Best for a Special Night Out
Davis's genuine special-occasion dining scene is small and has thinned lately (Seasons Kitchen & Bar and Mamma have both closed), so the real upscale core is a short list of independent, mostly family-owned rooms. These are the places locals name for an anniversary, a graduation, or "price is no object."
1) Hikari Sushi & Omakase
Davis's true splurge sushi experience. Chef-owners who have cooked in town since 2007 build an omakase around sustainably sourced seafood, much of it flown in from Japan. On the UC Davis subreddit it's the single most-named "special occasion" answer—one alum put it simply: "I can't stress this enough, Hikari. Hikari is truly wonderful and a Davis gem."
Why we love it: A genuine big-city omakase in a small town—regulars say it "would be good for New York or LA," and the weekday petite omakase is a more affordable way to try it.
Good to know: Reservation-driven and small—full omakase seatings Friday and Saturday (two seatings, roughly 4:30 and 7:30pm) with a lighter petite omakase Tuesday through Thursday; closed Sunday and Monday. Book online or call.
Address: 110 F Street, Suite A, Davis, CA 95616
2) The Mustard Seed
The longtime downtown fine-dining anchor: an intimate, family-owned room built on local, seasonal ingredients and handpicked Northern California wines, and a repeat Davis Enterprise "Best Restaurant in Davis" pick. Locals call it "super-cozy on a winter day" with candlelit tables and a nice patio; one recent visitor said it was "nearly our best meal of 2025."
Why we love it: The reliable downtown "fancy" choice, and one of the few options open for a proper sit-down lunch. A popular Mondavi Center pre-show dinner spot.
Good to know: Reservations are strongly recommended (OpenTable) and it books out for holidays like New Year's Eve; open seven days with dinner from 5:30pm plus some weekday lunch—check the site's Special Hours page.
Address: 222 D Street, Suite 11, Davis, CA 95616
3) Osteria Fasulo
Frequently called the most romantic and simply the best restaurant in Davis, prized for seasonal Italian dishes, a lovely patio, and warm personal service. As one local put it, "if price is no object, Osteria Fasulo is a good choice, as it's probably the nicest restaurant in town."
Why we love it: The go-to anniversary and special-occasion room, with some of the only good outdoor seating in town.
Good to know: Tucked in a South Davis office park (not downtown), with limited hours—roughly lunch Wednesday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. It takes reservations by phone rather than fully online, so call ahead. Prices aren't on the menu; plan for a splurge.
Address: 2657 Portage Bay East, Suite 8, Davis, CA 95616
Best for Date Night
When you want atmosphere without a fine-dining price tag, Davis's downtown izakayas and Thai spots deliver. These are the rooms locals recommend for a fun, low-key night out.
Show Izakaya
A newer downtown izakaya that has quickly become a local favorite for share-plate Japanese dining, fish flown in from Japan, house-made ramen broth, and a full cocktail program. The local verdict on the date-night appeal is blunt: "the ambiance is fine dining but the price is affordable"—a strong Hikari alternative when you want atmosphere without the omakase tab.
Why we love it: Repeatedly seconded "because of the ambiance" and named for the best sushi in Davis, in the former Seasons space at F and First.
Good to know: Call to reserve; no same-day reservations Friday through Sunday, and larger parties (4+) accepted for Friday and Saturday dinner. Central downtown, walkable from campus.
Address: 102 F Street, Davis, CA 95616
Yuchan Shokudo
A cozy downtown izakaya (formerly Yakitori Yuchan) that turns up on locals' date-night shortlists, praised for friendly service, good ambiance, and flavorful homestyle Japanese cooking and ramen. The loyalty runs deep—one regular calls it "the best restaurant in town, and it's not even close."
Why we love it: A quiet, unpretentious pick that locals rave about; the spicy tan tan ramen, katsu curry and pork belly get repeat shout-outs.
Good to know: Small ground-floor spot on E Street just off downtown, casual and good for a low-key date. Hours vary, so check before a late visit; downtown street parking, walkable from campus.
Address: 109 E St, 1st Floor, Davis, CA 95616
Sophia's Thai Kitchen
A beloved downtown institution known for vibrant Thai food and its lively bar and patio scene, repeatedly recognized in the Davis Enterprise Readers' Choice awards for Best Thai and Best Bar. Locals love the double duty: "Sophia's Thai has a great ambience and it doubles as a bar—that would be my main recommendation."
Why we love it: Great patio, live music and open-mic nights, and pad thai that regulars rave about. As one local notes, walk back past the bar for the sit-down restaurant.
