11 California Dining Spots Set Inside Beautiful Historic Spaces
California’s dining scene isn’t just about farm-to-table trends and celebrity chefs, it’s also about eating your way through history, one gorgeous building at a time.
From Victorian mansions to former convents, these restaurants serve up incredible meals alongside architectural eye candy that’ll make your Instagram followers drool almost as much as the food photos.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to pretend you’re dining in a different era, these historic spots deliver atmosphere by the truckload.
1. Musso & Frank Grill – Los Angeles
Hollywood’s oldest restaurant has been slinging steaks and serving stars since 1919, making it older than most of the movies filmed down the street.
The red leather booths have cradled everyone from Charlie Chaplin to modern celebrities, and the waiters still wear those iconic red jackets that scream old-school class.
Walking through the door feels like stepping onto a film set where the golden age never ended.
The dark wood paneling and vintage bar transport diners back to when Hollywood Boulevard actually sparkled with glamour instead of superhero costumes.
Musso & Frank doesn’t chase trends—it sets them, then ignores them completely, sticking to what’s worked for over a century.
The menu features classic American fare that your great-grandparents would recognize, from perfectly grilled steaks to their famous flannel cakes.
Service here is an art form practiced by career waiters who’ve mastered the balance between attentive and invisible.
Every meal feels like a special occasion, even if you’re just grabbing lunch on a Tuesday.
Location: 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
2. Tam O’Shanter – Los Angeles
Picture a Scottish cottage that somehow landed in Los Feliz, complete with tartan patterns and enough cozy charm to make you forget you’re in sunny California.
Opened in 1922, this Tudor-style gem was one of Walt Disney’s favorite lunch spots and a place he frequented often, which explains why it feels like dining inside a fairytale.
The dark wood beams overhead and the crackling fireplace create an atmosphere so warm and inviting, you’ll want to move in permanently.
The restaurant’s connection to Disney runs deep—Walt held business meetings here and probably sketched a few cartoon characters on the napkins between bites of prime rib.
Today’s diners can enjoy the same old-world ambiance that captivated the animation legend, from the stained glass windows to the intimate booth seating. The menu celebrates British and American comfort food with dishes that stick to your ribs in the best possible way.
Servers navigate the maze of rooms with practiced ease, delivering plates piled high with classics.
When you need an escape from LA’s sunshine and traffic, this Scottish sanctuary delivers.
Location: 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
3. Redbird – Los Angeles
A Victorian Gothic rectory and parish complex dating back to 1888 got a stunning makeover and now serves contemporary American cuisine instead of church offices, proving that divine inspiration takes many forms.
The soaring ceilings and original stained glass windows remain intact, creating a dining room that’s equal parts reverent and rebellious.
Chef Neal Fraser transformed this former house of worship into a culinary temple where the food deserves its own hallelujah chorus.
The building’s history as part of St. Vibiana’s Cathedral’s rectory and parish buildings adds layers of character that no modern construction could replicate, from the original brick walls to the architectural details that make your neck crane upward in wonder.
Natural light floods through those historic windows, bathing diners in colorful patterns that shift throughout the day like a slow-motion kaleidoscope.
The menu changes seasonally, showcasing California’s incredible produce with creativity and respect for ingredients. An open kitchen lets you watch the culinary magic happen, adding theater to an already dramatic setting.
Downtown LA’s dining scene has exploded in recent years, but few spots can match Redbird’s combination of historic grandeur and modern culinary excellence.
Location: 114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
4. The Old Place – Cornell
Tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains along Mulholland Highway sits a weathered wooden building that looks like it wandered straight out of the Wild West and decided to stay.
While much of its current incarnation took shape in the 1970s, The Old Place incorporates and draws inspiration from older structures in the historic hamlet of Cornell, channeling serious frontier vibes.
The rustic cabin exterior, complete with a stone chimney and wooden porch, promises an experience far removed from LA’s urban sprawl.
Inside, the no-frills atmosphere continues with communal wooden tables and a menu scrawled on a chalkboard that changes based on what’s fresh and available.
