Glendale, California offers diverse culinary experiences with its mix of high-quality restaurants. Foodies can explore everything from gourmet Armenian cuisine to classic steakhouses to modern California fare.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type |
|---|---|
| Raffi’s Place | Middle Eastern, Mediterranean |
| Porto’s Bakery and Cafe | Cuban bakery and café |
| Din Tai Fung | Taiwanese, specializing in dumplings |
| Bourbon Steak | American steakhouse |
| Carousel | Middle Eastern, Armenian dishes |
| Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle | Japanese, ramen specialist |
| Shake Shack | American, burgers and shakes |
| Trattoria Amici | Italian cuisine |
| Cheesecake Factory | American, known for cheesecakes |
| Katsuya | Japanese, sushi |
| Frida Mexican Cuisine | Mexican cuisine |
| BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse | American, known for pizzas and beer |
With so many excellent eateries to choose from, here are 12 of the top restaurants in Glendale that should be on any diner’s list.
Carousel
Name and Location: Carousel is located in Aria Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
History and Significance: Opened in 2009 inside the luxury Aria, Carousel offers gourmet takes on classic carnival fare by acclaimed Chef Julian Serrano.
What to Expect: Creative small plates like lobster corndogs, duck fat fries, and bacon-wrapped dates. Whimsical circus decor and carnival-style desserts.
Visitor Information: Open Wednesday-Sunday 5pm-10:30pm. Dishes $8-18. Reservations recommended.
For a memorable fine dining experience, Carousel is a Glendale icon. The restaurant resides in a refurbished carousel building, setting the stage for its elegant yet whimsical ambiance. Carousel serves contemporary French-Armenian cuisine blended with California flair.
Popular dishes include oven-roasted rack of lamb, grilled swordfish, and filet mignon with bearnaise sauce. Extensive wine and cocktail menus complement the cuisine. With its white tablecloths, exceptional service, and standout food, Carousel sets the standard for special occasion dining in Glendale.
Porto’s Bakery & Cafe
Name and Location: Porto’s Bakery & Cafe has two locations in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Founded in LA in 1975, Porto’s opened its first Vegas location in 2018 due to popularity. Known for incredible Cuban baked goods and sandwiches.
What to Expect: Freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries and more. Hearty Cuban sandwiches and entrees. Trendy spot for breakfast, lunch or snacks.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 6am-10pm. Menu items $3-15. Expect lines during peak times.
Porto’s Bakery is a local favorite for delicious Cuban cuisine and baked goods in a casual, counter-service setting. Their massive menu has it all: pressed Cuban sandwiches, rice and bean plates, roasted chicken, empanadas, plantains, and more.
But Porto’s is especially famous for its pastries and cakes like chocolate eclairs, mango cheesecake, and guava and cream cheese strudel that draw long lines. Enjoy an affordable Cuban feast or just stop by for a coffee and pastry – either way, Porto’s satisfies.
Kazan
Name and Location: Kazan is located in Tivoli Village shopping center in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Opened in 2021, Kazan brings farm-to-table Japanese fusion cuisine with sake and handcrafted cocktails to the west side of the city.
What to Expect: Innovative sushi rolls, small plates, and hot entrees blending Japanese and American flavors. Sleek, modern ambiance.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-10pm. Dishes $15-38. Make reservations in advance.
Kazan brings the exotic flavors of the Silk Road to Glendale with Uyghur cuisine. This means kebabs, hand-pulled noodles, lamb specialties, vegan dumplings, and more that blend Chinese and Middle Eastern influences.
Their grilled kebabs come seasoned and paired with fluffy bread right from the tandoor oven. Other signatures like lamb pulao rice, glass noodles with vegetables, and vegan manta dumplings show off the diversity of flavors. For an affordable yet unique cultural dining adventure, check out Kazan.
Celestino Ristorante
Name and Location: Celestino Ristorante is located at The Strat Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Helmed by acclaimed Chef Nicole Brisson since 2018, Celestino offers elegant Italian cuisine, Strip views, and wine pairings.
What to Expect: Housemade pastas, seafood, steaks and specialty entrees. Extensive Italian wine list. Refined yet relaxed ambiance.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5:30pm-10pm. Entrees $28-59. Reservations recommended. Business casual dress.
