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    The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in April
    • May 1, 2026

    April might as well be known as festival season in Southern California. Every weekend seems to be packed with music festivals, art festivals, book festivals and even pizza festivals. Because of that our team was truly out and about throughout the region this month, the result of which was getting to try a variety of food options we might not usually check out. For instance, at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year, a variety of Southern California eateries set up shop at the Empire Polo Club to offer some of their most popular items to festival goers.

    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.

    Smoke Queen Barbecue's panang curry with smoked brisket. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    Smoke Queen Barbecue’s panang curry with smoked brisket. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Panang curry — Smoke Queen Barbecue, Garden Grove

    Blending Chinese and Malaysian flavors with Central Texas-style smoked meats, pitmaster-owner Winnie Yee has turned Smoke Queen into one of Southern California’s most compelling barbecue stops. While the char siu and pork belly draw plenty of attention — as well as regular lines out the door — her panang curry merits equal regard. A sweet-savory curry made with coconut cream paired with coconut-infused rice lays the groundwork for tender chunks of smoked brisket (available with smoked pulled pork or a combination of brisket, pulled pork, pork belly and sausage). The result threads smoke, spice and a little sweetness together in one of my favorite dishes in all of Orange County.

    — Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

    Island Bowl from Backyard Bowls at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)
    Island Bowl from Backyard Bowls at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)

    Island Bowl — Backyard Bowls, West Hollywood/Santa Monica

    It’s both a gift and a curse that the first acai bowl I ever had was the Island Bowl from Backyard. A gift, because it’s so good. A curse, because no acai bowl will ever top it; trust me, I’ve tried.So you better believe it was a top priority for me to get this delicious treat while at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.The Island Bowl starts with the smoothie-like base of the meal. It’s a thick consistency, which makes it take longer to melt, and is without any ice chunks you might get from a competitor. The fruit slices on top are also fresh and delicious. It’s worth noting that usually this bowl comes with bananas on top, but I choose to forgo them. The addition of the granola, coconut shavings and honey drizzle is what truly takes this to the next level. Trust me, with warm weather just around the corner, this is going to be the meal you’ll be craving all summer.

    — Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

    Maciel's Plant-Based Butcher & Deli's The Smokey sandwich served at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
    Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli’s The Smokey sandwich served at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    The Smokey — Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli, Highland Park

    We’re only about four months into the year, but this is already at the top of my list for the best food I’ve eaten this year. I tend to prefer my food to have some form of meat, but sometimes I get tired of it and want an alternative. Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli was at Coachella this year, offering 100% vegan sandwiches. My initial assumption was that it’d likely be a bunch of veggies on some artisan bread, but I was happily mistaken. I ordered The Smokey, made with mesquite turkey, bacon, melted gouda, avocado, onion-jalapeño jam and spicy aioli. The sourdough bread was toasted enough to house all of the ingredients without getting soggy, but also without being so rough on the roof of your mouth. It was a perfect blend of sweet and spicy with some fresh-tasting ingredients. Move over, traditional deli sandwiches. There’s a new deli sandwich in town, and she’s vegan and packing way more flavor.

    — Charlie Vargas, Features Reporter

    This lunch special at Zen Curry & Grill in Temecula includes Mixed Veggie Masala, rice and garlic naan. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
    This lunch special at Zen Curry & Grill in Temecula includes Mixed Veggie Masala, rice and garlic naan. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Mixed Veggie Masala — Zen Curry & Grill, Temecula

    Zen Curry & Grill in Temecula is No. 22 on Yelp’s Top 100 for 2026. I finally got the chance to visit and discovered I agree with Yelp contributors who praised it for an upscale atmosphere, friendly staff and subtly spiced foods.

    In addition, it has a reasonable lunch special for $16.99. It includes one main, naan and rice. I tried mixed veggie masala, made with cauliflower, peas and carrots in tomato masala. The vegetables were fork-tender and the sauce was creamy.

    The garlic naan was also outstanding. Beverages weren’t included in a special. I ordered a mango lassi, which was pleasing to the eye as well as tastebuds.

