Sacramento’s vibrant restaurant scene reflects the wide variety of flavors and cultures that make up this diverse city. From Mexican to Vietnamese, our picks offer farm-to-fork dishes you won’t soon forget.
The tower cafe is one of the most famous brunch spots in town, and for good reason. Their custard French toast is a must for every Sacramento local and has even been dubbed one of the world’s best.
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1.Tower Cafe’s Custard French Toast
Tower Cafe is a popular local hangout that serves globally-influenced dishes and features an inviting tropical patio. The kitschy decor and bubbling fountains are a welcome respite from the bustle of downtown.
The menu is filled with small plates that range from a Thai-glazed chicken wings to a jerk chicken chimichanga, and the chef’s selections change seasonally. The restaurant’s best-selling dish is the Custard French Toast, a baguette stuffed with custard and served with cinnamon butter and a compote of seasonal fruit.
It’s important to use the right bread for this recipe. Day old French baguette, challah, or brioche would all work, and you’ll need to dry the bread out before soaking it in custard.
After the bread has been properly dried, it’s time to spoon the custard mixture onto the bread and chill for at least 8 hours. This allows the custard to soak into the crevices of the bread and make it taste even more delicious. Then you’ll want to broil the bread until it’s caramelized and golden.
2.Mahoroba Bakery’s Kobe Cream Buns
The kobe cream bun is the most impressive of Mahoroba Bakery’s many tasty treats. This particular confection is a small bite of yum that comes in a variety of flavors including a sweet vanilla bean and chocolate flavored version. It is a worthy prize for the best breakfast pastry of all time.
Located in the South Land Park section of Sacramento, this quaint bakery is a popular stop for those in the know looking to try something new and different. With a 4 star rating from Yelp and an equally impressive 530 reviews in hand, it is a no brainer for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. Besides the aforementioned swoon worthy desserts, the staff here is top notch and the quality of their baked goods a cut above the rest. Despite the fact that this aforementioned bakery is not open 24 hours, it is worth the trek.
3.Magpie Cafe’s Carrot Cake Cookies
If you love carrot cake, you’ll love these cookies from Magpie Cafe. These cookies are made into sandwich cookies and have a delicious cream cheese frosting on top. They make for the perfect treat to take along with you on a trip or to eat by yourself.
Carrot cake is one of those flavors that people tend to shy away from when first trying it, but once they have tasted it, they are often hooked. This simple recipe for carrot cake muffins will help you convince anyone that they should try carrot cake for themselves, and they are easy enough to make that you can even make them for your whole family!
The savory carrots in the muffins are a perfect contrast to the sweet ingredients in these carrot cake cookies, and they’re all balanced out by the delicious cream cheese frosting. You can choose to use either walnuts or pecans, depending on your preference. The walnuts are a slightly more traditional choice, while the pecans are more crunchy and flavorful.
4.Squeeze Inn’s Squeeze With Cheese
Squeeze Inn is one of the most popular greasy spoon diners in Sacramento. The name comes from the tiny building in which the restaurant originated, where not more than a dozen diners could fit into the bar area.
The menu at Squeeze Inn has a few things on it that are worth trying, but we’re most interested in the “Squeeze With Cheese.” It’s a third-pound burger stuffed with so much shredded cheddar cheese that it overflows the patty and forms a crunchy, grilled, melted cheese skirt.
It’s accompanied by fries that are so good that we’ve never found them anywhere else. They are sliced unskinned potatoes that have been deep fried to a light golden brown on the outside and tender, white on the inside.
The restaurant operates on what I refer to as the “taqueria format,” where you make your selection from the overhead menu, post the overhead, get a receipt, and seat yourself at the table of your choice. When your order is ready, a member of the friendly staff will bring it to your table.
5.Bacon & Butter’s Flapjacks
Sacramento is one of California’s most diverse cities and a foodie haven. The central valley is known for its supreme agriculture and abounding meat offerings, and there’s no shortage of farm-to-table eateries here.
If you’re craving a big breakfast that’s loaded with plenty of bacon and butter, Bacon & Butter in Tahoe Park has you covered. These quaint, family-friendly diners serve up a menu that includes everything from pancakes and hash browns to breakfast sandwiches smothered in their signature bacon gravy.
The popular brunch restaurant will soon open a second location in East Sacramento, according to the business’s spokesperson Rodney Blackwell. It will be a 2,600 square-foot space that will “pretty much be the same” as the original.
This Oak Park soul food restaurant has been a favorite for locals for years. The restaurant has consistently served up succulent fried chicken, sinfully sweet candied yams and smoky collard greens. It also boasts flaky biscuits topped with pink strawberry butter and a playful selection of Kool Aid-infused cocktails.
6.Firestone’s Brandy-Fried Chicken
If you’re looking for a good old-fashioned chicken dinner with some extra kick, you won’t go wrong at Firestone. Their brandy-fried chicken, served as both a main dish and an appetizer, is a fan favorite.
The restaurant also offers a wide range of American dishes and a great selection of beers on tap, plus 23 high definition televisions to watch your favorite sport. It’s a popular choice for lunch, dinner and late night eats with the family.
Frank Fat’s has an interesting background as well, having been the first Chinese restaurant to open in Sacramento. It has been known as a place where influential California politicians have dined and negotiated with lobbyists.
In 2019, the restaurant celebrated its 80th anniversary and is still a family-owned business. While the restaurant’s clientele has shifted from those with power, it has maintained the family’s commitment to quality food.
Aside from the many museums in this state capital, one of the best ways to explore the city’s history is through food. Downtown has everything from Mexican influenced tacos to American classics (like firestone brandy-fried chicken) and Japanese treats like Tan Tan Men from Shoki Ramen House. If you are looking for a unique taste experience, the Downtown Historical Food Tour is a three-hour odyssey of some of the best eateries in the area.
7.An Honest Pie’s Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk pie is a sweet and slightly tangy custard-based dessert that can be eaten at room temperature or chilled. This simple recipe combines eggs, sugar, flour, buttermilk, and a hint of vanilla to create a creamy filling that has a delicious custard-like texture.
This buttermilk pie recipe is a take on the classic pie from southern heritage. Its filling has a distinct lemon flavor from lemon zest and a touch of vanilla extract.
To make this easy buttermilk pie, start with a homemade pie crust. You can fancy up the edges however you like but don’t poke holes in it or put beans or tin foil inside the pie.
Then, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and butter in a bowl before adding the salt, nutmeg, flour, vanilla, and buttermilk. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and bake it until golden brown.
A buttery, crumbly crust makes this pie perfect for serving with a slathering of ice cream or whipped cream. It is also a great dessert for brunch and can be served with fresh fruit or sauce.
8.Hawks’ Charcuterie Plate
Hawks’ Charcuterie Plate consists of a variety of meats and cheeses. It’s one of the best charcuterie boards you can find in Sacramento and is perfect for date night.
The restaurant’s upscale design and well-crafted dishes have turned it into a popular lunch spot. It serves fresh, seasonal food that changes frequently.
When I first walked into Hawks Provisions & Public House, I was surprised by the ambiance. It’s located in a Mediterranean style building that had been sitting empty for a long time.
Inside, the place glows from within; it’s a cozy and buzzy place to hang out with friends and family. It’s like a cross between a gastropub and a saloon–and a lot of fun.
It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. The food is delicious and the service is excellent. They even give you a small plate of dessert when your meal is over! If you’re in the mood for some sweets, don’t miss out on their almond brittle or black currant fruit pate. They also have a vegan charcuterie board.
