When packing for a trip to Lodi, make sure to bring along an empty stomach. No wine lover’s getaway is complete without a few indulgent meals, and in Lodi, there are a multitude of options to satisfy most gastronomic yearnings. While there are a number of high-end options to choose from, many of the town’s best options are low-key and delicious. Here is a sampling.
There are few better ways to unwind at night than with a glass of wine and some soothing music. This is well-known at Towne House Restaurant, where live jazz is on the schedule every evening, a well-tuned accompaniment to the 70 Lodi wines featured on their list. This elegant restaurant focuses on seasonal dishes, with a frequently changing menu that highlights the best local ingredients.
If foie gras is on the menu, order it—it’s a seasonal, but always delicious, masterpiece.
If you’ve had enough wine after a full day in the vineyards, cap off your trip with a visit to the Lodi Beer Company. With a dozen beers made on-site at the no-frills microbrewery, there are always options that will satisfy a beer-lover’s palate. Come with an empty stomach, too, as they specialize in comfort food like pizza, burgers, and ribs.
Not sure what type of beer is your style? Ask for the flight and learn what brew suits you.
Sometimes the most unassuming restaurants offer the best surprises—definitely the case with Thai Spices, a hole-in-the-wall featuring the best Thai cuisine in Lodi. Authenticity is key here, with a focus on using ingredients native to Thailand.
There are only seven tables in the restaurant, so the wait can sometimes get lengthy. Beat the line by arriving at 11 a.m., when the eatery opens.
The Farm Café at Michael David Winery is a splendid stop for a relaxing meal of down-home American cooking made with fresh, local ingredients. Plus, Michael David is one of the best wineries in town, so it’s a great place to kill two birds with one stone if you’re game for a tasting beforehand.
Don’t skip out on the pies: blueberry, specifically. It may be the best slice you’ll find in town.
A winery, brewery, bakery, and restaurant all rolled into one, the Dancing Fox is Lodi’s one-stop shop for beverage and culinary needs. This rustic café with a European feel features an appropriately eclectic menu to complement their extensive list of house-made beer and wines.
Italophiles, make sure to try the Sangiovese or Barbera wines; they’re two famous Italian grapes that aren’t too commonly seen in Lodi.
Romantic interludes are as welcome as boisterous family affairs at Pietro’s, which offers an authentic Italian experience in a classic trattoria format. This eatery prides itself on its “farm to fork” method of preparation: a fun way to say that many of the ingredients on the menu are grown just outside the kitchen.
Make sure to get a sip of their Italian Mojito—this one’s vodka based and topped off with a sprig of thyme, fresh from the garden.
This favorite breakfast spot is a Lodi institution, so be sure to come with an appetite: their portions are huge, and they serve up all the traditional American diner cuisine you would come to expect of a classic American greasy spoon. But be prepared for a wait, as the restaurant closes at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. on Saturdays), and the line can get rather long.
Plan for a stop afterwards to drop off your leftovers: locals boast about getting two, even three extra meals out of a single entree from Avenue Grill.
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