Nick's Pasadena

My friend and I had a resy for dinner, our first time at Nick's. The hostess was knowledgeable ans happy to answer our questions about the food as we were deciding what we wanted to order. Our app was spinach dip and chips, the best we've ever had! It was sooo good. I ordered the meatloaf and potatoes, the meat was seasoned and flavorful with a mild sweetness to the glaze. My friend ordered the San Francisco Cioppino, very flavorful and full of seafood. They did not skimp on that. The signature margaritas are great. We topped it off by sharing the butter cake, delish! Nick's did not disappoint. It was a great evening catching up with my friend over such good food. We are going back in a couple of weeks for the pizza and more margaritas!

Nick’s in Pasadena was the perfect spot for a special night out. I went with five of my sorority sisters to celebrate sisterhood, and the evening was wonderful from start to finish. Everyone ordered something different — salmon, salads, and various meat dishes — and every meal was flavorful and well seasoned. The appetizers (fried zucchini, shrimp, nachos, and spinach dip) were delicious, and the lemon cake was outstanding. The restaurant also brought out a chocolate cake for a birthday celebration, which was such a thoughtful touch. The atmosphere is beautiful and lively, and our waitress was fantastic. We had an amazing time and would definitely return.

Food was very well prepared and flavored. Center cut fillet was cooked properly medium rare. Excellent food overall - including drinks and appetizers. Service was attentive without being overbearing like some higher end restaurants have. May be a bit noisy at times but they tried to keep some distance, including a bit of a barrier from the waiting area at the front door, so not going to call that a real problem - just be aware in choosing. Nice place for special occasions.

I took my husband to Nick’s Pasadena to celebrate his birthday, and the entire experience was exceptional from start to finish. We were initially seated deeper inside the restaurant near the kitchen, as the upper floor hadn’t opened yet for dinner. While I can imagine that seat being perfect for anyone who loves watching chefs work their magic, it wasn’t quite the intimate birthday atmosphere we were hoping for. Our waitress was incredibly accommodating and graciously moved us toward the gorgeous front entry, surrounded by greenery and softer music—exactly the vibe we were going for. That level of attentiveness set the tone for the night. We started with the restaurant-recommended appetizers: asparagus fries and deviled eggs, and both were absolutely delicious—crispy, well-seasoned, and clearly crowd favorites for a reason. The cocktails were equally impressive. We tried the jalapeño watermelon margarita, Oaxacan old fashioned, Coco Rita (coconut margarita), and Nick’s Mai Tai—every single one was balanced, flavorful, and thoughtfully crafted. The true standouts, though, were the entrées. The Nick’s Prime Rib Dip was outstanding, and the Bistro Plate was perfect for my smaller appetite, with a beautifully cooked petit filet that didn’t sacrifice quality or flavor in the slightest. And then dessert—don’t leave without it. The butter cake is an absolute must-have (and I repeat: MUST HAVE). On top of that, our waitress surprised us with a complimentary chocolate cake to celebrate my husband’s birthday, which was such a kind and thoughtful touch. Overall, Nick’s is priced superbly for the quality you receive, with beyond-excellent service and truly top-tier food. When compared to places like Fleming’s or other high-end steakhouses, I would choose Nick’s every single time. We’ll absolutely be back and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Pasadena area.

Nick’s in Pasadena is definitely a hot spot for a reason. From the moment we arrived, the energy was great, busy but not overwhelming, and the vibe was lively without being too loud. Even with how popular it was, our wait time was minimal and we were seated fairly quickly, which was a great start to the experience. Customer service was truly top tier. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were taken care of throughout the entire meal. Our drinks, appetizers, and entrees came out surprisingly fast, especially for how packed the restaurant was. Everything was timed perfectly, no long gaps and no feeling rushed. The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. From the fresh seafood and crispy fried chicken to the flavorful appetizers and perfectly crafted drinks, everything hit the mark. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the quality and consistency of the dishes. Every plate we tried was seasoned well, fresh, and full of flavor. Another thing that stood out was how clean and well maintained everything was, including the bathrooms, which always says a lot about a restaurant’s standards. We ordered the meatloaf, buttermilk fried chicken, and Chilean sea bass, and every entrée was cooked to perfection and full of flavor. The meatloaf was hearty and comforting, the buttermilk fried chicken was crispy, juicy, and topped with a rich, flavorful sauce, and the Chilean sea bass was perfectly pan seared, tender, and buttery. For appetizers, we had the deviled eggs and crispy rice with spicy tuna, and both were a hit. The deviled eggs were creamy and well seasoned, and the crispy rice with spicy tuna was fresh, flavorful, and the perfect balance of crispy and savory. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious and worth ordering again. Overall, Nick’s delivers on atmosphere, service, and food. It’s the kind of place you can go for a date night, celebration, or just a great meal with friends. We had an amazing experience and will definitely be back. Highly recommend if you’re in Pasadena and looking for a great dining spot.

