18 Coolest Restaurants In California You Absolutely Can’t Miss
California’s restaurant scene is a thrilling adventure for your palate—like an amusement park for food lovers!
From breezy beachside seafood spots to cozy, tucked-away mountain diners, the Golden State offers a diverse range of unforgettable dining experiences. Each restaurant brings its own unique flair, whether it’s through bold flavors, locally sourced ingredients, or stunning views that belong on a postcard.
I’ve crisscrossed the state (yes, it was delicious) to uncover the most incredible places to eat—where the food is top-notch and the ambiance is just as memorable. These must-visit spots promise to wow your taste buds and your camera roll alike.
1. The French Laundry – Culinary Royalty in Napa
Holy moly, folks! Scoring a reservation at Chef Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-starred masterpiece feels like winning the lottery—I literally did a happy dance when I got mine! Located in a charming stone building that once functioned as (you guessed it) a French laundry, this Yountville icon has been making food lovers weep with joy since 1994.
The tasting menu changes daily, showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients with mind-blowing precision. My oysters and pearls dish—a sabayon of pearl tapioca with Island Creek oysters and white sturgeon caviar—still haunts my dreams in the best possible way.
Pro tip: Book exactly two months ahead at midnight online, or prepare for disappointment!
2. Bavel – Middle Eastern Magic in Downtown LA
Stepping into Bavel feels like teleporting to some magical oasis—the hanging plants create this dreamy canopy above your head while you feast! Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis knocked my socks off with their modern Middle Eastern menu that’s so good I may have licked my plate (no regrets).
The slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma will make you question everything you thought you knew about flavor. And don’t even get me started on their handmade malawach bread with dips! I still dream about that silky smooth hummus.
Fair warning: their duck ‘nduja hummus has ruined all other hummus for me forever. This place fills up faster than my gas tank, so book weeks ahead!
3. Malibu Farm – Ocean Views and Farm-Fresh Delights
Pinch me, I’m dining in paradise! Perched right on Malibu Pier, this gem serves up farm-to-table goodness with a side of breathtaking Pacific Ocean views. Owner Helene Henderson started with a small cooking class and catering company before creating this slice of heaven that now has me planning fake business trips to LA just for lunch.
Their avocado pizza (sounds weird, tastes amazing) changed my life, and I’m not being dramatic. The crispy crust topped with ricotta, fresh herbs, and perfectly ripe avocado slices is simplicity at its finest.
Come for breakfast and grab a seat on the deck—watching dolphins play while munching on their famous Swedish mini pancakes with whipped cream is basically my definition of perfection.
4. Bestia – Industrial-Chic Italian in LA’s Arts District
Mama mia! This warehouse-turned-restaurant in LA’s Arts District is where Italian food gets its groove back. The exposed brick, metal fixtures, and open kitchen create this buzzy vibe that’s impossible not to love. Chef Ori Menashe and pastry wizard Genevieve Gergis (the culinary power couple behind Bavel too) have created a spot that’s constantly packed—and for good reason!
I nearly fainted when I tasted their bone marrow gnocchi. Those pillowy pasta clouds swimming in a rich sauce with crispy breadcrumbs? Pure. Genius. The house-cured salumi board is a religious experience worth every calorie.
Fun fact: I once spotted Jake Gyllenhaal at the table next to mine, equally mesmerized by his cavatelli pasta. Stars—they’re just like us!
5. Chez Panisse – Berkeley’s Farm-to-Table Pioneer
Alice Waters isn’t just a chef—she’s a revolutionary who forever changed how Americans think about food! Her legendary Berkeley restaurant, opened in 1971, feels like dining in a cozy craftsman home, with wooden beams and a warm, inviting atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease.
Downstairs houses the prix-fixe-only dining room where I splurged for my 30th birthday. The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and local, but my wild nettle soup followed by perfectly roasted chicken with spring vegetables still ranks as one of my top 5 meals ever.
Upstairs offers a more casual café experience with à la carte options. Either way, you’re experiencing a piece of culinary history that spawned America’s farm-to-table movement. Worth. Every. Penny.
6. In-N-Out Burger – California’s Beloved Fast Food Icon
Celebrities in designer outfits waiting in line next to surfers in flip-flops? Only at In-N-Out! This isn’t just fast food—it’s a California institution that’s maintained its quality and cult following since 1948. My out-of-state friends always demand an immediate In-N-Out run from the airport.
The not-so-secret menu is where the magic happens. Animal Style burgers (mustard-cooked patties with pickles, extra spread, and grilled onions) will change your life. I once ordered a 4×4 (four patties, four cheese slices) and couldn’t eat for a day afterward—zero regrets!
