The Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants in the Sacramento Area

As the nation’s farm-to-fork capital, Sacramento is surrounded by hundreds of farms, ranches, and orchards producing everything from almonds to olives, seafood to dairy — and of course, plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. It’s not surprising that restaurants in the greater Sacramento area take advantage of the bounty at their fingertips by incorporating seasonal, local ingredients into their dishes. There are dozens of farm-to-table restaurants in the Sacramento area, from high-end fine dining establishments to relaxed, laid-back bistros. Following are our picks for experiencing the best farm-to-table food that the Sacramento area has to offer.

The Chef’s Table | Rocklin

Photos courtesy The Chef’s Table

The menu at The Chef’s Table in Rocklin is constantly changing, which is a testament to their dedication to adapting the freshest selection from local farms. The Chef’s Table believes in using “local ingredients, carefully handled, lovingly prepared and joyfully served to you for your culinary enjoyment.” And they do just that! The menu features dishes such as an Asian pear salad with roasted beets and an apple brined pork chop.

Ella Dining Room & Bar | Downtown

Photos courtesy Ella Dining Room & Bar

Ella Dining Room & Bar offers an elegant and romantic culinary experience in the heart of downtown Sacramento. Their inspired menu proves their dedication to promoting local and sustainable growers, farmers, ranchers and artisans. The menu changes frequently, but may include Hog Island oysters with jalapeño-lime mignonette and beef tenderloin with thyme-roasted mushrooms.

Farmer’s Kitchen Cafe | Davis

Photo courtesy Farmers Kitchen Cafe

The Farmer’s Kitchen Cafe is nestled within Natural Food Works, a natural grocery store in Davis. This nature-focused cafe offers a simple menu packed with healthy ingredients from local sources. Start with their Bioregional Salad, featuring everything local and organic growing in the area at that very moment, including mixed lettuces, local asparagus, organic red onions, organic strawberries, kiwi, organic apples, organic apples and much more!

The Farm Table | Placerville

Photos courtesy The Farm Table

Head to The Farm Table in Placerville where you’ll find an ever-changing menu focused on the farmstead arts of preservation and whole harvest cookery. After you sit down with an exceptional meal, you can even take home some housemade sausages and charcuterie, pickled seasonal vegetables, preserves and condiments, picnic provisions, and local and imported beer and wine, from their in-house market.

Farmhaus | Granite Bay

Photo courtesy Farmhaus

Take a seat out on the amazing outdoor patio at Farmhaus and enjoy a plate of farm-fresh ingredients. Check out their Farm Bowl with chicken, black beans, brown rice, cabbage, asparagus, carrot, black olive, radish, cilantro, avocado, fennel and chipotle sauce! This Granite Bay gem is a charming and high-quality farm-to-fork restaurant. Sample a couple of plates and some drinks and enjoy live music in the summer.

Grange Restaurant and Bar | Downtown

Photos courtesy D L Cunningham Photography

Tucked inside The Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento lies the beloved Grange Restaurant and Bar, serving dishes comprised of ingredients straight from farms in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. The menu changes, but includes butternut squash soup with lobster, chanterelle risotto and grilled black cod.

Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co. | Midtown

Photos courtesy Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co.

Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co. in midtown Sacramento celebrates both the bountiful harvest of the state of California and the rich history of Sacramento. After one look at their sophisticated menus and refreshing interior, it’s quite clear that Hook & Ladder embraces local farms, ranches, breweries and wineries in both their kitchen and their bar. Try the pistachio stuffed trout with baby beets, grab a craft cocktail and enjoy an evening on Hook & Ladder’s outdoor patio!

The Kitchen Restaurant | Arden Arcade

Photo courtesy The Kitchen

The founders of The Kitchen Restaurant in the Arden Arcade area were among the first to emphasize farm-to-fork dining in the Sacramento region, and they’ve been building relationships with local farmers, growers, ranchers and artisans ever since. With a Michelin star under their belt, this is the ultimate destination for farm-fresh fine dining in the city. The five-course prix-fixe menu changes regularly, but features items such California black cod with cara cara oranges and sea scallops with yellow food chanterelles.

Localis | Midtown

Photos Courtesy of D L Cunningham Photography

Localis has an inspiring focus on hyper-seasonal food, filled with big flavors, and served in their welcoming atmosphere. This Midtown gem uses only ingredients at the height of expression, complemented by unique flavors and amazing proteins. This is the perfect destination for vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians and omnivores alike, with dishes such as lamb with polenta and Meyer lemon and fire-roasted octopus with sunchokes. They even have a chef’s tasting menu.

Canon | East Sacramento

Photo courtesy Canon

Taking a Bib Gourmand rating from prestigious Michelin, Canon in East Sacramento focuses on small plates that let the seasonal ingredients take the spotlight. Dishes include coconut curry consommé with ash-roasted carrots and cured salmon with avocado mousse.

Mulvaney’s B & L | Midtown

Photos courtesy Mulvaney’s B & L

Relax on Mulvaney’s amazing outdoor patio in midtown Sacramento and enjoy exceptional food, drinks and service at this fine dining restaurant. Mulvaney’s relationship with their food and where it comes from is the driving force of the way they do business, which means their menus change on a daily basis to reflect an emphasis on seasonality. As Chef Patrick Mulvaney says, “Whatever comes in the front door goes on your plate.”

The Red Rabbit | Midtown

Photo courtesy the Red Rabbit

The Red Rabbit has a hyper-focus on local ingredients, from their artisan cocktails to their farm-to-table food, and everything in between. Try the seared salmon with butternut squash potato hash or the beet reuben with fennel kraut. This exceptional eatery offers an eclectic atmosphere located on a bustling block in upper midtown.

TableVine | Downtown

Photo courtesy TableVine

TableVine provides an oasis in the city — with their vineyard decor, amazing wine selection and incredibly fresh menu — located near the activity of downtown on the south side of Capitol Park. Their menu is subject to change daily, but you’ll always find sophistication and ingredients straight from the farm. Dishes include such delicacies as mushroom risotto with black garlic truffle oil and duck breast with turnip puree.

The Waterboy | Midtown

Photo courtesy The Waterboy

The Waterboy believes that “a great meal lets the ingredients shine through.” And they provide meal after meal of incredible quality, incorporating beautiful ingredients treated thoughtfully and utilized in their prime. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner,  you’ll be satisfied with dishes such as ricotta ravioli with artichokes or cassoulet with duck confit, pork belly and garlic sausage and white beans.

Hawks | Granite Bay

Photo courtesy Hawks

Hawks in Granite Bay has been serving farm-to-table cuisine since its opening more than a decade ago. Dishes are inventive and designed to highlight the best that local farms and ranches have to offer, from Petaluma poultry to Apple Hill apples.

Paragary’s | Midtown

Photo courtesy Paragary’s

Paragary’s is somewhat of a Sacramento institution, having introduced the farm to table concept when it opened decades ago. Its seasonal menu features items such as smoked trout with gold beets and crème fraiche and Sonoma duck with pickled dried cherries. Plus, it has a lovely outdoor patio complete with a fireplace.