Great place we went there for lunch delicious food great service Arron was our waiter very attentive came to the table couple of times asking if we needed anything. Was everything OK? Really great service thank you. Will definitely come back.

Visited Nick's at Pasadena for lunch. Joined the Waitlist via Yelp - and upon reaching was told it would take ~45 mins to get seated (We were party of 2 and 1st on Waitlist ! ) They advised to get bar seating which we managed to find. We requested if we could order drinks at the bar but would prefer to be seated at the table for food. The hostess said they will try, but I doubt they did. Other than this hiccup of not getting a seat even after waiting for 40 minutes everything else here was great. The pizza was very good. Drinks were great , our bartender was awesome. Ambience is top notch ! I will be back for sure and make reservations in advance next time !

Six of us went for brunch to celebrate a birthday on their patio, which is actually a quiet, lovely indoor garden of sorts. It was very pleasant atmosphere, with great service, and very good/excellent food. Several of us ordered the Bistro Special (?) with a petite filet cooked to order, French onion soup, & a small salad. Others ordered the salad with quinoa, goat cheese, chicken etc. All was greatly enjoyed. Our server, Aaron (?), was top notch - delightful, professional, & responsive to our needs. We ordered cocktails and wine, and all were enjoyed, as well. As a recommendation, it would be nice to have the ability to each pay individually with our own credit cards. However, the restaurant's policy is to only allow three credit cards per table.

5 stars ... food is delicious, service is excellent. Clean & very cozy, comfortable with elegant decor downstairs & upstairs. Perfect for enjoying a cocktail and satisfying your tummy. One of my favorites in Pasadena. You won't be disappointed.

I came here for the first time for a business lunch with a group of 4 and we got sat towards the back at a round table. The interior is beautiful and I like they had an upstairs dining area as well. Very clean and modern and the kitchen had windows so you can view inside. So I'll speak to the food first. We ordered asparagus fries and spinach artichoke dip as appetizers which very good. I thought the tortilla chips with the dip were a little too oily though, not sure if the oil was old or not heated enough cuz it soaked up too much. For my entree I got the Chilean sea bass which was delicious. Excellent sear and crust, the whipped potatoes and sautéed garlic sides were good too. If basing just off food, probably would give 4 stars. Now for service. Off the bat, the waiter was very inattentive and slow. It took forever for him to finally get to us and he didn't introduce himself. When we needed an extra minute to look at the menu, it was a good 10 minutes before he came back. The food also took way too long for a lunch. He did not check on us much and took way too long to refill our drinks. He was supposed to bring a takeout box for my food and never came back, I had to get it from another staff member. Wish I got his name because I would definitely not want to come back because of that terrible service. Not mean or rude, just extremely inattentive. The food was good enough that I'd prob come back and give it another chance but from that one visit, very poor impression for service.

WOW! Dined here for lunch on Valentine's Day, and so glad we had a reservation. Highly recommend one as this restaurant gets a lot of traffic. But I can see why, the service is impeccable & the food is absolutely delicious. Reminds me a bit of Houston's to be honest, and I mean that in the best way. * Spinach & Artichoke Dip 10/10 * Buttermilk Fried Chicken 8/10 * San Francisco Cioppino 100/10 (so much fish, so much flavor, and the yummiest fresh bread for dipping!) * Butter Cake 10/10

Been here on several occasions and each time has been even better than the last. The food is solid with lots of variety to choose from on the menu: seafood, steaks,ribs, burgers, salads, sandwiches. There's pretty much something for everyone. Start off with the Asparagus Fries and Shrimp Taquitos. For main entrees, both the San Francisco Cioppino and the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass are chefs kiss! The Aged Top Sirloin is also a good choice if you're in the mood for a good steak. The service is impeccable. They really take care of you, which makes the dining experience that much more enjoyable. Closing time was 10pm, but they kindly allowed our group to stay past that. The ambiance is lively, especially on the weekends. Tables are hard to come by without a reservation. Be sure to book at least a couple of weeks in advance. Park behind the restaurant (90 mins free) or on Lake Avenue (metered parking).

From the moment we walked in from the back door we could smell the amazing food that was about to be served to us. We were welcomed by the staff immediately and had a seat at the bar while my hubs wrote our names down. I will say, the table was ready a lot sooner than we expected but we had already ordered our food and drinks at the bar. The service is phenomenal as is the food. The prime rib sandwich is soft and juicy. The red wine au jus is the perfect combo with the sandwich to make it moist and delicious. I also ordered the market veggies which happened to be garlic and parmesan crusted long stemmed cauliflower...also heavenly. The crispy chicken sandwich was just as good! The chicken was cooked to perfection! Super juicy and crispy at the same time. The sweet slaw was the perfect combo. Paired with fries, we had an amazing dinner. I forgot to take a pic and almost forgot to mention the delicious espresso martini! Shout out to the bartenders and all the staff here at Nicks. This place has been on my list to try and I'm so glad I got to it tonight. We will definitely be coming here monthly if not more. Keep up the great service and food all!

