01
Best overall pick
Cuyama Buckhorn Restaurant
New Cuyama Town Center • Upscale Desert Roadhouse Restaurant • Destination-Worthy Farm-To-Table Spot
A beautifully updated historic roadhouse serving thoughtful, farm-driven comfort food in the heart of New Cuyama.
The Cuyama Buckhorn restaurant is the natural first stop for anyone staying or passing through town, thanks to its polished dining room and serious approach to ingredients. Expect seasonal spins on classics—think elevated burgers, hearty mains, and produce-forward sides that pull from the surrounding valley. It works just as well for a relaxed breakfast as it does for a full, lingering dinner with cocktails.
02
Morning go-to
The Buck Stop Coffee Shop
At Cuyama Buckhorn • Relaxed Coffee Bar And Café • Best For Breakfast And Coffee
A cozy coffee counter and café where locals and guests fuel up with espresso drinks, pastries, and light bites before hitting the road.
Tucked on the same property as Cuyama Buckhorn, The Buck Stop is the easiest place in town to grab a proper espresso and something fresh-baked. The menu leans casual—coffee, tea, pastries, and simple breakfast and lunch options—but the quality is several notches above typical highway fare. It’s especially handy if you’re heading out early for a drive over the mountains or a day exploring the backroads.
03
Grab-and-go option
Cuyama Deli
Highway 166 Roadside • No-Frills Country Deli And Grill • Quick Casual Stop
A straightforward deli and grill favored by workers and travelers for burgers, sandwiches, and hearty, unfussy plates.
Cuyama Deli isn’t trying to be a destination restaurant, but that’s part of its charm. You’ll find generously sized burgers, sandwiches, and classic diner-style sides that hit the spot when you’re hungry and don’t want any ceremony. It’s ideal for a quick lunch or an early dinner when you want to be back on the road without a long wait.
04
Wine-country favorite
Sagebrush Annie's
Foothill Road Vineyards • Rural Steakhouse And Wine Tasting Room • Destination Dinner
A countryside steakhouse and winery where grilled meats share the spotlight with local wines and wide-open views.
Set along a quiet stretch of Foothill Road, Sagebrush Annie’s feels a world away from the main highway, with a slower pace and vineyard backdrop. The menu leans into classic steakhouse comforts—think grilled steaks, potatoes, and simple sides—paired with wines poured just steps from where they’re made. It’s the kind of place you plan an evening around, especially if you’re in the mood to linger over a bottle as the light fades over the valley.
05
Road-trip classic
The Place (Vickey and Alick's The Place)
Ventucopa On Highway 33 • Classic Old West Roadhouse • Casual Roadhouse Hangout
A quirky Old West-style roadhouse down the road in Ventucopa, known for hearty plates, cold drinks, and plenty of personality.
About a short drive east of New Cuyama along Highway 33, The Place feels like a time capsule, with weathered wood, memorabilia on the walls, and a menu built around burgers, barbecue, and simple comfort dishes. It’s popular with motorcyclists, weekend drivers, and locals looking for something a little rowdier than town. Come for the laid-back service, stay for the satisfying, no-pretense food and the sense that you’ve stumbled into a true roadside original.