Several places in downtown, midtown and East Sacramento are especially well-suited for a midday pick-me-up, giving you crucial energy to visit Sacramento’s many museums, historical sites and cultural attractions. Better yet, lunch places rarely exist for solely this one meal and some of the best spots also serve brunch or extend operations into nighttime with great menus that can flexibly accommodate whatever schedule you’re on.
Feature photo: Courtesy of Ella Dining Room and Bar

Beast + Bounty
1701 R Street, Sacramento
916.244.4016
Beast + Bounty is just as attractive for vegetarians as those looking for roasted protein. Lunch shines in this modern stylish spot, where owners and chefs bring expertise from popular restaurants elsewhere in Midtown to create Beast + Bounty’s mouthwatering kale and Brussels sprout charred steak salads, brunch Benedict pizzas, marinated lunch bowls and smoked sandwiches. Guests will also appreciate the outdoor eating patio and bocce ball court outside the building’s exposed historic brick wall made from remains of a much older building in this historic R Street location. eatbeastandbounty.com

Cafeteria 15L
1116 15th Street, Sacramento
916.492.1960
Named after the intersection it occupies, Cafeteria 15L’s beloved urban brunch and shared lunch-dinner menu brings comfort food to Capitol Park. Courtyard patios, an indoor lounge, a large public space and private dining rooms at Cafeteria 15L are all ideal settings for reliably delicious salads, perfect cooked pastas, sandwiches and classic fried chicken. cafeteria15l.com

Ella Dining Room and Bar
1131 K Street, Sacramento
916.443.3772
Operated by the locally acclaimed Selland restaurant family, Ella offers Michelin-recognized fare in downtown Sacramento. French cheeseboards and Italian carbonara as well as fried half chickens and whole chilled lobster are fixtures in this sophisticated yet inviting space. Seating arrangements can flexibly host small and large groups across Ella’s different dining rooms, lounge, separate banquet and board rooms. A climate-controlled, beautifully decorated patio looking out to the proximal Sacramento Convention Center and lively K Street is not to be missed. elladiningroomandbar.com

OBO’ Italian Table and Bar
3145 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento
916.822.8720
OBO’ Italian Table and Bar is the Selland family’s manifestation of Italian-inspired, California produced casual dining. Wood-fired pizza, a sandwich deli, regionally-gathered greens salads, warm or chilled Italian pastas are ordered at the counter which accommodates quick midday grab and go bites, while indoor and patio seating with a full bar will make dining in a comfortable experience. Natural lighting showcases the interior eating room and shaded outdoor patio facing East Sacramento’s lively Folsom Boulevard. oboitalian.com
Who’s writing these?
Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.