Sacramento hasn’t always been known as a food destination, but with renewed interest in local ingredients and many new restaurants opening over the past few years, more and more people are coming here just for its food scene. Nowadays, there are many new places to add to a list of where to eat in Sacramento.
Because Sacramento is located right in the heart of California’s agricultural valley, there’s an abundance of fresh ingredients, meaning that “farm-to-fork” is the norm here. At the city’s good restaurants, you’ll find seasonal menus that utilize locally grown produce and include the names of the farms. Here are my 30 picks for best restaurants Sacramento, including my favorite kid friendly restaurants in Sacramento. Enjoy, and let me know your favorites!
New additions for restaurants near me in Sacramento: Localis, Thai Farm House & Bistro, Beast & Bounty
Best restaurants Sacramento Midtown & Downtown
Chef Oliver Ridgeway takes farm-to-fork to a whole new level by listing the local farms that grow the ingredients and shopping at local farmers’ markets to inspire the seasonal menus. Besides the exquisite food and drinks, Grange is a beautiful, historic space right in the heart of downtown.
Don’t miss: The menu changes frequently, so ask your server for recommendations.
Where: 926 J Street
One of our favorite restaurants in Sacramento. We love their whole menu, but we usually come for their relaxed but yummy happy hour. Bonus: they have a vegan menu, they serve Fieldwork beer, and they have the cutest, friendliest server in town! (I hope he’s your server!)
Don’t miss: The mixed greens salad (it’s a perfect salad that changes seasonally), their fresh pastas made in-house, and their rich desserts.
Where: 1630 S St.
Known for tasty happy hour bites and cocktails made with the freshest ingredients
Don’t miss: Their happy hour, especially the street tacos, and their fantastic cocktails. We love the Krakow Salt Mine.
Where: 2718 J St.
Not the best Mexican food I’ve ever had, but this place holds its own with a solid happy hour menu, good cocktails, and (usually) easy seating. Plus they have some vegetarian items and an easy choose-two menu of tacos and burritos. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The Mexico City mule and tostadas de pollo at Happy Hour
Where: 2730 J St.
This place has been around for years and has always been my favorite place for Thai food in Sacramento. The food tastes extra fresh with bold herbs and not-too-rich sauces. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: Everything here is good, but I especially like the spicy eggplant, the salmon curry special and the kids’ meal for kids
Where: 2431 J St.
This place has been hit and miss for me, but it’s one of the most popular restaurants in the city (check out the line for weekend brunch!). Pushkin’s made a name for themselves locally with their gluten-free bakery and later expanded with their full restaurant, which serves fresh California style food with gluten free breads and both vegan and non-vegan menus.
Don’t miss: Avocado toast with poached eggs and the raspberry coffee cake. Try coming here for breakfast during the week to avoid those long weekend lines.
Where: 1813 Capital Ave.
What attracted me to this place is the architecture — the restaurant is actually seven shipping containers that were assembled in an alley lot in Midtown. But the food and casual ambiance keep us coming back. Plus, they have a vegan menu and serve the Impossible Burger every Thursday evening. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The local beer selection, falafel starter and wood-fired pizzas
Where: 2009 Matsui Alley
Sacramento is fortunate to have a restaurant that’s all about one of my favorite things, cheese. Besides cheese boards, there are fun variations of mac & cheese (with lobster or apple and walnuts) and grilled cheese (with mango chili jam or Fuji apple and prosciutto). All these cheese items are perfect to pair with their extensive beer and wine selections. And, surprisingly, there’s even a vegan menu. It’s often crowded so choose the time carefully.
Don’t miss: the cheese & charcuterie boards paired with a local beer or wine
Where: 1801 L St #40
It’s been fun to watch this little restaurant grow over the last decade. It used to serve salad and tasty sandwiches, from pulled pork to Banh Mi and smoked trout. The menu has evolved to include more sophisticated fare, like sunchoke and fennel slaw or the fancy mac & cheese with Brussels sprouts and bacon, plus cocktails and a nice wine list focused on Northern California.
