DINING

from Huntington Beach Official Visitors Guide 2022-2023

by The Lifestyle Magazines of SoCal

FINAL WORD

THE TASTES

of Huntington Beach

SKIP THE UNINSPIRING FAST-FOOD JOINTS AND CHAIN RESTAURANTS, AND DELIGHT IN SOME OF SURF CITY USA’S UNIQUE CULINARY OFFERINGS. FROM BEACHSIDE EATS TO FANCY FOOD TO SIMPLY GOOD GRUB, WE HAVE

YOUR PALETTE COVERED. | BY MARCIE TAYLOR

SurfCityUSA.com/where-to-eat/

AT THE BEACH

A true classic hangout at Huntington Beach Pier, Duke’s Huntington Beach (317 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, dukeshuntington.com) invites you to enjoy a refreshing taste of the Pacific. Named after surfing and swimming icon Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Duke’s honors him with warm hospitality and the true spirit of aloha. Relax and take in the views while you enjoy the Hawaiian beach house ambiance and the freshest premium seafood and prime steaks, uniquely prepared and thoughtfully served. Duke’s o ers lunch and dinner in the main dining area, along with cocktails and more casual fare in the Barefoot Bar.

Also at the Pier: Sandy’s Beach Shack (315 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, sandysbeachshack.com), where you can find surf-inspired beers on tap, tiki cocktails, and a tantalizing menu of small bites to California favorites. Sandy’s hosts seaside soirees as well for groups of 20 or more, perfect for special events and celebrations.

A few miles south, the Huntington Beach House (21601 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, thehbhouse.com) serves lunch and brunch options on the beach with live DJs for entertainment. The menu features locally sourced seafood and a rotating California cuisine, such as avocado toast and poke. Try one of their hearty burritos for breakfast. It also has a full bar, firepits, sand boxes, and a counter spanning 120 feet that looks over the boardwalk (perfect for sunset viewing!)

DUKE’S HUNTINGTON BEACH

SANDY’S BEACH SHACK

BY JOE KATCHKA

WATERTABLE AT THE HYATT HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORT & SPA

Sahara’s Sandbar & Pizza (21601 Pacific Coast Hwy., #B, Huntington Beach, saharasandbar.com) is another casual option at Huntington State Beach, serving pizza, beer, and shaved ice. Part of Alicia Whitney’s Prjkt Restaurant Group that includes SeaLegs at the Beach, the beachside destination has a youthful Bohemian vibe.

HOTEL ROW

Experience fine dining with a Southern California vibe at Henry’s

Coastal Cuisine at The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel

(21100 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, waterfrontresort. com). The menu is seasonally driven and created by executive chef Lewis Butler, who looks to French traditions as the backbone of his dishes with a touch of what he calls “California surf country” flavorings presenting a creative coastal cuisine. At the heart of Butler’s kitchen are locally sourced, fresh ingredients—from land and sea.

Guests at the resort can take in stunning ocean views from the ninth floor at O shore 9 Rooftop Lounge while noshing on shareable bites like a charcuterie cheese board or flatbread and imbibing with a hand-crafted specialty cocktail, select beer, wine, or champagne. Some menu items to feast on: honey-soy marinated Hamachi crudo with winter citrus and Romesco sauce for a starter. How about sharing a côte de boeuf—a cowboy ribeye chop for two, with garlic gratin dauphinoise, baby vegetables, pinot noir sauce, and béarnaise? For another fine dining option, consider Watertable at the Hyatt Huntington Beach Resort & Spa (21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, watertablehb.com). Its seasonal menus feature locally sourced fare for breakfast and dinner. The dining space is rustic and charming with hand-painted tiles and a communal farmhouse feel, while the drink menu boasts world-class vintage wines and artisanal cocktails. Breakfast items to try: a mason jar “avocana” bread (avocado and banana) and zesty lemon-blueberry pancakes. As for dinner entrees, carnivores may delight in a petite filet, a prime tomahawk, or a bone-in chicken breast. Vegetarians can indulge in the mushrooms and cauliflower entree made with

HENRY’S COASTAL CUISINE AT THE WATERFRONT BEACH RESORT

cauliflower puree, sautéed greens, braised mushrooms, mushroom and port reduction, cauliflower gremolata, and crispy harissa tempeh.

Need an Instagram-worthy shot? Capture a sunset view at the chic rooftop lounge Treehouse by Tanner’s at Paséa Hotel & Spa (21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach, meritagecollection.com/paseahotel). Get panoramic views of the ocean and chill on cabanas, swinging chairs, and lush sofas, while enjoying a seasonal craft cocktail menu.

The inviting Pacific Hideaway at Kimpton Shorebreak Resort (500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, pacifichideawayhb. com) makes its presence known with a striking design. Part sophisticated SoCal restaurant, part international beach shack, Pacific Hideaway’s dishes are inspired by cuisine from Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Latin America, and South America, and use local ingredients for maximum flavor.

LOCAL FAVES TO TRY

Bo’s Bagels & Co ee (9891 Hamilton Ave., Huntington Beach, bosbagelsandco ee.com) is a family-run, small business started by Huntington Beach locals, the Bowmans—they’re all Bos here! Their New York-style, kettle-boiled bagels are crave-worthy and pair perfectly with a La Columbe co ee drink. Other indulging treats: avocado toast with micro greens, watermelon radish, and a drizzle of olive oil; and almond-butter toast with banana, cinnamon, and

PACIFIC HIDEAWAY AT KIMPTON SHOREBREAK RESORT

BY AUSTIN JOHN

BO’S BAGELS & COFFEE

honey. If you aren’t a bread eater, Bo’s also o ers healthier options like fresh smoothies and green salads.

