A self-described “order-at-the-counter seafood stand” in South L.A. made it to the top of Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat for 2025.
Holbox is located near the entrance of a food hall called Mercado La Paloma in the Figueroa Corridor of Los Angeles. Customers wait for more than an hour to order “some of the freshest seafood around,” according to Yelp.
Eleven other eateries in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties made it onto the list as well. Most are quick service eateries tucked into shopping centers.
It was created by Yelp’s data science team drawing on individual reviews users post on its platform as well as the overall restaurant activity in each business area.
Thirty-seven of the 100 restaurants are in California, reflecting a trend the Yelp researchers spotted toward global cuisine “with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine rising to the top.”
Here are the Southern California restaurants that made the cut.
No. 1: Holbox
Mercado La Paloma, 3655 S. Grand Ave., C9, Los Angeles; 213-986-9972, holboxla.com; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Holbox is named for an island off the Yucatán Peninsula.
Yelp’s report calls it “a continually rising star among Yelp diners” with more than 1,000 5-star reviews. Dining professionals have also taken notice. Michelin gave Holbox star status in its 2024 California guide last summer and called it “a distinctively Angelino phenomenon.” And its founder Gilberto Cetina is a semifinalist for outstanding chef in the 2025 James Beard Awards.
The Yelp honor is meaningful because it comes from his diners, Cetina wrote in an email.
“We strive to deliver an unforgettable dining experience to both new and returning guests, sharing the rich story of Yucatecan seafood with every dish.”
Popular dishes include Taco de Pulpo en su Tinta, made with octopus from the Yucatan, and Sea Urchin and Scallop Ceviche, made with sea urchins from Santa Barbara, according to Cetina.
He wrote that he thinks of Mercado La Paloma as home.
No. 11: Shlap Muan Wings
2150 E. South St.,105, Long Beach; shlap-muan.com; 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
The shop’s name means chicken wings in Khmer, the language of Cambodia, according to its website, and that’s basically what it offers. There are 24 flavors, including the “wok-kissed” Dirty Elvis and Tamarind Tiger. The menu also features garlic noodles and fries. Prices are around $11.50-$31.50.
No. 15: Berry Brand
Tustin Crossings, 12932 Newport Ave., Tustin; loveberrybrand.com; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
This is a place to build your own açaí or pitaya bowls with the choice of about two dozen toppings. Yelp reviewers praise the Coconut Dream base
No. 18: West Coast Cheesesteaks
Lone Hill Shopping Center, 1832 B E. Route 66, Glendora; westcoastcheesesteaks.com; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
This sandwich shop boasts house-made sauces made with blocks of cheddar cheese and heavy cream. Choices include cheddar, poblano or chipotle. Sandwiches cost about $11.50-$21.50.
No. 23: Sunbliss Café
Sycamore Canyon Plaza, 701 S. Weir Canyon Road, No. 115, Anaheim; sunblisscafe.com; 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
This juice bar also serves coffee, açaí bowls, bagels and items such as Japanese Avo Toast.
No. 27: Tai He Ju
10333 Garvey Ave, El Monte; 626-672-0299; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, closed Tuesday
Fried dumplings are a specialty here. Fillings that won praise from Yelp reviewers include beef with vermicelli and chive and egg.
No. 42: Lord Empanada
1540 S Myrtle Ave., Monrovia; lordempanada.com; 9 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday
This restaurant has its roots in Argentina and serves many kinds of empanadas, from meat-filled to vegan, as well as house-made chimichurri. Prices are around $3.95 each.
No. 45: Cardelli’s Italian Market Deli & Catering
De Anza Plaza, 7786 Limonite Ave., Riverside; cardellisdeli.com; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
Yelp reviewers praise sandwiches such as hot pastrami, meatball and the Sgobba, which is Black Forest ham, pepperoni, Parmesan and provolone cheese on toasted garlic bread. Prices are in the $10 range. Desserts include cannoli, spumoni and tiramisu.
No. 48: North Shore Plate Lunch
2429 Hamner Ave., Norco; 951-444-6774; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
This is a Hawaiian barbecue place with such favorites as chicken katsu, loco moco, kalua pork and mac salads.
No. 64: Daddy Ji
201 N. Indian Hill Blvd., suite A100, Claremont; orderdaddyji.com; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday
This Claremont Village restaurant boasts Indian street food such as tandoori chicken, tikka masala, samosas and mango lassi.
No. 70: La Copine
848 Old Woman Springs Road, Yucca Valley; lacopinekitchen.com; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
This restaurant near Joshua Tree serves seasonal menus made with farm-fresh, sustainable ingredients. Yelp reviewers praise the fried chicken.
No. 91: Heritage Barbecue
31721 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano; heritagecraftbbq.com; 11 a..m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday and Tuesday
This Texas-style barbecue is in growth mode and has a growing reputation in Southern California. Its owners are moving a 19th century barn to its premises. Yelp users praise the spare ribs.
San Diego County
Nine San Diego County restaurants made Yelp’s list. They incluce Phonomenal, National City (No. 4); Beyer Deli, San Diego (No. 14); Shawarma Guys, La Mesa (No. 26); GONZO! Ramen, Carlsbad (No. 31); Big Jims Roast Beef, San Diego (No. 33); Baba Kabob, San Diego (No. 37); Rosemarie’s, San Diego (No. 46); Chuyz Taco Shop, San Diego (No. 64); Single Fin Surf Grill, San Diego (No. 84).