Add These OG Restaurants to Your Foodie Bucket List

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These 18 restaurants are the 2026 winners of the Where to Eat & Drink: New Classics category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

A.O.C.

Rob Stark

Few restaurants have shaped Los Angeles dining quite like A.O.C., where Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne helped define the city’s love affair with seasonal ingredients, shareable plates, and thoughtfully sourced wines. More than two decades after opening, its leafy patio, vibrant market-driven cooking, and exceptional beverage program remain among the most compelling reasons to dine in West Hollywood.

Mizuna

Courtesy of Mizuna

For 25 years, Mizuna has been one of Denver’s defining dining destinations, pairing classic hospitality with a kitchen that never stops evolving. Chef Frank Bonanno’s French-influenced cooking balances beloved signatures with dishes inspired by his latest travels, proving that even after a quarter century, great restaurants can still surprise.

Pizzeria Delfina

Albert Law

Turn a corner in San Francisco, and you’ll inevitably run into a pizza joint serving excellent pies. Given the history of the Italian American community in the City, it’s no surprise. But among the most influential is undoubtedly Pizzeria Delfina, whose casual elegance and consistency have made it one of the Bay Area’s most beloved Cali-Italian restaurants.

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

© 2022 Marc Fiorito // Gamma Nine Photography

A pilgrimage destination for pizza devotees, Tony’s offers up every style under the sun—from classic Neapolitan to New York-style—all executed with championship-level skill. The restaurant’s reverence for pizza tradition combined with technical mastery makes it a must-visit for food lovers.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Lucy Beaugard

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar brings the coasts to the coast-less by mindfully sourcing and soulfully preparing the most sustainable seafood. Founded by Dave Query in 1994 on Pearl Street in Boulder, Jax has become a staple of the community. Under the longtime leadership of Culinary Director Sheila Lucero, who has shaped the kitchen for over two decades, the menu reflects a deep commitment to responsibly sourced seafood and seasonality. As the first restaurant in Colorado to become a partner of Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, Jax has long prioritized traceability and ocean-friendly practices. The result is a menu that feels both classic and conscious with pristine oysters, simply prepared fish, and vibrant accompaniments, in an intimate high-energy setting.

Tavernetta Vail

Courtesy of the Four Seasons

Located in the heart of Vail with views of the mountain beyond, the One Michelin-key Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail is a luxury mountain retreat ideal for experiencing Vail Mountain year-round. With 90 guest rooms, 20 suites, and 23 private residences located surrounding the property’s pool, the resort offers the finest amenities and bespoke experiences. In-house concierge services help with travelers’ needs, including ski rentals, biking, horseback riding, hiking, and golf in the summer and fall. The resort features an award-winning spa, a guest-only ski chalet with direct access to Gondola One, and world-class dining at Tavernetta Vail and The Remedy. 

Bob’s Well Bread Bakery

Bob Oswaks, owner. Photo by Silas Fallstich.

This artisan bakery is a must among locals as well as for loyal visitors seeking the finest in pastries, breakfast, and sandwiches in the Santa Ynez Valley. Celebrating a decade in business, Bob’s serves in two locations. Whether it’s the classic Levain loaf, flaky and buttery croissants, English muffins, kouigin amman, seasonal pastries, or a breakfast of Egg in a Jar, signature Avocado Toast, or Croque Madame, Bob’s has something for everyone. You’re sure to take home a bag of goodies to extend the experience.

Hitching Post 2

Winemakers Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini. Photo by Jeremy Ball.

This iconic restaurant in Buellton, owned by Grill Master and Winemaker Frank Ostini, is famous for its signature wood-fired steaks and produces its own award-winning wine to complement the menu. It received recognition when it was featured in the film Sideways in 2004, and people come from all over the world to saddle up at the Sideways bar to experience it firsthand. This is the epitome of Santa Maria barbecue from the Ostini family, who have been operating their restaurants since 1952, and opened this location in 1986. This spot matches the perfectly red oak-grilled proteins and vegetables—including the signature grilled artichoke with smoked tomato pesto—with world-class wines. The secret ingredient is the live red oak and proprietary Magic Stuff seasoning. Best seat in the house is in front of the glass-enclosed grill where guests can watch the chef work the Santa Maria grill every night.