The famous Donuttery (17420 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, thedonutteryhb.com) has been producing the finest donuts in Surf City USA since 1970. This 24-hour donut shop serves traditional yeast donuts like glazed and chocolate, as well as creative flavors like salted caramel and red velvet cream cheese donuts. The menu even has vegan, gluten-free, and keto donuts!

For simply a great burger and beer, head to neighborhood spot Grinderz (7561 Center Ave., #53, Huntington Beach, grinderzhb.com) in the historic Old World Village. Get your burger with beef, turkey, veggie, or chicken along with beer-battered fries or onion rings. Better yet, pig out with the “Pigsty Fries,” which are topped with American cheese, grilled onion, chopped bacon, avocado, and Thousand Island dressing (Add chopped yellow peppers for some heat!)

Jan’s Health Bar (501 Main St., Huntington Beach, janshealthbar. com) keeps things simple and satisfying without weighing you down. The bar serves smoothies, fresh juice, acai bowls, salads, protein bowls, and more. In 2010, Huntington Beach resident Poppy Holguin purchased Jan’s Health Bar from Jan Ga ney and kept the name out of respect for the community.

A meal at Mama’s on 39 (21022 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, mamason39.com) makes everything feel alright. Inspired by a very real Mama Mary, the kitchen comes alive with the aroma of homemade biscuits and the sounds of sizzling bacon and fresh eggs cracking on the stovetop. The menu is plentiful: breakfast anytime, bottomless mimosas at brunch, four di erent varieties of tater tots for starters, and healthier options like the roasted spaghetti squash (for as the menu says, “Mama’s Gotta Fit in Her Jeans!”)

Ear like the locals and grab a hearty breakfast or lunch at the iconic Sugar Shack Café (213 1/2 Main St., Huntington Beach,

MAMA’S ON 39 JAN’S HEALTH BAR

hbsugarshack.com). This family-owned restaurant downtown has been around since 1967, serving up burritos, omelets, sandwiches, and other breakfast staples that fuel many hungry surfers. Don’t leave before gazing at the amazing gallery of surfer photos through the years hanging on the wall.

SIZZLING FLAVORS

For a low-key night in an intimate, jazz-inspired atmosphere, Black Trumpet Bistro (7041 Yorktown Ave., #104, Huntington Beach, theblacktrumpetbistro.com) is the trendy place. It specializes in Mediterranean-style tapas from Spain, Greece, Morocco, Italy, and France. Full-size entrees include a French-style rack of lamb and a Moroccan chicken tagine. Remember to get the homemade sangria and desserts!

Homemade pasta and local, organic ingredients are just part of what makes Cucina Alessá (520 Main St., Huntington Beach, cucinaalessarestaurants.com) one of Surf City USA’s most popular dining spots. Chef and owner Alessandro Pirozzi is a certified traditional Italian chef whose culinary education began at home in the kitchen with his grandmother. The “Mamma Mia” features meatballs based on his grandmother’s recipe, made from slowly braised beef and topped with burrata. You can also enjoy selections from the prosciutto and mozzarella bar on the sidewalk patio.

Ask a local for the best Mexican food in Huntington Beach and many will send you to Mario’s Mexican Food & Cantina (18603 Main St., Huntington Beach, 5pointsplaza.com). For over three generations, the authentic Mexican cuisine has tempted and tantalized the palates of both city visitors and locals. The menu o ers a wide selection of contemporary and traditional favorites including award-winning margaritas, seafood specialties, special burritos, the flavors of “Old Mexico” dishes, sizzling fajita, and more. Mario’s signifies a homegrown tradition with a balance of old-style o erings presented in its own celebration of quality, family, and community.

Located at Pacific City, Ola Mexican Kitchen (21040 Pacific Coast Hwy., F200, Huntington Beach, olamexicankitchen.com) delivers authentic Mexican comfort food and elevated influences from south of the border. Enjoy a meal in this warm, rustic, and modern ambiance while you overlook the stunning Huntington Beach coastline.

Seasoned restaurant veterans Bryan and Nichole Bradford brought their counter service taco shop concept to Huntington Beach with Qué Vida Tacos (19684 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, quevidatacos. com). Each taco is made from an authentic recipe of a specific region in Mexico (“La Capital” tacos pack adobo marinated pork, avocado creme, and achiote pineapple). Other menu selections include Sonora street dogs, Tijuana-style mulitas, protein bowls, breakfast burritos, and more. For cocktails, the taco shop serves specialty margaritas and housemade micheladas— there’s even a non-alcoholic, churro milkshake to devour.

Triple Crown Tavern (714 Adams Ave., #101, Huntington Beach, triplecrowntavern. com) serves local craft beer and wine with delicious fresh food options including flatbreads, salads, and appetizers. All meats and cheeses are sliced in house, dips and pesto are made fresh daily, and every weekend you can enjoy a fresh ceviche. Just five minutes from downtown Huntington Beach, the tavern is proud to be dog-friendly and has two large outdoor patio spaces for you to enjoy. Tucked away and quiet, this place is special.