Paradise, CA’s dining scene offers everything from cozy neighborhood gems perfect for weeknight dinners to celebratory destinations worth the splurge. Yes, some spots command a premium—but this list also highlights affordable finds where every dollar delivers remarkable flavor. Whether you’re seeking casual comfort or special-occasion excellence, these restaurants make every meal memorable.
Tacos El Paraiso Paradise
$ | (530) 332-0964 | WEBSITE
The cash-only policy at Tacos El Paraiso Paradise means you’ll need to bring about $15–$20 to get a proper meal, which puts you elbow-to-elbow with locals grabbing a quick lunch and families treating the kids after school. But this spot feels more genuine and satisfying than some other taquerias around town—thanks in part to the cooks calling out orders and chatting with regulars—and every bite is pretty much perfect.
You’ll get a couple of hearty tacos, like the tender, seasoned chorizo with soft, warm tortillas. And then, the quesadillas arrive. As the staff explains how each ingredient was prepped fresh that morning, wafts of melting cheese make it hard to wait. Not to mention the completely distracting breakfast burrito, a hefty, flavorful wrap stuffed with ham and eggs.
Starbucks
$ | (530) 876-1486 | WEBSITE
This coffee hub in Paradise runs a steady stream of drive-thru and mobile orders, each with creative oat milk options and helpful ordering tips for a quick $6 or so in cold hard cash (or Apple Pay). A visit here doesn’t so much feel like a typical chain coffee run as it does a brief, welcoming lounge session with toe-tapping hip hop tunes in honor of Black History Month blasting from the speakers. Whenever a customer’s cup empties, the friendly staff is immediately ready with suggestions.
After about two sips, the people sitting next to you at the large windows will begin to relax. Starbucks provides that local coffee shop feel despite being a major chain.
Lynn’s Coffee & Crepes
$ | (530) 762-7082 | WEBSITE
Lynn at Lynn’s Coffee & Crepes is the breakfast matriarch of Paradise. And for the morning you’re ordering at her drive-thru window, you’re officially part of her regular crew. After years of running this local cafe, she knows which berries are in peak season, which bagel sandwiches sell out first, who makes the best coffee in town, and where you should grab lunch later.
The menu at Lynn’s offers classic crepes and sandwiches, but some standout items include the sweet and fresh ‘berry blast’ crepe, jalapeño cheese bagels that taste as satisfying as a full meal, and our favorite, a perfectly balanced hot coffee on a chilly morning. A hearty breakfast here runs about $12.
Sakura sushi #2
$ | (530) 783-3030 | WEBSITE
Everyone will have a great meal at Sakura Sushi #2, but the Paradise spot has special appeal for a very specific type: someone who wants a reliable experience that isn’t too fancy. The friendly staff behind the clean counter wear simple aprons, and—rather than the typical silence or pop music—the pleasantly lit room is filled with the casual sounds of conversation and soft background tunes.
At $25, the popular Orange Chicken combo is firmly in the “quick lunch or casual dinner” camp, and, while the types of sushi are similar to what you’d find at a neighborhood spot, the service and welcoming atmosphere make this place worth it. You’ll eat Caterpillar rolls and tempura veggies with well-seasoned rice, and they will be some of the most satisfying rolls and veggies you’ve encountered.
Cozy Diner Bar and Grill
$ | (530) 413-9360 | WEBSITE
Sometimes, we get tired of dining experiences that feel like theatrical productions. You know the ones: overly complicated tasting menus, molecular gastronomy tricks, and plates decorated with microgreens arranged like miniature topiaries. Embellishments like these are the restaurant equivalents of velvet ropes, valet parking, or (worst-case scenario) sommeliers who speak in hushed tones about terroir. Cozy Diner Bar and Grill in Paradise doesn’t bother with productions.
Instead, this friendly spot specializes in straightforward comfort food that brings together generous country ham, perfectly seasoned chicken fajitas, and tender liver and onions with a side of excellent coffee. Eating at Cozy Diner is a relaxed experience, and the hearty dinners start around $15.
Chin Dynasty
$ | (530) 872-8888 | WEBSITE
In order to get to Chin Dynasty, you enter a door that’s marked with a single red lantern, then walk through a quiet hallway and step into a cozy dining room. This Paradise restaurant is technically a family-run spot, and it’s located in a warm space reminiscent of a classic neighborhood Chinese eatery. You can grab a booth or a table and order some a la carte dishes—but we suggest you try the excellent $18 Mongolian Beef or the $16 Szechuan Tofu.
The style is comforting but flavorful: tender beef comes stir-fried with scallions and a savory brown sauce, and orange chicken arrives with a sweet-tangy glaze that’s perfectly balanced.
Maria’s Kitchen
$ | (530) 876-1086 | WEBSITE
The most authentic Mexican spots tend to be no-frills, serving burritos with simple fillings and strict house-made salsa policies. We’ve spent many meals at these places thinking very seriously about the char on our carne asada. But when we want to have a good time, we go to Maria’s Kitchen. Maria’s Kitchen doesn’t shy away from generous portions, but their dishes don’t go into overload either.
For the ideal experience, order one of their signature burritos, or go for the weekend karaoke on the outdoor patio (free with any entree purchase). Must-orders include the asada burrito and the longtime fan favorite breakfast burrito with all meat. Maria’s is busy any night of the week, so you can enjoy your meal in a lively atmosphere and speak at whatever volume you’d like.
