Order Marina Takeout or Delivery
Marina Photos
Business Info
MARINA ATMOSPHERE
Recommended Reviews - Marina
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
One of my favorite Italian restaurants. I love this place is so cute and trendy inside. The owner is always nice and they make homemade pasta always a great place to go. If you and Pasadena and you want some good Italian this place beyond excellent and service is good.
For special occasions. Dark, upscale vibe. A bit cramped. Servers seemed experienced and attentive, though we waited quite a bit to have our waters refilled - that just did not seem like a priority during a busy dinner rush. I did enjoy the steak, as it was perfectly cooked to temperature and seasoned well. Melted in the mouth. But of course priced accordingly LOL. Not a place I'd come back to because I always like trying somewhere new, but I'm glad we gave it a try for a nice dinner out.
My boyfriend and I were so excited to dine at Marina in Pasadena. There are some paid lots, free public parking, and street parking if you are willing to walk. Just be careful because there are some tricky signs that say $1.50 in large font and for each 15 minutes in tiny font. Even with a reservation from Resy, we found that it was still a bit of a wait. Without the reservation, you might be limited to patio parking only. Even their bar area was busy and reserved during our time there. I didn't mind the waiting, but it was stressful waiting in a tight space with their staff coming in and out with huge piles of dishes and you have to be careful if you don't want to be bumped into. This feeling of crowdedness continues to the tables with the spacing between one table to another very tight together. More to this in a bit. The hostess was so sweet, she actually sent us a complimentary Blistered Bread and Ricotta ($14) dish that we both really enjoyed to make up for the wait. The blistered bread was masterfully executed, very thin and went perfectly with the ricotta dip. Once again, I didn't mind the wait at all. That was not the problem with my meal. Anyways... going on... the waiter... the waiter we had was really grumpy. Not sure if it's just his personality or he was having a bad day. For instance, I was ready to get the white wine flight but then he was, very poorly, explaining it to the point where I was talked out of it. Then I was about to get a glass of wine or bubbly... Then once again he basically talks me out of it. Nevermind I'll drink water... I guess you don't need to earn a better tip. In addition to the trouble he gave me while order. When he came to ask me about my experience. I honestly responded that it could be better, due to the table next to us. He basically gaslit me like well it's a big party, what do you expect? Wow this inconsiderate family of kids bumping into my table, making fart sounds on purpose, cursing adults, and loud loud kids and adults... You expect me to feel like this is normal behavior and enjoy it. I straight up told him, well YOU ASKED ME, I'm just answered your question. He begrudgingly moved us but basically ignored us for the rest of the night Anyways, as for the food... I thought the food would be pretty fantastic since the restaurant was so busy. It had all of the signs of a successful restaurant. My boyfriend and I shared the following: Squash Blossoms ($16) - I love squash blossoms. My boyfriend knew I wouldn't be able to resist ordering it. Their preparation of this delicate ingredient was heavy for my liking. The batter on it was thick and oily. The toasted hazelnuts were unnecessary. House Italian Sausage ($26) - They have one of those pizza ovens. The crust was thin and crispy. It was well prepared. However the issue we had with this was the flavor, or rather lacking flavor. The taste of the Italian sausage was overwhelmed by the red onion agrodolce. We both ate a slice and took the rest home. Even as leftovers we weren't excited to eat it. Charred Scallop Risotto ($38) - What really sold me was the baja uni batter that I did not taste much of in this dish. This was a poor execution of a risotto. The texture was off, and the flavor was overwhelmed by whatever cheese they used in this dish. The charred scallop was one single scallop cut in half and overly charred and rubbery in taste. The blue shrimp were shriveled too. We made sure to eat the proteins to prevent waste but you know it's bad when my boyfriend didn't even want to togo this dish. He normally eats anything to prevent waste. Branzino alla Griglia ($38) - Whole grilled branzino topped with eggplant, salsa verde and herb salad. This was the least bad item that we paid for... Although there was a lot of bones to be cautious of. I understand the risk of stumbling on a few bones when ordering a whole fish but this was more than I would have liked. I also didn't like some of the flavors coating the fish. Although from a grilled perspective it was crispy and perfectly cooked. This is a popular business with plenty of patrons to keep them busy. Whatever they like... it isn't what I look for in a business I frequent. I know they don't need my business and I will gladly stay away and save myself all of the trouble. This was way too stressful and there weren't any dishes I need to have again. My experience was so awful I'm being very generous with this 3 star, which is "average".
