Southern California has a new food hall. San Clemente’s Miramar Food Hall finally opened this month, and our reporters were eager to try the restaurants inside, because who doesn’t love a good food hall? They’re perfect for group settings when everyone’s in the mood for something different, and this Orange County location has great outdoor seating, ideal for the summer weather and the nice ocean breeze.
Here’s a look at nearby eateries to try around Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire, according to our reporters.
Related: See the best things we ate in Southern California in 2025.
Beef adobo pizza — Moto Pizza, San Clemente
Owner Lee Kindell brought his Seattle-born Moto Pizza to California this June, setting up shop inside San Clemente’s long-awaited Miramar Food Hall. I’m happy to report his “odd pizza” (his affectionate term for these thick, rectangular pies) lost nothing in the move south. Powered by a 100-year-old starter, Kindell’s dough channels New York, Detroit and Roman styles to serve as a canvas for Filipino and other Asian influences. My top pick so far is the Beef Adobo pizza, featuring unbridled, savory beef adobo, pickled cabbage and a bright slip of kimchi on every slice. It boasts a beautifully plush crumb and a crispy lace of cheese that hits that Detroit note perfectly. And the fluorescent-hued boxes they come in are, in this era of minimalism, charming as all heck.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
Impossible Smash Burger — Burger She Wrote, Sherman Oaks
Vegetarians don’t want special burgers on wheat buns; they want to be able to order the same burger that’s on the menu and just swap out the meat for a plant-based patty. Thankfully, Burger She Wrote gets this.
Their smash burger is your classic cheeseburger and the American cheese is melted to perfection. I’m usually fine with a single patty, but given it’s a smash burger, I would opt to get a double next time because the toppings slightly overpowered the burger flavor. Overall, a solid smash burger for whenever you’re craving it.
— Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer
Pastrami Hash w/ Poached Eggs — Max & Helen’s, Los Angeles
Max & Helen’s plays to two crowds: those who have heard of the new addition to Larchmont Village through owner and “Somebody Feed Phil” personality Phil Rosenthal, and those who’ve stumbled across viral posts about their must-have waffle or pricy upscale diner fare. Expect a wait at this charming establishment, fit with a counter reminiscent of your favorite no-frills breakfast spot. I waited 15 minutes for a counter seat, visiting solo to see if the restaurant lived up to the hype.
Ignoring the $26 price tag, the pastrami hash and poached eggs — scarfed down alongside a constantly refilled cup of coffee — is worth a visit alone. The pastrami carries a guanciale-like mouthfeel, chopped into cubes and mixed with onions and potatoes just like corned beef hash. The poached eggs are perfect mopped up with toast, and the portion easily shares. Service was equally impressive: one overdone egg was swiftly remade, and I left with a “we’re sorry for that egg” cookie to go.
— Benjamin Royer, Lakers Reporter
Oyster — Chrysalis, Santa Ana
Tucked inside one of Orange County’s standout restaurants is another treasure worth uncovering. Chrysalis, the tasting room from Zach Scherer and Drew Adams nestled within the critical darling Darkroom, marked a milestone moment for the local dining scene. (Heads up: a full review and a conversation with Scherer are coming in July.) The multi-course tasting menu, crafted with an omakase-inspired flair by Adams and Scherer, began with what seemed like a simple oyster. The oyster was gently poached and served in a cup filled with a cool mignonette granita, a savory, icy slush infused with Pernod. Orange marigold petals crowned the dish, turning this modest bivalve into a delicate, edible work of, yes, art. It was a knockout, both in flavor and presentation. If you’ve explored Darkroom but haven’t yet stepped into the airy, open space of Chrysalis, now’s the time to book a seat.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
Lobster Roll — Lobster Lab in Miramar Food Hall, San Clemente
While waiting to attend a nearby wedding reception that evening, we checked out the new Miramar Food Hall in San Clemente to curb our hunger. With perfect views of the ocean and nearby San Clemente train station, we devoured the lobster roll from Lobster Lab Seafood, which we were pleasantly surprised was filled to the brim with the crustacean, paired with the garlic butter dip and served in a perfectly toasted bun.
— Allyson Vergara, Local Reporter
Redlands Bowl Sundae — Lappert’s Ice Cream, Redlands
In honor of a 103-year institution, Lappert’s Ice Cream is serving a Redlands Bowl Sundae. You don’t need to be a music lover to love this orange and chocolate dessert. In a nod to Redlands’ citrus-growing history as well, it’s made with two scoops of Navel Orange & Ganache Ice Cream. It has layers of hot fudge and whipped cream and is topped with almonds and Orange Dream Yum Crumbs. Finally, it’s garnished with a chocolate orange stick and a candied dried orange slice.
