Cafe Santorini

Mediterranean restaurant · Downtown

Cafe Santorini

Mediterranean restaurant · Downtown

3

64 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103

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Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
Cafe Santorini by null
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Rooftop Mediterranean cafe with seafood, pizza & mezes  

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64 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103 Get directions

cafesantorini.com
@cafesantorini

$30–50 · Menu

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64 W Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103 Get directions

+1 626 564 4200
cafesantorini.com
@cafesantorini

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 20, 2025

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@eater

The Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Los Angeles, According to Eater Editors | Eater LA

"Set on the second story of a building in Old Town Pasadena, Cafe Santorini is a longtime favorite for Mediterranean fare. Start with hummus or grilled calamari before enjoying plates of kebab, steak frites, or a Moroccan lamb shank. During warmer months, the patio is covered by a canopy to protect diners from the sun. In the evenings, the outdoor space is lit by candles, making it a great spot for a casual date night." - Rebecca Roland

https://la.eater.com/maps/best-outdoor-dining-restaurants-patios-los-angeles
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4 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Los Angeles: January 26 - Eater LA

"Take a quick Google search and look at the images of Old Pasadena in the 1970s and 80s. Like many downtown city centers during this era, Old Pasadena fell into decline. In Old Pasadena’s case, those businesses moved eastward. But in the 1990s, a handful of independent restaurants and businesses fell in love with the historic buildings and history. One of those is Cafe Santorini. Brothers Vasken and Panos Haitayan opened Cafe Santorini in 1993 where staff prepare Mediterranean fare including traditional hummus, tabouleh, kibbe, kebabs, and grilled rib eye, salmon, or Moroccan-style lamb shank. Upon entering the second floor, see the massive windows, restored brick walls, and one of the best patios in the neighborhood that overlooks One Colorado plaza. It’s romantic any time of day, especially when the candles and moody lights sparkle throughout the patio at night." - Eater Staff

https://la.eater.com/2024/1/26/24033306/la-los-angeles-restaurant-recommendations-eater-editors-january-26
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Alison Brie Interview Talks Restaurant Work, LA’s Best Eats, and Pasta - Eater LA

"Their food was so good, it was the great perk of working there." - Farley Elliott

https://la.eater.com/2022/8/22/23316386/alison-brie-actor-los-angeles-favorite-restaurants-film-spin-me-round-italian-pasta
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Steve Reed

Google
It’s always a wonderful experience at Cafe Santorini. Jessica was our server and she was delightful! A great smile goes a long way to make the food taste great! 4 men, 1 being a boring vegetarian! I split the chicken kabobs and the beef kabobs with one of my friends! Perfect combination! I wish they would expand their menu to include Greek classics but that was yesteryear! A wonderful lunch on the patio! The atmosphere is so pleasant and the noise level is as expected in a great Greek Restaurants!

Daniel Naccarati

Google
This restaurant is on my top 3 of all LA. I have brought at least 67 new families to this restaurant. All 250 times I’ve been here I’ve gotten the Calamari, Bruschetta, Large greek salad extra cheese, and the absolutely mouth watering Farfalle con pesto /pollo and add shrimp. Nothing better than this combo in all of LA. I went back recently and then again today only to find out 2/4 of those items changed. Not necessarily for the better either. The salad no longer has lettuce, i under the traditional (Horiatiki) does not have lettuce, but its always had lettuce and now without the lettuce the plate is 50% smaller yet the price is the same. Then the worst part that broke my family’s heart, was changing the farfalle to paccheri… dont get me wrong, the paccheri is good but it comes with like 12 pieces. The farfalle was a lot more filling and was absolutely perfect. I literally had to go to Mi Piace after to eat again because the portions were not filling like before. I understand there is new ownership and the sons are taking charge and I commend them looking for change, but for all thats good in this world, please put that lettuce and farfalle back.. some of the other regulars said the same. I love this place but really hope some miracle happens so the farfalle gets back. Ironically i went in to record another video for my social media food page and out of respect held back. Hope to come back to the amazing food that was always here and hope to be to adjust this review to the 5 stars it deserves and to re-write this whole thing.

