Chef Michael Beckman—formerly of renowned Berlin restaurant Vitrum—serves up hip farm-to-table cuisine amid austere concrete environs. Best of all, the kitchen stays open after midnight, perfect for late arrivals.

A favorite of late great master of French cooking Julia Child, this unassuming taco stand is casual to a fault and inspires hour-long lines at peak hours. Don't miss the Super-Rica Especial, a combination of seasoned pork and roasted Pasilla chilies.

Set inside a stagecoach post that dates to 1865, this rustic restaurant serves historic American dishes in the heart of the Santa Barbara forest. Operated for more than 100 years as a tavern, the Cold Spring Tavern is a step back in time.

With a menu built around sharable platters like pastrami crusted beef ribeye and whole grilled branzino, The Lark is perfect for large groups. Feel like sharing the fun with the kitchen staff? The menu includes an option to purchase a six-pack for the chefs.

Tucked away in what feels like an office park is one of Southern California's finest pizzerias. Made with handmade ingredients and an 800-degree wood-fired oven, Pizzeria Ortica's pies are the brainchild of chef David Myers, who previously spent years working for legendary chefs Charlie Trotter and Daniel Boulud.

Originally intended as a six-month pop-up, it seems that the Malibu Farm Cafe is here to stay, occupying the former Ruby's space at the end of Malibu Pier. Opened by organic farmer Helene Henderson, the cafe currently serves breakfast and lunch, but plans to expand to dinner soon.