@Nick's is one of my favorite restaurants that u can go again and again. I met my friend for happy hour which lasted 3 hours. So reservations are a must, especially in the evening. As you come in, you are greeted by amazing staff. I arrived there early so started with a glass of chill Champagne. Nick's aesthetics are between a classic look with beautiful chandeliers and chill vibes with plants all over. My friend and I shared a bottle of Belle Glos Pinot Noir 2022 which was delicious. Our food choices included Cioppino and Shrimp Taquitos which were delicious. For us that was enough food and we still had leftovers. I can't wait to go again. Check it out and cheers!

April was so nice. Ever smiling Food was delicious Petite fillet mignon and pan seared sea bass

I was helped by Adam (host) on the phone as we mismanaged a booking for a business dinner. Adam was an absolute gentleman by helping me rectify our mistake and he made accommodations for our party to attend tonight's dinner. Truly grateful for the excellent customer service. This was further demonstration that Nick's is a great restaurant that really cares about its clients. We go there regularly and now this accommodation has really made me want to Yelp how supportive. The support we received given. It was a business dinner that was arranged. Thank you, Adam for the support.

Came in on a Sunday and it was pretty busy! We did make a reservation and they did not take us in until our actual reservation time. We ended up sitting at the bar, the bartenders were extremely attentive and got us a seat together quickly. We ordered a few different appetizers and they were not disappointing at all. One of my favorite items at this restaurant was the black and blue Mojito. It had muddled blackberries and I must say it tops all of my favorite drinks. The artichoke dip was delicious and creamy, they serve it with tortilla chips, but we had ordered a sourdough loaf, and it was delicious. One of our favorite appetizers was the asparagus fries, they were cooked perfectly and were not soggy or too soft. They had a tremendous crunch and they serve it with a side of ranch! Delicious! Super close to a lot of shopping and it's in the heart of Pasadena. Make sure to make a reservation and you will not be disappointed!

This is the second time I've been to Nick's, but the first time in over a decade. I came for a Christmas work dinner. We reserved a table on the second floor which was perfect for the dinner as it was more quiet. I started with a season Fig Old Fashioned which was delicious...and strong. Would recommend before it's off the menu. I got the Center Cut Filet and opted for mashed potatoes instead of the fully loaded baked potato. The mashed potatoes were very, very average but the steak was good (though I'm starting to learn if I'm not at a steakhouse to not order a steak because it's simply not the same) and the asparagus was good. For dessert, we tried the Lemon Cake and the Warm Butter Cake. Lemon Cake was very refreshing but the Warm Butter Cake stole the show and was easily the best thing I ate all night. I'd come back just for that. Our server was very attentive the entire night and brought out a birthday treat for one of my coworkers which was a nice gesture. All in all, a good food experience and I hope it doesn't take another decade before I'm back.

So. As much as I love Nicks. And will not bash the amazing waitstaff and food. But I always hate when we have the newer hosts. As often as we dine here (well over 25 times) There are times that it becomes frustrating when there's the mix up with patrons being seated before your party. When they clearly came after you and you have checked in and have been waiting Yes it's rare. But still annoying and it is odd when you can anticipate it occurring when checking in with the newbies. When it's one of the hosts that have been here for a while the flow of course seems seamless I mention this because hopefully we can put a little more attention in the future and hopefully avoid this again. So this is definitely one of my very RARE annoyed posts. But hey I did say I was annoyed. This time. Still live Nicks though and still deserves 5 stars. Oh. Bring back the Jidori Chicken!

Nick's had great service and a cool vibe from the upstairs seating and the bar in front. Parking is plentiful and easy around the area. The main entrance is actually from the store front on the main street. There's an exit in the back but that's not meant to be an entrance and I saw a few folks looking confused when they stepped in while someone was exiting. The bar is excellent and was full on a Sunday during the game. Food and service was quick. The booth we were at was so old that the seating caved in a bit but otherwise everything was fine. The Bistro Plate was portioned small but very flavorful. The Ribeye Melt was hearty and thick, definitely will be getting that again when we return. It was packed but we were still able to have a relatively relaxed and private chat at our brunch. Adding this to our consistent brunch hang out options and can't wait to be back.

This place has been on my must eat list for a long time! We finally tried it for my birthday. Everything we ordered was really good. For appetizers we got the shrimp taquitos and we did a margherita pizza. Both were soooo good and flavorful! For entrees i got the meatloaf which was so GOOD my goodness. The vegetables taste fresh and the loaf was really good. My partner got the fried chicken. It was also good. His only complaint was the corn on the cob taste a little off. We finished the night with one of my favorite desserts, butter cake!! It was ok!!! It was really really sweet and you can taste the sugar texture in the bites i took. I definitely will come back and try something else on the menu. I really enjoyed my experience here.

