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I noticed Café Santorini a few months ago while walking around Pasadena and immediately saved it on Yelp because we absolutely love Greek food and the rooftop area looked so beautiful. Fast forward to last weekend, we had to be in Pasadena for an errand and finally decided it was time to try it for dinner. I'm so glad we did because this place was SO good! The menu is a little more diverse than a traditional Greek menu, which honestly made it even harder to choose because there were so many amazing options. We ended up ordering the grilled octopus, mussels, chicken kebab, and sea bass, and every single dish was absolutely delicious. The flavors and textures were just wonderful, and I would genuinely recommend every one of these dishes. The mussels were actually a last-minute decision and ended up being one of my favorite dishes of the night, if not my favorite. The broth was seriously incredible, and the bread that comes with it was the perfect pairing. I usually don't love dense bread, but because this bread sits in the broth and soaks it all up without completely falling apart, every bite was perfection. It could sit in that broth for 30 minutes and still hold together, and honestly, I could have eaten that entire bowl just for the broth and bread! The ambiance is also wonderful. We sat outside on the rooftop on a beautiful summer evening, which made the whole experience even better. Service was excellent too. We didn't have a reservation, it was a Saturday night, and they were able to get us seated within about 30 minutes. I genuinely cannot wait to come back. The only problem is that I want to try everything else on the menu, but I also want to order all the same things again because they were that good! I was already thinking about how much my family would love this place when they come visit. If you haven't tried Café Santorini yet, you're missing out!
I came for the S/O birthday. We ordered the octopus and hummus as appetizers. The octopus was delicious, very tender. For entree we ordered the red curry risotto and steak and frites. The red curry risotto is a must order. 5/5 The steak and frites were okay. Slightly overcooked than I would like. The fries was flavorful and steak was fine. Sauce was good 3.5/5 I would come back again.
Food was good but not superb but the price was decent given everything these days is so expensive! For chioppino, only 2 pieces of bread served and we asked for one more (more like 1/2 more) since there were three of us, the waiter said we needs to ordered a whole side bread for $6. They also charge kitchen wage surcharge 2% to total. Ambiance was good the day we went because it was pouring rain and we sat outdoors in the rain and what an experience eating in Pasadena in September with rain dropping sound as backdrop. Our dinner was at 4 so the noise level was good too. The last time I was here was over 10 years ago for a bridal or baby shower. I'm so glad to see a restaurant business surviving, or thriving in Pasadena. It is a difficult city to do any business especially restaurant! Go Santorini!!
This came recommended by a friend of mine and we came here with another mutual friend. Very cute Italian/Greek restaurant. The entire restaurant is on the second floor so as soon as you open the door you're going upstairs. They have an open bar and plenty of indoor and outdoor/patio seating. Patio area has cute lighting and every table is freshly set with clean linen and table setting. The three of us ordered a bottle of wine to share and were able to try a couple samples before making our decision. Great recommendations on the wine - which I appreciate. We then ordered an appetizer to share which was very tasty. And our entrees were great too. I ordered the vodka pasta dish and I ate every single bite, it was delicious! My friends also commented on how delicious their entrees were. Our server was kind and great overall. I couldn't help but notice though that a couple other parties (who were a couple parties of two, and seated after us) were served before us, and left before us. Obviously I know our food coming out later than usual had nothing to do with our server, but what I did notice was how our server never checked on us after our meals were served. Our server walked past our table several times (checking on multiple tables next to us and even re-setting tables next to us) and didn't even make eye contact to check on any non verbal cues. I finally had to call the server by name (after about 30 minutes had passed since all our meals were done) before getting a dessert menu and then again for the check. Again, overall our server was good, but I'm not sure where the disconnect happened after our meals came. I'd still come back and would definitely recommend this spot to anyone.
