Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Sacramento / Sacramento Valley

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Sacramento / Sacramento Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Gypsy Bistro

4.8

4.8 (221)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lockeford

About the restaurant

Experience dining like never before in our unique restaurant, set in a former concrete wine storage tank. Unwind on our charming terrace, reminiscent of an Italian Piazza, with a refreshing craft cocktail or a glass of wine expertly selected by our sommelier. Our eclectic menu features locally-sourced, seasonal dishes, all prepared from scratch.

Our menu is a blend of classic dishes with a modern twist, showcasing favorites such as our grilled steak of the night, delectable pastas, and succulent scampi. Conveniently located just off the Lodi wine trail in Lockeford, California, we are the perfect stop halfway between the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, 1/2 mile west off scenic Hwy 88.

Join us for an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the best of local ingredients and culinary innovation.

Top review

JoVIP

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Tuesday night's special, baby back ribs with blackberry BBQ sauce, was excellent! As they say, "finger lickin good"!

The Oxford Kitchen & Gastropub - Lodi

4.7

4.7 (449)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lodi

About the restaurant

Chef Srijith Gopinath brings "London Fare to Lodi". Oxford cuisine is inspired by the vibrant multicultural food from London street markets. Menu spotlights the flavors of Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom.

The Oxford is a modern kitchen that features an eclectic variety of multicultural cuisines from London markets. Discover a unique fusion of different flavors in amazing dishes, and take your taste buds on a global adventure by sharing a selection of dishes. Enjoy playful dishes — from Wellington to Shepard's pie or, Great Britain tikka masala to Original Fish N Chips. Menu is inspired by the organic and sustainable bounty of the Central Valley.

Top review

Leroy

Dined 4 days ago

Found this place for Easter brunch, absolutely fantastic meal really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.

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Popular dish

Classic Beef Wellington

Popular dish

Oxford Shepherd's Pie

Experience

Kings Dinner for Large Groups

Frog & Slim

4.7

4.7 (1011)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sacramento

About the restaurant

Within a 10 minute walk to the Convention Center, Memorial Auditorium or the State Capital - Frog & Slim offers a unique experience with the background sounds of Jazz & Blues legends past and present. Two great pet friendly patios specially designed to soak up the Midtown vibe. Frog & Slim presents modern and classic cocktails, locally crafted brews, and a thoughtfully curated wine list for your enjoyment. Executive Chef Christian Viau has elevated thick cuts of prime meats, fresh caught seafood and intricate vegetarian creations to memorable heights.

Top review

Dave

Dined 1 day ago

Looked for some place different for a business dinner and tried Frog & Slim. The drinks were fantastic, the appetizers were fantastic, the staff were fantastic, the chef was fantastic, our meals were fantastic, and desert was fantastic. Around the table we had new york, halibut, ribeye - all were perfectly cooked and the flavor was amazing. Everyone was "this is one of the best steaks I've ever had". The bread pudding was just incredible! Definitely north of $50/person for a meal but worth every penny and we'll be using them often going forward.

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Popular dish

Braised Pork Shank

Popular dish

Frog & Slim Wedge Salad

Popular dish

Breakfast Bread Pudding

Market Tavern Stockton

4.7

4.7 (2459)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Stockton

About the restaurant

Market Tavern features farm-fresh ingredients across all menu items from our wood-fired pizzas, all natural pork chops and steak, and signature meatballs.

Our Bar features craft beers on tap and a modern take on classic cocktails using fresh squeezed juices and in-house infused liquors.

The Grab & Go Market offers fresh baked bread, salads and sandwiches, free-range premium meats and select produce, as well as beer and wine for sale.

Top review

Corrine

Dined 1 day ago

The food is always so good and the service is very prompt

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Popular dish

Skirt Steak Wood Fired

Popular dish

Beef Stroganoff

Ella Dining Room and Bar

4.7

4.7 (5420)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sacramento

About the restaurant

Located in America's Farm to Fork Capital. In the heart of Downtown, the family behind The Kitchen and Selland's Market Café brings you the region’s most relaxed and elegant destination, Ella Dining Room and Bar. Ella offers warm, welcoming ambiance in an inspiring space that evokes effortless European rustic luxury. The environment is modern yet timeless, dramatic yet comforting. Ella brings together the finest quality ingredients from this bountiful region to create authentic and honest fine food that nourishes body and soul. Chef and Owner Randall Selland and family invite you to savor the joys of friends, family, and great food and wine. Service is gracious and refined. Ella has signature handcrafted cocktails, an eclectic and impressive wine list, and a fresh seafood bar. We specialize in Private Parties. Perfect for business lunches, celebration dinners, and everyday enjoyment. Walking distance from Convention Center, Capitol, theaters, and hotels.

