Take the train to explore great Southern California restaurants – and save gas

Did you know Metrolink’s Orange County Line connects travelers to lots of prime food destinations?

On weekends, all-day passes for adults are $10, while riders 17 and younger can hop aboard for free. Riding the rails reduces your carbon footprint and, according to the Metrolink’s stats, “by taking the train, Metrolink riders annually help reduce 130,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.”

Sure, the train is an eco-friendlier way to travel, but if the prices at the pump have you cutting back on gas consumption, this mode of transportation is also a cost-saving alternative.

Navigate the dining options with this comprehensive restaurant guide. Begin or end at San Juan Capistrano or Union Station in Los Angeles – either way, there are historic tea houses and Michelin star restaurants to be discovered. All aboard, and eat well!

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano has experienced a culinary resurgence during the past few years. Michelin-lauded restaurant Heritage Barbecue joined old-school neighborhood favorites like Trevor’s at the Tracks and Ramos House Cafe to create a dining landscape ideal for wanderlust foodies. The city’s historic downtown centers around a picturesque terra-cotta tiled mission. The area surrounding the mission is pedestrian-friendly and quaint, with most of the restaurants within a two-minute walk from the Amtrak/Metrolink train station.

Tea House on Los Rios: If you’re seeking a cozy slice of San Juan Capistrano, reserve a table at the Tea House on Los Rios. The 1911 cottage nestled on historic Los Rios Street was converted into a teahouse and maintains its charming historical ambiance. Sit outside on the patio and watch passersby longingly stare at your tower of pastries and tea sandwiches.

Order: Afternoon tea is the most popular, but other savory English-inspired entrees include shepherd’s pie with a freshly baked buttermilk scone and the farmers market vegetable quiche.

Walking distance from station: 450 feet; 2 minutes

Ramos House Cafe: Built in 1881, the Ramos House Cafe was transformed into a restaurant in 1995. In 2020, Michelle and Kris Winrich took over the local favorite.

Order: Cinnamon apple beignets. These sweet bites are an updated version of the cafe’s famous beignets that were featured in magazines and travel logs for decades. Huckleberry coffee cake and basil-cured salmon lox with toast points are other new menu options worth a try.

Walking distance from station: 344 feet; 1 minute

Heritage Barbecue: Across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano, Heritage Barbecue’s offset smokers waft the scent of slowly smoked meats prepared by pitmaster Daniel Castillo and his team. Outdoor seating feels as if you’re dining in Castillo’s backyard. The lines are long, but what do you expect from a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner?

Order: For newcomers, try the brisket and beef ribs. Then move to the daily specials. Sandwiches created by chef Nick Echaore include brisket banh mi, and the tacos are rolled with award-winning Burritos Las Palmas tortillas. For dessert, banana pudding layered with pound cake.

Walking distance from station: 0.1 mile; 2 minutes

Trevor’s at the Tracks: The space itself attracts architecture aficionados with its 1894 Mission Revival-style exterior. While the building and proximity to the tracks evoke a nostalgic vibe, the menu is modern Californian. The restaurant sources locally from The Ecology Center; it serves salads and flatbreads along with nostalgic desserts. Owner Trevor Baird dedicates his time to the community by supporting organizations such as South County Outreach, a nonprofit that helps prevent homelessness in OC.

Order: The Southern seafood chowder and Nonna’s Sicilian cannolis are great bookends to a meal. The ahi tuna nachos and the Farm Stand Feaster prepared with vegetables from The Ecology Center are sharable starters that showcase the area’s abundance.

Walking distance from station: 49 feet; 1 minute

Ramen Shack: Keizo Shimamoto made it his life’s mission to craft ramen. He developed several recipes after traveling around Japan and the United States. His goal: devour as many bowls of ramen as possible. These taste memories, travels and the evolution of his soup bases are represented on his menu. Broths range from traditional tonkatsu (pork) to chicken with dashi and a completely vegan version.

Order: The classic Tonkatsu is where most diners start, but the vegan Capistrano shoyu ramen with kabocha broth is a true celebration of Shimamoto’s Ramen Shack in Southern California.

Walking distance from station: 276 feet; 1 minute

FKN Bread: This family-owned bakery is named after the owners’ three boys: Finn, Kane and Nash. The bakery is known for its sourdough bread, but in 2021 the kitchen expanded its offerings to include grab-and-go items such as salads and sandwiches. The bakery rotates a selection of scones, pastries, cookies and pies.

Order: Grab a loaf of sourdough; for sweets, try a baklava croissant.

Walking distance from station: 410 feet; 2 minutes

Mayfield: The bright open-air space features high ceilings, a small market section with cookbooks, Emily Brown stoneware mugs, and a variety of wines.

