Redding has a diversity of food – but is not necessarily a culinary hotspot. Any prices we list below are for dinner only. Prices are subject to change without notice. What are your favorite restaurants in Redding? Email dave@pon.net so that one of our team can visit and add a review here the next time we are in town.
All phone numbers are in the 530 area code unless otherwise noted.
Anthony’s Mediterranean is located at 2475 Eureka Way. A fairly small restaurant with limited indoor seating. Focus is on more Greek style cuisine – the lamb gyro is a popular item on the menu. A healthy selection of salads including the ever popular Greek Salad. Same owner as the Greek Shack. Most of the prices are fairly reasonable. If our memory serves us correctly, we vaguely remember this place being a hamburger joint some years back.
Bartel’s Giant Burger is often a stop of ours when we are heading out to Whiskeytown Lake (either eat on site using a couple of outdoor tables)
or take it for the road. Currently part of a tiny chain of three restaurants from this northernmost location down to Corning in the south. Choose from several burger options – their regular hamburger is popular and comes with fries and a drink.
The first Bartels opened on Bechelli Lane in 1975 – this location has been here since 1976 and has certainly witnessed significant development on Lake Boulevard over the decades since they opened. Founded by husband and wife Carole and Dennis Bartels – who when they moved to Redding from the San Francisco Bay Area found the area lacking in good hamburger spots. Visit: www.bartelsgiantburger.com- C.R. Gibbs American Grille is located next to and a part of the Best Western Hilltop Inn located at 2300 Hilltop Drive (Redding’s hotel and motel row). Originally founded in 1981 as the C.R. Gibbs Alehouse and Restaurant. Guests of the hotel enjoy a complimentary hot buffet breakfast as the restaurant every morning.
One of Redding’s go to restaurants. Also home of arguably their most famous dish, the appropriately titled, “Famous Shrimp Bowl”. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reasonably priced for the quality, their dinner menu features a number of soups and salads, pastas and the ‘house favorites’. Visit: www.crgibbs.com
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Cattlemen’s Restaurant is located at 2184 Hilltop Dr. The old western theme of this restaurant looks like it belongs in Redding’s mining days in the 1800’s. Pulling into the front of the restaurant almost makes you wish you were pulling up on horseback rather then the modern automobile.
Interior well decorated with wood sporting an old western look and feel for dining patrons. In theory (and reality) one could come here for the seafood, or the pasta or even the salads, but why would you want to do that? This restaurant is all about the sizzling hand-cut steaks, ribs and most anything from a cow. Known as “Best Steak In The West”. Happy hour from 4-6pm is always a happenin’ time to be at Cattlemens. Visit: www.cattlemens.com/restaurants/redding
Cicada Cantina is located at 1691 Hilltop Drive. The focus is on freshly prepared traditional Mexican dishes – with their own twists often added into their culinary mix. A very well stocked bar serving up a variety of margaritas and other fun drinks. Lots of appetizers, a separate section on the mention for guacamole – be sure to check out their house specialties.
Plenty of parking as they are located at the edge of a shopping center. Open daily for lunch and dinner although on Sundays they open earlier (at 8am). Sunday brunch can be popular including the Cicada Benedict.
Clearies Restaurant is located in downtown Redding, down the street from several fast food restaurants and next to several dated looking motels. Opoen for lunch and dinner the focus is on a friendly atmosphere with American type cuisine.
Named after owner Robbie Clearie. Open for lunch and dinner featuring both modern and classic recipes. Special pricing available between 5 and 6pm. Long time Redding restaurant. Known for their martini’s. Visit: www.cleariesrestaurant.com
Deja Vu is located in downtown Redding. Easily identifiable by the large brick building (the historic Lorenz Hotel). Open several days a week offering breakfast and lunch.
