I have lived in Sacramento my whole life, and these are the restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and bars my guides recommend, sorted by cuisine. Each card says where the place is and what to order, and links to the guide that covers it.
Michael Kahn
Key Takeaways
- 105 places in eight sections. Asian, pizza and Italian, Mexican, American and river dining, breakfast and brunch, bakeries, coffee, and bars.
- Every card comes from a published guide. Twelve MK Library guides cover these places in depth, from ramen to late-night happy hours.
- Tags show where and when. Each card lists the neighborhood or street, the meal it suits, and a price where the guide states one.
- Lunch is marked. 13 cards carry a lunch tag, from Husick’s by Forester in Clarksburg to Shift Coffee House on Del Paso Boulevard.
- Michelin recognition. The Michelin Guide listed Kin Thai Street Eatery in May 2025, and Nixtaco in Roseville holds a Bib Gourmand.
Asian
Ramen shops from Greenhaven to Davis, and Thai kitchens from Midtown to North Highlands.
Full guide: Ramen Full guide: Thai foodKin Thai Street Eatery
Midtown · Dinner · $101.59 for two
Build the visit around the khao mok gai tod; the Michelin Guide listed it in May 2025.
In the Thai food guideRamen House Tenjin
Greenhaven
Classic shoyu ramen with pork and a soft-boiled egg, plus a gluten-free ramen.
In the ramen guideThe Izakaya
South Land Park
Budget ramen in an old-school Americanized Japanese dining room.
In the ramen guideYuchan Shokudo
Davis · After work
Tan tan men ramen or the salmon shiso donburi.
In the ramen guideBangkok @ 12 Thai
Downtown · Weeknight
Salmon green curry and the widest vegetarian menu in the Thai guide.
In the Thai food guideFukumi Ramen
Roseville · Lunch & Dinner
Tori miso ramen with a side of okonomi fries.
In the ramen guideJP Thai Kitchen
Freeport Boulevard · Takeout
Red pumpkin curry and golden wrapped prawns.
In the Thai food guideKodaiko Ramen and Bar
Downtown · Night out
Kare kare paitan ramen, crispy brussels sprouts and a chicken katsu sando.
In the ramen guidePattaya Cafe Thai Cuisine
North Highlands
Ground chicken with chili and basil, made as hot as you ask.
In the Thai food guideThai Farm House BBQ & Bistro
Southside Park
Finish with fried bananas and coconut ice cream; parking is tight.
In the Thai food guideUmami Ramen
Folsom · Lunch
Tonkatsu ramen, spicy or mild, and a smoked brisket banh mi.
In the ramen guidePizza & Italian
Neapolitan pies in Midtown, punk rock slices downtown and Mexican-Italian fusion in Elk Grove.
Full guide: PizzaOld Town Pizza and Tap House
Elk Grove
Pizza and taps in creaky wooden booths, a local pick for the best pizza in Elk Grove.
In the pizza guideMark and Monica’s Family Pizza
Carmichael
A family pizza place run by the same family since 1986.
In the pizza guideBuffalo Pizza & Ice Cream Co
Curtis Park · Breakfast
A breakfast pizza with sausage, bacon and eggs, and a vegan menu.
In the pizza guideFederalist Public House
Midtown
Classic Neapolitan-style pizza from pizzaiolo Crystal, who traveled to Italy.
In the pizza guideLa Trattoria Bohemia
East Sac
Czech and Italian cooking, including a chicken paprikash pizza.
In the pizza guidePizza Supreme Being
Downtown
Punk rock pizza by the slice or square, with a vegan cheese option.
In the pizza guideMexican
Oaxacan cooking in Rocklin, quesabirria in Oak Park and pupusas on Northgate Boulevard.
Full guide: Mexican restaurantsMezcalito Oaxacan Cuisine
Rocklin
Oaxacan cooking; start with the avocado salsa fresca.
In the Mexican restaurants guideMidtown’s Cantina Alley
Midtown
Tangy, spicy pozole verde and a vegan taco del monte.
In the Mexican restaurants guideLa Flor de Michoacán
Northgate Boulevard
A Mexican-Salvadoran kitchen where the pupusas are the order.
In the Mexican restaurants guideLa Venadita
Oak Park
Quesabirria tacos with a margarita on the patio, then churros.
In the Mexican restaurants guideLalo’s
24th Street
Al pastor burritos, consomé and chilaquiles, with guanabana to drink.
In the Mexican restaurants guideMayahuel
K Street
Fish tacos, albondigas or enchiladas verdes, with vegan options.
In the Mexican restaurants guideNixtaco
Roseville
Spicy shrimp tacos at a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot where ordering is fully automated.
