Nestled between the rolling hills of the Inland Empire and the citrus groves of Riverside County, Moreno Valley is a place you could drive through 100 times and always miss its culinary secrets. And while it’s tempting to stick to the chain restaurants and familiar fast-food spots, if you’re like us, the priority will always be the seafood—fresh, inventive, and surprisingly coastal for a desert-adjacent city.
Margaritas Grill Restaurant and Catering
$ | (951) 924-2500 | WEBSITE
Margaritas Grill Restaurant and Catering is inherently intertwined with Moreno Valley’s dining scene: It’s a hidden gem that serves traditional Mexican food, the talented chef prepares everything with love and passion, and the restaurant’s most famous offerings—the wonderful margaritas and pina coladas—are made to celebrate any occasion.
There’s also a similar focus on cozy atmosphere and excellent service, with hot and fresh meals like the best menudo or chicken fajitas for about $15-25 per entrée or the option to enjoy live music while savoring ceviche praised for its perfection. If you’re looking for a romantic or family-friendly setting, then come for one of the best dining experiences in this city. Or any city.
Las Nuevas Islas
$$ | (951) 242-5200 | WEBSITE
Las Nuevas Islas holds its spot among Moreno Valley’s best seafood spots, and has quietly become the neighborhood’s reliable choice for a satisfying meal. The cozy space is welcoming and full of regulars who clearly know a good thing—so, yes, this is where to eat well without pretense. The straightforward, consistently tasty menu has standout dishes like the ceviche de camarón with that hot green sauce, and the shrimp empanadas that are worth ordering every time.
Las Nuevas Islas has only about a dozen tables, so coming early is wise if you want to settle in. But we actually prefer to walk in with a friend, grab a spot at the counter, and catch up over their chips with salsa and guacamole and a cold drink, with servers like Carmen making sure everything feels just right.
Louisiana Seafood
$ | (951) 653-4783 | WEBSITE
There are two sides of Moreno Valley: the bustling commercial corridors and the quieter residential stretches. Louisiana Seafood is located in the latter, which also happens to be home to some of the area’s most reliable soul food spots. Swing by after work, and stop here for some red snapper and a slice of pecan pie. Like the neighborhood itself, it may not be the first place you visit in the Inland Empire, but we can almost guarantee it’ll become one of your regulars.
The seafood is tasty (try the fresh shrimp and red snapper with tartar sauce) and it’s one of the more affordable places to sit down for a generous meal in the city.
Mariscos Mazatlan Restaurant
$$ | (951) 242-0304 | WEBSITE
When you tell someone you’re heading to Moreno Valley for seafood, there’s a 75% chance they’ll respond with, “Oh, are you going to…what’s that place called?” If you feel like talking to this person, finish their sentence with “Mariscos Mazatlan.” This vibrant Sinaloan spot in the middle of town is one of the best-known seafood restaurants in the area, and one of the most consistently packed—karaoke nights fill up fast, and you’ll want to arrive early to snag a table.
They do standout ceviche de pescado and camarones de Costa Azul, as well as a hearty carne asada plate in the dining room. Whichever you choose, the star of your meal will be the ceviche mazatlan. It’s made with fresh, balanced flavors, and tastes like a bright and generous taste of the coast.
Shrimp Factory
$$ | (951) 486-9385 | WEBSITE
The Shrimp Factory isn’t your typical fried seafood shack like so many others we know and love. Instead, this spot serves things like garlic noodles with shrimp, and while your brain might start to hurt just thinking about that combination, we promise it’s great. The gumbo is another thing you should prioritize. It comes with generous portions and will have you wondering what other versions of seafood stew you’ve been missing out on.
Mariscos El Zorrillo
$$ | (951) 653-5055 | WEBSITE
In a region where you can easily find incredible Mexican or American dishes, great seafood is still hard to come by. Enter: Mariscos El Zorrillo, an always welcoming spot in Moreno Valley that fills the gap with perfectly prepared fresh seafood and dedication to authentic flavors. Highlights like the most flavorful mixto cocktail ever and generous portions might be on the menu, alongside tasty drinks that all pair well with the friendly service and clean environment.
Mariscos El Zorrillo feels like a homey seafood haven from the moment you enter, and it’s a step above casual with an atmosphere that’s dialed up a fair bit.