Came for dinner on a Friday night and had reservations. We were seated promptly and started off with the appetizers. The grilled octopus is a MUST. The lamb chops scottadito were tender and cooked perfectly. The fried calamari & artichoke were crispy and paired deliciously with a light aioli. The prosciutto san daniele & figs were delicious! As for the mains, we ordered their spicy shrimp alla vodka, branzino, and the cacio e pepe. I loved their spicy shrimp alla vodka. The branzino was crispy but had a lot of bones. The cacio e pepe was a surprise for me as they use whole peppercorns. Ended the night with a pistachio tiramisu. All in all, Marina is a great restaurant. The only downside was the lack of AC. It was so hot, we started using our menus and napkins to fan ourselves.
Came here this past weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday with my husband and parents, and everything was delicious as always! I've been to Marina several times now and it never disappoints. We started with Lily's Mushrooms and the Lamb Chops Scottadito - the mushrooms had a nice smoky grilled flavor with avocado cream that worked really well together, and the lamb was tasty without being too gamey. For mains we got the House Italian Sausage pizza, the Calabrian Salami pizza, and the Rabbit Bolognese. Both pizzas were great but the Calabrian Salami was definitely our favorite! The honey and spice combo was so good and the crust was perfectly crispy. The Rabbit Bolognese was also incredible, and tasted fresh and light instead of heavy like some bolognese can be. Our waiter gave us the pistachio tiramisu on the house for my mom's birthday, which was such a sweet gesture, and it was delicious! He took great care of us all night and even helped get multiple angles of our group photo haha. Thank you Marina for such a great experience, we will definitely be back :)
Shout out to the nice couple Melanie and James who sat at the bar with me. The Monday/Tuesday lasagna $49 meal for two people includes blistered bread, choice of Caesar salad or calamari/artichokes, lasagna and choice of dessert. Bread was awesome and served hot like a giant balloon with ricotta dipping sauce. Calamari was served hot and crispy. I was worried cause some reviews mentioned that it may be soggy. Lasagna was a small portion that could only feed 1 1/2 person not two hungry diners. Service was slow. It took 30 minutes between the calamari appetizer until my lasagna entree. Considering the long wait, I thought my lasagna would be piping hot but it was both warm and hot on certain parts. The lasagna was very dense, more like a meatloaf than a lasagna. Bar waitress was nice and attentive and gave me regular updates on when my food would arrive. For the pre-fixe price and serving size, it is a decent value. As a single diner, I ate half the bread, the entire calamari appetizer, half the lasagna and I took the dessert home. They also have happy hour specials and a few designated parking spots in front of restaurant but plenty of free street parking.
Paid underground parking is available nearby. I recommend making a reservation, especially if you're planning to come for dinner or on a weekend. The restaurant was clean and had a welcoming atmosphere. I noticed that the restrooms were well maintained, which is always a plus. The food was okay overall. It wasn't bad, but nothing really stood out or made me want to come back just for the food. One thing I was disappointed by was the appetizer, Prosciutto San Daniele & Figs. It only came with one piece of bread, which was not enough. The service was average, not particularly attentive or memorable. Overall, it was an okay dining experience. It may still be worth trying if you're in the area.
