As Sacramento continues to establish itself as a cultural and culinary destination, people naturally gravitate towards showcasing the typical charm of big-city restaurants. However, it is the quiet confidence of the capital city’s restaurants that sets Sacramento’s culinary scene apart. The most important eateries in this city are not only located in the vibrant downtown area (though several are, largely due to revitalization efforts over the years); an equal number are hidden in suburban shopping centers, driven by the diverse ethnic and immigrant communities that have enriched Sacramento for decades. From seven-hour simmered sourdough ramen to Michelin-acclaimed gourmet pubs, featuring indulgent, almost decadent, fried Brussels sprouts, Sacramento’s most memorable restaurants reflect the reverberating spirit of playfulness and care throughout the entire city.
Nixtaco
Address: 1805 Cirby Way, Roseville, California 95661
In a city dotted with taquerias, Mexican cuisine in Sacramento sets a high bar for formal occasions, but Nick’s Taco in Roseville’s shopping center off Interstate 80 proves its ability to deliver homey flavors in a sit-down restaurant setting. As dining inclusivity becomes the norm, this Michelin-recognized “farm-to-taco” outpost (as co-owners Patricio Wise and Cinthia Martinez describe on their website) takes it a step further on the menu with six vegetarian tacos (choose from fried avocado tacos with Mexican chili peanut mayo and micro sesame greens, or meaty brown mushrooms), along with homemade corn and flour tortillas.
Taqueria Rincon Alteño
Address: 4301 Truxel Rd (near Arena Blvd), Sacramento, CA 95834
Authentic Mexican food isn’t hard to find in Sacramento, but finding the pride and love poured into making Mexican cuisine is rare. Taqueria Rincon Alteño has been operating in Natomas for nearly 20 years, beloved by locals even if they no longer reside in the capital. That’s because this restaurant gets the basics right: rice maintains its starch chew, whether stuffed inside super tacos or paired with melted cheese corn tortillas; salsa is freshly made and robust; if there’s pozole soup, there’s a perfect harmony of crispy hominy and rich pork strips.
Dubplate Kitchen & Jamaican Cuisine
Address: 3419 El Camino Ave, Sacramento, California 95821
Established in 2019, Dubplate has quietly served up layered, spicy Jamaican cuisine for Sacramento. The menu is simple but contains all the favorites: succulent, impeccably spiced Jamaican jerk chicken and rich, flavorful curry goat, served with fluffy rice and peas, assorted seasonal vegetables, and fried plantains, caramelized to a crisp edge and tender inside. While main dishes are generous, missing out on the beef patty would be a shame. If you’re not usually eating in Sacramento’s Arden Arcade district, you might try your luck at various downtown nightclubs, where Dubplate pitches its tent, serving the hungry dancers under bright lights before calling it a night.
Colo’s Soul Food & Seafood
Address: 2326 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, California 95815
Colo’s understands that making delicious soul food requires careful craftsmanship. Collard greens must be hand-picked and cleaned; the depth and tenderness of a pot of red beans and rice directly correlate with the time spent simmering on the stove; chicken is best slow-cooked. The desire to indulge isn’t always met with the desire (or skill) to cook such cuisine, but fortunately, Colo’s fills that gap. The restaurant’s sticky fried ribs, juicy beef hot links, oxtails, and other poultry and beef offerings are locally sourced and halal certified. Be sure to wash them down with a cucumber mint cooler, or, if you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, a beloved beverage.
Jim-Denny’s American Diner
Address: 816 12th St, Sacramento, CA 95814
If your cool aunt—the one who kept you up late introducing you to bourbon—opened a small diner, it might look and feel like N’Gina Guyton’s Jim-Denny’s. Formerly beloved (now closed) South restaurant owner Guyton injected new life into this decades-old burger joint, honoring its tradition of satisfying comfort food spirits and blending it with the vibrant entertainment-loving heart of downtown Sacramento. Guyton adds unabashed luxury to the food: the Southern Daddy Burger stars a hearty beef shoulder with hot sausage, onion rings, cheddar cheese, and Memphis barbecue-style coleslaw; Caesar salad is typically a conservative choice, topped with Guyton’s famed fried chicken; the breakfast menu includes sausage wrapped in cornbread, drizzled with sage sausage gravy, and paired with scrambled eggs. When dining at the counter, please move seats as requested by the server, to make room for other guests nearby.
