Sacramento is probably one of the rare state capitals that gets overshadowed by 3 or more other cities in its state (LA, San Francisco, San Diego, and the list goes on). But if we peel back the layers of political hubbub and keep an open mind, you’ll discover that Sacramentp’s coffee culture is actually underrated. Dive into the streets of California’s capital, and you’re more likely to be debating pour-over techniques than policy decisions. There are many fabulous cafes in Sacramento where you can get your daily dose of caffeine and more and in this article, we cover the best of them.
Helpful Resources For Exploring Sacramento
First things first- you need to get to Sacramento and you can use this KLM special discount offer to get up to 15% off on all of your Sacramento flights.
To save on accommodation in Sacramento, use this special Booking offer to save up to 10% on all properties in town.
If you want to rent a car in Sacramento, my personal recommendation is to use AutoEurope to compare the best deals from all local rental car providers. On average, you can save up to 30% every time you use this platform. For more info, check out our honest Auto Europe review.
Finally, let’s not forget about travel insurance. Personally, I always use SafetyWing. Their plans cover travelers in almost all circumstances that they can get themselves while on the road, including cancelled flights, lost luggage, etc. For more info, check out our honest SafetyWing review.
Coffee Culture & The Best Cafes In Sacramento
Ah, Sacramento. The city is known for… well, let’s be real, many folks primarily know it as California’s capital. Now, I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of lattes and cappuccinos, from the neon-signed commercial chains to that obscure corner cafe with the barista who looks like he might play in a jazz band on weekends. And even if that is the case, Sacramento won’t disappoint you.
Roll into Midtown, and you’ll find yourself amidst a beautiful blend of the modern and the historic (and historic doesn’t just include the buildings but some of the cafes as well).
Tower Café
Starting this list of the best cafes in Sacramento, we have the Tower. Nestled right next to the historic Tower Theatre, this place is famous for its amazing food, eccentric decor, and its beautiful garden that gives tropical oasis vibes. Their French toast is one of the best ones in town.
Steamer’s Bakery & Café
Right off the bat, let’s chat about their pastries; flaky, buttery, and I once overheard someone say they’d trade their sibling for a box of Steamer’s croissants. Can’t blame them; it’s a tough call. And the coffee is smooth, robust, and feels like a morning bowl of meditation to supercharge you for your busy day. The ambiance is also very nice and perfect for digital nomads or book lovers.
Temple Coffee Roasters
The Temple Coffee Roasters is another beautiful cafe in Sacramento with a very promising name and one that lives up to it. This place is like pilgrimage for anyone with caffeine flowing through their veins. And for those without? Well, Temple might just convert you. They make their own coffee that they transport from Ethiopia and Guatemala and the ambiance is cozy, a perfect mix of modern and rustic.
Garden Coffee
Garden’s Cafe is like a sip of nature in the heart of the city. Every corner, every nook of the cafe is brimming with greens and the coffee is, of course, rich and smooth and it feels like getting a hug from inside the cup.
There And Back Café
Speaking of the best cafes in Sacramento, we just can’t forget about There and Back. Now, between you and me, if you’re hunting for an escape without leaving the cozy corners of Sacramento, I’ve got a tip. Step inside, and you’ll immediately feel like you’re in a different world (well, worlds, to be more accurate). It’s like this place picked up bits and bobs from every continent and not just coffee (which by the way is delicious).
The Mill
Among the whirls, twirls, and occasional squirrel (hey, city life!) of Sacramento, one name emerges like that last drop of perfect brew: The Mill Café. It looks like a very casual, nothing-special-about-it cafe and it’s true there’s nothing special about this cafe on the surface but they make some of the best coffee in Sacramento.
Ettore’s Restaurant & European Bakery
Ettore’s Restaurant & European bakery (quite a descriptive name right there) is like whisking away to a European patisserie without that pesky 10-hour flight. But jokes aside, this bakery feels like someone took a slice of Europe, sprinkled it with California sunshine, and hid it in Sacramento. And the decor is quite European as well; it’s like an Italian villa had a date with a chic Parisian cafe and Ettore’s was their kid.
Are you enjoying this cafe guide? Then you may also like our guide to cafes in Paris and cafes in Istanbul.
Selland’s Market Café
Enter Selland’s Market Café, Sacramento’s foodie haven with a side of sass. It’s not just one of the best cafes in Sacramento, folks but an elegant food bazaar with flair, where you can taste some of the best food in Sacramento. The interior is modest (hence, the bazaar/food court restaurant) but what more do you need than a rustic charm and gourmet finesse?