Pro tip: Skip the regular fries (controversial opinion, I know) and go straight for Animal Style fries topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions. Your arteries won’t thank you, but your taste buds will!
7. Nobu Malibu – Celebrity-Spotting Sushi Paradise
Sunset views over the Pacific Ocean while munching on miso black cod? Yes, please! Nobu Malibu isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience that combines world-class Japanese cuisine with a see-and-be-seen atmosphere that’ll make you feel like you’ve snuck onto a movie set.
The oceanfront location is absolutely breathtaking, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive deck perched right above the waves. I saved for months to celebrate my anniversary here and nearly dropped my chopsticks when Leonardo DiCaprio walked in!
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes are worth the splurge. The yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño made me involuntarily close my eyes and make embarrassing pleasure noises. Just be prepared for the bill—this kind of fabulous doesn’t come cheap!
8. Gracias Madre – Plant-Based Mexican Heaven in West Hollywood
Vegan Mexican food so good it’ll make even die-hard carnivores question their life choices! The first time my meat-loving brother tried their jackfruit carnitas tacos, he literally texted me: “WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?” The gorgeous patio with its twinkling lights and olive trees creates this magical atmosphere that makes everything taste even better.
Their cashew-based queso dip should win some kind of Nobel Prize for deliciousness. I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate it at home multiple times. The coconut ceviche tostadas and flash-fried cauliflower with cashew nacho cheese are must-orders.
Bonus points for their creative cocktail program featuring organic tequilas and mezcals. The Purista margarita with a chili salt rim pairs perfectly with literally everything on the menu!
9. Bludso’s Bar & Que – LA’s Texas-Style BBQ Sensation
Sweet mother of smoke rings! Kevin Bludso brought his Texas family’s BBQ traditions to Los Angeles, and my taste buds have never been the same. Walking in, that intoxicating hickory smoke smell hits you like a delicious punch to the face—I’ve literally caught myself sniffing my clothes the next day, reminiscing.
The brisket is a religious experience: perfectly juicy inside with that magical black bark crust that makes BBQ enthusiasts weak in the knees. I once drove 45 minutes in rush hour traffic just for their rib tips, which are these gloriously sticky, charred meat candy bites.
Don’t sleep on the sides either! Their mac and cheese could make a grown person cry tears of joy (not that I’m speaking from personal experience or anything).
10. State Bird Provisions – Dim Sum-Style American Innovation in SF
Imagine American cuisine served dim sum style—carts and trays wheeling past your table loaded with culinary surprises! State Bird Provisions blew my mind with this concept that lets you point and choose dishes that catch your eye. The space feels both industrial and cozy, with exposed pipes above and warm wood tables below.
The restaurant’s namesake dish—fried quail (California’s state bird) with provisions—is a crispy, savory masterpiece that I still dream about. My strategy? Say yes to everything first, ask questions later.
One visit, I snagged the last garlic bread with burrata from a passing cart and nearly wept with joy when I tasted it. Getting reservations requires setting calendar alerts exactly 60 days ahead, but trust me—it’s worth planning your entire San Francisco trip around!
11. Providence – LA’s Seafood Fine Dining Masterpiece
Fish have never been treated with such reverence! Chef Michael Cimarusti’s two-Michelin-starred Providence on Melrose Avenue elevates seafood to an art form that had me reconsidering my life choices—should I have become a chef instead of writing about them?
The dining room exudes understated elegance with ocean-inspired décor that hints at the treasures to come. My tasting menu journey included a salt-roasted spot prawn so fresh it practically winked at me before I devoured it. Their signature Ugly Bunch—sea urchin, abalone, and geoduck arranged beautifully—made me question why anyone would call these delicacies ugly!
Fair warning: this is special occasion territory price-wise, but their lunch prix fixe is a slightly more accessible way to experience seafood nirvana.
12. Gjusta – Venice Beach’s Hip Bakery-Café-Deli Wonderland
Gjusta isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a way of life for Venice locals! This bakery-deli-café hybrid operates from a nondescript warehouse that you’d totally miss if not for the line of beautiful people stretching down the block. First-timers (like I was) might feel intimidated by the lack of signage and menu explanations, but just embrace the confusion—it’s part of the charm!
The baklava croissant changed my fundamental understanding of pastry physics. How can something be so flaky, crispy, chewy, and gooey all at once? Their porchetta sandwich—stuffed with juicy roasted pork, crackling skin, and salsa verde on house-baked bread—is worth fighting through tourist crowds.