Went back again today. I must say service was outstanding this time! Waitress was attentive, detail oriented and very fast! Of course the restaurant has the best ambiance and food is solid! Oh! A very nice distraction for kids, I noticed they gave us those old classic sketch toys. My boys loved playing with them! What a great idea! I will go back for sure!

Got a Hugo spritz and cucumber gin house cocktails that were amazing! For appetizer, had the spicy lentil soup then a pork rib platter for entree. The platter was huge and delicious. My friend got the sea bass which was also delicious Ana a generation portion for a fish entree. Wish we had tried desserts but overall very happy with the food we got ! Device was quick and attentive. Highly recommend for a date night spot that won't break bank compared to other spots in LA

From the ambience, service, to the food everything was just perfect. Our server was great, friendly and kept checking on us. Food came out on time and in timely matter. Filled with flavors "see pictures". Street parking and public parking were both available and very convenient. Highly recommended!

I went to Nick's today for lunch with my wife, we were being helped by the bartender which name is Naomi. She served me one drink, 20 minutes passed and still wasn't being acknowledged by her so I had to ask her for another cocktail. and she answered me with the loud voice and a horrible attitude. also when she took the order, she grabbed the receipt and she ripped it right on my face. very rude person. I have been there many times and I have met Adriana the bartender which she is a very sweet girl and very attentive with great customer service. I never had any concerns but Naomi really doesn't belong at a restaurant like Nicks. She left a bitter taste in my mouth. I will continue to go, but if I see her at the bar, I'm just gonna turn around and go to Houston's instead.

I had the center cut filet, rare. It was perfectly tender with great flavor. We mentioned a birthday when making our reservation, and they gave us a complimentary chocolate cake and a signed birthday card. So sweet!

This place is fantastic. I have dined here now on two occasions, lunch and dinner. I'll have to say their menu stays pretty consistent throughout the day and the Caesar salad is phenomenal. I did try a Thai salad, but I do prefer the Caesar to it. Their house bread is also delicious so make sure you ask your waiter to have some served at your table. Their bistro special includes a 4 ounce fillet with a side of salad and soup. Seems like an ideal meal if you're watching what you're eating but still want to indulge. Staff was courteous and hospitable. I will definitely frequent the spot more with my family and friends. The restaurant itself is decorated quite beautifully. Kind of gives marina vibes with a touch of elegance.

Classic American bistro comfort food done really well. Having wanted to eat here for a some time, I oddly ended up eating at Nick's twice in two weeks. On both occasions the service and food were top notch. The space has the vibe of old Pasadena money, just modernized. The numerous members of the staff that touch your table were all friendly yet unobtrusive. The cocktails delicious (tip, add some vodka to the berry mock-tail) and the food, though not the most exciting menu, deftly executed. Oh, and that Warm Butter Cake... possibly the most scrumptious restaurant dessert I've ever had (twice).

When we visited my in-laws during Thanksgiving, they kept raving about this restaurant so we finally found our way here for lunch one day. My husband and I actually dined at their Carlsbad location back in 2022, but it was still nice to experience another branch location. I made a reservation in advance so we didn't have to worry about waiting to be seated, and it worked out well because the place was pretty hopping even though it was a late lunch! We had a huge table upstairs in one of the dining rooms so it was nice not needing to worry about table space/seating. My husband got a Wild Berry Mule (cranberry, grenadine, pop of sour, fresh berries, ginger beer) while I got the Summer Spritz (lyre's Italian spritz, fresh berries, pop of sour, elderflower tonic) - I LOVED my drink! It was very refreshing and accompanied the whole meal very well. We did family style and shared a variety of dishes: Asparagus fries Bacon deviled eggs California salad Margherita pizza Prime rib dip Bistro plate (petite filet mignon, garlic toast, petite bistro salad, cup of soup) SF cioppino Buttermilk fried chicken The food is just as good as we remembered/anticipated. We literally cleared all the plates and had zero leftover (which is SO rare especially when we dine out with our kids). The service is top notch as well. Highly recommend!

I had the most amazing birthday lunch here at Nick's today with my family! We've been to the restaurant a few times over the years, and we have always had delicious food and impeccable service! Today my husband and my daughter and I shared the asparagus fries, which were crispy and delicious, the fried chicken plate (always a favorite), and my husband got the bistro plate which came with a petite filet minon, salad, and creamy French onion soup (so tasty). Everything was so good, and our server Travis was very attentive and friendly. My daughter wanted the butter cake for dessert, a favorite for many regulars at Nick's, so make sure you try it! I also got a small chocolate cake for my birthday and a signed card from the restaurant staff as a surprise, which is so personal and thoughtful!

Best San Francisco Chiopino !! The restaurant costumer service was great. The chef served the dish to our table and waiter was excellent. One of the best restaurants in Pasadena!

