1438 Best Restaurants in California, USA

In a modern space radiating offhand elegance, the Bardessono's restaurant seduces with sophisticated flavors, many from fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown in the hotel's on-site culinary garden. Although the cuisine is ultimately modern American, the chef might incorporate other techniques and ingredients depending on the dish.

Chef-owner Mona Leena Michael channels her heritage as a first-generation Palestinian in California. Breakfast, lunch, and Friday-to-Sunday brunch are the main events here, in particular the reservation-only, prix-fixe brunch affair that might feature eight to ten compelling mezze (small plates). Seating is split between the bright, airy dining room and sidewalk tables.

For more than a decade, Lulu has been feeding desert denizens and vacationers a little bit of everything—seriously, if you can't find something on the lengthy menu of soups, salads, pasta dishes, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, seafood, other star proteins like pork ribs and filet mignon, and desserts (cotton candy!), you likely don't eat human food. Dine in the spacious, quirky multilevel dining room or outside on the terrace with prime Palm Canyon people-watching.

A spacious, contemporary space with a festive outdoor patio, this restaurant near Mission Plaza serves creative tapas and cocktails. The small plates include birria-braised beef tacos, avocado-tuna ceviche, and crispy Brussels sprouts.

Two long years elapsed between the closure of acclaimed chef Nite Yun's Oakland restaurant, Nyum Bai, and (to the relief of many Bay Area diners) the 2024 opening of its successor across the bay in the Ferry Building, Lunette. Like most Ferry Building venues, it's a fast-casual operation but thankfully more of a relaxed experience given that it's a little tucked away from the main (hectic) passageways. Cambodian cuisine-inspired noodle soups and rice plates are the main features of a small but tempting menu that invites repeat visits to try everything.

Fresh, sustainably caught seafood charbroiled over a mesquite grill, a well-stocked oyster bar, specialty cocktails, and a wine list heavy on local vintages lure diners into this slick, nautical-theme space downtown. The menu, which emphasizes the use of organic vegetables alongside the local catches, includes tacos, sandwiches, and salads.

Tucked away from the frenzy of Hollywood, this Los Angeles outpost of the famous Naples-based pizza spot (featured in Eat Pray Love) attracts patrons of all varieties, from industry folks looking for hearty Italian classics to tourists needing respite from the touristing. L'antica serves comforting yet elevated Neapolitan pie and pasta dishes in an expansive and relaxed classic Italian-meets-modern-Californian indoor-outdoor space accented with lush greenery. You're here for the century-old authentic-Italian pizzas cooked in the signature stone oven, but you should try the pastas, the slow-cooked short rib, and the Italian-style spritz menu. You might care that this is also one of the very few places in L.A. to enjoy zucchini flowers. Weekday afternoon happy hour is a wonderful respite.

With Edith Piaf as his background track, Dennis McInnich spent several months toiling to perfect the macaron, the favorite cookie of his wife, Aubrey. Success selling the resulting confections at farmers' markets and elsewhere spurred the couple to open this shop and café serving their brightly colored treats, along with sweet and savory crepes and a few brunch and lunch items.

A bright and bustling morning-hours counterpart to its sibling restaurant Madison, Madi is a haven for the Sunday brunch crowd. With colorful decor and no fewer than six different variations of mimosa on the menu, it's youthful and indulgent, but not exclusive to weekends—Madi serves its gooey morning treats like peanut butter and banana pancakes and chilaquiles every day starting at 8.

The award-winning design of this restaurant and bar is the definition of Southern California chic, as are its patrons. The vaulted wood-clad ceiling and indoor-outdoor space creates a stunning yet inviting backdrop for the inspired cocktails—mixologists incorporate ingredients such as matcha and hemp oil into their featured libations—and SoCal Mediterranean cuisine.

Owner-designer Jay Jeffers initiated a top-to-bottom makeover of this restaurant and its same-named hotel but retained the farm-to-table, French-inspired cuisine, the chef freshening it up a little to reflect The Madrona's flashy-elegant look. Inside a 19th-century mansion, with ornate molding and high ceilings but ultracontemporary to the max, diners feast in chic splendor on multifaceted preparations that make ample use of locally raised proteins and the on-site organic garden's fruits and vegetables.

