The Sycamore Inn

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Living Landmark on Route 66

The Sycamore Inn has stood on Foothill Boulevard — the storied stretch of Route 66 — since 1848, making it one of the most enduring dining destinations in Southern California. Generations of guests have passed through its doors for special occasions and quiet weeknights alike, drawn by the Inn's rustic charm and a reputation for gracious, unhurried hospitality. The setting is described as a "charming rustic Inn" with a gracious and elegant ambiance — the kind of room that feels earned rather than designed.

The Food: Prime, and Proud of It

The kitchen centers its identity on Midwestern cornfed prime steaks and prime ribs of beef, a tradition that has defined the menu for generations. Alongside the steakhouse classics, the menu extends to a broader selection of American fine dining — entrees, salads, and side dishes that round out an evening without overshadowing the main event. One dish carries particular sentimental weight: Luigi's minestrone soup, a hearty staple on the menu for over 50 years and a quiet emblem of the Inn's continuity.

The Wine List and the Bar

Wine Spectator recognized The Sycamore Inn with its Award of Excellence in 2024, a reflection of a wine program built with real care. The list is described as "comprehensive" and "specially selected to offer a variety of selections to complement the menu," with over 39 wines available by the glass. The bar program adds a serious whiskey selection alongside hand-crafted martinis and mixed drinks — enough range to make the lounge a destination in its own right.

Spaces for Every Occasion

Dining at the Inn unfolds across several distinct spaces: the main dining room for the full prime steakhouse experience, a lounge, a veranda, and the Route 66 Patio — each with its own atmosphere and menu offering. Banquet rooms make the Inn equally suited to private parties and larger celebrations. It's the kind of place that handles a birthday dinner and a corporate event with equal ease, and has done so for well over a century.