Mercado Pasadena

My mom and I had such a wonderful experience at Mercado! The food was absolutely incredible — the fish tacos and steak tacos were both so flavorful and perfectly cooked. Our waitress, Kyle, was amazing — warm, attentive, and so friendly. We even got to meet Glenn, the owner, who was just as kind and welcoming. Everyone there made us feel so comfortable — it was truly a breath of fresh air. We can’t wait to come back! Just a few pics, I wish I took more!!

Excellent customer service and a great atmosphere! The drinks were good, especially the michelada and mezcal margarita. While the chicken mole enchiladas and carnitas were decent, the ceviche negro appetizer was the standout dish. Overall, I was more impressed with the ambiance and drinks than the main courses.

Delicious from drinks, duo dip (warm chips set it off strong) and the carnitas taco and ceviche tostado were amazing. Fresh ingredients really come through. Highly recommend. Service was also excellent.

Spectacular. Tacos el Filete. So on point. Walked out of a higher rated Mexican restaurant after taking one bite, walked a few blocks and found this place. It was clean. Service was wonderful. Food was delicious with perfect presentation. I will return.

Every single time we come here, we’re impressed. The food, the service, the drinks, the vibe. Highly recommend the corn tortillas they make in house, and the melty carnitas… *drool*. We got the platter for 2 and the moramor mocktail tonight. So good.

Hands down the BEST customer service I’ve had in a very long time. Was greeted by a very friendly hostess & sat right away. Our server Cassidy (I pray I got it right) was AMAZING!!! Very polite, patient, funny & knowledgeable of every dish & drink we were curious about. Very aware of our needs, not once did we have to look for her nor stop another server to ask for anything. Before leaving I asked to speak to her Manager so, that he’d be aware of how awesome she was & because of this great experience I had I’d definitely return as well as recommend to friends & family. Not allowing me to post videos 😢 The food was so good, fresh & authentic 🌶️

We used to be regulars at the Third Street location, and miss our local date spot. After a day at the Huntington, stopping at Mercado was a necessity. Quiet honesty the best happy hour menu to ever exist. We got the table we wanted, amazing food, and insanely good $11 margs. A superb experience in every way. Will have to travel to Pasadena from Beverly Hills more often, just for Mercado.

Food is delicious. They just need to have more choices. The happy hour menu is better than the dinner menu.

I had an excellent dining experience at Mercado in Pasadena. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, setting the stage for a great meal. The service was top-notch--efficient, attentive, and enjoyable. The staff made sure everything arrived quickly without feeling rushed. Samantha and Glenn stood out in particular, displaying exemplary customer service. They were both friendly, professional, and went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience. The food came out promptly and was fresh and flavorful, capturing the essence of high-quality Mexican cuisine. Whether you're dining in for a casual meal or a special occasion, Mercado delivers both in service and taste. I highly recommend it!

Mercado has multiple locations across Southern California including Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, and this one in Pasadena. This location is in The Commons shopping mall with other restaurants and shops. We came here for happy hour (Monday through Thursday 4-6:30pm and Friday through Sunday 4-6pm). We ordered their mercado margarita ($9) which were decent. This location is not super big and is a little narrow. The food is on the pricier side but the happy hour is not bad.