I was pleasantly surprised with some of my expectation being exceeded. We had a medium sized group, and came here for a birthday dinner. There was hummus provided for most dishes which was very nice. I had the chicken kebob, which was surprisingly juicy; I'm too used to burnt and dry white meat chicken breast but that's not the case here at all. I also appreciate how many pieces were given. I wish there was an extra pepper and onion, but otherwise a great dish and it's what they're known for. Also had the clams linguini, which was not bad. It's got good garlic flavor, those it could use with some more clams to provide some more of the clam flavor in the sauce. Service was also very good, attentive and able to make the accomodation of helping us take a million pictures for our special occasion which I appreciate.
Haven't been here in years and decided to take my mom for lunch. 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!
Cafe Santorini is a rooftop restaurant in a brick building in Old Pasadena. You can access from street 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.
Cafe Santorini was an amazing experience. The restaurant was beautiful and the service was absolutely impeccable. But the food? Yeah, the food was amazing. We ordered grape leaves, chicken kebobs, and clam linguini. Everything we ordered was delicious! I can't wait to return to try more things on the menu. Well done, Cafe Santorini!
We love coming here for a date my husband and I. The food is amazing and always fresh. Sitting outdoors is always great.
Went for my bf's bday celebration & it was such an outstanding experience! The service was incredibly friendly and welcoming, they were super attentive and accommodating. The food was SO good and fresh. Get the steak frites!!!! It was super tender and flavorful. The Greek salad was also light and refreshing. The chicken kebab plate was honestly just okay, and the hummus and Pita bread was solid. The star of the show was the borek flaky bread appetizer and the steak. The patio seating outside was nice and a vibe. I loved it here !!!
Met up with co-workers/friends over the weekend and we decided to eat here again after so many years of not working across the street. Food, service, ambiance remain great! We had a ball. The only thing I miss is the Arrabiata pasta that I use to order, they don't have it anymore.
This was such a cute spot with second floor seating. The food was absolutely delicious I recommend the Branzino or salmon for a little more flavor. They had a variety of wine options as well. Service was friendly but there was a long wait for food and to be checked in on- it was a very busy Saturday night nonetheless. Overall a great spot but I wouldn't come here if you're in a rush- its an experience that will take you a bit over an hour!
This is a very nice little place in Old Town. The front is a little hard to find as it's in a little alley and the restaurant is upstairs. The group I was with ordered a good variety of the menu and everything was very good I had the branzino. It's was cooked very well -- the skin was nice and crisp and the meat was flavorful and juicy. I think it could have used a little something more ... Maybe a little more seasoning or maybe a little sauce on the side. The potatoes were also cooked well. I think I would have liked a little something else ... Maybe spinach or something with a touch of acid. The lamb shank looked great and my colleague said it was very good. Service was good.
19 days ago
There is a massive pressure felt by all Los Angel-inos when we host guests from different parts of the country. Not only do we have to chaperone the visiting friends to tourist hot spots that we generally avoid in everyday life; but even the restaurants we choose as dining options need to be positioned on a perfect pedestal that impresses but is still comfortable. A very close friend of mine from Nashville visits the City of Angels once a year; and I always feel the stress to impress in regards to dining. In 2026, we decided on a more casual dinner than our usual upscale entertainments and opted for Pasadena. Of course, I turned to Yelp and that is how I discovered Café Santorini. Café Santorini has been a favorite dining option in the Old Pasadena neighborhood of Pasadena since 1993 on the intersection of West Union and De Lacey (a block from Colorado Blvd) nestled in one of the famous historic red-brick buildings with alley alcoves that makes Old Pasadena so beloved. Café Santorini encapsulates European love that is as warm as its bricks uniting the culinary richness of Italy, Greece and Morocco in semi-upscale/trendy real estate with iron railings, high ceilings, exposed brickwork, duct beams and glossy wood surfaces that is both inviting and will absolutely entice tourists and residents, alike. Whether seeking indoor dining