Prospector Ranch’s Handpicked List of: 11 Great Places to Eat in SoCal!
Photo by Natalia Radcliffe
~ Natalia Radcliffe ~ Part of any great vacation or getaway is eating good food! Having delicious things to munch on can help lift your mood, something we all want to achieve when we’re taking some time for ourselves.
We want you to have the best possible experience when staying at one of our Airbnb’s at Prospector Ranch, so we’ve curated a list of restaurants we think are worth checking out when you visit us. Best of all, whether you want to relax near the beach or explore the Westlake area, you don’t have to drive far to find these places!
The Reel Inn
The Reel Inn is a delicious little place off of the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. They offer a variety of fish dishes from scallops and fried calamari, to fish tacos and clam chowder. The beach-shack decor gives a rustic, marine feel to the place, fitting right in with its cuisine.
Malibu Cafe
Located at Calamigos Ranch, this upscale restaurant has lush, green grass, and clear, serene ponds for a gorgeous view while you enjoy your meal. The restaurant offers a variety of American food items, such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads. They also have a bar that offers drinks to choose from. It’s grown to be a fancy place over years, a popular spot for many celebrities. It’s dog friendly, so your furry family members are welcome!
Malibu Farm Restaurant
This place is located right on the Malibu pier and overlooks the vast Pacific Ocean. It has both a restaurant and cafe. The restaurant is located at the start of the pier. It has table service, a full bar, and accepts dinner reservations. The cafe is located at the end of the pier and has counter service and beer and wine options. It’s first come, first serve. The dishes for both places are a variety of seafood and other American cuisine options.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier offers a variety of not only fun things to do and see, but also delicious food to try. Whether you want to munch on snacks, sip on something sweet, or sit down for a meal, they have everything and all in between. Not to mention all of this is on the pier overlooking the sapphire blue ocean. What more could you want?
Saddle Peak Lodge
Located in Calabasas, it has a grand, rustic feel. In its rich history, the restaurant has been a hunting lodge, roadhouse, and Pony Express stop before becoming what it is today. It has both a sit-down dining area, and a bar, as well as an exclusive whiskey room on the top floor, where you are able to enjoy a curated experience with a knowledgable host, privy to a wide selection of different whiskeys, ranging from new to classic.
The Old Place
If you’ve heard of Cornell Wineries, The Old Place is right next door. They serve delicious food, having options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They cook their meat over an open flame and have a limited supply of fresh meat per day, as they don’t use a freezer. What could be better than a good wine tasting and a delicious meal afterwards?
Andria’s (fish and chips)
If you’re in the mood for some classic fish and chips, you have to check them out. One of the best fish and chips places in SoCal, it’s located at the Ventura Harbor Village. Overlooking the ocean, you feel a nice, refreshing breeze while you eat outside under the warm sun. Trust us: once you try their fish and chips, you won’t want to go anywhere else for your hankering.
The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood
This restaurant is also located in the Ventura Harbor Village. It offers authentic Greek and Mediterranean food, with beautiful views of the harbor. You can either sit inside or outside on their patio. They have a happy hour from 3-6 pm, where you can enjoy food to snack on and drinks to sip on at their bar or out on the patio.
These next four places are all located in Westlake village. If you’re in town and want to grab a bite to eat, we highly recommend checking out one of these places.
Sushi Planet
If you have a craving for Japanese cuisine, look no farther than Sushi Planet. They have some of the best Japanese dishes in the area, with an assortment of spicy and milder items to choose from.
Casa Nostra
Want good Italian food? Near Westlake Village? Then you’ve got to try Casa Nostra. They have many delicious classic Italian meals, made with fresh ingredients, often using local produce. Feeling hungry already!
Julio’s
Delicious Mexican food in Westlake Village? Check.
Excellent happy hour? Check.
What more do you need? Did we mention there’s also live music in the Lounge on Saturday evenings from 6-9 pm? If you want good Mexican food, this is the place. They offer indoor and patio seating, and offer a variety of fresh seafood, prime steak, and local produce in their meals.
Mediterraneo
Stepping into the restaurant, You’re not in Westlake Village any longer. Instead, you’re transported back into Southern Europe, the decor and architecture inspired by an open-air Villa in the Mediterranean. They offer a blend of well-loved California dishes, Italian cuisine, and Mediterranean meals. They are open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and serve lunch and dinner 7 days a week. The Stonehause is right next door, if you want to continue your culinary adventure with some wine tasting and more delicious food to snack on while you sip your drink.
Thumbnail: Background picture by congerdesign on Pixabay.com
