Ready to find out the 16 best restaurants in Lodi, CA? Lodi is both referenced in the title of a Creedence Clearwater Revival song and a nationally awarded wine region.
Known for its zinfandels, in 2015 Wine Enthusiast Magazine gave Lodi the “2015 Wine Region of the Year” award. This is going to be reflected in this list of the Best Restaurants in Lodi, but it won’t be all you see. Lodi has a lot to offer.
Get ready to try Oxford Kitchen’s Shepherd’s Pie and British-style Tikka Masala, then open up for Los Charros Birrireria’s Plato de Birria, Chiles Rellenos and Camarones Rancheros.
Not to skip over the rest, you’ll have to visit Lodi Papapavlos the Papapavlos pasta, the fresh Mahi Mahi, and the moussaka, but that’s still not all you’ll find to eat in Lodi. Read on to hear about excellent sushi, wood-fired pizza, and California BBQ!
1. THE OXFORD KITCHEN
$$ | 209-263-7234 | WEBSITE
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The Oxford Kitchen was the recipient of OpenTable’s 2022 Diner’s Choice Award. They bring London, UK flavors to Lodi, even serving their fish and chips on copies of the London Times paper.
As London is such a multicultural hub, Oxford Kitchen reflects the city’s melting pot character in its selection of cuisines: Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, and of course, traditional English! Try the Shepard’s Pie or the Great Britain Tikka Masala. Oxford Kitchen also hosts private events.
2. LOS CHARROS BIRRIRERIA
$$ | 209-625-8462 | WEBSITE
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Los Charros Birrieria has a kid-friendly atmosphere and a healthy menu. They also have outdoor seating. Try the Plato De Birria, the Chiles Rellenos, or the Camarones Rancheros. Also on the menu are plenty of soups, salads, burritos, tacos, and grilled food.
3. BRICK HOUSE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
$$$ | 209-426-5871 | WEBSITE
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Besides being an Italian-American dining experience, Brick House has professional event planners and caterers that work within your budget for your next party. The menu has such dishes as three cheese ravioli, mushroom & pancetta risotto, and well-reviewed chicken piccata.
4. PIETRO’S TRATTORIA
$$ | 209-368-0613 | WEBSITE
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Located out in Lodi’s wine country, the original Pietro’s Trattoria was founded in 1956 by Pietro Murdaca, an immigrant from Southern Italy. The restaurant highly values customer service, quality food, and respect for its employees!
Pietro’s also offers catering, as well as special ticketed events like “Red Sauce Sunday,” meant to be similar to the experience of dining in an old-style New York Italian restaurant back in the day.
5. EL PAZCIFICO MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA
$$ | 209-224-8126 | WEBSITE
According to their official website, El Pazcifico was voted the ‘Best New Restaurant’ by San Joaquin. El Paczifico focuses on authentic Mexican cuisine, quality margaritas and excellent customer service. Try the tamales Oaxaquenos, the pescado ala diabla, or the El Pazcifico burrito.
6. THE DANCING FOX WINERY & BREWERY
$$$ | 209-366-2634 | WEBSITE
This sentence could be removed as it doesn’t provide relevant information about the restaurant in the context of this text. Dancing Fox opened in 2009 and is entirely family owned and operated. It hosts events tied to its wine club. Try the vegan fettucine, the teriyaki salmon, or seafood linguine kicked back with a glass of wine or beer.
7. LODI BEER CO
$$ | 209-368-9931 | WEBSITE
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Right in downtown Lodi, Lodi Beer Co. was established in 2004. It prides itself on its neighborhood feel and old-fashioned tavern interior.
They serve pizzas, salads, steaks & ribs, and burgers. Many of its lagers and ales are award-winning. They also have professionals to help you plan and host your events at Lodi Beer Co.
8. THE FARM CAFE AT MICHAEL DAVID WINERY
$$ | 209-368-7384 | WEBSITE
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Michael and David Phillips are 5th generation grape farmers: the Phillips family has been working the area farm since the 1860s, and started growing grapes in the early 20th century. The family highly values sustainability.
