22 Bars In California That Serve Food Just As Good As Their Drinks
California has some of the best bars in the country, and many of them don’t just serve amazing cocktails and craft beers. They also whip up food that rivals actual restaurants, making them perfect spots for a full night out.
Whether you’re craving tacos, gourmet burgers, or wood-fired pizza, these bars prove you don’t have to choose between great drinks and delicious eats.
1. The Varnish – Los Angeles
Hidden behind a French dip restaurant, this speakeasy brings old-school charm with cocktails that taste like liquid art. But wait until you try the food menu.
The kitchen serves elevated bar bites that complement every drink perfectly. I love how the chefs use seasonal ingredients to create dishes that feel both fancy and comforting.
You’ll find everything from charcuterie boards to creative small plates that make you want to order another round.
2. Smuggler’s Cove – San Francisco
Step into a pirate’s paradise where rum flows freely and the food menu takes you straight to the islands. This tiki wonderland isn’t just about the 400+ rum selection.
The kitchen cranks out Polynesian-inspired dishes that pair beautifully with tropical drinks. From coconut shrimp to teriyaki skewers, every bite transports you to a beachside paradise.
It’s the kind of place where you forget you’re in the middle of a busy city.
3. Noble Experiment – San Diego
You enter through a secret door disguised as a phone booth, which already tells you this place means business. The cocktails are handcrafted masterpieces, but the food holds its own.
Chefs here create sophisticated small plates that match the bar’s mysterious vibe. Think duck confit sliders and truffle fries that make your taste buds dance.
Every dish feels carefully thought out, just like the drinks they serve.
4. Otium – Los Angeles
Right next to The Broad museum, this spot blends art, drinks, and incredible food into one stunning experience. The open kitchen lets you watch culinary magic happen in real time.
Chef Timothy Hollingsworth creates dishes that look like gallery pieces but taste even better. The bar program matches that creativity with cocktails that push boundaries.
It’s where culture meets cuisine in the best possible way.
5. True Laurel – San Francisco
This Mission District gem has won awards for its inventive cocktails, but the food menu deserves equal praise. Every dish surprises you with unexpected flavor combinations that somehow work perfectly.
The chefs aren’t afraid to experiment, and neither should you when ordering. From pickled vegetables to creative protein dishes, the menu changes with the seasons.
It’s casual enough for a weeknight but special enough for celebrations.
6. Bestia – Los Angeles
Getting a reservation here can feel like winning the lottery, and for good reason. The bar area serves the same incredible Italian food as the dining room.
Wood-fired pizzas with charred crusts and house-made charcuterie boards are just the beginning. The cocktail program features Italian spirits mixed with California creativity.
You can make a full meal out of bar snacks here and leave completely satisfied.
7. The Normandie Club – Los Angeles
Tucked in Koreatown, this bar feels like stepping into a 1920s Parisian dream with an Asian twist. The cocktails tell stories through carefully chosen ingredients and beautiful presentation.
But the food menu is where East truly meets West in delicious harmony. You’ll find Korean-French fusion dishes that make perfect sense once you taste them.
It’s sophisticated without being stuffy, making everyone feel welcome.
8. Trick Dog – San Francisco
Famous for reinventing their entire cocktail menu twice a year, this bar keeps things fresh and exciting. The food program follows that same creative spirit with dishes that complement whatever theme they’re exploring.
From Korean fried chicken to inventive vegetable plates, the kitchen doesn’t play it safe. Every visit feels different, which keeps locals coming back.
It’s neighborhood bar vibes with world-class execution.
9. Belcampo Meat Co. – Los Angeles
A butcher shop that doubles as a bar and restaurant? Yes, please! They raise their own livestock, so you know exactly where your burger comes from.
The meat quality here is unmatched, and the chefs know how to cook it perfectly. Pair a grass-fed burger with one of their craft beers for a match made in heaven.
It’s honest, delicious food served in a relaxed atmosphere.
10. Vesper – Las Vegas (near California border)
Named after James Bond’s favorite cocktail, this bar brings 007-level sophistication to your night out. The drink menu reads like a spy novel, with each cocktail telling its own story.
The food menu matches that elegance with refined small plates perfect for sharing. Think oysters, caviar service, and beautifully prepared seafood dishes.
You’ll feel like a secret agent even if you’re just visiting from California.
11. Hinoki & The Bird – Los Angeles
This Century City spot takes Japanese flavors and gives them a California twist that works beautifully. The bar program features sake cocktails alongside classic mixes with Asian ingredients.
The food menu spans from light sushi rolls to hearty ramen bowls that warm your soul. Everything is plated like art, but the portions are generous enough to satisfy real hunger.
