
The Raymond Restaurant - Brunch, Dinner & Happy Hour Pasadena CA
1250 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
About The Raymond Restaurant - Brunch, Dinner & Happy Hour Pasadena CA - steak house in Pasadena, California
New American restaurant serving refined steaks & seafood in a quaint cottage with a garden patio.
Customer Review Summary
The Raymond Restaurant in Pasadena has a mixed reputation, highlighted by various aspects of the dining experience. The atmosphere is often praised, described as cozy and charming due to the restaurant's historic house setting, with good outdoor seating and inviting décor. However, the food has received consistent criticism for being underwhelming, bland, and not worth the high price point. While some dishes like eggs Benedict and buttermilk pancakes were well-received, many entrees, including steak and pasta, lacked seasoning. Service is generally regarded as exceptional, contributing positively to the overall experience. Though the cocktails and desserts often stand out as highlights, many diners feel that the food quality does not live up to expectations for the cost. Overall, while the ambiance and service attract customers, the inconsistent food quality remains a significant concern.
Key Features
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Private dining room
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Historic
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Valet parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Customer Reviews
Rating Distribution
Shawn Sheng
Honestly did not really live up to my expectations, which I will admit were pretty high. It is a house transformed into a restaurant, so the interior is quite crammed. It is dimly lit which makes for a nice intimate setting though, but limited indoor seating with some outdoor seating. The food was the most disappointing. It was still good, but not really worth the price point. Both the pasta and the ribeye steak were pretty bland. Presentation was great though and the staff are exceptional.
Armin Kakvan
Brunch at Raymond 1886 was fantastic! The eggs Benedict were spot-on with creamy hollandaise, and the buttermilk pancakes were fluffy perfection. Great food in a charming setting, highly recommended!
Claire Lee
Drink and desserts: good Services: great Food: meh CostPrice: too pricey for its quality We arrived Friday before 5pm and didn’t have to wait for a table. We were here specifically for DineLA menu $65/pp for 3 course-meal. The atmosphere and services were good. It reminded me of steakhouse in some kind of historic house (turns out the place is Raymond Hotel owner’s caretaker’s home). Food was extremely underwhelming and under-seasoned. Corn soup 🥣 wasn’t creamy and it was like from an instant pack and worse 😂 Kale salad 🥗 was alright but hubby said he felt it wasn’t fresh. Maybe he was looking for veggies’ crunchiness and there was none. Steak 🥩- they didn’t ask for temperature, so we asked. The server said it is cooked medium rare. For an old-school American restaurant to cook steak like this, it’s a hard pass for us. Steak was worse for similar steak in Urban Plates and $45/pop on their regular menu. Very chewy and rubbery. Sauce had the weird mint? Fries were good 👍 Sea bass 🐟 - it was under-seasoned and could have been more flaky outside. Rice wasn’t complementing the dish well. Desserts were the highlights - we liked it.
Benjamin Franke (Solstice Son)
I've driven by this spot for over a decade and never thought to stop and explore. Now I know, I've been missing out on something truly special. Raymond 1886 is a hidden Pasadena legend, seamlessly combining historic charm with culinary excellence. Located in a beautifully preserved craftsman cottage with an incredible history, the ambiance is both inviting and sophisticated. Ask about the Raymond family legacy if you stop by, it's quite a story. Make sure to reserve a patio seat during sunset, the dappled light alone is a delicacy. I hear the happy hour is wonderful, perfect time to drop by and enjoy this beautiful hidden gem. The cocktail selection is outstanding, featuring creative drinks that are expertly crafted. They take pride in their hand crafted ice as well, which is intentionally shaped to cool the drink without diluting the ingredients. Not many other places put this much intention and thought into what they offer. The menu offers high-quality dishes that highlight seasonal and local ingredients. I was especially impressed by the Pasta Bolognese with beef and veal ragu. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall dining experience. The exceptional quality and atmosphere make it worth the visit. I can honestly say, this is the perfect spot for special occasions or a memorable night out and I wish I'd explored it sooner!
AJ Maurice
A cozy restaurant sitting partially hidden off to the side and set just below S. Fair Oaks Drive You may pass it the first time if you’re not really paying attention. The setting is amazing as the restaurant itself sits in an old cottage house which is a remnant from the spectacular Royal Raymond Hotel that once occupied this site in the late 1880’s. There is very nice outdoor dining but the inside offers a warm, cozy setting among the converted rooms of the cottage. In the back is a cocktail bar that is staffed with a couple of mixologists dedicated to their craft. Food was great, cocktails were fantastic but the overall experience and great service is why I will keep coming back.
K
First time and last time here. Mediocre food and drinks for an expensive price. Customer service was ok. Atmosphere was really dark and cold. This place is just not for me.
VK
We ordered the eggs Benedict and crab cake Benedict. They were both perfect! The pancakes and cinnamon roll were also great. But what really sells this place is the atmosphere. Great place for a first date.
Nancy Rodriguez
Drinks and atmosphere is awesome, unfortunately, food not so much. The bread and butter were delicious but our entrees were not good. We got the pasta and steak frites. Definitely need more flavor in both.
Location
Contact Information
Hours of Operation
Price Range
More Steakhouses in Pasadena

Nick's Pasadena
336 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

Bistro 45
45 S Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
Upscale restaurant delivering creative Californian-French fare in revamped art deco surrounds.

The Arbour
527 S Lake Ave #120, Pasadena, CA 91101
Farm-to-table Californian fare & craft cocktails in a relaxed, fashionable space with a woodsy feel.

Henry Parsons Project
541 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91105