Location: Portola
Top Restaurants in Portola
Top Things to do in Portola
Where to Eat in Portola: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Portola is the only incorporated city in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 2,104 at the 2010 census, down from 2,227 at the 2000 census. Portola is located on the Middle Fork of the Feather River, and was named after Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá, despite his never having actually explored the surrounding area. The place name is generally mispronounced, with stress on the middle syllable, thus ignoring the accent mark in its namesake's surname.
Things to do in Portola
1. Sharon's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Steve D - Sacramento, United States
Great little old school café. BIG portions, reasonable prices, friendly service. Not a single person in our group said they didn't have enough to eat! Just good old fashioned yummy food.
2. Nichole's Coffee Depot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Ilogjr - Reno, Nevada
Very friendly staff, huge breakfast burritos, and a great selection of coffee and other drinks. Make sure you stop in on your way through Portola!
3. Brewing Lair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By spots51 - So. Utah
Stopped in with my son for a brew. Found the beer very good. Looks like this would be a great place during warmer weather. Being fair it's hard to say why there isn't a warm place to hangout during the colder days. Maybe it's coming. Either way this place is worth stopping at when in the area.
4. Cuccia's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Wonderful food in a very nice out-of-the-way restaurant.
Reviewed By Mark C - Graeagle, California
Cuccia's is one of the gems we have hidden up in our little corner of the world - an Italian restaurant that would be a hit anywhere in the country. Maybe even in Italy!
Usually they're pretty busy on weekends so we make reservations; last night (a Friday, about 8pm) we just decided to walk in and see if they could find a seat for us. Hostess/owner Gina, like always, made us feel completely welcome, got us a glass of wine and told us we'd have the next available table, which took about 5 minutes.
At our table the service was excellent, soon we were enjoying another wonderful meal. My wife decided to go with 2 'small plates', steamed clams and spaghetti with meatballs. Small? Either one would have been a full meal, but she (with a little help from me) gamely managed to eat it all. Actually not really a challenge as both were delicious and it was hard to stop eating! I had chicken marsala, which was a test as I think I made the best chicken marsala ever. Well, I've been soundly beaten... thin slices of so-tender chicken breast smothered with the mushroom marsala gravy that had just the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
We've had dinners here many times over the years, each time I try to order something different, and I've never been disappointed - pastas, pizzas, everything. We're lucky we live nearby, but it would be worth a long drive to visit this beautiful area and dine at Cuccia's!
5. Whitehawk Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Located just outside Graeagle, California a short hour drive from Tahoe or Reno. Whitehawk Restaurant provides stunning mountain views from inside and outside the main dining area. The property is set on 23 acres nestled in the Mohawk Valley of Plumas County. Perfect for casual dining, group events, family reunions, and business get aways.
Reviewed By Macomfs - Sparks
We stayed three nights in the cabins for our 50th wedding anniversary. The "private time" of the celebration. Breakfast in the restaurant included. Breakfast included cold items like yogurt, granola, etc. while a hot breakfast consisted of fruit, an egg casserole dish and a pastry...MoreGlad you enjoyed your time at Whitehawk Lodge and Restaurant. We look forward to seeing you again on your next visit.
6. Rico's Mexican Food
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By bogeysue - Long Beach, California
This place is small with not much atmosphere but has good food. We have a hard time finding decent Mexican food when we travel. My husband enjoyed his burrito. My chili Rellano was only OK. The tortillas and the tortilla chips tasted homemade. The salsa excellent. Those alone made it worth 4 stars. The server was friendly though she was busy since they seem to do a good take out business for the locals.
7. The Coffee Tree Express
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By william t - Portola, California
The Coffee Tree Express is spacious but cozy, an award-winning makeover of a former gas station. If you are chilly, you can warm yourself in front of a designer fireplace. A large sofa table offers a selection of the latest newspapers and magazines. Furniture is modern, tasteful, and comfortable, and the walls are lined with an eclectic collection of original art and and lovingly cared-for live indoor plants. The coffee menu would satisfy the most fastidious connoisseur, and is deliciously brewed with house-roasted and freshly ground beans. Whole beans of dozens of roasts and bags of ground coffee beans are for sale. Kim, the owner/manager, is pleasant and friendly but quiet. She keeps the premises immaculately clean. There are both pre-packaged and house-made cakes and pastries, that are meals in themselves. A full complement of cream, sugar, and other additives is available for self-service.There are racks of unique and artfully-designed greeting cards and other items for sale to customers and passers-by. All coffees and other items are available to-go. They are open only from 6 am to 2:30 pm weekdays, closed on Saturdays. The building is completely wired for wi-fi, including a guest work station, and is a popular hangout for locals in the know, as well as guest of nearby motels, and other travelers along State Route 70. I am one of the locals, and The Coffee Tree is my favorite place for coffee, light breakfast or brunch, and stimulating conversation.
8. Bread And Butter Food
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By happywiner - Reno, Nevada
Stayed nearby in RV park. Stopped for breakfast before kayaking. Half the delicious breakfast burrito went home for later. Huevos Rancheros was excellent. Very casual, sit outside under umbrella. Lots of locals stop by, some to pick up lunch to go on way to work. Very friendly folks here. Great little brunch place.
9. The Family Corner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By peggy and steve w - Hemet, California
This is our favorite place to eat in Portola. Nicely prepared Italian food, nicely presented, great service, at affordable prices. The menu is not extensive, but what they do have is nice. Atmosphere is so-so. I never liked television sets blaring sports in restaurants, and the walls are a pretty awful green color, and they play country music, not my favorite to dine by. But they do use linen table cloths and put fresh flowers on the tables. The other drawback is although their liquor license is pending, as one other reviewer commented, no wine with your Italian food just doesn't seem right. I predict once they DO have their liquor license, it'll be hard to get a seat at The Family Corner. By the way, this ITALIAN restaurant is owned a lovely family from El Salvador! But, they do Italian really well. I asked the owner if she'd ever consider adding Salvadoran dishes, like pupusas. She, and her husband who is the cook, doesn't know how to make them. So, Italian it is. Portions are generous (although their salads are a little skimpy), but for the price, you can't beat the food. Everything is made from scratch, and to order, too. No canned or pre-frozen stuff. Be sure to ask for their daily specials. My favorite are the salmon picatta, the traditional salad made with buffalo mozzarella, thick sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh parmesan, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar. That is a big salad and a meal in itself. I also love, love, love their shrimp scampi and their cioppino is outstanding. The broth is to die for. My husband loves their made from scratch lasagna, their spaghetti and meatballs, and they make a terrific steak. Prices are so reasonable, too, so affordable for what you get. Nice lunches, too, by the way!
10. Wigwam Room - Nakoma Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By BobOxenburgh - Alamo, California
It's a very special restaurant, given the architectural history. The menu is not huge, but the starter salad we split was fresh and creative. We had the two pasta dishes, and my spicy carbonara was great. Paired wines by the glass. Service was friendly. I moved my seat and setting to other side of table to get terrace window, and early evening forest views. Odd that the 2nd seat had been placed with view of interior entry area! It's not a five star foodie experience, but the location and architecture adds a star for sure. Try it!