In the Mexican restaurants guideAmerican & River Dining
Dockside tables on Garden Highway, a 1927 riverboat in Old Sacramento and a Delta farm restaurant in Clarksburg.
Full guide: River restaurants Full guide: Husick’s by ForesterCrawdads on the River
Garden Highway · Afternoon & Sunset
Ahi nachos on wonton chips by the water.
In the river restaurants guideHusick’s by Forester
Clarksburg · Lunch & Dinner · $16 to $18 sandwiches
Order the Ham n’ Jam sandwich at this Delta farm restaurant.
Read the Husick’s reviewScott’s Seafood Grill and Bar on the River
Pocket · Brunch, Lunch & Dinner
Lobster tail and scallops on the river.
In the river restaurants guideAlamar Restaurant and Bar
Garden Highway · Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shrimp and grits with chopped bacon, and frog legs, on the river.
In the river restaurants guideChevy’s
Garden Highway · Brunch, Lunch & Dinner
Multi-tiered dockside seating on the river.
In the river restaurants guideDelta King Pilothouse Restaurant
Old Sacramento · Lunch & Dinner
Dining aboard a paddlewheel riverboat built in 1927.
In the river restaurants guideThe Virgin Sturgeon
Garden Highway · Breakfast to Late Night
Smoked sturgeon, reached down a ramp that was once a Pan Am jetway.
In the river restaurants guideSwabbies on the River
Garden Highway · Lunch & Dinner
Cheese-encrusted tacos with a cold beer on the dock.
In the river restaurants guideBreakfast & Brunch
Benedicts in Tahoe Park, a full English breakfast downtown and weekend beignets on R Street.
Full guide: BreakfastFox and Goose Public House
Downtown · Breakfast
A full English breakfast and an olallieberry scone with Devonshire cream.
In the breakfast guideVeg Cafe & Bar
Midtown · Weekend Brunch
Chick’n and waffles made with oyster mushrooms, and a turmeric chickpea crepe.
In the breakfast guideBacon & Butter
Tahoe Park · Breakfast
Fried green tomato benedict and bacon gravy fries.
In the breakfast guideShady Lady Saloon
R Street · Weekend Brunch
Weekend brunch with fresh beignets and a well-made Bloody Mary.
In the breakfast guideGinger Elizabeth Patisserie
Midtown · Morning
Cinnamon rolls with buttercream frosting.
In the bakeries guideLa Esperanza Bakery
North City Farms
A Mexican bakery with a line that runs into the grocery store.
In the bakeries guideMahoroba Japanese Bakery
South Land Park
A Japanese bakery; go for the an pan with sweet red bean paste.
In the bakeries guideMarie’s Donuts
Land Park · Mornings
Maple bars and old-fashioneds, a stop since elementary school.
In the bakeries guidePushkin’s Bakery
Midtown · Breakfast & Lunch
A gluten-free and vegan bakery serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
In the bakeries guideBella Bru Cafe
Carmichael & Natomas
Bread sold by the loaf or in cafe sandwiches.
In the bakeries guideABC Bakery
Pocket · Mornings · $1 to $3 each
Steamed BBQ pork buns and dim sum.
In the bakeries guideEstelle Bakery & Pâtisserie
Downtown & Arden
Croissants, tarts, scones, muffins and bread.
In the bakeries guideFaria Bakery
Oak Park · Wednesday Pizza Night
Tangy sourdough, also baked for the Camellia and Mast coffee shops.
In the bakeries guideReal Pie Company
Curtis Park
Pies from owner Kira, a former Chez Panisse pastry chef.
In the bakeries guideCoffee
Roasters and cafes across Midtown, Downtown, East Sacramento and beyond.
Full guide: Coffee shopsCà Phê Phin
Parkview
Taro coffee, a soursop slushie and a mango matcha latte.
In the coffee shops guideScorpio Coffee
Midtown
A bouquet latte with lavender, rose and chamomile, and savory or sweet toasts.
In the coffee shops guideBlueprint Coffee Project
Old Sacramento
A non-profit coffee shop partnered with Project Church.
In the coffee shops guideCamellia Coffee Roasters
Downtown · Breakfast
Horchata latte and breakfast sandwiches, with Faria pastries.
In the coffee shops guideChocolate Fish Coffee Roasters
East Sacramento
Coffee-cupping classes and avocado toast.
In the coffee shops guideFranquette
West Sacramento · Breakfast & Lunch
A savory galette with leeks and potatoes, and ratatouille.
In the coffee shops guideGoodside Coffee
Mansion Flats
Honey-lavender nitro cold brew and a Solomon’s bagel.
