The Most Flavorful Bars in Sacramento

Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (988) • $$

"We usually go for margaritas, chips and salsa, and appetizers on the patio. Today we had margaritas, chips and salsa, and lunch on the patio. I'm usually leary of ordering chili verde as it can differ a great deal from restaurant to restaurant. I threw caution to the wind, and ordered a chile verde burrito, mojado style. I was blown away! That was among the best restaurant chili verde I've had.I'll be returning again for more!"

Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (850) • $$

"While Carmelita's is not my favorite Mexican restaurant, it always hits the spot. While in the area to get my hair done, we decided to stop in for some lunch. The inside has an authentic feel with plenty of seating plus an outdoor patio area. Our server was friendly and took our drink orders then brought us some chips, salsa and bean dip. My daughter is a huge fan of their bean dip, but I was not a fan of their chips. They just always seem too hard for my liking.We ordered the Fajitas Burrito, Classic Burrito with Shrimp and a side of rice and beans. The burritos were huge, but tasted great. The portions are huge so we usually end of taking leftovers home. I've tried other dishes during other visits and I am always left satisfied and full.They have a kids menu, vegetarian options plus lots of drink to choose from. They have great margaritas as well!"

Florez Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (844) • $$

"Florez came well recommended by folks on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups and they did not lie. Easy parking, great service, and delicious food! Fantastic portions as well for a fair price. I usually get the three items option and split one with my husband. I've tried and have enjoyed the tamale, flauta, and quesadilla. My husband usually gets the menudo. Restaurant has been decently busy each time we've visited, but never long enough where we'd have to wait for a table. There's also a heated outdoor patio available."

Azul Mexican Food and Tequila Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (830) • $$

"Now that I am having to come downtown again for work I might as well make the best of it trying out all the restaurants near my job! I came here for lunch with all my coworkers, there was a large group of us, and surprisingly it was not busy here. It was a Monday around 12-12:30 pm. You order at the register and then they come out with your food and drinks. Easy casual dining. The customer service was excellent and extremely helpful. Again, coming with a large group all our meals were freshly made and we were each served within less than 5 minutes of placing our orders. Exceptional!!! The restaurant is on the smaller side, nonetheless, plenty of seating options were available. From patio, to bar top, booths, and smaller tables with chairs. I ordered the Nachos Libre which is offered from the apps section. Me thinking it'd be a small portion boy was I wrong. This was definitely a meal within itself and could easily be shared amongst two people! Huge bang for your buck with this meal. Amazing flavors and the chicken was super tender and juicy. Hands down will revisit agin the future."

Kodaiko Ramen & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (749) • $$

"Kodaiko has been on my list of places to eat for a long time now!! Finally got to try it for dine downtown if you don't know what that is it's a set menu for $45. 3 courses! The entrance to kodaiko is beautiful it feels like you are in another country! The 3 course meal was a rice starter app, some veggies and then the star of the show was the miso ramen! The ramen was really good! The sauce and the pieces of meat in it were my favorite! My gf and I both got diet cokes. They come in the can! The service was nothing special and honestly the server was nice but she definitely acted like she did not want to be there! She seemed very irritated! Overall- I think this is a really cute spot! Was it the best ramen I've ever had?! No!!! But I love how it's close to the arena and how they support the kings! It's also like eating in a well decorated basement! I would for sure come back! Maybe next time I'll have better service!"

Kupros Craft House

★★★★☆ 3.5 (975) • $$

"I always passed by this place when going to the Cabin next door . My friend and I decided to stop by for a drink . The building is beautiful with all the wood and old school vibe . This place was also very clean and organized . I was not expecting much from the bar but I was so surprised they had a lot of top shelf liquor like Eagle Rare and Weller Bourbon . I ended up ordering a White Linen and it was so delicious one of the best I ever had . A White Linen is a refreshing drink but some places don't do it right but our bartender nailed it !! The young lady that helped us at the bar was amazing I did not catch her name but she has orange cute hair . She was the sweetest and she made my amazing drink . I would definitely be coming back here again ."

Orchid Thai Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (799) • $$

"BEST vegetarian pad Thai I've had in Sacramento.Super flavorful and perfectly done. I can see why it's the top recommended dish on the menu. I got a medium level of spice and it was perfect! Only downfall about this place, like other places in sac, is that street parking can be busy and takes time to find."

