American$$midtown
Cornerstone on J Street in midtown Sacramento has run since 1994 as the neighborhood brunch counter with bottomless mimosas and breakfast all day.
Signature: Breakfast platters, Bottomless mimosas
Order: Breakfast all day; the bottomless mimosa brunch; classic American lunch plates
Tip: Walk-in friendly. Brunch crowd queues after 10:00. Sister location in West Sacramento.
American$$midtown
Cafe Bernardo on R Street, midtown Sacramento, is the Paragary Restaurant Group neighborhood cafe with breakfast through dinner in a daylit room.
Signature: Burger plate, Breakfast scrambles
Order: The Bernardo burger; breakfast scrambles at brunch; the seasonal salad
Tip: Open from 08:00 daily. Patio seats are first come. Sister locations at Capitol Avenue and Pavilions.
Burgers$$carmichael
Skip Kitchen on El Camino Avenue in Carmichael is the suburban gourmet burger counter north of midtown, the chef-driven greasy-spoon institution.
Signature: Gourmet burger, Mini beef Wellingtons
Order: The gourmet burger with the mac puppies; the mini beef Wellingtons; the hand-cut fries
Tip: Closed Sunday. Counter ordering and patio. The signature joker card draw gives one diner a free meal.
American diner$land-park
Vic Ice Cream on Riverside Boulevard in Land Park reopened January 2026 under new ownership, the 1947 Sacramento soda fountain with cones and pies.
Signature: Banana split, Sundaes
Order: The banana split, a hot fudge sundae, the classic milkshake
Tip: Closed Monday. Reopened January 3, 2026 after remodel. Counter ordering and small dining room with vintage stools.
British pub$$downtown
Fox & Goose on R Street, downtown Sacramento, opened 1975 as the city's English pub anchor, the long-running spot for British breakfast and live folk music.
Signature: British breakfast, Welsh rarebit
Order: The full British breakfast with squaw bread; Welsh rarebit at lunch
Tip: Breakfast daily 07:00 to 14:00. The bar runs into the evening with live music weeknights.
Chinese American$$$downtown
Frank Fat's on L Street, downtown Sacramento, is the Fat family's Chinese-American room that became the city's political-class watering hole.
Signature: Banana cream pie, Honey walnut prawns
Order: Banana cream pie at the end of the meal; honey walnut prawns
Tip: Booth seating is the photo op. Sister venues across the city under the Fat family banner.