Huntington Beach
High-school skaters, 30-something beach bums and old-timers mix easily under ramshackle walls slathered with movie posters at this classic neon-lit…
Must-see restaurants in California
The Deserts
Empty tables are as rare as puddles in the desert at this artily painted charmer in a central Borrego Springs bungalow. Carb-load for a day on the trail…
Yosemite National Park
With a killer view of Yosemite Falls, the window tables at this casual yet elegant contemporary restaurant are a hot commodity. Plates of NY strip steak,…
Coastal Highway 1
This is the kind of North Coast coffee shop you’ve been dreaming of: fresh pastries, fog-lifting organic coffee and chatty locals. The expansive view of…
Mono Lake Region
Years after its famed chef moved on to Toomey's at Mammoth Lakes, this Mobil-gas-station restaurant off Hwy 120 is still, surprisingly, a darn good place…
San Diego
From California spiny lobster to harpoon-caught swordfish, the seafood at this been-there-forever fish market is off-the-boat-fresh and finds its destiny…
Huntington Beach
There's no shortage of taco stands in HB, but locals are fiercely dedicated to Sancho's, across from the beach. This two-room shack with patio grills…
Mono Lake Region
Looking to satisfy your nostalgia for summertime vacations of yore or want to introduce your kids to a classic roadside joint? Mono Cone will not…
Gold Country
Truly delicious soups, sandwiches, baked goods and coffee from well-known Sacramento and local purveyors find their way to this little wooden house in…
Northern Mountains
Head here for the finest dining on the lake with upscale New American, Italian-influenced cuisine (like the simply prepared shrimp scampi), and bar food…
West of I-5
About 8 miles south of Weaverville, this unlikely spot in a roadside lodge serves up the area's finest meals. Try anything with elk, the gnocchi is superb…
North Coast & Redwoods
This unexpectedly trendy restaurant has livened up Garberville's culinary scene with seriously delicious 'Asian soul food.' Gluten-free and vegan options…
San Diego
A gold-painted brick wood-fired oven imported from Italy delivers authentic Neapolitan pizzas straight to jammed-together family-sized tables at this…
Lake Tahoe
On a lazy summer afternoon, grab a table on the back deck that overlooks the boats bobbing at Tahoe City Marina. Barbecue chicken, ribs and steak light a…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Not only do noted vegan chef/author/activist Matthew Kenney and chef Scot Winegard work miracles with raw vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds here, they do…
Santa Monica
Chef Micah Wexler has worked at some of the top kitchens in town, but his newest venture gets back to basics, with old-school Jewish deli classics…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
There always seems to be a line out the door at this branch of the hipster-cool Portland-based ice-cream fantasy land. Maybe it’s because there’s always…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Expect a happy buzz despite line-out-the-door crowds at the indoor-outdoor LA outpost of New York superchef Danny Meyer's burger ‘n’ dog joint. Crowds…
Santa Barbara Wine Country
1860s stagecoach stop that’s still a popular watering hole. A rough-hewn plank floor connects a warren of dimly lit rooms decorated with an odd but…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Sunny flavors, healthful ingredients, and easygoing elegance make Little Gem a San Francisco treasure. Chef David Cruz combines fine-dining tradecraft…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Live the dream at this bayfront bistro, where California-fresh, Vietnamese-inspired dishes are served with sparkling waterfront views. Chinatown-raised…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
This industrial-sleek, indoor-outdoor space on an up-and-coming stretch of Lincoln Blvd has fab breads and pastries, excellent coffees and flawless (if…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
SF's definitive burrito has no saffron rice, spinach tortilla or mango salsa – just perfectly grilled meats, slow-cooked beans and tomatillo or mesquite…
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
California farm-to-table gets Thai street smarts in this warehouse restaurant showcasing organic local ingredients and regional Thai street-food…
Santa Monica
This vegan Thai restaurant draws fans from all over town to an unassuming stretch of Lincoln Blvd for vibrant dishes such as endive cups filled with…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
The Venice outpost of chef-owner-Wunderkind Kris Yenbamroong's mini-empire specializes in take-no prisoners spicy Thai dishes such as nam khao tod (crispy…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Leave gimmicky waterfront bistros behind and find higher ground here, with rustic French seafood and easy social graces. Triple-Michelin-starred chef…
Hollywood
Don't let the odd name and strip-mall location put you off; Luv2eat is something of a temple for LA's Thai foodies. Cordon Bleu–trained, Polo Lounge…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Like discovering a long-lost twin, Cala's California roots cuisine is a revelation. San Francisco's Mexican-ranchera origins are deeply honored here:…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Dinner at this airy eatery by Moroccan-Japanese-Israeli chef Danny Emaleh might begin with crispy artichoke hummus, spicy beef 'cigars,' saganaki cheese…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Spring through fall, some 30 food trucks and pop-up cubes circle their wagons at SF's largest mobile-gourmet hootenannies on Friday night at Fort Mason…
San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant
Long Beach & San Pedro
Seafood feasts don’t get more decadent and divey than at this family-run, harbor-view institution. Buy fresh fish or seafood at the counter and the price…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
This modernist-minimalist neighborhood bistro nails the, uh, fundamentals, then elevates them. Lunch focuses on sandwiches and salads (our favorite:…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
An anchor of Venice's vegan corridor, Café Gratitude's all-organic menu items are named for affirmations such as 'I am Magical' (that's a house-made…
North Beach & Chinatown
San Francisco has steadily craved Chinese food since 1848, and this fancy food hall delivers regional Chinese taste sensations with Californian flair – it…
Santa Monica
Part of the epicurean family from the couple behind Rustic Canyon, Milo & Olive and Cassia, Huckleberry's Zoe Nathan devises some of the most exquisite…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Louis Tikaram, one-time Australian Chef of the Year, has brought the creative, bold flavors of his Fijian-Chinese heritage – kakoda (Fijian-style ceviche)…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Twenty years ago Delfina opened its doors on what was then a sketchy corner of the Mission. It served simple Italian cuisine prepared with fresh…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Top Chef alumna Brooke Williamson is the force behind this 7000-sq-ft combination seafood restaurant, cafe, ice-cream shop, and speakeasy-style whiskey…
Hollywood
This LA burger chain is a point of pilgrimage for locals and visitors alike. Yes, this is fast food, but In & Out has been hand-crafting burgers since…
