Hollywood investors and celebrity restaurants bring a dose of star power to dining establishments across the Golden State. On your next trip, make a reservation at a headline-making table courtesy of your favorite movie stars, pro athletes, and musicians. Here are some of the best celebrity-backed eateries worth adding to your itinerary.
Somerville, Los Angeles
Issa Rae
Actor Issa Rae is growing a restaurant empire in South-Central L.A. Having partnered with Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan of GVO hospitality on two other successful endeavors—the coffeeshop mini-chain Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen and a Downtown L.A. bar called Lost—the trio reteamed and opened the restaurant Somerville, which blends contemporary cuisine with comfort food classics.
Set in L.A.’s historic View Park-Windsor Hills neighborhood, Somerville revives the kind of supper club rarely seen today with live music, decadent dinners, and a menu that’s just a little bit extra. For example, the Parker House rolls are paired with rich truffle butter; the fried chicken sliders are topped with a caviar crème fraiche; and the collard green lasagna is served in a personal cast-iron skillet. Catch live jazz nightly in the richly appointed mahogany dining room as you sip from the cocktail menu or order a zero-proof drink like the Velvet Skies served chilled with Aplós Arise, pineapple, lemon, pepper, and honey.
Jitters Coffee Pub, Oceanside
Jason Mraz
Vegans and vegheads, unite: Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz joined forces with Jitters, one of the oldest coffee shops in Oceanside, to add more space for music and more plant-forward options on the menu. Expect light, fluffy focaccia, acai bowls, and hearty burritos. Inspired by San Diego listening rooms like Java Joe’s, where he cut his teeth as a young performer, Mraz recently upgraded the Jitters sound system so patrons can enjoy the many big-name acts and local favorites that come and jam for hours at a time. And yes, you’ll often find the curbside prophet, Mr. Mraz, there, too.
Chick & Hawk, Encinitas
Tony Hawk
Fried chicken may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. But after one visit to his Encinitas spot, created with Michelin-recognized chef Andrew Bachelier, it will be. The menu is simple, but the flavors are complex: two fried sandwiches (chicken or fish with kimchi sauce or yuzu tartar), buildable bowls (pick your protein), and a nostalgia-baiting cocktail list that includes an adult Ecto Cooler made with tequila. The signature “Birdman” fried chicken sandwich is topped with sweet-and-spicy pickles and a kimchi-based “comeback” sauce on a potato bun. Don’t forget to grab a side of fries, cooked in duck fat.
Jellyman, Los Angeles
Donald Glover
Grab a boba while wandering the halls of a colorful alien spaceship at Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino)’s caffeinated drink shop, Jellyman. Visitors are greeted by soft lighting, a canoe floating from the ceiling, and a 10-foot-tall, white Jellyman sculpture gazing into the heavens.
As for the drink options, Jellyman is a customizer’s paradise. Select your matcha, milk tea, boba, and coffee to suit your level of sweetness and spice, then explore inventive flavors like Thai limeade, rose hibiscus, or PBJ. The toppings menu runs deep with options ranging from chia seeds and grass jelly to egg pudding and maple sea salt foam, complemented by a wide selection of alternative milks. Make sure to try their house-made brown-sugar boba.
Matty's Patty's Burger Club, Costa Mesa
Matty Matheson
Before he was the scene-stealing handyman Neil Fak on the FX series The Bear, Matty Matheson was a renowned chef. While most of his restaurants reside in Canada, the beloved burger shack, Matty’s Patty’s, is located in sunny Orange County. Matty's Patty's Burger Club was founded in 2018 by Matheson and his pal, Costa Mesa native Pat Tenore. The no-fuss menu features a regular 3 oz. smash patty (available as a single, double, or triple), or the heartier 7-ounce version, plus a vegetarian option and fries. Save room for a side of poutine and/or the ube milkshake.
Swing Inn Cafe & BBQ, Temecula
Dean Norris
Breaking Bad star Dean Norris has lived in Temecula for over 22 years. So when the local eatery Swing Inn went up for sale, the actor took the opportunity to invest in the Texas-style BBQ and breakfast joint. The café has been a local staple for over 100 years, serving up ample helpings of hand-smoked meats, including brisket (cooked for 25 hours), pastrami, and turkey. The expansive menu offers its vast array of proteins along with a collection of sandwiches, sides, and salads. Grab a pint of their own Shraderbrau brew and sit outside on the patio under the lights. Hear Norris discuss his favorite menu items and other Temecula favorites during his appearance on the California Now Podcast.
