You’re in the right place if you’ve always questioned what food is Northern California known for.

The Northern California food market covers unique dishes specific to this part of the country. The Bay Area and beyond is also an eclectic hub of ethnic cultures. This means you can grab dishes like Thai or Korean food for lunch and then enjoy Ethiopian cuisine for dinner. In addition, we also have a few staples that are some of the freshest and most delicious Northern California food you’ll ever have. Sound yummy? Read on to learn more about some of the top NorCal foods to try when you’re in this part of the state.

1. Artichokes
flickr/robin summerhill
Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean. Italy, France, and Spain are the largest producers. In the US, Northern California produces close to 100% of all of our artichokes making them a popular Bay Area food too.
2. Ghirardelli Chocolate
flickr/amelia gapin
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest chocolate company in the United States, after Baker's Chocolate and Whitman's. So, if you have a sweet tooth, stop by Ghiradelli's to taste why this Northern California food is one of the sweetest.
3. Garlic
flickr/allan chatto
Let's talk garlic, shall we? If you enjoy this delicious bulb of the gods then you know it calls Gilroy, California home. For three days in July people come from all over to eat everything from garlic ice cream to garlic scampi. You can smell why this NorCal food is so popular when you go to this annual festival.
4. Garlic Fries
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
While we're on the topic of garlic, we must throw out a Northern California favorite: GARLIC FRIES. But, not just any garlic fries. Garlic fries at the Giants stadium. This is legendary Bay Area food!

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5. Sourdough Bread
flickr/calgary reviews
A favorite of gold miners, and thought to have been brought over with Columbus, there's nothing like it. Northern California is the ONLY place to find this incredibly good Bay Area food.
6. Crab
flickr/derek bruff
The Northern California coast is a beast when it comes to its delicious seafood. Crab is easy to find and one of the top foods known in this part of the state.
7. Wine
flickr/jim g.
While technically not a food, wine made this list because it's a big part of the NorCal food scene. World-Class wineries can be found in Napa and even El Dorado County. France, we're not all that impressed with you anymore.
8. Walnuts
flickr/santi
Spanish missionaries first introduced the English walnut (Juglans regia) to California in the 1700s and commercial walnut production began in the mid to late 1800s. Almost all walnut trees are grown for their nuts in the United States, this Northern California food is produced from Los Molinos to Stockton and even farther south. Therefore, when answering what food is Northern California known for, it makes sense that walnuts cracked this list.
9. Avocado
flickr/elsa
It takes 5 to 7 years for an avocado tree to mature and bear fruit. Yes, fruit. This is not a veggie--but we don't care. Regardless, locals love this NorCal food.

Now that you know a bit about what food is Northern California known for. do you agree with the items that made this list? Feel free to share what comes to mind when you think of food in NorCal in the following comments section too.

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More to Explore

What Food Is Northern California Known For

Marla S. | September 23, 2022

What are the most popular foods in NorCal?

Along with the list of NorCal foods mentioned above, one of the best ways to try some of the most popular food in this part of the state is to attend one of the many Northern California Food Festivals. This way you can indulge in garlic at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, taste fresh berries at the Berryfest in Roseville, and enjoy some olives at the annual Sonoma Olive Festival.

What are the best-hidden gem restaurants in NorCal? 

Aside from learning what food is Northern California known for, wouldn't it be great to know where to eat some meals specific to this part of the state?  If you're craving seafood, there are plenty of seafood restaurants along the NorCal coast for you to try. Fandee's is another special spot worth stopping by for a bite when you're in Sebastopol and craving comfort food. Of course, make sure to add Yaks Shack in Mt. Shasta to your list when you're in the mood for a burger.

What are the best things about living in NorCal?

As you know, Northern California food is some of the freshest you'll find in the world. Along with tons of organic and healthy food, some of the best things about living in NorCal include having the option to live in a quiet small town and having access to the mountains, the water, and nature. Of course, access to culture and numerous restaurants with Northern California food is another perk to living in this part of the state too.

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