A highlight of visiting Temecula is dining in a beautiful vineyard setting. While food trucks are a common sight on the weekends, several wineries offer full-service restaurants with seasonal menus. The restaurants on this list offer lovely dining rooms and al fresco courtyard settings, perfect for small groups and couples.
For restaurants with a vineyard view, see this page. To guarantee a table, make reservations before you arrive.
Leoness Cellars
When it’s time for a memorable lunch, the stylish restaurant at Leoness Cellars is a must. Leoness prides itself on sourcing locally for its award-winning California cuisine. This means the menu evolves with the seasons, but you can always expect a selection of fresh salads like the burrata caprese above and creative entrees. Standouts include the Pistachio Crusted Diver Scallops and Wild Mushroom Risotto. Glancing around the dining room at dinner, the rack of lamb and Cast Iron Filet Mignon are also very popular. Be sure to place an order of the hand-cut, duck fat fries for the table.
The main restaurant is only open Friday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, but the outdoor member patio is open to the public for lunch Monday through Thursday and accepts walk-ins. The patio menu offers lighter fare like ahi tacos and flatbreads. You’ll also find Leoness on our Foodie Itinerary. 38311 De Portola Road Temecula, CA 92592
Bolero at Europa Village
Bolero Restaurante at Europa Village offers a tempting Spanish tapas-style menu for lunch and dinner. The dishes are mainly designed for sharing, though individual entrees are available. The menu changes with the seasons, but recent favorites include the Seafood & Spanish Chorizo Paella, Empanadas (pictured above), and the Roasted Rainbow Carrots. The Tomahawk presentation is always impressive, so if you’re visiting with a group that might be a fun option. And definitely order dessert. The freshly made Churros and Olive Oil Cake are homemade and delicious.
The large dining room has high ceilings, comfortable booths, and a stylish bar, but the room still somehow feels a little institutional. For a more intimate dining experience, I recommend a table outside on the covered patio. 41150 Via Europa, Temecula, CA 92591
The Restaurant at Ponte Winery
The Restaurant at Ponte is a year-round outdoor restaurant that sits in the garden behind the winery’s tasting room. Ponte features Mediterranean-inspired seasonal fare like scallops with saffron risotto, a cioppino-style pasta, and steak and shrimp skewers, but they also serve entree-size salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizza. The team adds a few memorable touches to their service, like the delicious homemade focaccia brought to every table and baskets for guests to place their handbags. Festive at any time, it really shines at dinner; when the tasting crowd goes home, the sun starts to set, and live music begins to play.
Open Wednesdays through Sundays. Accepts groups up to 8 people. Reservations are strongly recommended. 35053 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Domenico’s at Truffle Pig Winery
Domenico’s Italian Chophouse at Truffle Pig Winery is the newest restaurant to open in Temecula’s wine country. It created instant buzz thanks to its swanky, upscale design and perfectly cooked steaks and seafood. There are indoor and outdoor seating options, plus a full bar and cocktail list. The wine list is small right now, as Truffle Pig grows its offering, but the wines they’ve introduced so far are very nice.
Open daily. Reservations are strongly recommended. 34567 Rancho California Rd. Temecula, CA 92591
Vineyard Rose
at South Coast Winery
Just off the roundabout at Rancho California Road and Anza, South Coast Winery’s Vineyard Rose exudes an old-school wine country charm. The restaurant features a high ceiling with wood beams and ample space between tables, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere for intimate conversations and lively group gatherings.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Vineyard Rose caters to families, couples, and groups. The seasonal lunch menu includes a mix of entrees, salads, and sandwiches like the shrimp fajita salad and a panini layered with prosciutto, Calabrian chili tapenade, basil, and provolone. Dinner is also excellent but a more spendy affair. The salmon with wild mushrooms is always perfectly cooked, but if you’re feeling indulgent, try the filet. The restaurant serves its extensive wine list, beer, and expertly crafted cocktails. 34843 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591 | www.southcoastwinery.com
More Winery Restaurants
Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek Winery
Wilson Creek Winery’s Creekside Grille is in the courtyard of the popular winery. Like most restaurants in wine country the menu includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, plus larger entrees like steaks and salmon to keep your group happy. Some unique items you might find on the seasonal menu are the Sumac Spiced Lumina Lamb Shoulder, Lobster Bisque, Chicken Korma, and Chimichurri Shrimp Cocktail.
Creekside Grille is open 7 days a week for lunch. It’s first come first served and the winery gets very busy on the weekends, so if you’re are able, try to visit mid week. They also promote a few lunch deals during the week.
35960 Rancho California Road Temecula, CA 92591
The Cave Cafe at Oak Mountain Winery
Perched on a hill, high up on the De Portola Trail, The Cave at Oak Mountain Winery is a unique dining experience. Inside Southern California’s only mined wine cave, stacks of wine barrels separate dining tables into intimate semi-private dining rooms. This full-service restaurant has a menu of sandwiches and flatbreads to entrées like filet, short rib, or salmon. To drink, try the lovely brut or Mourvedre, depending on your mood. The restaurant is family-friendly, and there are also a few outdoor tables where you can sit with your pooch. 36522 Vía Verde, Temecula, CA 92592 | www.oakmountainwinery.com
Mount Palomar Winery’s Restaurant
Mount Palomar Winery’s restaurant offers a lively dining experience at the heart of their one-of-a-kind property. While the indoor room provides a retreat from the sun or rain, the large outdoor patio, where there’s live music on weekends and lots of people watching, is where you want to be. The menu is California-style cuisine, including salads, flatbreads, and gourmet sandwiches like the French Dip and Salmon Burger. Entrees include a few different shrimp and steak dishes. The live entertainment and family-friendly environment make it a good option for larger groups. Open for lunch and dinner, Thursday-Sunday. 33820 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591 | www.mountpalomarwinery.com
