Where We Like to Eat - Chico, CA
One of the questions we get all the time is, “Where should we eat tonight?”
Chico has some great options, and where we send you really depends on what you're looking for. Maybe you want to stay close to the hotel, grab a great steak, find a good bottle of wine, or just have a casual place to hang out after a day on the water.
These are places we actually go and places we're comfortable recommending to our guests.
Madison Bear Garden is a Chico institution and a longtime favorite near Chico State. Open since 1977, The Bear is known for its huge selection of burgers, sandwiches, wings, fries, and classic pub food, along with a famously eclectic, memorabilia-packed atmosphere. It’s a great spot for a casual meal, a cold beer, or a taste of Chico’s legendary college-town vibe.
Best For: A casual quick bite after a day of fishing or travel. Great bar and atmosphere downtown.
Known to locals as just “The Brewery.” Sierra Nevada Taproom is a Chico classic. The Taproom pairs a huge selection of fresh Sierra Nevada beers with a surprisingly impressive food menu built around local and seasonal ingredients. Grab a wood-fired pizza, burger, wings, fish and chips, or one of their more substantial entrées, then wash it down with a fresh pint straight from the brewery. With its expansive brewery setting and iconic Chico roots, it’s more than just a place to eat—it’s part of the Chico experience.
Best For: A casual yet “nice” sit-down dinner with great beers you can only get at the Tap Room. Also a great place to sit at the bar and have an appetizer and beer sampler. Our favorites are the Beer Cheese and Pretzel and the Fish and Chips.
Chico favorite for a special night out, 5th Street Steakhouse delivers classic steakhouse dining with a warm, polished atmosphere. The menu centers around USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, and signature dishes like surf and turf, filet, ribeye, and their popular warm brie with bacon jam. Add a great wine list, full bar, attentive service, and a beautiful downtown Chico setting, and it’s an easy choice for a date night, celebration, or a memorable dinner after a day on the water
Best For: This is one of the nicest restaurants in Chico and a place to celebrate—our favorite place to get a steak and dirty martini. Local secret is the happy hour or a few appetizers and cocktails at the bar.
B Street is a lively downtown Chico gastropub that combines creative comfort food, craft cocktails, rotating beers, and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu goes well beyond typical pub fare, with favorites like the famous Trashy Fried Chicken Tacos, duck-fat fries, Vietnamese wings, poutine, Cubanos, burgers, and crispy pork rice bowls. Weekend brunch is another draw, with biscuits and gravy, beignets, breakfast sandwiches, and smoked salmon tartine. Add a spacious patio and a great bar scene, and B Street is an easy recommendation for a casual lunch, dinner, drinks, or late-night bite.
Best For: A cocktail at the Bar or Patio with some great “plates” style dining. Our favorites are the Trashy Tacos, Brussels Sprouts, and Duck Fries.
Bodega Slice Shop is a downtown Chico favorite for authentic New York–style pizza by the slice or whole pie. Bodega is known for its thin, crispy-yet-chewy crust, high-quality ingredients, and a rotating lineup of creative specialty slices alongside classics like pepperoni and cheese. The vodka slice, Pesto Roni, CBR, and Hot Hawaiian are popular choices. It’s casual, counter-service, and perfect for a quick lunch, family dinner, or grabbing a big slice while exploring downtown Chico.
Best For: A quick slice or a door dash whole pie! Our go tos are the Hot Hawaiian, Carnitas, White Pie