The Abridged version:
- Downtown Davis has plenty of study spots and cozy food haunts for UC Davis students.
- Ph.D student Anna Dobrowolski, the author of this guide, loads up on Davis Farmers Market produce before slurping phở at Sit Lo Saigon or chomping down at The Hotdogger.
- While Davis doesn’t have much of a late-night food scene, Woodstock’s Pizza’s Cinnabread and Nick the Greek’s loaded fries keep students satiated into the a.m.
When UC Davis classes start up, the 67,000-person Yolo County city’s food scene wakes up. Students fuel up on locally sourced everything before pedaling or scooting through tree-lined streets. You might meet our own local celebrity, a pig named Merlin, who could be on his way to the market like the rest of us.
I’m Anna Dobrowolski, a second-year English doctoral student surrounded by great company at UC Davis. My classmates and close friends include food scientists, soil scientists, chefs, enology and viticulture students and cheese makers. We eat. We experiment. When not hosting produce-themed parties (e.g., rescuing surplus night market tomatoes to produce 10 pounds of jam, gazpacho, tarts, etc.), we’re planning the menu for next season’s soiree.
Anna Dobrowolski at the Davis Farmer’s Market. (Courtesy of Anna Dobrowolski)
But even veteran hosts need reprieve from stirring the pot for hours on end. Once my nose hits the books and deadlines start rolling in, I count on Davis’ restaurant scene to nourish me. These are some of my favorite spots, for undergrads and grad students alike.
College Classics
The Hotdogger
The Hotdogger carries the weight of being crowned one of Guy Fieri’s Best Bites in 2024. But does that Thai dog still live up to the hype – and its price tag – on a slow summer afternoon? Depends on whom you ask. As heard from the students ordering in front of me: “I’m from Chicago so don’t tell anyone: I hate – no, I love – that it’s so good.”
They’ve been operating from their flagship location at 129 E St. since 1984, grilling classic wieners alongside specialties. I’m not dogmatic when it comes to these dogs, all of which can be made vegetarian as needed. I’ll go for the spicy mango chicken sausage with sauerkraut and jalapeños or commit to the guac dog if I’m feeling ambitious. I wasn’t too mad at the Dogfather, which is their hot take on a meatball sub loaded into a Village Bakery bun. But then again, I’m a sucker for a food-based pun.
You can choose your winning dog at the postage-stamp-sized restaurant or a few blocks away at Davis Farmers Market stand when operating. A semisecret second booth greets customers at Ruhstaller Farm brewery in Dixon.
The Hotdogger: 129 E St., Suite A-1 | 530-753-6291 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Guad’s Tacos and Beer
Consistently delicious and conveniently close to campus? It’s no wonder that Guad’s is a local gem. Whether you’re returning from a weekend outdoor adventure or Rocknasium climbing session, there’s something for everyone, from filling taco salad bowls and hefty breakfast burritos to flavorful street tacos. The $5 Aggie Taco is a particular standout: beer-battered fish or shrimp, pickled onions, cabbage and chipotle sauce wrapped in a blue corn tortilla. With a fresh salsa bar, complimentary chips and a rotating selection of beers on tap, it’s hard to go wrong. For a more traditional experience, check out sister restaurant Taqueria Guadalajara’s locations in North and South Davis.
Guad’s Tacos and Beer: 231 Third St. | 530-564-4160 | 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
It’s hard to imagine now, but Sophia’s was Davis’ first Thai restaurant when it opened in 1995. Since then, it’s established itself as a storied noodle house and watering hole for locals and students alike. The two sides face off Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., when Sophia’s 21+ trivia night rivals Woodstock’s for the top of the town.
Pro Tip: Come for the cocktails/mocktails, stay for the live music. Bands such as The Lumineers, Lord Huron and The Head and the Heart all played on the wood patio before they were big.
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen: 129 E St. | 530-758-4333 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-midnight daily. Food service ends at 9 p.m.
Davis Darlings
Davis Farmers Market
The Davis Farmers Market is one of Yolo County’s best places for fresh local produce. (Anna Dobrowolski)
The heart of Davis beats from Central Park on Saturday mornings, when the produce-filled farmers market draws students and townies in droves. Pick up some roasted walnuts or pistachios from Fiddyment Farms, succulent Fuji apples from Mt. Moriah Farms or North African Passion dips from Coco Gonzales, the unmistakable co-owner who’s happy to whip up complimentary sampler platters. Maybe some local goat cheeses and seasonal fruit to pair with a baguette. If the pastries look tempting, give in. With market finds in hand, wander over to the Arboretum and set up a picnic along Putah Creek.
Pro Tip: Make it to the market around noon, and you might be able to snag quality produce at a discounted price just before closing. And if you can’t make it out of bed by noon on a given Saturday, the market also comes to campus on fall and spring Wednesday mornings.
Davis Farmers Market: 301 C St. | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday year-round, 3-6 p.m. (October through April) and 4-8 p.m. (May through September) on Wednesday. UC Davis Student Community Center location open 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday (fall and spring quarters).