Order: Pop in for brunch and cocktails. The classic croque madame is the safe and tasty way to commence. Eggplant toast (think: avocado toast upgraded) and the za’atar-spiced chicken served on the weekend Supper Club menu showcase the kitchen’s modern take on California-Mediterranean cuisine.

Walking distance from station: 167 feet; 1 minute

El Adobe de Capistrano: The California State Landmark building is updated with a mesquite grill in the kitchen. President Richard Nixon, who was born in Yorba Linda and had his Western White House in San Clemente, enjoyed the California-Mexican food prepared by El Adobe de Capistrano’s chefs.

Order: The President’s Choice combination plate, which included the former president and his wife’s favorites: chile relleno, chicken enchilada and a beef taco, with rice and beans.

Walking distance from station: 0.2 mile; 3 minutes

Santa Ana

The Santa Ana Metrolink Station – a gem of Spanish Revival architecture, with its red barrel tiled roof and painted tiles – was built in 1985. It’s been seen in several Hollywood productions, including “Rain Man” with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, and the second season of “True Detective.” … The real stars now are all the great eateries close by:

Blinking Owl Distillery: Orange County’s award-winning distillery updated its offerings with a full kitchen. The outdoor patio is welcoming for imbibing in the afternoon or brunching on the weekends. The sleek bar inside offers an intimate tasting room experience where guests can view the steel drums and barrels where the distillery’s liquors are aging to perfection.

Order: Start by sampling Blinking Owl Distillery’s rye whiskey then move on to the food. The Everything Bagel breakfast pizza highlights the playful innovation of the kitchen during brunch. Pair it with a cocktail – perhaps an Aquavit Bloody Mary or a Blinking Owl rye whiskey oat milk coffee concoction.

Walking distance from station: 0.4 mile; 9 minutes

 4th Street Market: This collective of restaurants highlights the culinary range in downtown Santa Ana. Hawaiian plate lunches at Faka’s Island Grill, vegan tostadas with coconut at La Vegana Mexicana, and OC favorites such as Portola Coffee Roasters and Electric City Butcher are housed in this eclectic food hall and recording space. Electric City Butcher is known for its thoughtfully sourced meats. The small farms and ranches that ECB finds for its lamb and beef earned it the reputation as one of the best butcher shops in Orange County.

Order: Electric City Butcher frozen lamb and beef dumplings. These small-batch dumplings are a collaboration with Cali Dumpling Co., and are only available at Electric City Butcher’s shop. The chicken liver mousse is sold in glass jars. And, for your four-legged friends, the butchers sell roasted bones for chew toys.

Walking distance from station: 0.7 mile; 13 minutes

Trust/Detention DTSA: The next iteration of Playground, Trust and Detention DTSA offers chef-driven meals in two formats. At Trust, chef Justin Werner presents thoughtful tasting menus that change weekly. The dinners revolve around themes such as New York/Roots, Adventures in Seafood and ultimate pasta dinners.

Detention is the next iteration of Playground DTSA. Chef John Parker presents a series of layered dishes such as the “cheddar” broccoli sweet potato with brown butter soy emulsion in a laid-back setting. The cocktail omakase experience highlights the evolution of the bar program.

Order: The tasting menu at Trust.

Walking distance from station: 0.7 mile; 13 minutes

Anaheim

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (or ARTIC) connects commuters to the Honda Center and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The glowing exterior is a lightshow visible from the freeway, but the surrounding dining options are lackluster. The local breweries in Anaheim, however, are worth a visit. Some like Golden Road Brewing serve IPA-infused food, too.

L.A. Mill Coffee: The Los Angeles-based specialty coffee roaster grew a loyal following in Silverlake before expanding to Anaheim. The sleek red exterior and modern white interior with wooden and brass evokes a museum-boutique atmosphere.

Order: A classic breakfast sandwich with Neuske’s bacon, the Valrhona mocha and the Japanese iced coffee.

Walking distance from station: 0.7 mile; 14 minutes

Noble Ale Works: The microbrewery is a local favorite with a rotating tap list. The large steel water tower marks the brewery’s entrance. Though it doesn’t have a kitchen, there is a rotating list of local food trucks and pitmasters who sell food to pair with Noble Ale Works beers.

Order: Ask in the tasting room about the monthly specials and what’s best on tap at the moment.

Walking distance from station: 0.9 mile; 19 minutes

Golden Road Brewing Anaheim: The award-winning brewery expanded into Anaheim with an industrial-style pub that features 30 beers on tap. The outdoor space is welcoming for large groups and pets. The indoor ambiance feels like a Southern California biergarten.

Order: Al pastor fries with pineapple-habanero crema, pub pretzel with IPA beer cheese, street tacos, beer-infused flan, and mango nada with mango sorbet and chamoy seasoning.