Jar

Anne Fishbein

Jar, a modern chophouse in the heart of Los Angeles, dazzles Angelenos with the allure of Chef Suzanne Tracht’s familiar retro dishes from the American culinary repertoire. Since its debut in 2002, Jar’s devoted fans return again and again to enjoy her signature Pot Roast, Kansas City Steak, wild and sustainable seafood, Lemongrass Chicken, Black Mussels with Lobster Bearnaise & Fennel Salt, award-winning French fries, inspired market-fresh sides, and perfectly mixed martinis.

Loquita

Courtesy of Loquita

Loquita offers an authentic taste of Spain, celebrating the rich flavors and traditions of Spanish cuisine. From vibrant hot and cold tapas to wood-fired seafood and expertly crafted paella, the menu reflects the region’s Mediterranean influence while showcasing locally sourced ingredients. The thoughtfully curated wine list highlights exceptional Spanish selections alongside standout local favorites. Honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2021, Loquita also features an impressive selection of Spanish vermouths, refreshing Sangria, and signature Gin Tonics, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience.

Cattlemen’s Bar

© Emma Kruch / Emma K Creative

The newly debuted Cattlemen’s Bar at Paso Robles Inn celebrates Paso Robles’ storied ranching heritage and thoughtfully taps into the enduring allure of modern cowboy culture. Originally founded in 1942 and once the go-to gathering place for neighboring ranchers, Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Palmer has returned the 83-seat bar and lounge to its roots with a deft blend of new artistry and old history. Cattlemen’s Bar serves as a living anthology of Paso Robles lore, where the walls have played witness to legends like John Wayne and Jesse James. The venue is a soulful reinvention of the classic Western watering hole, covered in swaths of wood and leather and adorned with subtle ties to local legacy. The culinary program at Cattlemen’s Bar comprises a seasonally driven menu of comfort classics and ranch staples, reimagined with an elevated, Western spirit and prioritizing the primal depth of grilled flavors and rich, rendered proteins.

Pasta Sisters

Courtesy of Pasta Sisters

Pasta Sisters is a family-owned restaurant that uses generational recipes passed down through their Northern Italian family, the highest-quality ingredients from both California and Italy, and fresh pastas and sauces made from scratch daily. Their story begins with matriarch Paola Da Re, who moved from the Italian town of Padova to Los Angeles, where she worked as a nanny. These families so loved her freshly prepared pastas, pans of lasagna, and tiramisu that they encouraged her to open a restaurant. In 2015, she and her family opened the first Pasta Sisters in L.A.’s Mid-City neighborhood. The intimate, deli-counter-style shop was an immediate success, with lines around the block filled with fans of Da Re’s scratch-made pastas, slow-simmered sauces, and salted focaccia bread. Today, the family has three locations: Mid-City, a sun-soaked indoor-outdoor location in Culver City, and a takeout-and-delivery spot in Costa Mesa.

Paloma

Haley Garces

Nestled in Santa Barbara’s historic Presidio neighborhood, Paloma is a true neighborhood restaurant—warm, welcoming, and deeply rooted in a love for good food, good company, and a place that has served the community for over 100 years. Guided by the rhythms of the seasons, the menu highlights the bounty of the Central Coast with a farm-to-table approach and a focus on California cuisine cooked over an open flame. Just-picked greens, peak-season fruits, sustainably sourced seafood, and expertly grilled meats showcase the region’s best ingredients. Thoughtfully crafted cocktails and local wines complement every dish, inviting guests to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures. With its rustic charm and inviting ambiance, Paloma is the perfect setting to gather with friends and family. Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, the experience captures the essence of Santa Barbara.