The Davis Creamery
A Davis darling for a reason. Catch long lines ready to try handcrafted, small-batch ice cream made fresh daily. Their secret for a dense, silky ice cream? A gelato machine. During their March Madness event, customers cast suggestions and vote on their next big flavor. This year’s winner: brigadeiro, a Brazilian chocolate-condensed milk combo, which pairs nicely with the creamery’s standing coffee Oreo flavor.
Tip: When lavender starts appearing at the market in June, you’ll know it’s time to run to the creamery for their honey-lavender ice cream. On Wednesdays their cowpies (ice cream sandwiches between fresh-baked cookies) sell out quickly, so be sure to get there early.
The Davis Creamery: 113 E St. | 530-564-4315 | Noon-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Nashoba Wine Bar
Nashoba took me in when I was a wee first-year graduate student with nowhere to go on a cold(ish) winter’s night when everyone left for the break. Selfishly, I want to keep this a secret, since it’s the most consistently welcoming wine bar in town regardless of the season. The ivy-covered haven is a place where reds will cure your blues and whites will lift your spirits. Owner Joseph Shaw makes you feel like you’ve been transported into a living room in some swanky cabin in the woods, far from Davis. Nashoba proves my theory that good wine tastes even better in good company.
Nashoba Wine Bar: 820 Fourth St. | 530-756-9463 | 1-8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday
Comfort Foods
Sit Lo Saigon
Most ailments, it seems, can be cured by a steaming bowl of brothy, fragrant noodles. I know a place where meatballs and noodles swim happily in rich broth. This is a place for meat lovers: their Saigon phở includes a generous combination of ribeye, meatballs, brisket, flank, tripe and tendon, all served with thin rice noodles and heaping aromatics. Oxtail pho, a favorite, comes as a balm during the cooler evenings. Their small menu means they take time (72 hours to be exact) with their quality.
Sit Lo Saigon: 424 G St. | 530- 231-5643 | 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily
Yang Kee Dumpling
If you dream of dumplings, Yang Kee Dumpling delivers on delicious steamed bao, handmade shu mai and cozy xiaolongbao (soup dumplings, arguably the world’s most perfect comfort food). Their chili wontons or walnut shrimp hit the spot as well.
Yang Kee Dumpling: 2151 Cowell Blvd., Suite C | 530-746-2186 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m. daily
New Family Style
Taffach Ethiopian Restaurant
Taffach Ethiopian Restaurant, one of Davis’ most-anticipated restaurants in recent memory, opened in May. (Anna Dobrowolski)
Downtown Davis’ long-awaited newcomer serves Ethiopian staples such as awaze chicken tibs, key sire wot (sautéed beets and potatoes) and berbere-spiced lentils, all made to be sopped up with tangy, spongy injera. Pair with Ethiopian coffee or tej, the country’s signature honey wine.
Tip: Dinners are not rushed and usually crowded, so invite those virtuous eaters who believe that good things come to those who wait. Come during lunch if you want to avoid the crowds.
Taffach Ethiopian Restaurant: 113 D St. | 530-746-2039 | 11 a.m. -9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, closed Monday
My Burma
Davis Commons shopping center, the bridge between downtown and the Arboretum, has one of the Sacramento region’s few Burmese restaurants. My Burma showcases flavors from the Southeast Asian country, which borders Thailand, China and India and takes elements from all their cuisines. The tea leaf salad is a must-order, made from fermented tea leaves, cabbage and tomatoes and finished tableside. The surprisingly swanky interior can fill up around mealtimes, but service tends to move quickly.
Tip: Go family-style to take advantage of the range of offerings. Start with the platha and coconut chicken curry dip, and go for any of their fragrant curries with the protein of your choice – the mint chicken or lamb are solid options.
My Burma: 500 First St., Suite 11 | 530-231-5229 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Hunan Style
Red-and-white characters adorn what is otherwise a hole-in-the-wall near the Davis Food Co-Op. Hunan Style is named for a southern Chinese province known for packing dry heat from fresh chilis (gānlà). That’s a promising start in Davis, which generally shies away from spice, and the Hunan spicy chicken is perhaps the most emblematic dish on the menu. If you’re after a more mouth-numbing Sichuan sensation, their mapo tofu scratches the itch.
Hunan Style: 630 G St. | 530-231-5536 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Late-Night Eats
Newcomers note: It won’t be long before you realize that Davis is not known for its night bites. But any of these will satisfy an after-hours craving.
Woodstock’s Pizza
Woodstock’s Pizza draws college students with the neon-lit promise of pizza, beer and Thursday night trivia. (Anna Dobrowolski)
This California college-town chain checks off the student life holy trinity: Pizza. Beer. Thursday night trivia starting at 9 p.m. Woodstock’s two-story restaurant and bar stays busy from lunch specials through late-night pepperoni slices and Cinnabread dessert pies. Students get $6 off large or XL pizzas, so be sure to bring your AggieCard when showing up with a group.