Jimmy Su

Google
Came to Café Santorini for happy hour with my brother and started with the grilled octopus and Santorini garlic fries. Both were delicious and our bartender Eduardo was amazing. We moved to our patio reservation once our friend arrived and ordered a pitcher of red sangria. At $65, it felt overpriced and not worth it. We would skip it next time. We ordered the grilled octopus again so our friend could try it. Also got the pear and walnut salad and the burrata. Both were fresh and full of flavor. For mains, we had the steak and frites with an incredible au poivre sauce, red curry seafood risotto, and beef brochette with hummus and pita. Dessert was a hit. The tiramisu was one of the best I have had. Service from Samuel and the rest of the staff was excellent. I have been coming here for over 10 years and the food is always consistently great. Parking can be tricky but there are paid garages nearby. The balcony patio is perfect for fresh air and a great spot for a first date. Inside can get loud so not ideal for a quiet conversation.

Naira Sukoyan

Google
Cafe Santorini in Pasadena offers a great Mediterranean dining experience. I had the Seafood Risotto, which was rich and creamy with perfectly cooked seafood. My husband had the Branzino, which was tender with a crispy skin, letting the fresh flavors shine. The ambiance is charming, with a lovely rooftop patio. Service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend for a great meal in Old Pasadena!

Gabriel Radford

Google
A really nice visit featuring an incredible rooftop patio and wonderful service - thank you Frankie. The SANTORINI MEZZE TASTING was top notch. really great. Here is the problem - I ordered steak frites medium rare and it arrived well done. not medium well. brown inside well. Also over seasoned which is hard to do for me. It was truly unacceptable for a fine restaurant. In good company so it would have been a scene to return but should have been.

Christopher Francis

Google
1st impressions are very important when visiting a restaurant and can often set the tone for the evening ahead. . My wife and I arrived a little early for our reservation. We greeted the hostess who appeared aloof and indifferent to our presence. She combined talking with smacking her lips as she chewed a mouthful of gum for all to see. This was the type of ‘greeting’ one would expect in a third rate diner certainly not in this eatery which has such a positive reputation from reviews. I would seriously recommend that the owner/s may consider addressing this poor behavior. Our waiter Patrick was the consummate professional supported by his assistant Jose. Providing us with excellent attentive service throughout dinner. The food was both well presented and delicious. We shall return again soon and encourage friends to also. Hopefully the hostess will lose the gum.

Jenny Garcia

Google
I’ve been to this place many times, and it never disappoints. The service is always excellent, and the rooftop seating offers a nice atmosphere—perfect for a relaxed meal or drinks. The food is consistently good, and they have a solid wine selection. It’s become a favorite neighborhood spot for me. If you’re looking for a reliable place with good food and a pleasant ambiance, I’d recommend giving it a try.

Aydan Mammadli

Google
We ordered our food well-done, but it came out raw. The taste was also not what it used to be, and the quality seemed to have declined. I'm really disappointed because this was once my favorite restaurant, but after my last visit, I don't think I'll be coming back.
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Jhenny R.

Yelp
We went to Café Santorini in Pasadena for our wedding anniversary dinner and really enjoyed the evening overall. The service and ambiance were nice. The rooftop patio with string lights and a warm vibe made it feel special for our celebration. I ordered the Risotto Seafood, which was yummy and flavorful with perfectly cooked seafood and creamy rice. My husband had the lamb shank, which was tender but unfortunately came with grains that were a bit dry for some reason. We still enjoyed our meal because the drinks made up for it. My red sangria was refreshing and delicious. We took our time, soaking in the beautiful night and architecture from the neighboring building. We ended with their pistachio ashta cake, which was nutty, light, and just sweet enough, paired with yummy Lavazza Black coffee/Americano. Despite the minor issue, we'd definitely come back for another date night to enjoy the ambiance, drinks, and dessert! @jhennybventures (ig/tiktok)
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Sandy P.

