15 Best Brunch Spots in Pasadena: From Bottomless Mimosas to Dim Sum (2026)

Tucked inside a 1927 Craftsman bungalow, Marston's has been a Pasadena breakfast institution since 1987. The dining room feels like eating in someone's beautifully maintained living room, with vintage decor and warm lighting that makes every weekend morning feel unhurried. The legendary French Toast, made with thick-cut challah bread soaked overnight, draws lines that wrap around the block before 9 AM on Saturdays.

Housed in the former horse stable of the Pasadena Fire Department (built in 1922), Agnes is part restaurant, part market, part cheesery. The brunch menu leans creative: think cornbread eclair with chicken liver mousse, sticky toffee pancakes drizzled with date caramel, and beet carpaccio that looks almost too good to eat. Their cheese and charcuterie boards are among the best in the San Gabriel Valley, and the fried cheese curds with dill ranch have a cult following.

If you are hunting for the best bottomless mimosas in Pasadena, Edwin Mills is the answer. Their $18 all-you-can-drink mimosa program (2-hour limit) features 11 inventive flavors, from lychee and strawberry coconut to mango and pomegranate. You can mix and match flavors throughout your sitting. The food menu blends classic American brunch staples with dim sum items, creating a unique crossover that works surprisingly well. The industrial-chic interior with exposed brick and warm lighting sets the perfect weekend mood.

Founded in 1930 by Frank Gale, Russell's is the kind of American diner that makes you feel like you have stepped into a time machine. The signature neon sign hanging above Old Town Pasadena pulls in a steady weekend crowd, and the red barstools and wooden booths have a sense of character that no modern restaurant can replicate. Breakfast is served until 4 PM, and the blood-orange mimosas on weekends are a beloved tradition. The portions are generous and the prices are fair, making this one of the best values on our list.

On the South Lake Avenue corridor, Magnolia House is best known as a cocktail bar, but their weekend brunch has developed a devoted following. The Forager omelette, loaded with wild mushrooms and gruyere, consistently appears in local "best of" roundups. Their Bloody Mary program is one of the strongest in town, and the bottomless mimosas on Saturday and Sunday mornings keep the patio buzzing. The atmosphere is upscale-casual, with a warm, moody interior that feels more like a friend's well-designed living room than a restaurant.

Winner of the 2023 Diners' Choice Award for best brunch in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, Plate 38 earns its reputation through consistency. Bottomless mimosas are available six days a week from 9 AM to 2:30 PM ($30, 90-minute limit, 18% gratuity included), making this one of the most accessible mimosa deals in town. The brioche French toast is a showstopper, and the four-cheese mac has converted even the most skeptical brunch purists. Located on the East Colorado corridor, it is slightly off the beaten Old Town path, which means shorter waits.

A Pasadena institution since 1979, Green Street is still owned and operated by the same family that started it as an 18-table cafe. Their Dianne Salad is ordered over 2,000 times per week, which is a staggering number for a single menu item. But the real brunch move here is the freshly baked zucchini bread, served warm and perfect alongside any egg dish. The outdoor patio on Shopper's Lane is one of the most pleasant brunch settings in Old Town, shaded and people-friendly.

Lunasia has been serving traditional Cantonese dim sum in Pasadena since 2015 and recently upgraded to this larger signature location on East Colorado Boulevard. The new space features over 120 seats and a stage for live entertainment, while keeping the same beloved menu that earned them a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation. The har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (BBQ pork buns), and braised black pepper short ribs are standouts. Dim sum is served all day, but the weekend morning atmosphere captures the authentic communal energy of the tradition.

DerWolf brings a party atmosphere to Sunday brunch in Old Town Pasadena with live DJs, $19 bottomless mimosas, and a spacious indoor-outdoor layout that accommodates large groups. Happy hour pricing extends until noon, with 50% off all beers, cocktails, and house liquors, making early arrival doubly rewarding. The brunch menu covers all the essentials with elevated execution, and the vibe here skews younger and more social than the quieter spots on this list.

If your brunch crew includes someone who counts macros or avoids gluten, True Food Kitchen is the diplomatic choice that keeps everyone happy. The menu rotates seasonally and leans heavily on whole ingredients: lemon ricotta muffins, breakfast tacos with cage-free eggs, smoked gouda crustless quiche, and the green goddess smoothie. Located right on Colorado Boulevard in Old Town, it is an easy walk from the Metro A Line station, making it one of the most transit-accessible brunch spots in the city.

Colette is a Cantonese-rooted creative Asian restaurant that bridges dim sum tradition with modern brunch sensibility. Located on the quieter east side of Pasadena near the San Marino border, it attracts a crowd that knows exactly what they want: inventive small plates that draw from Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Californian influences. The brunch service runs from 10:30 AM to 3 PM daily (except Tuesday), with dishes that change frequently based on seasonal availability.

One of SoCal's most popular brunch brands landed in Old Town Pasadena and quickly built a following. Popping Yolk is known for photogenic plates that taste as good as they look: their House French Toast, stacked high with seasonal fruit and whipped cream, is an Instagram staple. But the eggs Benedict variations and breakfast burritos are the workhorses of the menu, delivering solid flavor and generous portions. The bright, modern interior welcomes groups and families alike.

Established in 1926, Millie's has nearly a century of experience making breakfast. Everything is prepared by hand, from scratch, using quality ingredients. Their menu spans traditional American breakfast to vegan and vegetarian options, making this one of the more inclusive brunch spots on our list. Located on the East Washington corridor near Altadena, Millie's draws a loyal neighborhood crowd that appreciates honest food at fair prices. Weekend mornings get busy, but the line moves quickly.

HomeState brought Texas breakfast tacos to Los Angeles and built a devoted empire. The Pasadena location on Lincoln Avenue serves handmade flour tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, beans, cheese, and their signature queso. The brisket taco, slow-smoked and impossibly tender, is the kind of item that spoils you for all other breakfast tacos. It is casual, fast, and extremely affordable, making it a perfect weekday brunch when you want something excellent without the sit-down production.

Just over the border in South Pasadena, Mike & Anne's has become one of the most talked-about brunch destinations in the area. The space blends rustic elegance with natural light, and their roomy outdoor patio is ideal for groups. The Chinese chicken salad is a cult favorite, the huevos rancheros hit every note, and the pancakes are stacked tall with real maple syrup. They also serve dinner, but brunch is where this restaurant truly shines. The Mission Street location puts you in the heart of South Pasadena's charming downtown.