by The Wayfarer
🎧 Explore Bakersfield with Wayfarer’s GPS Audio Tour: https://wayfarerjourney.com/bakersfield
📱 Turn your food crawl into a guided city adventure
If you think Bakersfield is all Buck Owens and Basque oxtail soup, well—you’re not wrong. But the food scene here? It’s evolving. Quickly. The city’s finally starting to hit its culinary stride, with a fresh wave of new restaurants opening that blend Central Valley roots with global flavors, smart design, and menus that stretch well beyond chicken-fried steak.
I’ve eaten my way across California—from Michelin-starred hot spots to taco trucks off Highway 99—and I can tell you: Bakersfield is getting delicious. And the best part? The new stuff popping up is still affordable, unpretentious, and wildly satisfying.
So here’s your Wayfarer-approved rundown of some of the new restaurants in Bakersfield, CA that are shaking things up—plus a reminder that if you want to explore the rest of town in between bites, there’s a GPS audio tour ready to roll with you.
1. ZAMA Latin American Cuisine
Let’s start with a big swing. ZAMA opened to some serious buzz—and it delivered. This upscale Latin American spot (in the old Muerto’s location downtown) brings fire, flair, and plating that’s straight out of a Netflix food doc.
We’re talking Peruvian ceviche, Argentine-style steaks, yucca fries, and craft cocktails with muddled tropical fruits. The vibe is modern and sleek, with just enough color to feel festive.
Perfect for: Date nights, dinner before a show at the Fox Theater, or impressing your in-laws with your worldliness.
2. BottleShock Wine and Brew
Bakersfield’s beer and wine scene has been quietly growing, and BottleShock is helping bring it all together. Located in the southwest, this spot doubles as a gastropub and a tasting room, offering California wines, rotating craft beers, and small plates that are better than they need to be.
Charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and sliders with actual personality. Friendly staff, local music nights, and a patio that’s perfect when the Central Valley sun starts to dip.
3. Toca Madera Street Tacos & Tequila
Yes, Bakersfield has a million taco spots. But Toca Madera, which opened recently in the Rosedale area, brings a more curated twist to the scene. Picture creative tacos with fillings like birria, short rib, tempura shrimp, and even jackfruit—served on handmade tortillas with bright, bold salsas.
The tequila list is extensive, the margaritas are fresh (and strong), and the design is industrial-chic with a bit of edge. It’s Bakersfield’s take on the L.A. taco bar, but with none of the attitude.
4. Noodle Bar by Lemongrass
From the folks behind Lemongrass Bistro, this newer offshoot inside the Valley Plaza Mall is doing soul-warming bowls of pho, ramen, and Thai noodle dishes—but in a modern, fast-casual setting that works whether you’re on your lunch break or mid-shopping spree.
It’s clean, efficient, flavorful, and very welcome in a city that—until recently—didn’t have enough options for great southeast Asian fare. Try the coconut curry noodles. Thank me later.
5. The Chicken Shack
Bakersfield’s fried chicken renaissance is here, and The Chicken Shack is leading the charge. Originally out of Nevada, this spot just opened locally and has drawn lines for oversized chicken tenders, loaded fries, and spicy sauces that have real kick.
Think comfort food with an adrenaline shot. It’s casual, crave-worthy, and built for takeout if you’re heading to a park or just back to your hotel.
6. The Well: Crafted Coffee
Yes, technically not “new” as in this-week-new, but The Well’s second location opened recently and it’s worth mentioning. Bakersfield’s coffee scene is still catching up with the Bay and L.A., but The Well is getting it right—third-wave coffee, bright interiors, chill music, and killer breakfast burritos.
Great place to start your day before launching into the Wayfarer Bakersfield GPS Audio Tour, which kicks off just minutes away from downtown.
🎧 Download the tour here and discover the city between meals
How to Tie It All Together: Bakersfield + Wayfarer = A Perfect Day
The city’s culinary evolution doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s rooted in the same history, diversity, and creative grit that the Wayfarer GPS Audio Tour celebrates.
With your rental car or phone in hand, the Wayfarer tour guides you to the city’s hidden stories, iconic murals, legendary music spots, and cultural landmarks—all while syncing perfectly to your location. And yes, you can pause anytime for snacks.
Between downtown murals, oil town lore, and a Merle Haggard roadside tribute, you might just find yourself pulling into a parking lot for tacos or wine without even planning it.
📱 Let the city and the food scene unfold together: https://wayfarerjourney.com/bakersfield
Final Thoughts
Bakersfield is doing what so many overlooked cities do best: it’s surprising us. One restaurant, one plate, one food truck at a time. Whether you’re into fine dining, food halls, street tacos, or chef-driven ramen, the next great bite might be in a city you didn’t expect to be this tasty.
So show up hungry. And curious. And when you’re ready to go beyond the menu and dig into the culture behind the cuisine, Wayfarer’s got your table waiting.
🎧 Take the Bakersfield GPS Audio Tour nowBecause in a town like this, the best flavor is knowing the story behind the plate.
by xotatech.com