Yelp
Ordered the hummus, fried smelt, mussels santorini, & red curry risotto all dishes were delicious and the seafood tasted fresh. Food was a bit salty but the flavors were there. Wish they could include more pita with their hummus. Space is intimate and small but we saw that they could accommodate larger parties if notified ahead of time.
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Aprille C.

Yelp
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.
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Amy L.

Yelp
I used to really love this place. It seems like their menu got smaller. They dont have pizza and very limited pasta selection. I also didn't realize that 90% of the items all have lemon or citrus in it. A family member couldn't eat lemon/lime, cheese or nuts. Be careful of the steak. Im not sure what sauce they used but someone started breaking out in hives. But we were unable to substitute some items out. There was alot of vegetarian food for another family member. The calamari salad was very good. The calamari was grilled perfectly. I also liked the grilled octopus but it was very lemony. The muscles in the ciopinno Santorini had very good bread. The mussels were pretty bad it tasted like ocean. We got the platter with humus,tabouleh,dolmades. Making it into a vegetarian pita sandwich was very good. The branzino and burrata were kind of plain. Branzino tasted mostly of lemon. I would not recommend this place if you have dietary//digestive sensitivity. Service was good. We kept getting ice refills but the waitress did disappear for a while after we ordered appetizers. There is a parking structure across the street that is max $10 weekends and $16 weekdays i think.
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Jimmy S.

Yelp
Came to Café Santorini for happy hour with my brother and started with the grilled octopus and Santorini garlic fries. Both were delicious and our bartender Eduardo was amazing. We moved to our patio reservation once our friend arrived and ordered a pitcher of red sangria. At $65, it felt overpriced and not worth it. We would skip it next time. We ordered the grilled octopus again so our friend could try it. Also got the pear and walnut salad and the burrata. Both were fresh and full of flavor. For mains, we had the steak and frites with an incredible au poivre sauce, red curry seafood risotto, and beef brochette with hummus and pita. Dessert was a hit. The tiramisu was one of the best I have had. Service from Samuel and the rest of the staff was excellent. I have been coming here for over 10 years and the food is always consistently great. Parking can be tricky but there are paid garages nearby. The balcony patio is perfect for fresh air and a great spot for a first date. Inside can get loud so not ideal for a quiet conversation.
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Sandi I.

Yelp
Café Santorini is in the old part of Pasadena. It is a beautiful Mediterranean restaurant. The ambience is perfect for a nice date night with prices to match. The lamb was fall apart, tender . The Arrabiata sauce was spicy, but I love spice. The appetizer and salad was good. The staff was very kind and helpful and attentive. It was a lovely dinner.
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Eddie D.

Yelp
We stopped by before catching the shuttle to the Rose Bowl for the AC/DC concert. The service was good and the food was solid, though nothing particularly memorable. We've had similar dishes at other restaurants that stood out more. That said, we are glad we came and enjoyed the experience overall.
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Kay M.

Yelp
There's a parking structure across the street. You may be lucky to find parking on the street with a 2 hour limit. Free street parking after 8pm. Restaurant was upstairs. The wait staff were alright. The Cafe Greek Salad had too much sauce. Ironically the Faroe Island Salmon didn't have enough sauce, but the sauce was good with the salmon. The lentils that came with the salmon were alright. The Tiramisu was absolutely amazing. Probably the best tiramisu we ever had. Would come back for the tiramisu.
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Andrea C.

Yelp
Everything we ordered was excellent except for the lamb shank- it was hot on the outside but cold on the inside. I think perhaps they microwaved it. My favorite was the Paccheri Al Pesto E Polo, the grilled octopus and the salads but everything was really very good. I also enjoyed the red curry seafood risotto and the chicken kebab. Samuel was very patient, made great recommendations. Coming back again, but not ordering the lamb shank. =)
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Annie A.

Yelp
This is our go to place especially these past 2-3 years. You will never get disappointed with the quality of their food. Service is always excellent. We have tried almost every item on the menu and everything has been amazing. Their fried smelt is one thing that we always get. Appetizers are so good you can literally get full off the appetizers. And if you have a big party or an event you can book it in advance and they set up the corner for your event.
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Narine G.