I visited Nicks for the very first time, last night. I walked in alone; no reservation. I sat at the bar, no biggie. The location is great; it's Pasadena! Hello! Aesthetically beautiful inside with white pillars. Wrought iron black hand rails and white walls. I ordered the deep fried, deviled eggs with bacon bits. AMAZING! Followed by their salmon, mashed potatoes and steamed spinach with cheese. WOW! I had two martinis total. Here is where Nick's missed a step: one bartender on a Friday night during the holiday season is bad for business. Although my bartender was nice; she seemed overwhelmed and naturally fell behind a lot. To wait for a martini more than 15 minutes is not okay in my opinion. The bartender seemed flustered. She just was probably tired too. Nicks is a two story restaurant. It offers high cuisine. I was told by the bartender that to work there (I asked because my daughter wants a job there) you have to be EXCEPTIONAL. Well, it wasn't exceptional to me. I finished dinner. I saw a man standing around who seemed like the manager. I said: unsolicited feedback- you need more than one bartender. He asked: what can I get you? I said: nothing now. I'm done. He looked at me puzzled. If you're promoting exceptional service you have to provide it. In my humble opinion it starts with staffing appropriately and specially during the holidays. We all should get what we pay for. Yes, I might be back. I believe in second chances. Happy holidays!

Walked in as a birthday treat for my partner. The place was booked so the only table available was in the back. By in the back I mean... you had to walk past the kitchen and food service area, but just before you got to the Dishwashing area and the rear exit. It was very "private". It was actually nice to be away from the lunchtime throngs. We ordered cocktails. Mine had alcohol, hers did not. Both were excellent. She had the seasonal spritz... I had the Black & Blue mojito. For appetizers we had the Bacon Deviled Eggs , and Asparagus Fries. Again, both were delightfully tasty. Not large portions so easily managed by two. We also requested bread for our table. This is an additional charge ($5) but well worth it! It's called the Fisherman's Loaf and it was delicious. My partner called it the best dinner bread she'd ever enjoyed. If you like warm bread with roasted garlic, I suggest you try this! For our entrees, my lady ordered the Spicy Thai Chicken Salad. She loved it! I ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, with a side of Brussels Sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were delicious. A light caramel glaze and toasted pecans were the perfect blend. The Buttermilk Fried chicken came atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. The chicken was cooked to a delicate perfection. So tender and tasty! Add a delightful biscuit, gravy, and mashed taters and I was in heaven. Stuffed as we were, we decided to skip dessert. However, our attentive waiter, Zachariah, overheard it was a birthday dinner, so a complimentary chocolate treat arrived... with a card signed by the staff!! Well played, Zachariah! Well played! The dinner cost less than $160 so we plan on returning often. Thank you, Nick's!

Nicks is always consistently good , I live in Orange County and frequent all the Nicks locations. Tonight was visiting Pasadena ended up at Nicks on Lake Street , 5:30 on a Saturday night the restaurant was packed , we were on a 1 hour wait for a table, luckily we were able to grab a couple seats at the bar, Service at the bar was exceptional! Shoutout to Max , one of the best bartenders/servers I've come across .. Friendly, knowledgeable about the food and wine, and attention to detail ..outstanding.. Cheers

The ambiance to Nick's is amazing, the acoustics are perfect as where you can hear music and still have a secluded conversation with your party. Espresso Martini is one of the best in LA - per girlfriend. (I honestly liked the one she got at Marina down the street better - she says I shouldn't rate them since I don't even drink them but tbh I like the ones that taste like good coffee) Their pizza is cooked to perfection with the right amount of cheese. (Margherita) Also, make sure to try their Asparagus Fries

I had a friend in town so decided to take her to Nick's since it has nice ambiance and the menu looks good. I've been to this spot several times even before it changed ownership and became Nick's. The space is nicely designed. Very chic and sophisticated. The bar looks very impressive as well. We have 7 people so I called to make a reservation. They give each table 3 hours of time so it's very generous. We ordered a lot of food from the menu and they all tasted great. The bistro plate comes with a petite filet mignon, garlic toast, salad and a soup. I thoughts it's a great value for what you get. The soup of the day was fresh corn chowder. We also ordered tuna tartare, spinach and artichoke dip, kale and quinoa salad, cioppino, Chilean sea bass, and a margherita pizza. All the dishes were cooked with fresh ingredients and properly. We enjoyed all the food we ordered. Only thing I didn't really care for was the pizza. The crust was just alright. The menu is on the pricier side though. But you get quality food and service. Overall Nick's is a great place for special occasions to enjoy the food, service and ambiance.

service: great! the staffs are super friendly and very patient! they gave me towels to wipe my hands after eating my baby back pork ribs, so thoughtful! interior: transitional, the meeting point between traditional and modern. it has two stories with a balcony, private wine room, and an airy garden room, with a dark ambience and luxurious vibes, great for formal family dinners and date nights! restaurant hygiene: hygienic would you crave for it?: 100% yes. they serve classic american comfort food with a wide range of wines and cocktails. for starters we ordered their shrimp taquitos, the jumbo blackened mexican shrimp were juicy with a crispy outer layer. we also had asparagus fries and they're SO delicious; coated in crispy parmesan with buttermilk ranch, these are a much healthier alternative from fries. for my main course i ordered the baby back pork ribs and they were UHmazing, it is glazed with nick's house recipe bbq sauce and the texture of the meat were so tender that it falls off effortlessly! my friend ordered the pan seared chilean sea bass, it has a mildly sweet flavor with a soft-buttery texture that is so heavenly!

