3 Best Restaurants in The Sierra Nevada, California

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Most small towns in the Sierra Nevada have at least one restaurant. Standard American fare is the norm, but you'll also find sophisticated cuisine. With few exceptions, dress is casual. Local grocery stores and delis stock picnic fixings, good to have on hand should the opportunity for an impromptu meal under giant trees emerge.

Elderberry House

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

This culinary oasis—stunning for its understated elegance, gorgeous setting, and impeccable service—is one of the best restaurants in the region. Earthtone walls and wood beams accent the high ceilings, and arched windows reflect the glow of candles.

48688 Victoria La., Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA
559-683–6860
Known For
  • Elite waitstaff
  • Romantic setting, gorgeous garden terrace
  • Seasonal prix-fixe menus (three-course $95, six-course $155, wine pairings add $70/$95)
Restaurant Details
No lunch Mon.–Sat.
Reservations essential

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Restaurant at Convict Lake

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

The lake is one of the most spectacular spots in the Eastern Sierra, and the food at this hotel restaurant lives up to the view. From pan-seared local trout and beef Wellington to rack of lamb and Long Island duck, the menu is refined, and there's an award-winning wine list to match. The woodsy room has a vaulted knotty-pine ceiling and a copper-chimney fireplace. Although the main restaurant only serves dinner, you can grab breakfast or lunch at the hotel's casual Aspen Grill and sit at a table outdoors under the white-barked aspens. 

Convict Lake Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
760-934–3800
Known For
  • Woodsy decor
  • Homemade cheesecake
  • Extensive wine list with reasonably priced European and California bottlings
Restaurant Details
No lunch
Reservations essential

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The Vintage Press

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Established in 1966, this is one of the best restaurants in the Central Valley. The California–continental cuisine includes dishes such as French escargot with a white-wine sauce and filet mignon with a cognac-mustard sauce.

216 N. Willis St., Visalia, CA, 93291, USA
559-733–3033
Known For
  • Wine list with more than 900 selections
  • Chocolate Grand Marnier cake and other house-made desserts
  • Sophisticated vibe

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