February 14, 2024 / Author: the Railyards
Explore Sacramento's food scene or bring local produce home to your kitchen with our top 20 picks for the best farm-to-fork spots in Sacramento.
Sacramento’s thriving restaurant scene and bountiful agriculture make the farm-to-fork capital a foodie paradise. Looking for more than what Sacramento has to offer in summer? Don’t worry, Sactown has bountiful local dishes hiding up its sleeve - here’s where to discover some of the best farm-to-fork eats and treats in town.
Fine Dining
The Kitchen
The Kitchen is a local legend in Sacramento’s food scene as the winner of a coveted Micheline star and one of the earliest adopters of farm-to-fork dining in the region. The Kitchen offers a lively, theatrical dining experience that includes a six-course tasting menu featuring a seasonal menu.
The Firehouse
This award-winning restaurant is located in historic Old Sacramento. Enjoy a sophisticated, locally sourced menu at The Firehouse. Their delicious entrees are paired with one of the region’s finest wine lists, with a cellar housing over 14,000 bottles.
Don’t call 911 for reservations.
Mulvaney’s B&L
The name of this charming restaurant is a nod to the film It’s A Wonderful Life and George Bailey’s family business. Set in a historic 1893 firehouse, Mulvaney’s features farm-to-table dishes crafted with an environmentally friendly focus.
Learn how angels truly get their wings.
The Waterboy
The Waterboy offers an elegant seasonal farm-to-fork menu inspired by the cuisine of northern Italy and southern France, paired with a diverse wine list. In the mood for a seafood dinner? Make your reservation for one of their exclusive Thursday Dinner events to enjoy a 4-course prix fixe menu.
European vibes, no gondola required.
Ella Dining Room and Bar
Owned by the familiar purveyors of The Kitchen, the Selland family runs Ella with dedication and fervor for the Central Valley farm-to-fork mentality. With 8 different unique but equally extravagant dining room options, you’ll be eating and drinking in luxury no matter where you sit. Their locally concocted menu is full of New American and French-style cooking featuring entrees of seafood, steaks, and tons of small plates and appetizers spanning everything from land to sea.
Casual Elegance
Localis
This inviting restaurant was recognized by Michelin in 2021 with the Michelin Plate. At Localis, as the name would imply, many of the ingredients are locally sourced and in season. Enjoy a sample of some of their most sought-after dishes with the 7-course or 12-course tasting menus.
Prelude
Prelude’s seasonal local menu highlights California’s bountiful agriculture. Their craft cocktails pair beautifully with Modern American cuisine. Dine indoors or enjoy a view of the capitol building from the patio.
The Grange
The Grange Restaurant and Bar is located within the iconic Citizen Hotel in Downtown Sacramento. The restaurant includes a grand, two-story wine vault and urbane loft-like features. Enjoy a local, seasonal menu for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Hook & Ladder
Hook & Ladder is a unique restaurant steeped in Sacramento’s history. Their location at 17th and S celebrates an iconic era in local history - the Industrial Revolution and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Their love for Sacramento extends to a menu that embraces local farms, ranches, breweries, and wineries.
Echo and Rig
Serving as your local neighborhood steakhouse, Echo and Rig is all about the best-in-class steaks and ingredients at affordable prices. You might even get to meet their Chef, Sam Marvin, winner of Season 5 of Beat Bobby Flay! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and everything in between.
Food Trucks
Street Cravings
This food truck takes a farm-to-table focus on street food staples like street-style tacos, sirloin burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and more. Enjoy comfort food done Sacramento-style.
Bambi Vegan Tacos
Enjoy awesome farm-to-table tacos that are locally sourced and completely plant-based with Bambi Vegan Tacos. Each entree is made up of 100% plant-based ingredients. Not sure where to start? Try the Corn Fried Eggplant, a crowd favorite.
California Street Tacos
This family food truck has been a staple at Sacramento events and other local areas since it opened in 2013. Their exciting menu is crafted with locally sourced produce and ingredients from organic farmers.
Namaste Foods, Inc.
Namaste Food offers authentic Indian food cooked with fresh, local ingredients. They offer an exciting menu with daily vegetarian and non-vegetarian specials.
The Bubble Hive
If you’ve never had an egg waffle before, the Bubble Hive is one of the best places to start. From sweet to savory flavors, this gives a whole new meaning to chicken and waffles.
Find out what the buzz is about.
Farmers Markets & Grocery Stores
Midtown Farmers Market
Midtown Farmers Market is a year-round market held on Saturdays in Midtown’s Lavender Heights district. Browse organic products, flowers, tasty foods, and locally made goods.
Saturdays are for Sacramentans.
Fair Oaks Farmers Market
This market is held on Tuesdays year-round at charming Fair Oaks Park. Browse fresh, seasonal produce from small family farms in the region. There are a variety of fruits, veggies, honey, eggs, meat, herbs, olive oil, and more. Can’t make it on Tuesdays? There are also markets available in Carmichael and Orangevale.
Fair Oaks, fair prices, and family farmed.
Certified Farmers Markets
Certified Farmers Markets allow you to enjoy a wonderful, seasonal selection directly from California growers. Explore multiple area markets with locations throughout the Sacramento region, including at Arden Fair Mall, Arden Arcade, etc.
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op
The Sacramento Co-Op offers the best natural and organic foods. The Co-Op offers 100% organic produce, sustainable seafood, artisan cheeses, unique wine and microbrews, and more local favorites. Interested in bringing farm produce to your table at home? The Co-Op also offers a learning center and cooking school.
All natural, all organic, all Californian.
Living Smart Farmers Markets
With locations all over Sacramento, Living Smart delivers fresh, organic produce all over the city and provides youth opportunities. Partnering with local organizations and schools, Living Smart has a “LEARN while they EARN” program with on-the-job training at local markets as well as several educational and training programs.
Opportunities, objectives, and onions!
As the area’s farm-to-fork capital, Sacramento is surrounded by wonderful locally-grown dishes that celebrate our region. Did we miss your favorite watering hole? Share your farm-to-fork recommendations with us on social media.
