Best Old Town Temecula Restaurants: 9 Winning Picks!

Temecula wine country is obviously a great place to enjoy fine wines and spectacular scenery, but now it’s also offering up plenty of culinary delights. Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Diego, great flavors await you not only at the local wineries but in the heart of Old Town Temecula too.

I’m lucky to live just over an hour away, so I get to visit this vacation destination quite often. And as a chef, I can tell you, Temecula has seriously upped its food game over the last few years! So, let me fill you in on the best restaurants Old Town Temecula has in store for you!

Best Old Town Temecula Restaurants

The main street running through historic Old Town is Old Town Front Street. It’s the backbone of the Old Town dining district and a great place to get started.

1. Small Barn Restaurant

Outdoor seating at the Small Barn Restaurant in Old Town Temecula — Small Barn is one of the best Old Town Temecula restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating.

On the corner of 5th and Front Street, the owners of this modern bistro did indeed renovate a historic building that was once a small barn on the homestead of one of Temecula’s founders. Today, this beautiful building houses one of the most inviting restaurants Temecula Old Town has on offer. And it provides rustically chic outdoor dining as well.

Whether inside or on the spacious outdoor patio, expect updated American classics like burgers and short ribs along with inventive seafood dishes. Grilled artichokes and foraged mushrooms are a couple of my favorite starters.

Brunch is served Friday through Sunday. You can get your ube fix with the French toast, French it up another way with a Croque Madame, or choose from almost a dozen other tasty breakfast/lunch entrees.

Small Barn Restaurant: 28535 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590

2. Espadín

Espin Restaurant in Old Town Temecula — Espadín brings the best flavors of Mexico to Old Town Temecula.

If you’re looking for a little more olé in your day, head to Espadín just across the way. There you’ll find plenty of tasty Mexican food options as well as creative cocktails showcasing a large selection of tequilas and mescals.

I’ve had more than one memorable experience experimenting with the magic of agave here, but the scratch-made traditional Mexican specialties are also something I always fondly remember too.

This spot is open weekdays for lunch, brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and dinner every night. I love eating out on the porch and getting a great view of the passersby in different states of letting their hair down in Temecula.

Espadín: 28544 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590

3. Baily’s

Mac n Cheese at Baily's Restaurant — One of several delicious Mac ‘N Cheese options at Baily’s

For its artful presentation, generous portions, and reliable deliciousness, I’m always surprised how reasonably priced Baily’s is.

You’re not going to get shocked by how they’ve reinvented the wheel here, but after you look through the extensive menu and make your choice, you’ll be rewarded with a genuinely yummy version of whatever you’ve ordered. I love when that happens in a restaurant—especially nowadays!

Baily’s is open for dinner nightly, with brunch offered Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, this one of the best restaurants in Temecula that also rolls out a welcome mat for top-notch musicians. Live music is featured every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night! Check the website for who’s on stage when.

Baily’s: 28699 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590

4. Public House Temecula

The Burger at Public House Temecula — Public House Temecula burgers are the real deal!

This venue is known as much for its innovative pub dining as for its live music line-up, with lots of shows and a wide range of genres.

If you read me, you know that I LOVE my cheese, and one of my favorite things here is the upscale mac ‘n cheese. It’s made oh so well with cheddar cheese, gruyere, bechamel, and a dusting of panko.

The ahi poke is a delicious way to kick things off, and their burgers are also some seriously delicious business.

The bar has something to please everyone in your entire group. There are plenty of inventive cocktails, local craft beers, and of course wines too.

They’ve got you covered here for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and you’ll even find happy hour discounts on Thursdays and Fridays from 3–6 pm.

Public House Temecula: 41971 Main St, Temecula, CA 92590

5. 1909 Temecula

Shrimp appetizer at 1909 Temecula — At 1909 Temecula, the Shrimp & Chorizo dish is quite delish.

Small Barn is not the only Temecula restaurant to have dramatically repurposed what was once a barn into an inviting place for food and drink. Located right next door to Public House, 1909 Temecula is housed in what was once a barn that burned down in 1908.

The next year it was rebuilt and had an interesting run of uses for more than 100 years. In 2014, current ownership opened 1909 Temecula with a whole new look.

I would say the menu here exhibits an eclectic mix of world influences, but it offers classic American dishes too. You’ll find everything from veggie wontons, birria tacos, and Korean fried chicken starters to excellent burgers—including bison—steaks, chops, salads and fish dishes. I love what they do in their shrimp and chorizo starter.

Way back in the ‘60s this spot used to be one of the roughest Temecula bars Old Town served up. Today, I think 1909 has one of the most genuinely cool bars in town, and their hand-crafted cocktails, beers, wines, mimosa slushies, and bloody marys will satisfy whatever thirst you walk in with.

These guys are available for rewarding dining in Temecula all week long. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner on any day that ends in “y.”

1909 Temecula: 28656 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590

6. The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse & Saloon

The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse and Saloon — Nobody ever leaves The Gambling Cowboy hungry.

With its name, you may not be surprised that this is an amazing place for steaks in historic Temecula, but this spot does some great surf and turf too. In addition to their long list of beef cuts and preparations, this cowboy also offers Oscar-style lobster additions, lobster mac ‘n cheese, and lobster mashed potatoes too.