One of my friends raves about Mercado as it's her go to spot for margaritas and cocktails so we decided to do a little girls day trip here for a mid day snack. After dining here the groups consensus is Mercado falls somewhere between 3.5-4 stars. There were some things done well and others that need a little improvement. Overall we were happy we tried it but there are a lot of Mexican restaurants in Pasadena, we have more to see. The pros: Margaritas live up to that hype! Delicious and refreshing. Perfect ratio of tequila and mix. Simple in their presentation but done well and tasty. We had a nice variety of margaritas and everyone liked theirs. I went with the classic house margarita and it hit the spot. 4.5/5 for flavor. My friends got a skinny margarita and a strawberry marg, both said their drinks were great. Food overall was pretty good, just pricey. Since we were snacking and not having full on meals per say we tried little apps or smaller plates/sides. I went with the guacamole appetizer and it hit the spot. 5/5. I know guacamole isn't that exciting but when done right with some fresh homemade tortilla strips it's a dip that always hits the spot. The guacamole was generous and the chips were super hot, fresh, and crispy. Yum. My friend got the veggie tacos and she liked them. My other friend got their elote side dish and while she liked it she did note it had a little too much spice. Overall I think the food and drinks here are solid. Room for improvement was service / pacing. First off I do want to mention our waiter was super nice and friendly! Once he began service I felt he was very nice and attentive. So no complaints once he got going and he was very personable and on top of things during/after our meal. My critiques with service were just that we had to wait while before being acknowledged or having our orders taken. In fairness it seemed a bit busy and the patio was almost full so it's not like people weren't hustling. But even the small gesture of an acknowledgment or waters helps. We waited what felt like a bit to place orders but once our waiter started he did great. Something weird with the meal/service was the pacing....our food came out before our cocktails and before our waters! Lol. So odd. That's a first. The literal order we receive everything was - Dishes/food, close behind was our margs, and a while after glasses of water. Probably this alone is what had me contemplating 3 stars BUT food and drinks were good and staff nice. Just a toss up here. Lastly this place is a little more of an elevated Mexican dining spot so prices reflect this. I'll happily pay extra $$ for amazing food and service. But in fairness, my bill came to about $35 for guacamole/chips and one house margarita. At this price point and the little quirks with our meal I do have other Mexican restaurants I'd recommend before this one but definitely glad we checked out it. Ending this review feeling torn but generous to give them 4 stars. There is potential and the food/drinks were good. Come see for yourself and enjoy their covered outdoor patio!

Great ambiance and excellent service. I had the cucumber salad with chicken--it was delicious, with a light, sweet, and tart dressing that I loved. My friend enjoyed the ahi tuna tacos. My jamaica drink was so-so, not as sweet and tart as I prefer. I wouldn't order it again. Overall, my consensus is that I'd definitely come back as the food was of quality and very yummy.

We came here on a weekday but it was packed! Everything we ordered came out quickly and we enjoyed everything. 5 stars for everything!

We normally go to the Mercado in Hollywood (which we love) but received a gift certificate to this location. Parking was not close and not free, but it was a nice enough night to walk from the lot. 4/5 - Carne Asada: marinated skirt steak, guacamole, Yxta salsa brava, cebollita, calabacitas, queso fresco mashed potatoes, tortillas 4/5 - Flan: Really good 4/5 - Carnitas: Chef Jose's slow-cooked natural pork, guacamole, Yxta salsa brava, pico de gallo, cauliflower al pastor, cilantro, tortillas 4/5 - Surf and Turf Tacos: 1 filet taco and one lobster taco. 3/5 - Choriqueso: I normally love this when we get it in Hollywood... Maybe they make it differently? Melted cotija, parmesan, oaxaca cheese, white wine, mushroom-chorizo, poblanos, fresh chips 3/5 - Pulpo al Pastor: Spanish octopus, pastor marinade, grilled pineapple, grilled onions, cauliflower, lime aioli, crispy cilantro Food came out to 3.7 stars. The service was good, so I will round it up to 4 stars.

It's good but not the best I have had. Drinks are not stingy on alcohol. Service is friendly and fast. The vibe is lively and date nightish. Parking lot behind the Commons that can be validated for a discount, but if you park across the street after 7pm you don't have to pay a penny! Now that all of the housekeeping is out of the way.. the food. We ordered the enchiladas rancheras, carnitas and sides of calabacitas and queso fresco mashed potatoes. Flavors are good but ambitious. The carnitas tasted like they were marinated and braised in piloncillo. I wish the carnitas plate would have come with rice & beans, but instead it came with a side of guacamole, pico de gallo and cauliflower al pastor (I didn't care for the smokey taste and super crunchy consistency). The pico was spicy; the guacamole good. I was a little thrown off by the sweet aftertaste of the carnitas. The real winner was the handmade corn tortillas. OMG.. next time I'll get tortillas with crema & queso fresco! The enchiladas were good but a little soggy. They fell apart the longer they sat. Didn't try dessert because we were full. Menu is pretty plentiful.