Celestino Ristorante transports diners to the Mediterranean with its romantic Tuscan inspired ambiance. Fresh pastas, seafood, steak, and chicken compose the Italian menu accented with seasonal ingredients.
Standout dishes include the roasted beet salad with goat cheese, truffle ravioli, and herb-crusted seabass. Celestino also offers an extensive wine list from Italy and California for pairing. Located in the historic Alex Theatre building, everything from the food to decor makes dining at Celestino feel special.
Bow & Truss
Name and Location: Bow & Truss is located in the Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Opened in 2013, Bow & Truss brings high-end comfort food and cocktails to repurposed shipping containers in vibrant Downtown Vegas.
What to Expect: Creative takes on American classics like burgers, mac and cheese, pot roast and salads. Lively bar scene.
Visitor Information: Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-1am. Dishes $12-29.
For a more casual but very hip dining experience, Bow & Truss hits the mark. Their menu features creative comfort food like soups and salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and burgers made with high-quality ingredients. California-inspired options like the avocado and quinoa salad keep things fresh.
Diners also rave about Bow & Truss’ cocktails, boasting their own fresh-squeezed juices and house-infused spirits and syrups. The laid-back warehouse vibe makes this a fun spot for meeting friends or a weekend brunch.
Dave’s BBQ House
Name and Location: Dave’s BBQ House is located in Las Vegas’ Chinatown District.
History and Significance: Owner Dave opened the casual barbecue joint in 2021, quickly gaining a following for smoked meats, homemade sides, and friendly service.
What to Expect: Smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, sausage and chicken by the platter or sandwich. Classic sides like slaw, beans and potato salad. BYOB friendly.
Visitor Information: Open Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-7pm. Closed Monday-Tuesday. Meats by the pound, sandwiches $7-15.
For finger-licking barbecue in a friendly neighborhood setting, locals love Dave’s BBQ House. Low and slow smoking over oak wood makes for melt-in-your-mouth brisket, tri tip, ribs, and pulled pork. Classic sides like coleslaw, beans, potato salad, and skillet cornbread round out a barbecue feast.
Beyond the smoking, Dave’s makes their own sauces, rubs, and dressings from scratch daily. Whether dining in the casual brick and wood interior or grabbing takeout, Dave’s barbecue will leave you satisfied.
Sparrow + Wolf
Name and Location: Sparrow + Wolf is located in Chinatown Plaza in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Opened in 2017, Sparrow + Wolf made an immediate splash on the Vegas dining scene with its hyper-seasonal “American neighborhood cuisine.”
What to Expect: Ever-changing globally inspired small and large plates. Come hungry and willing to explore unique flavor combinations. Fondue carts.
Visitor Information: Open Wednesday-Sunday 5pm-11pm. Dishes $9-38. Reservations highly recommended.
Sparrow + Wolf represents modern American cuisine taken to chef-driven heights. The tasting menus change regularly based on seasonal ingredients secured from local farms, ranches, and other boutique purveyors. Diners may be treated to dishes like duck breast with plum sauce or porcini dusted A5 wagyu striploin paired masterfully with wine.
The polished but relaxed ambiance in the sleek, monochromatic dining room lets the artful food take center stage. For culinary innovation and excellence, make reservations at this relatively new but already renowned Glendale hotspot.
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Name and Location: Phoenicia Specialty Foods has two locations in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Started in 1991 focusing on gourmet imported foods, Phoenicia also serves incredible in-house Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
What to Expect: Extensive deli selection of hummus, falafel, kababs, salads and more. Grocery stocked with hard-to-find ingredients. Downstairs cafe.
Visitor Information: Open daily 9am-9pm. Cafe dishes $7-17. Cash or credit accepted.
Foodies shouldn’t miss the chance to browse Phoenicia Specialty Foods’ wonderland of a market. Imported olives, cheeses, cured meats, and wines prevail in this paradise for gourmands. Their prepared foods like lamb shawarma, kibbe, and pizzas also make for excellent grab-and-go meals.
