7 Rural Restaurants Around Northern California That Are So Worth The Drive

The Peg House’s slogan is "Never don’t stop at The Peg House". This quirky stop built in redwood country is part cafe, part general store. Enjoy one of the many deli sandwiches or hamburgers made-to-order at The Peg House, and choose from the many deli sides like green salad or macaroni salad. Occasionally, The Peg House has live music, too!

The menu has something for everyone– a big selection of meats, seafood, some vegetarian options, plus a full oyster bar. And you can savor your delicious meal while enjoying a view of the Northern California coast and Pacific Ocean.

In this too-cute-for-words Gold Rush town is V Bistro & Bar. Located inside The Victoria Inn, many regulars say the quality of this food is on-par or better than anything you could find in a big city. V Bistro serves European-style cuisine with a focus on freshness and seasonal flavors. They have gluten-free options, too.

This upscale fine dining restaurant is exactly how you’d expect Northern California to do fine dining. The decor is eclectic, cozy, and romantic. The cuisine can be described as "New American"-- dishes that combine classics with the freshness of California cuisine. If weather permits, sit outside on their beautiful back patio amid the greenery and string lights.

People drive for miles to dine at this old-world Italian restaurant in the town of Williams, off of Highway 5. Granzella’s has Italian classics like eggplant Parmesan and gnocchi, plus a wide selection of dishes everyone will enjoy like Cobb salad, fried chicken, and a selection of burgers. Don’t forget to try one of their delicious malts, shakes, and floats.

Bring your bigfoot-sized appetite to this restaurant! The food is delicious and the portions are very generous. For big appetites, they have a "Bigfoot 1 pound burger" on the menu. If that’s too large, they offer 10 other burgers including a veggie burger. Want something that takes more effort to cook? Try the toad in the hole, bigfoot pot roast, or chicken fried steak. Bigfoot Steakhouse serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Before you leave, take a picture with the giant bigfoot statue inside the restaurant.

This Basque restaurant is a favorite of locals and a place most outsiders have yet to discover. Inside you’ll find a long bar and seating areas for diners. The small menu has classics done right, like a French dip, a turkey burger, and lamb chops, all with a Basque twist.