01
Best overall pick
La Fornaretta
Downtown Newcastle • Sicilian Italian Restaurant • Destination For Date Night
A warmly lit Sicilian spot in the heart of Newcastle that treats pizza and pasta with the care of a special-occasion meal.
La Fornaretta is the place locals recommend when you ask where to go for a lingering dinner and a good glass of wine. Handmade pastas, thin-crust pizzas, and classic Sicilian dishes are served in a cozy brick-walled dining room and on a small patio that feels tucked away from the highway. Portions are generous without feeling heavy, so you can easily share a salad, a couple of mains, and still split dessert.
02
Best casual hangout
Newcastle Pizzeria
Historic Newcastle • Casual Pizza And Beer Spot • Go-To For Relaxed Dinners
A friendly neighborhood pizzeria where crispy pies, cold beer, and small-town chatter all share the same table.
Newcastle Pizzeria leans into the comfortable side of foothill dining: well-made pies, a rotating list of beers, and a staff that remembers regulars by name. The menu runs from classic pepperoni to more loaded specialty combinations, plus salads and a few Italian-American standards for non-pizza eaters. It is the kind of place where families, cyclists coming off the backroads, and after-work groups all end up at neighboring tables.
03
Best quick bite
Newcastle Cheese Shop
Main Street Newcastle • Gourmet Deli And Cheese Shop • Top Pick For Sandwiches And Picnic Supplies
A compact deli and cheese counter turning out seriously good sandwiches and provisions for wine country picnics.
Part bottle shop, part specialty grocer, Newcastle Cheese Shop is where you run in for a sandwich and emerge with picnic supplies for the afternoon. They build hefty sandwiches on fresh bread with quality meats, cheeses, and plenty of add-ons, plus they stock interesting cheeses, charcuterie, and snacks. It is especially handy if you are touring nearby wineries or spending the day exploring the orchards and backroads around town.
04
Best brunch in the countryside
Flower Farm Café
Rural Loomis, South Of Newcastle • Farm-To-Table Café • Daytime Retreat
A laid-back café on a working farm where breakfast and lunch come with orchard views and lingering patio time.
Set on a historic farm property just a short drive from Newcastle, Flower Farm Café feels like a country getaway without the long trek. The menu leans on seasonal produce, with hearty scrambles, sandwiches, and salads that taste freshest when enjoyed on the shaded patio. Between the farmhouse setting, neighboring vineyards, and resident chickens wandering nearby, it is a popular stop for weekend brunch and slow-paced weekday lunches alike.
05
Hearty breakfast favorite
Awful Annie's
Old Town Auburn, East Of Newcastle • Classic American Breakfast And Lunch Café • Best For Big Breakfasts
A bustling Auburn standby known for oversized breakfasts, from eggs Benedict to indulgent French toast.
Awful Annie's has long been a brunch beacon for foothill towns, and Newcastle locals do not mind the short drive to Auburn for a plate of something substantial. The menu is stacked with benedicts, scrambles, and house specialties, plus lighter options if you are not in the mood for a full feast. Expect a friendly, slightly old-school café vibe and a wait on busy weekend mornings, which locals accept as part of the ritual.