The Golden Bear

★★★★☆ 3.8 (739) • $$

"The Bear is a staple. These days for me I've enjoyed their brunch to mix things up. #underratedbrunchTheir breakfast burrito is as good as it gets, especially with their house fermented hot sauce. Not the largest menu, but no skips all bangers...the breakfast pizza...the chilaquiles....the specials. It's all Golden. Do it."

Dad's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.6 (778) • $$

"This is now our Dad's since we don't have the Land Park location anymore. RIP thnks fr th mmrs. This one is farther away from where I live but still very worth the trip. One of my favorite places to watch sportsball while I have some breakfast. As one does. Food at Dad's has always been solid. Whatever you order, it'll be great! I do wish they had more meatless options. But I get by. Vegans would have a harder time. My favorite breakfast items are the chilaquiles and the vegetarian-ized eggs benny. They have two options there and one has savory tangy chipotle hollandaise, which I highly recommend trying! And it's always nice to wash down your hearty meal with a mimosa. They have several fruit juices to choose from too if OJ isn't your thing. Bottomless? Yes that's an option. Dad's also makes a legit Bloody Mary, one of the best in town in fact.We don't have to worry about finding a seat because this place is pretty spacious, even the bar area aka the best seat in the house. I appreciate the rotating tap list and how there's always a dark beer for me. Everyone who works here is amazing and I love them. I'm happy to still have a Dad's to hang out at.PS Fair Oaks Dad's has a full bar !"

Foundation Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (651) • $$

"So I just had the house salad and a glass of wine. But the salad was so delicious that I needed to write a review.The house salad consists of mixed greens with chicken, tomatoes, and avocado with a raspberry vinaigrette. I was worried about the vinaigrette because they can be too sweet, but not this one. It had a good balance among the sweet, tart, and acidic flavors. And the mixed greens weren't bitter at all! The chicken was moist and anything that already comes with avocado is a plus!The white wine I ordered was also delicious! Despite it being a light meal, it was rather filling.Service was really friendly and accommodating as we were a group of six that didn't make reservations. It was a Tuesday night so there weren't many people around the area anyway. The ambiance has steakhouse vibes with its dark decor, but it's not pretentious. The music they were playing was eclectic, from top 40 to some EDM. I'd like to come back here again to try a heavier entree. The menu has some variety, from burgers to fish tacos to Korean chicken."

Rey Azteca Restaurant Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (588) • $$

"Visited again yesterday, consistently amazing food and friendly service. Never a bad experience."

Smokey Oaks Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (581) • $$

"We've been here quite a few times now. We live on the south side of Rancho Cordova, about a 15 minute drive away, but it's always a pleasure to stop in if we happen to be passing by.A lot of times, we'll stop in for a drink to wet our whistle before heading home from our son's house. The bar is cozy and friendly. Daniel is a great bartender and we always enjoy the drinks he makes for us. Tobin has been our server on a few occasions when we've stopped in for a meal, and he has been friendly and attentive to our requests.Smokey Oaks Tavern Owner, Steve, is awesome. He always greets us with a friendly smile and asks us how we are.As I may have mentioned in other reviews, their brisket French dip is insanely delicious. As the restaurant's name might provide a clue, they smoke their own meats! To perfection!"

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (465) • $$

"PORTIONS: filling and heartyPRICE: appropriateSERVICE: order at the table, pay at the front - be ready for a LEISURELY pace...we were the only ones there and it took about 25 minutes from order to table..Even ordering baklava, which I didn't think needed much preparation, took 10 more minutes.AMBIANCE: clean and colorful FLAVORS:Ye beg tibs (mild) - 3/5 - I only had a bite and I thought it was good, but my partner said it wasn't as flavorful as he's had before?Gored gored with collard greens - 8/5!! - I loved it. It woke me up from this lazy summer heat Beef sambusas - 2/5 - not really anything, wouldn't get again, wouldn't recommend Baklava - 3/5 - it's not a Greek or middle eastern baklava for sure; a LOT MORE syrup but still tasty"

Pete's Restaurant & Brewhouse

★★★★☆ 3.5 (711) • $$

"The happy hour drink and food specials were a great deal and delicious too!! Our bartender was super attentive and nice. He kept an eye on our drinks and was ready to offer refills without us having to wait"

Rivers Edge Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (747) • $$

"One of the best corned beef hash meals (with eggs, tomato slices and two pancakes) in town. (We've been checking out places with corned beef hash lately.) Real corned beef cubes! Our server Beth was friendly and attentive to our needs. We'll be back."

