The Northern California dining scene has been exploding over the past few years. It seems there is always a new place to try out and a wide variety of cuisines to choose from. There definitely isn’t a lack of dining options in our region. However, that can make it difficult to actually decide on which restaurant you want to indulge in next.
Listed below are the ten best restaurants in Northern California. They’ve been compiled based on their Google, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Facebook ratings. This list is by no means comprehensive. The restaurant scene is always changing with new favorites coming in every single day. However, if you’re stuck about what restaurant to try out next then this list can be a pretty good place to start!
- Bravas Bar de Tapas, Healdsburg
Bravas Bar de Tapas/Facebook
Bravas Bar de Tapas/Facebook Bravas Bar de Tapas has been mentioned by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the “Top 20 Tapas Restaurants in the U.S.” along with being named in the “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants” by San Francisco Chronicle for multiple years. Bravas boasts traditional Spanish dining in the heart of California’s wine country. Their menu, prepared by James Beard nominated chefs, consists of large family-style dishes like paella. This place is a must if you love Spanish food. You’ll find it at 420 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448.
- Nick’s Cove, Marshall
Nicks Cove and Cottages/Facebok
Nick’s Cove and Cottages/Facebook Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar takes the cake for most scenic location imaginable. Located on the waters of the breathtaking Tomales Bay, here is where you’ll find some of the freshest and most flavorful seafood dishes in California. The restaurant contains a rustic atmosphere complete with a woodburning fireplace and of course the outdoor seating is unbeatable. You’ll find it at 23240 CA-1, Marshall, CA 94940.
- Granzella’s, Williams
Granzella’s/Facebook
Granzella’s/Facebook This old fashioned deli feels like something from a different era. Opened in 1976, this is where you’ll find the best deli sandwiches with prime lunch meats and cheeses. You can grab a sandwich to go or sit down and enjoy a meal in their restaurant where their menu consists of quick Italian-American favorites. You’ll find it at 451 6th St, Williams, CA 95987.
- Dad’s Kitchen, Sacramento
Dad’s Kitchen/Facebook
Dad’s Kitchen/Facebook It may not look like much from the outside but Dad’s Kitchen is the go-to place in Sacramento for some delicious American food. Serving every type of delicious pub-style dish you can think of, this place boasts itself as serving “quality comfort food”. Their slogan is “Come for the beer and stay for the food” which is appropriate considering they always have around 25 beers on tap. You’ll find them at 2968 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95818.
- Buffalo Chips Pizza, Westwood
Buffalo Chips Pizza and Pub/Facebook
Buffalo Chips Pizza and Pub/Facebook Located minutes from Lake Almanor is a local favorite when it comes to pizza. Buffalo Chips is a staple in the community. The restaurant’s building is a historic bunkhouse that was once used by a local lumber company. Today, you’ll find some of the most scrumptious soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza served in this charming structure. Check it out at 322 Birch St, Westwood, CA 96137.
- Osteria Stellina, Point Reyes Station
Osteria Stellina/GoogleMaps
Osteria Stellina/Facebook Serving up authentic and rustic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, Osteria Stellina has been an impressive addition to Marin County’s culinary world since 2008. Their menu revolves around dishes that are always prepared with local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood. Oh, and they were voted “Best Grilled Cheese on the Planet” by Sunset magazine for their sandwich that is prepared with local Brickmaiden Bread, Straus Creamery butter, and Cowgirl Creamery cheese. You’ll find them at 11285 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.
- Yaks on the 5, Dunsmuir
Yaks on the 5/Facebook
Yaks on the 5/Facebook Who knew some of the best burgers in California were hiding at this roadside pit stop? It’s true. Yaks on the 5 is renowned for serving up a mouthwatering selection of artisan burgers, sandwiches, salads, and craft beer. It was even recently named as one of the “Top 100 Food Destinations” by Yelp. It is a must stop if you find yourself traveling on I-5 near Dunsmuir. You’ll find it at 4917 Dunsmuir Ave, Dunsmuir, CA 96025.
- Cattlemens
Cattlemens/Facebook
Cattlemens/Facebook This family-owned Northern California chain of steakhouses has multiple locations throughout the region. This small chain is consistently recognized as one of the best places to grab a steak in the northern part of the state. They’ve been serving hand-cut, delicious steaks for more than 45 years. At Cattlemens, true Western hospitality will never die. You can find a list of all their locations here.
- The Firehouse, Sacramento
The Firehouse Restaurant/facebook
The Firehouse Restaurant/Facebook This sophisticated eatery serves seasonal American fare in an enchanting outdoor setting. They’ve been listed on Zagat as one of “America’s Top Restaurants”. This place is a true foodie’s paradise. Here you’ll find dishes like miso-glazed pork belly or filet mignon with bone marrow butter. Located in a former fire station, this whimsical restaurant should definitely be on your list. You’ll find it at 1112 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814.