Mariscos Melgoza
$$ | (951) 243-1894 | WEBSITE
This restaurant in Moreno Valley is a destination for seafood lovers who know where to find the real deal. It’s authentic yet approachable, slightly rustic even, with checkered tablecloths, warm string lights, and wooden picnic-style benches. So it’s no surprise that the weekend dinner rush is typically filled with regulars in trucker caps and flip-flops, planning their next trip back from neighboring towns.
Coincidentally, those neighboring towns are where many of the customers travel from for the coastal specialties full of bold flavors, like the snapper “a la diabla” with perfectly charred skin and the famous molcajete melgoza with grilled octopus and shrimp. You might even catch the friendly staff, who’ve been serving here for years, in action, whipping up delicious oysters aguachile with fresh lime and cilantro.
Los Zapatas Mexican Restaurants
$ | (951) 242-7838 | WEBSITE
Los Zapatas has perfected the art of blending authentic Mexican flavors with generous portions, so you’ll find green chili burritos that are slightly too big but still incredible, paired with real beans and rice that are consistently satisfying. Many dishes on the menu start at $12-$16, which is surprisingly affordable for a Moreno Valley restaurant that makes us feel like we’re in a warm, family-run kitchen.
The service is super friendly, with servers like Paulina who are attentive and welcoming, and this place is always ideal for a quick lunch or a casual dinner with friends, preferably with warm chips and salsa at the ready. Snag a table in the dining area including during the busy lunch hours: it’s cozy, well-lit, and overlooks the shopping center parking lot that’s always plentiful.
Black Pearl Seafood and Grill
$$ | (951) 413-6950 | WEBSITE
Yes, the seafood at Black Pearl Seafood and Grill is very good, but it isn’t the main reason to stop by. It’s one of the most unique and tucked-away restaurants we’ve ever found, and it’s located in a strip mall (which you can and should explore). The cozy space, with only five tables and a three-stool counter, is a blend of low-key charm and a more intimate setup, with simple décor creating a pleasant dining experience, and a mix of comfortable, perfect seating.
There’s a diverse menu scattered throughout the space, which you can browse while going through the options of salmon, seafood garlic pasta, and fish burritos.
What’s good bbq
This family-run spot in Moreno Valley has all the heart of a beloved local institution but without the pretentiousness of fancier barbecue joints. Prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is warm, making it feel welcoming right from the start. The predominantly meat-heavy menu inspired by classic American barbecue is consistently satisfying, and we’d expect nothing less from the friendly owner behind this standout.
Knockout dishes include the pork ribs with a perfectly smoky bark and tender meat, and the chicken accompanied by flavorful beans and creamy potato salad. The service is excellent and highlights the personal touch of a family business, including great deals on meat and sides combos that make it perfect for parties or celebrations.
Big Fish Market
$ | (951) 488-1200 | WEBSITE
Not much has changed since Big Fish Market opened years ago. There are still simple vinyl booths that keep Moreno Valley’s busy streets outside feeling worlds away, and friendly staff in casual uniforms, even though the vibe is fairly low-key. The food is a mix of classic seafood dishes, like outstanding cat fish and jumbo shrimp with hush puppies expertly prepared with the perfect ratio of crispiness to flavor.
You’ll also find the chatty owner there often, greeting guests while personally overseeing the daily menu, and you’ll probably be the only tourist in the place (at least for now).
Thai Garden Restaurant
$ | (951) 242-9004 | WEBSITE
Thai Garden Restaurant is a standout among Moreno Valley’s seafood spots, and is a great place to stop whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout. It’s a cozy spot where you’ll find a nice dining atmosphere with comfortable seating. But what really makes it shine is the food. The focus is generous meat portions in its many iterations, from Beef fried rice to Crying Tiger to pepper steak.
The menu is flavorful and filling, so we can confidently say that it’s impossible to go wrong—especially with the panang curry lunch special served with the perfect amount of spice, or the spring rolls with that delicious peanut sauce.
Sizzler
$$ | (951) 242-8012 | WEBSITE
If a classic American family comedy had a restaurant scene, this welcoming Moreno Valley institution would be the perfect backdrop. It’s in a cheerful space with a lively, community-friendly atmosphere in the center that’s full of smiles and the friendliest staff you’ll ever encounter. Load up at the salad bar, enjoy the soft serve with toppings, and savor a medium rare steak that’s cooked right to order.
