8 Farmhouse Restaurants In Northern California That Are Worth A Trip To The Country
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Kate Freeman
Author
Californians know that most of our state is rural, country land. There are the big coastal cities, plus central valley cities, but overall California is a rural state. This rural land looks different in the central valley versus the Sierra foothills versus wine country. So you can experience a lot of different county environments. These rural areas might have farmhouses, barns, Gold Rush-style buildings, and even some beautiful Victorian architecture. No matter where you choose to go, farmhouse restaurants in Northern California often serve comfort food made with local ingredients in a country setting — what a relaxing way to enjoy a meal.
The Farm House, 11 Green Valley Rd, Freedom, CA 95019, USA
This perky diner is open for breakfast and lunch. It’s not an old farmhouse but the menu has exactly what you’d want from a farmhouse restaurant: Generously-sized bacon burgers on brioche buns with sweet potato fries, fried chicken and waffles, eggs Florentine, and more! Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and lunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The town of Freedom is 20 minutes from Santa Cruz, right next to Watsonville.
Farmstand at the Farmhouse Inn, 7871 River Rd, Forestville, CA 95436, USA
Cozy up at this quaint farmhouse restaurant. Located at the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, a well-liked but slightly lesser-known wine country destination, this charming cafe looks like it could be featured in a Nancy Meyers movie. Both the small inside dining room and the outdoor deck are equally charming. The food is all small plates -- perfect to pair with a glass or two of local wine. Farmstand is open daily for breakfast and lunch, and Tuesday through Saturday for dinner.
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The Fort Bidwell Hotel and Restaurant was built in 1906 during Fort Bidwell’s short-lived Gold Rush. The hotel was then a private residence for many years until the hotel and restaurant opened in 2015.
The restaurant serves generous portions of country cooking, barbecue, and American classics.
The restaurant is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Fort Bidwell Hotel, 55015 Main St, Fort Bidwell, CA 96112, USA
The sleepy town of Fort Bidwell is in the northeast corner of California, close to Oregon and Nevada. With stunning views of high desert plains and snow-capped mountains, this serene area of the state is literally miles away from it all. Fort Bidwell is about a 35-minute drive from Surprise Valley Hot Springs.
Boon Fly Café, 4048 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559, USA
This casual Californian eatery is on the property of the luxurious Carneros Inn. The Boon Fly Cafe is known to have one of the best brunches in Napa. Enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner in this modern yet rustic setting. Boon Fly Cafe serves small plates to share, such as their famous homemade donuts. The brunch menu has a variety of main dishes, like beer-battered fish tacos and chicken and waffles. They’re open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Brunch is served until 4 p.m.
This casual restaurant inside Scotia Lodge is a hidden gem in Northern California. While it’s not exactly a farmhouse, the 100-year-old building has the charm and nostalgic vibe of a country farmhouse. The restaurant’s chefs prepare all types of homemade specialties from handmade pasta and pastries.
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Main & Mill Kitchen and Bar, 100 Main St #361, Scotia, CA 95565, USA
Their cuisine could be described as decadent California cuisine and elevated comfort food. Main & Mills is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, 738 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574, USA
This restaurant is inside a renovated barn in one of wine country's chicest towns. Sit inside the modern rustic dining room or outside on the heated patio. Farmstead is on an actual working ranch and the dishes are made with ingredients that come straight from the farm. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on Sunday.
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This hacienda-style farmhouse is a restaurant and bar, plus a popular venue for weddings and events. They serve elevated bar food, wine country cuisine, plus a full menu of steakhouse favorites. To get to the restaurant, you’ll drive through rural Nicasio ranchlands to find this ranch in the middle of the countryside.
Rancho Nicasio, Bar, Restaurant, Live Music and Wedding Event Venue, 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, CA 94946, USA
This down-to-earth venue frequently has live music acts, too! The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Flower Farm Cafe is in the Sierra Foothill town of Loomis. The cafe serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with both large and small plates for all appetites. It is located on a large property that also has a nursery, winery, and inn.
Flower Farm Cafe, 9280 Horseshoe Bar Rd, Loomis, CA 95650, USA
After your meal, walk to the winery next door for a tasting and browse the nursery for some new plants. The cafe is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
California is a state of many climates and cultures, so it makes sense that our farmhouses look different throughout the state. Which of these restaurants do you think best fits the “California farmhouse” aesthetic?
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