Marina is always such a great dinner the food is exceptional but I want to highlight Nick he wasn't our server and yet managed to make the night memorable, he was attentive and kind and when our friend wasn't feeling good he made sure to make her feel cared for. People like nick are so important - kindness is a dying art but I'm happy to see it's alive and well in nicks heart! He is amazing and I hope to see him again my next time dining
The Bottom Line 4 stars: Nice vibe and good service, food and drinks. Recommended! Location 3.5 stars: In Pasadena, Northwest corner of Lake and Cordova. There is limited street parking and a few free parking spots on the side of the restaurant (usually taken). Or you can use the paid lot next door down the alley. I parked at the lot and was supposedly validated by our server, but upon exiting I was still charged the full price of $1.50 for every 15 minutes!!! Not sure what happened there... Venue 3.5 stars: New, nicely decorated upscale facility with indoor and seating and a full bar. They do also have patio seating which I did not enjoy. The patio is these narrow strips on the front and side of the restaurant. The front side is literally on the sidewalk and the side patio is cramped and facing a bunch of parked cars. Not esthetically pleasing or comfortable. They do have heaters though which were helpful as it was a chilly evening. They take reservations on Resy which I would recommend as they get very busy. Service 4 stars: Friendly and polite. Food 4 stars: Modern Italian-inspired. We had the Hamachi Crudo and the Lamb Chops as appetizers. Lamb Chops were good. The Crudo was good but a very small portion. We also had the Scaloppine di Pollo, the Charred Scallop Risotto, the Branzino alla Griglia and the Pork Chop Milanese. The Scaloppine di Polo (Breaded chicken Cutlet) was the best. The Pork Chop was a little dry. The Branzino and the Risotto were good but had way too much butter for our taste. The star of the show was the Pistachio Tiramisu which was excellent. Overall a reasonable dining experience. Prices are on par with similar establishments. Drinks 5 stars: Creative specialty cocktails using unique Italian spirits, full bar, beer, wine, soft drinks and espresso drinks. Drinks are reasonably priced.
Great choice for a Friday night dinner. The house Italian sausage pizza and Pork Chop are good. Not so recommended for their lamb chops, which are not juicy and a bit overcooked. Charred scallop risotto did not surprise me too much though the rice (risotto) was well cooked and done. Service and ambiance are fantastic. Beautiful interior decor and comfortable seatings. I didn't try their alcohol selection or desserts. Maybe next time.
great service and great food! tried this spot on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. everything we ordered was yummy and i would definitely go back again! good vibes esp the area in the back was nice for my group to take some pictures
Cute, authentic Italian restaurant located on a sidewalk corner off Lake Ave in Pasadena. Sat at the bar top. It took a few moments for someone to check on me, but once I was spotted, it was attentive service thereafter. Food: 1.best grilled octopus Ive had in a LONG time. Perfectly grilled on outside but tender and fresh on the inside. The confit potatoes were crisped just right and the watercress balanced the dish well. There was a bit too much Calabrian sauce/ aioli underneath for my taste, but I like to eat on a separate small plate anyway, so it was still perfect. I liked the bit of kick from the Calabrian chili. 2. Olive oil cake was perfectly light and dense in all the right ways at the same time. Paired beautifully with deep chilled limoncello for a satisfying finish. After dining at Marina, I felt like I had been transported to the Mediterranean Sea. This place is a family owned, authentic, understated restaurant and a must of you're in Pasadena.
Found out about this place through Resy (Amex Plat Benefit) and decided to try it. The pizza is very tasty but I wish my Cacio e Pepe pasta has a more crushed pepper instead of whole pepper bcs I tasted a bomb of pepper in my mouth everytime I took a bite, I don't really mind it tho, just preference. Service is great, Nick took a great care of us. There were heat wave during the time of our visit and after it cools down, the temp outside feels the same as inside. I was hoping the AC would be cooler inside. Other than that, we'll definitely come back to try more of the menu items.
2 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Ervin, Thank you for sharing such kind words and for continuing to…
2 years ago
Was pleasantly surprised by this bistro and the quality of the food, service and ambiance. The staff was very friendly and Victor went out of his way to explain menu favorites and cocktail recommendations which all turned out to be A1. Started off with that blistered bread and ricotta--the ricotta was close to butter the way it was whipped, seasoned perfectly and bathed in EVOO. The bread was also as fresh as could be and so soft. Also tried the squad blossoms which had the perfect amount of breading and stuffed with an almost sweet cheese that really made the squash pop. Was losing it eating these. For the main I went with the shrimp and calamari pasta which was the perfect ending to an already great meal. The taste of the sauce used on this will stay with me for a while. I forget the cocktails only because I told our server Victor that I trusted him and he didn't disappoint. All in all highly recommended spot. read more