Long time local favorite. Known for their selection of eggs Benedict and omelettes. For lunch, they offer a wide selection of hamburgers, soups and salads. Visit: www.dejavu.cafe
Downtown Dogs is a small hot dog stand parked in front of the historic downtown Post Office most weekdays between 11am and 3pm (just down from the Courthouse and near the Amtrak Station). The owner is Randy Simpson aka “Mr Hotdog” himself. Highly recommended if you are in the mood for a quick bite to eat, sometimes witty one liners from Randy and a selection of delicious hot dogs ranging from the Caspar Dog (has a bit of a snap to it when you bite in) – as Randy describes or the delicious Polish Dog.
All the fixins’ are located next to his cart with jalapenos, mustard, ketchup and relish. He has sold thousands of hot dogs since he took over the cart’s operations in 2012. And if not to crowded, Randy will direct you over to the VIP seating, a rustic wooden platform located on the sidewalk. And for those looking to order a hot dog, chips and drink – his Meal Deal is the best value option.
Final Draft is located in downtown Redding – they opened in late 2016. Site of the former Kennett Diamond Brewery & Restaurant.
Definitely an industrial feel to the building – during the transition in occupancy, they preserved the original floors. Their brew tanks are on site – behind their main bar. Good sized outdoor patio for the times when Redding is not to hot or cold. Folks can saddle on up to their indoor corn hole. Two sit down bars and a standing room only bar. Plenty of food to accompany your drinking including burgers, sandwiches and wraps. They always have a number of beers on tap – more then 20 at thetime of our last visit. All are available in a variety of sizes. Also check their schedule for live music. Visit: www.finaldraftbrewingcompany.com
From the Hearth, Bakery & Cafe is very centrally located in downtown Redding near the Shasta Historical Society and the Shasta College building at 1279 Pine St. They operate several locations in town including one in Red Bluff. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When the weather permits (ie not over 110 degrees!) people often enjoy their meal outside in their fenced off dining area.
One of the more popular place to eat in this part of town especially for lunch. Gourmet deli sandwiches and their gourmet burgers are often sought after items. Not only do they sell their products direct to consumer but a number of local restaurants are also customers and select products are available in numerous retails outlets in Redding and beyond. Visit: www.fthcafe.com
Jack’s Grill is an institution in the city of Redding. Founded some 80+ years ago as a two story building housing a provisions store on the ground floor with the upstairs serving as the family’s living residences. The restaurant takes it’s name from John “Jack” Young, a WWI fighter pilot. He origininally opened Jack’s Grill in 1941 (with an accompanying brothel located upstairs).
Has seen a number of owners over the years. Looks very dated from the outside – a relic of the past that somehow has survived into the 21st century. Currently focuses on steaks and seafood – served in a very dimly lit room in old style booths and tables. Only open for dinner. Bar typically opens a bit before dinner starts being served. Closed on Sundays. Visit: www.jacksgrillredding.com
Jade Garden is a an American styled Chinese restaurant located at 2257 Hilltop Drive across the street from the Best Western (easy access from the 5 freeway). Old school feel to the dining experience. Known for their wonton soup. Also a decent Szechuan beef. Even though they are not a Vietnamese restaurant they offer pho – and as at most Vietnamese restaurants, this is listed as #1 on the menu.
Basic Chinese American cuisine that is conveniently located to a number of hotels in this part of town. Sizable portions.
Janya’s Thai Cuisine is a small Thai restaurant tucked away in an old shopping center near a pawn shop and a tire shop and just down the street from the Shasta School of Cosmetology. Located at 630 N. Market Street north of downtown. Clean and comfortable inside with nice decorations.
Can be busier during weekdays around lunchtime because of their lunch specials including the reasonably priced Beef Stew Noodle Soup. The dishes are always made from scratch using fresh meat and vegetables. No MSG is used in their dishes. The food can be prepared as mild or as hot as you like – although note that many Thai dishes are quite spicy. Offers a healthy vegetarian selection as well as numerous curry’s and select seafood dishes. Open for lunch and dinner 6 days a week (closed on Mondays). Also offers a selection of California wines to pair with your food. Parking is typically immediately in front of the restaurant. Visit: www.janyathaicuisine.com
Kobe Steak & Seafood is housed in a sizable building located in downtown Redding. Focuses on hibachi tables serving teppanyaki, sushi & sake as well as other asian favorites (Thai noodles, Japanese noodles & Korean BBQ).