Andys, West Hollywood
Anderson .Paak
Leave it to musician Anderson Paak to create one of the coolest spaces in West Hollywood. Opened in 2024, Andys is a jazzy, R&B-inflected supper club that blends a casual yet refined Asian fusion menu with 70s recording studio vibes. Andys—a collaboration between Paak, prolific nightlife entrepreneurs Mark and Jonnie Houston (No Vacancy, La Descarga, Level 8), and chef Chris Oh—impresses on every level. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, right next to the historic Troubadour, the menu standouts include the crudo, pastrami bao, and richly glazed spareribs, alongside a throwback cocktail list with drinks like the Purple Haze, composed of Código Reposado, yuzu, and hibiscus.
Vulcania, Mammoth Lakes
The Voltaggio Brothers
If you’re a fan of Top Chef, you’re well aware of who Bryan and Michael Voltaggio are. The acclaimed cooking brothers have restaurants in California and Maryland (their home state), but their restaurant in Mammoth Lakes comes with igloos.
Conveniently located in The Village at Mammoth, Vulcania is the perfect place to land after a long ski day on Mammoth Mountain. Just hop off the gondola and walk a few steps toward the green-and-white striped awning, and dig into some Italian favorites with a twist. Try the Voltagg-io’s, the chef’s take on that canned pasta classic from childhood: Spaghettios, crafted with house-made pasta and a giant meatball. The Fungi pizza is another crowd-pleaser loaded with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and fontina cheese. For a bit of extra fun, book a heated igloo for a private dining experience under the stars.
Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles
Travis Barker
When it comes to high-end vegan fare, Crossroads Kitchen in L.A. is unmatched. The upscale spot, co-owned by (vegan) Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, offers shared plates, pizzas, and incredible pastas (all of which have gluten-free options as well). Giant murals of actor Edward James Olmos (a long-time supporter and friend of the restaurant) and James Caan (an early investor) adorn the walls over the red booths. Crossroads is the place to go to impress your vegan and non-vegan pals with inventive, plant-based dishes like the spicy Moroccan cigars and mushroom crudo.
Kestrel, Indian Wells
Richard Blais
It’s difficult to pick only one California restaurant on Richard Blais’ roster. The Top Chef winner and San Diegan has opened California English, Ember & Rye, and the Crack Shack (to name just a few).
His latest endeavor, Kestrel, is located on the immaculate grounds of the Indian Wells Golf Resort in Coachella Valley. Named after the small-but-mighty falcon, Kestrel serves Blais signature “Left Coast” fare, modern twists on classic favorites with an emphasis on locally sourced produce. Come for the crispy chicken lettuce bowls and deviled eggs with maple bacon, and top it off with a whimsical cocktail like the Love Lucy, comprised of champagne, limoncello, and cotton candy.
Max & Helen's, Los Angeles
Phil Rosenthal
Somebody Feed Phil host and Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal is reviving the diner in Los Angeles. Still new enough that the lines are frequent and plentiful, Rosenthal teamed up with none other than Chef Nancy Silverton of Mozza fame to create a perfect menu that is also a sweet homage to Rosenthal’s parents, Max and Helen. The perpetually upbeat and joyous Rosenthal brings his enthusiasm for delicious dishes to this Larchmont spot, which serves up diner favorites.
The tuna melt is crunchy on the outside and warm on the inside; the turkey club is stacked with thick bacon, spicy mayo, and speared with a staple toothpick; and the hot chocolate comes with a toasted marshmallow dollop on the rim. Hop onto a counter stool, grab a cup of coffee, and soak in the charm along with an order of soft-scrambled eggs—just like how Max would’ve ordered them.
Something About Her, Los Angeles
Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney
Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney’s salad and sandwich shop is a fast-casual must-visit for any Bravo fan in your life. Sneak a peek at your favorite bravolebrities and chow down on sandwiches like the hot turkey panini called The Viola or The Drew, which comes with whipped chive goat cheese, apples, and fig jam on a baguette. Styled by Hollywood production designer Jon Hutman, who worked on the Nancy Meyers films Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Complicated, the cozy space is warm and inviting. Plus, it’s an easy place to fuel up if you’re trying to hit all the West Hollywood Bravo bars in one day, as SUR and TomTom are right around the corner.
Trejo’s Tacos, Los Angeles
Danny Trejo
Some celebrity restaurants only spark for a moment, but Danny Trejo’s Tacos has become an L.A. staple for a decade. Known for his work on From Dusk Till Down, Predators, and Zootopia 2, Trejo was inspired by his mother’s dream (and salsas) to open his own place that paid tribute to L.A.’s Mexican food culture. Today, there are four locations across the city slinging potato taquitos, tacos, and burritos. The taco shop was even featured in a 2017 episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. According to Trejo, the chef loved his cauliflower and jackfruit tacos. His success sparked another beloved local franchise, Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts, with colorful “cumpleanos” pastries and several vegan options.