Location: Lake Isabella
Where to Eat in Lake Isabella: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Lake Isabella (formerly, Isabella) is a census-designated place (CDP) in the southern Sierra Nevada, in Kern County, California, United States. It is named after the Lake Isabella reservoir and located at its southwestern edge, 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Wofford Heights in the Kern River Valley.
1. Paradise Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By hantshawk - Winchester, United Kingdom
We stayed and ate here both very good,rooms clean and big good facilities ,the food was very good value and tasty .recommende
2. Nelda's Diner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Patricia B - Lake Isabella, California
Always open for business (when other eating places might close down for breakfast, lunch or dinner). A local cafe with good food. The waitresses were efficient & friendly. There is nothing fancy or formal about Neldas, but you get big portions of tasty food. Their French fries are terrific - the best, & the bread pudding is always a favorite.
3. Starbucks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Alan P - Caliente, California
This Starbuck's is located just inside the biggest store up here, the Von's Supermarket. They are very friendly, and we know all the workers by name, and they know us. The wife and I stop there 2 or 3 times a month.
4. El Portal Mexican Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Skytrekker - California
This is not a fancy place and is simply decorated, but the food is good. I had the vegetarian quesadilla and it came with a large dollop of sour cream. It was very good and filled me up. The complementary chips were excellent. The salsa was very watery, but it had good flavor and wasn't too spicy. Service was very good and prices were reasonable.
5. The Coffee Mill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By SMGrandma
Late lunch upon entering Lake Isabella area. Nice Turkey sandwich on ciabatta bread with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. I omitted the pesto mayo. Served with kettle chips. Staff very friendly. I'm not a coffee fan, but you sure could get any kind here. They close at 3:00 pm.
6. Pizza Factory
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By LBGrandBanks - Long Beach, California
Most of the staff are deer-caught-in-headlights newbies, what you should expect to get with minimum wage, you cheap, greedy business owners. Fortunately the guy MAKING the pizza has skills and knocked out some seriously good pizzas. Crust is on the thick side, delicious--me, I'm a thinner-is-better type. But hey, more "pizza bones" for the poochies. Average beer selection, fortunately including Firestone 805. The red wine was possibly suitable for cooking but not for drinking--cuts your palate like a razor blade, with a bouquet of wet dog.
7. Shady Lane Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Wizzzzzard - La Crescenta, California
Yes, this is a Bar & Grill but it was a very comfortable lunch. We split the featured Shady Burger, 1/2 lb patty on a French Roll. It was very well prepared and was plenty to satisfy both of us. It comes with Ortega Chili's which were too much for my wife and I, but they're served on the side so they're easy to avoid. Five choices of draft beer; we tried both microbrews offered, each with different styles, but both very good. The staff was right on top of the service. While not a gourmet place, it was exactly the LOCAL atmosphere we were looking for. Other patrons were also enjoying the place and were not noisy or boistrous, a major criteria for us. This was also the beginning of the annual Fishing Derby so we expected some camaraderie, but it was not excessive.
If you're looking for something other than the standard franchise fast food place, give it a try. Choice of booth, tables, or bar counter.
Location hard to find so look very carefully. It's very unobtrusive blending in with other establishments in the same building block.
This place is DEFINITELY NOT closed, as the TripAdvisor label incorrectly states.
8. Dam Korner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Bill D - Weldon, California
You can always tell a good restaurant when you see local people constantly frequenting the place, and the Dam Corner is one of those. Good luck finding a booth for breakfast! They don't skimp on quantity, so you'll never go away hungry. Good breakfasts and lunches. Standard fare.
9. Chef Serape
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Steven B - Lake Isabella, California
Always Good Service, they treat me like I live here (Which I do Now), they offer Daily Specials "Every Day" on their Bulletin Board, but they don't write the Word "WITH" Rice & Beans, they just write "R&B" so you "Don't" know if it is Rice and Beans, or Rhyme and Blues and expect a Musical Band inside the Restaurant ??
10. Chesters Chicken
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Pjveetwin - Ridgecrest, CA
So these are a small chain scattered across the country, mainly at truck stops. I've eaten here too many times to remember and always enjoyed their food when I'm traveling and just need something quick and good. I've never been disappointed. The one in Kernville is just like it should be.