Yelp
Still one of my favorite restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area. Grew up on Cafe Santorini and came back a few weeks back for the first time in over 5 years. The ambiance is lively, service friendly, and food impeccable. For two, we shared the mezze platter, steak frites, and Greek salad. We probably over ordered but every dish was delicious. Service is punctual and friendly. Must get the ashta for dessert (the owners mother makes it). For parking, I'd recommend the structure across the street. Can't wait to come back more frequently. Wish I lived closer.
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Tracey M.

Yelp
What a treat to find this spot- very authentic Greek experience- highly recommend the octopus- perfectly grilled- I had the beef kabob - perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection-and my husband loved his linguine and clams. Portions were beautifully plated, generous serving and incredibly fresh.
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Vlad V.

Yelp
Greece is at the top of my list to visit. And Santorini is one of the coolest places there. So when I heard we'd be having a family dinner at Cafe Santorini prior to my sister's wedding, it was an easy sell for me. We had a reservation at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday evening. Located in downtown Glendale, they don't have a parking lot so your best bet is street parking or a parking garage. Keep in mind, if you're going to park on the street like I did, there's a two-hour limit. Ambiance (4/5): Nice restaurant. We sat on the rooftop patio which is awesome when the weather's nice (it was a bit toasty for us). They have lights on the railings so it's especially picturesque after the sun sets. Service (4.5/5): Taking care of a group of 21 people is no easy task. Our main waiter did a fantastic job. He checked in regularly, was attentive, and didn't make any mistakes. Which is easy to do when you're taking care of such a large group. A job well done. Drinks (4/5): I started with a Oaxacan old fashioned before transitioning to a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. The old fashioned had mezcal as its base. I love that I'm seeing more and more spots do different versions of an old fashioned. Cafe Santorini has a nice cocktail list, wine list, and beer list. Full bar with quite a few interesting cocktails which I always appreciate. Food (4.5/5): Coming in, I was expecting Greek food. While there are Greek influences, the owner is Lebanese so you see a lot more of a Middle Eastern influence. And it's more than that. A fusion of sorts. With Indian and Moroccan dishes mixed in, too. A little deceiving but an interesting menu nonetheless. I had the beef brochette which consisted of tender large cubes of beef tenderloin (cooked medium rare to my liking), rice, a grilled tomato and pepper, and a side of pita bread and hummus. The portion size was generous and everything was delicious. The meat was succulent, the rice flavorful, and the hummus delivered. I also tried some fries and they were well seasoned and delicious, too. A great meal all-around. The dessert, on the other hand, left something to be desired. I had the warm apple tart which is served a la mode with a side of vanilla gelato. Usually a big winner in my book, the thin tart sprinkled with cinnamon was a bit lifeless. Don't come to Cafe Santorini expecting a Greek meal. Come expecting a great fusion meal.
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Me T.

Yelp
We didn't have a reservation but the wait was worth it! We waited for about 45 minutes on a Saturday night for a patio seat. The hostesses were kind and attentive. Wait staff and table bussers were equally as awesome. The food itself was amazing as well! We had the mezze starter and it was everything I love about pan-Mediterranean food. I had the cioppino santorini and my partner had the beef brochette. The beef was actually done nice and medium as requested...a lot of places get that wrong. My cioppino was delicious and the seafood was high-quality and tasty. The prosecco I ordered was tart and crisp and complimented the food well. In the end, we shared the ashta which was light and delightful (my partner's favorite dessert from the homeland,). The ambiance was romantic and medium-lit. The tables were kind of close together though. I'd love to come back anytime.
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Anneke S.

Yelp
This restaurant is five star all around from taste of food to presentation to service and ambience. I usually go here for birthdays because it is a lovely celebration and view from the second floor. I know it's been around for more than 30 years and it will probably be for Many more to come. It is a bit expensive so prepare for that, but you will have a good time.
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Lauren A.

