Places to Eat & Drink
From waterfront taprooms to hidden gem taquerias, Vallejo’s food scene is as diverse and unpretentious as the city itself. Whether you're in town for the day or staying a while, you’ll find bold flavors, local favorites, and a community that knows how to come together over good food and drink.
This is a city where a night out might include live jazz with your pasta, a whiskey tasting in a historic distillery, or discovering your new favorite sushi spot tucked into a neighborhood strip mall. Wherever you land, you’ll leave full.
Where Dinner Comes With A Soundtrack
PICTURED: GRAND OPENING EVENT
CREDIT: REDWOOD EMPIRE WHISKEY DISTILLERY & TASTING ROOM
In Vallejo, meals don’t just feed you—they bring you into the rhythm of the city. Across town, restaurants and taprooms serve up more than food, inviting guests into lively spaces where music, history, and local culture are always on the menu.
Catch a jazz set, blues band, or comedy night at Bambino’s, a longtime favorite where the calendar is always full and the vibe is always local. Head to Vino Godfather on Mare Island for wine, dancing, and live music beneath the trees or in the tasting room—often with a retro twist and a loyal following.
At Mare Island Brewing Co., the city’s naval past takes on new life. The Coal Shed Brewery, housed in a former naval munitions warehouse, now hosts regular performances—from gritty rock sets to acoustic sessions—alongside a full beer list and commanding views of the strait. Just across the water, the Ferry Taproom serves up sunset pints and singer-songwriter vibes right on the waterfront.
And if you're looking for something low-key and local, stop by Moschetti Coffee Roasters on a Saturday morning, where tastings blend the rich aroma of small-batch roasts with live music and community energy.
A World of Flavor, All in One City
PICTURED: DRAGON ROLL
CREDIT: YO SUSHI
Vallejo’s food scene is as diverse as its community — shaped by generations of global influence, local pride, and a shared love of bold, soulful flavors. You won’t find many big-name chains or white tablecloth restaurants here. What you will find: hole-in-the-wall gems, family-run favorites, and a passport’s worth of culinary traditions, all just a short drive apart.
Dig into crispy fried chicken at Sharky’s, fresh rolls and noodles at YoSushi, or sweet and savory hand pies from Bula Fiji Pies. Snack on basil popcorn chicken with a milk tea at T4 Vallejo, or settle in at Provisions for elevated takes on classic American comfort food — plus rotating specials that keep locals coming back. Craving tacos? You’re in the right town — Taco Jalisco is a local legend for a reason.
If you’re looking for something truly special, visit Urban Fusions – an authentic Southern & Caribbean soul food restaurant, where the stewed oxtail melts in your mouth as the smell of fresh cornbread fills the dining room. Their (super affordable) lunch menu gives you a chance to try a mix of traditional and fusion recipes that bring Vallejo’s culinary richness to life. This women-owned and family-run restaurant is a downtown favorite.
And if you’re looking for something a little more refined, Vallejo has that too. Michael Warring, the city’s own Michelin-starred restaurant, offers a tasting menu experience that rivals the best in the region — proof that Vallejo’s culinary scene can go from street food to standout in a single bite.
In Vallejo, you don’t have to travel far to eat your way around the world.
Catering & Group Dining
Planning an Event?
Looking for a place that can handle big groups and bold flavor? Check out our full list of catering-ready restaurants and event-friendly venues.
PICTURED: CATERED GROUP DINING EVENT AT REDWOOD EMPIRE
CREDIT: REDWOOD EMPIRE WHISKEY BAR & TASTING ROOM
Big groups. Bold flavors. Local charm.
Vallejo is ready to host your next event — whether it's a company offsite, milestone celebration, or weekend-long retreat. Our restaurants offer catering menus, private dining spaces, and flexible options to accommodate groups of all sizes and styles.
Host a sunset dinner at Mare Island Brewing Co’s Ferry Taproom, book the Whale Boat Room at the Coal Shed Brewery, or schedule private tastings at Redwood Empire Whiskey Bar. From smoked BBQ at Gracie’s, to banquet-style dining Zio Fraedo’s, and casual gatherings at Provisions, Moschetti, or Buttercup, Vallejo’s food scene is group-ready — and full of flavor.