Appetizers and entrees include a good number of other seafood options, and a surprising level of creativity for a place with “cowboy” in its name. And when it comes to Temecula dining, I can tell straight up that I’ve never been disappointed with any gamble I’ve taken here.

Lunch and dinner are served every day; brunch gets added on the weekends. There are delicious, stick-to-the-ribs options on every menu, with a heaping helping of hospitality and good service too.

The Gambling Cowboy: 42072 5th St, Temecula, CA 92590

7. Bottega Italia

Gelato at Bottega Italia — Bottega Italia delivers an authentic Italian experience in Old Town Temecula.

As someone who grew up in an Italian-American family and can’t spend enough time exploring Italian cuisine in either Italy or here in the States, I choose Bottega Italia as my Italian go-to in Temecula.

And although I can’t say no to any of Italy’s 11 styles of pizza, Chicago’s Deep Dish, or even the unique style of pizza that constitutes one of the famous foods of Colorado, I am always a sucker for an authentic Neapolitan pizza.

So when I need a taste of the best flavors of Naples while I’m in Temecula, Bottega Italia never lets me down.

With their imported wood-fired oven, they crank out not only delicious versions of pizza’s greatest hits but even options like the lesser-known Montanara. This fried pizza is not only one of the beloved dishes of Campania, but an incredibly tasty reminder of the region my nonna’s family came from.

The pastas here also do an excellent job of capturing the flavors of classic Italian cuisine. I also can’t get enough of their sweet treats. When in town, I’ll pop in during the day for mouthwatering Italian pastries.

These even include the decadently delightful marittozi, which instantly take me back to the finest bakeries of Rome. But the best desserts of Rome also include gelato, of course, and Bottega Italia delivers here too.

The full bar provides an extensive list of Italian cocktails. They also pour Italian beers and offer a wine selection that features many Italian labels as well as great options from the surrounding Temecula Valley Southern California wine country.

For a taste of Italy at breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Temecula, this is the place!

Bottega Italia: 28475 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590

8. The Goat & Vine

Carnitas pizza at Goat & Vine — Inventive pizzas please the palette at The Goat & Vine.

I fell in love with this place the first time I came here, and it remains one of my favorite places to eat in Temecula. There’s always a warm welcome, and the whole staff is consistently friendly.

Honestly, the food and drink alone make it worth coming here, but always feeling like they’re excited and happy to have me walk in is some much appreciated icing on the cake.

OK, I don’t reserve all my pizza cravings for Bottega Italia; I definitely have some of them satisfied here too. No matter what else we might be having, when my husband and I eat here, we always order the Jalapeño Lime Carnitas pizza. It’s a perfect example of the inventiveness of California’s most famous foods. And it’s far from the only outside-the-box pizza on the menu.

A couple of their standout handhelds are their Coast to Coast Reuben and Hatch Chile Honey Chicken Sandwich. There’s also a good selection of salads too.

I would just point out that there are no fancy entrees here. This is the place to dig into salads, pizzas, and sandwiches that are all made from scratch, creative, and reliably delicious.

And there are no slouches behind the bar either. I’ve had such good luck with inventive cocktails here that I usually just ask what’s new and exciting, and end up being very satisfied with whatever arrives at the table.

Bottom line: I’ve never had anything here I didn’t truly enjoy.

The Goat & Vine: 41923 2nd St, #103, Temecula, CA 92590

9. The Old Town Deli

Sandwiches at the Old Town Deli — The tried and true meet the bold and new at The Old Town Deli in Temecula.

It may be hard to believe, but sometimes you’re just looking for a quick, tasty lunch in Temecula and you couldn’t care less about the latest cocktail the bartender just invented. Those are the times ducking into The Old Town Deli are a great idea.

Nothing too fancy here, but there are some really succulent sandwiches that include both classics and imaginative new riffs. My husband Michael enthusiastically vouches for the Reuben. Being a huge fan of Mediterranean cuisine, I often opt for the Mediterraneo. Featuring chicken, goat cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, roasted garlic, roasted peppers, avocado, and olive tapenade, this choice is a feast disguised as a sandwich.

I haven’t tried any yet, but there’s a good selection of salads and a soup of the day too. Who knows, maybe the next time I hit up this restaurant in Old Town Temecula, I’ll be falling in love with a new favorite.

The Old Town Deli: 1920 6th St, Suite A, Temecula, CA 92590

Final Thoughts on the Best Restaurants in Temecula’s Old Town

The Old Town Temecula entrance — Experience the charms of Old Town during your Temecula Wine Country getaway.

Even if you’re just visiting Temecula to indulge in the fruit of the vine, you should take the time to visit the historic heart of this area. Walk around and take in some of the old-time architecture, browse the shops, and give at least one of the restaurants in Old Town a chance to wow your taste buds.

But keep in mind that Old Town is definitely not the only place for great food in the local wine country. Some of the best restaurants in Temecula, California, are located up in the vineyards. Read our article on the Best Restaurants at Temecula Wineries to learn where to do the finest wining and dining in the gorgeous settings where the local wine is actually made.

And if you need any more information about how to maximize your fun in this unique getaway destination, take a look at our article Weekend in Temecula: Where To Wine, Dine, Stay, & Play.

Cheers and bon appétit!