bar-adjacent with tables or booths or the lovely outdoor second-floor patio alcove overlooking the plant-filled alleys below; Café Santorini is quite pleasant on the eyes. My Nashville-based friend and I made a reservation for an early dinner at 4pm on a Saturday and Café Santorini was already filled to the gills and bustling with activity (granted, there was a Guns n Roses concert at the nearby Rose Bowl in the evening). Opting to sit outdoors due to the loud volume in the dining room; we had a perfect ratio of casual and date-worthy. Café Santorini is seamless with its 'vibe'. To begin the evening, we opted for some cocktails with a Smoke and Citrus Paloma (grapefruit and lime juice, smoked sea salt agave syrup and soda water, alcohol free at $12 but I made it alcoholic with mezcal) for me while my friend ordered a traditional margarita on the rocks (no salt) as we gazed the menu and also decided on sharing a Grape Leaves appetizer (rice, herbs, tomato paste - $16). If you are Celiac like myself and need gluten-free options, Café Santorini is AMAZING in its GF options (also dairy free and vegan dishes) with more choices than usual competitor restaurants which that alone makes it stand out from the crowd. Our drinks arrived in classy and colorful derivations with my paloma holding a seducing orange hue akin to a setting California sun with dried rosemary and dried fruit with the margarita being perfectly yellow-ish green with a dried lime. My paloma was delicious with an ideal combination of sweet to alcohol and smoke with the margarita being refreshing and tangy. I am quite picky with grape leaves having friends from the Middle East living in the US but Café Santorini's grape leaves (5 pieces) are delicious both in texture and flavor without being too bitter which is sometimes the case. For dinner I chose the Branzino (Grilled Mediterranean sea bass, lemon Greek potatoes, dill, capers- $42) while my friend wasn't super famished and decided on Greek Salad Horiatiki (Valdivia Farms tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, Anaheim peppers, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon juice - $17). One of my favorite details of Café Santorini is their capacity to present elegant dishes that are still simple and not pretentious on plateware that encompasses Greece itself with colorful mosaic prints and painted motifs. The ingredients are fresh, colorful and artfully displayed. My Branzino was faultless: grilled perfectly with charred grill marks and crispy skin (large filet) with capers and fresh dill with fingerling potatoes based under the fish soaking up the lemon juices. Delightful! The Greek Salad Horiatiki allowed the garden-fresh veggies to truly shine even with the lemon juice/oil and large piece of feta making it a perfect summer option. Service at Café Santorini is friendly and a family-like atmosphere with every staff member acknowledging you as you saunter by, answering all questions and constantly smiling. Café Santorini is an overall pleasant joy of an experience. Whether you need to impress out-of-state friends or simply seeking Mediterranean fare in Old Pasadena; Café Santorini is a musty-try for a casual meets elegance dining experience. read more
Enjoyed a family birthday dinner at Cafe Santorini. The food was excellent. Everyone in our party had a breadth of the menu. We had one anomaly on one plate, and the staff and manager quickly fixed. The restaurant has plenty of seats with a visible kitchen, and a full bar. They did a great job to keep waters topped and drinks coming if we want it. read more
Visited Cafe Santorini for dineLA dinner with friends. Indoor and outdoor rooftop dining available. What we ordered: Appetizers -Grilled octopus: this was tender and flavorful, grilled to perfection (Must try!!!) -Calamari salad: light and refreshing, tossed in a zesty lemon herb dressing Entrees -Beef Kebab: served with a pillowy, puffed pita which was hollow in the center & hummus. The beef kebab was flavorful and well seasoned. It was served with basmati rice -Branzino: served on a bed of fingerling potatoes. The branzino had beautifully crispy, golden-brown skin. Yet the fish was moist and perfectly prepared. The dill and the capers gave the branzino a nice contrast. Desserts -Tiramisu: had a noticeable hint of alcohol which complemented its creamy texture -Mango Sorbet: light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end a delicious meal! We enjoyed everything we ordered. Service was friendly and attentive despite being very busy on a Saturday night. This is definitely a must-visit Dine LA experience. read more