Mas Taco Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (553) • $$

"A place you cant go wrong. It's always SO GOOD. We came and it wasn't busy so we seated ourselves. We LOVE anything with their pork belly, I highly suggest their pork belly taco though that isn't what I got this time. We both got bowls; mine with lettuce instead of rice and his with cilantro lime rice and add black beans and avocado ( and additional charge of .95 and 1.95 respectively). Absolutely delicious. We devoured the chips and salsa before I got a photo but the chips are whole whole corn tortillas unbroken fried. It comes with salsa but there are also 2 sauces on the table, one red based with ha anero and one green based with jalapeno. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable and kept checking on us. As per usual, it was a great time. 10 out of 10 will definitely visit again."

Cirino's At Main Street

★★★★☆ 4 (504) • $$

"Definitely love Cirino'sRestaurant! True rating is 4.5! Great Italian restaurant nestled in a mall strip. As soon as you walked in the door, you were transported to a cozy ristirabte in Italy! The staff were welcoming and the decor made you feel like you were in an Italian bistro. They have two dining rooms, but they fill up fast! You can tell that the restaurant is so good that local neighbors dine there as well as a slew of tourist/visitors.The owners came out and checked on guests...each table. You even had an opportunity to KISS THE COOK!DEFINITELY will return! The seafood fettuccini was exquisite! Filled with shrimp and a lot of lobster pieces. The Alfredo had a twist of garlic and a light lemon taste.The steak was medium rare with a good flavor. Lightly salted and definitely a wood grill flavor. The grilled polenta was different and yummy! Light crispy crust with a breadish consistency. Creamy butter taste.The decadent chocolate cake was heavenly! Rich, moist and a sweet deep chocolate taste. The vanilla bean ice cream made it extra special. Tiramisu was yummy, but it was probably the least favourite dish. The cream tasted a lot like just vanilla which overpowered the coffee in the tiramisu.The amaretto sour was a bit watered down. Not very amerettoish or sourish. The only reason why it did not get 5 stars was due to the tiramisu and amaretto sour."

Cafe Bernardo

★★★★☆ 3.5 (643) • $$

"Ashley our server was phenomenal. Very friendly And thoughtful. The 3 type salad sampler never fails. I had the mushroom and cheese, Thai chicken and Farro and roasted vegetables!! Delicious. My friend has the butternut squash"

Pitch and Fiddle

★★★★☆ 4.1 (432) • $$

"Located in the Big Lots parking lot so there is ample parking. Inside is kind of small but still roomy, if that makes sense. It's long and narrow but lots of booth seating lining the wall and a few high tops in the center. When we arrived there was some kind of fight on the TV's so it was pretty crowded and we had wiggled our way to very back to find a seat. Thankfully it was the end of the fight so the place cleared out within 15 minutes. We were informed the kitchen was closing and all drink orders needed to be ordered at the bar as table service was no longer happening. No big deal. What I didn't like was that the waitress who informed us of this as soon as we sat down, didn't even bother to clean off the dirty and sticky table we snagged up. We ended up asking the bartender for a wet towel and cleaned it ourselves. Drinks were very watered down. We had Tito's and pineapple juice and we saw him pour the proper amount of vodka but the pineapple juice was almost transparent and pineapple juice is normally a thicker consistency and very yellow. They do have a TouchTunes to play music on but we noticed a song would start playing and halfway through it would skip to the next song. If I'm paying for a song only to have someone skip it before it's over, I'd be pissed. They also have 2 dart boards inside by the restroom. We didn't play, but it appeared they were steel tipped darts and not the crappy plastic ones. Overall, it's what's expected of a typical dive. Hit or miss service, low key dirty and dingey and full of locals. Although it's kinda far from my house, if in the area again, I'd return. The pictures on here of the food look pretty good so I'd be willing to return and give the food a shot."

Relish Burger Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (583) • $$

"They have "Great burgers, best servers, good ambience and love their sweet potato fries, too!" It's always our go to when undecided what to have to eat."

