Looking from the outside at Pomona California you might miss some of what makes it unique. Pomona is the home of Cal-Poly Pomona, the Auto Club Raceway, the Latino Art Museum, the NHRA Motorsports Museum, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art.
There is a revitalized downtown scene with a weekly market night, an art walk, theres music venues, and artist street fairs.
Something else you might look for in Pomona— is the food.
Let’s take a look at some of the restaurants in Pomona California that reflect the diversity and history of this tenacious community. I think you will be surprised.
Here’s a list of the best Pomona restaurants:
Coco Palm Restaurant
We couldn’t discuss the best restaurants in Pomona without including Coco Palm in our list.
Serving “Modern Latin Gastronomy” with a high-end flair, mixing the menu up with the flavors of Cuba, you can be transported to the Caribbean island for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Coco Palm has been in business for over 20 years and strives to bring quality to your table with some amazing dishes like Ropa Vieja, Paella Valenciana, or maybe a 3lb Prime Tomahawk Rib-eye with cassava mashed potatoes is more to your liking.
Coco Palm has a champagne brunch on Sunday as well as having catering available.
1600 Fairplex Dr, Pomona, CA 91768
Luchador Urban Taqueria
Luchador Urban Taqueria is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Pomona and is on a mission of “ Making Tacos Great Again”, and they are bringing the traditional flavors of Mexico City into the dishes they serve.
A mouth-watering featured menu of selections like El Gavacho Fries, Sopesitos, or their FAMOUS Taquitos,”4 taquitos rolls accompanied with guacamole, cotija, chipotle crema, lettuce pico de Gallo, red and green mild salsa” are served up daily.
You won’t break the bank eating at Luchador Urban Taqueria so make it a fiesta, and go enjoy the handmade, made from scratch, “Traditional Modern Mexican Food”.
No reservations are needed, take-out and catering are available.
341 S Garey Ave, Pomona, CA 91766
Mito’s Döner Kebap
In the mood for some Turkish food? You are in luck. Chef Mithat has brought Traditional Turkish food and Turkish hospitality to Pomona.
Mito’s Döner Kebap has a la carte classics like hummus, dolmas, and pickled red cabbage, and don’t want to forget the tasty desserts like baklava. Just so you know you can buy the baklava by the piece or you can buy a whole tray.
Quality Halal meats and chicken are available. Mito’s Döner Kebap serves a real traditional döner of beef, lamb, or chicken which is claimed to be as good as any found in the world. That right there is a tasty challenge to be accepted.
Vegan and vegetarian options and considerations are listed on the menu.
168 W Willow St Pomona, CA 91768
The Brick Market & Deli
Nothing beats a good deli sandwich. Fresh bread, fresh ingredients, and if you know your deli sandwiches you know Boars Head meat and cheese are top-notch. The Brick Market & Deli has all of this and more.
The Brick Market & Deli is a part of the neighborhood. They have been a part of Pomona for some time now serving up fresh ingredients on fresh bread, and hot and cold selections in the style of an east coast deli.
Try out the 3-Cheese Grilled Cheese, the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich, or maybe a Hot Capicola. If it’s too hot outside maybe a Ham and Cheese, Roast Beef, or an Italian sandwich, or the Lentilicious Sandwich if you’re vegetarian.
It’s mentionable that they make their flatbread and baklava in-house. Their commitment to making quality sandwiches makes them a Pomona restuarant that you don’t want to miss!
105 E Arrow Hwy, Pomona, CA 91767
Cachanilla Chinese Restaurant
If your looking for some good Cantonese cuisine, the Cachanilla Chinese Restaurant is a good place to find it in Pomona.
It is said to be Pomonas’ most acclaimed Chinese restaurant. With their lunch and dinner menu packed full of your favorite dishes, which are available for take-out and delivery , all you need to do is just give them a call.
Sweet and Sour Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, the list goes on with fish, meat and pork favorites for lunch specials, and for dinner the menu levels up with appetizers like Egg Rolls and Pan Fried Dumplings. Feel like a soup, Cachanilla offers Egg Flower Soup, and Wonton Soup to name a few. Now you are ready for the chef’s specials menu.