The food offers a variety of options to suit different tastes, like the all-you-can-eat selection of chicken wings and pasta and the popular rib strips and cheese toast you’ll remember for days. This spot is a favorite and slightly bustling, so make sure to arrive with an appetite before you go and plan on a leisurely meal.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
$ | (951) 242-2988 | WEBSITE
You’ll wish Ono Hawaiian BBQ was on every corner. This bright, casual spot, one of Moreno Valley’s reliable favorites, does comfort food with island flair, making it a place we want to grab a bite again and again. What gives this place staying power is a straightforward menu of chicken and beef combo meals that’s Hawaii meets California—and it shows the second you dig into the chicken served with generous portions of macaroni salad and rice, or tackle the beef combo that hits all the right notes.
Quick and friendly service makes it easy to swing by, and the accessible layout means everyone can join in. At this neighborhood go-to, you can count on leaving full without breaking the bank.
Angie’s Mexican Food
$ | (951) 379-1700 | WEBSITE
This family-run spot tucked inside a Moreno Valley mini-mall might not look like much from the outside, but it’s absolutely worth seeking out for lunch or dinner. It excels at generous, well-executed Mexican classics that feel like a comforting home-cooked meal. Here, the beauty is the heartiness of each dish—they take familiar ingredients and make them sing, like their famous al pastor nachos layered with real nacho cheese and perfectly balanced flavors.
The vibe is unpretentious, a mix of regulars grabbing takeout and families settling in for a leisurely meal, ready to enjoy an evening with crispy burritos, meat-filled quesadillas, and fish tacos packed to capacity. For the full experience, lean into the homemade feel and stick around to savor every bite.
Mariscos El Karman
$$ | (951) 208-2857 | WEBSITE
Mariscos El Karman feels like a classic Moreno Valley seafood joint with a lively twist, which we guess is what happens when you combine fresh catches with Friday night karaoke. Their langostinos, of course, are a highlight—they’re a must-try, and many of the dishes come from an extensive menu that also includes beef, chicken, and pork.
Food-wise they keep it varied, with hearty plates of things like the molcajete with shrimp, chicken, asada, and chorizo (though they also make fantastic microwave-heated tortillas). Show up on a Friday for karaoke, or plan on visiting when it’s clean and well-maintained to enjoy the easy-to-read menus with pictures.
Alaska Crab
$$ | (951) 616-1777 | WEBSITE
Alaska Crab has some of the best seafood in Moreno Valley, and making it your destination for a celebratory meal is always a smart move. Definitely order a plate of the peeled and deveined shrimp—instead of rubbery or bland, Alaska Crab’s are plump and sweet, bathed in that addictive trap sauce, resulting in a perfect balance of flavors. And, yes, you should also go for their daily special, which is arguably the best deal in the entire restaurant.
In other words: this spot (with its lively, bustling atmosphere) is exactly what you’re looking for after a long week, especially since the attentive hosts and servers keep the energy high and the plates coming, making it ideal for both casual dinners and special occasions alike.
Pho Shack Noodles & Grill
$ | (951) 243-6837 | WEBSITE
This probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard of Pho Shack Noodles & Grill, and it won’t be the last. It’s legendary for its generous portions and fresh ingredients, and you should absolutely make a point to come here for the vegan pho with its flavorful broth and the combo #3 with mild Cajun seasoning. Stop by for a weekday dinner, when the clean and comfortable dining room becomes an ideal spot for a hassle-free meal.
If this is your first time in Moreno Valley, a meal at Pho Shack Noodles & Grill is essential dining.
El crazy shrimp
$ | (951) 208-2394 | WEBSITE
El Crazy Shrimp is small—as in very small—and while that’ll make the experience feel cozy and intimate, the real appeal here is the seafood. There’s a heavy shrimp focus, and the chipotle sauce is the star (the people making fresh tostadas in the open kitchen should clue you in). The menu stays consistent, but it reliably includes impressive dishes like their outstanding tacos gobernador.
They also have excellent ceviche on the menu, but our favorite item is the campechana loaded with fresh seafood and melted cheese.
Jamdung Jamaican Restaurant
$$ | (951) 208-2223 | WEBSITE
Jamdung Jamaican Restaurant is pure Caribbean, pure comfort, and one of the best spots in Moreno Valley for a satisfying meal or family gathering. It’s a fun, cafeteria-style space with great natural juices and equally fantastic jerk chicken, and they do delicious takes on dishes you’ve had before, like curry shrimp that’s perfectly seasoned. You can order individual plates, but the large portions are definitely worth it, and absolutely try that ginger juice.
If you’re in the mood for a beef patty after your meal, their sister store is just a quick walk away, though the jerk chicken sometimes runs out (so plan accordingly).