Location: Nevada City
Top Restaurants in Nevada City
Top Things to do in Nevada City
Nevada City Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Nevada City
Nevada City (originally, Ustumah, a Nisenan Maidu village; later, Nevada, Deer Creek Dry Diggins, and Caldwell's Upper Store) is the county seat of Nevada County, California, United States, located 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Sacramento and 28 miles north of Auburn. In 1900, 3,250 people lived in Nevada City; in 1910, 2,689 lived there; at the 2000 census, the population was 3,001, and at the 2010 census it was 3,068.
Things to do in Nevada City
1. Treats
Overall Ratings
5 based on 124 reviews
handmade ice cream, sorbet Gelato and vegan options
Reviewed By ranishi - Sacramento, California
Brand new location on Main St. Had only been open for 2 days. Much more space but same excellent ice cream!!!! Now they have indoor tables. Casual and historic atmosphere. Vegan ice cream choices available. They have a few choices of gelato. Service with a...MoreThanks for the nice review! We're glad to be back.
2. New Moon Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Reviewed By Julikins55 - Lincoln, California
We had dinner here based on friend's recommendation. We were pleasantly surprised. Although the restaurant was not that large, they had a wide variety of menu selections and we had four different entrees and they were all delicious! The Asian tacos were amazing and the Rib Eye was surprisingly very good!! I like that they have a Small Plates and Big Plates menu to accommodate everyone's appetite. The staff was friendly and attentive. Very nice dinner.
3. The Curly Wolf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Steven C - Martinez, California
Although Nevada City is not a college town, Curly Wolf would be at home on Telegraph Ave in Berkeley. And I'm sure they'd consider that a compliment. Couches, chairs and tables arranged around the fairly large place in random groupings, interesting and sometimes odd art on the walls. The Baristas are chatty and friendly, and seem to be having fun visiting with everyone who walks in the door. They pour a flavorful, full-bodied cup of coffee, and also make espresso drinks (lattes, macchiatos, etc.). A small but delicious offering of baked treats as well. Great place to let a lazy Saturday morning slip away...
4. South Pine Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By CheersSacramento - Sacramento
We absolution LOVE the South Pine Cafe in Nevada City. It’s one of the most picturesque little towns to visit and this restaurant is delightful. We’ve been going here for years whenever we drive to the area. Several of our family and friends are either vegetarians, very health conscious or have dietary restrictions and SPC caters to all types of customers. Their menu is so diverse you will have a good time trying to decide what to order.
It’s very popular so depending on when you arrive, weekday vs. weekend, time of year, etc., you could have a 15- 25 minute wait. We usually have weekend brunch which is a heavy populated meal time and it’s worth the wait. The staff are very accommodating and the food is so fresh and well prepared.
They offer a tofu scramble selection that is delicious. Their regular scrambles and huevos rancheros are fantastic, the omelettes, lobster dishes, french toast and pancake selections are very good too. You really can’t go wrong with any option. Their homemade baked goods, breads and homemade jams are also delicious. I enjoy mimosas and they never disappoint.
They are located right off the Main Street and there is plenty of street parking or lot parking available.
They serve breakfast and lunch. We are usually so full from the morning meal we have never tried the lunch but we plan to at some point. Lol.
We highly recommend it and look forward to our trips there. Enjoy!
5. Nevada City Chocolate Shoppe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By www00man - Penn Valley, California
Whenever we're in Nevada City for dinner, which can be bi-monthly, we like to wander into the Chocolate Shoppe afterwards. I know the Shoppe has changed hands a couple of times over the years, but it has never disappointed! A very good selection of fudge and I always get a small supply of dark almond bark! They have always been friendly, regardless of ownership! Try them out!
6. FoxHound Espresso & Coffee Broaster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By DavidF12345 - Nevada City, California
The place is just getting started but it is already small and friendly, and the coffee taste (at least to me) is better than anywhere else in town. As any small business just starting out, not everything is in place yet, e.g. they have doughnuts but the tea supplier won't deliver for a few days yet. Nice deck in the shade out back, and the bare brick inside is cool during these very hot summer days.
7. Lefty's Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 335 reviews
Casual white linen dining. Come see our new 1,100 sq ft dining room, featuring a view of Deer Creek. We also offer a full bar with daily drink specials. Enjoy our creekside patios, upper bar and wine tasting room. Think of us for gourmet burgers, pizza, elegant meals, banquets and catering. See us on Wednesday for our Blue Plate Special and Fridays for fresh house-made Fish & Chips, Clam Chowder and Coleslaw-all day, til sold out. Come early!
Reviewed By Luiv2Vacation - Nevada City, CA
We live here and have eaten at Lefty’s several times. The food is good (Crabcake Saladin my favorite). Service good and ambiance nice and very nice at river edge.
However, the Togo service was terrible. I ordered ahead of time, they told me 15 minutes. I arrived about 18 minutes. They hadn’t even started my food. No apology, no free soda while you wait. I paid for my order ahead of time and when they brought it out, I left right away because my family was already expecting me. They got the ENTIRE order wrong. Not one item was correct. I called them and told them of my disappointment and they were just like, “sorry. Well, to their surprise, I took the order back. They redid my order, no sincere apology, more of an attitude that I was putting them out. When I got my second order, I checked it. I ordered a full dinner crabcake salad and they gave me an appetizer size. I complained and said “can’t you give m more salad lettuce”, they did, but we’re not happy. No compensation for my having to make two tripps, no soft drink while I waited TWICE! Terrible attitude. Finally enjoyed my dinner, but we were so hungry, cardboard would have tasted good. Eat in, avoid take out. I will.
8. fudenjuce
Overall Ratings
5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By filomeli - Nevada City, California
Yummy food made by awesome people. You can taste it! They have inside and outside seating. Healthy food and organic too!
9. Sopa Thai Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
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Reviewed By SuzanneLS - Reno, Nevada
We had a beautiful experience at Sopa Thai Cuisine having dinner outside in the evening on their patio. Not only was the atmosphere beautiful, but the food was absolutely delicious! I had a chicken curry dish and my husband had the barbecued ribs. Both of us were very happy with our meals and our grown children raved about their dishes as well. The tiny lights, the torches outside and the pond on the patio added to the beauty of the evening.
10. Lazy Dog Confections
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By traveltarot - Nevada City, CA
A local treasure...so fun to see adults become children again when walking into this fabulous Ice Cream & Sweet Shoppe --
hand made ice creams in oodles of flavors. Try the $1.00 mini cone for a quick nibble. Great chocolates - from traditional offerings to chocolate covered potato chips. Yumm. Bring all of our visitors here. It's a must
