Southern California has an amazing food scene, making it a great place for a food trip. In this food guide, we’re dishing out 21 food and drinks to try in Southern California, including some of the best restaurants, ramen, desserts and more in SoCal.
Also Read: Things To Do in Southern California
Where To Eat & What To Order in Southern California, by area
Burbank
Arroz Con Mariscos (Seafood Paella) at Malbec Argentinean Cuisine
Patagonian style seafood paella with scallops, shrimps, mussels, calamari, clams, baby octopus
Website / Address: 10151 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, California 91602, USA
Costa Mesa
Gyutan Yakiniku at Gyutan Tsukasa
Charcoal grilled premium beef tongue. Coming from a Japanese restaurant that originated 60 years ago.
Website / Address: Mitsuwa Marketplace, 665 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92626
Hoji Cha Soft Serve at Matcha Love by Ito En
Roasted green tea. Thick and creamy with a strong roasted taste!
Website / Address: Mitsuwa Marketplace, 665 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92626
Live Octopus Sushi at Sushi Shunka
Rarely find Live Octopus in sushi, It’s like a mix between ika and scallop in texture and bite. Sushi Shunka is No. 7 in OC Register’s Brad A. Johnson’s 75 Best Places To Eat 2016.
Website / Address: 369 E 17th St #17, Costa Mesa, California 92627, USA
Also Read: Kame Omakase, Best Omakase in Las Vegas
Gardena
Carne Asada Taco at Vaquero Mexican Grill
Grilled and sliced beef taco
Website / Address: 1552 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, California 90248, USA
Com Ca Luc Lac at Pho Consomme
Fried fish with garlic sauce in hot plate
Address: 1850 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, California 90247, USA
Loaded Hashbrowns at The Pan Restaurant
2 eggs (any style), bacon, sausage, green onions jack and cheddar cheese over hash browns, topped with chili aioli and choice of toast.
Website / Address: 16601 S Western Ave, Gardena, California 90247, USA
Tantanmen Ramen at Anzutei Ramen (CLOSED)
Nagoya-style Tantanmen ramen made from chicken broth is rich, creamy and flavourful.
Address: 15915 S Western Ave a, Gardena, California 90247, USA
Ice Cream at Kansha Creamery
Homemade all natural ice cream with a variety of unique flavours, a lot of which are Asian inspired.
Website / Address: 18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, California 90248, USA
Also Read: Best Restaurants in Seattle, Washington
Hermosa Beach
Late Night Hermosa Roll at Rok Sushi Kitchen
Seafood loaded roll in unique soy paper wrapping: Baked lobster, snow crab, soy paper, topped with baked scallop and garlic dynamite sauce
Website / Address: 1200 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, California 90254, USA
Espresso Shake at Paciugo Gelato
Semifreddo (half cold/frozen) Blended with Expresso
Website / Address: 1034 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, California 90254, USA
Inglewood
Taquitos Rancheros at La Feria Restaurant
crip-fried rolled-up tortilla with beef
Website / Address: 10903 S Inglewood Ave, Inglewood, California 90304, USA
Los Angeles
Beef Galbi Jim at Sa Rit Gol (CLOSED)
Beef Short Ribs. Most marbled and tender galbi jim I’ve had.
Address: 3324 W 6th St, Los Angeles, California 90020, USA
Also Read: 2 Day Trip to Conejo Valley, California
Palm Desert
Blackened Mahi at Bellatrix Restaurant
Blackened Mahi was crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked in the inside. The bread was just the right bread so that it didn’t cover the taste of the fish.
Address: 75-200 Classic Club Blvd, Palm Desert, California 92211, USA
Redondo Beach
Ube Gelato at Roman Aroma Cafe (CLOSED)
Gelato made with purple yam.
Address: 903 North Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach, California 90277
Santa Monica
Truffle Tortellini at Forma Restaurant
Tortellini with mushrooms, light cream, truffle oil – tossed in bella lodi cheese wheel
Website / Address: 1610 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, California 90403, USA
Torrance
Zabuton at Manpuku Torrance
Zabuton is from the side of the beef shoulder rib eye, a rare cut where only a few kg are taken from one cow.
It’s prepared with a little special sweet sauce and grilled lightly by the server table side. It is then completed by bathing its in a beaten egg yolk and wrapped around small rice ball.
Address: 1870 W Carson St, Torrance, California 90501, USA
Also Read: Where To Eat in Tokyo
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream at Creamistry
Made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream using all natural and organic ingredients with over 70 flavours and toppings.
Website / Address: 24329 Crenshaw Blvd. Ste G, Torrance, California 90505
Millefeuille Shiso Cheese Katsu Gozen at Kagura
Premium tonkatsu gozen served with sliced cabbage, steamed grain rice (or steamed rice), pork miso soup, Japanese pickled vegetables and 4 small plates.
Rice, pork miso soup and sliced cabage refills are free.
Website / Address: 1652 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, California 90501, USA
Gen Signature Yangyum Galbi at Gen Korean BBQ
Premium Beef Short Ribs
Website / Address: 24301 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, California 90505
Chicken Walnut at Sea Shore Seafood Restaurant
Deep fried chicken with special mayo and walnut
Website / Address: 5137 Calle Mayor, Torrance, California 90505, USA
Looking for more places to eat in Torrance? Here are some of the best restaurants in Torrance!
MAP: Southern California Food & Drinks
Here’s a map with all the restaurants and places to eat featured in this Southern California food guide.
Hope this food guide gives you an idea on where to eat (and what to order) in Southern California!
I’m always looking for recommendations. Please let me know what you find are the best restaurants and dishes you had in Southern California.
Denis Mountain
Saturday 25th of August 2018
Wow, superb list you have included all my favorite places. I especially like Burbank as its magnetic menu frames offers the best meat dishes.
Travelling Foodie
Saturday 25th of August 2018
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the list.