The food was delicious! Would recommend going there for small bites and drinks. The reason for the 4 star is that our table was forgotten for some time at the start and we couldn't get anyone's attention for a while to take our order. But I think that's because they were switching over from lunch to dinner and were busy with setting up. After that the service was great throughout the meal. I'd go back again to try it again when I have the chance!

We ate there twice while we were in town. Delicious all the way around. I loved the flan.

I so live dining hear. Lunch or dinner always great. I think the variety of fished and the seasoning is just about always on point. Daughter loves the mole enchiladas bi myself enjoy the Pollo All servers are great. But my FAVE is Rose. Ask for her and you will see why.

Love the cauliflower tacos! One of my favorite vegetarian tacos in Pasadena. Esquite was also good but could be a bit creamier. Highly recommend the happy hours too!

Head over to Mercado in Pasadena for authentic Mexican cuisine with a side of fun! The chefs here and the artists in the kitchen made every dish like their love letter to food, using fresh, local ingredients, that jump off the plate. I came with a party of 6 humans and 2 doggos and I couldn't have had a better experience. We kicked things off with a mountain of chips and not one, but two dips, a salsa habanero with a punch of spice, and the yxta salsa brava, with a bold, cheesy, smoky taste. For the main event for myself, I ordered the Camarones al Ajillo. As a self-proclaimed lover of big shrimp - cue that iconic "Drake and Josh" episode (you know the one about their obsession with big shrimp) - this dish was a revelation. Plump, juicy shrimp seasoned with garlic butter paired with cilantro lime rice with just the right amount of zesty freshness, and a crunchy ciabatta, also perfect for sopping up every last drop of their heavenly sauce. Just when I thought my night couldn't get any better, and hey, it was a "treat myself" kind of night, I met my new true love: the Churro Ice Cream. I love anything that has cinnamon so I already love regular churros. They put my love for churros, cinnamon, and ice cream all together here to make a creamy and delicious ice cream. Consider my heart officially stolen. Our waiter was exceptional and always ensured we had more water because we sat outside. I even got a mosquito bite and they brought me a wedge of lemon to help it! Everyone is so friendly here. All in all, whether you're a big shrimp enthusiast or a want to be reincarnated as their churro ice cream, like me, Mercado is where you want to be then! I'm already counting down the days until my next visit!

Very good and have a fun atmosphere! Their deep sea scallops and lobster tacos are amazing and delicious along with their classic margarita. Everyone here is great and fun and have an amazing attitude! Never had a bad experience, just not a fan of the parking and/or lack thereof.

Came here for happy hour and loved every bit of it! Easy to walk in and opening of indoor/outdoor seating. We ordered: + DOS GRINGAS: 2 Al pastor tacos on flour tortilla - good but just a bit salty + CARNITAS NACHOS: my favorite thing here! Tortilla chips with carnitas, beans, queso, guacamole & pickled veggies. Perfect for sharing. I used to go to Mercado a few years back and forgot about the happy hour until now & will definitely be visiting more!

Mercado is a fantastic spot for a delicious dining experience. The food is flavorful and beautifully presented--highly recommend the carnitas and the grilled street corn. The ambiance is trendy yet cozy, making it great for a casual night out or a special occasion. Service was attentive and friendly, and the margaritas are a must-try. I'll definitely be back!

Really like the menu and the customer service of this place. Tasty Mexican, even for vegetarians. I had the coliflor tacos and they had a delicious sauce and fresh veggies on the side. Nice outdoor patio and yummy drinks. The menu has a lot of fresh and healthy options. Parking in the back or on the street. On Lake in Pasadena.

Great place for dinner/drinks! Make this your stop, and the bartenders are for the people, trust me. Ambience is ambiancing!

We live around the corner and come frequently. The ambiance is nice, the food is great, servers are friendly. My only gripe is that the water glasses are dirty half the time -- lipstick marks along the rim, particles etc. Extremely unappetizing. PLEASE clean those glasses better!

Been here several times. Drinks are so refreshing and tasty! Food is good although a little pricey. Low key vibe. Service is good, too.