This Midtown eatery with a vaguely industrial look and a casual vibe takes its food seriously: nearly all the produce is sourced locally, and the chefs prepare only sustainable seafood. BLTs and grass-fed beef burgers (and a plant-based option) are among the staples, as are steak and fries and pan-roasted fish with seasonal vegetables.

Paris's joie de vivre is everywhere at this teahouse-patisserie-bakery that looks like it should be in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The sweets and baked goods are just as magnificent as the vintage Parisian atmosphere. Come early for a croissant, but come back for a leisurely lunch and take home (or to the hotel) a baguette and a few ornate desserts.

This 14,000-square-foot farmhouse-style eatery is perched on the waterfront with spectacular views and equally impressive food. With only a handful of locations in California, this health-conscious concept doesn't skimp on flavor or prices, but quality and sustainability don't come cheap (the Malibu burger starts at $22), and for those seeking fresh options like a raw brussel sprout salad or their red-green-yellow tacos, it's well worth the price. Due to the high-volume location at the entrance of Seaport Village, expect to wait for a table, especially during busy brunch.

This classic Italian meets Californian menu is a stellar value where the nightly menu clocks in at a shocking (by Bay Area standards) $39.95 for three courses (the optional supplements are worth adding on). The quality is sky-high, with no corners cut. It's an energetic, fun place with guests of all ages coming to enjoy exciting pastas preceded by a soup or salad. Each course has two options to choose from.

Tap into the spirit of 21st-century Weaverville at this mellow café that serves breakfast (all day) and lunch, in winter specializing in hot soups to warm body and soul. Expect all the usual suspects at breakfast, along with Country Cheesy Potatoes (topped with green chili) and sausage between two biscuits topped with homemade sausage gravy; a spicy club wrap and several vegetarian sandwiches are among the lunch offerings.

Brewing since 1995, this Village operation lures hungry patrons with 14 craft beers on tap, elevated grub from the on-site restaurant, tasting flights, a contemporary vibe at two spacious bar areas, and a beer garden. The dining menu changes constantly, but reflects a locals' twist on pub food with pork belly tacos, black-currant-and-goat-cheese flatbread, or house-made sweet-potato tots. The burgers, topped with smoked gouda and kale, keep those lines long during ski season, but it’s worth the wait. You can pass the time in the game room on the bottom floor, or watch a match on the top level framed with big-screen TVs.

Thin-crust New Haven–style pizzas—including one with goat cheese and a piquant entry with Calabrian chili and honey—top the bill at this funky, boisterous "chalkboard menu" restaurant with wooden-top tables. Chef-owner Rebecca White, who cut her teeth on catering and food-truck gigs and won a Food Network competition, also prepares pasta dishes (tagliatelle with mushrooms and pancetta among them) and baked items like lasagna and chicken, eggplant, and sausage Parmesan.

Step into this swanky New York--style Italian chophouse that takes you back in time with its piano bar, paintings of Sinatra, and dirty martinis to match. The menu is as rich as the atmosphere with the taste of olive oil, garlic, and lemon in every bite. Start with the steamed clams or homemade cannelloni, and move on to the lobster Manhattan over linguine or the charbroiled veal chop Fiorentina. Nearly all the desserts are made from scratch including the New York cheesecake and the rich cannoli. The dim lighting and dark leather booths make this one of the more romantic restaurants in La Jolla.

Pick up simple prepared foods, groceries, and beverages—local wines and beers among them—at the store, which has an ATM and a pay phone.

Boasting one of the most stunning rooftops in L.A., Margot is a fresh face and hopping hot spot for the Culver City dining and drinking scene. The expansive space gives off a Moroccan casbah vibe, with just as many hints of Southern California for good measure. Open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant's menu consists of fresh seafood, a variety of shared plates, and large servings of succulent meats and sizzling pastas. The view is the star, though, so make it a point of coming for sunset and soaking in the rays on the massive outdoor deck.

