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Updated January 2024
After living in Sacramento now for a year, we’ve been eating our way down the restaurant list. These best restaurants in Sacramento, California have become our go-to’s for eating out. Sacramento, California has a wonderful food scene, which every year has grown as the city keeps changing. You have access to a diverse selection of cuisine here.
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There are a few things I love about dining in Sacramento. There is such a wide range from amazing fried chicken to world-class sushi. We tend to stick to our favorites but have been branching out over the last few months. A lot of these Sacramento restaurants are in the heart of downtown, so even if you’re passing by the region, you can quickly stop in for a bite.
With many neighborhoods, from Old Sacramento to Midtown, these are the best restaurants in downtown Sacramento to check out for your next meal. If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee while you’re in town, find the best coffee shops in Sacramento here.
Planning a Trip to Sacramento? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Sacramento:
- Kimpton Sawyer, for the best downtown hotel
- The Citizen Hotel, for the best overall hotel
- The Fort Sutter Hotel, for the best boutique hotel
For more in-depth guides to the city, be sure to check out my guides to the best hotels and the best things to do in Sacramento.
20 Best Restaurants in Sacramento, California
1. Kru Sushi
This was one of my first introductions in the Sacramento restaurant scene and I was so excited that Kru is here. It’s our go-to for sushi in the city, definitely an upscale experience. They have a wonderful happy hour as well when the dining room is open.
So sometimes we will pop in just for that or do take-out as well when we want to be at home. You can order online in the morning and pick it up conveniently at their restaurant. Our favorite rolls to get from Kru are the Spicy Liz and the Tesla Roll.
Address: 3135 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816
2. Pangea Bier Cafe
I may be biased since Pangea is down the street from our house, but this is our favorite fried chicken sandwich in the city. I’ve gone through almost the entire menu in the last year and every single dish has been amazing. This is where I bring all of my out-of-town guests for a meal. We sometimes even grab it to-go. Right now, they have an amazing outdoor patio set up for the year to enjoy for dine-in.
Address: 2743 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818
3. Masullo Pizza
Over in Land Park is our favorite thin-crust pizza. Masullo serves up some incredible pizza fresh out of their oven. Our guilty pleasure on the weekend is picking up two pizzas here. I love the Elisa pizza and be sure to check out their wine menu which often has a weekly discount! This year, they opened up their patio as well so you can dine in at Masullo.
Address: 2711 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818
4. Localis
In Midtown, Localis is one of the best upscale dining experiences in the city and is one of only 2 Sacramento restaurants to earn a Michelin Star. Their wine bar sits overlooking the open kitchen which is one of my favorite parts of dining here. The food is fresh and focused on locally sourced items here in California.
Address: 2031 S St, Sacramento, CA 95811
5. Canon
One of the most talked-about restaurants in Sacramento is Canon. Located in East Sacramento, they’re known as a refined, neighborhood tavern. It’s one of the spots in Sacramento that has a fantastic wine list.
Some of the highlights on the menu include grilled whole chicken and their smoked beef cheeks. They have a very spacious patio to enjoy your meal. Come for dinner throughout the week and brunch on the weekend.
Address: 1719 34th St, Sacramento, CA 95816
6. The Kitchen Restaurant
Arguably one of the best restaurants in Sacramento, The Kitchen is the only one of two in the area to have been awarded a Michelin Star. The menu is prix fixe and changes seasonally, really the spot to go for special occasions.
Address: 2225 Hurley Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
7. Kodaiko Ramen & Bar
Right in Downtown Sacramento, Kodaiko opened up in 2019 and serves our favorite ramen. We love a rich broth, and their bowls of ramen do not disappoint. They focus on sourcing quality ingredients here which is a big part of why their menu is incredible. My favorite ramen on the menu is the Tonkotsu for $15. It has a rich three-day pork broth as the base and is topped with arugula, chives, pork belly chashu, and an ajitama egg.
Address: 718 K St, Sacramento, CA 95814
8. Betty Wine Bar & Bottle Shop
One of my favorite hangs in Sacramento is this charming wine shop in Southside Park. It’s a wine bar but so much more with a lovely menu. It’s rather family-friendly, with a wonderful back patio, and a Parisian-inspired indoor area. I love coming in for their seasonal salads and pressed sandwiches and don’t skip the charcuterie boards. This is the spot to go for a late bite or with friends!