Grab your food and head to the back patio to enjoy peak people-watching among Venice’s creative class.
13. Taco María – Orange County’s Modern Mexican Marvel
Chef Carlos Salgado’s Taco María shattered my preconceptions about Mexican cuisine faster than I could say “más tortillas, por favor!” Tucked inside Costa Mesa’s OC Mix, this intimate spot serves what Salgado calls “Alta California cuisine”—a brilliant marriage of Mexican traditions with local California ingredients and fine-dining techniques.
The blue corn tortillas—made daily from heirloom corn imported from Mexico—will ruin you for all other tortillas. I watched, mesmerized, as the kitchen staff pressed each one by hand before cooking them on the comal.
Their signature aguachile negro with scallops nearly made me propose marriage to the chef. And don’t get me started on the jardineros tacos filled with seasonal vegetables that somehow outshine even their meat offerings!
14. Swan Oyster Depot – San Francisco’s Century-Old Seafood Institution
Forget fancy tablecloths and reservations—Swan Oyster Depot is all about no-frills, slurp-tastic seafood bliss! This tiny counter-only spot has been serving the freshest catches since 1912, and the perpetual line down Polk Street proves its enduring appeal. Anthony Bourdain called it “a touchstone in my life,” and after my first visit, I totally understood why.
Twelve stools. That’s it. I waited 90 minutes for mine and would do it again in a heartbeat. The seafood salad with Louie dressing changed my life, and watching the guys behind the counter crack crab with lightning speed was better than any cooking show.
Pro tip: Their secret menu includes “crab fat” (the rich, buttery guts from inside the shell)—ask for it on sourdough for a true San Francisco experience!
15. n/naka – LA’s Japanese Kaiseki Masterpiece
Chef Niki Nakayama’s n/naka isn’t just dinner—it’s performance art for your palate! Hidden in a modest building in Palms (I drove past it twice before finding it), this restaurant offers a 13-course modern kaiseki experience that unfolds like a perfectly choreographed dance of flavors, textures, and stunning presentations.
Each dish tells a story of seasonal ingredients, showcasing Chef Nakayama’s brilliant fusion of traditional Japanese techniques with California influences. My favorite course featured abalone wrapped in kale, pressure-cooked for four hours, then grilled over binchotan charcoal—a bite so perfect I actually closed my eyes to focus on the taste.
Featured on Chef’s Table, reservations open three months in advance and disappear faster than free samples at Costco!
16. Baroo – LA’s Fermentation-Focused Hidden Gem
Blink and you’ll miss it! Baroo operates from an unassuming strip mall with zero signage, yet foodies make pilgrimages here like it’s some culinary Mecca. Chef Kwang Uh creates mind-bending grain bowls and pasta dishes elevated through house fermentation that’ll have your taste buds doing backflips of joy.
The space is minimalist—just a few communal tables and a counter—but the flavors are anything but simple. Their noorook bowl with job’s tears, farro, and roasted koji beet cream sounds bizarre but tastes like something from another, more delicious dimension. I literally wrote down flavor notes in my phone while eating because I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
After closing temporarily, they’ve reopened in a new location, proving that genius food always finds a way to survive!
17. Atelier Crenn – San Francisco’s Poetic Three-Michelin-Star Experience
Chef Dominique Crenn doesn’t just serve dinner—she delivers edible poetry! Literally. Your multi-course tasting menu arrives as an actual poem, with each line representing a dish you’re about to experience. As the first female chef in America to receive three Michelin stars, Crenn creates food that’s both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving.
The dining room feels like an elegant living room where you’re experiencing something deeply personal. My geoduck course arrived nestled in a bed of stones and seaweed, creating a miniature beach scene that transported me straight to the Brittany coast that inspired it.
Splurge for the wine pairing—the sommelier’s selections enhanced each course in ways I’m still thinking about months later. This is dining as high art, and worth every penny.
18. Brown Sugar Kitchen – Oakland’s Soul Food Revolution
Chef Tanya Holland’s cornmeal waffles and fried chicken combo should be declared a national treasure! This West Oakland institution serves up soul food with California sensibilities—think organic, local ingredients transformed into the most comforting dishes you’ve ever tasted. The bright, sunny space with its yellow walls instantly lifts your mood before the food even arrives.
I once drove from San Francisco through Bay Bridge traffic just for breakfast here. The chicken is brined overnight in buttermilk and herbs before being fried to golden perfection, while the waffles have this crisp exterior giving way to a custardy, cornmeal interior that’s enhanced by brown sugar butter.
Don’t sleep on the oyster po’boy either—it’s a crunchy, briny masterpiece that haunts my dreams!