Salmon at The Restaurant at Leoness, Photo courtesy of Visit Temecula Valley
Located just an hour from San Diego, California’s Temecula Valley is making a name for itself as a destination-worthy wine region, not only for its vast selection of wine, but also for its charming inns, welcoming wineries, and up-and-coming culinary scene. From farm-to-table fare to seafood and creative comfort food made from scratch, these 15 Temecula restaurants offer an alternative way to taste your way through this burgeoning wine region.
Built on the foundation that food should be honest, healthy, and created with integrity, The Goat & Vine is dedicated to making all sauces, dressings, breads, and doughs from scratch daily, so the dishes taste as fresh as possible. From inventive salads and delectable pizzas to a variety of housemade meatball dishes, The Goat & Vine knows how to do elevated comfort food right.
Insider Tip
It’s not uncommon to have to wait for a table at this popular eatery, but if you’re up for a more convivial dining experience, sit at the bar or at one of the community tables, and you’ll likely cut your wait time dramatically.
41923 2nd Street Suite 103, Temecula, CA 92590, (951) 695-5600
Photos courtesy of Small Barn
Situated in a historic building in downtown Temecula, Small Barn is a modern bistro with a deep connection to the region’s vineyards. As vintners themselves, the owners bring a unique understanding of flavor pairing, both on the plate and in the glass. Stop by to savor dishes like pan-roasted chicken with foraged mushrooms, or the globally-inspired hamachi crudo and harissa-rubbed hanger steak, all crafted with locally-sourced ingredients that reflect the essence of Temecula.
Insider Tip
Small Barn pulls together a particularly delicious brunch every week, served Friday through Sunday. You’ll find several regular menu items alongside specialties like croque madame, farm quiche, and ube french toast.
28535 Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590, (951) 225-2820
Extraordinary Artisan Table, a.k.a. E.A.T. Marketplace, is a family owned and operated establishment featuring craft beer, wine, a smoothie and coffee bar, and a market featuring artisanal provisions from local and regional farms. With a focus on food that tastes great but is good for you too, E.A.T. Marketplace offers plenty of healthy eats—including vegan and gluten-free options—whether you decide to dine inside the bright open space or take your food to go.
Insider Tip
Whether you choose to eat meat or prefer to stick to plant-based foods, E.A.T. Marketplace offers several vegan and vegetarian options including a plant based breakfast burrito and the vegan ecoculture with Just Egg and Thrilling Bakon.
28410 Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590
Located at Miramonte Winery, The Flower Hill Bistro offers a menu of tasty eats enjoyed in a classic Wine Country ambiance. Featuring fresh ingredients and food made from scratch, the menu includes a variety of small plates meant for sharing, hearty salads, and several mouthwatering flatbreads made in-house daily.
Insider Tip
Continue your tour of Miramonte’s wines while pairing them with Flower Hill Bistro menu items like Oaxacan honey and pepperoni flatbread or their mushroom patty melt.
33410 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 506-5500
1909 is a tribute to the historic Machado building in Old Town Temecula, which was once home to a trading post, auto shop, and, most notably, The Longbranch Saloon—a bar known for being the roughest, rowdiest place in town. While you can still find several bullet holes in the ceiling, 1909 is a welcoming place offering handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, and elevated pub food served in a lively, industrial setting.
Insider Tip
Don’t miss the Bison Burger with smoked applewood bacon, best enjoyed from the large patio while savoring the region’s characteristic warm weather. Wash it down with a classic Bloody Mary (also served with bacon), and we can guarantee you’ll leave feeling happy and satisfied.
28656 Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590, (951) 252-1909
Family owned and operated Bushfire Kitchen is all about serving delicious and healthy food at an affordable price. Utilizing local and organic ingredients, everything on the menu is freshly made and prepared to ensure quality and freshness. Without the use of preservatives or unnatural ingredients, Bushfire Kitchen makes sure you don’t have to compromise on flavor to enjoy delicious, nutritious food.
Insider Tip
Most of the menu items are gluten-free and the restaurant is happy to cater to specialty diets whenever possible, making it an easy place to dine at if you or a loved one is on a strict diet.
40665 Winchester Road, Suite #B1, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 296-0190
Winner of USA Today’s 10Best Wine Country Restaurants and ranked #1 Best Restaurant of the Inland Empire for four consecutive years, The Restaurant at Leoness is a favorite amongst foodies and those looking for a special al fresco dining experience. From seafood and pasta to prime cuts of filet, the French-style food is driven by the seasons and designed to pair with Leoness Cellars’ wide assortment of wines.
Insider Tip
Leoness Cellars is open daily for tastings and tours, so if you plan it right, try to arrive early to enjoy a tasting overlooking the valley before heading to your table for dinner.