Teppanyaki is a type of cooking that originates in Japan – dating from the Misono restaurant chain in 1945. First introduced to the US in 1964 in NYC – Teppan refers to ‘iron plate’ and yaki refers to ‘grilling’. At this restaurant, this culinary experience takes place in front of your table (watch the chefs cook your meal). Special seating for the Teppanyaki experience. They also serve Sushi. Visit: www.koberedding.net
La Cocina de Chuay is a cool little under the radar find located next to the Valero gas station at 2030 Eureka Way. Very tiny with some indoor seating as well as outdoor seating in their covered patio. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner – from 11am until 8pm (closed on Sundays).
Popular for their breakfast and lunch specials on the weekdays. Good place to stop and take some to go items if you are heading up to Whiskeytown Lake. Focuses on handmade items including their tortillas. For a small restaurant – their menu is quite extensive. The street tacos are popular – as are their tostadas. Good horchata (drink).
Lim’s Cafe is located north of downtown at 592 N. Market Street along the town’s self titled “Miracle Mile” the flat area that is home to a number of dated looking buildings leading from the bridge North Market Street Bridge over the Sacramento River to the base of the Sulpher Creek Hill. Somewhat iconic in this part of town, this family run restaurant serves both Chinese and American food in a Denny’s like diner setting (bar stools line the bar seating area). A vintage sign attracts attention from passerby’s driving by for the first time. This restaurant has history in town – it was originally founded in 1933 as Kim Sing Restaurant. The restaurant has been in it’s current location since 1957. Remarkably still family owned by the Lim’s.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu has a wide coverage of items ranging from Fried Ham & Egg to Oyster Foo Yong. Menu is split between Chinese and American dishes. Also known for their Chinese Dinner plates for parties of 2 or more. Serves a lot of food for the money. Along with Jack’s this restaurant is where we would take folks visiting Redding for the first time.
Logan’s Roadhouse is part of a chain of restaurants founded in 1991 in Kentucky but headquartered in Nashville. Located among Redding’s hotel row at 1955 Hilltop Drive. Open for lunch and dinner. Focus is on American food including burgers, steaks and ribs (with a southern flair due to their heritage). Plenty of good salads, soups and a selection of sandwiches. Over 50 entree items on the menu. People also come here for the desserts and the drinks (a sizable beer and cocktail selection) as well as their Signature drinks including a variety of teas and seasonal specials (check out their cinnamon pear sangria and their prickly pear margarita, mmm!).
Special menus are also available including an Allergen menu and a Gluten free menu. For those planning to eat here often, join their Email Club to receive special deals on food and updates about new menu items. At last count they operated over 190 restaurants across the country. Visit: www.logansroadhouse.com
Mae Ploy Thai Cuisine is located at 2600 Churn Creek Road (in the same building that housed the former Nipa’s Thai Restaurant). They opened in 2015. Especially popular with locals during their weekday lunch specials – most Thai restaurants have a dish called Drunken Noodles – Mae Ploy has one called Hangover Noodles.
The owner Narin Ritmaha Kidd is no stranger to the Thai restaurant business; he formerly owned a small Thai restaurant in Truckee, California. PLenty of options to choose from on the 10-page menu. And more recently they started offering Vietnamese Pho (presumably to appeal to a wider Asian customer base).
Market Street Pizza & Deli is located at 871 N. Market Street just east of the North Market Street Bridge and very close to the McConnell Arboretum & Gardens. Known for their all you can eat pizza and salad buffet bar. They serve lunch and dinner. Features gluten free pizza crust.
