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    Pilothouse Restaurant

    3.2 (398 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Pilothouse Restaurant Photos

    PILOTHOUSE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Pilothouse Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lava Cake
    Kyra K.

    Talk about dinner with a view! For Mother's Day, my Pop took my Mom and me out for dinner and an overnight stay. Our experience here was memorable. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Delta King, a docked paddle-wheel boat. Being on the Sacramento River, the view is lovely. A beautiful waterfront view in a charming historical boat. The restaurant is a decent size with tables and booths for various party sizes. The decor is vintage and nautical with a casual vibe. We found the service to be friendly, warm, and efficient. My family and I shared appetizers and ordered our dishes. We had the Bartlet Pear Salad and Pan Seared Crab Crakes. The salad was fine, nothing special. I love crab cakes but was slightly disappointed as these didn't hold their shape. It was a bit soft and mushy. For my entrée, I had the Pan Seared Petrale Sole. The fish was quite thin and overcooked, swimming in butter. I also was misled as it stated seasonal vegetables but was only given carrots. I had bites of my family's dishes which I enjoyed more! We ended the night with Lava Cake, which wasn't very runny inside. If you live in Sacramento or want a view, I do recommend at least checking out the Delta King, a historic boat. It's located in Old Town with street parking around. In my opinion, this is a restaurant where the view is better than the food. I'm lucky to have been treated somewhere new and to celebrate Mother's Day here!

    Fish & Chips
    Taylor M.

    I went here for lunch on a hot day in the summer. Due to this, there was only indoor seating. There's no AC so they have a giant fan in the corner. It's a small restaurant with only about 8 tables around the bar. The menu is small too. I went on a weekday and there was only one server for the 8 tables plus people at the bar. He was really nice and informative of the menu. The food didn't take too long to come out. I got the fish and chips which were good. There wasn't much else on their lunch menu I wanted to try upon a second visit. Their breakfast menu looks really good so I'll have to return during breakfast hours.

    Calimari
    Alicia G.

    One of the most unique restaurants in Sac! Located on the Delta King paddle boat, docked in Old Sac. Dine with a view of the water in the formal dining room or in the bar (that often has live music). The food seems to have been updated in recent years and the service is (usually) good. We were dining during an exceptionally busy night recently and the service did lag a bit, but we forgave it due to the busy nature of the night! They offer a variety of seafood, pasta and steak entrees, classically prepared and presented. And their desserts are excellent. Enjoy a special meal, with beautiful river views, aboard this historic Sac Town River boat!

    Carly C.

    The waiting staff was very friendly once they finally attended to us. I was waiting at the hostess stand for a while before someone even addressed me despite the several people who walked past me and helped people right before me. The cocktails were great! The menu was not accurate and they brought out something that I was not expecting. The food was also not great. We got the fried calamari which came out burnt-ish. They were very nice about taking it back for a new one but they brought out a very similar product that wasn't great. We also got the flatbread and that was just okay, only enough to share with 2 people. The Cajun pasta was pretty good. The crabcakes were just okay as well. Not very flavorful. I would not be able to recommend this place because of the expensive prices and the food not being very good. The ambiance is romantic and intimate, it's not very loud.

    Excellent food.
    Thomas B.

    James was awesome as our server. We recognized James from our last trip here when we had breakfast in the dining room. He is the go to guy for information personality and he treats everyone of his customers like they are special. You put that in combination with a great menu and incredible views, and you have the perfect place to eat. The menu is extensive and I found exactly what I wanted . Pork marinated in apple cider was off the hook incredibly good. I tried some of the other entrées and starters, and everything was totally totally tasteful.

    View

    If you are looking for a spot next to the river- this is it. If you are looking for great food this is not it. Great views of the river. Service is pleasant. The food is what brings the review down. We had the Calamari with a mystery dip- what was it? Pesto? Mayo? (Black garlic charred scallion- per the menu). The calamari itself was ok. Crispy but fishy. We also had the shrimp louie. The lettuce was crisp. The dressing was a version of thousand island. The bay shrimp was seasoned with ? I think the fish and chips and fries is the way to go here. We should have listened to our server.

    Front
    Samantha S.

    It was just okay! Wanted to take my tia to a place we can take pictures. The food was just okay nothing over fancy. We were outside it was just okay as well.

    Steph S.