    — Fielding Buck, Features Reporter

    Vegetarian Taco Trio from Villas Tacos in Los Angeles (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)
    Vegetarian Taco Trio from Villas Tacos in Los Angeles (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)

    Vegetarian Taco Trio — Villas Tacos, Los Angeles

    I’m sure I’m not the only one who can admit that Villas Tacos jumped on my radar earlier this year after they appeared in Bad Bunny’s halftime show performance during the Super Bowl. The local hotspot was one of the featured restaurants at the Indio Central Market at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year. I went with the vegetarian trio, which is made up of their grilled soyrizo, black bean with cactus salad and potato tacos.

    The most satisfying thing about these tacos has to be the crispy cheese sprinkled around the outer layer of the tortillas. I’m pretty sure I was moments away from crying from pure joy as I took my first bite of the cheese alone. They were all the more delightful as I was verging on hangry as I made my way over from their booth to the Mojave Tent to sit in the grass and enjoy my late lunch as I watched BINI perform. My only lapse of judgement: I forgot to grab napkins and the soyrizo was especially messy and had me a tad self-conscious as I returned to the press tent, that there was something on my face. But that’s user error.

    — Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

    A Pretty Please cocktail and truffle cheese fries from Confessional 1902 on April, 25 2026. (Photo by Mercedes Cannon-Tran/SCNG)
    A Pretty Please cocktail and truffle cheese fries from Confessional 1902 on April, 25 2026. (Photo by Mercedes Cannon-Tran/SCNG)

    Pretty Please Cocktail and Truffle Cheese Fries — Confessional 1902, Upland

    The Pretty Please cocktail is a delightful fruity cocktail that surprised me. I was not sure the egg white was going to be a good addition to the fruity and rose flavors but it added a layer of frothy and creaminess that worked really well. The addition of the truffle cheese fries really rounded out this girl dinner for me. The cool and secretive vibes of Confessional 1902 really amped of the flavors of my pre-dinner cocktail. You will require a reservation for guaranteed seating but you can try to walk in as well.

    — Mercedes Cannon-Tran, Local Reporter

    Frozen cider slushie from Benny Boy Brewing & Cider House in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. (Teagan Davidge, SCNG)
    Frozen cider slushie from Benny Boy Brewing & Cider House in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. (Teagan Davidge, SCNG)

    Frozen cider slushie — Benny Boy Brewing & Cider House, Lincoln Heights

    Benny Boy Brewing & Cider House is a new beer garden and cider destination with a lovely, welcoming atmosphere complete with resident brewery cats. I found myself here for the brewery’s first ever “Sadie Hawkins Dance” at the beginning of April. Benny’s hosts tons of weekly events, and their vast indoor and outdoor seating options make this an ideal, cozy hangout spot for 21+ Los Angeles locals.The entire selection of ciders is naturally gluten free and in a separate building from the brewery, which made one gluten-free individual very happy (it was me). Among many fruity flavors of cider, there’s a frozen cider slushie that changes flavor every week, which is what I ordered. It was fantastic and refreshing! If you’re not a fan of the taste of alcohol, this is the perfect choice for a fun night out. Mine was something along the lines of strawberry, but you’ll have to check out what the flavor of the week is if you stop by.

    — Teagan Davidge, Audience Engagement Producer

    The meatball sub sandwich at Mario's Butcher Shop. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    The meatball sub sandwich at Mario’s Butcher Shop. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Meatball sub — Mario’s Butcher Shop, Newport Beach

    At Mario’s Butcher Shop, the meatball sub sticks to the fundamentals: coarse-ground pork and beef meatballs bring the heft, tucked into a crusty French roll that manages to hold things together while soaking up enough San Marzano tomato sauce. In lieu of mozzarella, it pairs parmesan and provolone, offering a sharper, saltier bite that pays off, especially if you ask for extra. One of Orange County’s finest meatball sub sandwiches.

    — Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

    Salted caramel cookie from Aroma Coffee & Tea. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)
    Salted caramel cookie from Aroma Coffee & Tea. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)

    Salted Caramel Cookie — Aroma Coffee & Tea, Studio City

    I brought this treat with me to the Hollywood Bowl to snack on as I watched “The Last Five Years” 25th Anniversary starring Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt. The cookie was just as phenomenal as the performance. I love a sweet and salty dessert and this hit the spot. The cookie was melt in your mouth soft, and its base taste was complimented by the caramel drizzle and salt flakes.

    — Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

    Barbecue pork Khmer sandwich in Signal Hill. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
    Barbecue pork Khmer sandwich in Signal Hill. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

    Khmer Sandwich — Naga Cafe Khmer Street Food, Signal Hill

    This month, Long Beach celebrated Khmer New Year with its annual parade and festival, as well as other cultural celebrations. However, residents and visitors to the area don’t have to wait to enjoy delicious Cambodian cuisine. There are plenty of well-known and family-owned Cambodian restaurants in the Long Beach area. In Signal Hill, Naga Cafe Khmer Street Food is a staple for many locals.

    Offering different street food options, such as skewers and noodle bowls, one of the signature items is the barbecue pork Khmer sandwich. The sandwich comes on a freshly baked baguette with their pickled green papaya and carrots, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeños and homestyle spread — giving it a fresh taste, perfect for a beach day. While the barbecue pork brings a crunchy, sweet flavor to each bite, there are offer different meat choices such as beef skewers, crispy fried chicken, shrimp and twako — Khmer sausage.

    — Christina Merino, Local Reporter

    Gazpacho is a seasonal favorite at Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro in Riverside. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
    Gazpacho is a seasonal favorite at Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro in Riverside. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Gazpacho — Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro, Riverside

    It’s gazpacho season at Simple Simon’s, a popular sandwich shop on Riverside’s Main Street Pedestrian Mall. This simple cold soup with a tomato base and chunky vegetables would be refreshing any time of year, but it’s particularly nice when the weather starts to warm up.

    If I’m hungry, I like it with a half roast beef sandwich, but with just a slice of sourdough and butter it makes a nice meal.

    — Fielding Buck, Features Reporter

    Ciccio Pizza from Truly Pizza in Dana Point (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)
    Ciccio Pizza from Truly Pizza in Dana Point (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)

    Ciccio Pizza — Truly Pizza, Dana Point

    For years I have read OC restaurant reporter Brock Keeling’s articles about Truly Pizza in Dana Point. He makes each slice sound more delectable then the next, so when I saw that it was one of the pizzerias featured on the first day of Pizza City Fest this year, I knew I had to try it. Truly quite possibly had the longest line of the day, but it was absolutely worth the wait. When they say this is a “super-thin” slice, they mean it. It’s possible that it’s as thick as a piece of construction paper if I’m being honest, but it works. The tomato eggplant sauce is the star of the show, packed with flavor and unlike anything I’ve ever had before. The dollop of grande stracciatella on top perfectly compliments the slice, making it one of the most memorable bites I had that day, and leaving me craving it again in the days that followed.

    — Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

    Le Hut Dinette's pork belly chop. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    Le Hut Dinette’s pork belly chop. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Pork belly chop — Le Hut Dinette, Santa Ana

    Executive chef Ryan Garlitos is doing standout work at Le Hut Dinette, turning out dialed-in American diner staples with Mexican and Filipino flavors, dishes that keep me barreling up the 5. Case in point: his pork belly chop. A Kurobuta pork belly gets roasted on the bone, finished over binchotan charcoal, then sliced and fanned. The piquant dish is lacquered with strawberry-guajillo barbecue sauce, while a punchy coleslaw with Fresno chile vinaigrette rounds things out. Deeply succulent and layered with flavor. And, if I may, for dessert, order the ice cream float topped with Orange Fanta.

    — Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

    • Gluten sensitive pasta alfredo from The Old Spaghetti Factory in...