I noticed Café Santorini a few months ago while walking around Pasadena and immediately saved it on Yelp because we absolutely love Greek food and the rooftop area looked so beautiful. Fast forward to last weekend, we had to be in Pasadena for an errand and finally decided it was time to try it for dinner. I'm so glad we did because this place was SO good! The menu is a little more diverse than a traditional Greek menu, which honestly made it even harder to choose because there were so many amazing options. We ended up ordering the grilled octopus, mussels, chicken kebab, and sea bass, and every single dish was absolutely delicious. The flavors and textures were just wonderful, and I would genuinely recommend every one of these dishes. The mussels were actually a last-minute decision and ended up being one of my favorite dishes of the night, if not my favorite. The broth was seriously incredible, and the bread that comes with it was the perfect pairing. I usually don't love dense bread, but because this bread sits in the broth and soaks it all up without completely falling apart, every bite was perfection. It could sit in that broth for 30 minutes and still hold together, and honestly, I could have eaten that entire bowl just for the broth and bread! The ambiance is also wonderful. We sat outside on the rooftop on a beautiful summer evening, which made the whole experience even better. Service was excellent too. We didn't have a reservation, it was a Saturday night, and they were able to get us seated within about 30 minutes. I genuinely cannot wait to come back. The only problem is that I want to try everything else on the menu, but I also want to order all the same things again because they were that good! I was already thinking about how much my family would love this place when they come visit. If you haven't tried Café Santorini yet, you're missing out! read more
I came for the S/O birthday. We ordered the octopus and hummus as appetizers. The octopus was delicious, very tender. For entree we ordered the red curry risotto and steak and frites. The red curry risotto is a must order. 5/5 The steak and frites were okay. Slightly overcooked than I would like. The fries was flavorful and steak was fine. Sauce was good 3.5/5 I would come back again. read more
Food was good but not superb but the price was decent given everything these days is so expensive! For chioppino, only 2 pieces of bread served and we asked for one more (more like 1/2 more) since there were three of us, the waiter said we needs to ordered a whole side bread for $6. They also charge kitchen wage surcharge 2% to total. Ambiance was good the day we went because it was pouring rain and we sat outdoors in the rain and what an experience eating in Pasadena in September with rain dropping sound as backdrop. Our dinner was at 4 so the noise level was good too. The last time I was here was over 10 years ago for a bridal or baby shower. I'm so glad to see a restaurant business surviving, or thriving in Pasadena. It is a difficult city to do any business especially restaurant! Go Santorini!! read more
2 months ago
This came recommended by a friend of mine and we came here with another mutual friend. Very cute Italian/Greek restaurant. The entire restaurant is on the second floor so as soon as you open the door you're going upstairs. They have an open bar and plenty of indoor and outdoor/patio seating. Patio area has cute lighting and every table is freshly set with clean linen and table setting. The three of us ordered a bottle of wine to share and were able to try a couple samples before making our decision. Great recommendations on the wine - which I appreciate. We then ordered an appetizer to share which was very tasty. And our entrees were great too. I ordered the vodka pasta dish and I ate every single bite, it was delicious! My friends also commented on how delicious their entrees were. Our server was kind and great overall. I couldn't help but notice though that a couple other parties (who were a couple parties of two, and seated after us) were served before us, and left before us. Obviously I know our food coming out later than usual had nothing to do with our server, but what I did notice was how our server never checked on us after our meals were served. Our server walked past our table several times (checking on multiple tables next to us and even re-setting tables next to us) and didn't even make eye contact to check on any non verbal cues. I finally had to call the server by name (after about 30 minutes had passed since all our meals were done) before getting a dessert menu and then again for the check. Again, overall our server was good, but I'm not sure where the disconnect happened after our meals came. I'd still come back and would definitely recommend this spot to anyone. read more
3 months ago