Yelp
okay but how are their salads literally to d*e for? the calamari salad changed my life -- i didn't know putting squid on greens could be so delicious. our server was funny, super hospitable, & quick with service. the outdoor patio on the roof is a nice touch too. will come back when i'm in pasadena!
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Kim C.

Yelp
Located in Old Town Pasadena on Union across from a paid parking structure. There is a sign and the restaurant is on the second floor. There's a bar inside and a few tables with more in a covered outdoor patio. The outdoor patio can be cold on a cool night, so bring a sweater/jacket. They have heaters that are fixed to the building wall, but they are only on one side of the patio. So if your table is on the street side, it's a bit chilly. Service was quick. Recommendations given if asked. They seemed busy and distracted, not overly friendly. We ordered the mezze tasting which was perfect for 6 of us. Has a little bit of everything. My linguini clams was good but not the best I've ever had. Wish I had a bit more of it to fill me up. The apple crisp wasn't my favorite. Presentation is great, place is great for a date night and even big groups.
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Jean Y.

Yelp
Dear owner and management, I'm currently writing this as I'm sitting waiting for the food. To start off, the staff and service are absolutely amazing. Dennis is very knowledgeable, kind, friendly, and simply wonderful. He has excellent customer service ethics. I've discovered this wonderful place a little more than a decade ago. Ever since, my family and I have been faithful customers. Great ambiance, too! Now for the actual review: I wish I could give this place 10 stars. And this will make you wonder, "Why the 4 stars then?" Like I said, we've been faithful customers for ages, and I HARDLY rate a place less than 5. However, today, we drove from Temecula, where we live which is close to 3 hours away just for the Moussaka. However, to our unpleasant surprise, it was no longer available. Can you imagine waiting days and looking forward and dreaming of eating our favorite dish that no one else makes as Cafe Santorini, only to discover that it's been remoced from the menu...? The entire table of 5 of us were disheartened by the unpleasant news. Please, please, PLEASE, for the Love of God, bring back the Moussaka. Thank you and God bless. Sincerely, A very sad and upset, me.
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Angelica B.

Yelp
Finally got around to dining at Santorini. We started off with hummus, pita bread, and icy cold Mythos; great combo! Shout out to Samuel who was very attentive and helpful with our request for a side of spicy sauce. We ordered the Branzino with capers over house potatoes, delicious! The seasoning was perfectly balanced and did not need any additional flavoring. Also, ordered the Pesto e Pollo and wow, the pasta sauce was perfectly creamy with a hint of fresh cilantro garnish that elevated the pesto flavor. Finished the evening with their delicate and sweet pistachio and rose water cake. Surprisingly, a very good duo of flavors. All worth splurging!

Elayne L.

Yelp
A favorite place in Old Town for a special dinner. The service is outstanding and the menu is a bit out of the ordinary elevating middle eastern cuisine. Lovely deserts. Seems to have a festive atmosphere and everyone is sort of jolly. I save this for special occasions and love the second story open air patio.

Karen S.

Yelp
Wow wow WOW ! Samuel at the bar was absolutely amazing !!!! Drinks were perfect and he was so professional and accommodating. Garo was also just as good he was very personable and sweet ! The drinks were perfect also grab the Ashtah ! It's almost like a tres leches with baclava toppings ! It was perfect not too sweet and just as good ! Will def be back for Sam and Garo .

onie p.

Yelp
Love the ambiance, food is also good, not great, very fair pricing, decent service. Love being able to sit outside with a nice breeze. If you find yourself Pasadena, come give this place a try. I might be a bit bias since I love Pasadena, but this place is tucked in Miller alley, where iPic theater is. If you don't care to dine while watching a movie at iPic then come try cafe Santorini either after or before your show time.
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Sona K.

Yelp
I had a recommendation to try this place from over 10 years ago but never got around to it until recently and I'm glad I did! Just a heads up this is a place that seats you when your whole party is present. Also there are stairs to the venue so if you need an elevator there is another entrance from the alley just call the place and ask them about it! The mezze plate was so delicious. The hummus was creamy and the babaganoush too. And the grape leaves were juicy and not try. I tried the baby gem salad and it could have used a bit more vinegrette in my opinion but was still delicious! Will most likely return to try some of their other goodies but the mezze plate is a must!
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Arpineh Z.

