Located in Idyllwild near Tollgate Road just off Rout 243
Directions and Distance
From Los Angeles area: Take Freeway 60 or Interstate 10 to Banning (exit 100). Exit Hwy 243 to Idyllwild. 100 miles.
From Orange County: Take Freeway 91 to Freeway 60 to Interstate 10 to Banning (exit 100). Exit Hwy 243 to Idyllwild 93 miles.
From Palm Springs: From Interstate 10 to Banning, take Hwy 243 exit to Idyllwild. 47 miles.
From Palm Desert: From Highway 111 take Hwy 74 to Hwy 243 into Idyllwild. 47 miles.
From San Diego: From Interstate 15, take Hwy 79 So to Hwy 371 to Hwy 74 to Hwy 243 into Idyllwild. 114 miles.
THE LOOKOUT LODGE GUIDE TO IDYLLWILD DINING.
Websites are listed so that you can browse menus and see photos, but reservations and orders in this town are best made by phone, and web pages are rarely updated.
CAFÉ AROMA: 951-659-5212 https://cafearomaidyllwild.com/
The original hipster happening place in Idyllwild for over 20 years, the scene here died down a little after founder Hubert died. It has the advantage of most of the seating being technically ‘outdoors’ on a huge covered deck, so the pandemic restrictions are have been less profound here. Food is good, the booze is OK and the staff is helpful if you are nice to them, as all Lookout Lodge members will, of course, be. L.A. prices.
THE GASTRONOME: 951-659-5015 https://gastrognome.com/#idyllwild-restaurant-home
Pretty much unchanged inside since it opened in 1973, it is retro without even trying. Sadly, in the pandemic, indoor seating is very limited and you cannot sit at the well stocked traditional bar. Outside or to go, the stripped down menu is delicious, though I didn’t see it listed on the website. I think you have to go there to read it. When it can fully reopen, this is the best ‘old school’ gourmet restaurant ‘On the Hill’, with a vaguely Central Coast vibe, and prices to match.
FRATELLOS: 951-659-3900 https://www.fratellosidyllwild.com/
Try it, you’ll like it. Full-on, home style Italian, just like Downtown San Diego or Ventura Blvd, and they offer their full menu to go. Recently, too, the large patio with live music has reopened. Family run and owned, and like all the best Italian places, follow your server’s recommendations. A contender for best pizza in town, prices similar to Ventura Blvd too, and lots of genuine daily specials on the board outside.
FERRO: 951-659-0700 https://www.ferrorestaurant.com/
Frank and Lori Ferro brought the laid back, affluent hipster vibe from Aroma to Ferro when they opened it a few years ago. Lots of seating out back when the weather is OK, a goodly amount in the tented-over front deck too. Based on Frank’s grandmother’s recipes and Lori’s ingenuity and insanely hard work, the food is upscale contemporary Italian and really is made from scratch with the best ingredients. The building itself reflects this ‘quality first’ approach to business everywhere (they own it), and wait until you see the marble in the restroom .. quality doesn’t come cheap, but you will be so happy when you pay the bill, you won’t mind a bit.
IDYLLWILD BREWPUB: 951-659-0163 https://www.idyllwildbrewpub.com/
Prepare to be amazed. Brewpub is ‘Aspen comes to Idyllwild’. Also owned by the Ferro consortium, this is reputedly the widest bar in the state at over 40 feet. Head Brewer Don Put tries to brew a beer for all tastes. It is always busy so don’t take shy relatives with you. Outdoor seating, excellent service, and the food is, being a Ferro kitchen, first class and made from scratch. ‘Aspen pub food’ menu, and everywhere is so expensive these days, it seems quite affordable now. Don’t stay in Idyllwild without seeing the ‘Crown Jewels’ of a bar scene in Idyllwild. Salmon fish and chips, yum.
IDYOLOGY: 951-527-0030 https://www.idyology.restaurant/
We are not quite sure how to review Idyology, it has been somewhat of a chameleon since it opened in 2014, under 3 different owners. From chic hangout to cowboy bar (without cowboys), to now a high end gourmet menu and prize winning chef, Idyology is perhaps what you make of it yourself? In fine weather, the creekside dining under the trees is perhaps as authentically ‘Idyllwild’ as it gets. Go try it, though do check their opening hours first. L.A. prices.
