One of the universal truths of travel is that food plays a seriously starring role. Finding great local dining experiences is a true hallmark of visiting any new place. It’s a pastime and a passion. A surefire way to dive straight into the day-to-day culture of a new locale. Discovering that beloved cozy coffee shop or that hip-and-happenin’ tavern where all the locals hang out is a huge part of what makes traveling so special in the first place. Food, after all, is more than just calories or even comfort. It’s a symbolic hearth to gather around, a celebration, a way of life.

Luckily, here in Redding, the way of culinary life is about as good as it gets. From healthy to hearty, wholesome to wholly comforting, riverside dining to trendy farm-to-table hot spots, here are some of the most unique food & drink experiences in Redding.

What better place to start than with the spot that kickstarted it all? Dating back to 1938, Jack’s Grill is the oldest operating restaurant in all of Redding. For 80+ years, this iconic steakhouse has been slinging out choice steaks, juicy ribeyes, sizzling strips, and full-on mouthwatering filets. The legendary “Jack’s Stack” features tender bits of filet, New York, and Top Sirloin all sautéed with savory onions, peppers, and gravy. What sets Jack’s Grill apart though—and worthy of a spot on any foodie’s Redding bucket list—is the overall atmosphere. A proud member of the Shasta Historical Society, and essential unchanged over the course of its history, Jack’s Grill very much embodies the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It also embodies the phrase, “if these walls could talk.” And if they could, they’d probably say something like: “the steak will change your life.”

Sometimes a particularly iconic dish sets a restaurant apart. Other times it’s a particularly unique cocktail. At View 202, it’s the view. Situated on the banks of the Sacramento River, with an outdoor deck and patio that overlooks the famous California waterway, you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop. Truth be told, you couldn’t ask for a better menu either! Featuring elevated American dishes with a distinctly Californian flair (aka, lots of locally-sourced ingredients), View 202 is where downright delicious food, luxurious cocktails, and elegant riverside dining collide.

Located at the epicenter of Redding’s Downtown Cultural District, on the corner of Market and Sacramento Street, Vintage Public House is a veritable hub for gastronomic adventure. Featuring modern American fare, killer cocktails, and a rotating list of beers on tap, this place is a no-frills, all-chill Redding institution. If you’re looking for an excellent burger and beer, with a dash of downtown culture, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot than Vintage Public House.

Technically, Mosaic is named after the magnificent mosaic tiles under Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge. But given its puzzle-piece-like array of awesome attributes, you could just as easily think it’s called “Mosaic” because of how seamlessly it blends together such a robust lineup of disparate defining characteristics. Chic modern interior? Check. Sun-drenched patio? Check. Farm-fresh ingredients across breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus? All check. Mosaic even regularly features live music. And the brick-oven pizzas are truly out of this world. In short, whatever you’re looking for, Mosaic has it all… and more.

For picture perfect vibes and see-and-be-seen energy, C.R. Gibbs is a must. It’s also been a Redding staple for the better part of 40 years. Family-owned and operated across three generations, C.R. Gibbs combines the best of all worlds: buzzy atmosphere, big-time eats (like fish tacos, brick-oven pizzas, burgers, and more), and the best dirty martini in Redding. Do yourself a flavor: don’t miss out on C.R. Gibbs!

For folks that struggle with food FOMO and decision fatigue, The Park - Food Truck Hub is the place to be. After all, why settle on one culinary style when you can have them all? Located downtown, in old Carnegie Park, The Park features a rotating mix of 6 different food trucks for people to sample from. Beyond the food offerings, the place is also a hub for family fun, featuring live music, fire pits, Corn Hole, Lifesize Checkers, and even single-lane bowling! 

Farmers market lovers, rejoice! Redding is a bona fide hot spot for farm-fresh fruits and veggies and locally-grown produce. Spearheading this movement is the Shasta Growers Association, an organization that hosts no less than three local farmers markets in Redding (availability depends on season): the Sunday Market by Sundial Bridge, the Saturday Farmers Market at Redding City Hall, and the Tuesday Marilyn Miller Market. At each, you’ll find a diverse array of seasonally-grown foods, locally-made crafts, and live music.

If you’re visiting Redding for the first time, know this: the local brewery scene is truly top-notch. Within close proximity of one another, you can embark on your very own self-guided brew tour by stringing together a few of Redding’s local breweries. Woody’s, Final Draft, Cedar Crest, and Fall River are a few of our must-hit favorites.

Of course, each of these spots only barely scratches the surface with what’s on epicurean offer in Redding. The true best way to experience Redding’s delicious dining scene is to make a visit yourself!