2 years ago
This is a new restaurant that we wanted to try. The decor and ambience was trendy and casual. When we arrived, a little before 5 pm, we wanted to take advantage of the happy hour even we had reservation at 6 pm. We were told that we could either sit at the bar or we would lose the table for our dinner. Most restaurants would be flexible allowing the guests to get a drink for 10 to 15 minutes and sit for dinner. Regardless, we decided to sit at the table and forgo the happy hour drinks and order at full price. I ordered the summer kiss drink and my girlfriend ordered the kiwi energy. Both drinks were delish. The cheese platter was amazingly delicious. I typically go with no carb but still carved in to try the bread with cheese. We ordered a nectarine salad which tasted really good with the sweetness of the nectarine and the feta cheese. For entree, we split the branzino. The branzino was cooked a little dry and not much fillet. Maybe we ordered the wrong dish. I saw others pasta entrees were great. Maybe next time, we should stick with the pasta and pizza. For dessert, we tried the olive lemon cake as recommended by the server. It was ok. The cake texture was a little dense, not the chiffon cake that we expected. Very lemony. Will we come back, mmmm. maybe. read more
We came here for lunch right after the Huntington Library and it was nice! Did not have to wait and were seated right away. I'm writing this review because the service here was really good. Super attentive and never failed to check in. They had a small issue with the pasta machine but kept us informed and provided us with more comped drinks. Started off with Fried Calamari, well put together and enjoyed the combo with the artichoke! Didn't expect putting those two together would go well. Good appetizer. The Margherita pizza was a good portion to share between the 5 of us. Super thin, fair amount of cheese and basil. Really enjoyed it. Aside from our pastas that we ordered. There was a chicken breast dish served on top what looked like mash potatoes and it was delicious! The chicken breast paired well and nicely prepared. I would order this again. We shared a couple of different pastas and we all enjoyed them. We chose the carbonara, the mushroom linguini, and the was another one with lamb. Despite the wait time, they were super delicious. Next time, I'd like to come check out their dinner menu. Also, their wine line was endless! Not to mention, I saw an awesome liquid shelf of whiskey. Japanese whiskey hibiki as well. Wondering if it's for order or just for show. Guess we'll find out another time! read more
6 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Colleen, Thank you for such a wonderful review. We’re thrilled to…
2 years ago
I just discovered this restaurant like a week ago and it didn't disappoint! The quality of the food was very good and service was excellent! There is parking behind the restaurant which is good and yes, the restaurant does partial validation which is better than nothing. Definitely try this restaurant for some great Italian food! read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Marc , Glad you enjoyed it — the puffy bread is always a standout…
5 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Sam, Thank you to The Greenridge Group for choosing Marina for…
I was in the area the other night and was meeting up with some friends so I popped in to order the Rigatoni alla Norma for my mom since she likes the Rigatoni and eggplant so since I noticed it on the menu I decided that I'll surprise her when I went to visit. The place was bustling and it was a busy night. The ambiance was happy and cheerful by the looks of it. She mentioned the following day she enjoyed her surprise so I'll definitely come back in the future. They have parking beside the building or you can park downstairs and make sure you get validation before leaving otherwise you can park on lake Ave on the street. Even the parking attendant downstairs was cool. read more
I met up with some girlfriends here for Sunday Brunch. I've heard wonderful things about Marina and was excited to see for myself. Marina is charming - lovely décor, spacious dining room, and an open kitchen. The menu is a fusion of rustic Italian and California cuisine made with fresh seasonal ingredients. The wine list is extensive, and the craft cocktails are impressive. Our server was Silvia, and she was an absolute delight. My one friend is a regular here and she suggested we start with the Blistered Bread & Ricotta. I highly recommend this! The puffy bread came out warm from the pizza oven and slowly deflated. It was hollow inside, crispy outside, & topped with olive oil & parmesan and accompanied by a creamy ricotta dip topped with fresh cherry tomatoes, olive oil, & Za'atar spice mix. The dip was flavorful, and the bread was yummy. This appetizer is addicting. Our drink order consisted of: French 75, Salvavita, & Yuzu. The Salvavita was made with Bourbon, Italicus, pineapple, sage syrup, & citrus. I had a sip, and it was