11 Restaurants in Temecula Wineries You Will Love
Looking for the best Temecula wineries with restaurants? You’ve found them! There are so many wineries in Temecula with restaurants, let us help you pick the best one for you. From fine dining with vineyard views to casual outdoor patios, we have the best Temecula winery restaurants serving up whatever it is you’re looking for!
In recent years, Temecula has become Southern California’s wine country of choice. When Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Temecula wine country one of the “10 Best Wine Getaways,” people noticed. More impressively, this was not just a California wine country ranking, or even for the United States, it was worldwide! And Temecula wine country restaurants are a big part of this honor.
The disclaimer: While there are many great wines to be found, I would not rank the average Temecula Valley wine the best in California. Generally speaking, I think Napa Valley has the best wineries in CA.
But . . . for the overall wine and dine experience, I agree that the Temecula Valley makes a better getaway. It’s more affordable, less touristy, and much more accessible for me and many others from Orange County, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and other SoCal locations.
I lived in LA for a long time and now reside in San Diego, just over an hour’s drive from this awesome destination. So, you can imagine, since I do enjoy wine tasting, I’ve eaten at my fair share of winery restaurants in Temecula. And I’m happy to share my picks with you!
Best Restaurants in Temecula Wineries
1. Gaspar’s Restaurant at Altisima Winery
On our last visit to Temecula, Gaspar’s impressed us with the best winery lunch in Temecula Valley, and the dining experience was so enjoyable, I’m giving it my nod as the best restaurant among all the Temecula wineries.
The setting is stunning. Altisima is one of the area’s newest wineries, its stark white structure dramatically perched high on a hill far above the valley floor. From this vantage point, both the indoor restaurant and the expansive outdoor patio offer incredible vineyard and mountain views.
We chose a spot indoors, in the high-ceilinged dining room that seamlessly blended modern design elements with traditional materials. With Altisima an ode to Temecula wine country’s Spanish roots, Gaspar’s definitely felt like a touch of the old country.
The wines here are Spanish varietals, and the menu offers Spanish classics and fusion fare with California flare. We enjoyed a delicious trio of tapas: Catalan Gambas, Golden-Fried Cauliflower Florets, and Serrano Jamon Wrapped Burrata. The fresh ingredients, excellent execution, and lovely presentation were a winning combination. And the various flavors were nicely complemented by the bottle of Optimista 2021 white wine blend we were recommended.
Other share options included charcuterie and cheese boards and a beautiful grilled octopus, while more substantial choices like a black angus burger, seared salmon, and ribeye steak ensure that any size appetite can be deliciously accommodated.
Rounding out our experience was our knowledgeable, friendly, and good-humored waiter. His service was excellent and his tips on other offerings in Temecula were right on target. We couldn’t have asked for a more satisfying meal.
Address: 37440 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Hours: Daily: 11:00 am–5:00 pm
Gaspar's at Altisima Winery, our pick for best Temecula winery restaurant
2. The Restaurant at Ponte, at Ponte Winery
The Restaurant at Ponte is a lovely choice for lunch or dinner. Seating is exclusively al fresco year round in a beautiful garden setting. Don’t be scared off by any concerns about the weather; the space is protected by a canopy and warmed by heaters when needed. We recently had dinner at this Temecula winery restaurant on a chilly, wet evening—yet we were perfectly comfortable throughout our meal, with the falling rain providing perfect background music.
The menu leans toward seafood but has a fair number of beef options as well, so neither surf nor turf afficionados will lack sufficient options for satisfaction. Local produce, hormone-free meats, and responsibly sourced seafood provide not only high-quality ingredients but reflect the winery’s commitment to sustainability.
The wine list features Ponte’s own wines, of course, but also a few offerings from Bottaia, one of the local wineries focusing on Italian varietals. We had a lovely bottle of the Bottaia Vermentino to accompany our meal.
Two stand-out dishes we enjoyed were the black mussels starter with red curry, tomato, and coconut, and the pan-seared salmon entrée with spinach and ricotta ravioli under a sundried tomato, artichoke, and spinach cream sauce. And the complimentary focaccia loaf that we didn’t want to fill up on while studying the menu was so delicious—it was somehow gone before we had even finished our apps.
I’m a sucker for al fresco, and the food, ambiance, and service at the Restaurant at Ponte were excellent. However, it’s not the only Ponte winery restaurant. Bouquet offers brunch daily and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. The Cellar is not only a refined cellar lounge offering a selection of signature cocktails in addition to wines and beers daily, it also has a food menu that covers everything from apps and flatbreads through entrees and desserts. If you leave Ponte Winery hungry, you’ve no one but yourself to blame.