In addition to pizzas (which they are obviously known for) they also serve a variety of appetizers, salads and sandwiches. Makes a good stop for picking up a sandwich before heading down for some relaxing at the nearby Sacramento River. Check their website for discounts which are sometimes offered. Visit: www.marketstreetpizza.net
Maxwells focuses on offering a good time – their version of this includes good beer, good food and good people. Watering hole for the locals downtown – unassuming entrance that perhaps visitor’s would overlook.
Opens early on Sundays during the NFL season and playoffs. Also check out their Tuesday half priced burgers with the purchase of a drink. Also maintains a MiniMax in another location in town. Happy hour is from Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. Offers plenty of hamburger selection and can alter each burger slightly to fit your specific taste.- Nello’s Restaurant serves Italian food and was founded in the early 1980’s. Visit www.nellosrestaurant.net
New China Restaurant is a tiny Chinese restaurant tucked in the back of the Sunset Plaza/Tops Fresh Market shopping center on the corner of Buenaventura Blvd and Highway 299 (3669 Eureka Way). Just look for the pretty Redding Welcome sign at the intersection. They are open every day of the week although their hours are a bit more limited on Sundays.
Gets busy during lunch time with nearby employees of other businesses stopping by for a meal. Very affordable basic Chinese food with a variety of dishes offered including soups and noodle dishes. Visit: www.newchinaredding.com
Mazatlan Grill more info is located at 1630 Hilltop Drive. Led by Rosalinda, a native of Mazatlan the culinary staff focuses on authentic Mexican food – specializing in Mazatlan style seafood and Mexican comfort food – Tex Mex cuisine. Great selection of seafood ranging from a number of shrimp dishes to the ever popular fish tacos.
Especially popular during their happy hour – both for food and a variety of drinks. An excellent beer selection as well as cocktails including Margaritas. Open for lunch and dinner. Noted for their fairly quick service. One of the better Mexican food options in town. Gift certificates available upon request. Visit: www.mazatlangrillredding.com
Puerta Vallarta Mexican Restaurant is located at 2315 Eureka Way. Across the street from University Prep School and near a Pet Thrift store. Just a bit west of a Valero gas station. And a short drive from downtown. A stand alone restaurant near some cheaper housing. Serves basic Mexican food. Offers a cheap meal for children on Sundays. Sadly, not much more to say about this old timer.
Squire Room was originally established in 1958. Located off of Tehama Street downtown next to the Market-Pine Alley. Feature a long bar with plenty of beverages to choose from. Also table/lounge style seating. New owners have renovated the interior.
One comes here not to eat but to drink. Fairly good sized selection of cocktails.
Vintage Wine Bar Restaurant. Visually this is one of downtown Redding’s more attractive restaurants. It looks like it belongs in this decade. Located on the corner of Sacramento and S South Market Streets they offer an enclosed outdoor dining area (with a heat lamp for those cooler evenings). Open for lunch and dinner. Their focus on the lunch selection is simple and straight forward – soups, salads and sandwiches.
A decent selection of wines from around the state and beyond. With a very good wine preservation system on site. Also known for their live music. Check their website for music calendar. Visit: www.vintageredding.com
Westside Pizza is located at 536 N. Market Street – north of downtown along Redding’s “Miracle Mile”. This is mostly a state of Washington based franchise but they do have select locations in Northern California (and their headquarters are in Idaho). As their slogan screams proudly, “It’s all about the pizza!”
This is mostly true but they also serve select salads, pastas and appetizers. But back to the pizza. Three primary pizza options are available here which include Combo Pizzas, Specialty Pizzas (including their ever popular “Death by Pizza” option) and the Build your own Pizza (choosing from a variety of topping and sauces). Looking for some spice to your pizza? Go for the Tropical Heat with Jalapenos as one of the options. Still hot spicy enough for you? Add some chili flakes! Check their website for special deals. Visit: www.westsidepizza.com
No matter what your tastebuds are yearning for, you’ll find satisfaction here at Cicada. A wide variety of fresh, innovative dishes paired with the perfect cocktail from our well-stocked cantina will make your dining experience a night to remember. We encourage you to come see for yourself why so many of our customers come back again and again.
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