Lappert’s is at 206 E State St., a short walk from the Redlands Bowl in Smiley Park. Upcoming concerts include a patriotic show on July 3. It’s free. The sundae is $10.95.
— Fielding Buck, Restaurant Reporter
Whole sea bass — El Zarandeado, San Juan Capistrano
El Zarandeado is living up to its namesake, turning out some truly marvelous Mexican seafood. A recent visit intended as a quick pitstop for a light lunch escalated into a full-tilt feast. The showstopper was a whole butterflied sea bass brought to the table, flanked by a crab-stuffed chile relleno, arroz rojo and a dish of lime wedges. The fish was, as expected, fresh and succulent. Pulling apart each flake revealed a beautiful char underneath that delivered a welcome hit of smoky bitterness. I’m already plotting my return for the grilled lobster, tuna ceviche and the branzino zarandeado. And not for nothing, the restaurant is a genuine looker, situated smack dab on historic Camino Capistrano.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
Pernil & Arroz Con Gandules — Tainos L.A., Woodland Hills
Tainos L.A. may not be on your radar yet, and that might be because the new San Fernando Valley establishment is just months old, and sneaks up on you from the street if you don’t know it’s there.
Quaint on the inside — albeit with plenty of outdoor seating on the Ventura Boulevard sidewalk — the charming Puerto Rican restaurant packs a punch with this roasted pork and rice (and beans) dish. Intensely flavorful with a tad of melt-in-your-mouth fat attached to the pork, the $26 meal is well worth the price. I would recommend adding the Empanadillas as an appetizer — flaky with a great seasoned meat on the interior. Local family-owned with friendly staff, Tainos L. A is a welcome addition to an underrated food scene in the San Fernando Valley.
— Benjamin Royer, Lakers Reporter
Steak and Shrimp Combo, Stuffed scallops, Chocolate cake, and Mai Tai — Damon’s, Glendale
June was a good month for summertime bites to kick off my Summer. I visited a longtime member of my ‘to visit’ list, Damon’s in Glendale. Damon’s did not disappoint, and I understand why it has been such a long-running favorite over the years. The vintage tiki atmosphere and vibes were so cool and perfect for Summer or any time, really.
I had to get one of their famous mai tais, and it was probably one of the best I have ever had, and I am a big fan of mai tais. The stuffed scallops were perfectly seasoned and a great starter. For the main course, I chose a combo of steak with coconut shrimp, and was blown away by the crispy savory goodness of the shrimp with its special dipping sauce. I rounded out the meal with one of the most delicious and enormous slices of chocolate cake. I will be back to visit Damon’s hopefully sooner rather than later to explore more of the menu and their delicious tiki drinks.
— Mercedes Cannon-Tran, Local Reporter
Micheladas — Alta Baja Market, Santa Ana
Micheladas hold such a central place in Mexican food culture that this Santa Ana spot offers an entire michelada menu right above the main counter. The selection here is impressively varied. For those who prefer a classic, the La Santanera, with its lime juice and chile-rimmed glass, is a straightforward favorite. On a recent visit, though, I took the owner and founder Delilah Snell’s advice and sampled a couple of seasonal specials: La Chiquita, which kicks things up with spicy passion fruit, and La Bossona, with a rich guava flavor leading the way. At this 4th Street hotspot, you’ll find about a dozen michelada choices, ranging from fruity and fiery to bold and complex. They even offer nonalcoholic options made with Topo Chico.
— Brock Keeling, Features Reporter
Marlowe & Avocado Toast — Loose Cannon Cafe, Glendale
One thing about me, I take recommendations from Hilary Duff seriously. Now and then she shares a spot in Los Angeles, whether it be a restaurant, coffee shop or just a small business she wants to support, and each time I bookmark it to come back to. I will also say, of the times I’ve followed through and visited the spots she shares on social, she has never let me down.
Loose Cannon Cafe recently opened in Glendale. It’s a cute coffee shop that also gives mom-and-pop diner vibes. Their speciality drink is the Marlowe, and rightfully so. It’s an iced Cortado with maple cream, and each sip was splendid. To eat, I had their avocado toast, which I opted to top with scrambled eggs, which was definitely the move as these were some of the best eggs I’ve had. Despite Los Angeles being somewhat associated with millennials’ love of avocado toast, I’ve found it to be hit or miss when I get it at restaurants. In fact, a few higher-end places I’ve found completely dropped the ball, but thankfully, Loose Cannon Cafe was not one of them.
I will definitely come here again, and next time I will make sure it’s not when I’m on the go so stay to eat in person as they have a lovely outdoor dining area.
— Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer
See more of our round-ups of the best things we ate in Southern California.
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in April
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in February
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in January
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in 2025
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in 2024