The Inland Empire Restaurants

Downtown Riverside is home to a few ambitious restaurants, along with the familiar chains. The college town of Claremont has creative contemporary and ethnic fare. Innovative cuisine has become the norm in Temecula, especially at winery restaurants, some of whose chefs specialize in farm-to-table cuisine. The options are more limited in the smaller mountain communities; typically, each town supports a single upscale restaurant, along with fast-food outlets, steak-and-potatoes family spots, and perhaps an Italian or Mexican eatery. Universally, dining out is casual.

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  • 1. 1909

    $$

    Superb cocktails and craft-beer samplers, a something-for-everyone menu, and the always swingin' streetside patio have made this gastropub one of Old Town's jolliest hangouts. Starters like blue corn Kobe beef hot dogs, smoked chicken wings, and crab and shrimp empanadas pair well with the drinks; standout mains include the 1909 burger (love the bacon-onion jam) and braised lamb shank. Brunch—all the usual suspects, plus peanut butter French Toast, grilled tofu and kimchi, ahi tartare, and other nouveau fare—is a mob scene on most weekends.

    28656 Front St., Temecula, California, 92590, USA
    951-619–1909

    Known For

    • Superb cocktails
    • Streetside patio
    • Popular weekend brunch
  • 2. Packing House Restaurant & Wine Shop

    $$

    At this shop, bar, and restaurant inside a former orange-packing house, you can purchase wines from around the world and enjoy them on-site. Throughout the day, pair your selection with seasonal small plates and specialty cheeses and, for dinner, entrées like poke tostadas with sushi-grade ahi tuna and an organic beef burger with smoked bacon, aged cheddar, and spicy tomato aioli.

    540 W. 1st St., Claremont, California, 91711, USA
    909-445–9463

    Known For

    • Admirable by-the-glass wine selection
    • Reasonable corkage fee
    • Fine stop for wine and nibbles but also for dinner

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.; no dinner Tues., Five wine tastings from $20
  • 3. Peppercorn Grille

    $$

    Filling pizzas, pastas, and steak and fish dishes make this clubby-looking restaurant a fine choice after a long day of skiing in winter or hiking in summer. Start with the signature New England clam chowder (bacon bits add a smoky touch), and follow it up with a salad with the zesty house Peppercorn Ranch dressing before moving on to a flat-iron steak. Other top selections include rack of lamb, surf n' turf, and pasta with shrimp and pasta. 

    553 Pine Knot Ave., Big Bear Lake, California, 92315, USA
    909-866–5405

    Known For

    • Dog-friendly, heated outdoor patio
    • New England clam chowder
    • Root-beer float desserts
  • 4. Public House

    $$

    A low-key gastropub inside a restored 1950s home, this Old Town spot with a sunlit patio hosts live music on weekends. A roasted 16-ounce New York steak over mashed potatoes satisfies carnivores; and the mixed arugula and quinoa with roasted red beet and goat cheese is a hit with those seeking more healthful fare. Craft beers by innovative Southern California breweries Lost Abbey and The Bruery are among the selections on tap.

    41971 Main St., Temecula, California, 92590, USA
    951-676–7305

    Known For

    • Low-key vibe
    • Diverse menu items
    • Southern California craft beers
  • 5. The Lobby Riverside

    $$

    Innovative food and drink menus make this clubby restaurant on the historic Main Street promenade very much shaken, and not stirred. Grab a front-row seat on the patio or head inside for a table overlooking the neon bar to enjoy cocktails such as the But First, Let Me Take a Selfie (arrives with a Polaroid of you) or the Bonnie and Clyde (arrives with a flaming counterfeit $100 bill) and entrées like the short-rib melt or the honey jalapeño–glazed salmon on peanut slaw. Vegans will be pleasantly surprised with a variety of options. It’s one of the few places in Riverside open daily for dinner, with a “last call” way past midnight.

    3730 Main St., Riverside, California, 92501, USA
    951-742–5020

    Known For

    • Cocktails that are works of art
    • Vegan and vegetarian options
    • Late-night dining

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Walter's Restaurant

    $$

    Afghan fusion is the focus at Walter’s, a restaurant still holding its original name since 1973 when owners swapped out burgers and fries for a menu of kebabs, lamb dishes, and lentil salad. The tandoori salmon with peach chutney and basmati rice is moist and flavorful, and for something familiar, you can still grab a pizza or burger. The original dining room domed in stained glass, doubled in size during the pandemic, to now offer courtyard seating and private dining spaces.

    310 N. Yale Ave., Claremont, California, 91714, USA
    909-624–4914

    Known For

    • Afghan battered fries with hot sauce
    • Live music Wednesday 6–9 and Thursday 8–9
    • Happy hour weekdays 4–7, weekends 8 am–closing

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential

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