The restaurant’s remote location means you’ll earn your meal with a scenic drive through canyon roads that twist and turn like a mountain goat’s favorite path.
Grilled meats dominate the menu, cooked simply and served generously, because fancy plating would feel out of place in this authentic mountain hideaway.
Motorcyclists and hikers mix with families and couples seeking something genuinely different from the typical dining experience.
Location: 29983 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
5. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove – Newport Coast
Perched directly on the sand in one of California’s last remaining historic beach cottage communities, The Beachcomber serves up ocean views with a side of serious nostalgia.
The building dates back to the 1940s when Crystal Cove was a seaside colony of simple beach shacks, before million-dollar real estate turned coastal California into a luxury playground.
Weathered wood and a laid-back vibe preserve that vintage beach culture when surfboards cost less than dinner and flip-flops counted as formal wear.
Waves literally crash just feet from your table, creating a soundtrack that no Spotify playlist could match for pure coastal ambiance.
The restaurant underwent restoration to preserve its historic character while meeting modern safety standards, a delicate balance that maintains authenticity without sacrificing comfort.
Morning fog often wraps the cottage in mystery, burning off by afternoon to reveal stunning Pacific panoramas.
The menu focuses on fresh seafood and coastal favorites that taste even better when consumed with sand between your toes and salt in the air.
Sunset reservations book up fast because watching the sun sink into the ocean from this vintage perch ranks among Orange County’s most romantic experiences.
Location: 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657
6. Shadowbrook Restaurant – Capitola
Getting to your table requires riding a vintage cable car down a lush hillside, because apparently walking is too mainstream when you’re dining somewhere this special.
Built in 1947 on a hillside property developed specifically as a destination restaurant, Shadowbrook sprawls across multiple levels connected by winding pathways, wooden bridges, and enough romantic nooks to make cupid jealous.
A natural creek runs through the property, adding babbling water sounds to the already enchanting atmosphere.
The funicular railway that transports diners from street level to the restaurant entrance sets the tone for an experience that prioritizes charm over convenience in the best possible way.
Multiple dining rooms each offer their own personality, from the intimate Wine Cellar to the Rock Room with its stone fireplace and rustic elegance.
Gardens surrounding the restaurant burst with colorful blooms and mature trees that create a canopy of green overhead.
The menu features upscale American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and prime steaks, prepared with care that matches the setting’s attention to detail.
Celebrating an anniversary or special occasion here feels appropriate, but you don’t need an excuse to enjoy this Capitola treasure.
Location: 1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA 95010
7. Hog Island Oyster Co. (Ferry Building) – San Francisco
San Francisco’s Ferry Building endured the 1906 earthquake with damage, served as a transportation hub for decades, and now houses one of the city’s best spots for slurping fresh oysters while history literally surrounds you.
The Beaux-Arts terminal opened in 1898 and once welcomed over 50,000 commuters daily before bridges made ferries less essential and nearly obsolete.
After years of neglect, a massive restoration in the early 2000s transformed the building into a food lover’s paradise while preserving its architectural grandeur.
Hog Island Oyster Co. operates from this historic space, bringing Tomales Bay’s finest bivalves straight to the marble counters where diners can watch skilled shuckers work their magic.
The soaring ceilings, original ironwork, and massive clock tower create an atmosphere that makes even a casual lunch feel significant.
Natural light pours through tall windows, illuminating the bustling marketplace where local vendors sell everything from artisan cheese to fresh produce.
The oyster bar’s casual setup encourages lingering, whether you’re sampling different varieties or diving into their famous grilled oysters.
Bay views through the Ferry Building’s archways remind you that San Francisco’s maritime heritage is alive and delicious.
Location: 1 Ferry Building, Shop 11, San Francisco, CA 94111
8. Greens Restaurant – San Francisco
A former military warehouse at Fort Mason got transformed into a vegetarian fine dining destination that proves meatless meals can be both sophisticated and satisfying, especially with Golden Gate Bridge views thrown in for free.
The building’s history as part of a military embarkation point during World War II adds unexpected gravitas to your quinoa bowl, connecting diners to San Francisco’s strategic role in Pacific operations.
