Farm to Table Dining
More consumers are mindful about how and where their food is grown and sourced. Riverside provides conscious consumers with many great dining options. These restaurants offer fresh, seasonal, and sustainable fare. Most importantly, the food is delicious.Â
Seasonal, Local, and Organic
Some of Riverside’s best restaurants also offer thoughtfully sourced cuisine. This means that you can guarantee your food is fresh and local as well as delicious.
If you are looking for something away from downtown Rustik Fork, in the Mission Grove neighborhood, offers a refined dining experience. Their menu is a wide-ranging, thoughtful, but accessible take on American cuisine. Their Steaks and seafood are locally sourced, when possible, and they source much of their produce locally. They take pride in bringing you clean, organic, local, and seasonal fare in an upscale environment. This may be your best bet in town for steak, lobster, and a smoky Bourbon.
New to Riverside, Bushfire Grill is a small, Southern California chain that prides itself on offering the highest-quality ingredients sourced locally and seasonally. Bushfire is more casual than some of the others on this list and offers a sandwich and salad-heavy menu. Located in the Canyon Crest Town Center, only minutes away from UC Riverside, Bushfire is a great option for families visiting students or people in Riverside for conferences.
Intimate Setting
Small indoor and outdoor dining areas may not be suitable for larger parties, but the intimacy of the setting makes them perfect for a date or lunch with a friend.
Craftz is a tiny space serving big flavors. The food is thoughtful, with an emphasis on freshness and seasonality, but it may be the cocktails that steal the show. Craftz has skilled bartenders offering wonderfully executed cocktails and a full range of top-shelf spirits. You can make reservations on their website or stop by for a seat at the bar.Â
La Reve Café is tucked away in the corner of the Mission Grove shopping center. The location may not be exotic, but La Reve is a true hidden gem. Chef-driven Continental and California brunch cuisine is offered in their reservation-only dining room. La Reve also offers catering for a unique addition to your meeting or party.
Markets
Maybe you just want a quick bite, or you’re headed out for a picnic. You can still eat fresh, quality food. These markets offer dine-in options or grab-and-go.
Oasis Vegetarian Cafe in La Sierra is a plant-based walk-up food window offering a surprising variety of options. Their scratch-made vegetarian proteins are great even for those who eat meat. They offer burgers, sandwiches, and salads, but their menu’s highlight is Mexican and Central American cuisine. Their pupusas are among the best in town.
At the base of Box Springs Mountain, just outside the Watkins entrance to UC Riverside, Goodwin’s Organics is the most conveniently located market for those in that part of town. Goodwin’s is a full-service, organic grocer that also sells organic and cruelty-free toiletries and cosmetics. Make sure to visit their deli for a sandwich or salad. The locals know that Goodwin’s also makes a great pizza.
An Unmissable Experience
For those passionate about sustainable and local cuisine, the Grow Dinner at the Grow Conference is a can’t-miss event. Held annually, this unique farm-to-table dining experience brings together chefs, farmers, and food enthusiasts to celebrate the best in seasonal and organic dining. Featuring exquisite dishes made from freshly harvested local ingredients, the Grow Dinner is a perfect opportunity to savor the flavors of Riverside while connecting with others who share a love for good food and sustainability.
