01
Classic Bakersfield pick
Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
Old Town Kern • Traditional Basque Family-Style Restaurant • Best For Hearty, Communal Meals
Old-school Basque comfort food served family-style, with portions that can easily feed a small crew.
If you want a sense of Bakersfield’s Basque roots, Wool Growers is the place to start. You sit down to long tables, pass around big bowls of soup, beans, salad, and fries, then dive into your choice of mains like lamb chops or oxtail. It’s loud, friendly, and completely unpretentious—the kind of spot where regulars know the staff by name and first-timers are treated like they’ve been coming for years.
02
Best daytime hangout
Cafe Smitten
Downtown Arts District • Modern Café And Brunch Spot • Best For Coffee And Brunch
A bright, design-forward café serving serious coffee, thoughtful brunch plates, and fresh-baked pastries.
Cafe Smitten feels like the kind of all-day café you’d expect in a much larger city, with polished design and a relaxed, creative crowd. The menu leans fresh and seasonal, from tartines and grain bowls to a reliable avocado toast, backed up by carefully pulled espresso drinks. It’s an easy pick for a late breakfast before exploring downtown or a laptop-friendly stop to recharge in the afternoon.
03
Most playful comfort food
Moo Creamery
West Bakersfield Near The Truxtun Extension • Gourmet Burger And Ice Cream Spot • Best For Inventive Comfort Food
Creative burgers, elevated diner classics, and house-made ice cream in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Moo Creamery takes familiar comfort dishes and gives them a chef-y twist without losing the fun. Expect loaded burgers, upgraded mac and cheese, and fries you’ll keep picking at long after you’re full, plus a rotating lineup of small-batch ice creams and shakes. It’s the kind of place where kids can go wild on sundaes while adults tackle something indulgent and a little over the top.
04
Top Mexican standout
Nuestro Mexico Restaurant
Central Bakersfield • Casual Regional Mexican Restaurant • Best For Bold Mexican Flavors
A local favorite for plates loaded with vibrant salsas, tender meats, and homestyle sides.
Nuestro Mexico is the spot locals mention when you ask where to find seriously good Mexican food in town. The menu covers comforting staples like enchiladas, tacos, and burritos, but the standouts are often the house specialties and seafood plates that come out sizzling and fragrant. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the energy stays lively without feeling rushed.
05
Iconic local institution
Luigi's Restaurant & Delicatessen
East Bakersfield • Old-School Italian Deli And Restaurant • Best For Long Lunches And Provisions
A bustling Italian market-restaurant hybrid known for sandwiches, pastas, and shelves stocked with take-home goods.
Luigi's has been a Bakersfield staple for generations, and lunchtime here feels like a community meetup as much as a meal. Inside, you’ll find a deli counter stacked with cold cuts, cheeses, and salads, plus a menu of hearty pastas, sausages, and classic Italian-American plates. Grab a sandwich and a glass of wine, linger at a crowded table, then pick up pantry items or desserts to extend the experience at home.