Black Pepper Filet Mignon, Garlic Shrimp, and Kung Pao 3 Ways are only a sample of the dishes.
Tell me you ain’t ready for some Chinese food now.
Cachanilla should definitely be on your list of can’t miss Pomona restaurants.
Vita Italian Bar & Grill
Vita is arguably the best Italian restauarant in Pomona and for good reason.
First, the ambiance, setting, and layout are all simply gorgeous. You can see the love that has gone into this classic bar and grill and you can also feel the welcoming energy.
With Farm to Table practices and a relationship with Cal Poly Pomona farms the atmosphere is inviting and local. Reducing their footprint and supporting local farms builds community and Vita Italian Bar & Grill is part of the Pomona community,
Sticking to tradition the way to start a meal is with the antipasto, and Vita has all your favorites. Charcuterie, Polenta Cakes, and some extra special treats like Wagyu Meatballs covered in the house sauce and mozzarella.
Zuppa and Insalate, Soup and salad, Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches, Carne and More are the menu headlines and that’s just the lunch menu. The dinner menu has some extra options that you really have to see to believe. You can dine on a 40 oz Tomahawk Rib-eye with a champagne Demi-Glace and enjoy it with a fine wine or a crafted cocktail or a good beer.
3101 W Temple Ave Pomona, CA 91768
Day Day’s BBQ & Waffle House
What can you say about Day Day’s but that it’s the “Best Soul Food in Southern California”.
Smothered oxtails, and fried catfish, “Big Pimpin’ “ omelettes, and possibly the best fried chicken and BBQ in the I.E., I’m surprised you haven’t left to go get some already.
Don’t forget the peach cobbler or the homemade banana pudding because with the prices at Day Day’s you eat your fill.
If hearty portions and a chill laid-back atmosphere are what you want to find plus a menu staked with breakfast items, soul food, and Cajun-Creole options, then Day Day’s BBQ & Waffle house is where you can find them. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
994 E Holt Ave, Pomona, CA 91767
Borreguitas Bar Express
One of our favorite Pomona restaurants, Borreguitas Bar and Express is all about serving up the freshest and tastiest vegan vegetarian Mexican food around.
A favorite to try is the Vegan Street Taco or the Vegan Wet Burritos, or dive into the Vegan Sope or a delicious Vegan Posole Soup. Borreguitas gives the vegan crowd a place to enjoy some authentic flavored Mexican food.
For breakfast how about the Chilaquiles or the Chilaquiles con Huevo y Carne, or the Chorizo con Huevo, Soy chorizo, and tofu egg, served with rice beans and tortillas. Qué Rico!
Surprised by how good vegan food can be is no longer a thing. Borreguitas is serving it up at Pomona’s first authentic Mexican Vegan Restaurant.
977 S Garey Ave Pomona, CA 91766
Tropical Mexico
If you’re looking for one of the best Mexican restaurants in Pomona, look no futher than Tropical Mexico.
Open seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu is loaded with delicious authentic classic dishes..
There’s a full bar, outdoor seating, and some of the best Mexican food in the area. Thoughtfully plated and skillfully created the food and service are what make Tropical Mexico the place to go when in Pomona.
And just for the record, there is a Taco Tuesday from 4-9 PM.
Owned and operated by JML Mexican Restaurants Inc, Tropical Mexico is not without a back story, and it lays a foundation for the energy of this restaurant.
1371 S E End Ave Pomona, CA 91766
Pho Ha Vietnamese Restaurant
Don’t forget to put this restuarant at the top of your list of must-visit good restaurants in Pomona.
Thirty-two years ago a restaurant opened up in Pomona and specialized in a beef noodle soup called Pho.
Flash forward to 2022 and the restaurant is still serving Pho but in 8 locations. So something has to be said about the food. A little side note, the owner has been working at the restaurant since it started in 1990 where he worked part-time.
Sourcing some of their products locally throughout California means the products are fresh and that freshness is part of what makes Pho Ha an absolute gem in Pomona.
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