01
Best overall pick
Salvatore Italian Restaurant
Old Town Montebello • Old-School Italian Restaurant • Special-Occasion Standby
A Montebello institution for generous Italian classics, strong cocktails, and white-tablecloth nostalgia.
Salvatore feels like the kind of place families have been coming to for decades, with red-sauce pastas, veal, and baked specialties that lean classic rather than trendy. The portions are hearty, the service is attentive, and the bar turns out properly stiff martinis. It’s an easy go-to for birthdays, anniversaries, or any night you want a sit-down dinner that still feels comfortably local.
02
Top pick for variety
BLVD MRKT
Downtown Montebello • Indoor–Outdoor Food Hall • Best For Groups And Variety
A lively shipping-container food hall where you can mix pizza, pupusas, birria, and craft drinks in one stop.
BLVD MRKT brings a modern, communal vibe to downtown Montebello with a rotating lineup of local vendors and plenty of open-air seating. It’s ideal when no one can agree on what to eat, since you’ll find everything from Latin comfort food to creative fusion and solid coffee. Come hungry, share a few different stalls, and linger over a drink as the place fills up in the evening.
03
Best classic Chinese
Canton City Restaurant
Garfield Avenue Corridor • Casual Chinese Restaurant • Weeknight Comfort Pick
A no-frills favorite for big plates of Chinese-American comfort dishes at friendly prices.
Canton City is the kind of straightforward, family-run spot where locals know the menu by heart. Expect crisp orange chicken, chow mein, fried rice, and comforting soups that arrive quickly and hot. It’s especially handy for easy takeout or low-key group dinners when you want lots of shareable plates without overthinking it.
04
Seafood lover's choice
El Pescador - Montebello
Montebello Town Center Area • Bustling Mexican Seafood Spot • Best For Mariscos And Micheladas
A lively mariscos hub known for towering seafood cocktails, fresh aguachiles, and big, frosty micheladas.
El Pescador leans into bold, coastal Mexican flavors with ceviches, shrimp in every style, and platters meant for sharing. The room can get loud on busy nights, but that’s part of the appeal, especially if you’re watching a game at the bar. Go for the mixed seafood cocktails, grilled fish plates, and a round of micheladas or margaritas to match the energy.
05
Steakhouse favorite
Stevens Steak & Seafood House
Commerce / Citadel Area • Vintage Steakhouse And Banquet Venue • Retro Date-Night Pick
A throwback steak-and-seafood house with dark-wood booths, strong pours, and live-music energy on busy nights.
Just a short drive from Montebello, Stevens feels like stepping into an old-school supper club, complete with prime rib, shrimp cocktails, and classic sides. It doubles as a banquet spot, but the main dining rooms still work nicely for a date or celebratory family meal. If you like your steak with a side of nostalgia and maybe a dance floor afterward, this is the move.