The Top 10 Restaurants In Corona California

Modern Mexican food, contemporary American cuisine and gourmet hot dogs are on the menu in Corona — Southern California’s ‘Crown City.’ Here’s our guide to 10 of the city’s best local venues, from lively bar-restaurants to upscale-casual joints.

1. Luna Modern Mexican Kitchen

Restaurant, Mexican, Vegetarian

Luna Modern Mexican Kitchen specializes in creative and contemporary Mexican fare. Luna’s authentic guacamole prepared tableside is a must while other dishes like tequila-flamed prawns with roasted garlic cream sauce, rice and grilled chayote squash or pibil pork tacos with cabbage kimchi and smoked chile salsa are highly recommended. Authentic desserts include the likes of crispy sweet banana envueltos topped with espresso-piloncillo chocolate sauce, and the restaurant’s huge range of tequilas means plenty of inventive signature margaritas.

2. Live from Memphis

Bar, Restaurant, American, Pub Grub, Contemporary

Part piano bar, part restaurant and part music venue, Live from Memphis is the brainchild of Neil Morrow — a musician who has played with the likes of The Beach Boys and Jerry Lee Lewis. Inside, both its name and its owner’s love of music ring true with a retro rock ‘n’ roll feel and memorabilia that pays homage to music stars like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Casual American dishes make up the menu: try a themed option like The Memphis Kings sandwich (creamy peanut butter, banana, honey and thick-cut bacon on Texas toast).

3. Twisted Gourmet

Restaurant, Italian, Fast Food

Casual Italian staples with an inspired, modern twist is the focus at Twisted Gourmet — a trendy, laid-back venue tucked away in Corona’s Hidden Valley Plaza. Plenty of salads, pasta dishes, stromboli and sandwiches feature on Twisted Gourmet’s menu but for a real taste of what the restaurant is all about, go for one of its pizza pies. With flavors like Love Potion Pie (topped with a secret recipe white sauce, smoked chicken breast, aged gorgonzola, dried cranberry and diced tomato) and Eye of the Tiger (with tiger shrimp, tomato, cilantro, blended cheeses and jalapeño cream sauce), there’s a pizza to suit everyone.

4. Citrus City Grille

Restaurant, American

Since first opening its doors seven years ago, Citrus City Grille has gained quite the reputation for its seasonally inspired menu and elegant, welcoming space. Contemporary American cuisine with a distinctive Mediterranean influence dominates the restaurant’s menu with plenty of small plates — think stuffed dates, crab cakes with charred corn and red bell pepper sauce or sirloin ground beef sliders. Standout entrees include the Chilean bass with asparagus risotto and lemongrass beurre blanc sauce; and pork loin chop with roasted potatoes, caramelized onions and balsamic fig sauce.

5. The Hot Dog Shoppe

Restaurant, American, Fast Food, BBQ

The Hot Dog Shoppe has a gourmet slant with top quality specialty sausages, a smorgasbord of toppings and sauces, and some of the most inventive recipes in Southern California. Opt for dogs like the Louisiana Slip N’ Swine (a bacon-wrapped Cajun sausage topped with mustard, BBQ sauce, peppers, onions and cheddar) or the Boston Dog (a steamed all-beef hot dog with mustard, Swiss cheese and baked beans), or if you’re feeling really hungry, take up the Homewrecker Big Dog Challenge. Guests have 30 minutes to eat three Angus beef hot dogs topped with a ton of chili cheese, peppers and habanero salsa. Anyone who completes the challenge can design their very own dog for inclusion on The Hot Dog Shoppe menu.

6. Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant

Restaurant, Mexican

Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant is something of a local dining institution, and diners have been flocking to the popular eatery for their fix of authentic Mexican fare since it first opened over 20 years ago. Enjoy appetizers like guacamole or Mexican shrimp cocktail before moving on to entrees like carne asada or Baja tacos with beer-battered fish, cabbage and pico de gallo. Get a taste of southwest Mexico with Eduardo’s Michoacán take on chiles rellenos — roasted poblano peppers stuffed with Cotija and jack cheese and fried in egg batter. Remember to save room for a delicious Mexican dessert of bionico.

7. Mantra Indian Cuisine

Mantra Indian Cuisine

Mantra Indian Cuisine is the place to go in Corona for a fix of deliciously fiery fare. Start with mouthwatering appetizers like fish pakora or succulent chicken kebab cooked with ginger, garlic and sauteed onions before trying hearty mains like spicy shrimp vindaloo or lamb biryani with aromatic basmati rice, saffron and nuts. Vegetarian diners won’t be disappointed either with plenty of veggie-friendly dishes to try, from Mantra’s onion bhaji appetizer to the paneer masala entree — homemade cheese with bell peppers and onions in a spicy sauce.

Mantra Indian Cuisine, 712 N Main Street, Corona, CA, USA, +1 951 739 9401

8. TAPS Fish House & Brewery

TAPS Fish House & Brewery

TAPS Fish House & Brewery is a popular local haunt offering eclectic and inspired seafood and chophouse fare complemented by award-winning ales. Opt for seafood dishes like pan-seared rainbow trout with Moroccan couscous or king crab legs with country-style mashed potatoes, or try something meaty like the bacon-wrapped meatloaf or braised beef short ribs. Wash it all down with one of TAPS very own brews like its Hog-Tied Amber Ale and Grapefruit IPA.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery, 2745 Lakeshore Drive, Corona, CA, USA, +1 951 277 5800

9. N.Y.P.D.

N.Y.P.D.

Not to be confused with the Big Apple’s law enforcement, N.Y.P.D. in this case stands for ‘New York Pizza Department’ — a popular venue whose delicious Neapolitan and Sicilian-style pizzas are regularly hailed as the best in the Inland Empire. Choose from pies like the N.Y.P.D. Special (topped with sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives and mozzarella) and the White Pizza (with alfredo sauce, broccoli, spinach, chicken, garlic, mozzarella and parmesan). Alternatively, opt for other classic Italian fare like spaghetti and meatballs or eggplant parmigiana. Calzone, stromboli, salads and Italian hero sandwiches are also served.

N.Y.P.D., 2279 Eagle Glen Parkway, Suite 105, Corona, CA, USA, +1 951 493 6789

10. Kabob Hutt

Kabob Hutt

Serving deliciously authentic Persian cuisine in the heart of Corona, Kabob Hutt has become a local dining favorite. There’s a huge range of starters including tadigh, a crispy rice dish, and borani (sauteed eggplant mixed with yogurt and topped with whey, caramelized onions and garlic). Entrees include a number of filet mignon, chicken and lamb kabobs alongside other traditional dishes like ghormeh sabzi — a stew of fresh parsley, cilantro, chives, beans and beef. There’s plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes too, and at the weekend live music and belly dancers entertain guests as they dine.

Kabob Hutt, 165 Washburn Circle, Corona, CA, USA, +1 951 279 6696

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