In the coffee shops guideMast Coffee Co
Southside Park
Sandwiches on fresh focaccia and Faria pastries.
In the coffee shops guideOld Soul at the Weatherstone
Midtown · Breakfast & Lunch
Quiche or a BLT in a former horse barn serving drinks since 1910.
In the coffee shops guidePachamama Coffee
East Sacramento
Owned by Guatemalan and Nicaraguan farmers; try the rose cardamom latte.
In the coffee shops guideRoots Coffee Co
Downtown
Toast, salads and sandwiches near the Old Sacramento waterfront.
In the coffee shops guideSeasons Coffee Roasters
Midtown
Paninis, avocado toast and an iced caramel or mocha latte.
In the coffee shops guideShift Coffee House
Del Paso Boulevard · Breakfast & Lunch
Grilled cheeses named That’s My Jam and The Firehouse 20.
In the coffee shops guideTupelo Coffee & Roasting
East Sacramento
Bring the dogs and sit on the front patio.
In the coffee shops guideFrequently Asked Questions
The Kitchen on Broadway serves a six-course prix fixe in one ticketed seating a night, prepaid at $225 per person, and the evening runs three and a half to four hours. Localis on S Street serves a tasting menu at its chef’s counter, booked through Tock. Mulvaney’s B&L on 19th Street serves an a la carte dinner menu and takes online reservations.
Tea Cup Café on 21st Street serves Cantonese food and dim sum until 9 p.m., and Tank House BBQ and Bar on J Street serves from 11:30 a.m. to midnight daily. For tacos, the Mexican restaurants guide covers La Venadita in Oak Park and Lalo’s on 24th Street.
The Kitchen’s six-course seating on Broadway is prepaid at $225 per person and books months ahead, with November 2026 reservations already open. For a river view, Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar in the Pocket serves lobster tail and scallops, and The Firehouse in Old Sacramento takes reservations on Tock and asks for business casual attire.
Midtown picks on this page include Kin Thai Street Eatery for khao mok gai tod, Federalist Public House for Neapolitan-style pizza and Temple Coffee on S Street. Localis sits on S Street, Mulvaney’s B&L on 19th Street, Tank House BBQ in the old water tank house on J Street, and Hook & Ladder serves seasonal cocktails.
Downtown picks on this page include Kodaiko Ramen and Bar for kare kare paitan, Bangkok @ 12 Thai for salmon green curry, Pizza Supreme Being for slices, Fox and Goose Public House for a full English breakfast, and Mayahuel on K Street for fish tacos.
The river restaurants on Garden Highway serve lunch, including Alamar, Swabbies and The Virgin Sturgeon. In town, Pushkin’s Bakery and Old Soul at the Weatherstone serve breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and Husick’s by Forester in Clarksburg sells lunch sandwiches for $16 to $18.
The Thai guide notes that the Michelin Guide listed Kin Thai Street Eatery on May 14, 2025, and that Canon in East Sacramento, Yue Huang in Natomas and Nixtaco in Roseville hold Bib Gourmand recognition.
The Delta King Pilothouse Restaurant serves lunch and dinner aboard a paddlewheel riverboat built in 1927, and Blueprint Coffee Project is a non-profit coffee shop on the same waterfront. The river restaurants guide covers the rest of the riverfront.
The Weatherstone building, home to Old Soul, has served drinks since 1910, and the Delta King riverboat dates to 1927. Mark and Monica’s Family Pizza has run since 1986, and Centro Cocina Mexicana has served its tequila list for more than 30 years.
Casa Lola opened in December 2025 in the former Public House Downtown space on 16th Street, and The Lock & Key Tapas + Bar opened in late 2023 in the former Red Rabbit space on J Street. The late-night happy hour guide tracks openings and closures.
Tank House BBQ and Bar on J Street serves until midnight daily. Orchid Thai on 16th Street runs a happy hour from 10pm to close, and Centro Cocina Mexicana on J Street pours from more than 150 tequilas late. The late-night happy hour guide lists the rest, with hours and specials.
Article Updates
September 30, 2026: Rebuilt as the Sacramento restaurants hub: 105 named restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and bars in eight cuisine sections, each checked as open in September 2026, along with every restaurant the FAQ names.
September 30, 2026: Removed Ink Eats & Drinks from the late-night answer after its October 2024 closure, and added Centro Cocina Mexicana and Orchid Thai.
May 27, 2026: Full visual redesign. Cuisines reorganized into six pillars. Magazine-style hero, editor’s letter, sticky sub-nav, about module, and FAQ added.
January 30, 2026: Refreshed cuisine list and brought intro into MK Library voice.