Woodstock’s Pizza: 238 G St. | 530-757-2525 | 11 a.m.-noon Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday
Nick the Greek
Call me simple, but all I ever want after a night out are some french fries. Any fries would do – but Nick the Greek’s fries, maybe with falafel or gyro meat if I need an extra oomph to keep me going, do the trick. If I’m feeling particularly gremlinesque, I’ll add a few drops of the nosebleed-inducing hot sauce I carry around with me at all times (thanks to my local hot sauce dealer, Ikeda’s). A few drops of that are sure to keep greedy hands away. On more nostalgic days, I’ll shamelessly dip fries into Nick’s plain or honey-drizzled frozen yogurt for my sweet/salty fix.
Nick the Greek: 206 E St. | 530-298-9200 | 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Local Kitchens
Not sure where to eat? Choose your own adventure at Local Kitchens, a food court offering up to eight trending, rotating concepts under one roof. There’s sure to be something for everyone, from lunch to late. I’ve tried Vietnamese iced coffee and a broken rice bowl from TikTok star Tuệ Nguyen’s Tấm Tấm Rice, hot chicken sandwiches from Sacramento’s Nash & Proper and burrito bowls from San Francisco-based Nopalito Taqueria. Take your tray and eat there, or find an Arboretum bench directly behind Davis Commons.
Local Kitchens: 500 First St., Suite 13A | 415-992-8206 | 10:30 a.m.-midnight daily
Cafe Culture: Where to Study (or Not)
Temple Coffee Roasters
A cup of coffee comes at a premium here, but Temple’s a dependable source for quality espresso beans (including their decaf/half-caf options) and delicious pastries. This glass-walled temple for coffee and tea devotees is always busy, so brace yourself for competitive stool seating with limited outlets if you plan on getting work done.
Temple Coffee Roasters: 239 G St. | 530-341-0574 | 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Mishka’s Cafe
Mishka’s coffee and pastries draw UCD students eager to study or socialize. (Anna Dobrowolski)
Mishka’s is the answer to many big questions. Need to finish that chapter? Mishka’s. Need to gossip about your coworker? Mishka’s. People watch while someone plays the piano nearby? You guessed it. Earl Grey snickerdoodles, airy croissants and other scrummy treats are made in-house by pastry chef Allison Biggs.
Tip: Tables inside are split into “social” and “working” sections … just beware, not everyone is “working.” Choose your beverage and your voice level wisely.
Mishka’s Cafe: 610 Second St. | 530-981-1287 | 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Frenzy
Frenzy answered Davis’ desperate call for more study spaces in March, opening an airy cafe that feels like it could easily be a hotel lobby. It’s close to campus and beckons with pandan or miso caramel lattes to sweeten your study sesh. Pros: Good Wi-Fi, drinks and pastries. Con: somewhat limited seating despite the open-air design.
Frenzy: 305 First St. | 530-298-1478 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Estelle Bakery & Pâtisserie
Estelle is more of a sit-down brunch spot than a studying locale, dishing out smoked salmon sandwiches and salade niçoise in a pristine setting. While you’ll catch some people working on their screens during the week, Esther Son’s French-inspired cafe is a prime location for bringing visitors, hosting book clubs or catching up over high tea.
Estelle Bakery & Pâtisserie: 2710 Fifth St. | 916-551-1500 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
When someone else is paying
“Davis casual” is the status quo around here. But there are a few places where you can leave the flip-flops or Birkenstocks behind and step into a more elevated dining experience – great if you’re being taken out by parents, trying to impress a date or celebrate a special occasion without completely forgoing the small-town charm.
Hikari Sushi & Omakase
Hikari’s luxury sushi is available in small doses during the week, or as a full omakase experience on Friday and Saturday. (Benjy Egel)
Hikari, an eight-seat omakase bar (plus two tables), opened in a former ice cream sandwich shop in 2022. In the years since, it’s become Davis’ highest-end restaurant and one of the Sacramento region’s premier places for sushi. The skilled sushi chefs behind the counter source fish from Japan and local ingredients to provide visually stunning nigiri and sashimi. While they cut a sleek profile, everyone is friendly and welcoming.
Tip: Don’t want to shell out $230 per person for a full omakase on Friday or Saturday night? Hikari offers mini-omakases on weeknights, from nine courses at $45 to 14 courses at $65.
Hikari Sushi & Omakase: 110 F St., Suite A | 530-564-4356 | 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday
The Mustard Seed
If you couldn’t tell by now, “local,” “seasonal” and “farm-to-fork” are big buzz words around these parts. The Mustard Seed owners Kim and Taeja Reiss offer an elevated experience without feeling too out of place in Davis’ more casual aesthetic. The menu rotates seasonally – gazpacho and crab cakes are hits during the summer – and lunch specials mostly stay under $20. For dinner, splurge on pan-seared duck breast or rack of lamb, paired with a California wine if you’re of age.
The Mustard Seed: 222 D St., Suite 11 | 530-758-5750 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday-Monday