The Inland Empire Restaurants

Downtown Riverside is home to a few ambitious restaurants, along with the familiar chains. The college town of Claremont has creative contemporary and ethnic fare. Innovative cuisine has become the norm in Temecula, especially at winery restaurants, some of whose chefs specialize in farm-to-table cuisine. The options are more limited in the smaller mountain communities; typically, each town supports a single upscale restaurant, along with fast-food outlets, steak-and-potatoes family spots, and perhaps an Italian or Mexican eatery. Universally, dining out is casual.

Sort by: 3 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Mario's Place

    $$$

    The clientele is as beautiful as the food at this intimate jazz and supper club across the street from the Mission Inn. The northern Italian cuisine is first-rate—try the penne rigate with oxtail ragù followed by the orange blossom–water panna cotta for dessert. On the last weekend of the month, jazz groups play on Friday and Saturday night.

    3646 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, California, 92501, USA
    951-684–7755

    Known For

    • Classy setting
    • Live jazz last Friday and Saturday of the month
    • First-rate northern Italian cuisine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
  • 2. Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro

    $

    Expect to wait in line at this little sandwich spot on the pedestrian-only shopping strip outside the Mission Inn. At lunchtime, salads, soups, and sandwiches on house-baked breads are served (sandwich standouts include the chicken-apple sausage and the roast lamb topped with baba ghanoush); pastries, eggs various ways, and French toast are breakfast highlights.

    3639 Main St., Riverside, California, 92501, USA
    951-369–6030

    Known For

    • Specialty sandwiches for lunch
    • Sunday brunch
    • Vegetarian and vegan items

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 3. The Lobby Riverside

    $$

    Innovative food and drink menus make this clubby restaurant on the historic Main Street promenade very much shaken, and not stirred. Grab a front-row seat on the patio or head inside for a table overlooking the neon bar to enjoy cocktails such as the But First, Let Me Take a Selfie (arrives with a Polaroid of you) or the Bonnie and Clyde (arrives with a flaming counterfeit $100 bill) and entrées like the short-rib melt or the honey jalapeño–glazed salmon on peanut slaw. Vegans will be pleasantly surprised with a variety of options. It’s one of the few places in Riverside open daily for dinner, with a “last call” way past midnight.

    3730 Main St., Riverside, California, 92501, USA
    951-742–5020

    Known For

    • Cocktails that are works of art
    • Vegan and vegetarian options
    • Late-night dining

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video