Death Valley National Park
Shoshone's only restaurant is a 1920 roadhouse next to the visitor center. Its main stocks in trade are burgers and sandwiches, but it also serves…
Must-see restaurants in Southern California
Malibu & Pacific Palisades
A dependably good, classic Italian kitchen in the heart of Cross Creek, with ample patio seating, good wines and pastas, and almost always a full house…
Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley
Cool your jets in the heart of Old Pasadena with some of LA's hippest purveyors of sweets and treats assembled under one roof. Amid the space's downtown…
San Diego
Afghan tapestries and moody photos set the atmosphere in this tall-ceilinged space, with adventuresome Afghan cooking. If you’ve never had it, it’s kind…
Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley
Get your kicks at this original 1915 soda fountain right on Route 66. Slurp an old-fashioned ‘phosphate' (flavored syrup, soda water and ‘secret potion')…
San Diego
Local coffee-shop chain, serving organic teas and a small menu with items such as organic French toast, maple syrup and fresh fruit, or poached eggs with…
San Diego
Its streetside storefront looks rather plain from the outside, but once inside, this shop – run by three sisters – is awash with warm tones and white…
San Diego
Every night, party people on a budget crowd into raucous Fred’s, especially on bargain ‘Taco-licious Tuesday' (with tacos from $2 4pm–closing). The…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
One of the most popular lunch spots in Brentwood, where Tuscan spinach salads are tossed with caramelized walnuts, and grilled portobello sandwiches are…
Los Angeles
Across from Avalon's golf course and en route to the botanic gardens, this snack bar is nothing fancy (omelets, burgers and such served outdoors), but the…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Consider the chicken mole plate, contemplate the tacos and tamales, then order an authentic torta smeared with black-bean paste and piled with avocado,…
Huntington Beach
Sometimes Fido likes to order too. In a dog-friendly setting with shady outdoor picnic tables, try this casual outdoor restaurant in Huntington Central…
San Diego
Asian restaurant serving dim sum, popular chow meins, pad Thai and noodle soups. A gluten-free menu includes spicy seafood lemongrass, chow fun, and…
San Diego
Bencotto melds the old with the new of Little Italy – contemporary, angular, multistory, architect-designed, arty and green – and the food is great, too,…
Orange County
Longtime downtown favorite serves spiced-just-right Caribbean, Cuban and Spanish dishes, most accompanied by a hefty serving of plantains, black beans and…
Greater Palm Springs
There are showier Mexican places around town, but eventually everyone ends up back at El Mirasol, with its earthy decor, generous margaritas and snappy…
San Diego
This San Diego chain, named after the famous surf break, sells salads, wraps and sandwiches, plus fresh smoothie bowls earlier in the day or fish-based…
Los Angeles
This family-owned vegetarian steam table serves chunky, cheap samosas, as well as more substantial dishes such as charcoal-smoked cauliflower daal, aloo…
Greater Palm Springs
In a historic 1936 shack, owner Diana serves the same freshly ground yummy burgers on toasted buns her mom used to sell at her burger stand on the Venice…
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…
San Diego
Classic diner fare in retro surroundings including a counter top, blue booths and wood paneled walls. Dishes include salad, soups, chili, burgers and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Orange County
Artsy and sophisticated yet casual Cal-Mediterranean bistro. It whips up creative modern classics like wild-mushroom penne, bacon-wrapped blue-cheese…
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…
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…
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…
Malibu & Pacific Palisades
The coincidence is almost too perfect. The name of this from-Italy gelato place is surf-speak for a talented kid, and it specializes in all-natural ice…
