Restaurants worth the drive from Los Angeles

Time for a road trip – here are seven of the best restaurants worth the drive from Los Angeles

1. La Copine, Joshua Tree

La Copine is a special place. It’s really in the sticks, even by Joshua Tree standards, but that just adds to the magic of this restaurant. While it might look like a run-of-the-mill roadside diner as you approach it on the dusty road, get closer and you’ll see cute fairy lights, an outdoor terrace, and a welcoming interior. It’s the perfect place to hang out after you’ve explored Joshua Tree. The menu is ever-changing, but you’ll find brunch and lunch favourites that’ve been spruced up with fresh, exciting, creative ingredients.

La Copine translates to girlfriend in French, which is fitting for the couple that own it. The restaurant celebrates queerness and nonconformity – much needed in this conservative stronghold.

2. La Chêne, Santa Clarita

La Chêne has a long history. Nestled in the Santa Clarity Valley, surrounded by oak trees, this spot started out life as a gas station and expanded to become the Oaks Café. Clark Gable, among others, frequently visited the café, and it even featured in Spielberg’s cult classic feature-film debut, Duel. After several owners over the years, it finally became La Chêne – which translates to oak in French – in 1980.

People come for the Hollywood glitz, glam, and the notoriety, but they return for the exquisite food. A French restaurant might seem out of place in this cowboy town, but on the menu, you’ll find plenty of game meat, such as elk, buffalo, and boar, along with more conventional meats and classic French dishes. Wash down a creamy, mushroom sauce with one of the locally produced wines – La Chêne claim to have one of the finest wine lists in all California.

3. The Old Place, Cornell

If you want to get out of town, this is the ideal spot. Deep in the Topanga Canyon, the Old Place is certainly a far cry from Downtown LA. The restaurant is a Western-style lodge, which used to be the general store and post office. Among the verdant landscape the hills, you can take a deep breath, far from the LA smog. The fresh air is mingled with the scent of honest steakhouse-style meals being cooked on a wood-fired grill, a perfect match for the surroundings. This is one for the carnivores, but there is an oak-grilled four cheese sandwich that’ll draw in non-meat eaters. All things considered, it’s certainly worth the drive from Los Angeles.

4. Bell’s, Los Alamos

Have you ever heard of “Franch” cooking? Well, now you have – chef Daisy Ryan has combined French and California ranch cuisine to create a menu so good that people drive for hours for. Think classic favourites, like steak au poivre, but done extremely well. And in the Santa Barbara wine country, a tipple is only right – your server will recommend the perfect pairing of either a local or French wine. If you’re feeling fancy, opt for the dinnertime four-course taster menu for an unforgettable meal that’ll have you telling everyone you know about it.

5. Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano

Say goodbye to the superfoods of Los Angeles and say hello to the barbecued meats of Texas. Okay, you are still in California, but you could mistake this spot for the heritage smoke houses of Texas.

The massive outdoor smoke pits that they cook the meat on are truly impressive, creating a homely atmosphere that’s not dissimilar to being at a friends’ house for a barbecue. This hearty, wholesome meal is certainly worth the drive from Los Angeles – you won’t find brisket this tender within state lines, and the homemade jalapeno cheddar sausages are showstoppers. Don’t be put off by the queue of loyal regulars and in-the-know tourists, the line goes down quickly.

6. Bibi Ji, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is better known for its surfing culture and laidback lifestyle than its food scene. However, restaurants like Bibi Ji are changing that. Bright, bold Indian flavours meet local produce and fresh seafood to create something special. There are some excellent Indian restaurants in Los Angeles, but Bibi Ji is head and shoulders above them, executing a mix of innovative and traditional dishes with confidence. You’ll want to enjoy your meal on the sunny patio to get the full view of the cliff coastline. And, to top it all off, the natural wine list is curated by noted sommelier and restaurant partner, Rajat Parr.

7. Pho 79, Garden Grove

Orange County has the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam, so this is the place to come for authentic, delicious Vietnamese food. You’ll find hundreds of great eateries in so-called Little Saigon, with many specialising in specific Vietnamese dishes. While there’s a lot more to the cuisine than pho, Pho 79’s flavour-packed broth will stop you in your tracks. Choose your toppings, from tofu to premium thinly sliced steak, and slurp up the rice noodles in a broth that’s been simmered for 12 hours with star anise, charred onions, and other fragrant ingredients. Pho 79 has become an Orange County institution, with a daily long queue testifying to its greatness. Even if you’re driving from Los Angeles, it’s worth the wait.