very tasty. Another winner! Since it was brunch, I was in the mood for a French 75 and this one was excellent. Our meal consisted of: Shakshuka, Cavatelli & Italian Sausage, & Caesar Salad. The Caesar salad was comprised of a mixture of little gem lettuce & romaine and was topped with brioche breadcrumbs & pecorino. This was by far the best Caesar I've had. My friend enjoyed the Shakshuka and finished every last bit. My other friend also enjoyed the Cavatelli & Italian Sausage. (The pasta is made fresh in house.) She said the sauce was particularly good and even more delicious with the cheese mixed in. The potion size of each dish was perfect. Overall, it was a lovely afternoon. The food & drink were top notch, our server was fantastic, and we had a wonderful visit. I'm looking forward to coming back for Happy Hour. FYI: Adjacent parking lot is $1.50 every 15 mins/$12 max ($2 off with validation.) Happy Hour Mon & Tues all night. Wed - Sun 5 pm - 6 pm Bar only. read more
3 years ago
Great spot, great food, great drinks and great service! The bartender Tony was so sweet and mixed the best drinks! I wish the portions were a little bigger tho read more
1 year ago
What can I say? They have the most delicious, authentic Italian food and the service is wonderful. I can't wait to return with my family and friends. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Trixy, Thank you for the wonderful feedback. We’re thrilled to…
11 months ago
The service is outstanding. Tony is a warm ray of sunshine to everyone he meets. The branzino is light, flaky and flavorful. The lighting and airiness the location transports you to another place without leaving Pasadena. Even as a picky eater, the grilled octopus and rabbit bolognese are some of my favorites. Would definitely return! read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Peter , Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad…
To be honest, I was a bit reluctant to try Marina but the wife wanted to dine here right before Valentine's day. It was easy making reservations a few days prior. Luckily we live close enough to walk here as there are only a few free spots along the side of the restaurant. Arrived a few minutes before they opened and there was already a few people waiting at the door. Guess this place is popular for Happy Hour. We started off with a caesar's salad which was decent. I wished they would've tossed the salad a bit more as some romaine leaves were dry and others were well coated with salad dressing. The croutons were a bit bland in my opinion and could've used some seasoning. Next up was the bianca pizza which was pretty tasty even though I'm not a huge bechamel sauce fan. Do try to eat this fresh as it becomes oily when reheated the next day. We decided on the mushroom linguini as our pasta dish and this was pretty good. The pasta was served a bit over al dente but still had a nice bite to it. Then came the main course which we decided on the scaloppine di pollo. Though the dish was well seasoned, it was brought out less than room temp. Looking back, I should've sent this dish back but for some reason just decided to let it go. Ended the meal with their tiramisu which was good. May come back sometime in the future for their happy hour which seemed to be pretty popular. The tables are pretty close to one another and it does get loud once the place fills up. Service was good. read more
Business owner information
Marina P.
Hi Derek , thanks for the feed back on your experience and we…
6 months ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Gail , We appreciate you taking the time to share this — it sounds…
1 year ago
We checked this place twice, both were ordering to go box. Food is pretty good, we ordered lamb chop, pizza and squid ink pasta, tasty and good amount. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Marie, Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad to know…
1 year ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Chris , Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt review.…
2 years ago
Marina shows timeless elegance. I like the interior as it is inviting and captivating. Especially the refined minimalism vibe Service is friendly and welcoming. The dishes all have nice presentation. Although the dishes do not wow me in flavors, i enjoy the meal. It does not dazzle with complexity but the whole package delivers a enjoyable dining experience. We tried: - blood orange salad - refreshing. Blood oranges are under the greens. Speck tastes real good. I would mix up the ingredients a bit more before digging in. - grilled oysters mushrooms - good to try - Calabrian salami pizza - note that this is spicy - uni & prawns risotto - three prawns and one is not fresh with meat mushy. - Branzino- good to try - chocolate tart - so so read more