I was pleasantly surprised with some of my expectation being exceeded. We had a medium sized group, and came here for a birthday dinner. There was hummus provided for most dishes which was very nice. I had the chicken kebob, which was surprisingly juicy; I'm too used to burnt and dry white meat chicken breast but that's not the case here at all. I also appreciate how many pieces were given. I wish there was an extra pepper and onion, but otherwise a great dish and it's what they're known for. Also had the clams linguini, which was not bad. It's got good garlic flavor, those it could use with some more clams to provide some more of the clam flavor in the sauce. Service was also very good, attentive and able to make the accomodation of helping us take a million pictures for our special occasion which I appreciate. read more
Haven't been here in years and decided to take my mom for lunch. 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! read more
Cafe Santorini is a rooftop restaurant in a brick building in Old Pasadena. You can access from street 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. read more
6 hours ago
Cafe Santorini was an amazing experience. The restaurant was beautiful and the service was absolutely impeccable. But the food? Yeah, the food was amazing. We ordered grape leaves, chicken kebobs, and clam linguini. Everything we ordered was delicious! I can't wait to return to try more things on the menu. Well done, Cafe Santorini! read more
20 days ago
We love coming here for a date my husband and I. The food is amazing and always fresh. Sitting outdoors is always great. read more
Went for my bf's bday celebration & it was such an outstanding experience! The service was incredibly friendly and welcoming, they were super attentive and accommodating. The food was SO good and fresh. Get the steak frites!!!! It was super tender and flavorful. The Greek salad was also light and refreshing. The chicken kebab plate was honestly just okay, and the hummus and Pita bread was solid. The star of the show was the borek flaky bread appetizer and the steak. The patio seating outside was nice and a vibe. I loved it here !!! read more
27 days ago
Met up with co-workers/friends over the weekend and we decided to eat here again after so many years of not working across the street. Food, service, ambiance remain great! We had a ball. The only thing I miss is the Arrabiata pasta that I use to order, they don't have it anymore. read more
13 days ago
5 months ago
This was such a cute spot with second floor seating. The food was absolutely delicious I recommend the Branzino or salmon for a little more flavor. They had a variety of wine options as well. Service was friendly but there was a long wait for food and to be checked in on- it was a very busy Saturday night nonetheless. Overall a great spot but I wouldn't come here if you're in a rush- its an experience that will take you a bit over an hour! read more
This is a very nice little place in Old Town. The front is a little hard to find as it's in a little alley and the restaurant is upstairs. The group I was with ordered a good variety of the menu and everything was very good I had the branzino. It's was cooked very well -- the skin was nice and crisp and the meat was flavorful and juicy. I think it could have used a little something more ... Maybe a little more seasoning or maybe a little sauce on the side. The potatoes were also cooked well. I think I would have liked a little something else ... Maybe spinach or something with a touch of acid. The lamb shank looked great and my colleague said it was very good. Service was good. read more
2 months ago
Cafe Santorini offers beautiful outdoor seating, great ambiance, and genuinely friendly staff. The Mediterranean dishes were fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Highly recommended. read more
Had some amazing food and service at Cafe Santorini. Visited with two girlfriends and we absolutely loved it. We went with all of our servers recommendations from drinks to appetizers to main dishes. Everything he recommended was amazing. Our server's name was Brian and he was exceptional. He actually made our night extra special. This is what we ordered, the Ginny for drinks, Borek and hummus for apps, the Lamb shank and Chicken pesto pasta thing for mains and some kind of chocolate cake for dessert. read more
First visit after Covid. Chicken kabob still a perfect 10, grilled to perfection. However the $18 calamari salad is disappointingly low in the calamari to greens ratio (see before & after photo), worst of all they've replaced whole plump baby calamari with tiny rubbery rings, no bueno. Good service as before. read more
The location was small and tucked away right behind busy Colorado blvd in downtown. Service is excellent and the wait staff are always available to refill waters and drinks. Large party or 14, sat us in the patio. It was uber hot but once the sun was down, it was pleasant to be outside. Ordered everything shown here. I probably would pass on the meze sampling plate. I didn't think it was as great for the price. Everything else was pretty good. I forgot my photo of the cioppino. But nonetheless, it was good. read more