Top review

Joshua

Dined 2 days ago

The food, and service was excellent. Apparently their fried chicken was how they received their Michelin, so we gave it a shot. It was pretty good. The halibut was amazing. All around, great experience.

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Popular dish

Crispy Fried Half Chicken

The Tin Lantern Bar and Grill

4.8

4.8 (36)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Auburn

About the restaurant

Cozy locale featuring burgers and filet mignon, plus beer, wine, and a selection of whiskey.

Top review

Debbie

Dined 5 days ago

This is such a fun and wonderful place to enjoy a great meal with friends and family!

The Firehouse Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (5654)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Sacramento

About the restaurant

The splendid ambiance of The Firehouse is enhanced by its reputation for excellence in food, wine and hospitality. The most award-winning restaurant in Sacramento, The Firehouse has earned the "Best of Award of Excellence" from Wine Spectator magazine every year since 2002. Most recently, The Firehouse became only the 2nd restaurant in Sacramento to receive a 2024 DiRōNA Award, along with multiple OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards. The Firehouse has been rated in Zagat's Top 100, and has also been the recipient of the "Award of Unique Distinction" and "America's Best 100 Wine Restaurants" from Wine Enthusiast.

Top review

Josue

Dined 4 days ago

The Firehouse Restaurant is a fantastic spot with a unique blend of history and modern dining. Located in a beautifully restored firehouse, the ambiance is both cozy and upscale. The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes, including fresh seafood and delicious steaks, all prepared with a creative twist. The service is attentive, making for a pleasant dining experience. Plus, the wine selection is impressive, perfect for pairing with your meal.

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4.6

4.6 (67)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Fair Oaks

About the restaurant

Reflecting the charm of its surrounding neighborhood, Shangri-la is a distinctive space in Fair Oaks that serves seasonal, contemporary American fare, along with handcrafted cocktails in a unique setting.
With modernist architectural design, fire pits and classic cocktails from an indoor/outdoor bar, Shangri-la is an adult oasis with a full-service restaurant and private events venue that feels like a Palm Springs resort. We have two beautiful indoor dining rooms as well as a 6,500 sq. foot patio featuring bocce ball (adults only) and full-service seating inside and outside. (Voted Best patio and Best restaurant by Sac Magazine). Well behaved pups are also welcome on our patio when weather permits. Children are welcome to dine with their families but are limited to staying at their tables (not roaming or running) for safety and liability reasons.

Come visit us, and enjoy an escape from it all!

Top review

Cathy

Dined 4 days ago

We had a lovely time. It was a mini reunion celebrating a friend who recently almost left us, but survived heart surgery. This was his first outing and he thoroughly enjoyed his evening of friends, fun, and food.

Public Market Bar

4.4

4.4 (71)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sacramento

About the restaurant

Come dine in the historical Public Market Bar inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel Downtown. Here you will find a great selection of farm-to-table appetizers & entrees, local/imported beer & wine offerings, and hand-crafted cocktails, all surrounded by a grand atmosphere in the heart of downtown.

Lunch: 11:30am - 5pm
Happy Hour (M-F): 3pm - 6pm
Dinner: 5pm - 8pm
Late Night: 8pm - 1am

Top review

Robin

Dined on Mar 28, 2025

Very good service; attentive waitress; very tasty food; fun people watching ambiance. The only downside was a very limited menu. One meat, one fish, one chicken, one pasta. That being said, our food was well prepared and flavorful.

View 202 - Redding

4.3

4.3 (406)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Redding

About the restaurant

View 202 is a Contemporary American Fine dinning restaurant in Redding, California.

We feature exquisite California cuisine with locally-sourced products. We offer rotating seasonal chef boards, wood fired pizza, house made pasta, fresh cut steak, and more. With our elegant indoor atmosphere and inviting outdoor patio with a view, we have created the perfect dining experience for people to gather and dine in style. Join us for a night out, a special occasion, or to meet with friends and enjoy some of the best food and drink that Redding has to offer.

Top review

Joanne

Dined 4 days ago

What great service and wonderful food offered for an Easter Sunday! Every server was polite and helpful! Very impressed today!

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