01
Best all-around crowd-pleaser
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Vacaville
Nut Tree Shopping Area In Vacaville • Lively American Brewhouse • Best For Big Groups
A bustling brewhouse with a huge comfort-food menu, house beers, and plenty of space just off I-80.
BJ's in Vacaville is the go-to when your crew can't agree on what to eat, thanks to burgers, deep-dish pizzas, pastas, and big salads. The large dining room and bar handle groups easily, and it's close enough to Elmira for a spontaneous weeknight dinner. Expect a noisy, energetic atmosphere on weekends, especially during big games.
02
Best classic Italian
Pietro's No. 2 Ristorante, Bar & Lounge
East Monte Vista Corridor In Vacaville • Classic Italian Family Restaurant • Neighborhood Classic
Old-school Italian comfort food, hearty portions, and a friendly bar make Pietro's a longtime favorite nearby.
If you want red-sauce Italian the way locals remember it, Pietro's No. 2 delivers with big plates of pasta, pizzas, and veal and chicken specialties. The wood-paneled bar and roomy booths feel like a time capsule in the best way. It’s an easy jump from Elmira when you’re craving a relaxed, family-style sit-down meal.
03
Best date-night pick
Fuso Italian Restaurant
Downtown Vacaville • Upscale Italian Bistro • Best For Date Night
A polished downtown spot with Italian pastas, steaks, and a good wine list overlooking Vacaville’s town square.
Fuso feels a notch more refined than most nearby options, with white tablecloths, a full bar, and a menu that stretches from wood-fired pizzas to scallop risotto and steaks. It’s a comfortable choice for a birthday, anniversary, or when you simply want to linger over a glass of wine. Being right on the square, it also works well if you want to stroll downtown before or after dinner.
04
Best Mexican spot nearby
Los Reyes Restaurante & Cantina
North Vacaville Near Allison Drive • Bustling Mexican Restaurant And Cantina • Best For Margaritas And Celebrations
Lively, colorful, and generous with both combo plates and margaritas, this is where nearby locals go for a festive Mexican meal.
Los Reyes packs in families and groups with chips and salsa that land on the table fast and combo plates that can easily cover lunch the next day. The menu hits all the expected notes—fajitas, enchiladas, burritos—alongside a long list of margaritas and tequila drinks. It’s a fun, upbeat choice when you want something casual but still celebratory after the quick drive from Elmira.
05
Worth-the-drive tavern
Bud's Pub & Grill
Historic Downtown Dixon • Casual Small-Town Grill And Bar • Best Small-Town Hangout
A welcoming Dixon mainstay serving hearty grill fare, cold beer, and classic breakfasts in a vintage brick-building setting.
Bud's feels like the kind of place where everyone eventually becomes a regular, with friendly servers, a long bar, and plenty of TVs tuned to the game. The menu runs from burgers and steaks to chicken-fried steak and big breakfasts, so it works at almost any time of day. If you’re coming from Elmira, it makes a laid-back alternative to the busier freeway spots in Vacaville.