4 months ago
Came here last week with a few buddies. The food was great, and our waiter was excellent. Unfortunately, the host completely killed the vibe before dinner even started. We were the very first group there right when they opened. The host/manager asked if we had a reservation, and when we said no, he asked for our name and phone number "for the waitlist." What waitlist? The restaurant was completely empty besides us. That already felt unnecessary and ridiculous. Then after seating us, he came back about a minute later and told us we had to move because the table was "reserved for pictures." So you seat us in an empty restaurant just to immediately move us? Makes zero sense. Later during dinner, we noticed they were taking food photos for social media -- except they weren't even using the table they moved us from. So apparently we got moved around for no reason. To make things worse, the host kept looking over at our table throughout the meal, which just added to the awkwardness. Thankfully, our waiter saved the experience because he was genuinely great, and the food itself was very good. But the front-of-house experience was honestly lame and left a bad impression. If my friends weren't already set on eating there, I probably would've walked out after the way things started. read more
Business owner information
Panos H.
Thank you for the feedback. We’re glad you and your friends enjoyed…
11 months ago
Cafe Santorini is quaint. Fits in perfectly in Pasadena and you have to love it's location Old town Pasadena near the alley I like being seated outside where you get a good view of the courtyard Food is always good and be certain to ask for the specials. It's proximity to the IPIC theatre makes for a good date night read more
I've been so excited to go here for so long, but it's definitely a little overhyped. The spanakopita were way too cheesy, but they were perfectly done other than the excess of cheese. The hummus was divine. The pesto pasta was fine. The seafood risotto was fine. My issue was that none of these were like oh my gosh best thing ever or something I'd want to spend money on going out to eat again. The ashta cake was the best thing I had by far and the most unique! read more
Business owner information
Panos H.
Thank you so much sharing your feedback. We are happy to hear you…
This place is hands down the best! Everything on the menu is phenomenal. My family has been dining here for years. Alex and Elson are the best servers and work so seamlessly as a team. The restaurant is gorgeous and has a beautiful covered patio. They also have a bar area that has full service. We will eat here time and time again. read more
We tried Cafe Santorini last night for dinner and had a great time. First off, customer service is 10/10. We were checked on by our waiter a few times and he was super friendly. I'm not a fan of waiters coming around to check on you a billion times (or the opposite & not come around at all), so it was perfect for me. We sat outside on the balcony and there was a nice ambiance. Bathrooms are kept up and super clean, and as a woman I love that there are no holes between the restroom doors. That is so important to me. I ordered the peach martini and it was yummy, with neither the peach nor the alcohol overpowering one another. I'm normally not a big fan of martinis, but I would get this again. We also ordered the paccheri al pesto e pollo and the orecchiette arrabbiata pastas and we were both pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the arrabbiata. It was spicy, but not too much for people that might be a little more sensitive to spice. The flavor was amazing. This restaurant definitely went above and beyond by my standards and I would love to come back here to try more dishes. read more
18 days ago
6 months ago
We went today for our friends celebration and our server went above and beyond! He helped us take photos, cut our cake, constantly checking our table if we need anything! I personally ordered the chicken kabobs & a few at our table ordered the beef version and meats were all cooked perfectly and food was all delicious! The vibe outside was very nice with all of the lights - wish I had more photos of it! read more
9 months ago
