The 14 Best Restaurants in San Bernardino: A Local's Picks

By Mei Chen

San Bernardino isn’t just an I-10 pit stop; it’s a city with food worth sticking around for. Here’s where I go when I’m hungry in the Inland Empire.

The Mexico Cafe

1. The Mexico Cafe

This local favorite doesn’t mess around with its Mexican-American classics. The Mexico Cafe’s sizzling fajitas come piled high enough to feed an army—or just me on a Tuesday. It’s not fancy, but it’s authentic, and that’s the charm.

2. Spirit of Texas BBQ

For something smoky and unapologetically messy, Spirit of Texas delivers ribs and brisket with sauces that cling to your fingers and demand a pile of napkins. The sides, like the jalapeño cornbread, are almost as good as the meat itself.

3. Cafe Organix

Cafe Organix made me rethink plant-based food entirely. Their Soul Bowl, brimming with perfectly seasoned jackfruit and rice, made me forget I ever craved brisket. It’s also one of the most welcoming spots on Hospitality Lane, which I dare you to find without a GPS.

4. Mitla Cafe

A go-to spot for the hard-shell taco, this legendary restaurant on Mt. Vernon Avenue still serves food the same way it did when it opened in 1937. At Mitla, you’re not just eating here—you’re taking a bite out of history.

5. Baja King Fish Tacos

You haven’t truly experienced fish tacos until you’ve had them at Baja King. I usually eat in my car in their parking lot because, honestly, why mess with perfection?

6. Black Angus Steakhouse

Yes, it’s a chain, but hear me out: this spot on Hospitality Lane has mastered comfort food with steak that’s aged and grilled just right. Black Angus’ Campfire Feast for Two is a study in excess—a steakhouse sampler platter that demands stretchy pants and a good excuse not to share.

7. El Torito

A classic in California’s Mexican dining scene, El Torito serves up tableside guacamole so good you’ll reconsider whether you’ve been eating avocado wrong your whole life. Bonus: the margaritas pack a punch without feeling heavy-handed.

8. K-Mama BBQ

If you haven’t yet indulged in K-Mama’s Korean BBQ plates, you’re missing out. The beef galbi here feels like a love letter to your taste buds. It’s the kind of spot you casually recommend to friends, knowing it’ll blow their minds.

Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar San Bernardino

9. Claim Jumper

Also on Hospitality Lane, Claim Jumper Restaurant & Saloon leans into hearty, oversized dishes. If you order their six-layer chocolate cake, be ready to carry leftovers—and maybe rethink your sugar tolerance. It’s indulgence, pure and simple.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse San Bernardino

10. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

BJ’s is where you go for both pizza and pints. Their Pizookie—basically a hot skillet cookie—should come with a warning label, but you’ll dive in anyway. Plus, the on-site brewery makes it a great hangout for beer lovers.

Delhi Palace Cuisine of India San Bernardino

11. Delhi Palace

San Bernardino’s best-kept secret for Indian food, Delhi Palace’s butter chicken and garlic naan are worth every carb-induced nap that follows.

12. Alfredo’s Pizza & Pasta

Alfredo’s doesn’t need a slick menu or Instagrammable décor to pull you in; it’s the food that wins. The pizza crust walks that fine line between chewy and crispy, and the pastas come swimming in sauces you’ll want to mop up.

13. Miyagi Sushi

The sushi here is as fresh as anything you’ll find on the coast. Plus, Miyagi’s staff is so attentive, it feels like dining with family—if your family also served perfect sashimi.

14. Melting Cone

Who doesn’t love ice cream? At Melting Cone, the cookie butter milkshake nearly brought me to tears. They’ve got non-dairy options too, which means lactose-intolerant folks are in for a treat.

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