The Virgin Sturgeon

★★★★☆ 3.5 (515) • $$

"Want a place that's on the river (like actually ON the river) with a chill vibe, but is still good and busy? This is! We've been coming here for years... my guy even longer since he's been here since 1986... and it never disappoints. We popped in yesterday evening on our way to the beach house for one beverage and a bite to eat to keep our tummies full on the way to Monterey... BEST evening we've ever had there -and we've had some good ones!Went down to the lower floating bar area and Lein (I hope I spelled his name correctly) was unbelievably awesome! He was both bartending and being a server... and a lot of ppl in other establishments could learn a thing or two from him. He was super friendly, totally on his game, kept following up with us, etc. And his section was busy! We (and neighboring tables) absolutely LOVED having reggae music playing... the natural surroundings alone call for that style of music to just help you chill. They had Rebelution playing when we arrived and, when we noted that, several other people joined in saying how awesome that was.On to the food... I always take pics, but was so hungry from a loooooong day, that I just forgot. Will take one next time. But, I will say, the wedge salad was the best we've ever had! It's the balsamic drizzle that gives it a perfect tang. And even though I usually leave the bacon off, the way they cook it is perfect! Not hard and overcooked like most places, but perfectly chewy, yet not fatty. It was absolutely delicious and will be a destination salad, for sure.Looking fwd to coming back, sitting at Lein's "Bar Barge" (as we are now calling it!), listening to reggae and ordering more food. Wanna try several other items on the menu... and will take pics.Love and peace to all the great staff"

Miyagi Bar & Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.8 (421) • $$

"Miyagi is a best kept local secret. We have been going to Miyagi for years and the food, and service have been consistently great. We are picky when it comes to sushi, and they use good fish. We've had their tempura, miso soup, sashimi, nigiri, and rolls and everything has been fresh and tasty. They have great ambiance, a nice bar, and happy hour too."

Freeport Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (468) • $$

"Great spot with a homey feel. We unfortunately came too late for food- but had our fair share of drinks. Paco at the bar has great energy and is very welcoming."

La Calle

★★★★☆ 4.2 (339) • $$

"Excellent service & my vegetarian burrito was humongous ( had to bring half home). They are now open for lunch. Happy hour specials, you can't go wrong!In same plaza as Pete's & Julian's."

AVE on the Mile

★★★★☆ 4 (340) • $$

"Can here with my friends for some drinks and a good time, which is what we got. They had a DJ and it was great vibe. Drinks and food was not too expensive and the music was great. Can't wait to come back again another time."

West Oak Nosh

★★★★☆ 4.4 (278) • $$

"I finally got to try West Oak Nosh and wow this place is great. inside was nice and roomy with lots of seating. The employees were really friendly and nice. I was able to place a to go order and I got the Pork Schnitzel, Nosh Burger, and the B.A.L.T. Combo. The food was really good. My favorite was the B.A.L.T the sandwich was huge. The bacon was crispy and delicious and the avocado mash was nice and flavorful. The fries were also seasoned well and crispy. The Pork Schnitzel was huge. A little too dry for me. and needed more seasoning. The pickled onions were a kick of flavor and got my attention. wow. The Nosh Burger was really good. The meat was tasty and the greens were fresh. I got the chipotle aioli sauce on the side and was able to sauce it up. I'm impressed with West Oak Nosh. I will definitely return when I'm in the area to try their other items."

Blue Agave Taqueria & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (291) • $$

"Got the carne asada plate and carne asada fries. Both were absolutely delicious! Portions are good for what you pay for. And the workers were super nice. I love that they have fresh made guac and pico on the asada fries since a lot of places don't do that. Would definitely come back when I'm craving carne asada again!"

O'Connor's Wood Fire Grill & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (347) • $$

"Ordered delivery, food was good but a little costly for the amount received.The beef brisket was good, but there were only three thin slices.The tri-tip sandwich was okay, but the au jus was tasteless.Pulled pork sliders are great. Lots of flavor, meat was nice and tender.Garlic fries had way too much garlic. If you're obsessed with garlic, these are for you. If you don't want more garlic than fries, you should order something else."

Los Pinos

★★★★☆ 3.5 (343) • $$

"I meet up with a a big group of about 12 for dinner in Cameron Park. Someone in our group had the forethought to call days in advance to make a reservation. Lucky that was done, since on a Saturday night, this place filled up pretty quickly creating a wait time. Overall, we had a great time. The service was terrific. The food was good, simple classic Mexican food. We were provided complimentary chips n salsa. Refills were plentiful. No complaints. I ordered the Los Pinos Carne Asada plate. It was a grilled ribeye. I ordered it medium rare. It came out perfectly cooked. But the cut was tough and super hard to slice even with the provided steak knife. Other folks in my group ordered crispy asada tacos, chicken fajitas, various burritos, steak ranchero, and taco salad. They all liked their dishes. The chicken fajita serving was large enough for two. I nibbled a bit off their plates. Yum! I just didn't have quite the luck with my dish. I'm apt to come back and possibly try other items."

