37 restaurants in California rank among the best in the US, Yelp says. Where are they?

Yelp released its top restaurants for the year, and 37 places across California made the list.

The restaurants range from fast-casual to fine dining, so there’s something for every hungry diner.

The list, “Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2025,” was released Feb. 12 and features eateries in big and small cities.

Diners also have plenty of cuisines to choose from, including Middle Eastern, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Argentinian and more.

One California restaurant even landed the No. 1 spot on the list.

To create the list, Yelp said it received user submissions from across the country. The website studied reviews and ratings that customers left for the restaurants before Yelp workers narrowed down the most beloved places.

Holbox, which took the top spot, is a Mexican seafood restaurant inside a food court in Los Angeles. The unique counter-service spot was awarded one Michelin star for its “spectacular quality seafood.”

These 37 California restaurants were recognized by Yelp:

• 1. Holbox — Los Angeles
  
  
• 4. Phonomenal — National City
  
  
• 6. Wally’s Cafe — Rocklin
  
  
• 8. The Good Salad — Santa Clara
  
  
• 11. Shlap Muan Wings — Long Beach
  
  
• 12. Sierra Subs and Salads — Three Rivers
  
  
• 14. Beyer Deli — San Diego
  
  
• 15. Berry Brand — Tustin
  
  
• 18. West Coast Cheesesteaks — Glendora
  
  
• 21. Guy’s For Lunch — Roseville
  
  
• 23. Sunbliss Cafe — Anaheim
  
  
• 26. Shawarma Guys — La Mesa
  
  
• 27. Tai He Ju — El Monte
  
  
• 29. Mazra — Redwood City
  
  
• 31. GONZO! Ramen — Carlsbad
  
  
• 33. Big Jim’s Roast Beef — San Diego
  
  
• 36. Pastosa By Lucia — Galt
  
  
• 37. Baba Kabob — San Diego
  
  
• 39. Genova Bakery — Stockton
  
  
• 40. Much Ado About Pizza — Pleasanton
  
  
• 42. Lord Empanada — Monrovia
  
  
• 45. Cardelli’s Italian Market Deli & Catering — Riverside
  
  
• 46. Rosemarie’s Burgers — San Diego
  
  
• 48. North Shore Plate Lunch

  —

  Norco
  
  
• 50. Heirloom — Fresno
  
  
• 57. West Coast Taco Bar — Elk Grove
  
  
• 63. Daddy Ji — Claremont
  
  
• 64. Chüyz Taco Shop — San Diego
  
  
• 70. La Copine — Yucca Valley
  
  
• 78. Saizon — Fresno
  
  
• 80. Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup — San Mateo
  
  
• 84. Single Fin Surf Grill — San Diego
  
  
• 91. Heritage Barbecue — San Juan Capistrano
  
  
• 92. Rintaro — San Francisco
  
  
• 93. Burma Superstar — San Francisco
  
  
• 94. Engawa Fusion — Sacramento
  
  
• 99. Pasta Moon — Half Moon Bay
  
  

This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM with the headline "37 restaurants in California rank among the best in the US, Yelp says. Where are they?."

Helena Wegner

McClatchy DC

Helena Wegner is a McClatchy National Real-Time Reporter covering the state of Washington and the western region. She’s a journalism graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She’s based in Phoenix.