Must-see restaurants in California

  • Succulent Café

    Santa Ynez Valley

    An inspired, if meat-centric, menu allows farm-fresh ingredients to speak for themselves at this family-owned gourmet cafe and market. For breakfast and…

  • Cafe Fiore

    South Lake Tahoe & Stateline

    Serving upscale Italian without pretension, this tiny romantic eatery pairs succulent pasta, seafood and meats with an award-winning 300-vintage wine list…

  • Langer's Deli

    Westlake & Koreatown

    The best pastrami sandwiches aren't in New York. They're at this retro deli, where the recipe and hand-carving of the meat hasn't changed since 1947…

  • George's at the Cove

    La Jolla

    The Euro-Cal cooking is as dramatic as the oceanfront location, thanks to the bottomless imagination of chef Trey Foshee. George’s has graced just about…

  • Pigburd

    Long Beach & San Pedro

    There's much to love about this bistro near downtown Long Beach: small-family-farm–raised meats, eggs and produce, an evolving menu of comfort foods…

  • First & Oak

    Santa Ynez Valley

    Rich, innovative small plates in an elegant but cozy setting make First & Oak Solvang's best dining experience. The menu changes with the seasons but you…

  • Oakland–Grand Lake Farmers Market

    Oakland

    A rival to San Francisco's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, this bountiful weekly market hauls in bushels of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, ranched meats,…

  • Lot 579

    Huntington Beach

    The food court at HB's stunning new ocean-view mall offers some unique and fun restaurants for pressed sandwiches (Burnt Crumbs – the spaghetti grilled…

  • Piaci Pub & Pizzeria

    Coastal Highway 1

    Fort Bragg’s must-visit pizzeria is known for its sophisticated wood-fired, brick-oven pizzas as much as for its long list of microbrews. Try the ‘Gustoso…

  • Clayton's Coffee Shop

    San Diego

    Some diners only look old-fashioned. This one is the real deal from the 1940s, with red leatherette swivel stools and booths with minijukeboxes. It does…

  • Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

    Santa Barbara

    ‘From sea to skillet to plate’ sums up this end-of-the-wharf seafood shack that’s more of a buzzing counter joint than a sit-down restaurant. Chase away…

  • Hodad's

    San Diego

    Since the flower-power days of 1969, OB’s legendary burger joint has served great shakes, massive baskets of onion rings and succulent hamburgers wrapped…

  • Brick & Fire

    North Coast & Redwoods

    Tucked into an intimate, warm-hued and bohemian-tinged setting, this spot is almost always busy. Choose from thin-crust pizzas, delicious salads (try the…

  • Fish 101

    San Diego

    In this casual grown-up fish shack, order at the counter, sidle up to a butcher-block table, sip craft beer or Mexican coke from a mason jar and tuck into…

  • Pearl 6101

    San Francisco

    Stop by this little neighborhood gem for coffee and wood-fired bagels on your way to the Presidio, or return in the evening for unmissable martinis. Start…

  • Shore Rider Cafe

    La Jolla

    For tasty eats in a surf vibe right near the beach, head to Shore Rider's new mellow open-air patio, where they play California rock and serve beer on tap…

  • Royal Rangoon

    Berkeley

    Excellent Burmese fare includes some of the Bay Area's more authentic takes on mohinga (fish noodle soup), ohn no kauk swe (coconut-curry chicken soup),…

  • Cultura Comida y Bebida

    Carmel-by-the-Sea

    In a brick-lined courtyard, this vivaciously elegant restaurant pairs art and candlelight with food inspired by Oaxacan flavors and an entire library's…

  • Carnitas' Snack Shack

    San Diego

    Eat honestly priced, pork-inspired slow food in a cute outdoor patio with natural wooden features. Wash dishes like the triple-threat pork sandwich (with…

  • Old Post Office Cafe

    Lake Tahoe

    Head west of town toward Carnelian Bay, where this always-packed, cheery wooden shack (never, in fact, a post office) serves scrumptious breakfasts:…

  • Great China Restaurant

    Berkeley

    Berkeley does not lack for good Chinese food, but this enormous, upscale restaurant elevates the genre with Northern Chinese specialties like duck-bone…

  • Workshop Kitchen + Bar

    Greater Palm Springs

    Hidden away in the back of the ornate 1920s El Paseo building, a large patio with olive trees leads to this starkly beautiful space. At its center is a…

  • Nobu Malibu

    Malibu & Pacific Palisades

    Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's empire of luxe Japanese restaurants began in LA, and the Malibu outpost is consistently one of LA's hot spots. East of the pier, it…

  • Milo & Olive

    Santa Monica

    We love this place for its small-batch wines, incredible pizzas, terrific breakfasts (creamy polenta and poached eggs anyone?), breads and pastries, all…

  • Davis Farmers Market

    Sacramento & the Central Valley

    With more than 150 vendors and an awe-inspiring selection of local produce, meat, flowers and baked goods, this market forms the vibrant heart of Davis…

  • Downtown SLO Farmers' Market

    San Luis Obispo

    The county’s biggest and best weekly farmers market turns downtown SLO’s Higuera St into a giant street party, with smokin’ barbecues, overflowing fruit…

  • Gyppo Ale Mill

    North Coast & Redwoods

    Gyppo injects a jolt of youthful energy into this aging community, brewing a dozen of its own ales and showcasing them alongside local wines and ciders…

  • Café Aroma

    The Deserts

    Inside a country cabin sheltered by pine trees, a classically trained chef puts new spins on his Italian grandmother’s recipes. The outdoor deck has…

  • McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams

    Santa Barbara

    Just try walking past this place on State St if you have a sweet tooth. A Santa Barbara institution since 1949, McConnell's uses local milk and other…

  • Cafe La Haye

    Sonoma

    One of Sonoma’s top tables for earthy New American cooking, La Haye only uses produce sourced from within 60 miles. Its dining room gets packed cheek-by…

  • Fire Sign Cafe

    Lake Tahoe

    For breakfast, everyone heads to the friendly Fire Sign for down-home omelets, blueberry pancakes, eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, fresh made-from…

  • Kinetic Brewing Co

    The Deserts

    Elevating pub grub to fine-food status, this convivial brewpub spikes its menu with truffle kettle chips, mac 'n' cheese with smoked lobster and Scotch…

  • Butcher's Daughter

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    Find yourself a seat around the central counter or facing busy Abbot Kinney to tuck in to stone-oven pizzas, handmade pastas and veggie faves such as…

  • Cultivo

    Along Highway 101

    Yes, there are arty pizzas with toppings like braised duck and wild boar sausage, but there are also amazing salads, pastas and meat dishes – the heritage…

  • Corazon Cocina

    Santa Barbara

    The usual Mexican crowd-pleasers are all here (tacos al pastor, quesadillas, agua fresca) but made to such perfection that previous versions pale in…

  • SALT Fish House

    North Coast & Redwoods

    This low-lit nautical-themed restaurant on the plaza promises sustainably harvested seafood, locally sourced produce and thoughtfully crafted cocktails…

  • Mahé

    Coastal Orange County

    Raw-fish fans gather barside at this beach-chic sushi bar with live bands some nights in the back room. Baked scallop parmesan, ahi tataki wraps, and…

  • Fat Cat

    Lake Tahoe

    This casual, family run restaurant with local art splashed on the walls does it all: from-scratch soups, heaped salads, sandwiches, incredible burgers,…

  • Saw Shop Bistro

    Along Highway 101

    The best restaurant in Lake County serves a California-cuisine menu of wild salmon and chili-rubbed flank steak, as well as a small-plates menu of harvest…