Don’t miss: the clams and fries with fennel and saffron broth, Banh Mi, and soup with perfect toast
Where: 1601 16th St
An old favorite for special occasion meals, the Waterboy features the freshest local ingredients in its menu inspired by northern Italy and southern France.
Don’t miss: the cheese plate, salads and scallops
Where: 2000 Capitol Ave
Besides being our favorite brewery in the Sacramento area, Fieldwork is also our favorite place for pizza. Served on thin sourdough crust and made with fresh ingredients that never overpower, the pizzas here are always good. We especially like their margherita, Walk in the Park, Delivery Boy, and Hail Mary pizzas. Note that they have a small Field Greens salad that’s not always listed on the menu. Kid & dog friendly.
Don’t miss: Their Northeast style IPAs, the above-mentioned pizzas, the Brussels sprouts, and any of their salads.
Where: 1805 Capitol Avenue
I’ve been coming here since we first moved to Sacramento more than 15 years ago, and it’s where we often choose for a special occasion meal. Aioli serves Spanish tapas and entrees in the cozy dining room or on the garden patio out back.
Don’t miss: The seasonal salad, the mussels, and the mariscos calientes (hot seafood dishes)
Where: 1800 L St.
A menu of fresh food inspired by the cuisine of France and beautiful interior that transports you to a French bistro
Don’t miss: The eggs Benedict and fancy avocado toast for brunch
Where: 1401 28th St.
Best restaurants Sacramento Broadway & Land Park
This neighborhood joint in Land Park is a personal favorite of mine because I love simple, clean Italian food. Here wood-fired pizzas made the class Neapolitan way are served along with salads that incorporate the freshest ingredients grown by friends. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The cheese board, seasonal salad, and any of their delicious pizzas
Where: 2711 Riverside Boulevard
Andy Nguyen:
Owned by a Buddhist monk, this Vietnamese restaurant serves only vegetarian food with fresh vegetables and a variety of meat substitutes.
Don’t miss: Some of our favorite dishes are Limitless Compassion, Peaceful Existence Clay Pot, and Supreme Wisdom. The soups, noodle dishes and smoothies are also good.
Where: 2007 Broadway
A classic Sacramento stop is Tower Cafe, which sits next to the Tower Theater and the former location of the original Tower Records. The menu here is eclectic — huevos rancheros are served next to Thai green curry and jambalaya. And the outdoor garden is one of the city’s nicest places to eat. Tip: don’t try weekend brunch unless you don’t mind waiting in line. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The seasonal French toast. This custardy baguette drenched in seasonal fruit compote has long been their specialty; other places try to copy it, but none do it as well as Tower. For lunch and dinner, try the Brazilian chicken salad, crab cakes, and salmon curry.
Where: 1518 Broadway
Best restaurants East Sacramento
Ask chefs around Sacramento who they most admire, and you’re likely to hear Billy Ngo’s name a few times. If you want to try an innovative, contemporary approach to Japanese cuisine, this is the place.
Don’t miss: The seasonal specials and Kru’s simply perfect sushi
Where: 3135 Folsom Blvd
I’m a sucker for Italian food, and the food here doesn’t disappoint. Owned by Selland’s (above), OBO’s concept is the same — you order at the counter from a variety of hot and cold dishes and wood-fired pizzas. And like Selland’s, OBO’ offers a $25 dinner for two with a bottle of wine. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The housemade pastas, desserts, cocktails, and $25 dinner for two
Where: 3145 Folsom Blvd
I’ve eaten here just once, but everything was prepared and presented with such care that I immediately put this place at the top of my list of favorite restaurants in Sacramento. Plus, they have happy hour 7 days a week!
Don’t miss: The housemade potato chips with caramelized onion dip for a starter and the Public House lunch: beautifully served on a wooden board, this perfect lunch comes with a petite sandwich, a cup of soup or salad of farm greens, and a mini dessert
Where: 1525 Alhambra Blvd.
