Burbank often gets flak for being in the Valley, L.A.’s little suburban brother, not as good. But joke’s on the haters.
They can keep their L.A. hotspots, because Burbank has delicious restaurants coming out its ears. You don’t have to go into the tourist-filled sections of the city.
In fact, many places on this list are hidden gems only known to locals. Live in Burbank? Visiting? Don’t worry, there’s plenty to eat.
Portos is one of the best rated restaurants in Burbank and it absolutely lives up to the hype that it gets on Yelp and social media.
At heart, Portos is a Cuban American eatery that focuses on Latin specials and desserts. They serve up southern classics such as tamales and croquetas de pollo or de jamón.
They also blend cultures in snacks like their baked ham and cheese croissant. For dessert, you can rely on having bakery classics alongside their signature tres leches cake.
The only downsides is that the lines can be incredibly long, however the pace at which the workers serve people doesn’t have you waiting too long.
What to eat:
The potato balls, guava rolls, or the classic: a Cuban sandwich.
3614 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Pinocchio Restaurant
Since 1971, family-owned Pinocchio Italian Restaurant has been serving American Italian classics in a casual setting seven days a week.
So much more than a simple pizzeria, the restaurant also houses the Monte Carlo Italian Deli & Market, offering imported Italian groceries and fresh baked bread daily.
Sip a pinot on the patio, indulge in a cappuccino and biscotti, or go all-in with their eggplant parmesan.
They have old world charm from their deli counter, through the dining room, to their 24 flavors of gelato and sorbet. They even offer food to go and catering options.
Don’t forget to put this place at the top of your list of must-visit good restaurants in Burbank.
What to eat:
You can’t go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs. Also their delicious sandwiches are stuffed to the core and come with 2 hearty sides. Leave some room for a cannoli.
3103 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Granville Café
Granville is certainly one of the best places to eat in Burbank. The restaurant, located in downtown Burbank, is an experience, starting with its sleekly designed dining room and continuing on through their “village” of flavor.
They stock their modern-casual restaurant with fresh, high quality, sustainable, and organic ingredients for dishes that are prepared from scratch daily.
They have a range of flavors from their lunch poke bowl with sashimi-grade ahi to beef stroganoff to a turkey club sandwich. The Burbank location doesn’t take reservations, so it’s first come, first serve.
What to eat:
The Santa Barbara chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries.
121 N San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Café de Olla
Café de Olla is a family-owned traditional Mexican-American restaurant specializes in authentic home-style dishes. What makes it stand out from others is the fact that it’s a breakfast and brunch restaurant.
They stay open for dinner Thursday through Saturday, but every day of the week they’re mostly serving omelets, French toast, pancakes … and breakfast burritos, of course.
Their breakfast menu is massive and mouthwatering, with an especially unique Mexican Breakfast section of dishes. The restaurant is named for the the traditional Mexican coffee made with boiled cinnamon sticks and piloncillo, so you’ll have to order a cup.
If you are looking for the best breakfast in Burbank, this should be at the top of your list.
Bobs Big Boy is, no doubt, one of the most popular restaurants to try in Burbank. Think 1950s fast food restaurants and hamburgers and you’re thinking Bob’s Big Boy. You may recognize its slogan (“the Nationally Famous, Original Double–Deck Hamburger”) or its cheeky, smiling mascot.
But did you know that the Beatles had a meal there during their 1965 tour? Fame isn’t even the half of it at Bob’s, where double is king – they still offer the “Original” Big Boy Combo: a double-decker hamburger with lettuce, cheese, mayo, and red relish.
Along with burgers, they have fried chicken, chili, and other entrees. Fast food heaven, paired with a traditional root beer float.
What to eat:
The Original, of course! The breakfast here is phenomenal too!
4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Guisados
They don’t call Guisados one of the best places to eat in Burbank for nothing.
Guisados is known for their simplicity. They braise their own fillings the traditional, homestyle way and make their own fresh, handmade tortillas.