Came by on a Wednesday night to try this place out and it felt like a Friday bc it was packed! I was still able to get seated pretty quickly in their patio section which is still nice and warm in the wintertime. Overall, the service was pretty good since the waiters were very friendly and brought out our food at a good pace. Between two people, we split the burrata and grilled octopus for appetizers and the butternut squash agnolotti and shrimp & calamari arrabiata for our main courses. Everything we ordered was so good and decently portioned we even had leftovers to take home. I really liked the agnolotti because of the subtle, tasty flavors of the dish. It is slightly sweet because of the butternut squash filling, so if you prefer more savory flavors this might not be for you. Both pastas were cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. The appetizers tasted amazing too and were great for sharing. I was too full to try for myself, but I did see a lot of people ordering their desserts. I would love to come back again and try some of their other dishes along with their tiramisu! read more
1 year ago
We loved our experience here! The fresh seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients really adds to the quality of every dish. We also met Gustavo, one of the owners, who was so warm and welcoming and had fantastic recommendations. Service was really phenomenal -- the second I sat down with my large purse, they brought something over for me to hang it in so it wouldn't have to balance on my lap, which I really appreciated. Food all came quickly and everyone was so attentive. We tried: Persimmon Salad (10/10) Butternut Squash Agnolotto (9/10) Truffle Cavatelli (10/10) Wagyu Flat Iron Steak (8/10) We also got the Salvavita, Bourbon & I Don't Give a Fig cocktails. They were delicious and beautifully presented. We also saw that they had pasta options for gluten-free diners. We'll be back to try more dishes soon! Hoping to save room for the tiramisu next time. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Cherise, Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review.…
1 year ago
Date night at a charming Italian restaurant, Marina. The charred octopus, prosciutto, and squash blossoms were delicious appetizers that paired well with a chilled Viognier. The shrimp alla Vodka was cooked to perfection, and the pizza's aroma was irresistible, making us want to come back with friends. Friendly service for a good meal. read more
Nice spot that's really quite easy to find at the corner and quaint. It has a great romantic feel at night and also a business type lunch spot during day time. It speaks of class and culture here. The service is attentive and formal but not stuffy. It's a good place to dress up if you'd like, and you likely will give the nice decor inside. We were sat outside with fireplace, but our legs were freezing! Tables and chairs set up on sidewalk likely from pandemic era. Wish the spice it up more with greeneries and lights, but we cannot ask for much given the spot was likely used since outdoor eating was the norm in past. Most items were big enough to be shared and we thus went for pasta pizza and calamari down to the dessert. The options were very heavily laden with cream and cheese especially the pasta so they are definitely shareable as you will get stuffed easily. The carbonara was way too salty and creamy to my liking. Cheese on top, bacon inside, likely cream used for sauce. It was a very heavy and salty dish. The mushroom pizza was very good and light. The crust perfectly cooked and thin enough to fold in half to eat daintily. Protect those nails! The cheese was not too stringy that we'd look so silly. The blue cheese cheesecake had hint of blue cheese without it being overwhelming. Wish it had more red sauce as the sour punch highlights the cheesecake more. Maybe even drizzle on cake! We did not do drinks but with all the shareables, expect to spend about $60-$70/person here. It is a classy sexy spot so the $ was spent into that too! Bon Appetito! read more
1 year ago
Food service and ambiance was absolutely perfect and fantastic! The server was very attentive and accommodating also the food was absolutely delicious. I will definitely be back read more
9 months ago
We had a wonderful evening here celebrating a birthday. They made the birthday girl feel extra special. The pasta was perfect. We like the cozy atmosphere and the friendly service. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi victoria, We appreciate you sharing this special celebration with…
I initially made a reservation for two. I needed to change my reservation from two guests to five, and it was very last minute! Surprisingly, Marina was able to accommodate and update the reservation. Parking can be difficult in the area. Tried to park where Randy's Donuts was, but the parking lot was so jam packed. There was a parking lot next to Marina where it was $1.50 for every 15 minutes... so I wasn't too happy about that. The restaurant was so lively when we walked in. We sat in the back area and it was really noisy. I didn't have too much of an issue listening to friends sitting across, but some did. There were so many food items to try. I recommend ordering family style so you and friends can try a bit of everything. We ordered two pizzas (Margherita and Calabrian Salami), three pastas (Cavatelli & Italian Sausage, Shrimp & Calamari Arrabiata, and Mushroom Linguini), and several Firsts (Fried Calamari & Artichoke, Grilled Octopus, Blood Orange Salad, and Burrata & Kumquat). The Calabrian Salami pizza was my favorite between the two. The hot honey surprisingly worked really well with the tomato sauce. It was sweet, savory, and tart. I loved it! I love Margherita pizzas, so I had to order one from Marina. It was