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Bar Chelou, Pasadena, CA

Bar Chelou

4.8
4.8
445 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary French

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 53 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 445 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.

445 Reviews
  1. doyle

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    very different menu and heavy garlic forward. there were 4 of us and one just loved it. couldn’t be closer to the pasadena playhouse.

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  2. Robin

    Los Angeles

    118 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    118 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We've eaten here at least 6 times, and it's always delicious. The dishes are reliably consistent - you know what you're getting each time. The crispy potatoes, trout, carrots and squid are all delicious, and we had the new lamb ribs, which I want to eat every day. Will definitely be back again!

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  3. NICHOLAS

    New York City

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very eclectic menu with many cool combinations. Very interesting approach to sharing dishes. Will be back

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  4. Mark

    Orange County

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great spot for dinner and show. Good service and unique tasty dishes made fresh.

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  5. Loraine

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent cocktail, service and food. The trout is excellent!

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  6. Solita

    Los Angeles

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As usual, a lovely meal, loved loved loved. My boo loved the pork chop, iberico ham, the bread from Spain, the beer. We will be back.

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  7. Bob

    Los Angeles

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 7 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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  8. Abby

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    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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  9. Solita

    Los Angeles

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    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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  10. David

    Los Angeles

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    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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FAQs

Bar Chelou is rated 4.8 stars by 445 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 53 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
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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