Unique Restaurants In Northern California

There’s far from a shortage of unique restaurants in Northern California. While this part of California is world-renowned for its healthy food like avocados, artichokes, freshly caught seafood, and seasonal fruit, folk in Northern California are also always up for trying some new and unusual cuisines too.

Following is an overview of some unique dining experiences worth having when you’re in Northern California. As you’ll soon learn, these unique restaurants in Northern California are one of a kind thanks to their ambiance, service, location in Northern California, and cuisine. If you’re starting to get hungry, read on to get a taste of what’s in store when you visit these Northern California restaurants.

Fanny Ann’s, Downtown Sacramento

flickr/michelle When you walk into Fanny Ann’s Steamboat Saloon, it’ll feel like you’ve walked back in time. In addition to the unusual dishes served at Fanny Ann’s, there are five stories of eclectic antiques and old-time history to keep you busy for hours and hours. The food makes this one of the most unique restaurants in Northern California thanks to the peanut butter cheeseburger on the menu. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the restaurant for you! Fanny Ann’s Saloon, 1023 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA

Taco Bell, Pacifica

flickr/nicky narvel Are you a fan of fast food? If so, be prepared to have a unique dining experience in Northern California when you head to this one-of-a-kind Taco Bell. Order your Enchirito with a side of nachos and step outside on a sandy beach and eat up. This is not your mama’s Taco Bell. Taco Bell, 5200 CA-1, Pacifica, CA 94044, USA

Madison Bear Garden, Chico

flickr/gino zahnd Madison Bear Garden, formerly the Lusk House, located at Second and Salem, is the iconic Chico restaurant that proudly boasts that it has never charged a cover. Before putting random stuff on the walls was trendy, the Bear (as it is locally known) had more assorted junk hanging around than you can shake a stick at. As one of the quirkiest. bizarre, and unique restaurants in Northern California, this place is worth a visit for the sensory overload, if for no other reason. Madison Bear Garden, 316 W 2nd St, Chico, CA 95928, USA

Fosters Big Horn, Rio Vista

flickr/leiris 202 Foster’s Bighorn Bar and Restaurant was established in 1931 by Bill Foster. It was designed as a trophy haven where the public could view the animals of the world. Foster passed away in 1963, followed by his wife in 1975, but current management maintains the exhibits and atmosphere in one of the most unusual Northern California restaurants.
This famous collection of wild game trophies shows off 300 wild animals, birds, and fish. Just their heads, natch. High-ceilinged, yet gloomy, claustrophobic – the vague musty flakings of big game kill still in the air. Moose and snarling wild boar heads stare down bar patrons. We hear the food is pretty dang good, too! Foster’s Bighorn, 143 Main St, Rio Vista, CA 94571, USA

Samoa Cookhouse, Samoa

flickr/paul sullivan You’ll have a unique experience in Northern California when you head to one of the last logging-style cookhouses around. Samoa Cookhouse isn’t as odd looking as it is sitting here. Folks are seated communally, kind of like a cruise ship experience but way cheaper. Samoa Cookhouse, 908 Vance Ave, Samoa, CA 95564, USA

Sam’s Anchor Cafe, Tiburon

flickr/jeff marquis Need to dock and dine? Sailors all know Sam’s Anchor Café in Tiburon; it’s practically an institution. Sam’s serves up traditional seafood dishes along with beautiful views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco skyline. Tie up at the guest dock and dine al fresco on their popular waterfront deck. Sam’s is especially known for its cioppino. Giada De Laurentiis featured Sam’s cioppino recipe in an episode of Giada’s Weekend Getaways - so you know it’s good! You can also take a direct ferry from San Francisco to see and taste why Sam’s is one of best restaurants in California. Sam’s Anchor Cafe, 27 Main St, Tiburon, CA 94920, USA

The French Laundry, Yountville

Facebook/The French Laundry You can expect a premier dining experience when you dine at what is known to be one of the best restaurants in California. Guests come from near and far to indulge in a memorable fine-dining experience at renowned chef Thomas Keller’s premier restaurant in Northern California. The French Laundry Garden, 6639 Washington St #6601, Yountville, CA 94599, USA