Mother
Address: 2319 K St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Mother’s menu exudes a relaxed cool vibe: large chunks of beets slathered in lavender oil, sprinkled with pistachios, Jamaican-style carrots with sweet plantains and garlic, and green chilies made from starchy white beans and corn porridge rather than standard pork. This all-vegetarian restaurant is undergoing a second transformation; chef Michael Thiemann reopened last summer at another location, and soon this restaurant regained its special status among diners. Fun ways and vibrant dishes make Mother a reliable choice for midweek dinners, whether alone or otherwise. For a more upscale experience, check out the 10-course tasting menu.
Pushkin’s Brothers
Address: 1813 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95811
“Gluten-free (or wheat, dairy), no problem” has always been the cooking slogan adopted by Olga and Danny Turner before opening Pushkin’s Bakery in 2013. In the bustling Capitol Avenue corridor of downtown Sacramento, the siblings expanded their culinary ambitions at Sibling. This Pushkin’s Bakery offers breakfast, brunch, and dinner, maintaining the original’s gluten-free and vegetarian standards, but also appealing to omnivores with dishes like the BEC with spinach artichoke spread and fried king oyster mushrooms. Appetizers such as the vegan spinach artichoke dip and Babe’s cinnamon sugar donuts are must-orders, making this meal a feast.
Pizza Supreme
Address: 1425 14th St, Sacramento, CA 95814
To understand why Pizza Supreme Being boss Ben Roberts is committed to overturning long-standing gastronomic beliefs, look at his pizzeria’s view of the controversial Hawaiian pie: in addition to common jalapenos and pineapples, Roberts also uses spam instead of ham. He also used sourdough crust. Since selling pizzas in 2015, all these decisions have been warmly welcomed. The recently expanded storefront is decorated with cheerful blue walls and high ceilings, perfect for eating a pizza during lunchtime daydreams, or reveling with Pizza Grease’s homemade natural orange wine during happy hour.
Kru Modern Japanese Cuisine
Address: 3135 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816
While it may be difficult to grab a seat in one of the five seats at Kru’s omakase bar (known for Executive Chef Billy Ngo’s three-hour service planned weekly), it’s worth paying attention to Resy to taste some of the city’s best cuisine. In the meantime, their daily dinner is not to be missed: the menu is full of fusion dishes and sushi with creative ingredients such as fried chives, spicy garlic, and soy sauce, topped with the freshest fish. You can also choose to pair with sake, but their Japanese cocktails are the highlight, including sesame gin and cucumber yuzu shrubs made with green tea Japanese whisky and peach bitters.
Urban Roots launched Bawk!
Address: 1409 R St, Sacramento, CA 95811
As its onomatopoeic name implies, Bawk! by Urban Roots is known for its spicy chicken, which should satisfy any cravings, whether it’s crispy chicken wings stacked on cornmeal waffles or served with beaters, red beans and cheese macaroni. But Bawk! also created a mature and sexy atmosphere that makes it suitable for a date night or a Sunday brunch chat with a team. Both occasions benefit from a rotating drink menu (American River “bawktail” is a rich blend of rye, cocoa, amaro, and peach bitter) and vibrating jam. If possible, please invite DJ Bawk! Playing music to enhance the dining experience
Hawks Provisions and Public House
Address: 1525 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816
Upon entering Hawks Provisions and Public House, a richly colorful and softly atmospheric restaurant, the intentions of Molly Hawks and Michael Fagnoni in opening their second eatery become clear. This Michelin-starred gastronomic pub located in East Sacramento places strong emphasis on incorporating as much flavor as possible into every bite without overwhelming the senses; popular dishes include crispy Brussels sprouts drizzled with rich Parmesan vinaigrette, added acidity from lemon and herbs, and cavatelli pasta topped with dry-aged pecorino, broccoli puree, roasted chicken oyster mushrooms, and crispy kale. Hawks’ menu evolves with the seasons, a hallmark of Sacramento’s culinary style, making it ideal for repeated visits.