There are so many dining options, but we always seem to choose Mercado. This was our first time visiting the Pasadena location, and the outdoor seating was perfect. We noticed that this spot has a more family-oriented vibe, with plenty of kids around. In contrast, the Hollywood location tends to attract couples and groups, and we've rarely seen young children there. I'd recommend taking advantage of the happy hour menu for both drinks and food!

Had a great meal here tonight. The guac was excellent as were both the kale salad and the cucumber salad. My companions all loved their margaritas. Service was excellent!!

This place is in a great location, among many shops and restaurants in Pasadena. The vibe is trendy with great Latin music and casual vibe. We stopped by for a quick bite and drink and we loved the service. The bartender was friendly and attentive and recommended great options. I really liked their happy hour options at a great value such as their ahi tuna tacos. Definitely returning for a fun time.

Love the happy hour here. Good tasting cocktails (Flor de Jamaica is our faves), workers are friendly and attentive, and food is very yummy. Our usual happy hour orders are the dos gringas (al pastor tacos), carnitas nachos, Flor De Jamaica cocktails. Then non happy hour order is elote and carnitas plate. They have bar seating, high stool seating, booth seating and patio seating.

Everything was soo good! I appreciated that the ahi tuna tacos were actually spicy. Highlight was the house michelada which came with the tamarindo candy straw! Service was pretty good and it wasn't too crowded on a holiday (Labor Day). We sat in the patio which was covered and even though it was a hot day, it was cool in the patio because they had misters

What an amazing service & teamwork. Host was very welcoming, friendly and accommodating. Our was was the BEST Samantha was absolutely the best, very knowledgeable, hardworking, efficient, friendly and so nice. We were celebrating our daughter's name day and son in laws birthday. We had a wonderful family dinner. The WHOLE teamwork works so well together and excellent service. We love Mercado Pasadena. Every single dish we ordered was fresh, hot, so much flavor and excellent portion

Mercado at Pasadena was a pleasant lunch experience for myself and my family! I was able to find a vegan option in their cauliflower al pastor tacos, with the delectable side of black beans and rice. I also enjoyed the chicken enchiladas with a chile verde that I tried of my sisters! The service was very attentive and the ambience was clean and cool. However, I wanted a little more of a selection at the hour I went, as it was well past brunch but we had to pick from their brunch menu... Additionally, I wish that there was some complimentary chips and salsa for the middle of the table. Out of their control, but now the parking in the vicinity is paid (although there is plenty). All in all, it was a pleasant experience.

Mercardo happy hour is the way to go!! Its so great! The margaritas are delish and the food is awesome. Service is always great. Its a great addition to the pasadena area.

Decided to enjoy Mercado's Happy Hour and I am so glad we did. Awesome drink and food options, it was hard to pick our favorites. We had the margaritas, jicama tuna taco, and mushroom cheese dip. The taco was the perfect bite! We ordered it twice!! Crispy jicama was the shell for the seared tuna sashimi, topped with guacamole, and herbs. A delightful bar scene, bartenders serving beautiful vibations, and amazing food. Whether you choose to dine or sit at the bar, this place will hit the spot every time.

Only been here a few times but the food is always solid. Carnitas is solid and not dry. Brunch time isn't usually that busy which is a little surprising. Carnitas sandwich - 5/5 big chunks of carnitas on a sweet toasty brioche bun, avocado, lettuce, onions, tomatoes. It could use some pickled onions to cut it a bit. Side salad was delicious too.

Do yourself a favor and get the Tres leches carrot cake . This is one of my go to spots for a reason! Always amazing food, and amazing service. The best Mexican restaurant in Pasadena. Ambience is chill and always playing good music.

Great drinks, friendly service, appetizers were very good. Great sounds. I'm returning.