Phoenicia’s in-house restaurant serves kebabs, salads, kibbe, and Middle Eastern classics perfect for a casual lunch after shopping the aisles. For both ingredients and ready-to-eat gems, Phoenicia is a sensory experience.
Shoezis
Name and Location: Shoezis is located in Las Vegas’ Chinatown Plaza.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018, Shoezis earned a following for its build-your-own macaroni and cheese bowls, both savory and sweet. The ultimate comfort food.
What to Expect: Customizable mac bowls with endless topping options from pulled pork to gummi bears. Specialty poutines and loaded fries too.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-1am. Bowls $10-15. Order online for pickup or delivery.
Shoezis satisfies comfort food cravings with its generous portions of American and Middle Eastern fusion dishes. Their menu spans pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, kebabs, falafel platters, and more, all packed with flavor.
Favorite items include their Philly cheesesteak pizzas, loaded fries, kebabs, and wings. Shoezis aims to please with friendly service and chill vibes to match the casual menu. For delicious no-frills eats in generous portions, this local spot hits the spot.
Raffi’s Place
Name and Location: Raffi’s Place is located on West Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: Family-owned for 30+ years, Raffi’s serves home-style Greek and Middle Eastern cooking in a casual neighborhood setting. A local hidden gem.
What to Expect: Traditional dishes like moussaka, shawarma, falafel, hummus and kebabs. Charming mom-and-pop restaurant with friendly service.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-8pm. Entrees $12-20. Cash only. Call ahead for large groups.
Armenian cuisine shines at Raffi’s Place, a longtime Glendale fixture since 1976. Their expansive menu spans kebabs, salads, vegetable dishes, and classic mains like bijou and choreg. Daily specials like roasted lamb shank or eggplant moussaka tempt regulars.
While known for Armenian cuisine, the menu also incorporates American comfort food favorites. The family-friendly spot features an outdoor patio and indoor bar. For a welcoming local spot with generous portions, Raffi’s Place delivers.
Ichiban Daiko Sushi
Name and Location: Ichiban Daiko Sushi is located on Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas.
History and Significance: This local sushi favorite opened its doors in 2005. Run by Japanese owners, it offers high-quality traditional sushi along with specialty rolls.
What to Expect: Extensive sushi and sashimi options. Signature rolls like the Volcano and 49er. Full liquor bar. Lively ambiance.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-11pm. Rolls $5-20. Reservations recommended, especially weekends.
Ichiban Daiko Sushi draws regular crowds for its quality rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese fare. Their expansive sushi menu offers classic options alongside creative modern rolls. Beyond sushi, you’ll find tempura, teriyaki, udon noodles, and izakaya-style small plates like gyoza and takoyaki.
Pair your meal with Japanese whisky, beer, or sake. Bustling ambiance aside, the fresh fish and precision technique keep diners coming back. For excellent traditional sushi in Glendale, this is the place.
The Cheese Cave
Name and Location: The Cheese Cave is located in Las Vegas’ southwest valley off Durango Dr.
History and Significance: Family-owned shop offering artisanal cheeses from around the world since 2009. The knowledgeable staff make it a cheese-lover’s paradise.
What to Expect: Gourmet cheese selection with hundreds of varieties. Cheesemongers offer samples and pairing advice. Perfect for creating a cheese board.
Visitor Information: Open Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm. Closed Sunday. Prices vary by cheese.
The Cheese Cave provides artisanal cheese plates, charcuterie, wine, craft beer and more for the ideal wine bar experience. Their ever-rotating cheese and meat boards present the finest domestic and imported selections for sampling.
Pick your cheeses and meats or let their experts assemble a customized flight. Add in craft beers, wines by the glass or bottle, and desserts for a complete wine bar night. Friendly staff and warm ambiance complete The Cheese Cave’s appeal.
Conclusion
From multi-course fine dining to casual counter-service spots, Glendale’s restaurants showcase top talent and diverse cuisines. Food lovers have ample options for high-quality meals from various cultures and food genres.
The restaurants in this list represent cherished favorites, hidden neighborhood gems, and exciting new additions to Glendale’s dining scene. Trying a few of these establishments lets you taste just why this Los Angeles suburb shines as an underrated foodie city in itself.