    I went for Dine Downtown and was not disappointed. The 3 course menu and its choices were fantastic. The bacon wrapped prawns were excellent and the short rib ravioli was delicious, decadent. And very flavorful. Even the wine pairings and the spicy martini were great! I sat upstairs and was served by the bartender who was delightful. She was attentive and had great conversation. The ambiance was upscale and posh but very welcoming

    Suzanne L.

    We expected it to be busy on Christmas and didn't mind the extra long wait. It gave us time to enjoy the view . The view of the bridge was beautiful. Our server forgot the appetizers, and brought us the wrong check, then gave us back the wrong credit card. She was sweet but overstressed. The Mahi mahi was overcooked . Very dry, The pasta dish was amazing! First !time my daughter finished all of her dinner in awhile. The wine was good . There was a 22% "christmas surchage" added to the bill we did not know in advance.

    Grilled Rib Eye Steak
    Jennifer C.

    My husband and I ate here for our anniversary dinner last night and I was very impressed!!! It has a calm and romantic atmosphere. Our server Sladjana was THE SWEETEST server we've ever had. She showed us some of the photos on the wall and told us a bit about the Delta Kings history. She was personable, friendly and just very pleasant overall. I had ordered a grilled ribeye and it was cooked perfectly. Melt in your mouth juicy type of steak. Pairs well with mashed potatoes and the broccolini. The shrimp cocktail was just ok, had a little dryness to it but still enjoyable. We will definitely come back!

    Menu at the Pilot house restaurant
    Kay V.

    Beautiful ambiance killer Delta breeze drinks, excellent service and on the river in old town Sacramento- I love this place!

    Lots of bread!
    Brian C.

    We came here for an afternoon cocktail and decided to have lunch. Cocktails were very good I had a hurricane and my wife had a French 75. For lunch, my wife had the chicken sandwich. While a lot of potential, the bread ratio was off the charts. My wife tried to cut out the bread to try and achieve the right ratio. See image. I ordered the Fried Calamari sandwich. Two calamari patties which were clearly frozen and then cooked. Would not order again. Both our fries came mildly warm. Service was good and it was a beautiful day. It is a great venue on a day like this in Sacramento.

    Creme Brule of the Day
    Susan B.

    Had a really nice, very early dinner here last night! Jamie was our server and he was wonderful! Helpful (but not too much), knowledgeable, kind, and not pushy! We started with the crab cake - delicious! No Old Bay seasoning and more meat than bread crumbs. Our cocktails were tasty as well! I had the Queens Linen and my husband had an Old-Fashioned with the recommended whiskey. For dinner we both had the New York Strip steaks, medium rare. They were cooked well and very tender. The mashed potatoes were yummy and not too salty. The broccoli may have been a bit over cooked for my preference, but still okay. We sat downstairs by a window in the river side. The view was gorgeous! Sine it was an early dinner, in mid-November we got to watch the sunset. Crème Brûlée for dessert - great flavor but a little loose and heavy on the sugar perhaps. The hostess was also really nice when we arrived. We will definitely go back! I apologize for the less than attractive photos, I kept digging in before I snapped!!

    Caesar Salad w/chicken, Salmon and risotto, buffalo chicken sliders

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    2 years ago

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    Mike C.

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    2 years ago

    Lovely dining room. It was quiet, the tables spaced out and the food was amazing. Service was very fast but drinks took awhile.

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Cora was the best waitress very helpful and prompt, food was great and so was the service thank you cora

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    A lots of empty tables but we can't be seated because they only have THREE waiters in the restaurant in a Saturday lunch period.

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    2 years ago

    Wonderful service, ambiance, and really good food/value/quantity. Thank you Sparkles (aka Jana).

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    Page 2 of 10

    Ask the Community - Pilothouse Restaurant

    Is this restaurant fancy or casual?

    It's both! :) We came here for a birthday dinner and opted for being well dressed. But the atmosphere isn't so stuffy that you couldn't come in a pair of cargo shorts to have a beer and steak with buddies, or jeans and a tank top while enjoying the… Read more

    I saw on another website that there is a corkage fee of 15$. Is that right? Do you know if there is a limit to the # of bottles a party can bring?

    Good Morning Amy! Yes, that is correct. We have no specific limit, but we ask that our patrons drink responsibly. Hope to see you soon!

    How much does brunch cost? Is it a buffet? Thanks!

    No it's not a Buffet... they serve breakfast and lunch : dinner Sunday through Thursday. Average is 12-14$ per plate.

    Is the banquet room private? would it accommodate 20 guests? dedicated waiter?

    Unfortunately. I do not know the answer to this question as I was in the main dining room.

