These 15 new restaurants just opened around Sacramento. Here’s what’s new to eat
At least 15 new restaurants opened around greater Sacramento in January, adding everything from hand rolls to hot pot around the region.
Four new restaurants opened in Elk Grove, and two in Folsom. Roseville, Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks each added one apiece.
About the Writer
Benjy Egel, a Sacramento native, covers local restaurants and bars for The Bee.
Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon (10065 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove): Cinnabon’s first standalone cinnamon roll shop (the others are inside malls, airports or other shopping centers) shares its space with Auntie Anne’s pretzel hub in Elk Grove’s Walmart shopping complex.
Cookie Plug (5237 Hazel Ave., Fair Oaks): This Riverside-based cookie chain opened its first area location on Jan. 21, debuting flavors such as “purple haze” (purple velvet) and “pink elephant” (strawberry cheesecake).
Curry Pizza House (1010 Riley St., Suite 4, Folsom): An Indian fusion pizza chain out of the Bay Area, Curry Pizza House introduced pies such as achari gobi, with vegan and gluten-free options.
Darbar Halal Restaurant (3022 Stockton Blvd., Suite 5, Sacramento): This mostly-Indian halal restaurant, which replaced Boon Boon Cafe in Oak Park, also has a few Afghan and Chinese options.
Dragon Beaux (1 Sky River Parkway, Elk Grove): This San Francisco-based dim sum and Chinese food concept opened in Sky River Casino on Jan. 18, with cart service and interesting standalone items such as crab roe soup dumpings.
Empress Tavern (1013 K St., Sacramento): The name is the same, but this isn’t the high-end restaurant longtime Sacramentans might remember. Crest Theater management opened Empress 2.0 on Jan. 5 with a focus on pre-show bites, including vegan burgers and chicken skewers.
Kinjo Hand Roll Bar (2026 16th St., Sacramento): A new Richmond Grove sushi restaurant (hand rolls are the specialty) from the people behind Tomato Alley Free House and Kansai Ramen & Sushi House, Kinjo replaced beloved brunch spot Harry’s Cafe on Jan 10.
Moon Tea House (1990 Blue Oaks Blvd., Suite 130, Roseville): Get boba drinks or bites such as chicken wings, fish balls and fried shrimp at this West Roseville tea lounge that opened Jan. 14.
Mr. Dosa (9168 Franklin Blvd., Suite C, Elk Grove): A South Indian restaurant in Laguna Village Plaza, Mr. Dosa’s wide-ranging menu has everything from chicken tikka burgers to curry paneer-stuffed dosas (lentil/rice crepes).
Naked Coffee (2901 30th St., Sacramento): The Khasigian brothers’ new Curtis Park cafe opened Jan. 6 with pastries from sister bakery Doughbot in Southside Park.
Rock Hard Burgers & Brew (7032 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights): Former Beer Dogs owner Tom Romeo partnered with local bar entrepreneur Rocky Moffitt to open this burger bar where his old hot dog restaurant had been.
Star Lounge (2719 K St., Sacramento): This third-story restaurant and bar in midtown’s new Hyatt House hotel offers everything from shareable hummus platters to rib-eye dinners for two, with a large, mostly French wine selection.
Tao’s Hotpot & Shabu (510 Natoma Station Drive, Suite 100, Folsom): Cook all-you-can-eat meats such as American kobe-style beef, Australian lamb or pork belly over tabletop grills at this Japanese-inspired restaurant near Lake Natoma.
Taste of Original (4940 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento): South Land Park’s newest Chinese spot has all the comforting noodles and fried rices one could want, plus rarer items such as boiled pork liver and kidneys.
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