Food & Drink

Where to Eat in Bakersfield

A living guide to 106 restaurants across Kern County — from century-old Basque dining halls to taco trucks, breweries and Tehachapi mountain favorites. Search by name, cuisine or neighborhood.

Cuisine
Neighborhood
Price

Showing 106 of 106 restaurants

2
American / Breakfast· $$

24th Street Cafe

Bakersfield's most popular breakfast. Cinnamon rolls, omelets, pancakes — expect a wait.

Downtown

B
American / Country· $$

Buck Owens' Crystal Palace

Steaks, country classics and live music in the legendary Buck Owens venue.

Westside

C
Cafe / Breakfast· $$

Cafe Smitten

Hip downtown cafe. Avocado toast, espresso, weekend brunch.

Westchester

H
American / Diner· $

Happy Jack's Pie 'N Burger

Tiny downtown counter for burgers and pies. A Bakersfield classic.

Downtown

L
Brewery / Pub· $$

Lengthwise Brewing Co.

Bakersfield's original craft brewery. Pizzas, wings, IPA flights.

Multiple

L
Italian· $$

Luigi's Delicatessen

A Bakersfield institution since 1910. Italian deli, antipasto, pasta, sandwiches.

Downtown

M
Italian· $$$

Mama Tosca's Ristorante Italiano

White-tablecloth Italian. Veal, fresh pasta, deep wine list.

Northwest

M
Mexican· $$

Mexicali Restaurant

Bakersfield Mexican-American classic since 1956. Combo plates, chile rellenos, full bar.

Westchester

M
American / Ice Cream· $$

Moo Creamery

Farm-to-table burgers and house-made ice cream from local dairy.

Downtown

N
Basque· $$

Noriega Hotel

James Beard America's Classic. Family-style Basque dinners served at long communal tables since 1893.

East Bakersfield

T
Brewery / Pub· $$

Temblor Brewing Company

Craft beer, brick-oven pizzas and a huge patio next to the Crystal Palace.

Westside

V
New American· $$$

Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar

Chef-driven seasonal menu and curated wines. Bakersfield's top fine-dining pick.

Southwest

W
Basque· $$

Wool Growers Restaurant

Multi-course Basque feasts: pickled tongue, oxtail, lamb stew, paella. A Kern County institution since 1954.

East Bakersfield

A
Mexican· $$

Acapulco Inn

Classic combo plates and house margaritas since the 1970s.

Westchester

A
Mexican· $$

Agave Azul

Modern Mexican with a deep tequila list, fajitas and weekend brunch.

Southwest

A
American / Diner· $

Arizona Cafe

Counter-service breakfast and burger spot.

Westside

B
Bakery· $

Bakery on Q

Tiny scratch bakery for cinnamon rolls, cookies and cakes.

Westchester

B
New American· $$$

Belvedere Room at The Padre

Padre Hotel's fine-dining room. Steaks, seafood, craft cocktails.

Downtown

B
Basque· $$

Benji's French Basque Restaurant

French-Basque cuisine with the traditional family-style setup plus à la carte options.

Downtown

B
Coffee· $

Big Mike's Coffee

Local Tehachapi coffee roaster and cafe.

Tehachapi

B
Chinese· $$

Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks

Old-school Bakersfield Cantonese-American since 1965.

Westchester

B
Mongolian / Asian· $$

BJ's Mongolian Barbecue

Pick-your-ingredients stir-fry grilled in front of you.

Westchester

C
Mediterranean / Italian· $$

Cafe Med

Mediterranean-Italian menu, weekend brunch and live entertainment.

Southwest

C
Coffee· $

Caffe Luna

Tiny indie coffee bar. Espresso done right.

Westchester

C
Mexican· $$

Casa Munoz

Downtown Mexican spot with weekend brunch.

Downtown

C
Steakhouse / Western· $$

Cattlemen's Saloon & Grill

Western-themed steaks, BBQ and ribs.

Tehachapi

C
Mexican / Deli· $

Cesar's Mexican Deli

Counter-service tortas, burritos and breakfast plates.

East Bakersfield

C
Basque· $$

Chalet Basque

Family-style Basque dining in a classic setting. Bring a hearty appetite.

Northwest

C
New American· $$

Chef Cassy's Catering Kitchen

Chef-driven lunch counter and catering kitchen.

Downtown

C
Chinese· $$

Chinatown Restaurant

Long-running Cantonese-American spot with combo plates.

Westchester

C
American / Diner· $

Cope's Diner

No-frills diner for omelets, biscuits and gravy, club sandwiches.

Westchester

C
Seafood· $$$

Cope's Fish House

Pacific seafood and chops in a polished room.

Southwest

C
American· $$

Crest Bar & Grill

Downtown bar and grill with patio seating.

Downtown

D
Coffee· $

Dagny's Coffee Co.

Independent downtown coffeehouse. Espresso, pastries, local art.

