Stockton Restaurants and Dining

(Stockton, California - CA, USA)

Although at first glance it may appear that Stockton has a relatively understated dining scene, this is most certainly not the case. A closer look will in fact reveal in excess of 250 different restaurants and eateries spread all over the city and catering to a real assortment of tastes.

American diners, barbecue joints, ethnic eateries and European dining options are all to hand in Stockton, along with numerous Asian restaurants specialising in Chinese-style Cantonese fare. If Asian dining is your bag, then it is well-worth booking a table at the New On Lock Sam Chinese Restaurant on South Sutter Street. The Lock Sam is surprisingly historic and first opened its doors more than a century ago, in the mid-1890s.

If you are paying a visit to the city towards the end of January, then you will have timed your visit well, since this is when the Stockton Restaurant Week takes place. During this foodie festival, dining establishments around the city offer cheap lunchtime specials and fixed-price menus, meaning that you can sample a variety of different dishes on a budget.

The Stockton Restaurant Week was first held in 2009, with participating eateries including Angelina's Spaghetti House, Bud's Seafood Grille, the Canal Street Bar and Grill (Hilton Hotel), Casa Flores (Marina Center), the Delta Bistro and Lounge (University Plaza Waterfront Hotel), the Masa Contemporary Japanese Lounge, Stockton Joe's and the Valley Brewing Company.

Where to Eat

Being one of the most significant inland ports on the planet and standing out along the Central Valley's Interstate I-5 stretch means that Stockton enjoys plenty of year-round visitors, many of which come in search of a spot of lunch, dinner or fine dining. Restaurants in the city are often to be found situated around local cinemas, shopping centers, attractions and museums, as well as the Downtown Marina, the University Plaza Waterfront and the Weber Point Events Center.

Many eateries and restaurants are based around the Lincoln Shopping Center, on the northern side of Stockton. Dining options at the Lincoln Center include around 20 different choices, ranging from the 856 Restaurant and Lounge, David's New York Style Pizza, and the DOMO Japanese Sushi Grill and Bar, to Dynasty Seafood, the Market Tavern, Noah's Bagels, Papapavlo's Bistro and Bar, Payters Grill and Starbucks.

For some of the best-cooked mouthwatering steaks that the city of Stockton has to offer, make time to dine out at the El Rancho Inn Steak and Lobster House on East Mariposa Road. Specialties here include rib-eye and filet mignon steaks, beer strips, and several different surf and turf combinations, although do bear in mind that the dining menu at the El Rancho is fairly pricey, meaning that this restaurant is often saved for special occasions and leisurely evenings out.