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    Magpie Cafe

    4.3
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    1.3 mi
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    Locally owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    I have friends in the Sacramento area that have always touted the concept of "farm to fork" in that…read morethe region's farms are the direct source for so many restaurants. We decided for our last night all together we would pick a highly rated one for a special meal. Magpie Cafe right in downtown fit the bill and we were thoroughly impressed by everything. We ordered just about every special plus many other dishes, some multiple, from appetizers through to desserts. It's in a beautiful area of the city, open to the street and green park. We opted to sit outside as it was a lovely evening. The beer menu had some regional favorites, all small and well chosen. For food we went all out, and I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Everything was so colorful and presented beautifully. Highlights were the pickles, fried asparagus, anchovies, and croquettes. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about our dishes, she added to the experience. If you're in the area, this restaurant is worth a stop. They even have a cafe in the airport!

    For my last supper in Sacramento, Sam and I went to Magpie. It's always on OPEN TABLE. We sat…read moreoutside, and the weather was perfect. We both had the strawberry lemon basil fizz. The drink contained gin, strawberry syrup, and fresh lemon basil. It was light and refreshing and the perfect spring summer drink. Then we had the baby eggplant which was marinated in a soy glaze. It also had some sort of peanut sauce base. This was a delightful bite. Both of us were very impressed. The presentation was gorgeous. Clearly still on my eggplant craze. One of the reasons we went to Magpie was for the trout dip. In a shocking turn of events, they didn't have it. I think it was an old menu. Maybe their winter menu. This was a bummer. Instead, they had a salmon dip. We got that, and I wish it was more flavorful/smokey. Normally, I'm not a smokey seasoning person, but I think it goes nicely with fish. The chips though were really good. I love a kettle chip. I thought they would be thicker, since the dip was thicker. I'm glad they served the dip with the spoon. We also had the stone fruit salad. I was shocked it didn't come with a cheese, but after I tasted it, the creamy yogurt successfully filled that void. Once again, the plating was gorgeous. I think the peaches were good, but I can tell that later in the summer, these peaches will be even more delectable. I think the pistachios were an excellent choice to this salad. For my main course, I had the painted hills flat iron steak with a Chimichurri sauce and crispy smashed potatoes. The steak was well cooked, and with the seasoning of the chimichurri, it was a delightful bite. Sam had the gnocchi with pesto and fresh tomatoes. The gnocchi was fluffy. Both she and I thought that the pesto was good, but we both wish that we wish there was more of it. I love pesto though, so I am always going to think that. It came in dollops, rather than mixed in, so I think that was part of the problem. We also had to get dessert. I had the ice cream sandwiches. They were made with lemon thyme shortbread cookies with vanilla Guenther's Ice Cream. I wish it was a stronger vanilla taste or a flavored ice cream. The cookies were too good though. Sam had the lavender panna cotta. Normally I am not a huge panna cotta fan, but this one was delicious. It had such a strong lavender taste, in a good way. It kind of tasted like I was eating lotion because of the thickness of the panna cotta with the lavender flavor.

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    Magpie Cafe
    Plates at bar
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    Iron Horse Tavern

    Iron Horse Tavern

    3.9
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    amazing. brought my bitch husband here to divorce him, server was very kind. food and ambiance were…read moreall splendid.

    I've eaten at Iron Horse Tavern several times over the years, but this review is dedicated to one…read moreof the most underrated items on their menu... the beignets! As someone who grew up enjoying Southern comfort food, I can honestly say these are some of the best beignets you'll find in the Sacramento area. They're huge, light, fluffy, served warm, and covered in the perfect amount of powdered sugar. They're always fresh, and every bite reminds me why I keep coming back. My daughter absolutely loves them too! She goes back and forth between these and Huckleberry's, but for me, Iron Horse Tavern takes the win. This time we ordered through DoorDash, along with a side of chicken, a bag of fries, and--if you know, you know--TWO sides of their amazing Sriracha cream cheese. Trust me... one isn't enough! Food: Outstanding. The beignets were the highlight, but everything was fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned. It's nice finding a restaurant that consistently delivers quality whether you're dining in or ordering takeout. Service: Everything arrived perfectly packaged, neatly organized, and exactly as ordered. Nothing was forgotten, nothing spilled, and I even loved the thoughtful touch of the bag being labeled with my name. Little details like that make a difference. Ambiance: I've dined inside several times, and Iron Horse Tavern has one of my favorite atmospheres in Sacramento. Located in the historic R Street District, the restaurant blends modern industrial style with warm, inviting décor that pays tribute to the area's railroad history. Whether you're stopping in for brunch, dinner, or cocktails, it's a place that's lively without feeling overwhelming. If you've never tried the beignets here, you're missing out. Sacramento doesn't have many places serving authentic-style beignets, and Iron Horse Tavern has definitely earned a spot at the top of my list. I'll absolutely be back... probably sooner than I should!