Good to know: On E Street Plaza downtown with split lunch and dinner service (closed mid-afternoon). Great for groups and a drink; walkable from campus.
Address: 129 E Street, Ste E, Davis, CA 95616
Family-Friendly
Davis is spoiled for casual, kid-tolerant sit-down spots. A quick note for anyone using older lists: Black Bear Diner permanently closed in March 2026, so skip it. Below are the picks that reliably work with kids in tow. (Several longtime family favorites already live in our directory—see the links.)
Symposium Restaurant & Pizza House
A long-running family-owned Davis institution for Greek and Mediterranean plates plus pizza—one of the oldest restaurants in town, and a go-to for group and formal catering. Students often sleep on it: "known for their incredible pizzas, but lots of other items are great," and the sit-down Greek entrees are the not-so-secret secret.
Why we love it: The most casual, group-friendly pick, with an old-school room and a broad menu (the Niko's special pizza has a following).
Good to know: In East Davis away from downtown. Verify current hours by phone before a special-occasion visit. A lower-price, larger-group alternative to the white-tablecloth rooms.
Address: 1620 E 8th Street, Davis, CA 95616
More family favorites already in our directory
These Davis mainstays are covered in full on their own pages: Crepeville (the all-day brunch classic alumni pine for—"I still haven't found a restaurant like Crepeville"), Woodstock's Pizza (a G Street institution and go-to for kids' birthdays and team dinners), Burgers and Brew (generous made-to-order burgers with kid standards), Mikuni (a low-risk way to introduce kids to sushi, with bento boxes and beginner-friendly rolls), Paesanos (the dependable downtown Italian for family celebrations), and Dos Coyotes Border Cafe (Davis-founded Southwestern fare with a simple kids' menu and fast counter service).
Cheap Eats & Student Favorites
The heart of Davis's value scene is student-first, counter-service, and generous: taquerias with free chips-and-salsa bars, over-stuffed sandwich shops, and multi-generation family-run classics, mostly downtown near campus with a second node in North Davis on W Covell Blvd.
Guads Tacos & Beer
A family-owned taqueria right by campus that students consistently name a favorite for big-value portions, fast service, and a free unlimited chips-and-salsa bar. It's the reflexive newcomer pick: "if I had to pick one place for someone who has never been to Davis, Guads."
Why we love it: Cheap, filling, and beloved—the bean-cheese-rice burritos and salsas get singled out again and again.
Good to know: Steps from downtown and campus on 3rd Street, casual counter-order with outdoor seating, open daily from around 8am. No reservations needed.
Address: 231 3rd St, Davis, CA 95616
Sam's Mediterranean Cuisine
A multi-generational Davis classic where students come for hearty, affordable shawarma, kebabs, and falafel and are greeted like regulars. For a lot of locals it's the reflexive lunch answer: "for lunch in Davis the answer is always Sam's."
Why we love it: Genuine affection and good customer service; the falafel has near-legendary status among alumni.
Good to know: Downtown on B Street, casual counter service. Closed Sundays and Mondays, and closes early evening (around 7:30pm) the rest of the week—best for lunch or an early dinner.
Address: 301 B St, Davis, CA 95616
Taqueria Guadalajara (North Davis)
A longtime Davis go-to praised for authentic, flavorful carne asada and generously sized, reasonably priced burritos—named Best Mexican Restaurant and Best Burrito in the 2026 Davis Enterprise Readers' Choice. Insider nuance from locals: some come here specifically for the pozole, sopes and burritos.
Why we love it: Big portions, low prices, and easy plaza parking away from downtown congestion.
Good to know: In the North Davis shopping strip on W Covell Blvd (next to Save-Mart), with later weekend hours (to ~10pm Fri–Sun). Order at the counter. A separate South Davis location exists on Mace Blvd.
Address: 640 W Covell Blvd, Ste E, Davis, CA 95616
Ike's Love & Sandwiches
A student favorite for over-stuffed, creatively named signature sandwiches with generous veggie and vegan options and the signature Dirty Sauce. Portions are large and the line moves faster if you order ahead.
Why we love it: Reliable, filling, and endlessly customizable, with strong vegetarian and vegan coverage.
Good to know: Downtown on F Street, walkable from campus; dine-in and delivery. Order online or via the app to skip the lunch-rush line.
Address: 212 F St, Ste B, Davis, CA 95616
Breakfast & Brunch
Davis brunch skews independent and farm-to-table—cage-free eggs, local produce, and strong vegan and gluten-free options are baseline expectations here. Most of the best sit within a few walkable downtown blocks, so arrive early on weekend mornings when parking fills up.