What do you order? Tacos. The menu has 17 different options, now including two vegan options, and two quesadilla choices.
The only thing you have to hem and haw over is what flavors to get. Some people work on ticking off all the tacos visit after visit. Pair your meal with an agua fresca or cool horchata. That’s it, that’s Guisado’s. Simple. Their to-die-for tacos speak for themselves.
What to eat:
Steak picado, pescado, and camarones. Chicharron if you still have room.
312 N San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Tallyrand
If you are on the fence about where to eat in Burbank, Tallyrand is a blast from the past. It’s an homage to the classic diner – rather, an homage to itself, since it’s been open since 1959.
They focus on American classics, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a short break from 2-4pm in between.
All of their baked goods are baked, their sauces and dressings done-up, and their mashed potatoes mashed in house every day.
They even roast 200 pounds of fresh turkey. Every. Day. With just about everything you could want on the menu at a restaurant that’s regularly won “Best of Burbank,” what are you waiting for?
They have daily specials and their soup of the day is always chicken noddle.
What to eat:
Some of that turkey, just to put a dent in it.
1700 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506
Smoke House
Look familiar? You may not have been here before, but you’ve certainly seen it in movies like La La Land and Argo.
The Smoke House Restaurant is one of the most iconic eating establishments ever seen on the silver screen and is one of the best dinner places in Burbank.
There are pictures on the wall of some of Hollywood’s greatest known artists, hung over iconic red tufted booths. It’s been a favorite haunt of Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and George Clooney – to name a few.
You’ll be dining with history in an establishment founded in 1946 rife with the memories of Hollywood past and present.
Even their world’s greatest garlic cheese bread is historic, dating back to 1950! Rest assured that all the food is fresh and well worth the experience.
What to eat:
The world’s greatest garlic cheese bread.
4420 Lakeside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Dino’s Pizza
Everyone needs a good, reliable pizzeria. Dino’s arguably serves the best pizza in Burbank. They promise real food and no cut corners while keeping their menu simple: pizza, salads, sandwiches, and spaghetti.
Eat in for that classic pizzeria ambiance, with wipe-down, red and white checkered tablecloths, Americana decor, and a statue of a chef to greet you.
Go for a single slice, or order a pie for everyone – they have close to 40 different specialty pizza combinations! Or you can just peruse the toppings list and create your own.
They also offer over 20 different salads and 12 different dressings. The building is topped with a big “Eat” sign, and we think you should do exactly that. What to eat:
For the best lunch in Burbank, head to Chili John’s, which has been open since the first half of the 20th century. In fact, it’s the longest running restaurant that has remained in continuous operation in Burbank since 1946.
They spend ten hours on every single batch of chili they make and use a 100 year old recipe that was trademarked under their name in 1902. From outside in, everything at Chili John’s is rustic.
The first thing on their menu is the chili, of course, but the best part is you can create your own. Pick your chili – beef, chicken, turkey, or vegetarian – your base, and add-ons for a 12 or 16 oz portion.
Can’t get enough? Buy a quart of chili to take home.
What to eat:
Chili. But especially their beef chili – it’s the original!
2018 W Burbank Blvd Burbank, CA 91506
Corner Cottage
Corner Cottage is another no-frills, mouth watering casual breakfast bar. Even their street sign gets right to the point: Corner Cottage / Breakfast Burritos / Teriyaki Bowls / Hamburger Specials.
The letter-board menu inside offers a few more dishes that weren’t mentioned outside, but you get the gist. They also have taquitos hot dogs, grilled cheese, and onion rings.
It’s important to note that they stop serving breakfast burritos at 11am and, while their other food is good too, it seems silly to miss out on Corner Cottage’s main attraction.
Corner Cottage is one of the top Burbank restaurants, where you can savor one of the best breakfast burritos in all of Los Angeles.
What to eat:
A breakfast burrito with bacon.
310 S Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Giamela’s Submarine Sandwiches
Another delicious Italian establishment, but with a completely different focus so don’t stress over which to choose – they all have their own unique offering’s!