It’s hard to dine closer to the Pacific than at this venerable La Jolla Shores mainstay whose two-story-tall windows capture beachgoers, kayakers, snorkelers, and swooping gulls; if the tide is high, waves race across the sand and crash against the glass. The Maine lobster bisque comes coated in Meyer lemon cream with a cheddar biscuit, while the bluefin tuna is dressed in a togarashi aioli. Select from sides including pan-seared wild mushrooms, truffle yuca fries, and fire-roasted tudela artichokes.

This intimate, triangular spot with a beautiful antique oak bar serves great hot focaccia sandwiches, sourcing from nearby Liguria Bakery. Try the toasted combo (ham, salami, cheese), the breaded eggplant, or the meatball drenched in marinara. On sunny days, take your order across the street to Washington Square for a San Francisco picnic.

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.

Handmade pasta, Italian-hearth cooking, and classic cocktails are the winning formula for this La Jolla restaurant inspired by the best of Italian cuisine. Grab an indoor table near the bar, or one in the open-air dining space where heat lamps and fairy lights bring warmth on those rare, chilly nights. Although the entrées are on point, it’s really the starters that steal the show, like the marinated olives, chicken liver mousse, garlic prawns, and roasted bone marrow. The smoky birch-wood beets with goat cheese, pistachio, and raspberry will have you contemplating how to replicate the dish at home. Scallops are served on a bed of cauliflower puree and the in-house pastas are generous on the sauces, including the Bolognese with pasture-raised beef and farmer’s market soffritto. Be wise and make a reservation to avoid the wait, especially on weekends.  

Ernesto Martinez, this stone-walled, high-ceilinged eatery's Mexico City–born executive chef and co-owner, often puts a Latin spin on farm-to-table American classics. Although he plays things straight with the chopped salad, Champagne-battered fish-and-chips, and baby back ribs, the organic fried chicken comes with cheddar-jalapeño cornbread, and the fried calamari owes its piquancy to the accompanying peppers, nopales cactus, chipotle aioli, and avocado-tomatillo dip.

San Diego is perfect for picnics and this popular deli just a block from Balboa Park helps turn these outdoor affairs into memorable feasts. Fans, including workers from nearby offices, rave about the ample and affordable hot and cold sandwiches, homemade soups, chili, and pizza by the slice or pie. Some favorites include the California sandwich with turkey, avocado, bacon, and sprouts; a chopped chicken salad with chipotle ranch dressing; and the albondigas soup. Early birds can start the day with an acai bowl or breakfast burrito before heading into the park. Don't be put off by the retro sign out front; inside there’s a surprisingly modern and well-stocked grocery, wine shop, and liquor store, too.

Carl Schroeder, one of California's most reputable chefs, draws well-heeled foodies to his creative and locally sourced California fare, much of it with an Asian influence from his time in Japan. The three-course tasting menu changes regularly depending upon what's fresh, but Schroeder's seasonally inspired dishes have a playful spirit, whether it's a gorgonzola soufflé, a grapefruit-avocado salad, or miso-glazed cod with ramen noodles and snap pea tempura. A well-edited wine list offers food-friendly wines by the best and brightest winemakers around the world. Desserts change monthly.

A husband-and-wife team (he does the savory cooking, she's the pastry chef) crafts approachable yet exciting multi-course menus at this charming spot overlooking Precita Park. All diners enjoy four courses with at least two choices in each category. The handsome dining room boasts wooden floors, a general floral theme, and an open kitchen, and manages to be the rare popular San Francisco restaurant that is pleasantly quiet throughout the evening.

Hearty American bistro fare and hip design draw crowds to this neighborhood favorite that's ambitious enough to be a citywide draw. The menu boasts one of the city's best burgers, and the dining room gleams with white penny-tile floors and marble countertops. Weekend brunch is always a draw for candied bacon and Parmesan gougères (cheese pastries). The weekday lunch-only crispy fried chicken sandwich deserves to be in the city's sandwich hall of fame.  Avoid the crowds and order a burger at the bar.