Elena’s Mexican Restaurant

Isabella M. Funcke

Elena’s is a vibrant Mexican American restaurant in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood, where bold, comforting flavors and a warm, inviting spirit come together. Opened in February 2024 by owner Elena Duggan, the restaurant is a deeply personal tribute to her daughters, Catherine and Julia, their Mexican heritage, and their connection to their Abuelita in San Bartolo Morelos. There, summers were spent learning the beautiful ritual of a handmade tortilla and tamale, and understanding how shared meals can leave a lasting impression. That influence shapes a menu where authentic Mexican flavors meet a fresh California perspective, from seafood tostadas and creative crudos to wood-fired meats, enchiladas, and house made tortillas and tamales. This heartfelt, design-forward destination is transportive and intentionally intimate, grounded in memory and shaped by tradition—a true gathering place for all generations, where the experience is as meaningful as the meal. 

Little Original Joe’s

Courtesy of Little Original Joe’s

Centered around pizza, pasta, and parmigiana, Little Original Joe’s is a vibrant neighborhood restaurant, bringing Italian American comfort food and contemporary charm to San Francisco’s Marina District. Rooted in the same warmth and convivial spirit of the Original Joe’s brand, the full-service restaurant blends familiar flavors with a lighter, more modern sensibility. The space is anchored by a lively full bar, robust pizza program, and elevated menu with new house favorites, offering a thoughtful variety of crave-worthy dishes with something for everyone. Created by third-generation sibling co-owners John and Elena Duggan, the restaurant reimagines the nearly 90-year-old Original Joe’s story for a new generation, honoring tradition while embracing a more contemporary spirit. Those looking to enjoy their favorite Little Original Joe’s dishes at home can also visit the West Portal location, which serves take-out offerings like signature pizzas, pasta, and classic Italian dishes alongside specialty retail market items.

Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room & Saloon

Courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection

The Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room & Saloon in Yellowstone National Park is a rustic, Old West‑inspired restaurant nestled within the historic Roosevelt Lodge near Tower Junction. Celebrating classic Western hospitality, the dining room serves hearty American fare in a charming log‑lodge setting, complete with a cozy fireplace and a porch lined with rocking chairs where guests can relax before or after their meal. Don’t miss signature favorites like the famed Rosie Baked Beans, along with other ranch‑style entrees and comfort dishes. Just steps away, the new Roosevelt Saloon offers a casual spot for whiskey cocktails, local spirits, beer, and wine, perfect for unwinding after a day exploring Yellowstone. The dining room and saloon operate seasonally from early June through early September on a first‑come, first‑served basis. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, ideal for visitors seeking a taste of historic lodge life in America’s first national park. 

Hearth and Hill Sugar House

Courtesy of Hill Top Hospitality

Hearth and Hill Sugar House is an upscale-casual eatery nestled in the heart of one of Salt Lake City’s most vibrant communities. Opened in March 2025 by Utah restaurateur Brooks Kirchheimer and his family-owned Hill Top Hospitality group, the neighborhood restaurant brings the same warmth and award-winning New American cuisine that made its Park City forerunner a local favorite. Showcasing creative takes on classic American dishes built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the menu is complemented by a full bar program and house made desserts from sister concept Hill’s Kitchen. The 250-seat space features an open kitchen, horseshoe-shaped bar and two patios, perfect for solo lunches, group dinners, and date nights. As a 2025 Utah Best of State honoree for New American cuisine, the Sugar House gathering spot brings genuine hospitality and globally inspired flavors to downtown Salt Lake.

Honey Salt

Louiie Victa

Honey Salt, a beloved off-the-Strip Las Vegas restaurant, offers fresh, American fare in a warm, home-inspired setting curated by co-owners Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla. Blending genuine hospitality with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant delivers an elevated, yet approachable dining experience rooted in community. Since opening, Honey Salt has become a neighborhood staple, bringing guests together through wine dinners, holiday gatherings, charitable initiatives, and collaborations with local farms and emerging culinary talent. Known for its farm-to-table philosophy, Honey Salt serves lunch, happy hour, dinner, and weekend brunch. Its chef-driven menus thoughtfully balance longtime favorites with inventive seasonal dishes that evolve throughout the year.