Visiting California

Where to Eat

Coming to see us from out of town? Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area, from quick local bites to special-occasion dinners.

Close to our Garden Grove office

Orange County

Vietnamese spring rolls with dipping sauce

Brodard Restaurant

Garden Grove · Vietnamese · $

A Little Saigon institution and a must for first-time visitors. There’s often a line at lunch, but it moves quickly.

What to order: Nem nướng cuốn (grilled pork spring rolls) with Brodard’s famous dipping sauce. Order extra to take home.

Brodard Chateau

Garden Grove · Vietnamese-French · $$

Brodard’s dressier sister restaurant, a lovely choice for a relaxed sit-down dinner with family or colleagues.

What to order: Bò lúc lắc (shaking beef) and a plate of the signature nem nướng rolls to share.

Pho 79

Garden Grove · Vietnamese · $

One of Little Saigon’s longest-running pho shops. Simple, comforting, and a local favorite for decades.

What to order: Phở đặc biệt, the special combination beef pho, with fresh herbs and lime on the side.

Anaheim Packing House

Anaheim · Food hall · $–$$

A restored 1919 citrus packing house filled with food stalls. Easy when everyone in your group wants something different.

What to order: Walk the stalls and share a few small plates, then grab dessert on the way out.

Xiao long bao soup dumplings in a bamboo steamer

Din Tai Fung

Costa Mesa (South Coast Plaza) · Taiwanese · $$

Dumplings made fresh in an open kitchen. Join the waitlist early and enjoy South Coast Plaza while you wait.

What to order: Xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings), shrimp fried rice, and the garlic string beans.

Taco María

Costa Mesa · Modern Mexican · $$$

Chef Carlos Salgado’s acclaimed Alta California cooking. Reserve ahead for a special-occasion dinner.

What to order: The chef’s tasting menu, which changes with the season.

Knife Pleat

Costa Mesa (South Coast Plaza) · French · $$$$

Elegant French cooking in a beautiful dining room. A wonderful place to celebrate.

What to order: The seasonal tasting menu, and save room for dessert.

Nick’s Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach · American · $$

A relaxed, lively spot a short walk from the sand. Pair it with a sunset stroll at nearby Victoria Beach.

What to order: Ask about the fresh fish of the day, and plan dinner around sunset.

San Francisco & the East Bay

San Francisco Bay Area

Swan Oyster Depot

San Francisco (Polk Street) · Seafood · $$

A counter-only seafood bar that has been serving San Francisco since 1912. Arrive early; the line forms before it opens.

What to order: The combination seafood salad, cracked Dungeness crab when in season, and the Sicilian-style sashimi.

Hog Island Oyster Co.

San Francisco (Ferry Building) · Oysters · $$

Fresh oysters with views of the Bay Bridge. Browse the Ferry Building Marketplace before or after your meal.

What to order: A dozen raw oysters, the clam chowder, and the grilled cheese.

Tartine Bakery

San Francisco (Mission) · Bakery · $

Beloved pastries and bread. Go early for the best selection.

What to order: The morning bun and a croissant, plus a loaf of country bread to take home.

House of Prime Rib

San Francisco (Van Ness) · Steakhouse · $$$

Classic prime rib carved tableside since 1949. Book well in advance.

What to order: Prime rib carved tableside, served with the spinning salad, Yorkshire pudding, and creamed spinach.

Zuni Café

San Francisco (Market Street) · Californian · $$$

A San Francisco classic with a lively, sunny dining room.

What to order: The wood-oven roast chicken with bread salad for two. Order it when you sit down, since it takes about an hour.

Kokkari Estiatorio

San Francisco (Financial District) · Greek · $$$

Warm, rustic Greek cooking near the waterfront. Great for a business lunch or a special dinner.

What to order: The grilled octopus and the lamb chops.

Burma Superstar

San Francisco (Inner Richmond) · Burmese · $$

A fun, flavorful introduction to Burmese food.

What to order: The tea leaf salad, mixed at your table, and the rainbow salad.

Chez Panisse

Berkeley · Californian · $$$$

Alice Waters’ landmark restaurant that helped launch farm-to-table dining.

What to order: The nightly set menu downstairs, or a seasonal pizza and salad at the more casual upstairs café.

Photos show the style of dish to try, not the restaurants themselves. Hours, menus, and reservations change often, so please check with each restaurant before you go. Price guide: $ casual, $$$$ special occasion.

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