Binchoyaki
Address: 2226 10th St (at W St), Sacramento, CA 95818
With a desire to showcase the rich diversity of Japanese cuisine, co-owners Tokiko Sawada and Craig Takehara have held a creative, refined, and approachable position since opening their izakaya-style restaurant Binchoyaki in 2016. Located in Sacramento’s historic and rejuvenated Japantown, the menu hints at Sawada and Takehara’s meticulous culinary backgrounds, first nurtured at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena. Small plate enthusiasts will enjoy a variety of selections, including bluefin tuna sashimi seasoned with smoked vinegar and hand rolls stuffed with Arabic sausage and spicy mustard.
Andy Nguyen’s Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: 2007 Broadway (20th St), Sacramento, CA 95818
In 1984, Andy Nguyen’s Restaurant opened in Sacramento, reflecting the dietary habits of new Vietnamese immigrant families still influenced by French colonial rule. The restaurant offered coq au vin, orange juice duck, seafood soup, fresh spring rolls, and Vietnamese pho. However, over time, customers began to prefer the latter dish, prompting the owners to abandon the French-influenced Vietnamese cuisine and instead offer dishes they grew up eating in Saigon. Several years later, the Nguyen family took a trip to India and converted to Buddhism, prompting them to switch to an all-vegetarian menu. Andy Nguyen’s vegetarian restaurant is mushroom-rich: tempura blue oyster mushrooms coated with sesame are accompanied by creamy roasted chili sauce, a small dish that eats crispy; for a more subtle interpretation, try cooking mushrooms with tofu shreds and stirring with vegetables, brown rice, and creamy coconut vinegar.
Shoki Ramen, Gyoza, and Sweets
Address: 2530 21st St, Sacramento, CA 95818
If there’s one Sacramento restaurant that reminds people of the beauty and importance of taking things slowly, it’s Shoki’s Ramen, Gyoza, and Sweets. Each dish on the menu is handmade by chef Yasushi Ueyama, from the popular seven-hour preparation tantanmen to the chicken breast dumplings coated in delicate breadcrumbs. This is Ueyama’s third and final time operating Shoki’s restaurant, which makes Ueyama more determined to control every detail; in the process, he cleverly asks guests to focus on enjoying the food equally. When you gaze at a steaming bowl of ramen, be sure to drink the soup only after the noodles and other toppings are finished. Garlic-laden sourdough bread slices may look strange, but trust Ueyama; the fermentation process complements the soup’s freshness perfectly.
Las Palmas
Address: 7386 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95823
Who wouldn’t want to indulge in a savory, meat-filled delight tucked inside lightly fried cornmeal cakes? With Salvadoran favorite pupusas gaining increasing prominence in the American culinary scene, now is the perfect time to dine at Las Palmas in South Sacramento. Like many hidden gems in the city’s restaurant scene, it’s nestled on a commercial street, and despite not posting anything on Instagram since September 2020, its high-quality pupusas prove that word of mouth can indeed drive business. For novices, start with the pupusa revuelta, filled with refried beans, crispy fried pork rinds, gooey cheese, or queso con loroco, containing cheese and a common Central American herb.
Dumpling Journey
Address: 7419 Laguna Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95758
This restaurant has two branches, one in downtown Sacramento and another in Elk Grove, offering multiple ways to embark on your journey to this award-winning eatery. Naturally, dumplings are the jewels on the menu. Guests are encouraged to sneak a piece of ginger into the punctured soup dumplings, enhancing the warmth of the steaming broth with the spice of ginger. Vegetarian options include Impossible dumplings and vegetable dumplings wrapped in fresh green spinach dough. Accompanying the dumplings are porridge, rice, and a noodle dish, allowing everyone to savor the flavors of the Dumpling Journey.
West Coast Taco Bar
Address: 8791 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Elk Grove, located in southern Sacramento, is no longer bound by countless chain restaurants around its suburban culinary district but has rapidly evolved into a hub for local small businesses. Step into West Coast Taco Bar, a mobile food truck and permanent restaurant, claiming to “inspire Mexican flavors with a California state of mind.” This taco stand encourages exploring new tastes with three taco varieties: Dirty Diana, featuring beef birria sandwiched in corn tortillas with homemade sauce and plenty of melted cheese; roasted pork carnitas tacos with crisp radishes; and grilled sweet potato and soy sausage tacos.
In Sacramento, food is not just food but a way to experience the vibrant culture and rich heritage of this extraordinary city. Therefore, as you explore this remarkable city, do not miss the opportunity to taste its cuisine and create unforgettable memories through the joy of food.
