9 Best Restaurants in The Inland Empire, California

You won't leave hungry from this country-western diner, popular with locals for its family-style seven-course dinners. Perennial favorites include the Annie deluxe burger and the beefeater melt. The decor is comfortable and rustic; Western memorabilia hangs on the walls alongside pictures of cowboys, trail wagons, and outlaws.

This dockside eatery, steps from where the Lake Arrowhead Queen departs on lake excursions, is quaint and homey, with country decor and beautiful water views. Dive into a mud-pie Belgian waffle with chocolate fudge sauce or try a Belgian s'more with a marshmallow-and-chocolate sauce; burgers, pulled-pork sandwiches, tuna melts, chili, chicken dishes, and salads are among the other fare. All go well with the microbrews or a Belgian beer.

The sinfully innovative concoctions at this local ice-cream shop include mint Oreo, blueberry-cheesecake, and the Elvis special with bananas and peanut butter. The vanilla's delightful, too.

At this no-frills storefront restaurant, it's best to order family style so that everyone gets a taste of the many Nepalese and Indian delicacies that are offered. Favorites include the spicy mo-mo (pot stickers), daal (green lentils), lamb and shrimp-curry vindaloo, fish and chicken masala, and clay-oven-roasted tandoori meats and seafood. The aromatic teas and lemonades provide a perky contrast to your meal's savory flavors.

After surviving three major setbacks (a fire, the pandemic, and mudslides) this family-owned restaurant, a traditional steak house with a modern twist, is now one of the best eateries in town. Classic American dishes have a Southwest-meets-Californian influence, as evidenced by the cowboy burger, steak house asada tacos, lobster mac and cheese, and salmon with honey-ginger carrots. Among the 10 “handhelds” is the top-seller “OG Burger” with your choice of shoestring or hand-cut fries or a side of onion rings. This upscale saloon draws a crowd for the all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas.

A low-key gastropub inside a restored 1950s home, this Old Town spot with a sunlit patio hosts live music on weekends. A roasted 16-ounce New York steak over mashed potatoes satisfies carnivores; and the mixed arugula and quinoa with roasted red beet and goat cheese is a hit with those seeking more healthful fare. Craft beers by innovative Southern California breweries Lost Abbey and The Bruery are among the selections on tap.

Expect to wait in line at this little sandwich spot on the pedestrian-only shopping strip outside the Mission Inn. At lunchtime, salads, soups, and sandwiches on house-baked breads are served (sandwich standouts include the chicken-apple sausage and the roast lamb topped with baba ghanoush); pastries, eggs various ways, and French toast are breakfast highlights.

A swooping yellow neon arrow points the way to this boisterous family eatery, open since 1945. The restaurant has been in the same location since 1984, and claims to serve more than 25,000 miles of spaghetti every year. The menu is limited, but the execution is reliable. The penne-like mostaccioli with meat sauce and the meatball sandwiches are excellent choices. Gluten-free pasta and bread are also available.

This café and cider-tasting room is about as charming as it gets, with a wraparound porch, rocking chairs, and views of Wilshire Peak. In winter, cozy up by the fire with a hot caramel apple latte, or linger longer for wood-fired pizza topped with pulled pork, apple slices, and mozzarella. Other eats include quiche, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The “Shed” is also home to the Mercantile gift shop and the Oak Glen Tobacconist where you can light up the night.