Yelp
The Food was flavorful and Drinks were also good. Our server was very friendly and attentive. Love the mezze tasting appetizer and the dessert.
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Jennifer G.

Yelp
I've been to this place many times, and it never disappoints. The service is always excellent, and the rooftop seating offers a nice atmosphere--perfect for a relaxed meal or drinks. The food is consistently good, and they have a solid wine selection. It's become a favorite neighborhood spot for me. If you're looking for a reliable place with good food and a pleasant ambiance, I'd recommend giving it a try.
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Ginny B.

Yelp
Cafe Santorini is our family favorite whenever we're in LA. The restaurant exudes charm, offering incredible food, warm service, and owners who genuinely care about your experience. The new menu is great--don't miss the flavorful cauliflower dish, their signature hummus, and their mom's special dessert. Lovingly run by a multi-generational family, it's truly a Pasadena treasure! Bonus: there's convenient parking just across the street.

Marco V.

Yelp
I took my wife to Café Santorini in Pasadena for our wedding anniversary dinner and we had a great time overall. The rooftop ambiance with twinkle lights was perfect for a romantic night out. Service was nice and attentive. My wife loved her Seafood Risotto. it was creamy, flavorful and cooked well. I ordered the lamb shank, which was alright. It was a bit on the dry and overwhelming side. The red sangria was delicious and we enjoyed sipping our drinks while taking in the view. We ended with pistachio ashta cake and Lavazza coffee. The perfect sweet finish.
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Robert C.

Yelp
Mediocre at best. Tried the mezze plate, branzino and mussel shrimp risotto. It all tastes like something you could just buy from Trader Joe's. The branzino is only half of a filet?? This was the first time I wasn't served the entire fish when ordering a branzino. For having such an abbreviated menu, you'd expect every dish to be amazing, but it's not. Ambiance is fine, they're on the second floor with outside seating, no particular views. Service was good and friendly.
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Connor J.

Yelp
Today was my parent's anniversary, we spontaneously decided to try this place. I'm so glad we did! Had an amazing experience. Everyone was so polite and helpful. Without no reservation we were seated right away. My mother was so excited to try their variety of seafood. She loved their octopus salad and my dad had the moroccanlamb shank . Bit pricey but well worth it! I'm pretty sure we will be back soon.
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Masanori D.

Yelp
My girlfriend and I spent a few weeks traveling in Greece last summer (including Santorini). We found the food here to be pretty authentic and solid. Everything we had was good, but my absolute favorite was the fried smelts followed by the halloumi cheese. The waiter could be a bit more helpful, but the service was nice and quick. We walked in without a reservation on a Thursday evening, but we were seated without waiting. I would not call the ambience romantic or upscale, but it's a nice restaurant a couple, a group of friends, or a family can have a good meal here. If you happen to be in Pasadena and are hungry for Greek food, you should give them a try.
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Janet T.

Yelp
Like a VIRGIN, it was our first time eating here and it was worth a try! My dear monster, I mean mother in law wanted to eat here for EASTER dinner... We reserved a table for 10 people. My niece and nephews ordered the lamb brochette. My mother in law ordered the branzino and we got the shrimp with angel hair pasta. I didn't have a chance to try the other dishes but, we LOVED our pasta dish! It reminded me of a rich marinara sauce with shrimp pasta... Parking is conveniently located across the street and it is $2 for every 15 minutes! Good food, service and ambience check! Cheers everybody!!
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Gregg L.

Yelp
Hadnt been in some time. So many other choices. But a buddy wanted to go again and it came through! The balcony is great. Heated and partially covered. It's a very pleasant atmosphere with terrific service and very good food. I ordered the lamb shank, and my buddy ordered the cioppino. Both were outstanding, and we both had a salad to start and a couple of glasses of wine. It was a terrific evening to catch up with an old friend. Recommend it!
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Dave M.

