Sacramento and the Gold Country Restaurants

American, Italian, and Mexican are common Gold Country fare, but chefs also prepare ambitious European, French, and contemporary regional cuisine that mixes California ingredients with international preparations. Grass Valley's meat- and vegetable-stuffed pasties, introduced by 19th-century gold miners from Cornwall, are one of the region's more unusual treats.

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  • 1. Lola

    $$$

    Riffing off the calculated flamboyance of its namesake, the gold-rush-era celebrity Lola Montez, the National Exchange Hotel's restaurant flirts with excess—long turquoise banquette benches, wall-mounted Persian rugs, swooping brushed-bronze lighting fixtures—yet retains its composure. The chefs show a similar knack for incorporating unexpected elements that enliven but don't undermine dishes like pan-seared salmon, fried chicken, and a double-cut pork chop.

    211 Broad St., Nevada City, California, 95959, USA
    530-362–7605

    Known For

    • Cod and smoked-salmon chowder
    • Many ingredients "organic, ethically raised, and locally sourced"
    • Weekend brunch (weekday lunch served at adjoining National Bar)
  • 2. Smith Flat House

    $$$

    Carefully sourced ingredients from local purveyors, meticulous execution, and the setting at a former mine site 3 miles east of downtown have made this restaurant a hit among locals, Gold Country tourists, and Tahoe travelers. Wild-mushroom Bordelaise appetizer, jambalaya risotto, and the Black and White entrée of filet mignon and perfectly grilled prawns are among the staples on the seasonally changing menu.

    2021 Smith Flat Rd., Placerville, California, 95667, USA
    530-621–1003

    Known For

    • Sunday brunch waffle Benedict
    • Salads, pizzas, burgers for lunch
    • Outdoor courtyard

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
  • 3. Cafeteria 15L

    $$ | Downtown

    The exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and natural light streaming through large-paned windows of this easygoing comfort-food hangout make a great first impression. Favorites like tater tots (in truffle oil), French onion soup, and chicken and waffles (with pecan butter, maple syrup, and pork gravy) prove simultaneously familiar and intriguing.

    1116 15th St., Sacramento, California, 95814, USA
    916-492–1960

    Known For

    • Two outdoor patios
    • Nostalgic food with a modern twist
    • Weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas
  • 4. Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Company

    $$ | Midtown

    Youthful and compelling, with found-art decorative elements and exposed vents, this historic former fire station is a favorite stop for cocktails, craft beers, and farm-to-fork fare. The area's year-round farmers' markets supply ingredients for the delectable salads and soups, and the pizzas, beef, poultry, and seafood entrées are always good.

    1630 S St., Sacramento, California, 95811, USA
    916-442–4885

    Known For

    • Carefully sourced ingredients
    • Weekend brunch
    • Midday (2:30–4:30) menu daily, happy hour 2:30–5:30 weekdays
  • 5. Service Station

    $$

    Exposed brick walls and a pressed-metal ceiling heighten the air of nostalgia at this restaurant whose theme is the golden age of road trips and automobile service stations. Half-pounder burgers and pulled-pork, tri-tip, and other sandwiches and wraps count among the menu's highlights, along with small plates like nacho fries and fried calamari and entrées that might include chicken, grilled salmon, or steak.

    18242 Main St., Jamestown, California, 95327, USA
    209-782–5122

    Known For

    • Outdoor beer garden
    • Local wines, craft beers on tap
    • Salads and vegetarian wraps and burgers for noncarnivores

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Solomon's Vinyl Diner

    $ | Downtown

    Named for the founder of Tower Records, this energetic diner plays the nostalgia card with an all-vinyl soundtrack and comfort classics from bagels and lox or biscuits and gravy for breakfast to pastrami on rye, two-patty burgers with melted cheddar, or the chef's take on SpaghettiOs at lunch. A few vegetarian optoins, cold-brew coffee, and craft beers in cans and on tap keep the fare current.

    730 K St., Sacramento, California, 95811, USA
    916-857–8200

    Known For

    • Zero-proof, "brunch booze," and specialty cocktails
    • Upstairs Russ's Room listening lounge
    • Saturday Drag Brunch and other festivities

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner

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