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    Opening at 11:00 AM very friendly staff! Looks promising!!
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    Awww potato fries
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    Ella Dining Room and Bar

    Ella Dining Room and Bar

    4.1
    (2.3k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$
    Available by appointment
    Romantic vibe

    Ella is a special fine dining experience, perfect for a birthday or anniversary. The vibe is, "We…read morefold your napkin before desert and when you go to the restroom", so dress accordingly and plan to pay accordingly as well. Our waitress was fantastic and gave a great tour of the menu as well as the dishes we ended up ordering. The food here is fantastic. So too are the drinks. Drink wise, I went for a tequila/mezcal based cocktail and it did not disappoint. The balance was impeccable. Later on in the meal, I had a nice glass of red wine which complimented the steak well. The food was the star of the show. Bone Marrow is one of those dishes you don't expect to be quite so rich, but it is amazing and worth the visit for. The fish was cooked perfectly and the mushrooms on the steak were delightful and earthy, as well as the steak being a tender, juicy medium rare. I will say the lobster paella was a little disappointing, I expected a little bit more from a nearly $100 dish. Not that it wasn't delicious, but it did not stand out nearly as much as the other dishes ordered. The tartar was a solid app, the oysters were delectable, the bread was toasty and hot with a generous side portion of creamy butter. By my book, service, ambiance, and FLAVOR, Ella is worth the visit.

    We had a fantastic time at Ella. Everything from the service to the food was outstanding. Standouts…read morewould be the truffle brioche for sure and the king salmon. The ambiance is modern but lowkey with a nostalgic overtone. The wine fridge is large and impressive. I actually saw a waiter climb a ladder to reach a bottle. The dress code is business casual, but people tend to look nice. And it's one of those places where they fold your napkin when you go to the bathroom. Overall such a stunning meal and I can't wait to return!

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    Enjoy Sangria and Paella all July at Ella
    Enjoy Sangria and Paella all July at Ella
    Ella offers numerous versatile spaces for your party or event. Let our catering specialists and staff help plan the perfect event for you.
    Ella offers numerous versatile spaces for your party or event. Let our catering specialists and staff help plan the perfect event for you.
    Lobster Paella, available all July at Ella

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    Lobster Paella, available all July at Ella
    Citizen Capitol Craft House

    Citizen Capitol Craft House

    4.4
    (96 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I have to say the food was good. The smash burger was a hit. The ribeye was a little lacking in…read moreflavor and thickness - lol. But the veggies were good. Their devil eggs were ok. The service was decent. They did forget to tell us about happy hour until we had ordered - but no worries. The space is well organized. Lots of dark woods and comfortable leather. There is a nice big bar in the middle of the space. Large selection of libations. My cocktail was very tasty - a rye and brandy mix.

    Friday at 5pm and barely a crowd - surprising, because this place absolutely looks the part. Warm,…read moreopen, cool gastro pub energy, and an impressive bourbon selection with fun flight options. If you're vegetarian, temper your expectations. I wanted to love this place but the plant-based options were limited to bar snacks: cauliflower bites, fries, hummus, a single salad, and mac and cheese. What's frustrating isn't just the selection, but the missed potential. Not one veggie sandwich option. The stuffed peppers could easily have a meatless version; the Brussels sprouts didn't need bacon; the farmers market salad could offer prosciutto as an add-on rather than a default. Small tweaks, big difference. A little more intentionality here would go a long way. On the bright side, the bourbon flights are a real highlight, and the space itself is a win - open, airy, and flooded with natural light, making it perfect for happy hour. The gastro pub vibe is genuinely cool, and you can tell this place has a lot of potential. Meat eaters and whiskey fans will love it here. Vegetarians, though, will find themselves grazing on sides and calling it a meal. If you're plant-based, my advice: grab dinner somewhere else first, then come here for the cocktails - because those, at least, won't disappoint.

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    Citizen Capitol Craft House
    Espresso martini
    Espresso martini
    Espresso martini, house margarita

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    Pilothouse Restaurant - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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