01
Best overall pick
Restaurant 917
Near Porsche Experience Center • Modern Californian Dining Room • Best For Special Occasions
An elevated restaurant overlooking the Porsche track with polished plates and a surprisingly relaxed feel.
Tucked inside the Porsche Experience Center, Restaurant 917 feels like a sleek hidden clubhouse for people who care about both cars and cooking. The menu leans seasonal Californian with fine-dining touches, but the room never feels stuffy, and the service is attentive without hovering. Book it when you want to impress out-of-town guests or turn a day at the track into a full-on occasion.
02
Essential comfort stop
Darrow's New Orleans Grill
Near Victoria Street And Central • Casual New Orleans Counter Spot • Best For Bold Flavors
A lively spot dishing out po’boys, gumbo, and plates that taste straight out of Louisiana.
Darrow's is where you go when only serious Southern comfort food will do. Expect overstuffed shrimp and catfish po’boys, rich gumbo, and sides that actually matter, from red beans and rice to mac and cheese. It’s casual and often busy, but the portions are generous and the flavors bring regulars back week after week.
03
Laid-back crowd-pleaser
Back Home in Lahaina
Off Carson Street • Laid-Back Hawaiian Restaurant • Best For Groups And Families
A warm, Hawaii-inspired spot with big portions, plate lunches, and island-style hospitality.
Back Home in Lahaina feels like dropping into a family gathering, complete with aloha shirts, island music, and plates that cover the whole table. The menu covers all the hits—loco moco, kalua pork, teriyaki beef, and hearty combo plates—with plenty to share. It’s an easy choice for casual celebrations, birthdays, or feeding a hungry crew before a game or concert nearby.
04
Old-school soul staple
R & R Soul Food
Avalon Boulevard Corridor • Classic Soul Food Cafe • Best For Hearty Plates
A no-frills soul food institution where smothered meats and slow-cooked sides steal the show.
R & R Soul Food is all about stick-to-your-ribs cooking: think smothered pork chops, oxtails, fried chicken, and greens that taste like someone’s grandma made them. The dining room is simple, but the steady stream of locals tells you what you need to know. Come hungry, be ready to wait a bit during peak hours, and expect to leave with leftovers for later.
05
Top quick seafood fix
Family Fish Market
East Carson • No-Frills Seafood Market And Fry Counter • Best For A Quick Bite
A tiny counter-service seafood joint turning out fried fish, shrimp, and sides to-go.
Family Fish Market keeps things straightforward: pick your fish, choose your sides, and let the fryer do the rest. The focus is on fresh, well-seasoned seafood rather than décor, making it a favorite for grab-and-go dinners and low-key lunches. Order a mixed basket with hush puppies and fries, then find a nearby park or head home to dig in.