Best Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA: Basque, Tri-Tip and More

Monday 26 October 2026·By Support Local Near Me

The best restaurants in Bakersfield, CA lean into what the city does best: family-style Basque dinners, tri-tip and steak, generous breakfasts and Mexican food. Local favorites include Chalet Basque downtown, Firestone Grill for tri-tip sandwiches, Hungry Hunter for prime rib and Zingo's Cafe for breakfast. Each pick below links to its listing, with the address, hours and photos.

Browse every listing on our restaurants in Bakersfield page.

Basque food in Bakersfield

Bakersfield has one of the largest Basque communities in the United States. Basque sheepherders settled in Kern County in the late 1800s, and the boarding houses that fed them grew into family-style restaurants, where meals arrive in courses at shared tables.

Chalet Basque Restaurant (200 Oak St): a long-running Basque bar and restaurant with communal seating and family-style steak and seafood dinners. It also hosts large parties.
Buena Vida Tapas Lounge (2500 New Stine Rd): a tapas lounge that's popular for brunch, with outdoor seating.

Steak, tri-tip and barbecue

Firestone Grill (3501 California Ave): Bakersfield's most-reviewed restaurant in our directory, known for tri-tip sandwiches, burgers and ribs at fair prices in a sports-bar setting.
Hungry Hunter Steakhouse (3580 Rosedale Hwy): a steakhouse known for its prime rib and tableside salad, with an extensive wine list and happy hour.

See all steakhouses in Bakersfield.

Breakfast and diners

Zingo's Cafe (3201 Buck Owens Blvd): an old-school cafe on Buck Owens Boulevard with homestyle American food and portions big enough for leftovers.
New Vintage Grill Hageman (9901 Hageman Rd #100): daily breakfast and modern American food, with a covered patio and happy hour.
Ethel's Old Corral Cafe (4310 Alfred Harrell Hwy): a bar and grill on Alfred Harrell Highway in northeast Bakersfield, known for its burgers, with an event center for concerts and weddings.

Mexican and Latin American food

Zama Latin American Cuisine (1623 19th St Suite 100): creative, chef-driven Latin American dishes downtown, such as ribeye chicharron tacos and chorizo croquettes.
Agave Grill & Tequila (250 Oak St): a downtown Mexican restaurant with big portions that will adapt dishes for vegetarians.
L & B Mexican Restaurant (3603 Coffee Rd): a small, spotless Mexican restaurant known for fresh salsas and guacamole.
Linos Mexican Cuisine (2911 Taft Hwy): a cozy, old-fashioned Mexican restaurant in south Bakersfield, loved for its chile verde chilaquiles.

See all Mexican restaurants in Bakersfield.

Burgers, pizza and more

Fabulous Burgers (3004 Airport Dr): a burger stand with generous fries and well-loved zucchini fries.
Pizz-a-Perfection (8500 Harris Rd Ste.H): a family-owned pizzeria with inventive pies, including Indian-style pizzas.
LUNA Bistro & Cafe (1230 H St): a stylish downtown bistro with a patio and fusion dishes.
Shoyu Sushi Calloway (1120 Calloway Dr Ste 100): a fresh, modern sushi restaurant in northwest Bakersfield.
Saffron Indian Food & Bar (3015 Calloway Dr Unit D2 & D3): an Indian restaurant and bar with a calm dining room.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there Basque food in Bakersfield?

Basque immigrants came to Kern County in the late 1800s to herd sheep. The boarding houses that served them grew into the family-style Basque restaurants Bakersfield is known for today.