Barney O’Rourke’s
$ | (530) 762-0482 | WEBSITE
When Barney O’Rourke’s first opened, $12 still felt like a reasonable price for a burger and fries. Now, there are plenty of spots where you can easily spend $20 or more. This puts us in the awkward position of having to tell you that—at $14 for a fantastic burger with all the fixings, or $16 for those wonderful fish tacos—Barney O’Rourke’s is now actually a pretty good deal. Don’t tell anyone we said that, but do come here for your next casual meal.
The cozy lodge-like space is starting to feel a bit worn-in, but the welcoming atmosphere (friendly staff, soft drinks for all ages, etc.) is still excellent, and the simply prepared food is perfect.
Jen’s Place
$ | (530) 413-9130 | WEBSITE
Jen’s Place offers a variety of options for different evenings, so expect things like top-shelf drinks tailored to your taste, good bands playing on weekends, and friendly staff and customers who make you feel welcome. If you’ve been carrying around the misconception that bars in Paradise are only for loud crowds and overpriced cocktails, come here, enjoy a drink while listening to live music, and be proven wrong.
An evening out (around $25 per person) at this spot with easy parking and convenient wheelchair accessibility will be the highlight of your week. For a slightly more music-focused experience, check out Jen’s Place when they host their best bands.
Dutch Bros Coffee
$ | (877) 899-2767 | WEBSITE
This drive-through coffee spot might have you waiting in a line that wraps around the building, but we promise it’s worth it. (And it moves surprisingly fast). This coffee shop is built around a simple premise where you’re welcomed by cheerful and efficient staff who treat you like family from the moment you pull up. But the friendly service isn’t there to cover up any shortcomings.
The extensive menu ($4-7) is focused on customizable options, so expect drinks like sugar-free cold brews or dairy-free energy drinks, which you usually won’t find with this much attention to detail at other spots in this price range. For a more relaxed option, check out the walk-up window, which is perfect when you’re on foot.
Meehos | Méxican Food
$ | (530) 762-2591 | WEBSITE
You can’t talk about the best Mexican food in Paradise without bringing up Meehos, a hidden treasure that’s been satisfying locals and visitors alike. The Birria Taco here features what has become a legendary combination of moist, tender meat with a spicy, thick consume. Even if you don’t personally understand what “flavorful” is supposed to taste like, you will after this bite. All of Meehos’s dishes are generously portioned, and most are topped with tasty sauces.
If you’re in the area or you want to better understand the Mexican food scene in Paradise, spend your money here.
Debbie’s Restaurant
$ | (530) 762-2604 | WEBSITE
Paradise locals who have eaten their fair share of trendy brunch spots will especially appreciate Debbie’s Restaurant, because the experience is a little different than other breakfast joints. The $14 chicken fried steak with hashbrowns is followed by a satisfying pancake portion where you can choose your own toppings.
And rather than one server rushing through orders, friendly staff members stand ready to give glimpses into the home-cooked effort—perfectly cooked eggs or country potatoes, for example—of each dish. They’ll tell you more about the pancakes that are similar to crepes or hashbrowns that have been “crisped just right by the cook.” Everything is as delicious as it is comforting.
Did you know those flat pancakes soak up syrup like sponges, but country potatoes crunch with just the right amount of salt?
MI OAXACA Mexican grill
$ | (530) 781-3744 | WEBSITE
At $12 a plate (drinks extra), MI OAXACA Mexican Grill is one of the more affordable lunch spots in town. But the restaurant delivers on everything it absolutely must for the price: consistently flavorful dishes, attentive service, and enough food to not have to get a secret second lunch elsewhere.
What makes the midday meal truly satisfying is the variety of options on the large menu, with signature items like the highly praised fish tacos, burrito supremes with chiles toreados and salsa, and classic tacos. Come to this restaurant for a reliable meal, but know that throwing back margaritas and celebrating loudly here would be akin to doing karaoke in a library.
Nic’s
$ | (530) 413-9422 | WEBSITE
There’s plenty of good food in Paradise, but we love the Cubano hot panni at Nic’s ($14). Every bite of this generous sandwich will be broken up by the crunch of the bread and the melty cheese, and maybe a side of crispy fries if you’re lucky. The menu tends to lean casual here, but the kitchen prepares the peach and brie flatbread notably heartier than most places.
When you’re eating thick slices of warm flatbread with creamy brie and sweet peaches, you’ll really feel like you’re getting your money’s worth (and also like your stomach has an entire meal in it).
Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant
$ | (530) 636-3956 | WEBSITE
This place in Paradise with its colorful papel picado and cheerful piñatas looks like dozens of other neighborhood Mexican spots, but that’s where the similarities end. Mi Rancho is serving some of the best Mexican food in town—not just for a casual spot, but for any spot. The focus here is on quality ingredients, and for $18, you get a generous plate of tacos along with a margarita. It’s a deal that should inspire lines around the block.
The service is prompt and cheerful, and the main ingredients are prepared ahead of time, ensuring quick service even when the restaurant is busy.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
$ | (530) 872-1991 | WEBSITE
The number of pizza joints in Paradise seems to multiply month by month. But Mountain Mike’s Pizza has a few distinctions in the local dining landscape. First, there’s the history. This place survived the 2018 Camp Fire, so you’re probably going to feel a sense of resilience as soon as you walk through the door.
The atmosphere ($15-25 per person before tax and tip) also stands out from its peers, mainly through its welcoming vibe with newly installed flooring and various seating from high chairs to booths. If you’re more likely to be impressed by a perfectly filled calzone that isn’t dry like other places than by fancy decor, get Mountain Mike’s on your list.
