The Best Restaurant Deals in the Greater Sacramento Area

We’ve no doubt had our fill of home-cooked meals over the holiday season. Whether stuffed goose or prime rib, not to mention gingerbread and fruitcake, many people are craving something a bit … different. The timing couldn’t be better, then, for California Restaurant Month, celebrated each January in cities across the state.

It’s no secret that restaurants in the Sacramento area have been hard hit as of late. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with staffing shortages and supply chain issues, have caused many longstanding restaurants to close their doors indefinitely. But those that remain need a little love! To that end, Sacramento has designated the first full week in January as Dine Downtown, with fixed-price meals offered at hotspots around town. Other areas have followed suit, and there are also discount days and happy hour specials to be had as well. Following are some of the best restaurant deals in the greater Sacramento Area.

Restaurant Month Specials

Dine Downtown | Sacramento | Jan. 7-17

Photo courtesy Frank Fat’s

Sacramento shows off its farm-to-fork pride each year during Dine Downtown, where restaurants offer three-course meals at three price points: $25, $35 or $45. There are options for brunch, lunch and dinner, and with locations in Old Sacramento, Downtown and Midtown, there are plenty of choices!

Restaurant Week | Elk Grove | Jan. 14-23

Photo courtesy Sheldon Inn

The city of Elk Grove is also hosting its own restaurant week, where local eateries offer discounts and freebies. To get the discounts, simply sign up to receive the discount pass, present it to participating restaurants and redeem your discounts!

Weekly Specials

Selland’s | East Sac, Land Park & El Dorado Hills

The Dinner for Two at Selland’s has got to be one of the best food specials in the Sacramento area. Each week, you can get two entrees and a select bottle of wine for just $29 (or substitute wine for salads) at their East Sacramento, Land Park or El Dorado Hills locations. Dishes are pre-selected. Selland’s also offers Spaghetti Sunday, which features spaghetti Bolognese, garden salad and garlic bread for $13.25 per person.

Discount Days

OBO’ | East Sacramento

Photo courtesy OBO’

Selland’s sister restaurant, OBO’, also offers a weekly dinner for two, as well as the popular Meatball Monday. Each Monday, you can choose from several meatball dishes (including a meatball pizza and a meatball sandwich), for just $10.

Hop Gardens | Curtis Park

Photo courtesy Hop Gardens

Hop Gardens is a casual, family-friendly pizzeria in Curtis Park. It’s popular TWOFER TUESDAY gets you two wood-fired pizzas for $25, and with options like buffalo chicken, eloté and prosciutto & fig (not to mention plenty of beers on tap) you’re sure to find something you’ll love.

Bennett’s | Sacramento & Roseville

Photo courtesy Bennetts

For a more upscale meal at a reduced price, Bennett’s American Cooking in the Arden Arcade area and Bennett’s Kitchen in Roseville offer Wine & Dine Mondays. It includes two entrees, two salads and a bottle of wine for $60, with other drink options available for non-wine lovers.

Happy Hour Specials

Kick n Mule | West Sacramento

Photo courtesy Kick N Mule

This lively restaurant/bar in West Sacramento is known for their hearty pub fare and specialty cocktails. You can get it all for less during Happy Hour, which is from 3–6 p.m. Monday through Friday, after 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and all day Sunday! Food specials include pub staples like mozzarella sticks and nachos. They also have Taco Tuesday, where you can get $1.25 street tacos and $3 tacos de birria.

Lazy Dog | Roseville & Folsom

Photo courtesy Lazy Dog

With locations in both Roseville and Folsom, Lazy Dog has great deals on food during happy hour. Options run the gamut, from pub fare like sweet potato tots and onion rings to Brussels sprouts and edamame. Deals are available Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m.

Mom & Pop Chicken Shop | El Dorado Hills & Cameron Park

Photo courtesy Mom and Pops Chicken Shop

Looking to score a chicken sammie but don’t want to pay full price? Head to this quirky chicken shop, which has locations in both El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park. Happy hour is 3–5 p.m., with discounts on their signature sandwich, nuggets and tacos, not to mention their fried chicken-topped mac.

Hoppy Railyard Kitchen | Old Sacramento

Photo courtesy Hoppy Railyard Kitchen

Head to Old Sacramento to enjoy great deals on traditional pub fare at Hoppy Brewing Company’s Railyard Kitchen. All small plates are half off during “Hoppy Hour,” which is 3–6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and all day Monday, not to mention after 9 or 10 p.m. the rest of the week. Small plates include deviled eggs, nachos, wings and tacos, among many others.

Station 16 | Midtown

Photo courtesy Station 16

Craving some seafood? Head to Station 16 in Midtown for some “surf & surf.” Their happy hour is 3–6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, plus all day Mondays. The menu includes shrimp ceviche, calamari, clam chowder and raw oysters, among other yummy delights.

Iron Horse Tavern | Midtown & Folsom

Photo courtesy Iron Horse

With locations in Midtown and Folsom, there are two spots in the Sacramento area to take advantage of the happy hour deals at Iron Horse Tavern. From 3–6 p.m. Monday through Friday, they offer half-priced pizzas and appetizers, which choices including fried pickles, street tacos and poke nachos.