A local classic for family gatherings and celebrations, this is a place to abandon dietary restrictions and live large like it’s 1985. In the lavish setting, brick walls and chandeliers abound and diners can feast on escargot and cheese fondue, blue Champagne steak, and chicken piccata (and don’t skip the over-the-top desserts). The cocktails here deliver — the OG Martini is a no-brainer — and the wine list is quite possibly the most comprehensive in town.

A popular lunch and coffee spot for locals, the health-oriented Heartwood Eatery is perfect for people-watching while plotting your next art-residency-meets-retreat in Nevada City. The menu has all the Bay Area classics covered, from loaded avocado toasts to veggie bowls and lavender lattes. At the Annex — a relatively recent addition to the business — things get a little more hearty, with a selection of pork or chicken ramen and pho, based on house-made bone broth, plus vegetarian options.

The renovated National Exchange hotel, the younger sister property to the neighboring Holbrooke, is filled with design eye candy and hosts the city’s newest fine dining restaurant. Lola has a French-Californian vibe — think cheesy onion soup and steak tartare served with a baguette — and a classy atmosphere accented by tufted velvet booths and intimate lighting. For brunch, a croque-madame or a quiche, paired with the day’s newspaper, will deliver proper vacation vibes.

Jason Jilson, who previously was the chef at San Francisco fine dining catering company Melons, opened this meat-curing business in 2018. Jilson’s passion is European-style salumi, and his specialties include coppa, salami, and pastrami, with a focus on local heritage meats. Located a few blocks away from Nevada City’s main street, the Stand is a great place to grab a sandwich. Options include a juicy Reuben and the ham standard, a cornucopia of cold cuts with olive salsa.

Located at the freshly renovated, incredibly chic Holbrooke Hotel, the Golden Gate Saloon is a welcome addition to Grass Valley’s dining scene. On the menu, chef Zachary Ahrenholtz pays homage to California’s Mexican heritage with dishes like vegetarian lion’s mane barbacoa and vibrant tuna tostadas for dinner, plus chilaquiles and huevos rancheros for breakfast. The generous and succulent short rib birria is best consumed while sitting at the vintage bar, mezcal negroni in hand. And if drinks are your main focus, seek out the Iron Door — a speakeasy in the hotel’s basement.

During the Gold Rush, Grass Valley was home to many migrants from Cornwall, England and the Pasty Co. keeps that bit of history alive with a selection of authentic, flaky, Cornish pasties — savory, half-moon shaped hand pies made fresh daily. Options are limited, but there are pasties with skirt steak and veggies, pot roast, pulled pork, chicken, and ham and cheese to choose from, including an obligatory vegetarian pasty in the mix.

Operated by Israelis Alon and Tal Greenstein, who previously ran a popular food tent in the area, Meze is an excellent destination for all things Mediterranean. Alongside shareable falafel and dip spreads or hummus bowls, the cafe serves on-point delights like the sabich sandwich — a delicious mash-up of eggplant, pickled and hard-boiled eggs, stuffed into a fluffy pita. The vegan malabi, a Mediterranean rose-infused take on panna cotta, is not to be missed.

In 2011, the Owl, a beloved bar and grill located at one of Grass Valley’s oldest buildings, shut down abruptly, with a hint of scandal. Three local partners came to the rescue and took over, keeping the interiors true to the building’s original charm, but reimagining the space with a kitchen revamp and a relaxed, welcoming vibe. On the menu, find oysters, shrimp cakes, and blistered scallops, among other offerings, all artfully plated and made from local ingredients.