At the gateway to wine country and the doorstep to the Bay, Vallejo blends Northern California’s old port town grit with the promise of renewal.
The restaurant scene here is fiercely local, multicultural, and full of hidden gems reflecting the diversity of the city’s shipyard, artist, and immigrant communities.
The Sardine Can
Breakfast in Vallejo means heading to The Sardine Can, a dockside classic where crab omelets, sourdough French toast, and fresh-off-the-boat salmon scramble are paired with views of sunrise over the Mare Island Strait.
Regulars gather on the patio, mugs of coffee in hand, watching fishermen unload their catch while swapping the latest city rumors.
Napoli Pizzeria & Italian Food
Downtown, Napoli Pizzeria & Italian Food is the standard bearer for old-school pie: thin, blistered crusts, tangy red sauce, and toppings that range from classic sausage and mushrooms to creative local combos with artichoke hearts and garlic.
Large booths make it family friendly, but couples and groups pour in for fried calamari and tall carafes of affordable house red.
MJ’s Cafe
Vallejo’s Filipino population flocks to MJ’s Cafe, where beef adobo, chicken inasal, garlic rice, and lumpia are made from recipes handed down for generations.
Pancit noodles and sweet leche flan desserts fill every table on weekends, and karaoke nights bring both newcomers and longtime locals for a taste of island hospitality.
Provisions
For locavores, Provisions stands out: an airy cafe, market, and deli that champions Solano County produce—hearty grain salads, housemade soups, rotisserie chicken, and creative sandwiches with names like “Cowboy Dan” and “The Ferry Captain.”
House-cured pickles, seasonal pies, and nitro cold brew coffee round out a menu that reflects the city’s slow but determined revitalization.
China Wok Restaurant
And if you’re looking for a splurge, China Wok Restaurant serves some of the Bay’s best dim sum outside of San Francisco—steamed buns, har gow, sticky rice, barbecue pork, and twice-a-day “cart service” that transforms the weekend lunch into a festive ritual.
Large family tables, rotating lazy Susans, and a wall of local art create a lively, boisterous environment where everyone is welcome.
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