MIDDLERIDGE WINERY: 951-659-9000 https://www.middleridge.com/
A wine bar and art gallery rather than a place to eat, but good on both counts – good wine, and the better end of the local art for sale. A bright, spacious and somehow vibrant building with some outdoor seating, the owners Chris and Melody Johnson pour only wine crafted by Chris Johnson himself. Obviously, Idyllwild doesn’t grow grapes, but Chris is a master winemaker with premises in Temecula and extensive contacts to get the best grapes, not all from Temecula either. It’s clean and chill at Middleridge, named after the street they lived on when Chris and Melody founded the winery. Try a glass, take home a bottle, and again, family owned. It really does feel like a true art gallery inside, rather than a wine bar with a few pictures for sale on the wall. For wine also, see:
IDYLL AWHILE WINE SHOPPE AND BISTRO: 951-659-9463 http://idyll-awhile.com/
We haven’t been inside since it became a bistro, so maybe you can let us know for a future edition?
STEVE’S HUNGRY HABIT AND THIRSTY RABBIT: 951-468-4723 https://www.yelp.com/biz/stevie-s-hungry-habit-and-thirsty-rabbit-idyllwild
A great Idyllwild-style breakfast and lunch deli, open until 5 p.m. Best quality ingredients, and Steve the Chef/owner puts his heart and soul into everything in the kitchen, and their cheese selection is good too. There are Fabulous breakfast choices and really good deli sandwiches. Not exactly cheap perhaps, but you get what you pay for, and if you stay long enough at Lookout Lodge, maybe you can get local discount…
IDYLLWILD PIZZA COMPANY: 951-659-5900 https://slicelife.com/restaurants/ca/idyllwild/92549/idyllwild-pizza-company/menu
Your basic, small town, family owned, take-out/eat in pizza. When inside dining returned, we knew the pizza company would be the first to take advantage, because owner Kenna has posted on the front door her constitutional objections, though she follows the law. We used to think it was quite expensive, years ago, but prices have hardly gone up in 20 years, and now it is probably THE choice for fun family dining. A large pizza not much over $20 plus tax etc., sandwiches well under $10. Beer on tap, football and NASCAR on the screens, a truly relaxing and family friendly, independent pizza joint.
MILE HIGH: 951-659-2100 https://milehighcafe.net/
On the right hand side of the road as you are heading into town on Hwy 243 from Loookout Lodge. This used to be ‘The Idyllwild Café’ years ago, a local stalwart, but that closed. Shortly thereafter, the building got a makeover and Mile High was born. Owner Grace Han and her family really seem to care. This is the most successful blend of American and Korean traditional foods in the state! Grace and her chef lavish careful attention on every dish and every customer. Opening days and times seem to vary, so either check first, or just drive by and see if they are open. If not, carry on into town. They have a standalone coffee shop, Alpaca, to go if you want espresso style drinks or pastries, to save impeding the flow through the busy café .
LUMBER MILL: 951-659-0315 https://www.lumbermillidyllwild.com/
Perhaps the closest we have now to a roadhouse/cowboy bar now that Idyology has gentrified, Lumber Mill is down home done well, and popular with locals, tourists, and those who get their hands dirty. The bar/dining room is tiny but there is a decent, shaded patio for outdoor dining with live music at weekends and the pandemic has sharpened their to-go skills to a fine urban speed. Good quality beer-n-burger diner food, served with style and sass.
MANZANITA CANTINA AND GRILL: 951-468-4002 https://www.manzanitaidyllwild.com/
Mexican food, margaritas, service with a smile, all very affordable. Owned by the same local family as the Lumber Mill, it is best to call ahead because opening days and times seem unpredictable. The food too, seems to vary in execution. When it is good, it is very, very good, but when it is not, it is disheartening. You get what you pay for though and where else can a family eat heartily for under $50 all in? Hmm. See below.
LA CASITA: 951-659-6038 https://www.idyllwildlacasita.com/
An Idyllwild institution. “Dollar Taco Night” is THE event amongst the longest established residents in town. Though I think the tacos are $1.50 now, like when Two Buck Chuck became $2.49 … Robert also owns Aroma, but he started here, and he still goes by the handle “La Casita Robert”. Cali-Mexican standards made reliably well, generous portions, and a spacious outdoor deck. Their to-go service is now as polished as the rest of their operations, and their reputation is spotless. Legendary.
COFFEE SHOPS: All are good:
HIGHER GROUNDS: 951-659-1379 https://www.idyllwildcoffeeroasters.com/
THE TOWN BAKER: 951-659-8606 https://www.thetownbakeridyllwild.com/
EL BUEN CACAO: 760-333-7690 https://www.elbuencacao.com/#/LOCAL
RECOMMENDATIONS
BAR: IDYLLWILD BREW PUB 54423 Village Center Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549
BREAKFAST: IDYLLWILD BAKE SHOP & BREW 54200 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549
DINNER: PLANT FOOD SUPPER CLUB 54241 Ridgeview Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549COFFEE HOUSE:
HIGHER GROUNDS COFFE SHOP (MORNING HARP MUSIC) 54245 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549