3811 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592, (951) 302-7601
Corkfire Kitchen offers rustic, farm-to-table American fare with an emphasis on local, foraged, and organic ingredients. The restaurant is part of the Temecula Creek Inn, a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Winner for Top 25 Hotels in Southern California 2017, so whether you come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can expect the same great service and hospitable vibe the Inn is known for.
Insider Tip
The restaurant overlooks the Inn’s 27-hole championship golf course, so you may just want to grab an early breakfast of lemon ricotta pancakes or Canadian bacon benedict before heading out to play a round.
44501 Rainbow Canyon Road, Temecula, CA 92592, (888) 976-3404
The Restaurant at Ponte is dedicated to Mediterranean-inspired Wine Country cuisine using locally sourced and natural ingredients. Open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday through Sunday, you’ll love the restaurant’s laid-back, romantic ambiance and large outdoor patio — a perfect place to enjoy live music on the weekends while taking in the surrounding vineyard views.
Insider Tip
The Restaurant at Ponte is part of the 90-room boutique hotel, The Ponte Inn, known for its relaxing vibe and destination-worthy amenities, like the semi-Olympic sized pool, poolside bar, and elegant rooms overlooking the gardens and vineyards.
35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 252-1770
Located in Old Town Temecula, this casual eatery serves up innovative pub food in a restored home from the 1950s. The farm-to-table fare rotates seasonally to reflect what’s in season, and the salads, burgers, sandwiches, and desserts will win you over with their delicious flavors and cheeky menu names. A full bar, patio seating, and live music on the weekends add to the overall appeal of Public House.
Insider Tip
While the house burger is one to write home about, guests love the fried brussel sprouts, served with bleu cheese, balsamic reduction, and wine-soaked cranberries.
41971 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590, (951) 491-1772
Experience a little slice of Italy with a visit to Gourmet Italia, an intimate Italian restaurant in Temecula owned by Restaurateur Alessandro Prestifilippo, who moved from Sicily in 1988. Gourmet Italia prides itself on its vast and reasonable selection of food, friendly staff, and authentic details. The welcoming, romantic vibe only adds to the whole experience.
Insider Tip
Gourmet Italia’s Wine Room and Lounge caters to those looking for a more casual evening, with small bites and wine from the restaurant’s Poggio Leano label.
27499 Ynez Road, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 676-9194
Photos courtesy of Pinnacle Restaurant
Perched high above the Temecula Valley, Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery offers incredible views of the area’s rolling hills and vineyards. Open for lunch daily, the restaurant includes both indoor and outdoor seating from which to enjoy the delicious Mediterranean/American cuisine.
Insider Tip
For a more unique dining experience, the VIP “Wine Cave” barrel room below the restaurant can be rented out for groups up to 20 people.
40620 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 676-8231
Located inside the Pechanga Resort and Casino, The Great Oak Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience where high quality steaks, seafood, and side dishes can be enjoyed in an elegant atmosphere. To elevate your meal, be sure to order wine from the expansive wine list — a list that has earned the restaurant recognition from both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.
Insider Tip
You’ll have to pass through the casino to get to the restaurant, so try your luck at one of the 3,800 slot machines or 154 table games before or after dinner. After all, Pechanga has the largest casino floor in all of California.
45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592, (951) 770-8507
Situated in the heart of Old Town Temecula, The Gambling Cowboy serves up classic steakhouse items in an eclectic, western-themed atmosphere. Offering only the highest quality, aged, Midwestern corn-fed beef and a wine list that showcases many local wines, The Gambling Cowboy makes for a great place to dine out in Temecula.
Insider Tip
The Gambling Cowboy is all about prime cuts of beef hearty enough for the hungriest of cowboys, like the house favorite: a 24-ounce Certified Angus bone-in Ribeye known as The Gambler, served with homemade garlic mashed potatoes or Cowboy potatoes, signature roasted corn, and seasonal vegetables.
42072 5th Street, Temecula, CA 92590, (951) 699-2895
Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar may be one of 11 restaurants at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, but Umi, which means ‘sea’ in Japanese, stands out for its creative menu, good service, and attention to detail. From traditional sushi and sashimi to oysters on the half shell and innovative rolls, expect quality seafood prepared with precision.
Insider Tip
The menu is predominantly seafood-based, but even the non-seafood items are sure to please, like their beef skewers with pickled shallots and wasabi cream sauce, or the pork belly with napa cabbage, pea shoots, fried gobo, and soy jus. If you do love seafood, though, the Chilled Seafood platter for two is sure to impress, complete with jumbo shrimp, oysters, spicy scallops, spicy tuna poke, and king crab legs.
45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592, (951) 770-8504
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