Yelp
This is a great spot if you're looking for a nice restaurant that serves really delicious food and isn't too expensive. With appetizers, entrees and drinks it came out to about $50-60 a person. The menu has a great selection of things to try for each category. I ordered the Beef Kabab medium rare and it was really good. I also ordered Greek beer (served with a chilled cup) to go with it which pairs really nicely with the meal. Servers were nice and would offer to pick up our empty dishes so our table isn't overcrowded. I would also recommend to be seated in the balcony, it's a cozy aesthetic especially during the winter.

Sherry V.

Yelp
The waiters weren't very outgoing in their service and seemed unenthusiastic about being there. They claimed to serve Greek food, which was not accurate. The food was no better than fast food and certainly not worth the high prices. No one in our party would ever return or recommend it to anyone.
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Ryann M.

Yelp
The food was amazing. This place was recommended by the desk clerk at the Courtyard and I'm so glad I went. I had the seafood risotto and a babaganoush appetizer. Both were just perfect. I added the veggies with the appetizer and I couldn't finish everything but it was all great the next day as leftovers. I had to cut short my stay in Pasadena but I would have loved to explore more of the menu here.
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Linda D.

Yelp
We loved sitting out on the patio! We order a chicken kabob plate, the hummus plate with veggies and a la carte salmon which all were really good! The ambiance and service here was great!
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Julio V.

Yelp
This popular place certainly lived up to the hype! We got a reservation for a birthday lunch. Got sat right away on a nice balcony. The service was excellent. Attentive and accommodating. The food we got was delicious. Every single plate had something special to it. The only disappointments were that they forgot our grape leaves in the appetizer (pictured) and one pair of our utensils was pretty dirty. Otherwise a great place and I recommend it!

Gabriela B.

Yelp
Delicious food must have the calamari grilled salad!! The service is exceptional! Ask to sit outside on their patio especially if you are going in the evening.. Great ambiance helpful staff. One of my favorite places.
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Angela D M.

Yelp
I have come here a couple of different times in the last month. First time was a brunch with some girlfriends. Got a couple of apps, fried cauliflower and Burrata dish, so good. Shared the lamb dish and my friend got the sea bass fish. Sea bass dish was amazing! The lamb was good but not great. The lamb seemed dry but we didn't give that feedback until the end, so that is on us. Second I went was with my sister who uses a wheelchair. They do have an elevator however if you go at night the door will be locked to access the elevator. So for someone who is in wheelchair and is alone, this would not be the ideal place to go as trying to access the restaurant is difficult. We did the same fried cauliflower which was good but not as great as it was when I had it just a week ago. My sister got the salmon dish and I got the Sea bass dish and both were amazing.!
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Jeni S.

Yelp
In town and made a chance reservation based on reviews. It was amazing. Excellent service and atmoshpere. You can tell its a local favorite. Can't wait to come back.
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Paulina S.

Yelp
Amore! The food and atmosphere of Cafe Santorini - perched on a charming rooftop in Old Town Pasadena - will whisk you away to the vibrant coastline of the Mediterranean. We started off the night with the Mezze Vegetarian Appetizer. Not only is this dish beautiful to look at with all its vibrant colors, but it's also bursting with flavor - tangy hummus, zesty tabbouleh, marinated grape leaves, and crispy Borak (to name a few) will excite you with different tastes. For the main course, we each got the chicken kebab. What an indulgent dish! The chicken was succulent and perfectly seasoned. It came with rice pilaf, tzatziki, hummus, and a colorful assortment of roasted vegetables. Unlike other restaurants that give you insanely small portion sizes for a ridiculous price, Cafe Santorini serves up very filling meals that leave you feeling perfectly satisfied. We were delighted by our dinner and thrilled that we got to sample different types of dishes from the Mediterranean. Thankfully, this restaurant does NOT limit itself to just pasta and pizza. The only downsides were that it took a long time for our food to arrive (around 30 minutes) and that our waiter was not very communicative. For example, our appetizer came with pita bread but we had no idea because it was tucked away under several layers of napkins! Wish our waiter told us, since we unknowingly ordered extra pita bread. Moreover, the tables on the balcony are arranged very close together, which did not provide us with much room for intimate conversation, but I guess that's ok ...we were focused on savoring our delicious food anyways!
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Judith A.