I have been dying to get to Nick's for such a long time and i'm so glad I finally stopped in. I took the day off and wanted to hang out in my favorite part of town (Pasadena) So I planned the whole day and Nick's was my lunch destination. Pro tip: Your Uber may pick you up/drop you off in the back of the restaurant and there is a doorbell in the back, but I had to call to be let in, so FYI. I've read in reviews that a reservation for lunch is highly recommended, but it was a little dry the day I went which was totally great. I sat at the bar and was promptly served by my waiter/bartender. Loved the ambiance very upscale (glad I wore my dress and heels, i was not overdressed) and i felt like a total diva drinking my little wine and having my lunch at the bar, legs crossed, and taking in the classy-esque vibe of the place. I had the tomato soup and shrimp taquitos for food which both were great! My favorite was actually the tropical mocktail. I like to add in mocktails in between my cocktails so I don't embarrass myself and this one was particularly delicious. I loved Nick's! I will definitely be back to live my classy girl pipedream (for about an hour)

Nick's is a Pasadena staple for a reason--it's always a good time with consistently great food. Whether you're there for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the menu never disappoints. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for any occasion. The staff is super friendly and attentive, and everything I've tried has been delicious. It's one of those places you can always count on. Definitely a must-visit if you're in Pasadena!

I passed by Nick's often but never checked it out. I think it's because I can't see inside the restaurant when I'm driving pass by. My friend made a reservation for lunch the other day for a table of 8. They were able to seat us as long as half the party has arrived. Surprisingly they gave us a private room where there are two tables for two different parties. It was located upstairs and felt intimate. I greatly appreciate it! I was surprised by the menu selection, thinking that it's not as extensive. However, the food was nothing short of amazing! I ordered Bacon Deviled Eggs and the twist is that it's lightly fried, which makes a big difference! I wasn't too hungry and ordered Bistro Plate, came with corn chowder as soup of the day. I appreciate the server adjusting the ingredient as I'm allergic to one in the dish. It was the right amount of food and I finished the entire plate. I also ordered a non alcoholic spritz which was refreshing to sip on. Overall I had a great time and service was attentive and above and beyond. I cannot wait to come back next time. Parking lot is available in the back, first 90 minutes free.

If you're looking for a dinning experience that seamlessly warm hospitality, delectable cuisine, and stunning ambiance, look no further than Nick's South. We came to celebrate my birthday with friends and from the moment we stepped through the doors, we were greeted by an incredible hostess whose warmth and accommodation set the tone for a great dinning experience. Now let's discuss the heart and soul of Nick's South, the food. The menu boasts of an array of American cuisine that transported our tastebuds to various levels. Each dish we ordered including dessert was a culinary masterpiece with perfect blend of flavors and textures. They showcased the Chef's commitment to high quality cuisine. What truly elevates Nick's South is not just the remarkable cuisine but the seamless coordination between the kitchen and wait staff. Our lead server was prompt, attentive, and had great knowledge of the menu that just added another layer of enjoyment to our dinning experience. In conclusion, Nick's South is a Pasadena gem that goes beyond just being a restaurant but an experience. It succeeded our expectations not by only satisfying our palates but created a long lasting impression of an amazing birthday dinning experience.

Food 10/10 Service 10/10 Ambiance 10/10 Best customer service thus far from all the nicks restaurant locations I've been to. Raul was helping me and he was attentive and great. Bartender with blue tie made the best espresso martinis he should for sure get a raise.

We had a lovely time celebrating my dear friend's birthday. Our service was wonderful and the food was delicious! We waited for a booth and the hostess continually checked on us to be sure we didn't need water or other beverages while we waited. The interior was beautifully decorated and has a casual elegance. While the volume was a tad loud, it wasn't intrusive, just lively. Can't wait to visit again!

We absolutely love love Nick's, we've been coming here for years now. Last night we had a great time celebrating our daughter's 28th birthday with in laws. Love the semi private dining room table upstairs. Everyone from hostess, service and Emily absolutely perfect. It was our in laws first time at Nick's and they love the food, and the great hospitality. Thank you Daniel for you help with the reservation. Suzy B

Great food and ambience. Excellent for small parties (12 or less) and intimate dining. Well stocked bar and quality drinks. Service was good and staff were friendly!

