San Diego
It’s out of the way and looks like it hasn’t been redecorated since the Carter administration, but local foodies love the namesake chicken pies, with…
Must-see restaurants in California
Westlake & Koreatown
Sure it’s called the Tofu House, but it still serves ‘small intestine of cattle.' While not the best Korean in the neighborhood, it's a decent standby if…
Long Beach & San Pedro
Terrific, affordable seafood house. Step to the counter and order yellowtail, salmon, trout, mahi mahi or halibut glazed and grilled and served with two…
Marin County
It's pricey, but this little cafe near the park entrance uses mostly organic and locally sourced ingredients in its melty grilled cheese sandwiches,…
Monterey
Watch otters play outside the bay-view windows at this floating seafood kitchen on the wharf. Stick with the classics like creamy clam chowder, grilled…
Sequoia National Park
A small, basic cafe serving deli sandwiches, coffee made from locally roasted beans, hot chai tea and fresh-squeezed juices and baked goods. Their bagels…
Sacramento
The classy roadhouse vibe suits this historic railway stop, where you can get passable BBQ and soak in the mix of local characters, families and wayward…
Sonoma
Right on Sonoma's main plaza, this beloved cafe and boulangerie has amazing baked breads – perfect for that little picnic you're planning – plus a good…
San Diego
A subdued, romantic setting for Italian dining, plus a great wine list, presented by black-tied waiters. It’s known for steaks, seafood dishes like shrimp…
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
Located in the parking lot opposite the Mariposa Museum & History Center, this Mexican food truck is a local favorite and has the cheapest menu in town…
Oakland
You'll catch the sweet, smoky scent of Roderick's from miles away, which will get you properly salivating for its barbecue, which folks will line up for…
Eastern Sierra
In the southern part of town, this excellent mom-and-pop bakery serves locally roasted coffee, breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked bagels with local…
Disneyland Resort
This counter-service collection of restaurants shows off some of California's ethnic cuisines (Chinese, Mexican etc) as well as hearty soups in sourdough…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Even back when DTLA was more dodgy than hip, this cafe was bringing the goodness 24 hours a day. Snub the salads (huge but generally bland) for the…
The Peninsula
This hole-in-the-wall taquería has been slinging 'supershrimp' burritos (huge shrimp burritos with all the fixings), carne-asada tacos with homemade salsa…
Orange County
Simple strip-mall vegan shop and restaurant making banh mi sandwiches, salads, noodle soups, rice bowls, clay pots and more with vegan mock meats…
Los Angeles
The menus are composition-book mock-ups and the food is gastro-pub deluxe. We're talking burgers, skirt-steak tacos, shrimp grits and a nice fried jidori…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Landmark doggeria (since 1939) with glacially moving lines thanks to the droves who descend for garlicky, all-beef frankfurters, painted with mustard,…
Central Coast
Over in the East Village, pull up a barstool and order a burger while you watch big-screen sports TVs, or reserve a table in the contemporary-casual…
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
You can’t miss that giant beer mug standing outside a shingled cabin. Step inside for the south shore’s tastiest burgers, including the crazy ‘Jiffy…
San Diego
Set near the beach, locals love the peel and eat shrimp ($14 for half a pound), the Baja ceviche ($10.50) and steamed mussels and fries ($18). Grilled…
The Deserts
This old-school coffee shop is a hometown favorite for blueberry pancakes at breakfast and a combination of Mexican (enchiladas, fajitas etc) and straight…
San Jose
Waiters in bow ties flit about this busy 1950s San Jose landmark, serving standard Italian dishes to locals and conventioneers. The dining room is a…
Hollywood
Spawned from the long-running, widely loved, farmers-market taco stand of the same name, this version offers a casual-smart ambience and a ceviche bar…
Berkeley
Since California legalized recreational marijuana use, demand has only increased at this Canadian poutine shop, open till the wee hours. Get the classic…
The Deserts
This cheerful cafe has an eclectic menu that should please diverse tastes (handy if you're in a group). Pasta to pizza, salads to grilled fish and meats…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
The best eats on the boardwalk. Here you can munch shiitake omelets made with organic eggs, ginger noodles, or a pesto-brushed, arugula-dressed salmon…
Orange County
Artsy and sophisticated yet casual Cal-Mediterranean bistro. It whips up creative modern classics like wild-mushroom penne, bacon-wrapped blue-cheese…
Sequoia National Park
The park's biggest general store sells groceries, camping supplies, snacks and hot drinks. It's recently refurbished snack bar also serves various hot…
Huntington Beach
For hearty Italian fare, follow the twinkling lights to this cozy, homey trattoria, known as much for its ripped waiters as for the thick slices of…
Mono Lake Region
All-American bar with flags, patches, license plates and beer pumps decorating the walls and ceilings. Typical bar food includes breakfasts, sandwiches…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
This landmark Locke bar is a magnet for amiable Harley crews. The draw isn’t the food so much as the ambience. Above the creaking floorboards, the ceiling…
Eastern Sierra
Hidden in a Bishop backstreet you'll find this low-key, friendly joint serving good, inexpensive breakfasts and sandwiches (the latter comes with soup)…
Anaheim
Vegan snacks like yam wedges with ranch dressing, veggie burgers, Tex-Mex and big salads are served in this fun counter service shop in a little food…
Kings Canyon National Park
This basic counter-service grill dishes up hot meals (burgers/hot dogs/burritos) and cold deli sandwiches. Dine outside on the riverside deck. In summer…
Death Valley National Park
This gregarious joint has darts, draft beer and dynamite barbecue at dinner time, as well as pretty good, but pricey pizzas and pub grub such as onion…
Marin County
This contemporary restaurant is the swankiest place in town. It specializes in rustic Italian cuisine made from locally sourced produce, including…
San Diego
For simple dining with beautiful sea views, white tablecloths and a nice patio, find classic Italian grub from homemade thin-crust pizza to pasta (the…
Excelsior
Peruvians have a notorious sweet tooth, which gets indulged in this bakery. It specializes in all kinds of South American desserts – from alfajores (a…
Big Sur Burrito Bar & General Store
Big Sur
Order a San Francisco–sized burrito or wrap sandwich with a fresh-fruit smoothie from the back of the Big Sur River Inn's well-stocked general store,…
