Must-see restaurants in California

  • Big Bear Brewing Co

    The Deserts

    Try a Barely Legal Honey Blonde or a Whispering Pine IPA at this local brewpub with view of the steel vats from the woodsy drinking and dining area. The…

  • Calabria Bros

    Excelsior

    Some of the best sandwiches in San Francisco are getting prepped and served in this little counter-service deli. The meats are fresh, and the cheeses are…

  • The Siren Canteen

    Marin County

    This beach-chic canteen with bench seating and a chalkboard menu sits just under the lifeguard tower. Order quality, fresh tacos, nachos, fish and chips,…

  • New Moon Cafe

    Gold Country

    Pure elegance, Peter Selaya’s organic- and local-ingredient menu changes with the seasons. If you visit during spring or summer, go for the line-caught…

  • SeaQuake Brewing

    North Coast & Redwoods

    Easily the most happening place in town thanks to its inventive pizzas, creative salads and appealing barn-like atmosphere. Oh, and did we mention the 12…

  • La Cocina de Oro Taqueria

    Gold Country

    Chef-owner Feather Ortiz uses herbs and peppers from her garden and sources everything else from local growers to make the freshest food around. The…

  • Taste

    Gold Country

    Book a table at Taste, where excellent Amador County wines are paired with a fine menu of California-style cooking (big on meat and game). There's open…

  • Schat’s Bakery & Cafe

    Along Highway 101

    Founded by Dutch bakers, Schat’s makes a dazzling array of chewy, dense breads, sandwiches, wraps, big salads, dee-lish hot mains, full breakfasts and…

  • Santa Cruz Farmers Market

    Santa Cruz

    Organic produce, baked goods and arts-and-crafts and food booths all give you an authentic taste of the local vibe. Shorter fall and winter hours.

  • Bird Cafe & Supper Club

    Coastal Highway 1

    Chef Aaron Peters works with farmers and ranchers to create locavore Mendocino cuisine, pairing it alongside a stellar list of Anderson Valley wines…

  • Steelcraft

    Long Beach & San Pedro

    Shipping containers have been repurposed with mini-kitchens churning out burgers (at Pig Pen Delicacy), pizzas (DeSano), ramen (Tajima), waffles (Waffle…

  • El Campeon

    Coastal Orange County

    For real-deal Mexican food, in a strip mall south of the mission, try this multiroom restaurant, panadería (bakery) and mercado (grocery store). Look for…

  • Erick Schat’s Bakery

    Eastern Sierra

    A deservedly hyped tourist mecca filled to the rafters with racks of fresh bread, dipping oil, jams and other goodies, Schat's has been making its baked…

  • Abigaile

    South Bay Beaches

    Hermosa's gastropub deluxe, in a space that used to be a church and, later, punk rock band Black Flag's rehearsal space. History continues with a graffiti…

  • Carousel

    San Fernando Valley

    Carousel may call itself a Lebanese restaurant, but this huge place has a commensurately huge following among Glendale's Armenian community. We can see…

  • Farm

    Greater Palm Springs

    At the heart of downtown Palm Springs yet secluded from hubbub this delightful bistro sits in a country-style courtyard. All the better to enjoy classic…

  • Mesa Verde

    Santa Barbara

    A top pick for plant-based dining, Mesa Verde has so many delicious, innovative all-vegan sharing plates on the menu that meat-avoiding procrastinators…

  • Puesto at the Headquarters

    San Diego

    In the old San Diego Police Headquarters, this vibrant eatery serves modern Mexican street food that knocked our zapatos off. Start with some creamy…

  • Soif

    Santa Cruz

    A perennial local foodie fave, this chic and cosmopolitan lair harnesses mostly native products and turns them into triumphs of flavor pairings: Manila…

  • Narrow Gauge Inn

    Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada

    Excellent food and knockout views make the dining experience at Narrow Gauge Inn one of the finest in the Yosemite region. The dinners are creatively…

  • Sandfish

    Greater Palm Springs

    Sushi in the desert may not make intuitive sense, but this modern, Scandinavian-designed sushi and whisky bar defies expectations. Starter cocktails might…

  • Rush Creek Lodge Tavern

    Yosemite National Park

    Warm and welcoming, with high ceilings and sports on the large-screen TV and occasional music in summer, Rush Creek's tavern is ideal for a taste of low…

  • Evergreen Lodge

    Yosemite National Park

    Creative and satisfying, the Evergreen’s restaurant serves some of the best meals around, with big and delicious breakfasts, three types of burger (Black…

  • Happy Burger

    Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada

    Burgers, fries and shakes served with a heavy dose of nostalgic Americana. Happy Burger, decorated with old album covers, boasts the largest menu in the…

  • Dunsmuir Brewery Works

    Mt Shasta Region

    It’s hard to describe this little microbrew pub without veering into hyperbole. Start with the beer: the crisp ales and porters are perfectly balanced and…

  • Olive Tree

    Anaheim

    In Little Arabia, this simple restaurant in a nondescript strip mall ringed by flags of Arab nations has earned accolades from local papers to Saveur…

  • Linx

    Orange County

    First things first: they're not hot dogs, they're 'haute' dogs, homemade and topped with your choice of combinations (the BBQ, Bacon and Blues comes with…

  • Cheese Board Collective

    Berkeley

    Worker owned since 1971, this co-op boasts (surprise) a great collection of cheese, a bakery with a changing selection of fresh bread, and a new…

  • Cravings

    Northern Mountains

    You will get cravings for this place once you're gone. Think fresh, all homemade classics like crispy waffles or rustic Reuben sandwiches made to big-city…

  • Mess Hall

    Los Feliz & Griffith Park

    What was formerly The Brown Derby, a swing dance spot made famous by the film Swingers, is now a handsome, cabin-style hangout with snug booths, TV sports…

  • Cheeky's

    Greater Palm Springs

    Waits can be long and service only so-so at this breakfast and lunch spot, but the farm-to-table menu dazzles with witty inventiveness. The kitchen…

  • Stella

    Lake Tahoe

    Housed at the trendy Cedar House Sport Hotel, this modern mountain-lodge dining room elevates Truckee’s eating scene with Californian flair, harmonizing…

  • Trattoria I Trulli

    San Diego

    Country-style seating indoors and great people-watching on the sidewalk. Just one taste of the homemade ravioli or lasagna, salmon with arugula, capers…

  • Noriega's

    San Joaquin Valley

    Surly Basque gentlemen pass the communal wine carafes at Bakersfield’s family-style Basque institution. The fixed menu includes a procession of dishes…

  • Pangaea Cafe & Pub

    Northern Mountains

    Like a stranger you feel you’ve met before, this earthy spot feels warmly familiar, all the more lovable when you consider its commitment to serving local…

  • Inn Dining Room

    Death Valley National Park

    This formal restaurant delivers continental cuisine with stellar views of the Panamint Mountains. For a more chilled ambience, enjoy breakfast, lunch or…

  • Cucina Urbana

    San Diego

    In this corner place with modern rustic ambience, business gets done, celebrations get celebrated and friends hug and kiss over refined yet affordable Cal…

  • Taka's Japanese Grill

    Coastal Highway 1

    Although it may look fairly run of the mill, this is an exceptional Japanese restaurant. The owner is a former grader at the Tokyo fish market so the…

  • Empress Tavern

    Sacramento

    In the catacombs under the historic Crest Theater, this gorgeous restaurant hosts a menu of creative, meat-focused dishes (including family-style options…

  • Las Olas

    San Diego

    For fish tacos with a sea view, Las Olas is so popular it has its own traffic light, right across the street from the beach. Lobster is served in the…