- Samoa Cookhouse, Samoa
Samoa Cookhouse/Facebook
Jim and Marty/TripAdvisor This old fashioned cookhouse has been serving family style meals since 1890. Don’t let the simplistic interior fool you. The cookhouse offers classic American favorites like pot roast, BBQ ribs, fried chicken, and more. The portions are generous and you’re sure to leave satisfied. Not only that, but the restaurant contains a logging museum with a variety of 19th century artifacts from the town’s logging days. You’ll find it at 908 Vance Ave, Samoa, CA 95564.
What do you think? Are these places worthy of being considered the best restaurants in Northern California? Be sure to check out these 12 Restaurants In Northern California To Visit Before You Die for more amazing dining destinations.
Bravas Bar de Tapas/Facebook
Bravas Bar de Tapas has been mentioned by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the “Top 20 Tapas Restaurants in the U.S.” along with being named in the “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants” by San Francisco Chronicle for multiple years. Bravas boasts traditional Spanish dining in the heart of California’s wine country. Their menu, prepared by James Beard nominated chefs, consists of large family-style dishes like paella. This place is a must if you love Spanish food. You’ll find it at 420 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448.
Nicks Cove and Cottages/Facebok
Nick’s Cove and Cottages/Facebook
Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar takes the cake for most scenic location imaginable. Located on the waters of the breathtaking Tomales Bay, here is where you’ll find some of the freshest and most flavorful seafood dishes in California. The restaurant contains a rustic atmosphere complete with a woodburning fireplace and of course the outdoor seating is unbeatable. You’ll find it at 23240 CA-1, Marshall, CA 94940.
Granzella’s/Facebook
This old fashioned deli feels like something from a different era. Opened in 1976, this is where you’ll find the best deli sandwiches with prime lunch meats and cheeses. You can grab a sandwich to go or sit down and enjoy a meal in their restaurant where their menu consists of quick Italian-American favorites. You’ll find it at 451 6th St, Williams, CA 95987.
Dad’s Kitchen/Facebook
It may not look like much from the outside but Dad’s Kitchen is the go-to place in Sacramento for some delicious American food. Serving every type of delicious pub-style dish you can think of, this place boasts itself as serving “quality comfort food”. Their slogan is “Come for the beer and stay for the food” which is appropriate considering they always have around 25 beers on tap. You’ll find them at 2968 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95818.
Buffalo Chips Pizza and Pub/Facebook
Located minutes from Lake Almanor is a local favorite when it comes to pizza. Buffalo Chips is a staple in the community. The restaurant’s building is a historic bunkhouse that was once used by a local lumber company. Today, you’ll find some of the most scrumptious soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza served in this charming structure. Check it out at 322 Birch St, Westwood, CA 96137.
Osteria Stellina/GoogleMaps
Osteria Stellina/Facebook
Serving up authentic and rustic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, Osteria Stellina has been an impressive addition to Marin County’s culinary world since 2008. Their menu revolves around dishes that are always prepared with local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood. Oh, and they were voted “Best Grilled Cheese on the Planet” by Sunset magazine for their sandwich that is prepared with local Brickmaiden Bread, Straus Creamery butter, and Cowgirl Creamery cheese. You’ll find them at 11285 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.
Yaks on the 5/Facebook
Who knew some of the best burgers in California were hiding at this roadside pit stop? It’s true. Yaks on the 5 is renowned for serving up a mouthwatering selection of artisan burgers, sandwiches, salads, and craft beer. It was even recently named as one of the “Top 100 Food Destinations” by Yelp. It is a must stop if you find yourself traveling on I-5 near Dunsmuir. You’ll find it at 4917 Dunsmuir Ave, Dunsmuir, CA 96025.
Cattlemens/Facebook
This family-owned Northern California chain of steakhouses has multiple locations throughout the region. This small chain is consistently recognized as one of the best places to grab a steak in the northern part of the state. They’ve been serving hand-cut, delicious steaks for more than 45 years. At Cattlemens, true Western hospitality will never die. You can find a list of all their locations here.
The Firehouse Restaurant/facebook
The Firehouse Restaurant/Facebook
This sophisticated eatery serves seasonal American fare in an enchanting outdoor setting. They’ve been listed on Zagat as one of “America’s Top Restaurants”. This place is a true foodie’s paradise. Here you’ll find dishes like miso-glazed pork belly or filet mignon with bone marrow butter. Located in a former fire station, this whimsical restaurant should definitely be on your list. You’ll find it at 1112 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Samoa Cookhouse/Facebook
Jim and Marty/TripAdvisor
This old fashioned cookhouse has been serving family style meals since 1890. Don’t let the simplistic interior fool you. The cookhouse offers classic American favorites like pot roast, BBQ ribs, fried chicken, and more. The portions are generous and you’re sure to leave satisfied. Not only that, but the restaurant contains a logging museum with a variety of 19th century artifacts from the town’s logging days. You’ll find it at 908 Vance Ave, Samoa, CA 95564.
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