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