Address: 35001 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: Lunch: 11:00 am–4:00 pm; Dinner: 4:00 pm–7:00 pm; Brunch: Weekdays: 8 am–12:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday: 8 am–3:00 pm
Delicious salmon and ravioli at The Restaurant at Ponte Winery
3. Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek Winery
After enjoying some really good wine at the tasting room at Wilson Creek Winery recently, we strolled over to the Creekside Grille for lunch in the expansive outdoor dining area. Under the rustic wooden overhang that provided ample shade while offering an open view over the lush green grounds beyond, we enjoyed a casual yet delicious meal.
Wine country dining can be expensive, but the menu at Creekside offers tempting choices across a range of very reasonably priced options. And Mondays through Thursdays provide an even greater opportunity for savings with different discount specials each day.
The eclectic mix of options include everything from a short rib mole crostini starter to entrees like Skuna Bay salmon, Iberico pork, and kabocha squash ravioli. In addition, the chef opens things up even further by adding a daily market fish option, entrée special, and pasta and soup offering.
The day we went, my husband Mike was feeling a bit of a mid-March St. Patty’s Day hankering, so he keyed in on the corned beef Reuben. It really hit the spot for him, and the red-pepper slaw was a unique spin on a go-to sandwich side. I topped the petite Vineyard Salad with the Skuna Bay Salmon add-on. The petite size was plenty big, and the hunk of salmon was a very generous portion and cooked to perfection.
On Sundays, brunch steps in for lunch, adding a nice blend of breakfast-inflected options to many of the regular lunch favorites. No matter when you go, check out the dessert menu—there are tons of decadent choices! And at some point, sneak a peek at the barrel room through the doors you passed when you were seated. It’s a glimpse onto an essential workaday part of the winery that always strikes me as somehow so romantic.
Address: 35960 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591
Hours: Monday–Thursday: 11:00 am–4:00 pm; Friday, Saturday: 11:00 am–5:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Outdoor wine country dining with a Reuben at Creekside Grille
4. The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars
Those who truly know Temecula wines usually include Leoness as a favorite winery in the region. Operating for more than 20 years, the Leoness team has released a slew of award-winning wines. Indeed, both exceptional white wines and red wines have piled up accolades for this consistently top-notch producer of liquid magic.
But another reason to visit is The Restaurant. It is without a doubt one of the finest Temecula winery restaurants open for dinner. In fact, it was twice named by USA Today as the Best Winery Restaurant in the entire country!
The Restaurant applies French-cooking techniques to bring out the best in locally sourced ingredients of the highest caliber. Moreover, offerings are specifically conceived to perfectly pair with Leoness wines, elevating the fine dining experience to a symphony for the palate.
The menu changes with the seasons, but two recent mouthwatering options were a winter black truffle risotto and a venison double chop with acorn squash puree, bruised pearl onions, and chard leek chimichurri.
Since The Restaurant is only open on the weekends, reservations are highly recommended—and the further out you can make them, the better. Gold and Platinum wine club members enjoy a 10% discount on their meals.
Address: 38311 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Hours: Friday, Saturday: 11:30 am–7:00 pm; Sunday: 11:30 am–5:00 pm
The cozy dining room at The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars
5. The Vineyard Rose Restaurant at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
South Coast Winery is not only lauded among Temecula wineries for its high-quality wines, it’s the only vintner to have clinched the title of California Winery of the Year 5 times at the prestigious California State Fair Wine Competition. Known for its special events, superb lodging, and GrapeSeed Spa, it has also been included among USA Today’s Top 10 Winery Hotels.
Not to be outdone, The Vineyard Rose Restaurant has been named a USA Today’s Top 10 Winery Restaurant for 3 consecutive years. It’s also one of the rare restaurants in Temeceula wineries to offer breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner.
Whether in the spacious, elegant dining room or on the terrace overlooking the scenic grounds below, The Vineyard Rose pleases with extensive contemporary California cuisine offerings at all of the meals it serves.
From decadent choices like Bananas Foster Pancakes and Chunky Monkey French Toast at breakfast to an opulent buffet at brunch, from a wide array of pleasing handhelds and salads at lunch to show openers like a Lobster Mac & Cheese starter and show stoppers like a giant Tomahawk Ribeye at dinner, there’s something to satisfy everyone, all the time, at The Vineyard Rose. And that’s without even getting started on the dessert delights! But please note that reservations are required!
