Vegetarian$$midtown
Mother on K Street, midtown Sacramento, is the city's defining vegetarian counter, a fast-casual farm-to-fork room with a daily-changing seasonal menu.
Signature: Seasonal vegetable bowls, Farm-driven sandwiches
Order: Whatever the farms delivered that week, plus the seasonal grain bowl
Tip: Walk-in counter. Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 to 20:00, Friday and Saturday to 21:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Italian$$$east-sacramento
OBO' on Folsom Boulevard, East Sacramento, is the Selland family's rustic Italian sister room to Ella, Wagyu meatballs and wood-fired pizza.
Signature: House pasta, Wood-fired pizza
Order: Pappardelle with short rib ragu, the wood-fired margherita
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Bar walk-in. Sister to Ella Dining Room.
American$$east-sacramento
Selland's on H Street, East Sacramento, is the family-owned daily counter from the Selland Hospitality Group, rotisserie chicken and wood-fired pizza.
Signature: Rotisserie chicken, Wood-fired pizza
Order: Rotisserie chicken, the seasonal pizza, the daily soup
Tip: Counter ordering, no reservations. Family-friendly. Also on Broadway in Land Park and at El Dorado Hills.
American$$land-park
Selland's on Broadway in Land Park, Sacramento, is the family counter on the same block as The Kitchen, rotisserie chicken and farm-vegetable plates.
Signature: Rotisserie chicken, Sandwiches
Order: Rotisserie chicken, the seasonal grain bowl, the farm-vegetable sides
Tip: Counter ordering, no reservations. Quick lunch and dinner. Same block as The Kitchen flagship.
American$$$$old-sacramento
The Firehouse on Second Street in Old Sacramento is the historic 1853 brick firehouse turned fine-dining room with the largest wine list in the region.
Signature: Beef filet, Seared scallops
Order: The beef filet, the seasonal seared scallops, a bottle from the wine cellar
Tip: Jacket suggested for the dining room. Patio courtyard is the warm-weather option. Book a week ahead.
American$$midtown
Iron Horse Tavern on 15th Street, midtown Sacramento, is a modern American tavern with reclaimed wood, copper bar and railroad-heritage decor.
Signature: Outlaw burger, Smoked brisket and cornbread waffle
Order: The Outlaw burger series, the smoked brisket and cornbread waffle, weekend brunch
Tip: Patio takes the late-afternoon sun. Weekend brunch from 09:00. Sister room in Folsom.