01
Best overall pick
Union
Downtown Oroville • Modern American Restaurant • Local Favorite
Creative New American cooking in a brick-walled downtown space that feels special but still relaxed.
Union is the spot Oroville locals mention when someone asks where to go for a nice dinner that isn’t stuffy. The menu leans into seasonal ingredients with polished takes on burgers, pastas, and mains, plus a bar program that treats cocktails and local beer with equal care. It is an easy choice for a night out when you want to make the drive from Cherokee worth it.
02
Classic local institution
Tong Fong Low
Historic Downtown Oroville • Old-School Chinese-American Cafe • Best For Groups
A long-running Chinese spot known for big portions, shareable platters, and a friendly, no-frills dining room.
Tong Fong Low has been serving Oroville for generations, and it still feels like the default choice for casual family dinners and big group outings. The menu runs the full Chinese-American spectrum, from chow mein and fried rice to chop suey and house specialties, with combo plates that make ordering simple. It is ideal when you want a comfortable, familiar meal after a day exploring the foothills around Cherokee.
03
Best comfort-food stop
Gold City Grill
Central Oroville • Classic Diner And Grill • Best For Hearty Comfort Food
Laid-back grill turning out big breakfasts, burgers, and homestyle plates that hit the spot after a long day.
Gold City Grill leans into Oroville’s small-town feel with generous portions and the kind of menu you can navigate half-awake. Locals come for hearty breakfasts, straight-ahead burgers, and classic diner staples that are better than they need to be. If you are based in Cherokee and need a reliable, unfussy meal before or after time on the lake or trails, this is a dependable choice.
04
Destination brewery restaurant
Sierra Nevada Taproom & Restaurant
South Chico Brewery District • Craft Brewery Restaurant • Best For Beer Lovers
A flagship craft brewery taproom with a full kitchen, beer garden feel, and dishes built to pair with what’s on tap.
If you are willing to make the slightly longer drive from Cherokee to Chico, Sierra Nevada’s taproom is a genuine destination. The space is expansive and lively, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a menu that ranges from wood-fired pizzas and burgers to seasonal specials built around local produce. It is the place to go when you want great beer, a tour-worthy setting, and food that feels a notch above typical pub fare.
05
Top special-occasion choice
5th Street Steakhouse
Downtown Chico • Upscale Steakhouse • Best For Date Night
Refined yet approachable steakhouse with well-treated steaks, a solid wine list, and attentive service.
5th Street Steakhouse is where Chico celebrates anniversaries, graduations, and the kind of nights that call for a properly cooked steak. The dining room balances white-tablecloth polish with a relaxed, college-town edge, and the menu backs it up with quality cuts, seafood, and classic sides that feel carefully handled rather than fussy. For Cherokee locals looking to turn a simple dinner into an occasion, this is worth the drive.