Nour’s Café
Alright, my gastronomic comrades, lean in a little. If the culinary world of Sacramento was a theatrical play, Nour’s Café would be that scene-stealing, unexpected twist. This isn’t just any café on the block; it’s like an eccentric artist’s secret studio, with a touch of kitchy but not so much to make the place obnoxious. It feels like a bohemian rhapsody with a sprinkle of Sacramento spirit.
G Street Café
And speaking of quirky cafes, have you ever yearned for a café that’s less mainstream buzz and more ‘hidden vinyl record track’? Enter the realm of G Street Cafe, Sacramento’s quirky corner of caffeine dreams and bite-sized epiphanies. This place is like a secret book club where every visitor understands the sacred bond between a good cup of brew and a good read (but don’t worry, a secret handshake is not required to enter).
Orphan
Orphan Cafe is here to end your quest for the next delightful culinary dicovery, and no, it’s not looking for its long-lost relatives. This cafe is a passion project that combines the concepts of a modern art gallery and a boho-chic kitchen. It’s an aesthetic space with a lot of open space, a dash of intrigue, and a lot of delicious culinary mysteries. It’s one of the rare cafes I’ve been to where you can feel love in every dish,even if it’s just a sandwiches with a cup of coffee.
Ambrosia’s
Don’t be fooled by its humble facade; Ambrosia’s a culinary Pandora’s Box whose interior feels like a travelogue penned by flavors from around the globe. It’s where industrial chic gets cozy with homely vibes, delicious coffee, and heartwarming soups (some of the best ones in Sacramento).
Cafe Connection
If you’re scouting for that one joint where convos flow easier than the coffee, you’ve just struck gold with Cafe Connection. It’s a culinary haven that’s dripping with character and caffeine. They have delicious pizzas, amazing ginger beers, a lot of curry dishes, killer wraps, and the exotic specialty- the oxtail plate.
Bacon & Butter
Speaking of the best cafes in Sacramento, we can’t forget about Bacon & Butter. The name itself is a clear signal: it’s an eatery where simple joys like bacon and butter are elevated to celestial levels in a place where retro vibes court modern flair. And oh, the fare! From pancakes that are fluffier than cloud nine to bacon strips that could very well be ambrosial threads of heaven, no matter what you decide to order, you can’t go wrong.
Kind Bean Café
Now, don’t let the name’s gentleness bamboozle you. This spot is fierce in its mission to serve wickedly good brews, eats, and vibes. The ambiance feels like a combination of earthy and artsy. The fare is just… wow! It’s like the menu was curated by Mother Earth herself. From heartening vegan treats to coffees that whisper tales of far-off lands, there’s a narrative in every nibble.
Franquette
Franquette is a bistro that feels like it’s straight out of a classic French film, but with a playlist that wouldn’t be out of place in downtown Sacramento. And oh la la, the food; crepes that will make you feel like you’re in Paris, and greasy (but not too greasy) sandwiches that bring the zest of Sacramento. Every plate seems to play a delightful tug-of-war between French finesse and Californian flair.
Pachamama Coffee
Now, for those fumbling with their Spanish, ‘Pachamama’ means ‘Mother Earth’ and as soon as you set one foot in this cafe, you’ll understand why it has this name. It’s like a cozy nook of the globe, humming with global rhythms, nestled right in our dear Sac-Town. They serve some delicious Ethiopian coffee brews and the cafe itself has a very nice industrial chic with a touch of bohemian flair.
Old Soul Co.
This list of the best cafes in Sacramento can’t be complete without Old Soul, a cafe with ambiance that feels like a love letter to times gone by. Rustic wooden beams and jazz notes are an inseparable part of this cafe’s interior and the coffee is so good it will give you nostalgia for an era in which you probably weren’t even born.
Crepeville
Strut right in, and it’s like a French postcard sprung to life. And no, it’s not just because of the Eiffel Tower sketches. It’s the intoxicating scent of fluffy crepes and delicious, freshly roasted coffee beans, some of the finest in Sacramento.
Café 33
Last but not least, we round up this guide to the best cafes in Sacramento with Cafe 33. The chairs might not hug you, but the aroma wraps around you like a long-lost friend. It’s where casual meets classy, and where morning grumpiness gets drowned in mugs of coffee as frothy as clouds.
How did you like this list of the best cafes in Sacramento? Did you ever visit any of them? Do you know of any other cafes that we can add to this list? Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments below.
Like it? Pin it.
