If you’ve lived in Southern California long enough, you know there are tons of amazing restaurants tucked away in hidden places. Or perhaps these hole in the wall restaurants in Southern California are right out in the open and easy to find, but they don’t look very inviting from the outside. Either way, if you’re lucky enough to stumble on one of these gems, it’s like hitting the jackpot.

I’ll save you some time and point out a few of these heavenly hideaways that are considered the best hole in the wall restaurants in Southern California. Each of these indulgent eateries serves up mouthwatering meals that you won’t forget. Here are 7 restaurants to get you started, but there are so many more to discover. Have fun exploring!

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Ready to go on a Southern California restaurant tour? I’m craving everything on every one of these menus. Which spot will you try out first? If you’ve already experienced one or all of these places, let me know in the comments which one is your favorite. These are truly the best hole in the wall restaurants in Southern California!

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More to Explore

Dining In SoCal

What are the best restaurants in SoCal?

SoCal is known for its impressive array of restaurants, food halls, locally-owned eateries, and food trucks. With such a large conglomeration of people and cultures, you’ll find places to eat that run the gamut of the global foodie scene as a whole. We’d recommend trying out El Coyote in the heart of Los Angeles for its historic relevance and low-key atmosphere, as well as Pink’s Hot Dogs, the food stalls at the historic Grove, and The Griddle on the Boulevard for its pancakes as large as your head. The Apple Pan is also a great spot for burgers and a side of apple pie – it’s cash only! – and Philippe’s is said to be the home of the LA French Dip sandwich.

Which restaurants serve the foods SoCal is known for?

The foods the SoCal is known for are normally sold within their original eateries, like the chili dogs from Pink’s, animal-style burgers from In-N-Out, and date shakes from the date farms located inland in the desert region. Fish tacos can be found all over SoCal, but we’d recommend simply ordering from a coastal food truck for some fresh fare. Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles are famed for their namesake, and they’re also known as a great hangover cure. Who knew?! Lastly, we’d recommend a cup of Boysenberry punch at Knott’s Berry Farm if you manage to make the trek. It’s true sugary decadence!

Are there any waterfront restaurants in SoCal?

Since SoCal boasts absolute MILES of coastline, it would make sense that some of the best waterfront restaurants can be found along its rugged face. Geoffrey’s Malibu is known for delicious seafood and coastal dining, as is the Deck on Laguna Beach and Poseidon Del Mar. There’s nothing like a delicious meal enjoyed with chilled wine as the waves crash beneath you, and experience promised by the fine Tidal in San Diego, located at Paradise Point right along the waterfront.

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