Address: 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591
Hours: Breakfast: Monday–Saturday: 8:00 am–11:00 am; Brunch: Sunday: 10:00 am–3:00 pm; Lunch: Monday–Saturday: 11:30 am–3:00 pm; Dinner: Daily: 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
The Vineyard Rose, a perennial USA Today Top-10 choice for best winery restaurant
6. The Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery
Here’s another fabulous Temecula winery restaurant with a view! Perched at 1,500 feet above its surroundings, The Pinnacle Restaurant offers some of the best views of the area’s rolling hills lined with vineyards. Ask for a window table to see the complete 180° vista from the indoor dining room or get seated on the open-air balcony.
Pinnacle’s menu centers on California-style Mediterranean cuisine. With an array of soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, and fresh fish, there’s something for ever taste. My favorite thing on the menu is the Salmon Wellington—the flaky puff pastry, duxelles, and mushroom sauce make this dish divine.
Falkner, the winery behind this award-winning Temecula restaurant, has also won multiple awards for its outstanding wines. For the perfect wine experience, time your visit so you can do a wine tasting either before or after your meal. Don’t miss the Meritage-Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Address: 40620 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591
Hours: Daily: 11:30 am–3:30 pm
Salmon Wellington at The Pinnacle, one of the best restaurants in Temecula wineries
7. Baba Joon’s Kitchen at Fazeli Cellars
If you want to spend most of your time wine tasting rather than eating, Fazeli Cellars is the best Temecula winery for lunch. Baba Joon’s Kitchen is the perfect place to refuel with a quick, yet tasty, meal.
Order at the counter, grab a glass of wine or a tasting tree from the tasting room, and sit outside and enjoy the view, food, and drink.
With the restaurant’s mix of contemporary fusion cuisine, you’ll find a variety of flat breads, salads, kebabs, gyros, and my personal pick—Persian Tacos. The options here are truly unique: You will not find ground chicken with Musir sauce, pickled onion, and Shiraz salad in a folded lavash handheld at any other Temecula wineries restaurants.
Address: 37320 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Hours: Daily: 11 am–5 pm
Unique fare at Baba Joon's Kitchen, one of the best Temecula wineries for lunch
8. Mama Rosa’s Trattoria at Robert Renzoni Vineyards
Another one of the best wineries in Temecula for lunch, Robert Renzoni Vineyards’ Mama Rosa’s Trattoria serves up delightful Italian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.
At this open-air eatery boasting Temecula wine country’s only brick oven for wood-fired pizzas, you may wish to linger in order to try some of their other menu items as well. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy some famous food from Bologna, like Tortellini Soup; the New Orleans specialty Muffuletta; or charcuterie boards full of yummy cured meats and Italian cheeses.
Check out their live music lineup on weekends. It’s no wonder this is a popular winery restaurant Temecula locals come to for a good time. But be warned, since Mama Rosa’s only has patio seating, it’s not the place to come on a rainy day.
Address: 37350 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Hours: Daily: 11 am–6 pm
Robert Renzoni Vineyards, home of Mama Rosa's Trattoria
9. Bolero Restaurante at Europa Village
Bolero is one of the best restaurants in Temecula wineries for breakfast. As a matter of fact, very few of the Temecula wineries with food are open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner like Bolero.
The surrounding olive trees and architecture resemble a scene from the old-world villages of Spain. The Spanish-influenced menu keeps the theme rolling.
For breakfast, expect Tortillas Españolas, Spanish Toast, and the most popular potato dish from Madrid to the Basque Block in Boise: Patatas Bravas. For lunch and dinner, you’ll find an extensive list of Spanish specialties, including 4 versions of the famous Valencian dish, Paella. On Tapas Tuesdays, fill up on small bites like you’re in Barcelona, since the discounted happy hour menu is available from 5 to 8 pm.
Address: 41150 Via Europa, Temecula, CA 92591
Hours: Monday–Friday: Breakfast: 8:00 am–11:00 am; Lunch and Dinner: 11:00 am–9:00 pm. Saturday, Sunday: Breakfast: 8:00 am–10:00 am; Brunch 10:00 am–2:00 pm; Lunch and Dinner: 2:00 pm–9:00 pm
A Tortilla Española at Bolero, one of the best restaurants in Temecula wineries for breakfast
10. Cave Café at Oak Mountain Winery
The Cave Café is one of the best restaurants in Temecula Valley wine country for wine cave dining. It is Southern California’s first wine cave after all!
