Location: Gardena
Top Restaurants in Gardena
Where to Eat in Gardena: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Gardena is a city located in the South Bay (southwestern) region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 58,829 at the 2010 census, up from 57,746 at the 2000 census. Until 2014, the US census cited the City of Gardena as the place with the highest percentage of Japanese Americans in California. Gardena has a large Japanese population helping make the South Bay region of Los Angeles home to the largest concentration of Japanese companies within the mainland United States.
Things to do in Gardena
1. Eatalian Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By LATraveller77 - Los Angeles
This warehouse-like eatery in Gardena is a most welcome addition to an area sorely lacking in Italian restaurants. It's a downscale version of EATALY, the mega-restaurant operation with locations in Los Angeles (Century City), New York, Chicago, Boston and European cities. For what it is, this is probably the best Italian food in the South Bay, but it's a very low bar. The pizza, for example, is good, but not great. Yes, the crust is thin as it ought to be and yes, thank the food gods, they don't pile on a bunch of artery-clogging toppings, yet... I could be mistaken, but sitting at the counter as I peered into the pizza oven, I'm pretty sure I saw gas flames. There was a "wooden log" towards the front of the oven, but I think that was there for "show" only. I'd bet money the pizza oven is gas-powered. Why does that matter? It matters because that's the difference between wood-fired ovens and gas ovens in terms of how the crust turns out - blistered or not. In this case, NOT. With the flavor you can only get from a wood-burning oven or not. In this case, NOT. As for the pastas, the good news is that they are cooked al dente. BRAVO! Sadly, when it comes to authenticity in pasta, we Italians do not like overly sauced pasta. The pasta I ordered (penne arrabiata) was tasty enough, but badly oversauced. The generous portion was too much for me to eat in one sitting, so I took the leftover pasta home and scraped off most of the sauce the next morning and thoroughly enjoyed it cold out of the fridge - the ultimate compliment to a good pasta. Eatalian features a "house wine" list. Those wines are undrinkable. I'm glad I asked for a taste before ordering a brand name glass of wine from the fairly decently curated wine list. I cannot imagine anyone naming this as a favorite restaurant in America. There are way too many spectacularly good Italian restaurants in Los Angeles alone that are far, far superior to Eatalian ( including Osteria Angelini, Bestia, Jon & Vinny's, L'Opera, EATALY, etc. to name a few), to call this a "best restaurant" in America, but if you substitute the phrase "South Bay," for the word "America," this is by far the best Italian restaurant in the South Bay. For me, I'll go back to Eatalian when I'm in the area, but I wouldn't drive any distance to eat there.
2. Zacatecas Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Owners are Rodolfo Garcia and Juan Manuel Garcia. Restaurant offers excellent home-style Mexican food. Impressively friendly owners and staff. Although small, very clean and comfortable surroundings. Generous portions of everything, including the wine. Priced almost too reasonably for the level of food and service excellence. This is the kind of restaurant we will go out of our way to visit any time we are in Los Angeles.
Reviewed By Melissa M - Atlanta, Georgia
Service was fast and friendly in a cozy, dive-y (yet clean) location! I got a fish taco and the governor shrimp taco. Both were hot, fresh and made in house. Margaritas are strong!
The price was shockingly low too; I will definitely be back with guests!
3. Mitsuwa Market Place Torrance Branch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By Robert L - North Hills
A friend of mine and I decided to meet and have lunch at Mitsuwa in Torrance. I introduced him to Okonomiyaki, which means "how or what you like." It sort of a pancake with a variety ingredients. He had the squid and shrimp version, I have the beef and pork. It was served on a sizzling cast iron plate and the portions are large. We agreed that both our lunches were delicious and we had enough to take home for another light meal or snack. Then we went shopping. Mitsuwa is a very large store and they carry tons of stuff you cannot find in most super markets. I never seem to leave without spending a goodly amount on Japanese inspired cuisine.