I went here with some friends while visiting Pasadena. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken and I was pleasantly surprised about the portion size. The plate included 2 large pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a biscuit and a cob of corn. This was definitely enough to feed several people and my friends ended up helping me finish. I also ordered a strawberry lemonade that was delicious. The interior of the restaurant was pleasant and modern and gave a high end feel. Overall I would definitely go again when I'm in the area.

Great spot for drinks, food and dessert! The style and ambiance of this restaurant was very pleasing. The kind, friendly and attentive service made it even more amazing. From beginning to end, our waiter and staff kept the drinks flowing and the food coming. The Bacon Deviled Eggs were nice and crunchy, and the drinks were perfect. For my entree I ordered the Original Ribeye Melt Sandwich and loved every bite of it. The meal was completed with the delightful, waiter recommended, Warm Butter Cake. It was heavenly! If you want great food, a nice atmosphere and good service then you should definitely try Nick's in Pasadena. I'm sure you'll love it too!

This place is so good!! I've been here every time I am in Pasadena because the food is so delicious! They have the best prime rib dip sandwich and the macadamia crusted sea bass on special was amazing! Can't wait to come back!

90 min free parking in the shared plaza lot in the back. Just walk thru the next door pet store to get to front of Nicks rather than all the way around. The asparagus fries were bland, so wouldn't order that again. Both the ribeye sandwich and prime steak sandwich were great. Recommend asking for the horseradish and mayo on the side. Try the side salad too. The meat quality was very good, tender, tasteful, so I think the $23/24 price point is worth coming to try it out. Would definitely return to order those two again. The wait can be long so I just put our name down and went across the street to buy groceries at Trader Joe's. They do have a semi attire requirement, I think covered shoes, long pants. Better to call in advance and ask about attire. Service was very kind and available. We were seated in the only booth hidden behind the kitchen area so was worried we'd get ignored initially.

Had a great overall experience with super friendly service and delicious food. Highly recommend making a reservation bc I've heard wait times can get pretty long. Pretty unassuming exterior but the inside was gorgeous, with a more outdoorsy vibe near the entrance to intimate booths on the inside. I think I saw a private room that accommodates for larger parties upstairs. There's a large parking lot in the back thats 90 min free. Asparagus fries- so good especially with the dipping sauce, worth a try! Spinach artichoke dip- super cheesy, I really enjoyed the refreshing salsa on the side Spicy Thai salad- very saucy with lots of peanuts, and noodles- flavor on point Scottish salmon- had a satisfying exterior crunch with garlicky veggies and buttery mashed potatoes I enjoyed every dish here and I love their attention to detail. Very considerate waiters that always kept our waters full and made sure each person had the right utensil/dinnerware for their dish. Will definitely be back!

Came here for lunch on a Tuesday with a small group, and let me just say, I am eagerly anticipating my next visit to explore more of the menu. Everything I tried was exceptional, including just a few spoonfuls of the tomato basil soup. Aside from that, I shared the asparagus fries and shrimp taquitos with my group, and had the pan seared Scottish salmon for my entree. Also had an old fashioned cocktail that was a perfect addition to the meal. The service was also great. I don't remember our waitresses name, but she was very attentive and super sweet. And I really enjoyed the ambiance, it made the experience that much more enjoyable.

Recently, my parents and I went to this hidden gem in Pasadena. It's one of my parents' favorite spots; they love certain entrees the menu offers along with their quality cooking and ingredients. We only come here once in a blue moon together as a family. This evening, I decided to get their fish sandwich and it was very fulfilling. Their appetizer is delicious, and we got the shrimp taquitos. My father got their seafood soup entree, and it is quite big and perfect to share among others as well. My mother got their unique special, that comes with a little bit of everything. Our server was very kind and helped us throughout the evening. We appreciated the energy and vibe the environment was offering. Overall, It was a lovely evening. We will be back!