Located at Oak Mountain Winery, the Cave Café nestles tables throughout its subterranean structure. Those seeking a spot among the barrels will appreciate the cool cave experience. Those in search of sunshine will be pleased on the patio with lovely vineyard views of the De Portola Wine Trail.
The winery is known for its sweet raspberry and strawberry sparkling wines, but personally, I prefer dryer wine. I think their Ed’s Red, a blend of Merlot and Petit Syrah, is their best wine.
In any event, you will not leave the Cave Café hungry. Entrees come complete with vegetables and potatoes, risotto, or pasta, depending on the meal. Burgers and sandwiches come with a choice of sides: soup, salad, or french fries. Those who are 55 years of age or over can order from a discounted seniors menu—proof that age has its rewards.
Thursday through Sunday, pop into the small barn next-door to the café that houses The Distillery where, guess what: Oak Mountain distills their own spirits.
Address: 36522 Via Verde, Temecula, CA 92592
Hours: Daily: 11 am–5 pm
The Cave Café, for cave dining in Temecula wine country
11. The Restaurant at Avensole Winery
No list of best winery restaurants in Temecula would be complete without The Restaurant at Avensole Winery. The hilltop setting of the restaurant terrace (no indoor dining) provides a picturesque setting for an incredible meal. It’s a treat that all of your senses will appreciate!
Avensole’s seasonal menu offerings may include everything from Seared Duck Breast with Sage Risotto to Gouda Mac ’n Cheese with Bacon to Scallops and Squash Blossoms. The Sunday brunch menu showcases inventive dishes like Bloody Mary Oysters, Short Rib Chilaquiles, and Biscuits and Gravy with Duck. Mark me down as a big “Yes, please!” to it all!
Live music plays on Friday and Saturday on the tasting room patio and the restaurant terrace. Another Friday and Saturday bonus: Avensole serves dinner a little later than most of the neighboring winery restaurants—until 8:00 pm. So, this is a great place to make your Temecula winery dinner reservations!
Address: 34567 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Hours: April through September: Monday–Thursday: 11:00 am–3:00 pm; Friday, Saturday: 11:00 am–8:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm. October through March: Same as listed, but closed Wednesdays.
The Restaurant at Avensole Winery in Temecula
Best Temecula Wineries with Restaurants
I know, my choice for not only the best Temecula winery restaurant but for the whole list may differ from others you may have seen. Understandably, everybody has their own perspective. But I would like to expand a little on that.
First, I want you to know my list has not been sponsored in any way. These are my opinions based on my experiences as a chef who has dined at some of the best restaurants in the world, and who has helmed a kitchen for 14 years.
Second, I’d like to explain why I have not included Café Champagne at Thornton Winery. Although it has won the Gold Award for Contemporary Cuisine from the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association for a number of consecutive years, I do not think the food warrants their exceptionally high prices. Maybe when I strike it rich, I’ll change my mind.
Temecula Winery Restaurants and SIP Passport
If you are visiting Temecula wine country during the week, you should consider a SIP Passport if you plan on doing any wine tasting. Depending on the time of year, you’ll pick it up at either Mount Palomar Winery or the Baily Visitor Center.
For its $50 cost, the passport entitles you to 5 tastings at participating Temecula wineries. With average tastings between $20 and $30, that’s quite a savings!
Please note, the passport cannot be used at the Temecula winery restaurants, only in the tasting rooms. Mike and I usually share a tasting for one ticket. It provides enough of a sample of each wine on offer to decide which are worth pursuing further. SIP passports don’t expire, so you can always return and use whatever tickets you still have left over from your last visit.
Red wine fans should check out Doffo Winery, one of the best Temecula wineries without a restaurant. Founded by Marcelo Doffo way back in 1994, the team at Doffo produces handcrafted premium wines in small batches, resulting in some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley.
Between Wining and Dining in Temecula
In between vineyard tours and the obligatory wining and dining, discover some of the hidden gems of Temecula Valley.
For the ambitious, take a hot air balloon ride and sail through the sky overlooking this premier Southern California wine country. Or try horseback riding on the scenic trails that thread through the hills.
Explore historic Old Town Temecula, which began as a stagecoach stop in 1859. The architecture resembles the Old West, and the buildings house antique shops, art galleries, bars, and, of course, restaurants. One of the Old Town Temecula restaurants worth a stop is The Goat & Vine. Try the Jalapeño Lime Carnitas Pizza!
For more on planning the ultimate Temecula getaway, including where to stay and how else to play, read my Weekend in Temecula article.
A creative pizza at the Old Town Temecula restaurant, The Goat & Vine
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