Cafe Bernardo
Widely regarded as the standard-setter for Davis brunch, known for pancakes, custom omelets and globally-influenced Benedicts made with local produce and cage-free eggs. Full-service with an adjacent bar, so it works for late risers too.
Why we love it: The reliable downtown brunch benchmark, and the kitchen stays open later than most breakfast spots.
Good to know: Downtown on D Street; weekend brunch runs into the early afternoon—expect a wait on weekend mornings. Nearby downtown parking and garages.
Address: 234 D Street, Davis, CA 95616
Delta of Venus
A beloved, artsy downtown institution where locals go for hearty breakfast burritos, house-baked breads and free-range eggs, plus weekend live music on the patio. Some locals rate it above the classics: "when Delta of Venus' breakfast menu comes back, it's unbeatable. Better than Crepeville."
Why we love it: Character in spades—patio seating, live music, and a genuinely local vibe near campus.
Good to know: Breakfast served daily from the morning until early afternoon; indoor and patio seating. Street parking fills up on weekends.
Address: 122 B St, Davis, CA 95616
Cloud Forest Cafe
A charming, women- and Asian-owned downtown cafe loved for locally-roasted coffee, real-fruit smoothies, fresh-squeezed juice and made-to-order breakfast paninis in an artsy, sustainability-minded space.
Why we love it: A cozy, eco-conscious spot for a relaxed coffee-and-brunch sit-down.
Good to know: Closed Mondays; serves morning through mid-afternoon. Tucked into a downtown suite.
Address: 222 D St, Suite 10, Davis, CA 95616
Estelle Bakery & Patisserie
A Davis outpost of the acclaimed Sacramento French bakery, drawing crowds for macarons, artisan breads, quiche and French toast-style brunch pastries.
Why we love it: A pastry-forward brunch option with easier parking than downtown.
Good to know: In East Davis on 5th Street (95618); open weekday mornings into the evening, but popular items can sell out later in the day.
Address: 2710 5th St, Davis, CA 95618
Also worth noting: Crepeville remains the all-day breakfast and brunch benchmark many alumni still miss after they leave town.
Best Asian Food
Davis punches well above its weight for Asian food thanks to a large UC Davis student population. Downtown skews toward casual sushi, ramen and Thai, while a few family-run Chinese and Korean stalwarts sit out in South and West Davis where parking is easy.
Yang Kee Dumpling
A local favorite for handmade dumplings and Chinese comfort food, popular enough to have expanded to Roseville and Sacramento. It's the "bring your parents" pick—one local admits, "Yang Kee reserved for the parents always," and the garlic noodles get called out as a "favorite comfort food."
Why we love it: Fiercely defended as the best dumplings in town; go early to beat the line.
Good to know: In the South Davis Cowell Blvd shopping area (95618) with easy parking; open into the evening (closes ~8:45pm) with online ordering. Make sure you have the Davis location, not the Roseville or Sacramento ones.
Address: 2151 Cowell Blvd, Ste C, Davis, CA 95618
Wok of Flame
A family-owned, award-winning Chinese restaurant named Best Chinese Restaurant in the 2026 Davis Enterprise Readers' Choice, relied on by locals for fresh, classic Hunan and Szechuan cooking.
Why we love it: A dependable, longtime family stop away from downtown congestion.
Good to know: In the El Macero Shopping Center on Mace Blvd (South/East Davis, 95618) with ample parking; open daily for dine-in and pickup with online takeout ordering.
Address: 417 Mace Blvd, Ste H, Davis, CA 95618
Zen Toro Japanese Bistro & Sushi Bar
A family-owned downtown mainstay that reviewers repeatedly call the best all-around sushi in Davis, with fresh fish and generous rolls at reasonable prices.
Why we love it: Solid value sushi that works for both students and families; also known for udon like the Nabeyaki.
Good to know: Downtown on E Street with dine-in and takeout; hours vary by day.
Address: 132 E Street, Ste 100, Davis, CA 95616
Seoulmate Korean Kitchen
A newer West Davis spot bringing Korean cooking to town, already drawing enthusiastic local buzz for its fusion menu.
Why we love it: Family-owned, convenient for West Davis families, with plenty of free parking right out front.
Good to know: In the Westlake shopping center. This is the Davis location specifically—the brand has separate Bay Area shops.
Address: 1260 Lake Blvd, Ste 111, Davis, CA 95616
For the true splurge end of the Asian spectrum, see Hikari Sushi & Omakase and Show Izakaya above—and Mikuni for a lively, kid-friendly sushi option in Davis Commons.