What to Eat in California - Top 50 Foods.

Tuna Tartare Avocado Tower

Appetizers:

1. Artichokes - The Artichoke Center of the World is in Castroville, CA. Eat them fried, steamed, and grilled.

2. Avocado Toast -  California's avocado elevated a simple toast to a brunch favorite.

   

   Avocado Toast

3. Mussels - Sometimes steamed with local wine, garlic and herbs or in a more unique broth like curried Thai coconut milk.

4. Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl - A San Francisco specialty. Try it at Boudin.

   

   Clam Chowder

5. Garlic Fries - A hit at sports venues and food stands, fueled by Gilroy's garlic production.

6. Lahpet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad) - It consists of fermented tea leaves mixed with ingredients like fried garlic, peanuts, sesame seeds, tomatoes, and fish sauce.

   

   Tea Leaf Salad

7. Tuna or Salmon Tartare - A dish often seen in high-end California cuisine.

8. Raw, Grilled, or Seared Scallops - Served in many forms with a local twist, like a Meyer lemon butter sauce or ceviche style with caviar.

   

   Scallops Crudo

9. Kale Salad - California loves anything Kale.

   

   Kale Salad

   
   
   
   

   Mains

   
   

10. Armenian Losh Kebab - Found in restaurants with Armenian communities like Glendale.

11. California Pizza - With traditional and nontraditional toppings like avocado or barbecue chicken.

    

    BBQ Chicken Pineapple Pizza

12. California Roll - The sushi roll that started it all in the US. Try it with the real crab.

13. Cioppino - A seafood stew invented in San Francisco but with Italian origins.

    

    Cioppino

14. Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan - Using fresh local mozzarella and basil, it's a must-try.

15. Cobb Salad - Originated at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood. Taste of Cali.

16. Dungeness Crab - Perhaps in a Louie Salad. Celebrated in San Francisco during the season.

    

17. Farm-To-Table Roast Chicken with Local Veggies - Restaurants often source ingredients locally.

18. Fish and Shrimp Tacos - This tasty street food is especially popular in San Diego and Baja California.

19. 

    Baja Fish and Shrimp Tacos

    French Dip Sandwich - Allegedly invented in LA, great for dipping in au jus.

20. Fusion Tacos - Like Korean BBQ tacos or Vietnamese-style tacos, a Californian invention.

21. Fish, Grilled or Fried - Reflecting California's fresh produce and coastal cuisine.

22. 

    Grilled Tuna, Asparagus, Almonds

    Gourmet Burgers - California claims some of the best, with places like In-N-Out Burger.

23. Gourmet Grilled Cheese - Made with fancy bread, cheese, and toppings, it's found at places like The Melt in San Francisco.

24. Gourmet Sushi - a modern take on sushi omakase with innovative techniques.

25. 

    Gourmet Sushi

    Korean BBQ - Popular especially in LA's Koreatown. Enjoy the Bibimbap "mixed rice" dish.

26. Mission Burrito - Large, foil-wrapped burritos from San Francisco's Mission District. Try carne asada or shredded chicken.

27. Mission District Pupusas - Salvadoran tortillas stuffed with many tasty fillings are common in San Francisco's Mission. Served with fermented cabbage.

28. Prime Rib Dinner - a West Coast Steak house experience.

29. 

    Prime Rib Dinner

    Pho - Vietnamese noodle soup, widely popular in California. Add on all the toppings.

30. Quesobirria Tacos - Filled with stewed beef, with the consommé for dipping.

31. Ramen - From traditional to innovative bowls at local ramen shops, this dish is found in every Japantown.

    

    Ramen

    
    

32. Street Tacos - Found at many taco trucks or in an upscale eatery.

33. Santa Maria-Style BBQ - Tri-tip steak with beans on a sandwich or in a salad.

    

    BBQ Tri Tip Salad

34. Tacos Al Pastor - Sliced pork with pineapple, influenced by Middle Eastern and Mexican flavors.

35. Thai Curries (Red, Yellow, Green, Massaman) - Spicy and tasty treat from Thai Town, LA.

    

    Thai Curry, Pad Thai, Squid

36. Uni - A luxurious dish featuring fresh uni from Santa Barbara.

    

    Uni

    
    

    Treats and Desserts

    
    

37. Acai Bowls - A tasty blend of fruits, granola, and superfood toppings.

    

    Acai Bowl

38. Almonds - California produces 80% of the world's almonds. Enjoy!

39. Berries - California's berry fields are famous. Come, pick some coastal strawberries.

    

    Coastal Strawberries

    
    

40. Blue Bottle Coffee - Started in Oakland, famous for its pour-over coffee.

41. Boba (Bubble) Tea - Originated in Taiwan but became a trend in California.

42. California Wine - From Napa Valley to Sonoma, a world-renowned product.

43. Date Shake - A Coachella Valley specialty, made with local dates.

44. Fortune Cookies - While not originally from California, they became mass-produced here.

    
    
    
    

45. Frozen Banana - Dipped in chocolate, a boardwalk snack in Santa Cruz.

46. Garlic Ice Cream - For adventurous eaters, especially in Gilroy.

47. Rocky Road Ice Cream - Claimed to be created by both Fenton’s Creamery and Dreyer's. Either way, it's a fine California creation.

48. Stone Fruit - Peaches, plums, cherries, and nectarines from the world's best orchards.

    

    Stone Fruit

49. San Francisco Sourdough Bread - Unique taste due to local climate and starters.

50. See's Candies - A beloved brand for chocolates and confections. It's a tasty tradition.