable to do it. I also asked for lettuce and she said that would be an extra charge. What extra charge for lettuce? We still got charged for avocado when the bill came, but they took it off once we mentioned it. The pork belly was also very tender, flavorful, and crispy. It's just hard to compete with the burger! We also got an order of the Belgian Fries to share and we were both pleasantly surprised at how good they were. The fries are salty and cut pretty thick. The sauce that came on the side was so yummy. We asked for a small extra cup to-go. All in all, the food was great and we liked everything. The vibe of the restaurant wasn't really all that for me. Brian genuinely made up for anything that was lacking in the atmosphere. He is such a wonderful asset to the restaurant and their company. The restaurant itself has been here for about 15 years now and it used to be a very old house. You can tell when you look around. They did a good job with the renovations, but you can see the different areas/rooms. I think they tried to keep the casual comfort of a home, while making it a slightly elevated experience. It was very clean everywhere, especially the bathrooms. They have one gender neutral bathroom, one for men, and one for women. No private parking, so you'll have to park on the street and put money in the kiosk. They also had an outdoor seating. Pretty BIG, only took picture of one side. They also have 2 small TVs. In the bar area and inside their cute lounge. I normally like to try new places, especially when I'm in Pasadena, so I'm not sure if I'll come back here. Maybe if Brian is working, it would definitely be worth stopping by again! Thank you all..

    Magnolia House was the place to go 10-12 years ago. But the last 3 times I've been here recently,…read moreit just really doesn't have the charm or class it used to have. Service is really really slow. You may see 5 or 6 waiters on staff...but they aren't stopping at tables to check up on guests. Alot of them are just hanging around the bar or front desk chitchatting with friends. The food quality dropped tremendously. It tastes like bland bar food now. $19 for 2 meatballs laying in tomato paste....and they were not even room temperature. Felt like they had these already prepared and sitting somewhere, just waiting for the next guest to order them. Got a mojito that may have been mistaken for a "virgin" drink....cause no one at our table could taste any alcohol in it. They all said it was watered down mint with ice. I wish this place would go back 10 years and make it like "the spot you want to go to"....versus the spot you now avoid.

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    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

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    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

    Yakiya - bars - Updated August 2026

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