Stoney Rockin Rodeo

★★★★☆ 3.6 (280) • $

"I've been to Stoney's a few times, most recently this past Saturday for a Girls Night Out. We arrived after 8pm and it started slowing getting busy around 9pm. The dance floor had a few people cutting loose by the time we got there!I like that they offer dance lessons from 7-8pm which we will definitely be taking advance of next time. We were able at least do the Electric Slide and the Cupid Shuffle - the other dances were a bit harder to learn that quickly - didn't stop us from trying though! They also do Karaoke around 9pm inside and that's always a blast - whether you have the confidence to actually sing or are just an innocent bystander. They're food is pretty good too! We didn't partake this time, but I am a fan of their fried pickles! I know that they did a Prime Rib dinner special earlier in the evening as well!Drinks are strong and fairly cheap. Parking is a bit questionable depending on what time you arrive and there was a $7 cover charge when we showed up just after 8pm."

Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (176) • $$

"The bartender/servers work hard here! They greet, provide menu, mix drinks, provide place settings, take orders, and clear bills. At least on the day we visited. It is a very cozy spot with eclectic decor. We loved our brats, drinks and cubano. As first timers, we weren't sure, but it is totally kid friendly during the day. Thanks for the great food and wonderful service!"

Oak Leaf Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (169) • $$

"I like that they use big coffee cups. I hate paying $3-4 and having a tiny cup, so it takes forever to get your money's worth.The service was really nice. Went early so was just me and got to sit wherever. They made me potatoes without onions as allergic which was awesome. Also, they used red potatoes so was especially yummy.My Benedict was good, and I was hungry. I should have sat outside, the view was stunning."

FED

★★★★☆ 3.9 (184) • $$

"FED in Stockton is such a great find! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a modern, yet comfortable atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal. The menu offers a variety of dishes, ranging from hearty comfort food to fresh, light options, all full of flavor with creative twists on classic favorites.The service is top-notch--friendly and attentive, making sure you have a great experience from start to finish. The vibe is perfect for both casual dining and special occasions.Whether you're looking for a filling meal or just a quick bite, FED is definitely worth a visit. I'll be back for sure!"

Roscoe's Bar & Burgers

★★★★☆ 4.1 (146) • $$

"Here's the deal, I've been gay for a long time. 2025 was my first year being to Roscoe's for a drag brunch. I will definitely be returning because of the amazing staff like Tae (beautiful and awesome). Purchase your tickets in advance and check-in is a breeze! I was a part of a group of six and we were seated upstairs. We still had great views of the show and loved to be next to the balcony for those filthy vapers in our group. The service was truly amazing and is the reason for the four stars. The food... Well, they ran out of chicken apparently so we were unable to get our chicken and waffles as well as the chicken strips and fries. Tae was quick to inform us of the issue and get our new orders in the system so they came out with the rest of the party's food. Thank you for that! The breakfast burger was OK. A little undercooked for being medium, but maybe I don't know what medium is. I posted a picture and you can be the judge. (but don't judge me for eating the brioche bun before I took the picture). The bottomless mimosas were well worth it. I completely understand the servers not being able to walk around during the show to avoid being high kicked by a drag queen. Tae took care of us like we were family. I cannot wait to sit in their section again! Since we came here for a drag brunch, I feel like I need to give a huge shout out to the amazing drag queens. Every single performance was amazing. Even the performer from the 209... ;)Thank you to the entire team for a great experience!"

Roosters On The River

★★★★☆ 3.6 (189) • $$

"Been here for a couple times now and both times have been great. True, service can be a little on the slow side but I'm not at a fast food restaurant and I enjoy the company I am with. This is a great new spot with a fun vibe, good food and reasonable prices. I wish all the best for this new restaurant. It's not easy opening one, especially when there are people out there who will blast it for no good reason other than perhaps some Internet clout. Oh and the marina service fee mentioned in a previous review is clearly stated on the menu and is pretty standard for any establishment in settings like this."