an interesting take on the Margherita pizza because there were different types of cheeses on it. It was a like a bougie Margherita pizza. The bread was light, airy, crunchy, and filling. Tip: dip the crust in the parsley aioli sauce that came with the Calamari and Artichoke. It was delicious. Of the three pastas, I recommend the Cavatelli & Italian Sausage, and Shrimp & Calamari Arrabiata. The Shrimp & Calamari Arrabiata pasta was flavorful and a little spicy. The Cavatelli & Italian Sausage pasta was intriguing because of the goat cheese and the ricotta, but also delicious nonetheless. I say try the Cavatelli & Italian Sausage pasta with the tomato sauce before mixing the cheese. It was like two different pastas into one. Once you mix in the cheese, it becomes this pink sauce like mixing marinara sauce and white Alfredo sauce. The Mushroom Linguini was mediocre. It was bland tasting. The Fried Calamari & Artichoke, and Blood Orange Salad were my favorite of the Firsts. Grilled Octopus, and Burrata & Kumquat were whatever. The grilled octopus was minuscule. It was definitely not worth it, especially for the price. By the end, we were so full, we didn't have room for dessert. All foods were rich and heavy. Marina also validates their parking but only $2 off. read more
3 years ago
Service was inconsistent, food too was a bit disappointing- the bread had no salt and too little of the (delicious) ricotta to make up for the lack of salt. The bread had a terrific texture, though. The chicken scaloppine was by far the hit of the evening! The sausage pasta lacked umami - somehow?! And the mushroom dish was extremely mushroomy. I thought the environment was comfortable and the vibe was good. read more
High ceiling modern interior. Servers are luck warm, not really paying attention to greet while it's not so busy. 1) Carbonara: 2-star Bucatini. smoked guanciale (similar to bacon), creamy egg sauce. Greasy salty rich sauce. Guanciale (thick diced bacon) is tough to chew on. Not much of flavor but grease n salt. Pasta is hard chewy, not blended much of flavor into the rest of the ingredients in this pasta dish. 2) Sautéed Kale: 4-star Garnished w/fresh red chili pepper, giving it a kick of spiciness. Kale is sautéed heavily oily but fresh. Its well balanced out to my Carbonara. 3). Latte: 3-star Rather bitter other than flavor. 4) Tiramisu: 2-star In comparing to Pasta Sisters, this one is heavy thick on milk foam over powering. Cocoa powder is rather garnishing w/o a touch of the soul of Tiramisu. Disappointed. read more
I've been here three times trying desperately to like this place but my husband and I have just not been blown away, sadly. The service is always a bit slow when we come here whether it's busy or not, however the food is pretty good, and the location is nice and not too crowded. There's a non-complimentary parking garage that diners will need to utilize to dine here unless they are able to find parking on the street or in one of the 4-5 spaces to the side of the restaurant. I like their dinner better than their brunch menu. I found the French Toast that I ordered off their brunch menu to be quite dry. Overall, it's still a decent option for Pasadena. read more
We came here on a Friday evening in August for a party of eight to celebrate a birthday. We made reservations a few days beforehand and had a table in the back reserved for Our waiter was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and went above and beyond to make sure we had a good birthday celebration. We ordered a variety of food and some of the highlights were the meatballs, prosciutto pizza, rabbit bolognese pasta, mushroom risotto, and the porterhouse steak. The meatballs were a nice appetizer. The pizza was delicious and the thinly sliced prosciutto was the perfect topping. The porterhouse steak was tender and they sliced it up for us, making it easy to share amongst the table. The cocktail menu showed that the drinks were made with soju. Although we all love soju, we were in luck that this was the first day that they received their liquor license and they were able to make our cocktails with the stronger stuff. We all enjoyed our drinks and food and had a great birthday celebration! read more
1 year ago
Overall not a bad place, but I was a little disappointed. It's small and not good for a big group. We were party of 6 and got seated at a booth which was a little uncomfortable. The food was good and drinks were okay, but we did feel really rushed. It took the server some time to get our orders and after because it was close to closing time we felt extremely rushed. They even dimmed the lights at one point and like really?! read more
3 years ago