Second time here. Both tiles were weekday lunches. This time, it was for my birthday. We had the option of both outdoor and indoor seating. I always choose indoor, just in case patrons opt to bring their pets to dine with them. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcome and very much attended to. Cassidy, our lovely server, was fast, efficient, very, very sweet and those lunch special recommendations had us at "steak" and "salmon". We started with complimentary chips & salsa and the BEST guacamole for miles!!! All accompanied by some delicious hibiscus margaritas. When my salmon arrived, I took one bite and my eyes literally rolled back. OMG, it was seasoned to perfection as it sat atop a mound of sweet peppers and corn. My lunch mates both had steak that they absolutely loved. Glenn, the manager stopped by our table and certainly intrigued us with stories and wit. And the birthday flan was delicious. This is certainly a cute place with a friendly vibe. Pricing is definitely on the more "upscale" level. But definitely not insane. And certainly worth every penny. I highly recommend.

Super cute places tucked away on Lake with a nice vibe. Popped in after work and told my friends to order for me. I had jicama wrapped tuna and shrimp Tacos. So delicious and flavorful. Perfect place for a date or after work happy hour. Lots of structure parking nearby.

Really cute location and vibe. Definitely grab yourself a seat outside on the patio for maximum ambiance. I got a reservation for Friday at 7pm because I'm extra (extra anxious, that is!) and it wasn't even needed. Parking was surprisingly easy to find and plentiful (we parked in the back lot on shopper's lane) but there was a decent amount of street parking available too - I just don't want to chance another strict Pas meter maid hitting us with a violation. The food's good but man, is it SALTY. We got the appetizer dip duo and all of us really loved the mushroom choriqueso. That one knocked it out of the park for the table. The guac was good, chunky, and fresh. The chips were unlimited and had that salty, extra crunchy bite. We tried the lobster tacos and the fish of the day (striped bass over elote and calabacitas). The lobster tacos fell apart one bite in and had sooooo much cheese, I lost the lobster! But we dropped some guac on here and they were fine. The bass was good, very fresh and seasoned more lightly than anything else, which was a nice change. The elote didn't really live up to my expectations - I guess I just prefer street elote and there's nothing wrong with that. The calabacitas were okay - just something to put on the plate to finish the dish. Would have preferred some Mexican rice tbh. My friends enjoyed their meals (cauliflower tacos and enchiladas) and tried the drinks of the night (pineapple margarita). The margarita looked gorgeous and disappeared quickly, so I'd say it was well-received. Service was thorough, friendly, and quick but would've loved some more water for our table. This is how I know the food was super salty - we were all chugging water and waiting desperately for the refill!

We have been coming here for several years. Absolutely love it. From the minute you walk in, warm greeting. Had a couple of excellent cocktails while our table was being prepared. Once seated, we had attentive, prompt service. Dip duo & ceviche was a prefect start. We both had the salmon special. I cleaned the plate. Top of the hat to our server, Sam & Glenn the manager.

Very solid restaurant that serve quality food Ambiance (5/5): Decently nice decor with high energetic vibes but not over the top where you cant hear each other talk. Excellent for casual gathering with friends. Service (4/5): Just did the bare minimum. Straight to the point. Nice staffs. Food (4/5): Highlight was definitely the shrimp and carne asada. - The carne asada was delicious. Nice and juicy. The only small critique is that I felt it was burnt on the bottom (not talking about the grill marks), but to others, it may be considered a "beautiful char" so i'll leave it as that. - Shrimp was cooked to perfection. Loved the sauce. Pairs great with the bread. Pineapple with the rice was questionable for me. But to each their own. - Surf and turf tacos were alright. Not sure why they need to leave the skewer stick with the steak inside a taco that's meant to just be picken up and eaten. Meat was buried underneath a lot of garnish and the room isn't the brightest so I can imagine it being a safety hazard if someone starving unknowingly grabs it and devours it. - Fish of the day was mediocre. Id skip it. A bit dry. Overall I would definitely come back with friends just to eat the shrimp and carne asada. Excited to try other things on the menu next time!