Walking distance from station: 1.1 miles; 22 minutes

Fullerton

The historic station here has been operational since 1865 and houses two depots: one built by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1923 and another built by Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1930. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore the city’s history with locomotives at the Fullerton Train Museum, which is open the first and third Saturday of every month.

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen: The Michelin-award-winning restaurant showcases chef Ali Mookhi’s cooking, which encompasses flavors from Pakistan and India. The Halal-friendly menu and alcohol-free cocktails create a tapestry of flavors that illustrate Mookhi’s love of street food.

Order: Pani puri, butter chicken and tandoor-fired naan.

Walking distance from station: 0.2 mile; 5 minutes

Pour Company: The gastropub-style menu is boosted by the kitchen’s attention to sourcing. The restaurant is a popular watering hole in the evenings, but its brunch offerings (including chilaquiles and French toast) are worth a visit earlier in the day.

Order: A burger – simple, classic and done well with bacon jam and beer-braised onions.

Walking distance from station: 0.3 mile; 7 minutes

Somi Somi: Steps from the museum center, this popular dessert chain serves Japanese-style taiyaki waffles stuffed with Nutella, custard or cheese. The shop is intended for takeaway orders with a small seating area.

Order: The uber photogenic matcha ice cream stuffed taiyaki with custard and chocolate cookie crumbles.

Walking distance from station: 0.3 mile; 6 minutes

The Cellar Restaurant: Since 1969, this old-school, leather-boothed restaurant has been an under-the-radar Fullerton dining destination. Complete with oddities, local lore and old Hollywood stories – this is the place where Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor! – The Cellar remains an O.C. gem.

Order: Chateaubriand for two, French onion soup and the grande soufflé.

Walking distance from station: 0.3 mile; 5 minutes

Roman Cucina: The family-run, red-sauce Italian restaurant is an Orange County favorite for families and Cal State Fullerton students. Casual décor, string lights, wooden bar and big-screen TVs add to the ambience.

Order: Calamari fritti and pasta with chicken covered in rosa sauce.

Walking distance from station: 0.2 mile; 4 minutes

Buena Park

The station is sparse with few amenities, and the surrounding area is industrial. Meaning, there isn’t much foot traffic, so opt for an Uber or Lyft to take you to one of the nearby eateries. If you’re interested in venturing a bit further, journey over to Knott’s Berry Farm for Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken, boysenberry jam and powdered-sugar dusted funnel cake.

Baekjeong Buena Park: This award-winning Korean barbecue chain is well-known for its service and high-quality meats. Servers prepare grilled meats at your table. The selection of soju and craft beer will enhance the experience.

Order: Prime boneless short ribs and thinly sliced beef brisket.

Walking distance from station: 1.1 miles; 22 minutes

The Source: The Source food hall offers a dizzying number of choices, from egg sandwiches at Flippoly and Italian fine dining at Il Fiora to M KBBQ and modern Mexican food at La Huasteca. The plaza is also extremely photogenic. So, once you finish snapping all your food pics, remember to take a few selfies.

Order: At Basilur Tea and Coffee, imbibe in the afternoon tea service with pastries, sandwiches and buttery scones.

Walking distance from station: 2 miles; 39 minutes

Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs

A similar situation to Buena Park, but for the committed, there are a couple of gems to check out.

Taliza Coffee & Brunch: Since 1996, this local coffee shop has served specialty coffee drinks and roasts its own beans. The breakfast/lunch menu includes spinach and egg burritos, classic American breakfasts and a long list of coffee concoctions.

Order: Norwalk Early Bird on a croissant and the nitrogen cold brew coffee.

Walking distance from station: 0.9 mile; 18 minutes

So Cal Pizza: Since 2010, this neighborhood-style pizzeria has served pies, wings and pastas. The kid-friendly atmosphere welcomes Little League baseball teams and families.

Order: Pepperoni chips as an appetizer and then tackle the works or the classic alfredo pizzas.

Walking distance from station: 0.7 mile; 15 minutes

Los Angeles 

Built in 1939, historic Union Station is a Los Angeles icon. With cameos in countless Hollywood films and as a location for the Academy Awards, the depot is a tourist attraction on its own. Its proximity to downtown’s most historic and coveted restaurants also make it convenient for Metrolink dining adventures. “The last great train station,” as it was nicknamed, entered the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The combination of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival Architectural styles makes Union Station a feast for the eyes.

La Luz Del Dia Restaurant: Since 1959, this homestyle Mexican-American restaurant has served countless visitors to Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles. The Berber family managed the restaurant for decades with grandson Gregory taking the reins. After all these years, most of the menu remains unchanged – when something works, why change it? – with Michoacan Mexican influences.

Order: Salsa verde chicken with tortillas, chicharrón tostada, tamales and Picadillo tacos.