Yelp
Great service and delicious food. The restaurant on a second floor, with outdoor seating. Beautiful.
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Nena D.

Yelp
Front desk/reception people are too snooty for my taste. Waiters are nice but overwhelmed. Food took a LONG time to arrive. Food is okay, nothing great. Ambiance is good, though music is too loud. This place used to be better. Wonder what happened.

Steve E.

Yelp
Outstanding rehearsal dinner service and atmosphere, I would highly recommend Cafe Santorini for a larger gathering such as mine, i.e., up to 40 guests. The meals were excellent, the wine choices perfect, there's nothing we would have changed, all our attendees were greatly appreciative.
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Arnold T.

Yelp
Came here with several colleagues and apparently this restaurant certainly has some history in Pasadena. Service was prompt and upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff and they immediately provided us details from their menu selections, drinks, and desserts. Our group ordered the Fettuccine Con Gamberetti, Salmon, and a beef brochette. Desserts included flourless chocolate cake and ice cream. The beef was flavorful, hearty, but some pieces were a bit hard to chew. The vegetables and tomato were grilled to my liking, with a hint of smokey aroma. I was able to try a bite of the salmon and I have to say, it was spot on. I wasn't able to try the vege option or the fettuccine but I look forward to doing so during the next visit. Parking in Old Pasadena can be challenging at times but there are structures throughout.
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C Y.

Yelp
Great services and love it. We had non alcoholic mojitos . The food taste great too ~
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Harry M.

Yelp
Incredible food, I had Red Seafood Risotto which was out of this world with apple tart with apple tart with ice cream. We ate on the terrace and felt as though we were in another country. We celebrated another anniversary here.
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Cherry L.

Yelp
Love the restaurant, the server was good. And the foods were perfect. I had Saturday lunch with a friend. The flourless chocolate cake are incredibly good.

Jeff C.

Yelp
Cafe Santorini - A Turnaround That Deserves Recognition After my wife posted her constructive Yelp review, we were genuinely surprised -- and impressed -- when the owner, Panos, reached out. He sent her a kind and thoughtful message apologizing for our previous experience, which had been about a month ago, and invited us to return as his guests. It was a generous offer, and a week before last, we decided to take him up on it. From the moment we arrived, it was clear Panos and his team were determined to create a truly exceptional experience. He greeted us personally, led us to a prime table on the balcony, and ensured every detail was perfect. We started with drinks -- my wife had a glass of white wine, and I enjoyed an old-fashioned. For an appetizer, the pita with hummus, topped with flavorful, seasoned meat, was outstanding. For entrees, my wife had the chicken kebab, and I had the beef kebab, both served with rice and vegetables. Everything was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. The service was impeccable -- attentive, professional, and seamless. Panos even brought us a complimentary rosewater cake for dessert, a cherished family recipe. It was light, flavorful, and delicious -- an incredibly thoughtful gesture that capped off the night perfectly. Panos stopped by again to check on us, sharing stories about his 31 years at Cafe Santorini and his pride in creating not just great food but an exceptional dining experience. His passion for his restaurant, his staff, and his guests was undeniable. We thanked him profusely, letting him know how much we appreciated his kindness and generosity. He took what had been a less-than-ideal first experience and turned us into huge fans of him, his restaurant, and his entire team. We left beyond impressed and genuinely grateful for the care he showed us. It's been a week-and-a-half now, and we're still talking about this experience. If you're in Pasadena or the Old Town area and looking for a fantastic evening -- whether it's a romantic dinner or a special night out -- Cafe Santorini is the place to go. The food, the ambiance, and the service are all top-notch. Panos, thank you again for everything. You've turned us into big fans, and we can't wait to visit you again. I highly recommend Cafe Santorini -- this is a dining experience you won't forget!