The Best Menifee Restaurants: A Culinary Renaissance in the Inland Empire
Savage Chef
By Mei Chen | Feb. 17, 2025
I've been eating my way through Menifee for years, and let me tell you, this once-sleepy suburb has undergone a gastronomic awakening that would make even the most jaded food critic sit up and take notice. Menifee's got enough culinary cred these days to keep even the most discerning palates satisfied. So buckle up, food lovers – we're about to embark on a tasty tour of Menifee's finest eateries.
1. Savage Chef Bar and Grill
30145 Antelope Rd | Website | Instagram
Nestled in the heart of Menifee Town Center, Savage Chef is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you've accidentally wandered into a trendy LA bistro. Chef Dylan Soro's menu is a clever balancing act of comfort food classics and health-conscious fare. The "meal prep" options are a godsend for fitness buffs and busy professionals who want to eat well without sacrificing flavor. Pro tip: their cauliflower wings are so good, you might forget you're eating a vegetable.
2. Lady R Bistro
27192 Sun City Blvd | Website | Instagram
Lady R Bistro is where things get classy in Menifee, with chef Rosie O'Connor crafting dishes that are works of art. The atmosphere is perfect for date-night, girls' night out, or just the start of a weekend. The pasta fioro is the dish to get: housemade pappardelle in a creamy garlic wine sauce with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes. Lady R has live music, comedy, and happy hour to keep the regulars coming back.
3. Michi Tacos
30141 Antelope Rd | Website | Instagram
New kid on the block Michi Tacos has quickly become Menifee's worst-kept secret. Their birria tacos, imported from their successful Lake Elsinore location, are a masterclass in Mexican street food. The consommé is rich enough to make you consider drinking it straight, and the tacos themselves are so perfectly crispy, they make a satisfying crunch with every bite. If you’re not feeling tacos, try the ramen, a marriage of the birria tacos and noods. Just be prepared for a line – word travels fast in Menifee when tacos this good are involved.
4. Casa Jimenez
26862 Cherry Hills Blvd | Website | Instagram
In a town where great Mexican restaurants are as common as palm trees, Casa Jimenez stands out like a sombrero in a sea of baseball caps. This family-owned gem serves up what they modestly call the "Finest Mexican Food in Town," and after one bite of their chile rellenos, you'll be hard-pressed to argue. The warm hospitality makes every visit feel like a fiesta, even if you're just grabbing a quick lunch on a Tuesday.
5. Joyful Noise
26924 Cherry Hills Blvd | Website | Instagram
Run by the enterprising Crunk family, Joyful Noise Coffee & Ice Cream in the Cherry Hills Plaza serves up artisanal coffee that would make a Seattle barista weep with joy. The hand-scooped ice cream is the perfect antidote to Menifee's scorching summers. My personal favorite? The lavender honey latte paired with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.
6. Tacos and Tequila
27301 Newport Rd | Website | Instagram
If Michi Tacos is Menifee's taco truck turned brick-and-mortar, Tacos and Tequila Grill & Cantina is its sophisticated older sibling. This newly opened cantina is raising the bar for Mexican cuisine in the Inland Empire. The hand-crafted cocktails are dangerously good, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it all too easy to while away an entire evening. Don't miss the ribeye aguachile – it's a flavor explosion that'll have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about Mexican food.
7. Breakfast Club of Menifee
30076 Haun Rd | Website | Instagram
If there's one thing Menifee does well, it's breakfast, and the aptly named Breakfast Club is leading the charge. Since opening in 2019, they've been racking up local accolades faster than you can say "over easy." The house-made corned beef hash is the stuff of legend, and the gluten-free pancakes are so fluffy, you'll swear they're held up by tiny, invisible springs. Fair warning: the weekend wait can be brutal, but trust me, it's worth it once you’re sitting down with the egg-and-bacon-topped Hangover Burger in front of you.
8. Hana Sushi
30098 Haun Rd | Website | Instagram
For sushi lovers, Hana is our very own slice of raw fish heaven. The sashimi is fresh enough to make you forget you're 60 miles from the ocean, and their creative rolls would make even the most traditional sushi chef nod in approval. The Amber and Mexican rolls are local favorites, but it's the popcorn lobster roll that keeps me coming back. It's a perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and umami that somehow manages to improve on perfection.
9. Bushfire Kitchen
30080 Haun Rd | Website | Instagram
Sure, Bushfire Kitchen is a mini chain, but it’s also upping the game for fast, healthy, casual options in the Inland Empire. They source local produce and use "premium-grade, humanely-raised proteins." The En Fuego Burger lives up to its fiery name, and the globally-inspired menu has something for everyone, plus a fireplace on the patio giving the feel that you are dining in wine country.
10. Giovanni's
26900 Newport Rd | Website | Instagram
Locals swear by Giovanni's Pizza, Pasta, Ribs, & More as the best pizza joint in town, and after "research" visits, I'm inclined to agree. But don't stop at the pies – the meatball sandwich is a handheld masterpiece, and the cannoli would make a Sicilian nonna weep with joy. The cozy indoor dining area occasionally features live music, adding a dash of dolce vita to your meal. It's as close as you'll get to Italy without leaving Menifee city limits.
11. Carnita's Express
26900 Newport Rd | Website | Instagram
When the craving for Mexican food hits (which, let's face it, is pretty much daily in Southern California), Carnita's Express delivers. The massive Matador burrito that really steals the show – it's less a meal and more a dare wrapped in a tortilla. And with breakfast served all day, it's my go-to spot for a menudo fix.
12. Sweet Daze Donut & Boba
26900 Newport Rd | Website | Instagram
This mom-and-pop shop is a testament to Menifee's increasingly diverse donut options (see also Donut Star and Jacky's Donut Hut). Offering everything from classic donuts to coffee and boba, Sweet Daze is a one-stop shop for all things sweet and caffeinated, along with sandwiches and lighter dishes too. It's the kind of place that makes you grateful for elastic waistbands and the fact that calories don't count when consumed before noon (that's a rule, right?).
13. Mi Pueblo Mexican Food
26100 Newport Rd | Instagram
Mi Pueblo is that dependable Mexican joint that’ll never let you down when you’re craving simple, authentic Mexican dishes. They also do catering, with options like a taco or fajita bar. It's not the fanciest place, but it is hard to beat for a quick lunch.
14. Yellow Basket
29966 Haun Rd | Website | Instagram
A mini-chain that’s still a Menifee staple, Yellow Basket serves up comfort food that hits the spot every time. The berry-covered pancakes are a sweet start to a Sunday morning, and the extensive menu ensures there's something for everyone. It's my go-to spot for a satisfying, no-frills meal when I can't be bothered to put on real pants. The fact that they don't judge me for ordering a side of onion rings and fries is just a bonus.