Greens opened in 1979, pioneering upscale vegetarian cuisine long before plant-based eating became trendy and mainstream.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning vistas of the bay, the bridge, and passing sailboats, creating a dining backdrop that competes with the food for your attention.
The restaurant sources many ingredients from Green Gulch Farm, an affiliated organic farm in Marin County, ensuring freshness that you can taste in every thoughtfully composed dish.
High ceilings and an open floor plan maintain the warehouse’s industrial character while adding warmth through natural materials and soft lighting.
Even dedicated carnivores leave impressed by the creative vegetable-forward menu that treats produce like the star ingredient it deserves to be.
Fort Mason’s waterfront location makes pre-dinner or post-meal strolls practically mandatory.
Location: Fort Mason Center, Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123
9. Garden Court (Palace Hotel) – San Francisco
Eating breakfast under a massive stained glass dome supported by marble columns makes even scrambled eggs feel like a royal banquet worthy of Instagram and your fanciest outfit.
The Palace Hotel opened in 1875 as the largest and most luxurious hotel in the Western United States, hosting presidents, royalty, and anyone who wanted to see and be seen.
The original building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, but the rebuilt version in 1909 doubled down on opulence.
Garden Court’s stunning ceiling features tens of thousands of glass panes in an intricate design that filters natural light into a warm golden glow throughout the dining room.
Towering Austrian crystal chandeliers add sparkle to an already dazzling space where architectural details compete for your attention from every angle.
The restaurant serves breakfast and afternoon tea, both of which feel appropriately civilized in surroundings this grand.
Live music often accompanies meals, usually from a harpist whose ethereal sounds match the heavenly setting.
Dress codes here lean toward smart casual at minimum because showing up in gym clothes would be a crime against beauty this profound.
Location: 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
10. Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood – Riverside
Housed inside the legendary Mission Inn, a Spanish Revival masterpiece that’s been hosting guests since 1876, Duane’s delivers prime cuts in surroundings that presidents and movie stars have called home away from home.
The Mission Inn itself qualifies as a Riverside landmark, with its maze of courtyards, chapels, bell towers, and architectural details collected from around the world by owner Frank Miller.
Dining at Duane’s means experiencing just one corner of this sprawling hotel that covers an entire city block.
The restaurant’s interior reflects the Inn’s ornate aesthetic with arched doorways, wrought iron details, and Old World elegance that transports diners to a more gracious era.
Steaks arrive perfectly cooked, but the real show-stopper is the setting, where every meal feels like a celebration worth dressing up for.
The Mission Inn’s history includes hosting multiple presidents, with Richard Nixon even getting married in one of its chapels.
After dinner, guests can explore the hotel’s public spaces, discovering hidden staircases, antique collections, and architectural surprises around every corner.
Riverside’s downtown has experienced a renaissance in recent years, and Duane’s at the Mission Inn stands as the crown jewel.
Location: 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501
11. Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House – San Luis Obispo
Part steakhouse, part fever dream, this dining room inside the famously eccentric Madonna Inn proves that subtlety is overrated when you can have pink everything and gold rush kitsch instead.
Alex Madonna built his hotel empire starting in 1958, creating themed rooms and public spaces so wildly decorated they’ve achieved cult status among road trippers and lovers of Americana excess.
The Gold Rush Steak House carries this philosophy to your dinner plate, surrounding diners with mining memorabilia, wagon wheels, and enough Western nostalgia to fill a museum.
Pink upholstery dominates the color scheme because Madonna’s wife Phyllis loved the color, and what started as personal preference became the property’s signature hue.
The steaks here are seriously good, proving that underneath all the visual chaos lies a kitchen that respects quality ingredients and proper cooking techniques.
Rock fireplaces, copper accents, and vintage fixtures create a maximalist environment where more is more, and even more is sometimes not quite enough.
Visiting the Madonna Inn’s famous restrooms is practically mandatory, with the men’s room featuring a waterfall urinal that’s become a California roadside attraction in its own right.
Location: 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405