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Bar Chelou, Pasadena, CA

Bar Chelou

4.8
4.8
439 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary French
A photo of Bar Chelou restaurant

Bar Chelou

4.8
$50 and over
Contemporary French
Pasadena

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 46 times today
  • Innovative
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Lively
Bar Chelou is a neo-bistro that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin's broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style.

'Chelou' (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel, and fun.

The restaurant is located within the Pasadena Playhouse complex. If you plan to visit the Playhouse after dinner, please book a 5:30p reservation to ensure ample timing for your dinner. We also offer concession cocktails before a showing and during intermission.

NEED TO KNOW
Wine corkage is $30 per 750ml bottle with no limit; we do not offer corkage for wines featured on our wine list.

Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and at several paid lots within a one-block radius.

Gift cards are available for purchase on our website.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary French, European, Spanish
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 17:30–21:30
  • Phone number
    (626) 808-4976
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Area
    Pasadena
  • Cross Street
    Located next to the Pasadena Playhouse on El Molino Ave.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 439 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Pasadena

    Best Overall

  • Pasadena

    Best Food

  • Pasadena

    Best Service

  • Pasadena

    Innovative

  • Pasadena

    Healthy

  • Pasadena

    Hot spot

  • Pasadena

    Romantic

  • Pasadena

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Chelou offers a delightful dining experience with "excellent food" and "amazing ambiance." Located near the Pasadena Playhouse, it's a perfect spot for pre-theatre meals. Diners rave about the "crispy potatoes" and "delicious cocktails." While the noise level can be high, the "friendly service" and inventive dishes make it a memorable visit.

439 Reviews
  1. Bob

    Los Angeles

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great dining spot right adjacent to the Pasadena Playhouse. Don't let the menu through you off, each dish is spectacular, even if it doesn't sound appetizing . Carrot salad is great, clam toast is fabulous, crispy potatoes amazing, etc. etc. All very different but wonderful. The staff is also the best, very service oriented and friendly. Top pick if your going to the Playhouse for a show.

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  2. Abby

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is always such a vibe and amazing experience. The team clearly loves being there, engaging with the guests, and the food is excellent. The room is gorgeous and parking is easy. Clam Toast, Crispy Potatoes, Carrots, Tempura Mushrooms (that sauce!!!), the TROUT and the Spinach, omg. The wine list is fantastic. Parking is easy. Go. Now. It’s the best.

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  3. Solita

    Los Angeles

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best tapas around, It was like being in Spain again. Love the location, it’s right beside the Pasadena Playhouse. Great place for dinner before the show.

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  4. David

    Los Angeles

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    What a great place with such great service. Every plate was gorgeous. Plus a dairy-free menu! Not to be redundant, but the service was outstanding.

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  5. Natasha

    Los Angeles

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Every bite is to be savored. One sauce was better than the next - from the Tempura Wild Mushrooms to the Trout. Excellent service as well.

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  6. Jeannie

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food - lots of vegetarian options that are sufficient to make a meal. We've eaten here often and will continue to do so.

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  7. PatriciaE

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our second visit to this wonderful spot, the ambiance was great, the service was superior, and the food was excellent. We reordered the crispy potatoes, and they did not disappoint, plus a cheese plate, the marinated olives, and the Pork Chop. All were outstanding and I could have eaten another Pork Chop it was so good. We love the idea is is a sharing dish selection, as there were three of us. Not to mention we ordered the caramel banana and lemon dessert. The banana was pretty, but the star was the lemon dessert. We will definitely go back.

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  8. Charles

    Palm Springs

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 28 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place for innovative small plates and good wines.

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  9. michael

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Every dish was amazing. So much fun. The trout is incredible.

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  10. Martin

    Los Angeles

    417 reviews

    4.0

    417 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Bar Chelou is a very handsome space with a warm and festive vibe. The service from all staff is very friendly and professional. The cuisine, while very good, is somewhat limited in scope. I would’ve liked to see more fresh vegetable selections as well as more main entree choices. I also don’t like restaurants that have many two-tops arranged so that one member of the party faces a wall, limiting that diner’s appreciation of the full atmosphere. Those quibbles aside, it’s a very appealing place, maybe more for drinks than dining at this point.

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FAQs

Bar Chelou is rated 4.8 stars by 439 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

A photo of Bar Chelou restaurant

Bar Chelou

4.8
$50 and over
Contemporary French
Pasadena

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 46 times today
Google Map for Bar Chelou

37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-5220

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Located next to the Pasadena Playhouse on El Molino Ave.
  • Area
    Pasadena
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 17:30–21:30
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary French, European, Spanish
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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