Downtown

D
Mexican· $$

Don Pepe's Mexican Restaurant

Family-owned Mexican-American chain with multiple Bakersfield locations. Strong margaritas, big plates.

Multiple

E
Buffet· $$

Eagle Mountain Casino Buffet

Buffet at the closest casino to Bakersfield.

Porterville

E
Mexican· $

El Mexicalito Cocina

Old Town Kern Mexican kitchen with mole and homemade tortillas.

East Bakersfield

E
Mexican· $

El Pollo Grill

Charcoal-grilled whole chicken, rice, beans, tortillas. Family-size plates to go.

Westchester

E
Mexican· $$

El Rincón Méxica

Regional Mexican specialties: birria, mole, fresh tortillas, weekend menudo.

Old Town Kern

E
New American· $$$

Elements Venue

Event-driven New American kitchen and bar.

Downtown

F
Mediterranean· $$

Flame & Skewers

Charcoal-grilled kebabs, shawarma, hummus plates.

Southwest

F
Bakery· $

Frugatti's Bakery

Cakes, breads and Italian pastries from Frugatti's.

Southwest

F
Italian· $$

Frugatti's Italian Eatery

Family-style Italian. Lasagna, wood-fired pizza, pasta and patio dining.

Southwest

G
Pizza / Italian· $$

Giovanni's Pizzeria

Brick-oven pizzas and pasta in northwest Bakersfield.

Northwest

G
Deli / Sandwich· $

Green Frog Market Deli

Local grocery deli loved for tri-tip sandwiches.

Multiple

G
Burgers· $$

Grub Burger Bar

Build-your-own burgers, milkshakes and craft beer.

Southwest

H
Mediterranean· $$

Habibi Cafe

Lebanese-style mezze, shawarma and kabobs.

Southwest

H
Chinese· $

Hong Kong Cafe

Old-school Cantonese diner. Chow mein, won ton soup.

Westside

H
Steakhouse· $$$

Houston's Steakhouse

Upscale steakhouse with prime cuts and martinis.

Southwest

I
Wine Bar· $$

Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant

Wine bar and bottle shop with a small bites menu.

Downtown

I
Italian / Deli· $

Italian Heritage Deli

Italian subs, cold cuts, imported groceries.

Westchester

J
Tex-Mex· $$

Jake's Original Tex Mex

Bakersfield Tex-Mex since 1989.

Westchester

J
Tex-Mex· $$

Jake's Tex Mex Original

Tex-Mex classics, frozen margaritas, sizzling fajitas.

Southwest

K
Japanese· $$

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant

Sushi, teppanyaki and a long sake list in a polished room.

Southwest

K
Brewery / Pub· $$

Kern River Brewing Company

Award-winning Kern Valley brewery, an hour up the canyon. Pints, pub food, river views.

Kernville

K
American / Diner· $

Knotty Pine Cafe

Old-school Oildale diner with biscuits & gravy and chicken-fried steak.

Oildale

K
Bakery / German· $

Kohnen's Country Bakery

German-American bakery in downtown Tehachapi. Bread, pretzels, pastries.

Tehachapi

L
Mexican / Seafood· $$

La Costa Mariscos

Mexican seafood: ceviche tostadas, shrimp cocktails, aguachile, whole fried fish.

East Bakersfield

L
Mexican· $$

Los 2 Amigos

Family-run Mexican kitchen. Combo plates, weekend menudo.

Westchester

L
Mexican· $

Los Hermanos

Classic Oildale taqueria and breakfast counter. Big burritos and chilaquiles.

Oildale

L
Mexican· $

Los Tacos de Huicho

Cult-favorite taco joint. Tripas, al pastor, suadero and salsas worth a drive.

East Bakersfield

M
Caribbean / Spanish· $$

Mama Roomba

Latin-Caribbean tapas, mojitos and live music in downtown Bakersfield.

Downtown

M
Mexican / Breakfast· $

Maria Bonita

Breakfast burritos, chilaquiles and menudo on weekends.

East Bakersfield

M
Mexican / Seafood· $

Mariscos El Chino (Truck)

Mexican seafood truck. Shrimp cocktails, fish tacos.

East Bakersfield

M
Mexican / Seafood· $$

Mariscos El Sinaloense

Sinaloa-style mariscos, ceviches and aguachile.

East Bakersfield

M
Mediterranean· $$

Mediterranean Grill

Greek and Middle Eastern plates: gyros, kabobs, falafel.

Westchester

M
Mexican· $$

Mexicali Rose

Sit-down Mexican kitchen with combo platters and house margaritas.

Northwest

M
American / Diner· $

Milt's Coffee Shop

Old-school 24-hour diner. Eggs, hash, friendly counter.

Westchester

M
American / Diner· $

Mossman's Cafe

Honest American breakfast and lunch. Big portions, friendly servers.