It’s date night worthy but also great for group gatherings.
12. Bourbon & Branch – San Francisco
You need a password to enter this Prohibition-era speakeasy, which immediately makes you feel like you’re part of something special. The cocktails follow authentic 1920s recipes with modern precision.
The food menu keeps things simple but delicious with classic bar fare done right. Cheese boards, charcuterie, and savory bites complement the strong drinks perfectly.
It’s a history lesson you can eat and drink your way through.
13. Gracias Madre – Los Angeles
Who says bar food has to include meat? This all-vegan Mexican spot proves plants can party just as hard. The margaritas flow freely while the kitchen serves up tacos that even carnivores crave.
Cashew nacho cheese and coconut ceviche might sound weird, but trust me, they’re incredible. The cocktails use fresh juices and organic spirits for clean, delicious drinks.
You won’t miss meat when the flavors are this bold.
14. Whitechapel – San Francisco
With over 300 types of gin, this bar takes the spirit seriously and serves it with proper British flair. The food menu brings authentic pub grub to California with dishes like Scotch eggs and fish and chips.
Everything tastes like it came straight from a London gastropub but with California-fresh ingredients. The cocktails showcase gin in ways you never imagined possible.
It’s a transatlantic taste adventure without leaving the Bay Area.
15. The Pikey – Los Angeles
This British-inspired bar on Sunset Boulevard serves comfort food that hugs your soul after a long day. The shepherd’s pie here could make a Londoner homesick in the best way.
Cocktails mix British traditions with California creativity for drinks you won’t find anywhere else. The atmosphere feels like your favorite neighborhood pub, warm and welcoming to everyone.
It’s where you go when you want good food, good drinks, and good vibes.
16. Mister Jiu’s – San Francisco
Perched in Chinatown, this Michelin-starred restaurant has a bar program that deserves equal recognition. The cocktails incorporate Chinese ingredients like oolong tea and Sichuan peppercorns in unexpected ways.
The food menu reimagines Chinese-American classics with fine dining techniques and local ingredients. From quail to whole fish preparations, everything showcases incredible skill.
It’s fancy enough for special occasions but approachable enough for adventurous eaters.
17. Wolfdown – San Diego
Sometimes you just need a really good burger and a cold beer, and this place delivers both flawlessly. The burgers here are juicy, messy, and absolutely worth the napkin count.
They keep the menu focused on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than trying to do everything. The beer selection features local San Diego breweries alongside classic favorites.
It’s unpretentious food that hits the spot every single time.
18. Harlowe – Los Angeles
Dark, moody, and incredibly romantic, this West Hollywood bar sets the perfect scene for date night. The cocktails are strong and expertly balanced, designed to help you relax and unwind.
The food menu features elevated comfort food like truffle grilled cheese and loaded fries. Everything pairs perfectly with the craft cocktails, making it easy to settle in for the evening.
It’s where good conversations happen over even better food and drinks.
19. Rich Table – San Francisco
This Hayes Valley hotspot has earned national acclaim for its inventive cuisine and creative cocktail program. The bar menu changes seasonally but always features dishes that surprise and delight.
Sardine chips with horseradish cream might sound strange, but they’re addictively delicious. The bartenders craft drinks that complement the food’s creativity with equally inventive flavor combinations.
Every visit reveals something new to discover and enjoy.
20. Rustic Canyon – Los Angeles
Santa Monica’s favorite neighborhood spot serves California cuisine at its finest with a wine list that could make any sommelier jealous. The bar area buzzes with energy while serving the same exceptional food as the dining room.
Seasonal vegetables get star treatment alongside sustainably sourced proteins. The cocktails and wines are carefully chosen to enhance whatever’s fresh from local farms.
It’s California dining culture in its most delicious form.
21. Polite Provisions – San Diego
Half cocktail bar, half old-fashioned soda fountain, this place brings nostalgic charm with serious bartending skills. The drinks range from classic cocktails to creative house specialties that showcase seasonal ingredients.
The food menu features elevated versions of bar classics like deviled eggs and chicken wings. Everything is made from scratch, including the syrups and mixers in your drinks.
It’s where old meets new in the most delicious way possible.
22. The Progress – San Francisco
From the team behind State Bird Provisions comes this bar-restaurant hybrid that encourages sharing and exploring. The menu is designed for groups to order multiple dishes family-style.
Everything from the bread to the desserts is made in-house with obsessive attention to detail. The cocktail program matches that commitment with drinks that feel both familiar and innovative.
It’s communal dining at its most fun and flavorful.
