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SoCal Eats & Treats 🍴🍦
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items Southern California is a food lover’s dream — from beachside tacos to late-night pizza slices to desserts that are worth the drive. This list is packed with some of my personal favorite spots for amazing eats, treats, and everything in between. Wheth...
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Italian & Pizza 🍕
Desserts & Sweet Treats 🍩🍪🧁
Mexican Favorites 🌮
American Comfort Food & Burgers 🍔
Mediterranean & Tapas Spots 🥙
Coffee Shops & Brunch Cafés ☕️
Italian & Pizza 🍕
Whether you’re craving thin-crust slices, Detroit-style pies, or classic Italian pastas, these are my favorite spots for carb-loading (no regrets). Some are local institutions, others are hidden gems — all totally worth it.
A seriously delicious pizza spot with something for everyone — thin crust or Detroit-style slices, both done right. But it’s not just about the pizza: Riip brews some amazing beers and the full menu delivers too. Don’t leave without trying the Caesar...
Riip Beer & Pizzeria
A low-key local favorite where the beer is just as good as the pizza. Their thin, crispy pies are packed with flavor — and you have to try the whipped ricotta starter. It’s creamy, rich, and somehow still light. Perfect for a post-beach lunch or casu...
Beachwood Pizza & Beer
Old-school pizza done right. Big, cheesy New York-style slices served in a place that feels like pure SoCal community — think kids’ sports teams, surfers, and locals all packed into one happy spot. My go-to is the Super Bee slice (absolute flavor bom...
Sgt. Pepperoni's Pizza
Desserts & Sweet Treats 🍩🍪🧁
Ice cream, donuts, custard, gelato… SoCal knows how to do dessert right. Here are my favorite places to cool down, indulge, and celebrate a serious sweet tooth.
It’s not just the Italian ice and custard that make Confetti special — it’s the people behind it. The owners are some of the kindest, sweetest people you’ll meet, and they make everything themselves, from scratch. You can taste the care in every bite...
Confetti Italian Ice and Custard
These aren’t just doughnuts — they’re legit works of art. Every flavor is made fresh in small batches throughout the day, so you always get a warm, melt-in-your-mouth bite. The Huckleberry is iconic (and worth the hype), but honestly, every seasonal ...
Sidecar Doughnuts
Famous for their “Milky Buns” (ice cream stuffed inside a warm donut), Afters is SoCal dessert creativity at its finest. The flavors are wild — think Cookie Monster, Jasmine Milk Tea, and Milk and Cereal — but they somehow all work. It’s indulgent, t...
Afters Ice Cream
Old-school ice cream done right. Huge scoops, tons of classic flavors, and perfect texture — rich but not heavy. Grab a cone and head straight to the beach for the full experience.
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Gelato-on-a-stick that you can customize with dips and toppings. It’s fun, delicious, and way less messy than a giant ice cream cone on a hot day. Kids (and honestly, adults too) will love it.
Popbar
Mexican Favorites 🌮
From tableside tacos to award-winning barbecue flavors with a Tex-Mex twist, these Mexican spots deliver fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a casual, vibrant SoCal vibe. Perfect for taco cravings, margarita meetups, and beyond.
This modern Mexican spot puts on a show — seriously, they cook your tacos tableside on a plancha grill. It’s fresh, lively, and the vibe is perfect for date nights or group hangs. The carne asada tacos and queso fundido are absolute must-orders.
Descanso Restaurant
Tucked away downtown, this little taco shop punches way above its weight. Their carne asada and birria are legit — tender, flavorful, and perfectly loaded onto handmade tortillas. Ideal for quick bites before a beach day.
Primecut Taqueria
American Comfort Food & Burgers 🍔
Sometimes you just need a big, juicy burger, crispy fried chicken, or the ultimate brunch plate. These spots bring the comfort food energy — from beachy diners to next-level burger joints.
If you’re craving a hearty, feel-good meal, Mama’s is the move. Giant portions, breakfast all day, and a retro diner-meets-beach vibe that feels very Huntington. The chicken and waffles and Bloody Mary are local legends for a reason.
Mama's Comfort Food & Cocktails
Elevated fried chicken sandwiches in a super fun, casual setting. Think juicy, crispy chicken with creative toppings and loaded fries you won’t want to share. Perfect spot for a chill lunch or after-beach dinner — the Coop Deville sandwich is my go-t...
The Crack Shack - Costa Mesa
Late-night burger cravings? Solved. 25 Degrees has juicy, loaded burgers and garlic parmesan fries that are basically addictive. Big, casual, no-frills vibe — great for an easy night out or a pre-bar crawl meal.
25 Degrees Huntington Beach
Worth. The. Hype. Expect to wait in line, but their Texas-style barbecue is next level — brisket so tender it basically melts, house-made sausage that’s packed with flavor, and sides you’ll dream about later. Come hungry and plan for leftovers.
Heritage Barbecue
Mediterranean & Tapas Spots 🥙
Light, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. These Mediterranean-inspired spots are ideal for date nights, catching up with friends, or when you’re craving something a little different.
Mediterranean tapas and wine done right. It’s cozy, intimate, and perfect for a low-key but special night out. Order a few plates to share — the lamb meatballs and grilled eggplant are unreal.
The Black Trumpet Bistro Tapas & Wine Bar
Casual winery vibes without having to trek to Napa. Their brunch is seriously underrated and the wine flights are fun to customize. Perfect for a chill afternoon date or group outing.
Rancho Capistrano Winery
Coffee Shops & Brunch Cafés ☕️
Whether you need a serious caffeine fix or a slow weekend brunch, these are my favorite stops. Great coffee, good food, and even better vibes — all perfect for mornings (or afternoons) that deserve an upgrade.
Crazy popular for a reason. Dutch Bros is all about high-energy service and seriously sweet, creative drinks. It’s a bit like a coffee party in a cup. Great for road trips, post-surf caffeine hits, or just treating yourself.
Dutch Bros Fountain Valley | Your Local Coffee Drive-Thru
Minimalist vibes, maximum flavor. Succulent does small-batch roasted coffee right — smooth, bold, and made to be sipped slowly. Plus, their iced lavender latte is a must-try.
Succulent Coffee Roasters
A perfect pre-beach breakfast spot. Fresh, chewy bagels with a ton of spread options, and the breakfast bagel sandwiches are clutch. Grab a coffee and a bagel and you’re set for the day.
Shirley's Bagels
Cool, cozy, and serious about their beans. The flat white here is smooth and perfectly balanced, and the house-made pastries are an underrated win. Great for getting work done or catching up with a friend.
Caffe In Coffee Roasters
If you like your coffee with a side of sass (and incredible branding), Coffee Dose delivers. Located inside The Ranch, their drinks are bold, cheeky, and always a vibe. Their menu has everything from seriously good espresso to their famous “Anti-Bitc...
Coffee Dose