The 8 Best Sacramento Restaurants With a View

With Sacramento’s amazing scenery, enjoying a night out at one of our local restaurants with picturesque views should be on your bucket list! These restaurants have a relaxing atmosphere, beautiful views and amazing food to complement it all. What more would you want?

Grab a bite to eat or a drink at one of these restaurants with breathtaking vistas — of the river, the cityscape, or even some famous Sacramento landmarks. And, bon appetit!

Joe’s Crab Shack

1210 Front Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Photos Courtesy of Yelp

Not only does Joe’s Crab Shack serve some of the tastiest seafood around, it offers some of the best views of the Sacramento River and the bright yellow Tower Bridge. Your tropical dining experience comes to life with their infamous crab buckets and stuffed shrimp, and other delicious seafood options. This is a wonderful place to keep things casual while still getting a top-notch view.

Pearl on the River

1379 Garden Highway, Sacramento, CA 95833

Photo Courtesy of Pearl on the River

Pearl on the River is located on the most scenic stretch of the Sacramento River, making it one of the more desirable riverside dining destinations in the city. They have mastered the “fine art of casual dining” with their tasteful decor and comfortable seating on the deck. Not only are the views worthy of Instagram, Pearl on the River’s executive chef, Matthew Jones, creates Northern California cuisine featuring the most fresh and flavorful dishes sourced from local farms. Check out their “live menu” featuring items that may change on a daily basis to ensure each ingredient is fresh and in season.

Pilothouse Restaurant

1000 Front Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Photo Courtesy of the Delta King

You can’t get much closer to the water than a visit to the Pilothouse Restaurant on the Delta King, a riverboat nestled amongst Gold Rush-era buildings in Old Sacramento. This historic 1927 riverboat was once a working paddle wheel boat and served as a troop transport vessel during World War II. Today, it houses a hotel, two restaurants, two theaters, a wine school, and wedding and event facilities. You’ll find a diverse variety of seafood and other main courses on Pilothouse’s breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Complement your meal with a glass off their extensive wine list, and make sure you save room for dessert!

Rio City Cafe

1110 Front Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Photo Courtesy of Rio City Cafe

Rio City Cafe is another riverfront restaurant in Old Sacramento that is certainly worth a visit. Don’t believe us? Just ask the celebrities you just might see during your meal! Dine on their spacious outdoor patio offering clear views of the historic Tower Bridge and the grandiose Ziggurat building. In addition to the farm-fresh and creative cuisine at Rio City Cafe, you’ll love the open, airy and rustic style of the building, designed to replicate a steamship warehouse of the late 1800s. There is simply no better setting for enjoying a bite to eat, a cocktail, or glass of wine — either outside on the patio or inside near their cozy fireplace during the colder months.

Rock’n Dock Restaurant

5999 Garden Highway, Sacramento, CA 95837

Photos Courtesy of Rock’n Dock Restaurant

This next one may not be on your radar — but it should be! Rock’n Dock Restaurant offers a mini getaway from Sacramento, located along the river at Alamar Marina. With tables set under a covered veranda and out on the dock, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind at sunset while enjoying some amazing food. Consider stopping here on your way in or out of the city, as it is located about five minutes from the airport! Talk about a relaxing addition to your travel plans.

Scott’s Seafood on the River

4800 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822

Photos Courtesy of Scott’s Seafood on the River

We’re no stranger to Scott’s Seafood on the River, as it is one of the best places to get fresh fish in the city and has a top-notch outdoor patio — which even allows dogs! So naturally, this exceptional restaurant voted the Best Seafood Restaurant in the area in 2015 offers breathtaking views of the river. Take in the flavor of their fresh and inventive dishes in a picturesque setting along the Sacramento River.

Tower Bridge Bistro

100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814

Photo Courtesy of Embassy Suites by Hilton

Whether you’re staying at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Sacramento or not, you need to make a stop at Tower Bridge Bistro. In fact, this place is a hot spot for locals, and challenges any preconceived notion you may have about hotel restaurants. The restaurant is situated on the edge of the Sacramento River and offers awe-inspiring views of the Tower Bridge, as the name implies. During the warmer months, sit on the outdoor patio, or enjoy views from behind floor-to-ceiling windows when the temperature drops.

In addition to the wonderful views, you’re in for a treat with the restaurant’s upscale California cuisine. In fact, Tower Bridge Bistro chef Clay Purcell was included amongst “The Best Chefs Heating Up the Culinary Scene in Sacramento.”

Virgin Sturgeon

1577 Garden Highway, Sacramento, CA 95833

Photos Courtesy of Downtown Grid

Virgin Sturgeon is another hidden gem in the area, offering a laid-back experience for those after delicious food, crafty cocktails and a river view. And who isn’t?! Walk through a long jetway previously used by Pan American Airlines at San Francisco International and enter into the rustic and quirky interior of this riverside gem. Virgin Sturgeon has been operating their kitchen and full bar since 1984, maintaining a steady number of regulars ever since. Enjoy outdoor seating along the river or escape the elements inside, each of which provides a wonderful view of the sunset over the river all year long.

Which view catches your eye?

Or what picturesque restaurants would you add to this list? We’d love to know!