East Bakersfield

N
Basque· $$

Narducci's Cafe

Old-school Basque cafe and bar dating to 1944. Stewed beef tongue, garlic-roasted chicken, picon punch.

East Bakersfield

O
American / Bar· $$

On The Rocks

Downtown bar with shareable plates and craft cocktails.

Southwest

P
Coffee· $

Padre Coffee Bar

Espresso and pastries in the lobby of the historic Padre Hotel.

Downtown

P
Bakery / Mexican· $

Panaderia Mexicana

Traditional Mexican bakery: conchas, pan dulce, tres leches cakes.

East Bakersfield

P
Vietnamese· $

Pho Saigon

Big steaming bowls of pho, bun and vermicelli plates.

Westchester

P
Mediterranean· $$

Pita Kabob

Persian and Mediterranean kabobs with house pita.

Southwest

P
Bakery / Basque· $

Pyrenees Bakery

Wholesale-and-retail Basque sheepherder bread bakery since 1920.

East Bakersfield

P
Basque· $$

Pyrenees Cafe & Saloon

Historic Basque boarding house and saloon. Steak, lamb, pickled tongue and stiff drinks.

East Bakersfield

R
Vietnamese· $

Ray's Pho

Hearty pho, banh mi, vermicelli plates.

Westchester

R
Chinese / Asian· $

Rice Bowl

Stir-fries, fried rice, big lunch portions.

Multiple

R
American / Bar· $$

Rockin R's Bar & Grill

Oildale watering hole and grill.

Oildale

R
Italian· $$

Rosa's Italian Restaurant

Old-school red-sauce Italian. Pizza, lasagna, calzones.

Downtown

R
American· $$

Rusty's Grill

Family-friendly American grill.

Northwest

R
Pizza· $$

Rusty's Pizza Parlor

Family-friendly pizza chain. Salad bar, deep-dish, arcade.

Multiple

S
Vietnamese· $

Saigon Restaurant

Pho, banh mi, vermicelli plates.

Westchester

S
Pub / American· $$

Sandrini's Public House

Downtown gastropub. Big beer list, live music, late-night menu.

Downtown

S
Bakery· $

Smith's Bakeries

Bakersfield bakery chain since 1946. Doughnuts, cakes, classic pastries.

Multiple

S
Sushi / Japanese· $$

Sushi Don

Quality sushi and Japanese plates in east Bakersfield.

Southwest

T
Mexican / Food Truck· $

Tacos Don Pedro (Truck)

Late-night taco truck. Al pastor, cabeza, asada, salsas.

Multiple

T
Mexican· $

Tacos La Villa

Local taqueria chain. Carne asada, al pastor, lengua tacos and big burritos.

Multiple

T
Steakhouse· $$

Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse

Lake Tahoe-themed steakhouse with prime rib and signature toffee cake.

Southwest

T
Winery· $$

Tehachapi Winery

Mountain-grown wines and a tasting patio at 4,000 feet.

Tehachapi

T
Thai· $$

Thai House

Bakersfield Thai standby. Pad thai, curries, papaya salad.

Southwest

T
Thai· $$

Thai Thai Cuisine

Casual Thai with vegetarian options and lunch specials.

Westchester

T
American· $$

The Bistro

Northwest neighborhood bistro for lunch and dinner.

Downtown

T
French / Bakery· $$

The French Gourmet

French pastries, quiche, pâté and coffee in a cozy room.

Westchester

T
American· $$$

The Mark Restaurant Bar & Grill

Downtown steakhouse and lounge in a historic 1920s building.

Downtown

T
Cafe / American· $$

The Metro Galleries Cafe

Cafe inside the Metro Galleries downtown.

Downtown

T
Bar / American· $$

The Nile Theater Bar

Historic downtown bar attached to the Nile Theater.

Downtown

T
Greek· $$

The Salty Greek

Greek gyros, souvlaki, hummus and lamb plates in a casual room.

Southwest

T
Mexican· $

Tina Marie's Mexican Food

Oildale Mexican lunch counter. Burritos, tacos, enchiladas.

Oildale

T
Country / American· $$

Trout's & The Blackboard

Historic Oildale honky-tonk and grill. Live country music and burgers.

Oildale

U
Italian· $$

Uricchio's Trattoria

Downtown Italian classic. Pasta, veal, chicken parm and a deep wine list.

Downtown

V
Mexican· $$

Villa del Sol Mexican Grill

Sit-down Mexican with sizzling fajitas and patio seating.

Southwest

V
American· $$

Village Grill

Tehachapi mainstay for burgers, salads and weekend brunch.

Tehachapi

W
American· $$

Wiki's Wine Dive & Grill

Gastropub menu, big wine pours and craft cocktails in a relaxed setting.

Downtown

Z
American / Diner· $

Zingo's Cafe

24-hour diner. Classic breakfast all day, burgers, comfort food.

East Bakersfield