Forbes Island, San Francisco

flickr/chuck b. Editor’s Note: As of August 2017, Forbes Island has permanently closedIf you want to dine like James Bond, call self-made millionaire Forbes Thor Kiddoo. The 72-year-old sea captain will fetch you from the cotton-candy-eating crowds at Pier 39 and ferry you past barking sea lions to his floating Forbes Island, with palm trees, waterfall and lighthouse. A 100-seat restaurant, decorated like the inside of an 1810 sailing ship, with a fake fireplace, bar, a wine cellar where Tony Bennett once crooned, plus a boudoir with a velvety bed that serves as the ladies’ powder room. Yes, please. 2 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Brainwash Cafe & Laundry, San Francisco

flickr/stepan mazurov Editor’s Note: As of December 2017, Brainwash Cafe & Laundry has permanently closed One of the most creative cafes in SF. It is a great lunch and breakfast place with coffee and a laundromat attached. They do open mic nights as you do laundry - brilliant! 1122 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Have you dined at any of these unique restaurants in San Francisco and Northern California? Let us know in the comments section. Feel free to share some unique dining spots in your neck of the woods too.

flickr/michelle

When you walk into Fanny Ann’s Steamboat Saloon, it’ll feel like you’ve walked back in time. In addition to the unusual dishes served at Fanny Ann’s, there are five stories of eclectic antiques and old-time history to keep you busy for hours and hours. The food makes this one of the most unique restaurants in Northern California thanks to the peanut butter cheeseburger on the menu. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the restaurant for you!

Fanny Ann’s Saloon, 1023 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA

flickr/nicky narvel

Are you a fan of fast food? If so, be prepared to have a unique dining experience in Northern California when you head to this one-of-a-kind Taco Bell. Order your Enchirito with a side of nachos and step outside on a sandy beach and eat up. This is not your mama’s Taco Bell.

Taco Bell, 5200 CA-1, Pacifica, CA 94044, USA

flickr/gino zahnd

Madison Bear Garden, formerly the Lusk House, located at Second and Salem, is the iconic Chico restaurant that proudly boasts that it has never charged a cover. Before putting random stuff on the walls was trendy, the Bear (as it is locally known) had more assorted junk hanging around than you can shake a stick at. As one of the quirkiest. bizarre, and unique restaurants in Northern California, this place is worth a visit for the sensory overload, if for no other reason.

Madison Bear Garden, 316 W 2nd St, Chico, CA 95928, USA

flickr/leiris 202

Foster’s Bighorn Bar and Restaurant was established in 1931 by Bill Foster. It was designed as a trophy haven where the public could view the animals of the world. Foster passed away in 1963, followed by his wife in 1975, but current management maintains the exhibits and atmosphere in one of the most unusual Northern California restaurants.
This famous collection of wild game trophies shows off 300 wild animals, birds, and fish. Just their heads, natch. High-ceilinged, yet gloomy, claustrophobic – the vague musty flakings of big game kill still in the air. Moose and snarling wild boar heads stare down bar patrons. We hear the food is pretty dang good, too!

Foster’s Bighorn, 143 Main St, Rio Vista, CA 94571, USA

flickr/paul sullivan

You’ll have a unique experience in Northern California when you head to one of the last logging-style cookhouses around. Samoa Cookhouse isn’t as odd looking as it is sitting here. Folks are seated communally, kind of like a cruise ship experience but way cheaper.

Samoa Cookhouse, 908 Vance Ave, Samoa, CA 95564, USA

flickr/jeff marquis

Need to dock and dine? Sailors all know Sam’s Anchor Café in Tiburon; it’s practically an institution. Sam’s serves up traditional seafood dishes along with beautiful views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco skyline. Tie up at the guest dock and dine al fresco on their popular waterfront deck. Sam’s is especially known for its cioppino. Giada De Laurentiis featured Sam’s cioppino recipe in an episode of Giada’s Weekend Getaways - so you know it’s good! You can also take a direct ferry from San Francisco to see and taste why Sam’s is one of best restaurants in California.