GREAT MEXICAN FOOD AND SERVICE ON LAKE AVENUE ============================================= My husband and I met our friend for her birthday lunch last Thursday, September 28, 2023 and we all loved everything. First of all the service was excellent from beginning to end from the hostess at the beginning to our servers along the way. I ordered a spicy margarita with cucumber and it was excellent. It tasted great and I could tell they didn't skimp on the tequila. Our friend told us they have a good happy hour that I definitely need to check out. It's my birthday month, so I am going to have to get my husband to go back. We shared the guacamole, salsa and chips and we all loved those. My husband, aka the guacamole snob who makes his own, loved it which is saying a lot. The chips were warm and delicious too. I am so glad we ordered those. We all ordered tacos which were great. I chose the fish tacos which were really good. I can't remember which ones our friend ordered, but they were most likely beef. My husband loved his chicken tinga tacos. I am so happy he liked everything, because if he doesn't like a meal we will most likely never return. That's just how Mr. Picky rolls. It was our friend's birthday so she chose the flan which looked good. My husband ordered his own vanilla and churro ice cream. I was committed to not eating any, but it was so good I had to indulge in a couple bites. We will definitely go back again.

Samantha provided such a sweet and attentive time for us thank you so much!! The food was delicious, we had salads, elote, al pastor cauliflower and aguas frescas. We loved the food so much we even ordered two dishes to go, and saved room for dessert their mango sorbet and flan. Everything was very authentic and flavorful but an elevated version of your traditional Mexican dishes. Spices, produce and fish were extremely fresh you can taste the quality ingredients. The restaurant itself is decorated very cute and was also tidy clean :) highly recommend!

The ambiance is great and the location is amazing. Right in the heart of Pasadena. You have everything around. The food and drinks were very good and our waitress was even better!!

Came here for drinks and appetizers. The drinks are good but there's barely a shot in them and they're over $15. I had 3 cocktails and am not even buzzed. For these prices I should be gitty right now. They sat us on the patio but the heater near us is barely on. I'm freezing. Will not return...

This location was ok. I like the one in redondo beach better. Food was ok, drinks were ok. Service was good.

Overall, we liked this restaurant. We went here during happy hour and got the cheese quesadilla kids meal and a few different types of happy hour items including a lobster taco, carnitas tacos, and Tostaditas de Tinga de Pollo. All of them were good, but nothing that special, especially when compared to the price. We also got their happy hour margaritas which was also just okay. There was nothing to complain about and the service was good, but with so many other good restaurants in the Pasadena area, I'm not sure I would go here again. Nonetheless, it's still a very good restaurant and worth a try as you might like it more than I did.

I'm obsessed with their guacamole, and their el verde mocktail. They have a nice happy hour, and all of their food is so good. Their chicken mole is sinfully delicious. Fun place to hang out with friends on the patio, or a date night inside.

Been a long time fan of the Calaveras family from Yxta to Mercado Pasadena. Tonight was the first night we felt treated in the most disrespectful manner possibly discriminated against. Crystal, who claimed to be a "manager" treated our friends horribly, when ordering a drink and questioned how they pronounced a drink. She belittled her staff and worse my friend. Crystal had no shame in announcing out loud that she needed our table, was that reason enough for her extreme rudeness? When she knew we were complaining about her she tried to plead her case but ultimately told us to piss off. While we love this place and everyone if we see is still employed on our next visit we are immediately leaving.!

I have been dining at Mercado in Pasadena for years and have spend a lot of money there. Last week on Valentines day I was hoping to have a special meal with my husband. The pre set Valentines meal was awful. A three course meal, tasted like cruise ship quality food. I had what was called the Airplane Chicken, it was fatty meat with bones inside and deep fried, I got very sick that evening, vomiting for hours. I went back the next day and spoke with he manager, he dismissed me and suggested I had an airborne sickness but after I insisted he stated he would get back to me. After spending $300 that night I ended up receiving a $50 gift card via mail. That is insulting!

The company was worth it, but the food and the noisy ambience have a hard time to compete with other places.

Best elevated Mexican cuisine in town. Service is always helpful and the space is comfortable.

Mercado is a decent place for a happy hour margarita paired with chips and guac. It's on the pricier side so there's definitely no free chips and salsa. The service has always been great and attentive. The servers I've had have been knowledgeable on the allergens in the food they serve. This is a nice place for happy hour on the large patio.

The food here is amazing. The service was also very good and very attentive. We sat outside so the scenery of the street was great and it didn't get too cold because there were a lot of heaters around all in all. This is a great place for date night or dinner with your friends and family