Giamela’s specializes in sub sandwiches (but also serve pizza and pasta, of course). Like many others on this list they’ve been causing people to drool for decades, having first opened their doors in 1964.
Choose between cold or hot sandwiches, regular or large. You can request to have any of them toasted or with the bread scooped out.
If you prefer pasta, there are seven options served with a soup or a salad and garlic bread, including their bucket of spaghetti and meat sauce.
What to eat:
Pepper steak sub.
216 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Born in Mason, Tennessee, Gus’s Fried Chicken dates back 60 years. It began as chicken sandwiches sold out the back door of a tavern until the founding couple built their own restaurant themselves in 1973. That location is still in operation.
The name came from the founders’ son, Gus, who took over the family business in 1984. Gus’s spread to California in the 21st century and saved diehard fans a lot of hassle, since they didn’t have to travel to Tennessee anymore.
The menu is simple: choose from individual pieces or plates and pair them with a couple sides, like their famous sweet beans and slaw.
Consider this beloved eatery when looking for restaurants near you.
What to eat:
Fried pickles, three pieces of chicken, sweet beans, slaw, and a slice of white bread.
509 S Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
La Bamba Island Cuisine
If you’re on the hunt for unique Burbank eats, look no further than La Bamba.
La Bamba is a casual restaurant that serves fresh island cuisine. Their flavor palate comes from the Caribbean, serving local specialties like a Cuban sandwich, fajitas, and Bistec Ala Venezolana.
Their burritos, tacos, salads, and dinner plates are meant to make you feel like you’re dining on vacation rather than on Glenoaks Boulevard.
Though, you may have a hard time forgetting that as inside is out and outside is in – the restaurant is more of a cabana than a dining room, offering al fresco dining year ‘round.
They don’t take reservations, but their island fare is worth the wait.
What to eat:
Flauta Caribeña Burrito, wet.
2600 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504
Bea Bea’s
Bea Bea’s is one of the best breakfast restaurants in Burbank and the line that constantly permeates the outside of the restaurant is a testament to that.
It’s a family-owned, casual breakfast spot that has focused on the American morning classics since 2008. Bea Bea’s serves breakfast and lunch all day long. Well, 8 to 3.
The restaurant is named after Chef Bea who specializes in French toast, offering 17 different variations on the dish including cornflake and coconut pineapple.
It’s not just sweet treats, though. Bea Bea’s has breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros – even crab cakes Benedict.
What to eat:
Oh Em Gee, the Hawaian bread French toast topped with homemade sweet cinnamon honey butter.
353 N Pass Ave, Burbank, CA 91505
Pablito’s Tacos
Pablito’s Tacos is the new kid on the block compared to the others. Opened in 2018, they’re an explosive blend of Mexican and Peruvian flavors.
The tortillas are homemade, the fillings cooked on a mesquite grill, and the guacamole is free. You heard us: FREE.
In the short time they’ve been open, Pablito’s has found such success that they’ve expanded to five different locations and been mentioned in top-5 lists for L.A. tacos.
They’re open every day of the week and have Taco Tuesdays and Taco Thursdays. They’re also in the breakfast game, serving breakfast burritos all day long.
What to eat:
Vampiro tacos with crack sauce.
3803 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Mama Hong’s Vietnamese Kitchen
Mama Hong’s Vietnamese Kitchen is is easily one of the best restaurants in downtown Burbank and it finishes off the list thanks to its amazing traditional Vietnamese dishes.
You can dine in or order take out. Either way, you’ll be coming back.
Let’s just start with the fact that they have their own sub-menu for spring rolls. There are six different fillings to choose from that you order in sets of two or four.
From there, they offer banh mi, pho, rice dishes, and vermicelli bowls. They even have vegan options. Pair your meal (or follow it up, like dessert) with a Vietnamese or Thai iced coffee.
Mama Hong’s is open every single day for lunch and dinner.
What to eat:
The spring rolls to start and Mama’s Pork Chop Combo.
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