The beauty of a lakefront village, fresh mountain air, and a slower pace than a big city is the perfect change you need for your next vacation. You’ll find everything you’re looking for to make a vacation to remember when you take Big Bear trips. It has many fun and exciting activities that will work up your appetite and have your stomach rumbling. There are an array of restaurants offering different cuisines to satisfy that hunger.
Azteca Grill
Dubbed “the best Mexican restaurant in Big Bear,” you can sample their delicious offerings any time of day. Choose from Mexican breakfasts like the Mexican omelet, breakfast tamale, chilaquiles, and more. Come back for lunch or dinner and sample appetizers like fish or shrimp ceviche, raw shrimp or fish marinated in lemon juice with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro, and many other dishes. There are an array of soups and salads to choose from, as well as their house specialties including garlic shrimp prepared with Mexican gulf shrimp, filet of tilapia, and more.
Sonora Cantina
Start at one of the best restaurants in Big Bear with breakfast dishes like chorizo and eggs, chilaquiles, or huevos rancheros, all served all-day long! In the afternoon and evening, enjoy homemade soups like menudo served with all of the traditional garnishing or albondigas – a meatball and vegetable soup made with homemade meatballs. Pick from traditional Mexican combos like shrimp tacos, chimichangas, or the fajita burrito combo, all served with beans and rice. Take the staff’s advice and order one of the house specials like traditional Mexican carnitas prepared with lean pork and the cantina’s secret ingredient, or their arroz con pollo, another traditional Mexican dish that includes seasoned chicken, green tomatillo sauce, and melted cheese. If you’re really hungry, step up and attempt the “Big Juan Burrito,” a seven-pound burrito stuffed with four different meats, a selection of cheeses, beans, and rice. Finish it in 45 minutes or less and earn bragging rights, and a T-shirt declaring your win.
Teddy Bear Restaurant
Start your mornings out right with a breakfast to warm you up and fuel you up for fun days on your Big Bear getaways. From eggs and omelets to waffles and pancakes, there’s something for everyone. Try a “south of the border” breakfast special like Machaca – two scrambled eggs with shredded beef, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes with hash browns and corn or flour tortillas, or a breakfast burrito. There’s classic French toast, or the breakfast staple can be made with cinnamon raisin bread. Come back later and warm up with homemade soup or chili. Choose any of the 100% Angus beef burgers like the avocado bacon burger, the teddy bear burger, or the bear burger, their double-meat/double-cheese burger.
Whiskey Dave’s
One of the most popular brew pubs in Big Bear, Whiskey Dave’s is a hot spot for music, pool, spirits, beer, and delicious food. Their food is all about accompanying their famous brews. Small plates include loaded potato skins, BBQ pork cheesy fries, nachos, bacon wrapped jalapenos, and more. Choose from tacos, fish and chips, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, or any of their half-pound black Angus beef burgers. Or opt to bring food back to your long-term rentals in Big Bear. They serve over 32 beers, many of them from local and California breweries, as well as domestic and imported brews. If it’s not beer you’re looking for, they have a variety of cocktails, as well as spirits including whiskey, tequila, rum, and more, or sit back with a glass of wine. Please note Whiskey Dave’s is always a 21 and older establishment.
Captain’s Anchorage
There is a myriad of dishes to choose from, including starters like steamed clams or artichoke, the jumbo shrimp diablo, or the raqu of fresh mushrooms sauteed in butter with fresh garlic and white wine. Enjoy jumbo shrimp scampi or shrimp teriyaki. Go to “the market place” for crab or lobster, or choose from a variety of fish.
Land lovers will love steak from top sirloin to New York Strip and filet mignon. There’s also slow roasted prime rib or choose a make your own surf & turf when you combine any two dishes. Market prices apply to all meat and fresh seafood dishes. Or take your meal to-go back to your vacation rentals in Big Bear.
Oakside Restaurant & Bar
Starters like roasted Brussels sprouts, ahi poke, and more will whet your appetite for the goodies to come. Choose from a variety of soups and salads, pulled pork sliders, fried calamari, and more to start. Order a specialty pizza or a variety of flatbread options. Opt for something lighter and try any of their sandwiches, including truffle grilled cheese and Waldorf chicken salad, or the spicy Santa Fe chicken sandwich. Satisfy larger appetites with delicious burgers or go for one of the pasta dishes. There are vegetarian options as well, like the Korean beef bowl or teriyaki chicken bowl, both made with meatless soy-based vegetarian selections. Make Oakside Restaurant & Bar a go-to on your Big Bear trips.
Peppercorn Grille
Whet your appetite with roasted Brussels sprouts, ask about soup of the day or opt for the restaurant’s signature New England clam chowder. There are several pork, chicken, steak, and lamb dishes to choose from, like chicken Marsala, or the roasted five-spice pork tenderloin topped with brandy-Dijon cream sauce. Opt for charbroiled rack of lamb, or their ‘surf n’ turf’ meal of a 6 oz. Filet mignon topped with garlic-herb butter and served with a 7 oz. lobster tail. Some pasta dishes may be available with gluten-free pasta, upon request and can be easily reheated in your Big Bear townhome rentals. There’s also a gluten-free and vegan kale mushroom ravioli topped with vegan pesto cream sauce, Roma tomatoes, and roasted pine nuts.
Royal Thai Cafe
Start your meal with the tom yum soup, a popular Thai soup bursting with lemon grass, lemon leaves, galanga, mushrooms, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. Choose the golden tofu salad – fried tofu with lettuce and cucumber and served with peanut sauce, or the green salad of fresh mixed greens, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots. There are a variety of curries, including “Jungle Curry” – a red curry paste with assorted herbs and vegetables, or pineapple curry featuring red curry paste, coconut milk, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and pineapple. If you’re in the mood for stir fry, try their sweet and sour, cashew nut, or eggplant tofu – a stir-fry bursting with fried tofu, chili bean paste, jalapenos, carrots, zucchini, broccoli bell peppers, and Thai basil.
Himalayan Restaurant
Taste the cuisine of Nepal and India right without leaving Big Bear. Enjoy a variety of soups and salads, plus main dishes including aaloo govi – a mix of potatoes and cauliflower sauteed with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, ground coriander, turmeric, and cumin seeds. Tofu saag features tofu cooked with pureed spinach and an array of spices. Enjoy some Thali specialties, including vegetable Thali, your choice of any two veggies Thali with rice, lentil, naan, and salad. There are so many dishes to choose from, you’ll have to come view their extensive menu and make the choice yourself.
An Adventure in Eating on Big Bear Trips
You came to the area on a vacation full of fun and exciting activities and attractions to escape the stresses of everyday life. Extend that fun to your accommodations and book a vacation rental with Big Bear Vacations. Try your hand at making your new favorite meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Gather together with drinks and loved ones on the couch and watch your favorite movie or spend some time outdoors by the lake with a cold one in your hand.
Choose a cozy one-bedroom Big Bear Lake cabin rentals for your solo or sweetheart retreat, all the way up to sprawling, five-bedroom Big Bear vacation home rentals for a large family reunion full of delicious Big Bear food.
Contact us today!