4. El Pollo Inka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By dion65
During the Thanksgiving weekend my wife and i decided to go to Riverside to visit somefriends. After our visit, she told me that she wants to enjoy Perubian food. Without thinking, we drove until the property on Lawnddale. Trafic was usual, however, we did not get desperated and after one hour, we finally were enjoying our delicious chicken soup, mix ceviche, jalea and rice and fried banana. We drank Maracuyo juice. When we want to enjoy this awesome food, we do not hesitate to travel and get it.
5. Giuliano's Delicatessen
Overall Ratings
5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Debra-Lynne T - Los Angeles, California
What a wonderful place, filled with happy customers! My husband and I enjoyed exploring around this deli. We were surrounded by intoxicating aromas of freshly prepared foods, as well as an attractive case of to-go Italian delights, reasonably-priced wines and creatively fun cheeses. We ordered two dinners, a clam linguini and an oil and garlic fettuccine; a pizza and a bunch of exotic cheeses. The dinners were crazy good. There was so much food that each dinner actually covered four dinners! The garlic in both dishes was the best ever. We baked the pizza in our oven at home and it was yummy! We are enjoying the selection of delicious cheeses from hot wasabi horseradish aged cheddar cheese to natural hot pepper muenster cheese. Due to very limited seating, we had to take everything home. Checkout was efficient and friendly. We have just one warning. Parking is available on the main street in front of the deli but you need to back out very carefully to avoid an accident. Drive carefully and eat well!
6. Blue Salt Fish Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Serves grilled fresh fish
Reviewed By ibaol - Los Angeles, California
This is my new go-to seafood restuarnat I had the grilled trout with cole slaw and grilled zuchinni. OMG, everything was absolutely delicious. they give you generous portions and the prices are much less than expected. Even though it's in a strip mall (with many other restaurants) it has a very cozy and comfortable ambiance with friendly and efficient employees. I will definitely return to try the fish and chips.
7. Lomeli's Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Come taste the difference at Lomeli's Italian Restaurant! Our menu is full of delicious classics, right out of Naples.
Reviewed By SNGLQT - California
Been going here since I was a kid. I'm 52. My family loves it. I'm ok with it. I don't like watery pasta and dos find a hair in my pizza. Turns out from a brush used for sauce but still not appetizing. I go for my family. Not because I like it. Friendly staff.
8. California Fish Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
We are a fast casual seafood restaurant chain that offers quality seafood in large portions at affordable prices. Try us today and "Get Hooked" #CaliforniaFishGrill
Reviewed By 2003cassg - Colusa, California
Everyone loves fish here and it shows. Always crowded but a great place to have a fish taco or fish plate for lunch or dinner. Very reasonable prices. Large parking lot which is sometimes full at lunch. Choice of fries or rice for side. Good clam chowder. Fast, friendly service. Clean location.
9. Burnt Tortilla-mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By Photoclicker - Waxahachie, Texas
My cousin lives in the area and eats here regularly. Large groups will not have any issues finding seating, in a timely manner. Great service! I had a Taco Salad which was very common. The chimichanga's are an entirely different conversation. They are gigantic, we ended up taking two halves home. I am not a salsa person but everyone at the table polished off several baskets of tortillas in the sauce. You can even satisfy your salsa craving later by taking it to go. I appreciate mgmt. allowing us to visit long after our meal was finished, mindful that should the table have been needed we would have left.
10. Sea Empress Seafood Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By 2003cassg - Colusa, California
Ample parking in this large center in Gardena that highlights the Sea Empress Restaurant. The building could be refreshed but we were here to eat. We love Dim Sum and this is the place in the LA South Bay to get authentic Dim Sum. The ladies come out with their carts full of some of the best Dim Sum ever. All the regular items and you can order any thing else from the menu. They will guide you but as usual it will be busy. English is spoken here. Bathroom adequate and roomy. If you have ever wanted to try Dim Sum give Sea Empress a try, you won't be sorry.
