01
Best hometown stop
Richvale Café
In Richvale On Midway • Country Café For Hearty American Classics • Local Landmark
The one true sit-down spot in Richvale for a no-fuss breakfast or lunch that feels straight out of a small-town postcard.
Richvale Café is where farmers, families, and road-trippers all end up sooner or later, drawn by strong coffee, generous plates, and friendly staff who know most customers by name. Expect simple, satisfying breakfasts, burgers, and daily specials rather than fussy flourishes. Come for the homey feel and the sense that you’ve tapped into the real daily rhythm of the town.
02
Best destination brewery meal
Sierra Nevada Taproom & Restaurant
South Chico Near The Mall • Craft Brewery Taproom And Farm-To-Table Restaurant • Destination Brewery
A must-visit for beer lovers, pairing a nationally known brewery with surprisingly polished, locally minded pub food.
About 20 minutes from Richvale, Sierra Nevada’s Chico brewery offers a taproom and restaurant that’s worth planning an evening around. The menu leans on elevated pub fare—think wood-fired pizzas, shareable plates, and seasonal specials—designed to pair with whatever limited-release beer is pouring. The shaded patio, brewery tours, and lively atmosphere make it an easy choice when you want to make dinner feel like an outing.
03
Best downtown Chico pick
Broadway Heights
Downtown Chico • Casual Bistro And Pizza Bar • Downtown Date-Night Pick
An upstairs downtown spot with good energy, creative pizzas, and bistro plates that work as well for date night as for a relaxed group dinner.
Perched above the street in downtown Chico, Broadway Heights blends a laid-back bar feel with a menu that runs from inventive pizzas to pastas and hearty salads. Large windows and a long bar give it an urban buzz without losing the friendliness you expect from a college town. It’s an easy go-to when you’re meeting friends halfway between Richvale and the rest of the region and want reliable food with a bit of atmosphere.
04
Best for hearty brunch
Nash's Restaurant
North Chico On The Esplanade • Classic American Breakfast And Lunch Spot • Brunch Favorite
A Chico mainstay for big country breakfasts, comfortable booths, and the kind of service that keeps regulars coming back for decades.
Nash’s leans into comfort: towering omelets, biscuits and gravy, and old-school breakfast plates that hit the spot after an early morning in the fields or on the road. The room feels like a classic roadside diner upgraded just enough to be your standing weekend brunch choice. If you time it right, it’s an easy stop on a trip up to Chico for errands or shopping, especially when everyone’s craving something familiar and filling.
05
Best old-school classic
Tong Fong Low
Historic Downtown Oroville • Old-School Chinese-American Restaurant • Great For Groups And Leftovers
A long-running Oroville favorite where big portions, shareable plates, and a retro dining room make for a relaxed, family-style meal.
Head east to Oroville and you’ll find Tong Fong Low tucked into the historic downtown grid, serving the kind of Chinese-American comfort dishes generations have grown up on. The menu is sprawling—chow mein, fried rice, sizzling platters—so it’s easy to order a tableful and let everyone sample. It’s especially handy when you’ve got a mixed crowd and want an easy, affordable dinner that travels well for leftovers back to Richvale.