Asian Influence
California's Asian culinary tradition runs deep, shaped by generations of communities who brought their recipes, techniques and stories to the Golden State. These restaurants honor tradition, while allowing the chefs to put their own fresh spin on it.
Maiyaj Bistro
An innovative Hmong eatery may not be what you expect in a small mountain community, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Siskiyou County. Maiyaj Asian Bistro, with locations in Montague and inside the Rain Rock Casino, brings a menu highlighted by fresh herbs, bold spices and traditional recipes passed down through generations. Favorites include savory stir fries and papaya salad.
Osha Thai
Thirty years ago, after founding Osha Thai in San Francisco, sisters Chalida Oranratana and Lalita Souksamlane brought the beloved restaurant to Mendocino County. Taking over a historic brick building that once housed the Mendocino Brewing Company, the sisters are brewing up a spicy new chapter in Hopland.
Journey to the Dumpling
Locally owned by Chris and Yvonne Tan, Journey to the Dumpling lets the couple share their love of handcrafted dumplings with the Elk Grove and Sacramento communities. Using regional recipes, time-honored methods and traditional techniques, it’s easy to see why the Northern California community has embraced the Chinese comfort food. Diners will find delicate soup dumplings, classic dim sum favorites and potstickers on the menu.
Himalayan Restaurant
Let the flavors of the Himalayan mountains warm you up after a day of adventure in the San Bernardino Mountains. In Big Bear, Nepalese, Tibetan and northern Indian flavors come together in the momos, tandoori and curries at Himalayan Restaurant. Originally from Nepal, owner Kheshar Bhandari loves sharing his culture, food and spirited hospitality with locals and travelers alike.
Little Sister
Irvine has one of the largest Asian populations in Southern California, so to stand out here, you must be doing something right. Little Sister draws on chef and co-owner Tin Vuong’s unique spin on creating cuisine, blending Southeast Asian traditions with European influences.
Euro Eats
Bonjour. Buongiorno. Guten Tag. California's European-inspired restaurants are fluent in the flavors across the pond. Whether you’re craving Nonna’s best pasta or classic schnitzel, California chefs are putting their own spin on Europe’s most traditional cuisines.
Restaurant Josephine
Gold Country has been keeping a culinary gem. Tucked into the small town of Auburn, Chefs Eric and Courtney Alexander are redefining French cooking at Restaurant Josephine, drawing inspiration from Eric’s Eastern European roots and local ingredients grown on their Four Tines Farm. Their thoughtful approach recently earned the duo recognition as a finalist for Best Chef in California at the prestigious James Beard Awards.
Foodie Passport
Experience the raucous good time of a German beer hall atmosphere at Kulturhaus Brewing Company in Pismo Beach. The brewer pairs German-style beers with classic German fare. If you’re looking for more la dolce vita, Giuseppe’s Cucina Italiana serves up homemade pasta and other favorites.
Savor Santa Monica
Pasjoli in Santa Monica makes classic French cuisine feel fresh and distinctly modern. Enjoy beef bourguignon, frites or tableside pressed duck. If your taste buds are craving Italian, 1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach blends traditional Neapolitan cuisine with stunning ocean views.
Latin Flair
Bright, spicy, smoky, bold and richly layered flavors are the reasons why California's Latin restaurants are serving up some of the most exciting food in the state. From Peruvian fusion on the Central Coast to Baja-style tacos in Wine Country, these kitchens bring the heat and heart found south of the border to every dish.
Parche
For the past two years, Oakland has shone as the No. 1 food city in the country according to Condé Nast Traveler’s readers. It’s restaurants like Parche that put the Northern California city on the culinary map. Owned by husband-and-wife team Paul Iglesias and Sophia Akbar, Parche celebrates his Colombian heritage, with bold flavors and fresh ingredients that helped the eatery earn a mention in the Michelin Guide.
El Tarasco
Owner Saul Espinosa is dedicated to bringing together the traditions and flavors of several regions of Mexico at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant on Main Street in downtown Visalia. Using the area’s bountiful ingredients, the chefs bring authentic Mexican cooking to the Central Valley.
Mistura
Consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in San Luis Obispo, Mistura brings the melting pot of Peruvian cuisine to the Central Coast. Chef Nicola fuses native Incan, Japanese and Italian flavors using local, organic ingredients. The result is a unique menu that gives diners a true taste of South America’s rich culinary history.
Finca
A true wallet-friendly find, Finca Paso Robles brings Baja and Sonoran cuisine in a fun, casual setting. Located in the historic farmhouse of the Old Hometown Nursery in Paso Robles, the restaurant is part of Paso Robles Market Walk. Finca is the latest project by the owners of La Taquiza, a Napa Mexican restaurant that earned Michelin recognition. At Finca, the focus is on wood-grilled tacos, burritos and ceviche.
Fusion Feast
California has always been a place where cultures converge, and that is deliciously apparent at the table. These restaurants show what happens when culinary traditions collide.
Meski
Co-founded by NBA Champion Draymond Green, restaurateur Guma Fassil and Top Chef’s Nelson German, Meski in San Francisco fuses Ethiopian spices with Latin American flair to create a unique Afro-Latin menu. The restaurant is a love letter to the owner’s mother’s cooking and the food they grew up enjoying.
Zenith Bite Ramen and Thai
Just opened this year, Zenith Bite Ramen and Thai brings the flavors of Southeast Asia to life in South Lake Tahoe. The eatery doesn’t just bring the cuisine of Thailand and Japan, it’s also introduced the area’s first service robots.
Lola Rose Grand Mezze
Lola Rose Grand Mezze brings the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern to the desert of California. The Palm Springs eatery features flavorful seafood, spiced braised meats and traditional mezze crafted by Chef Quentin Garcia, who worked in Michelin-starred kitchens worldwide before returning home to the Coachella Valley.
The Lion’s Share
For over 14 years, The Lion’s Share has pushed the San Diego culinary boundaries with a menu focused on exotic game meat. Since taking over the kitchen in 2024, Executive Chef Dante Romero and Sous Chef Xavier Verdugo have married the innovative menu with French cooking techniques and Mexican culinary influences.
California's table always has room for everyone. The chefs and owners behind these restaurants show what's possible when passion, heritage and seasonal, local ingredients come together. Come join us at our table, try something new and let the Golden State feed your curiosity and fuel your memories.