CA's Best Ranked Restaurant And Nation's Best Poke Are 1 In The Same: Here's Where

BIG BEAR, CA — Yelp's highest ranked Poke in the nation, and California's highest-ranked restaurant is also high in the sky — a whopping 7,000 feet above sea level.

As skiers head to the slopes for the 2025 season, a must-stop for eats is the Tropicali restaurant in Big Bear. Located at 40771 Big Bear Boulevard, at Pine Knot Avenue, Tropicali has a 4.9 rating with 4,000 positive reviews, thanks to the owner's fresh poke and unique decor.

Yes, it's odd to see saguaros and a massive open-mouthed shark as a door, but both things are par for the course at the quirky mountain top eatery. But that is what the locals love about it. Visitors also share on Yelp what they love most about the Tropicali: the food.

Bryan S. of Hesperia says this is " a great spot with awesome vibes and a unique atmosphere," he wrote on Yelp. "The decor and setup instantly put you in a good mood. The tropical vibe stands out in Big Bear."

Influencer La Verna from Las Vegas shared a reel, showing the inside of the restaurant.

"Tropicali is known for its fresh poke bowls, and other creative Hawaiian and South Pacific-influenced dishes," she said. "Located on Big Bear Boulevard, the restaurant offers a tropical escape with an art-filled, vibrant atmosphere and has received high rankings for its poke."

When you go, duck through the enormous shark entryway, and allow yourself to be drawn into the Hollywood/Vegas vibe of the completely immersive dining experience overlooking Big Bear Lake.

Customers order from kiosks, and when asked where the fish come from, the answer is always "Mystical Mermaids," according to Farley Elliott's recent SFGate report.

Customers on Yelp report that "long lines at the kiosks" and a lack of parking are drawbacks.

"We waited about 30 minutes to look at one of the kiosks, and many people had a hard time navigating the touch screen," Andrea V. of San Diego wrote. Still, the food and drinks "came out pretty fast. Maybe try it on a weekday," she suggested.

A New Jersey reviewer agreed about the crowd and parking, but found the albacore fresh, the grilled pork not too dry, and the whole restaurant had a "Hawaii/Vegas vibe which was definitely fun."

Decor leans heavily on both a nod to Hollywood and religious artifacts.

"Most diners, most days, will slip right past the religious touches and totems, queuing up for a Tahiti Bowl that's unlike anything else for hundreds of miles," the report states. Although this is their only location at present, the owners are looking to San Diego's North County and other areas for potential expansion.

Owner Michael Eaton has curated not only one of the best restaurants in California, according to Yelp, but also a distinct vibe of its own, according to numerous reviewers. A large part of that is how he hires staff.

"Everyone at Tropicali is a salaried employee, and they've bought into Tropicali, and I've bought into them," Eaton said in an April 2023 interview. "I believe in the people behind it if the people who represent it never leave."

Have you been to Tropicali? Tell us about it!