We usually don’t put much stock in a place being Yelp-famous, but at Tropicali you can absolutely believe the hype. The laid-back, lake-facing hangout serves top-notch poke bowls (if you want an extra crunch, try the eel-sauce-drizzled Kraken with panko crumbs and wonton chips) alongside BBQ bowls and “tiki tortas,” Beligan waffles topped with BBQ chicken and a drizzle of sauce. You can opt for the patio for perfectly-framed views of the lake, but you’d be missing out on the interior’s gonzo SoCal-surfer-punk take on tiki decor.
Tropicali can get remarkably busy, like line-out-the-door busy. But while you’re waiting to place your food order at an oversized touch screen, you can walk right up to the counter and order a drink from the remarkably chill bartenders (the smoothies are delightful; try the Tropsicle, a blend of passion fruit, orange, guava, pineapple and coconut).