Address: 1103 T St, Sacramento, CA 95811
9. Tower Cafe
It took me forever to get to this cafe mostly because the line is always so long, be sure to go mid-week. So once I made it to Tower Cafe, I understood why everyone loves to go to this brunch spot. French toast is a must here, and be ready to line up on the weekend.
Address: 1518 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818
10. Fixins Soul Kitchen
If fried chicken is your thing, come to Fixins for the dinner plate served with biscuits and collard greens. One of our favorites for Southern classics. We have been coming here this whole year and ordering to-go food. It’s one of our Friday night go-to’s.
Address: 3428 3rd Ave, Sacramento, CA 95817
11. Camden Spit & Larder
Camden Spit & Larder has been such a fun addition to our Sacramento dining scene. It’s British fare as a London-inspired eatery in the heart of downtown. It’s one of those places you could easily do a special occasion dinner. Their dinner menu has classics like crispy mushroom polenta or their famous English Meat Pie. You can also find handmade pasta and things like wild king salmon as well. In 2023, it was also added to the Michelin Guide.
Address: 555 Capitol Mall #100, Sacramento, CA 95814
12. Happy Takeout
This is our secret, go-to Chinese takeout joint. I’m embarrassed to admit how many times we have ordered Happy Takeout. It’s just SO GOOD. It’s small and they only do to-go or delivery. We order pretty much the same thing every time. Chicken chow mein, beef + green beans, orange chicken (the best!!), and every once in a while, a side dish of fried rice. The portions are huge, so two dishes could be two meals for two people.
Address: 3201 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817
13. Binchoyaki Izakaya Dining
This Japanese restaurant serves up classic dishes from Japan and they’re well known for their spicy tuna on crispy rice. We’ve eaten at Binchoyaki a few times over this last year and almost always get the spicy tuna on crispy rice personally. They have other modern Japanese-style barbecue dishes as well. Their charcoal grill gives an incredible flavor to their food.
Address: 2226 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95818
14. Beast + Bounty
One of the trendier restaurants in Sacramento is Beast + Bounty. Their menu is seasonal with fresh eats, also featuring great wine at night and coffee at brunch. I love their brunch pizza (a must-order). They have opened this great back patio area to enjoy their food at the restaurant or you can order to go.
Address: 2226 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95818
15. Pushkin’s Bakery
The food at Pushkin’s is some of our favorites on the weekend for their breakfast sandwiches and baked goods. The line can get long but it is well worth the wait. They do gluten-free and dairy-free baked goods. We will often order desserts for family gatherings here.
Address: 1820 29th St, Sacramento, CA 95816
16. Gunther’s Ice Cream
I had to include this classic ice cream spot. Gunther’s has been here for years and I love their fruit freezes. We can walk here from the house, which proves to be problematic.
You can order ahead of time online which I strongly suggest.
Available for delivery and curbside pickup.
Address: 2801 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818
17. Casa East Sac
Another new restaurant to open in East Sacramento, Casa East Sac is all things super cozy and homemade. It’s simple food but delicious. Some favorites here are their steak special, their seasonal salads, and their house classic burger.
Address: 5401 H St, Sacramento, CA 95819
18. Frank Fat’s
Over by the Convention Center, Frank Fat’s is one of the oldest restaurants in Sacramento. It is Chinese cuisine and it’s also a solid option for delivery here in the city. You can place an order online or directly.
Address: 806 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814
19. The Coconut on T
The Coconut on T is our favorite Thai food in Sacramento. We come here more often than not. We always order Drunken Noodles and Green curry. Of course, I order my own serving of cheese wontons too. It’s a great restaurant, but it does get busy so I recommend ordering in advance if possible for takeout.
Address: 1110 T St, Sacramento, CA 95811
20. Saigon Alley Kitchen + Bar
One of the newer restaurants in Sacramento is Saigon Alley. It is a Vietnamese spot that has classic dishes and great pho. They are open for lunch and dinner. and the interior space is really beautiful.
Address: 1801 L St #70, Sacramento, CA 95811
Frequently Asked Questions About Sacramento Dining
What are the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants?
If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan-friendly restaurants, Mother Sacramento or Bambi are my favorite. Pushkins and Sibling by Pushkins are two others to consider as well. Sibling by Pushkin’s has a full menu for vegans for all meals as well!
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Jessica
