Want to get away from the crowds and enjoy some of the best food Your Foothill Community has to offer? We’ve got your full list of hidden gems in Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, Upland, La Verne, Glendora and San Dimas. Here’s a list of the best hidden gem restaurants (that only the locals know about):
- Uno Tre Otto: Sweet Italian farm-to-table restaurant in Claremont with a fresh seasonal menu and the BEST seasonal cocktails too. The capacity has grown with a large patio addition so it’s a little bit easier to find now! Make reservations as they do fill up, especially on the weekends. We recommend ordering the house made pasta!
- More Sweets: The Pastry Corner: This hidden Glendora gem of a bakery has persevered through opening during the height of the pandemic and is now a destination in and of itself. Tucked away just off the main part of Glendora Avenue, this bakery is worth a visit for their macarons and other delicious desserts and breakfast pastries!
- Italia Pasta e Pizza: Newly opened in 2021 this classic pizzeria is mobile making it an even higher level of “hidden gem”! They’re usually in Covina but can be found visiting breweries all over the Foothill Community. It’s a Neapolitan outfit run by a father-son-daughter trio. We recommend you try the pesto sauce with burrata!
- Twisted Sage: Hidden in the corner of a business park in San Dimas, Twisted Sage Cafe was once a small catering business. Their success rocketed them to the level of large bustling restaurant! If you haven’t tried the Salmon Pastrami yet, do yourself a favor and visit for lunch today! And if it’s breakfast you prefer, ANYTHING on the menu is great, but we especially love the croissant egg & bacon sandwich.
- Thai Orchid Garden: The best Thai dishes are hidden in a teeny tiny strip mall in Claremont behind the Big 5 Sporting Goods store. You can’t go wrong with anything here- pad thai, yellow curry, fried bananas and coconut ice cream, and don’t forget to order a thai tea to go with it all!
- The Rustic Loaf: This is a gem of a bakery hidden in plain sight- in the middle of an unassuming strip mall in Upland. Don’t be fooled by the plain look of the outside, their bread is divine and every time we get a loaf it’s perfect. Our favorite ones are the kalamata olive loaf and the french boule. Extra tip: their chocolate chip cookies are heaven sent but sell out quick. Get there early! Or see them at the Claremont Farmer’s Market each Sunday.
- Myung Dong Tofu House: Another gem “hidden” in a suburban strip mall. The sides, the tofu soup, the BBQ meats, the scallion pancakes, it’s all just SO good. If you like Korean BBQ and your wife prefers Tofu Soup, this will save your marriage! Try it when the weather cools off and you won’t regret it.
- The Sycamore Inn: Although it has been in Bear Gulch since 1868, most Rancho Cucamonga residents don’t even know about it! This inn is hidden by the old sycamore grove surrounding it. Those in the know love to sit on the front porch with a drink before heading inside for their steak or lobster dinner. We love the artichoke appetizer!
- CK Tea House: The entrance to this tea house is in a parking lot and the only sign is plain white and maybe 24″ across. If you can find it in the Claremont Village, you will be rewarded with a casual atmosphere, plenty of college kids playing the provided board games, and a vast selection of teas to choose from. We also love their smoothies or milk tea with boba! Take your selection out to the patio to drink in the shade.
- Patty’s Mexican Food: The hole-in-the-wall place you love and keep coming back to for years and years. Patty’s is hidden in between a cleaner’s and a law office in, you guessed it, another strip mall. This favorite in Claremont is cash only so bring enough to buy yourself a chile relleno burrito- our #1 recommendation!
- Waffa’s Kitchen: Middle eastern food the way it was meant to be! This Glendora gem is not as “hidden” as the rest of them, but it is definitely worth mentioning here. We recommend the chicken shawarma plate, falafel, and the spinach pies. If you have a sweet tooth they also have fantastic baklava! And the hummus is the creamiest ever! Just make sure when you slather on the garlic dip your partner does too because it is too good to just have a little bit! And 100% worth the garlic breath later.
- Molly’s Souper: Parked inside a discreet and gorgeous historic home in Upland’s historic city center, Molly’s has been making soup and a lot of breakfasts since 1972. They are only open for breakfast & lunch until 2pm daily, and they have a huge patio on which you’re welcome to dine with your dog! We highly recommend the belgian waffle and the home fried potatoes. Yum!
We hope this list has given you some ideas for places in Your Foothill Community to go visit! Have any of these hidden gems been hiding right under your nose? Or did you recognize all of the names? I can’t wait to hear how you like these Foothill Community restaurants and bakeries!