      Gluten sensitive pasta alfredo from The Old Spaghetti Factory in Duarte. (Teagan Davidge, SCNG)

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    Gluten sensitive pasta alfredo from The Old Spaghetti Factory in Duarte. (Teagan Davidge, SCNG)

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    Pasta Alfredo and house salad with creamy pesto dressing — The Old Spaghetti Factory, Duarte

    This was my first time at The Old Spaghetti Factory and it did not disappoint. I opted for a starter salad with a creamy pesto dressing. At first, I was nervous the dressing would be too overpowering because of its presentation. But it ended up being delightfully garlicky and fresh, which was a pleasant surprise and exactly what I was looking for during an afternoon work lunch. I also appreciated the consistency of the pesto since I prefer a thicker dressing. The actual contents of the salad were nothing to rave about, and I will note the lack of a gluten-free crouton option. However, I’d order the same salad again just for the dressing.As a gluten-free girl myself, its rare to find a safe restaurant to enjoy pasta at, not to mention a pasta that is absolutely delicious. The pasta alfredo was warm, cheesy and definitely hit the spot. I was also impressed with the quality of the pasta and how well it stayed together, since I often find gluten-free options tend to disintegrate on the plate most of the time. It’s one thing for a restaurant to have gluten-free options available, but its a whole other thing to have them actually taste good. Because I loved my salad so much, I couldn’t finish the alfredo, but I was really happy to have leftovers to bring home. Despite being classic items at an Italian restaurant, I think its important to nail the basics, and I can safely say these dishes did just that.

    — Teagan Davidge, Audience Engagement Producer

    Bardega's banana pudding. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    Bardega’s banana pudding. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Banana pudding — Bardega, Laguna Hills

    One of my standing (and unfair) grievances with banana pudding is the banana itself — specifically, the slices. The texture doesn’t land, somewhere in that avocado-without-contrast zone. Which is why Bardega’s version works so well. This one leans heavily on banana custard with just enough actual fruit to carry the flavor, then a generous ruffle of whipped cream on top with a generous vein of salted almond crumble in between. The result lands closer to a loose, banana-forward cheesecake. A welcome, delightful iteration of a classic.

    — Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

    BLTA from Chef Tanya's Kitchen in Palm Springs. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)
    BLTA from Chef Tanya’s Kitchen in Palm Springs. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)

    BLTA — Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, Palm Springs

    You know how sometimes you’re just craving good food. Like food that not only tastes good, but makes you feel good after? That’s how I felt when it was finally time to leave Palm Desert after spending two weeks out there covering my first “Bothchella” aka back-to-back Coachella. The BLTA absolutely hit the spot. Smoky tofu takes the place of bacon with lettuce, avocado, tomato and mayo. I also opted to add the “Crack Cheese,” which texture wise was not at all what I was expecting because it resembled more of a hummus, but flavor wise was absolutely the right call. This might have to become my new tradition leaving the festival before making the 3-hour journey back to Los Angeles, especially if you’re trying to avoid traffic and sitting in your car for an additional two hours.

    — Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

    Date shakes are a specialty at Shields Date Garden in Indio. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
    Date shakes are a specialty at Shields Date Garden in Indio. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Date Shake — Shields Date Garden, Indio

    When I’m going to the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, I like to stop at Shields Date Garden near the festival grounds.

    This 102-year-old tourist attraction is known for its locally grown date products, especially its date milkshakes, which are a specialty. Shields makes them with its own date crystals, so they’re naturally sweet. They’re really thick, so your straw might not do you much good.

    Shakes cost around $9.50, and you can buy an extra cup if you want to share.

    Even better is the fresh-squeezed orange juice for about $5.25. It might sell out, especially during festival season.

    — Fielding Buck, Features Reporter

    Pistachio Caramel Pastry from Chaupain Bakery. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)
    Pistachio Caramel Pastry from Chaupain Bakery. (Carolyn Burt, SCNG)

    Pistachio Caramel Pastry — Chaupain Bakery, VillageFest in Palm Springs and Laguna Hills

    The day before weekend two of Coachella, our team found ourselves 30 minutes away in Palm Springs for dinner. What we didn’t realize until we arrived was that this also happened to be when VillageFest, the weekly night market, takes place. One of my friends recommended that on our way out we stop by the Chaupain booth to try the Pistachio Caramel Pastry. We got one to split among the group after we returned back to our home base for the weekend. Every single person who tried it was in complete awe of how good this was. A croissant, stuffed with pistachio filling, layered with a caramel sauce and pistachio dust. Even as I’m describing it I don’t think I’m doing it justice for how mindblowing this pastry was. In addition to being a part of VillageFest, Chaupin also has an official location in Laguna Hills.

    — 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 March

    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

    ​ Orange County Register 

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