Read more: In Sacramento, a farm-to-fork experience at Grange
Best restaurants Sacramento farther afield:
My favorite place for Mexican food in Sacramento is actually located in Elk Grove, right off of I-5. The chef brings the authentic flavors of her home country, Mexico, to her dishes. But you’ll notice both Mexican and Italian cuisine because she has extensive experience with both. She also uses her knowledge of wine to craft an impressive wine list. Bonus: the art work! Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The sampler for a bit of everything, the mole, the Los Cabos salad, and La Bandera (the best enchilada dish–ask for one with cheese, one with chicken and one with papas y rajas)
Where: 9080 Laguna Main St.
Other Mexican restaurants to try: Cielito Lindo, Chando’s, and Cantina Alley (time your visit to avoid the crowds)
Probably the most creative and tastiest breakfast can be found at Bacon & Butter. The restaurant focuses on farm-to-table food and ingredients purchased at the local farmers’ markets. I love the food but the dishes are a bit heavy for me. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: Everything here is good, but the French toast and biscuit sandwich are local favorites
Where: 5913 Broadway
Orphan is my favorite place for breakfast in Sacramento because it’s one of the few places where the breakfast choices are actually healthy. The food is straightforward yet tasty with occasional Latin flavors and a mostly vegetarian and vegan menu. A couple of tips: it’s a small, popular place, so expect crowds, especially on weekends; leave a few extra minutes to find on-street parking; and bring cash (or use their ATM). Breakfast is served daily 7-2 and a lunch menu is also available 11-2. Kid friendly.
Don’t miss: The coffee and Eggs Lulu or Avocado Scramble
Where: 35th & C streets
Favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Sacramento:
Centro Cocina, Mas Tacos, Fieldwork & Urban Roots for casual food & drinks, Tower Cafe, Thai Basil
On my list of best restaurants in Sacramento to try: Ten Ten Room, Mulvaney’s, the Jungle Bird, Localis, & Beast & Bounty
What are your picks for where to eat in Sacramento?
Read more:
Food Network’s top 10 restaurants in Sacramento
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Sacramento has such GREAT food. One of my favorites is Mulvaney’s B&L. And the Porch for breakfast. Love Grange!
I haven’t been to Mulvaney’s yet but it’s on my wish list. I’ve been by Porch many times but haven’t stopped there yet either. Thanks for the recommendations!
Thanks for this amazing post, Jenna! We moved back to Sacramento a few months ago and are slowly trying the new restaurants – and returning to some past favorites. We’ll refer to this list in the future.
And this is just the beginning! There are still many other places that you’ll love. 🙂
So funny. I have been to a couple of restaurants that you mentioned, but my favorites are not even making your list.
Sacramento truly has a HUGE and diverse restaurant scene.
Some of my favorite places are Tapa the World, Chicago Fire, Fox & Goose, Meet & Eat, and Thai Palace (to name a few).
Yes, it does! We enjoy Meet & Eat and Fox & Goose, too, but I haven’t been to Thai Palace, Chicago Fire or Tapa the World yet. Tapa the World has been on my wish list for a long time, but I just haven’t gotten there yet.
Well dang, I think Orphan and Tower Cafe are the only of these I’ve actually tried! Can’t believe how much the food scene has exploded since we left.
Not surprised you’ve eaten at Tower because that’s been so popular for more than 20 years. You will love the food scene when you come back next time!
Wow, who knew? I’ve only ever driven through Sacramento on the way up north, but look at what I missed? Never thought Sacramento would be such a foodie town, but it’s now on my list! Thanks!
The food scene here is so fun! Always something new popping up and the abundance of super fresh ingredients is pretty special.
hi, jenna. thanks for the Sacramento restaurant reviews. curious as to how you research and test so many restaurants in each area you visit.
Hi Douglas,
Good question! When I visit a place, I certainly don’t have enough time (or money!) to research more than a handful of restaurants, but I’ve been able to try a lot of places in Sacramento because this is my hometown.
Sacramento is a food mecca! This list doesn’t even cover the best food in Sac. If you want great food, ask a local.
I am a local, LOL! I agree, Sac has lots of excellent places to eat. This list is a bit outdated because a couple of the places have closed. Now I would add Canon for sure.