New spot in Pasadena that was definitely good with upscale vibes. The food was made very fresh and culinary skills were phenomenal! For my food I ordered the Caesar salad off the happy hour menu, and for my entree I ordered the Scaloppine di Pollo, which was very good and tender it melted in my mouth. So delicious and flavored on point! Also, the happy hour blistered bread was very tasty as well! For my drinks I just ordered the wine that's was on the happy hour! Further, to be explained, the service was amazing! We sat at the bar since it's was happy hour and really enjoyed ourselves. Our server Aniko was very attentive and made sure we were satisfied with the wine selection. The owner Gustavo is very amicable and hardworking to fulfill his goals of the establishment. They were very chill and personable, which made me know for sure I'll be back! The decor was very nice inside and I adored how modern everything is inside, clean, and good ambiance. The restrooms were clean which definitely made me want to come back! Overall, this fairly new gem is Pasadena will get you right for date night, happy hour, and a night out with family or friends. They do take reservations, but walk -ins are welcomed too . It's easy to find, right across the street from LA Fitness. They also have a good happy hour, which is Monday-Tuesday all day, and Tuesday- Friday is from 5-6pm. I will definitely come back asap. Side:note it's limited parking but you can park in the parking spaces right next to the establishment. It's only $1.00. read more
Came here with my friends and ordered the steak frites, mushroom pasta, prosciutto pizza, mushroom pizza & calarmi appetizer. Everything we had we enjoyed. The pizza was slightly crispy which I loved & the pasta noodles were the perfect texture! The steak was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Service was quick and friendly! There's a parking lot but it was $8 with validation. We also ordered the olive cake & tiramisu for dessert. My friends enjoyed the tiramisu more but I loved the olive oil cake with lemon sorbet. Can't go wrong with either ! definetely will be back again read more
8 months ago
We went here on a Friday night. The ambiance was perfect for a night out with the girls. I had "i don't give a fig" cocktail. a bit pricey but it was delish. The food was good. Love the crust of the pizza. My favorite is their dessert. The tiramisu and the hazelnut ice cream are the bomb. A must try. The service was perfect. Food came out surprisingly fast. Overall, I enjoyed our dinner. read more
Business owner information
Xiomara D.
Hi Rhoana , We appreciate you sharing your experience and are glad…
3 years ago
Fantastic service, excellent food and aesthetically pleasing decors! We greatly appreciated Nick's attentiveness as well! As for the amazing food, we ordered the following: Fried calamari and artichoke: delish and the sauce was a good combo Tuna carpaccio: one of my faves, that lemon yuzu sauce was delightful Scaloppine di Pollo: juicy chicken with lemon-white wine sauce, chef's kiss Carbonara: savory and rich Steak frites: perfectly cooked medium rare steak Mushroom linguini: rich and bold, so tasty I'd come back to try out the other dishes read more
Came here for brunch on a Sunday. We ordered 3 dishes: 1. Persimmon salad - Decent. Persimmon was very fresh. 2. Margherita pizza - okay too. 3. French toast - honestly my fav out of everything we ordered but wasn't the best I had. All the ingredients they used were fresh but I wasn't wowed by the food; it was just one of those places you try once and will never go back. Parking - not so great; I opted for street parking which was $1/hr. My friend parked at macys for free parking and walked over. ambiance - love the interior. Good spot to catch up with friends. read more
I researched diligently for a nice restaurant to take my host daughters to for Christmas Eve dinner. After a long day of sightseeing and mass at a nearby church, we arrived at Marina so tired and hungry. I loved how warm the restaurant was and how friendly and kind the waitress and staff were. I wouldn't have been as gracious if I had to work on Christmas Eve so their presence was even more so appreciated. The pizza was probably one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten outside of Italy. Chewy, crispy crust, perfect amount of sauce, fresh basil and mozzarella. The girls had never had mussels before and loved them. The carbonara was hearty and delicious. There wasn't anything not to like so we'll be visiting again the next time we're in the area. read more
More info about Marina
841 Cordova St
Pasadena, CA 91101
Downtown
Directions
(626) 714-7228
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://marinapasadena.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Marina Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Marina
What is the price range per person?
It really depends on what you get. I want to say entrees run from $25-$30. We ordered 5 appetizers, everyone got entrees and drinks. Everything was great.
Could they accommodate a reservation for 16 people?
Yes, but for sure you need to schedule it days in advance. Don't leave to do it the day before your desired date.
Do you have parking?
They have a smaller free lot right behind, and there is a lot of paid parking underneath!
Do you have vegan options?
Yes. The owner is great. He will find ways to make accommodations for you.
Is there a gluten free/peanut free options for pasta or mains?
They have gluten free pasta ONLY, And it's really good. Hope this helps.
Is there a cake cutting fee for birthdays?
I believe it's five dollars per person if I'm not mistaken
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
55 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
7 months ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
8 months ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
9 months ago
3 years ago
