california Date: 05-15-2026

Highly Recommended 8 Dinner Restaurants Near Salinas, California

Planning dinner tonight? Check out highly recommended restaurants in [Salinas] known for quality food and memorable dining experiences.

RestaurantsAddressPrice_level
1Los Grullenses655 Sanborn Pl, Salinas, CA 93901Inexpensive
2Culturas Hidalgo & Oaxaca Restaurant473 E Market St, Salinas, CA 93905Undetermined
3Black Bear Diner Salinas1391 N Davis Rd, Salinas, CA 93907Moderate
4Ellis Great American Restaurant1250 S Main St, Salinas, CA 93901Moderate
5BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse1730 N Main St, Salinas, CA 93906Moderate
6Salinas City BBQ700 W Market St, Salinas, CA 93901Moderate
7Ginos1410 S Main St, Salinas, CA 93901Moderate
8Red Lobster1720 N Main St NEAR, Salinas, CA 93906Moderate

1.Los Grullenses

Address: 655 Sanborn Pl, Salinas, CA 93901

images Los Grullenses

(961) user ratings total:

Amy Minnick Wow, so good! I ordered a Chicken Quesadilla and the flavoring is something Ive never tasted before. Very unique to me and I will be eating here again if Im in the area. Good selection of beer. The staff/owners are very friendly. Its a small building across the street from the Pilot. Thanks for a delicious meal!
5 /5
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2.Culturas Hidalgo & Oaxaca Restaurant

Address: 473 E Market St, Salinas, CA 93905

images Culturas Hidalgo & Oaxaca Restaurant

(933) user ratings total:

Pietsch Walter “Wally” Colorful hole in the wall, conveniently located close to 101. Large parking lot with handicap parking in front of the entrance or street parking. Very friendly and helpful staff, warmly greeted. Delicious, authentic food dishes from Hidalgo and Oaxaca. Extensive menu with vegetarian section. Very tasty, big portions, reasonably priced. We got take out (due to late arrival) and returned two days later for dinner. Yummy, highly recommended. Best Mexican food I recall. Apparently a family run business, lots of local patrons. Very busy in the evening, but order was served quickly. Must have restaurant stop when transiting or coming to Salinas!
5 /5
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3.Black Bear Diner Salinas

Address: 1391 N Davis Rd, Salinas, CA 93907

images Black Bear Diner Salinas

(1682) user ratings total:

matthew villegas Black bear is pretty consistent with their food and it’s good. Our server tonight was Bradley and probably the best service we have had. He greeted us as we walked in and sat us immediately. Introduced himself and told us about the specials and difference in menus, got us started on drinks and came back to take our order. This guy had multiple tables but consistently checked on us for any refills and how our food was tasting. I saw him and heard him giving the same service to every table. Excellent service and wished us happy holidays and thanked us for coming in. Hopefully Bradley is your next server.
5 /5
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4.Ellis Great American Restaurant

Address: 1250 S Main St, Salinas, CA 93901

images Ellis Great American Restaurant

(1645) user ratings total:

MJ Brewer Incredible dining experience with the most personable waitress you’ll ever meet. She makes you feel like she’s been waiting for you all day and is happy you’ve finally arrived. Even without hovering, she’s there when you need her. (Tip her well—she’ll earn it!)
5 /5
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5.BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse

Address: 1730 N Main St, Salinas, CA 93906

images BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse

(1471) user ratings total:

MJ Brewer New to Cali and checking out the restaurants. Boy, did we hit the jackpot on this one! Birthday celebration couldn’t have gone any better. With meat that literally melts in your mouth—I promise, you’ve never had it like this! Our server made sure that every need was met, accepted a challenge to select my food, and did a fabulous job at it. Moreover, she wasn’t circling like a seagull, so we had time for a private discussion.
5 /5
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6.Salinas City BBQ

Address: 700 W Market St, Salinas, CA 93901

images Salinas City BBQ

(1440) user ratings total:

R Temp Nice little BBQ joint. I ordered the brisket, burnt ends, and the tri tip. The tri tip was a little dry for my taste, but I loved the brisket and the burnt ends. The brisket had a good smoke ring and was really tender. The burnt ends tasted like I was eating meat candy. The meal came with 2 sides, so I picked the Mac and cheese and the potato salad. Both were tasty, but Ive definitely had better. Finished the meal with the bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. Much like the sides, it was tasty but Ive had better. With all that being said, I would go back just for the brisket and burnt ends.
5 /5
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7.Ginos

Address: 1410 S Main St, Salinas, CA 93901

images Ginos

(1113) user ratings total:

Griselda Garcia Just had dinner with my daughter after not being here for 2-3 years! The food was really good and fresh with a side of great service! I will definitely be coming back :)
5 /5
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8.Red Lobster

Address: 1720 N Main St NEAR, Salinas, CA 93906

images Red Lobster

(1079) user ratings total:

Iris Venegas On 11/26/2025 my daughters and I went to have dinner. It had been years since I went to Red lobster. Since we walked in to the restaurant we were treated amazing. The hostess greeted us, the waiter was fantastic, and then it ended with the manager being so kind and treating us so well. It was a great dinner experience. I wish I would have got their names. They all had the best customer service.
5 /5
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