I have been invited to this restaurant years ago on a date and somehow it never happened until two days ago which happened to be my 27th birthday!:-) ha ha. My son made reservations online for 7pm the evening of the 10th of January and we finally made that trip to Cafe Santorini. I have been both; to the actual island in Greece... back in mid 90's and now the one here in the heart of Pasadena which I love a lot! Walked in and the host by the name of Talia who had a pretty smile and a very upbeat, good energy walked us to our table that was already set. She was quick and prompt. Comes our server Irbin L with somewhat good demeanor and a bit confused about their own cocktails and the water situation. At first he said they are going to charge for water, I told him then I will just have regular water. He brought us our waters and then he wanted to know if we wanted something to drink. My son stayed with his water and I opted for an Apple Martini, he told me that they didn't have any, but can make me one that tasted like Apple Martini, then he suggested on a Peach Martini, so I got that thinking that I was actually having a Peach Martini that didn't taste anything like peach. It was so sour, more like a lemon drop or something else. It was too watery, and didn't give that kick. We ordered Pear & Walnut Salad to share,$18.00, my son ordered their Faroe Island Salmon on top of some lentils, $36.00 and I got Beef Brochette which came with Basmati Rice, 2 small grilled tomatoes, two small, long grilled shishito peppers, hummus and pita bread. Bread was not that fresh or hot, son liked his Salmon saying that it was made to perfection and I also liked my food. Food took like 45 minutes to come out. I understand the restaurant was super packed & busy since it was Saturday night. We didn't order any dessert thinking that few of their servers would bring out a small cake/ice cream/dessert type of something to blow my candle. He brought out this tiny flourless chocolate cake type of dessert which was literally 2 bites and put a single candle on it and wished me a Happy Birthday. Total came out to $145.10 including tax, tip and a kitchen wage surcharge(2.00%). I don't know what that was all about and noticed it once we got home. Anyway, for the amount of the food and portions that we got, it didn't make or break the bank. Restaurant had its own charm with bright lights, beautiful decor, plants, and other eclectic designs all around. No parking. Only street & metered parking in the front or anywhere else that you could find. Restaurant was SPOTLESS CLEAN, including all the bathrooms. They have stairs that takes you to their elegant, decadent, elaborate, classy looking restaurant but also have an elevator which we noticed later, on our way out. You have to go thru an alley to get to the restaurant. That's all I can say for now. Will I return back? Maybe, maybe not. It was a good 1st time experience. read more
Stopped by here for a quick dinner bite. Man this was delicious. Parking is across the street from the restaurant. It's an upstairs restaurant with outdoor indoor but i love the outdoor vibe better than the i door specially with spring time. I had the fish it was delicious fresh classic branzino perfectly seasoned with a slice of lemon to squirt over the fish. i do however wish they should have had more of a different side than potatoes although the potato were good so i ordered a side of hummus to go with the fish . Service is nice i do feel like the tables are in close proximity and that is not so great because i can totally ease drop on the next table. I wouldn't say it's intimate but they made the most of the outdoor space. I also had the spritz and totally delicious. read more
This place is an Italian getaway hidden in old town pasadena. BEST Armenian/Greek Restaurant in the world in my opinion! Shoutout to Chef Garo our fav! Amazing ambience, amazing food, best service, best chefs, this place is a 10 out of 10 on everything. I usually have a "must try" list but we've had everything on the menu and nothing is ever a miss. I will say if you had to stick to one app - do the Santorini meze sampler. One entree would be the pesto pacherri pasta. And one must try dessert would be the Ashta. It's the owners mom's homemade recipe!! This is a secret spot that will soon be a Michelin star restaurant mark my words! Check it out! Also a great spot for events- they have a side room nestled away. read more
Business owner information
Ramy E.
So appreciative of you taking the time Sharon to leave us such a…
1 year ago
Know that this is a fancy restaurant where the waiters put the cloth napkin on your lap! It's upstairs. We came through the back and up the stairs(that killed my bad knees). Had we come through the south side I would have seen the elevator. We were seated right away on the patio. We were offered still or sparkling water. We asked for still. I FOUND ON OUR BILL THAT WE WERE CHARGED $19 FOR MINERAL WATER!!! I am still mad about that. Tap water would have been fine like at EVERY other restaurant! We shared the stuffed grape leaves. They were yummy but only 4. I had the pear & walnut salad. It was good. My friend had the salmon. 2 of them had the beef brochette (kabobs). They liked it. It was nice. But not enough to return. read more
Business owner information
Ramy E.
