01
Best overall pick
Cafe El Cholo – La Habra
Whittier Boulevard Corridor • Classic Mexican Restaurant With Historic Roots • Local Favorite For Sit-Down Mexican
A lively, old-school Mexican spot known for combination plates, strong margaritas, and big family gatherings.
The La Habra outpost of this long-running Southern California restaurant group delivers the comforting hits locals expect: cheesy enchiladas, fajitas that arrive sizzling, and baskets of warm chips with salsa that keep getting refilled. The room feels welcoming whether you’re sliding into a booth for Taco Tuesday or hosting a birthday dinner. It’s the kind of place people grow up with and keep coming back to for reliably satisfying Mexican comfort food.
02
Best for date night
Il Gatto
La Habra Heights Edge • Upscale Italian Restaurant In A Converted Cottage • Romantic Special-Occasion Spot
A refined Italian dining room tucked into a quiet corner of La Habra, serving carefully executed pastas and mains with attentive service.
Set in the former Cat & the Custard Cup space, Il Gatto leans into the cozy cottage setting with candlelight, white tablecloths, and a slow-down-and-savor pace. The menu highlights fresh pastas, seasonal specials, and well-balanced sauces that feel more chef-driven than neighborhood red-sauce joint. It’s a go-to when you want to linger over a bottle of wine and a multi-course meal a few minutes from home instead of driving into a bigger city.
03
Best classic diner
Arthur's Coffee Shop
Harbor Boulevard Strip • Old-School Coffee Shop And Breakfast Diner • Breakfast Institution
A no-frills, always-busy diner slinging huge breakfasts, bottomless coffee, and friendly counter service from early morning on.
Arthur’s is the kind of place where the staff remembers regulars’ orders and plates come out piled high with hash browns, bacon, and biscuits. Expect classic American comfort food—omelets, chicken-fried steak, burgers—served in a room that feels straight out of another era in the best way. Go early on weekends, grab a booth or a counter stool, and settle in for a hearty start to the day among locals who’ve been coming for years.
04
Best casual tacos
Taco Nazo
Beach Boulevard Corridor • Counter-Service Mexican Seafood Spot • Go-To For Fish Tacos
A casual, order-at-the-counter staple famous for crispy fish tacos, shrimp tacos, and simple, satisfying combo plates.
Taco Nazo has the unfussy, quick-service feel that makes it easy to swing by after work or between errands, but the food goes beyond standard fast-food tacos. The signature Baja-style fish tacos come hot and crisp with cabbage, crema, and salsa that keep regulars loyal. Add in fresh aguas frescas and a lineup of seafood-focused options, and you’ve got one of La Habra’s most dependable, wallet-friendly meals.
05
Best for take-home Italian
Claro’s Italian Market
Downtown La Habra • Family-Run Italian Deli And Market • Top Pick For Sandwiches And Provisions
An old-world Italian market where you can grab stacked deli sandwiches, fresh sausages, and imported pantry staples in one stop.
Claro’s is as much a community pantry as it is a place to grab lunch, with glass cases full of cold cuts, cheeses, olives, and housemade sausages. The sandwiches are generously layered on good bread and make an easy picnic or take-home dinner alongside a tub of pasta salad and some cannoli. It’s a must-visit if you like to cook at home or want to stock the fridge with quality Italian ingredients you won’t find at a typical supermarket.