Sam’s Anchor Cafe, 27 Main St, Tiburon, CA 94920, USA

Facebook/The French Laundry

You can expect a premier dining experience when you dine at what is known to be one of the best restaurants in California. Guests come from near and far to indulge in a memorable fine-dining experience at renowned chef Thomas Keller’s premier restaurant in Northern California.

The French Laundry Garden, 6639 Washington St #6601, Yountville, CA 94599, USA

flickr/chuck b.

Editor’s Note: As of August 2017, Forbes Island has permanently closedIf you want to dine like James Bond, call self-made millionaire Forbes Thor Kiddoo. The 72-year-old sea captain will fetch you from the cotton-candy-eating crowds at Pier 39 and ferry you past barking sea lions to his floating Forbes Island, with palm trees, waterfall and lighthouse. A 100-seat restaurant, decorated like the inside of an 1810 sailing ship, with a fake fireplace, bar, a wine cellar where Tony Bennett once crooned, plus a boudoir with a velvety bed that serves as the ladies’ powder room. Yes, please.

2 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

flickr/stepan mazurov

Editor’s Note: As of December 2017, Brainwash Cafe & Laundry has permanently closed One of the most creative cafes in SF. It is a great lunch and breakfast place with coffee and a laundromat attached. They do open mic nights as you do laundry - brilliant!

1122 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Along with this list of unique dining experiences in Northern California, take a look at these other restaurants in California worth eating at too. You can also hop on board the Napa Wine Train in Northern California for an excellent meal, fantastic local wines, and breathtaking scenery too.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Unique Restaurants In Northern California January 20, 2023 Marla S. What are some of the best Northern California restaurants with water views? There’s far from a shortage of restaurants in California with water views. Here are some of the best places to dine in Northern California:

Cafe Waterfront in Eureka Fog Harbor Fish House in San Francisco Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall The Virgin Sturgeon in Sacramento Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch

Take a look at these waterfront restaurants in San Francisco too. What is one of the best Italian restaurants in Northern California? One of the best Italian restaurants in Northern California is Dinucci’s Restaurant. Here are some fun facts about this family-run business in Valley Ford, CA.

Dinucci’s opened in 1968 and is one of the oldest-running Northern California restaurants. You’ll have one of the most unique dining experiences in Northern California when you sit down to a family-style meal in a warm atmosphere. Along with Italian food, prime rib is one of the most popular items on Dinucci’s menu. During your unique dining experience in Northern California, sip on one of the restaurant’s craft cocktails too.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Unique Restaurants In Northern California

January 20, 2023

Marla S.

What are some of the best Northern California restaurants with water views? There’s far from a shortage of restaurants in California with water views. Here are some of the best places to dine in Northern California:

Cafe Waterfront in Eureka Fog Harbor Fish House in San Francisco Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall The Virgin Sturgeon in Sacramento Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch

The OIYS Visitor Center

There’s far from a shortage of restaurants in California with water views. Here are some of the best places to dine in Northern California:

Cafe Waterfront in Eureka
Fog Harbor Fish House in San Francisco
Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall
The Virgin Sturgeon in Sacramento
Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch

Take a look at these waterfront restaurants in San Francisco too.

What is one of the best Italian restaurants in Northern California?

One of the best Italian restaurants in Northern California is Dinucci’s Restaurant. Here are some fun facts about this family-run business in Valley Ford, CA.

Dinucci’s opened in 1968 and is one of the oldest-running Northern California restaurants.
You’ll have one of the most unique dining experiences in Northern California when you sit down to a family-style meal in a warm atmosphere.
Along with Italian food, prime rib is one of the most popular items on Dinucci’s menu.
During your unique dining experience in Northern California, sip on one of the restaurant’s craft cocktails too.