Walking distance from station: 0.2 mile; 4 minutes

Cielito Lindo: Aurora Guerrero opened her nondescript stand in 1934. Since then, this family owned shop put taquitos on the map. The shredded beef rolled in a corn tortilla and lightly fried and covered with green avocado sauce seems ubiquitous with California Mexican cuisine, but it all started on Olvera Street at Cielito Lindo.

Order: Taquitos!

Walking distance from station: 0.2 mile; 4 minutes

Daikokuya Little Tokyo: The izakaya-style restaurant features an expansive menu ranging from sukiyaki to hamburger with brown gravy over rice. The wooden booths and sushi bar give the restaurant a laid-back atmosphere. But the long list of menu items and the speedy pace of the servers keep this Little Tokyo restaurant popular with locals seeking a casual albeit well-executed meal.

Order: Daikoku ramen with tonkatsu broth and chashu.

Walking distance from station: 0.6 mile; 13 minutes

Fugetsu-do Bakery Shop: This family-owned Japanese confectionary shop is one of the oldest running businesses in Little Tokyo. Known for its pounded sweet rice desserts filled with red Azuki beans, this small storefront is one of the only places to prepare this delicacy.

Order: Peanut butter manju or seasonal strawberry-infused white bean manju dotted with chocolate are gateway bites.

Walking distance from station: 0.7 mile; 13 minutes

Chado Tea Room at Japanese American National Museum: The museum’s tea room serves an English-style afternoon tea with tiered towers of sandwiches, scones and pastries. The wide selection of tea options and comprehensive menu enhance the experience.

Order: Afternoon tea service.

Walking distance from station: 0.5 mile; 10 minutes

Phoenix Bakery at Chinatown: As one of L.A. Chinatown’s oldest businesses, Phoenix Bakery holds a special place in the hearts of locals.

Order: Birthday cakes flavored with strawberries, almond cookies and sticky sugar “butterflies.” During the Lunar New Year, mooncakes are the confections to order.

Walking distance from station: 0.8 mile; 18 minutes

Hop Li Seafood Restaurant: This Cantonese-style restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown is great for groups and offers a banquet-style menu. The historic restaurant is known for its seafood dishes: whole fried fish, calamari, and the famous slippery shrimp.

Order: As the name suggests, seafood is supreme at Hop Li. Other Cantonese-style dishes such as the pan-fried noodles, sizzling rice soup, Peking duck and honey walnut shrimp remain classic menu items.

Walking distance from station: 0.7 mile; 15 minutes

Philippe The Original: From Dodgers baseball players to the city’s finest, Angelenos stop into Philippe The Original for the legendary beef-dipped sandwich. Since 1908, Philippe’s has become synonymous with downtown. The restaurant moved to its current location in 1951, but it remains a spot for in-the-know Hollywood celebrities and locals.

Order: The beef-dipped sandwich is the classic way to go. But the lamb-dipped sandwich is a must-try only available at Philippe.

Walking distance from station: 0.3 mile; 6 minutes

The Little Jewel of New Orleans: The Southern-influenced market and delicatessen is inspired by the flavors of NOLA. Boudin, andouille and tasso sausages are prepared in-house. Beignets are served with chicory coffee and the list of po’ boys ranges from soft shell crab to Louisiana fried catfish.

Order: Crescent City oyster po’ boy and spicy Creole-style Jambalaya (available Fridays).

Walking distance from station: 0.3 mile; 8 minutes

Manuela: This Arts District retreat is a feast for the eyes. Occupying the former Globe Mills complex, the restaurant features artwork commissioned by Sir Paul McCartney and others. The garden is where the restaurant thrives with herbs and delicate produce. Manuela’s chickens roost nearby, and guests are invited to stroll through the green space as they wait for a table. In the kitchen, chef Kris Tominaga takes playful chances with Southern flavors.

Order: Cream biscuits with Col. Newsom’s aged country ham, ocean trout tartare and the venison burger.

Walking distance from station: 0.8 mile; 18 minutes

The Row DTLA: The Row is 32 acres of land in downtown Los Angeles that houses two Michelin-lauded restaurants: Hayato and Kato. On Sundays, Smorgasburg Los Angeles pops up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with L.A. and O.C. food vendors: Mama Musubi, Cali Dumpling Co., Cena Vegan, Broad Street Oyster Co., Burritos Las Palmas and more.

Order: At Kato, chef Jonathan Yao’s exploration of Taiwanese-American cuisine.

Walking distance from station: 1.5 miles; 30 minutes

Spring Street Smokehouse BBQ: This American-style barbecue joint features a sampling of Texas, Carolina and Nashville influences. The decor is understated: steel beer kegs, wooden picnic tables and a red-painted fence.

Order: The Kitchen Sink barbecue sampler (brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, chopped chicken, hot links, beef and pork ribs). For dessert, don’t skimp and get the peach cobbler.

Walking distance from station: 0.3 mile; 6 minutes