Do you enjoy dining out as much as we do? If so, how do you decide where to go? Is it based on the food, the service, or the ambiance? To help solve the guesswork of where to dine when you’re in Southern California, we’ve put together the following summary of some restaurants that have it all. From old-school neighborhood icons to hip and trendy hotspots, take a look at the following list featuring some of the best restaurants in Southern California.

1. Ironside Fish & Oyster

Quiz Chris/Google Local
1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Ironside Fish & Oyster/Google Local
Serving seafood and cocktails in a remodeled warehouse with a contemporary vibe and nautical touches, Ironside Fish and Oyster is as aesthetically pleasing as it is delicious. Boasting thousands of good reviews for both the food and the ambiance, we think this is one of the top restaurants in Southern California that's worth a visit.

2. Werewolf American Pub

Werewolf/Google Local
Werewolf, 627 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Werewolf/Google Local
Werewolf claims the title of "highest rated, most fun brunch in San Diego," with service daily until 3 p.m. After that, it is a raging karaoke party with elevated pub food and cocktails until 1 a.m. If you're looking for a memorable experience, we suggest checking out what's considered one of the must-try restaurants in Southern California.

3. Craft by Smoke and Fire

Kim Ly/Google Locale
195 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805, USA
Rich V/Google Local
Craft by Smoke and Fire specializes in - yes, you guessed it - craft food and craft cocktails, with a side of fantastic entertainment. The creative menu features expertly smoked meats, farm-to-table salads, mouthwatering burgers and sandwiches, and family-style platters. Make sure to add it to your list of best places to eat in Southern California.

4. Mama D’s Italian Kitchen

The Original Mama D’s Italian Kitchen/Google Local
2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021, USA
John-Michael Patino/Google Local
It may come as no surprise that an eatery with a name that every Angeleno has heard receives scores of high ratings. Bestia is a husband and wife team-run restaurant that offers an amazing and creative take on multi-regional Italian cuisine with fresh, seasonal dishes and simple, elevated desserts, in a modern renovated Industrial space. If you're in the area and have a hankering for Italian, we suggest heading to one of the best restaurants in Southern California.

5. Bestia

iaN/Google Local

Related Stories

You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Judy's Donuts In Southern California

You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Judy's Donuts In Southern California

 Escape To The Country When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Southern California

Escape To The Country When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Southern California

 Best Waterfalls in Southern California: 13 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

Best Waterfalls in Southern California: 13 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
3012 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA
Jackiee/Google Local
Known especially for famous homemade ravioli, Mama D’s serves up authentic Italian flavors in an atmosphere of family, fun, and hospitality. Mama D’s is committed not only to incredible food but to giving every customer an unforgettable experience and to making a difference in the world. Two successful locations attest to the popularity of this top restaurant in Southern California.

6. Nicolas Eatery

Google/Sajud Hamza
22333 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
Nicolas Eatery/Google Local
Nicolas Eatery is a family-run French restaurant where the menu encourages guests to customize their orders. Chef Nicolas grew up in France and spent many years working for well-known and highly-rated restaurants in America and abroad. Now he is earning top ratings in his kitchen that's earned a reputation as one of the must-try restaurants in Southern California.

7. Toma Restaurant & Bar

Toma Restaurant & Bar/Google Local
324 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Roberto Santos/Google Localey
For years, Toma has been consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Southern California. Its reputation springs from its exceptional service, creative and flavorful menu, and its gorgeous waterfront locale.

8. Stonehouse Restaurant

Google/The Stonehouse Restaurant
900 San Ysidro Ln, Montecito, CA 93108, USA
Robert MungaryGoogle Local
In Santa Barbara’s stunning area of Montecito, Stonehouse Restaurant stands out as unique with a menu based on "organic inspiration" and "culinary artistry." The restaurant serves up seasonally-inspired cuisine in a romantic, historic setting - one characterized by ocean views, twinkling lights, a wood-burning fireplace, and enchanting private dining spaces. For a unique experience, we suggest making a reservation to dine at this must-try restaurant in Southern California.

9. République Restaurant

Sophia Wu/Google Local
624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
République Café Bakery & République Restaurant/Google Local
The historic 1929 fairytale-like structure built by Charlie Chaplin, the delightful bakery, the French-inspired gastronomic menu, or the grand communal-style dining - it is hard to decide contributes most to the thousands of high customer ratings and headlines that feature République Restaurant. It is far more than a satisfying meal, but a truly memorable experience when you dine at République. Once you enter this gem, you'll get why it's considered one of the best places to eat in Southern California.

Do any of the restaurants on the list surprise you? What makes you give a restaurant a high rating? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the following comments section.

For more ideas of where to dine, take a look at these must-try restaurants in Southern California too. We also suggest visiting TripAdvisor to learn about more of the best restaurants in Southern California.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Restaurants in Southern California

Marla S. | March 07, 2024

What are some of the best restaurants in Southern California for breakfast and brunch?

Here are some of the best restaurants in Southern California for breakfast and brunch:

  • Hash House A Go Go in San Diego: Bring your appetite so you can indulge in the massive pancakes, chicken waffle tower, and other breakfast classics with a twist.
  • More Than Waffles in Encino: When you're looking for a hearty way to start your day, head to this gem for homemade waffles served with tons of creative toppings.
  • Braxton's Kitchen in Camarillo: Treat you and your family to a scrumptious brunch featuring eggs, pancakes, delicious sandwiches, and other tasty comfort foods.

 

For more ideas of where to dine, check out these brunch restaurants in Southern California.

What is the best way to try BBQ in Southern California?

The next time you're craving ribs, we suggest taking our Southern California BBQ road trip. This curated outing requires about three hours of driving time and stops at four hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in the area. The adventure begins at Day Day's BBQ and Waffle House. Here, you can fuel up on all your soul food favorites. The last stop on this tasty tour is in Rialto. In addition to eating more BBQ classics at Westside Pit BBQ, save room for one of their infamous homemade pies.

Related Articles