This was a 10/10 experience! I stopped by here for a surprise Father's Day dinner with my family. The ambiance was a nice date night vibe, even though we went during the day. They're playing what I think was Moroccan music. There's a bar with the games on, this place is one of a vibe fr! Our server Max was exceptional! Attentive, knowledgeable, swift and kind. Every item he suggested did NOT miss! We ordered a Spicy Passion Fruit Mocktail, a Summer Spritz Mocktail, a kids Strawberry Lemonade, Shrimp Taquitos, the soup of the day, their take on a French Onion, Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass, The Original Ribeye Melt Sandwhich with a Petite Bistro Salad and a kids Salmon that came with Fries, Carrot sticks and ranch. LISTEN LINDA! Everything was pure high octane gasoline, mouthwatering, delectable! Let's start with the drinks the Spicy Passion Fruit was refreshing from the cucumber with a slight kick from the jalapeño. The Summer Spritz was crisp and refreshing remind me of an elevate strawberry soda, with added blackberrys and raspberry's. The kids Strawberry Lemonade was PERFECT refreshing not too tart and not too sweet just right! Now for the food, everything got 10 I'll start with the starters. The Shrimp Taquitos, were bursting with flavors, from the Chipotle ranch and the avocado salsa, to the pico de gallo and the cotija cheese on top. All the flavors blended together well. I really like their take on this dish. Each shrimp was wrapped individually and were humbled might I add so two bites per piece. I love their take on a classic French Onion soup, instead of hella stringy onions in the soup they turned it into a purée and topped it with a little crostini, Gruyere cheese and micro greens.‍SPEECHLESS. Now to the main courses, the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass *not pictured* one word......BUTTER! The Sea Bass was cooked to PERFECTION, melted once the fork touched it the mashed potatoes were creamy and smooth. The Chilean Sea Bass was mistaken for the salmon on our order, but they took care of the mistake swiftly and even comped us for the dish, what's pictured is the Pan Seared Scottish Salmon. The RibEye Melt Sandwich was out of this world amazing, with every bite I felt myself falling more and more into a euphoric state. The Parmesan crusted sourdough was just right! The ribeye was done to perfection you hear me all the ingredients melted well together and the horseradish sauce was the perfect addition. The bistro salad was fresh and crisp, they suggested I add avocado and that definitely took it to the next level! The kids salmon plate was fresh, the salmon was cooked to perfection, the French fries were amazing and the ranch dressing was some of the best ranch I've had in a long time! Steak houses always have the best ranch. To end our meal we ordered the warm butter cake and you guessed it it was BUTTER. Ima just say order this, you won't regret it. Max brought us a complimentary chocolate cake as well to celebrate Father's Day. Both were delectable and took me into an even further state of euphoria. Thank you to our server Max, the entire wait staff and the entire kitchen, may GOD continue to bless you alllll!

After a fun morning at a nearby courthouse, we picked Nick's for a relaxing lunch. We started with the bacon deviled eggs which were deliciously fried and well seasoned. I had the local market salad topped with sliced rib eye and this salad did not disappoint. The rib eye was perfectly medium rare. The salad was topped with sharp cheddar, meaty bacon, crumbled egg, scallions and a side of blue cheese dressing. I ate everything. This salad was damn good. Friendly service, easy parking...definitely want to go back.

Nick's South Lake Avenue has amazing burgers, French fries, and steak. All the way from the nice waiters and waitresses (which I mention in all of my reviews) to the cleanliness of the bathrooms, everything here is a thumbs up. The best option on the menu in my opinion is probably one of the steaks. The seats on the lower level are also very comfortable and the place its self is pretty welcoming. Overall, Nick's South Lake Avenue is the most welcoming restaurant in Los Angeles P.S. The Food Is Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Came in tonight for our anniversary (14years married!). We didn't make a reservation, thinking that a Wednesday evening shouldn't be too bad - definitely should've, but the wait wasn't terrible (about 30 minutes). The host was really lovely and accommodating. While we waited we popped into pet food express and got our dogs some goodies. After about 20ish minutes my wife received a text and we headed back. We sat at a table on the upper balcony - with an excellent view of the Dodger game so that was a plus. Our waitress, Kelsey, was very attentive and just overall provided wonderful service. For our cocktails - I ordered the Mai tai and a honey blonde beer and my wife ordered the cucumber Collins. The Mai tai was a tad too sweet for me, but still super tasty and my wife loved her cocktail. We ordered the bacon deviled eggs. When it arrived at the table we were definitely skeptical (the egg was deep fried!) - but it turned out to be delicious. 10/10 would order again. Our entrees: Bistro plate (petite filet, house soup & salad) The house soup tonight was vegetable / lentil soup and the salad was a delightfully crunch sweet kale salad. I loved the salad, couldn't end up eating the soup due to the addition of avocado (i'm super allergic) but my wife thought the soup was very tasty. Kelsey was so helpful and ended up brining me out an extra portion of the salad, which was super lovely and not at all necessary. Now, my steak was at the ex's t temp I like it (a perfect rare). My only negative was the butter was slightly overly salty. My wife ordered the sea bass - it came with what we kept referring to as pyramid of mashed potatoes lol but she enjoyed it immensely. For dessert we picked the butter cake w/ berry compote and they also brought out a portion of their special occasion chocolate cake. Overall we had a wonderful experience and look forward to coming back! Definitely want to taste their seasonal pumpkin bread pudding soon :) Biggest takeaway for next time: Make a reservation- you just don't know how busy it will be Also - parking is available in the back. But you need to walk around to the front on lake (you can go through the pet store / Walgreens)

The atmosphere is the best. It feels like you're in San Francisco or New York. The waitstaff is professional and friendly. The food is very good and there are lots of vegetarian options. Looking forward to my next visit.