Hello Aprille, we appreciate the honest feedback. We're sorry that we…
Came here to celebrate Aquarius birthdays, Galentine's day, love, and friendship. Cafe Santorini accommodated our large party and were absolutely great hosts. The ambiance is warm and friendly. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. Highly recommend the chicken kebab entree as the chicken is perfection and it comes with delicious hummus and pita bread. Whether you are out on a date or celebrating with friends this place is the perfect place. Thank you again for your wonderful hospitality! Definitely will be back! read more
Me and my friends had a girls night out with my god kids to test out of the 6 and 4 year old was ready to dine out for dinner. We decided to order a few plates and share them family style. The food was quite yummy enough for the little picky eater that she actually tried everything and quite enjoyed the mussels and the octopus! So bravo for making food delicious enough for the kiddo to open up their sophisticated palate! Everything was very tasty to the adults as well. A for experience. read more
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More info about Cafe Santorini
64 W Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
Downtown
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(626) 564-4200
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https://cafesantorini.com
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Ask the Community - Cafe Santorini
Is the restaurant toddler friendly , do they have high chair or booster seat available?
Sorry, I do not know. I do not recall seeing any high chairs.
Did the restaurant change management or chef? Food tastes different from what I remember from a few years ago.
They did. The ownership changed for the worst also. Think the old owner is in Laguna beach now with old menu
Hello, can I take a reservation for Father's Day?
I believe they can, we made our reservation through Open Table.
Are you going through a renovation? If so, is this impacting the ambiance?
Hello Christine, we're going through a renovation which is in a new section of our Restaurant. The main dining area with the patio, which has been in business for the last 30 years, has not been affected at all and the ambiance is the same. Thank…
Can I bring outside drink into the restaurant?
No. My wife had a Starbucks blended drink and they took it from us as it was "Not allowed" Dont know about corkage fees.
Does this restaurant do vaccination verification for dine in?
Not that I know of. I just walked in and ate. No one asked if I was vaccinated
What is the covid-19 surcharge about?
It's a surcharge to cover for all the added expenses the closures took on businesses. Considering the huge hit they all took, I don't mind. Life's not cheap.
Can we bring our 60lb GoldenDoodle?
Many people bring dogs to restaurants now Pippa.
Do they still make the shrimp saltado? Please please say yes, it was the best!!
Hello Stephanie, Thanks for your question. For the last year or so, due to Pandemic, we have scaled down our menu and unfortunately shrimp saltado is one of them. Once…
Is it pet friendly on the patio?
I sure hope not. Animals are unsanitary. I love them, but they belong at home.
Hi I was able to make a reservation for this weekend on 10/10. Will you be back open by then?
Is the restaurant open for take out or delivery during this time?
Hello Jessica, Thanks for your email. Unfortunately we're not open for take out yet. We shall let the public know as soon as we're ready.
Is this restaurant handicap accessible?
They will accommodate handicap seating in their street level Rococo area if no private party has reserved it prior. No handicap access up to patio seating.
Do they have decent options for gluten-free folks?
I would suggest calling restaurant directly. The menu is available on the cafe website and is marked with several gluten free items. If you have celiac you may want to check if the food is prepared in a gluten free area of the kitchen. The website…
Do they have happy hour on Saturday?
Only Monday through Friday to indulge delicious Mediterranean food.
Is there heaters outside?
Yes there are heaters set up in strategic spots on outdoor patio
Can you bring your own wine?
Yes you could bring your wine, there will be corkage fee charge of , 1st bottle $25, additional bottles $35…
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243 reviews that are not currently recommended
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