They follow the ‘Lodi Rules,’ a set of sustainable winegrowing principles developed by the Phillips family, to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability in their winemaking practices. Every year they strive to make all of their wines 100% Lodi Rules Certified.
9. KOMACHI SUSHI
$$ | 209-334-3131 | WEBSITE
Komachi Sushi prides itself on the most authentic Japanese cuisine you can find outside of Tokyo. Its motto is ‘Actualizing Lodi’s Town Beauty through Japanese Cuisine. Established in 2013, there is outdoor seating available; and as traditional as Komachi Sushi’s menu is, you’ll also find modern sushi rolls on there!
10. ZIN BISTRO
$$ | 209-224-8223 | WEBSITE
Zin Bistro carries a wide variety of beer and wine, alongside a flavorful and diverse menu, and they have bike parking for cyclists. Free wireless is also available. While attire is casual, Fridays and Saturdays bring in the crowds, so making reservations ahead of time is advised.
11. LODI PAPAPAVLO’S
$$$ | 209-625-8677 | WEBSITE
Papapavlo’s has an opening dining room and bar, where you can watch the chefs prepare and assemble your order. It’s Continental style, with a Mediterranean flair. Elegant outdoor patio dining is available year- round. Try the Papapavlos pasta, the fresh Mahi Mahi, and the moussaka.
12. AVENUE GRILL
$$ | 209-333-8006 | WEBSITE
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Established in 1996, Avenue Grill has been voted Best Breakfast by TripAdvisor! Try their Carnitas Quesadilla, with shredded pork, country jack cheese, country potatoes and scrambled eggs in a flour tortilla, or their Giant Flapjacks.
Also open for lunch, their most famous hamburger is the Avenue Giant Hamburger, with special dressing, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and onion.
13. TIN ROOF BBQ
$$ | 209-366-1128 | WEBSITE
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Since 2005, Tin Roof BBQ has been a successful restaurant serving lunch six days a week but also catering business by appointment! They serve California-style BBQ meats alongside side dishes made in house and gourmet salads. Try their smoked meats: turkey breast, brisket, tri-tip, barbecue beef and pulled pork.
14. GUANTONIO’S WOOD FIRED
$$ | 209-263-7152 | WEBSITE
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Guantonio’s has a great neighborhood location and serves wood-fired pizzas and wine! Established in 2010, Guantonio’s was originally a catering company working events all over Northern California, but they now have their own restaurant!
They host special events, such as a Duck Dinner prepared by the chef in honor of a duck cookbook that’s being released – but you need tickets, and they go fast! Pizza dough is naturally leavened, and uses organic, non-GMO flour.
15. M SUSHI BISTRO
$$ | 209-400-7505 | WEBSITE
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Besides beer, wine, and champagne, M. Sushi Bistro also serves sake and other spirits. Their dishes range from small plates, soups, salads and sides to noodle dishes, lunch and dinner combos with big plates, both rolls and hand rolls, to nigiri and sashimi and even some desserts!
16. LOCO POKE
$$ | 209-625-8739 | WEBSITE
Loco Poke, a Hawaiian-style Poke restaurant, was opened in 2019. They serve their cuisine at the local downtown farmer’s market! Their wine comes from local partnerships. If you didn’t know, poke is a Hawaiian version of Japanese sashimi: bite-sized pieces of raw fish doused in delicious toppings.
Loco Poke offers 21 salad toppings, enabling you to customize your dream salad. It also has chicken that is lightly seasoned, shrimp that’s freshly cooked, and Lump Crab.
Summary
The 16 best restaurants in Lodi, CA serve wine that follows the Lodi Rules set down by the Phillips Family at The Farm Cafe at Michael David Winery. No wonder the area won the 2015 “Wine Region of the Year Award” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, as mentioned above; now you know why.
A city that takes such care while making its prestigious wines is bound to take the same care preparing meals for you. Bring this list with you when you visit Lodi, and enjoy!
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
