For those who venture beyond the neon glow, Folsom offers its own brand of California grandeur. You might find yourself savoring farm-to-table elegance in a historic powerhouse, toasting with local vintages on a sun-drenched patio overlooking the river, or discovering why a certain unassuming bistro has locals lining up at dawn.
The Folsom Cafe
$ | (916) 693-6347 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a place to properly celebrate small victories with your friends like “finally finishing that big project” or “surviving another week of parenting,” come to The Folsom Cafe. This neighborhood spot is perfect for groups who want to settle into comfortable booths and dig into avocado toast with pickled onions and feta cheese.
Discuss the details of weekend plans over rounds of bruschetta, house-made focaccia sandwiches, and blueberry mimosas before you head out for whatever’s next on the agenda.
Pasta Crush
$ | (916) 805-5846 | WEBSITE
You might have high expectations for a halal pasta joint in a strip mall. Thankfully, Pasta Crush delivers excellent, freshly prepared food and feels right at home in Folsom, with its simple take-out atmosphere and friendly service making the experience warmer than most of the other casual spots in the area. Get the chicken & shrimp Alfredo and the Cajun pasta, which are in fact the signature dishes everyone recommends without the fuss of a complicated menu.
This is the perfect place to grab a meal if you have plans for meal prepping or just want hearty leftovers, since Pasta Crush is known for its generous portions.
mantra – vegan & vegetarian
$ | (916) 999-1749 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a cozy corner of Folsom, Mantra Vegan & Vegetarian offers a delightful dining experience with flavorful dishes including the popular vegan tofu Masada and samosa chaat. You’ll find generous portions of delicious food like dal makhani, pakora, idli, masala dosa, and uttapam at reasonable prices—most entrees run about $14-$18.
We like this spot best for a casual meal when you really want something comforting—the warm, welcoming vibe creates a comfortable atmosphere that feels like a little bubble away from the everyday hustle.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
$ | (916) 597-2947 | WEBSITE
The quintessential Folsom treat is enjoying a generous scoop while basking in the California sun at Handel’s outdoor seating area. Be adventurous and try one of the unique flavors like banana creme pie or cinnamon graham cracker. For just $7.75, you can get the best deal in town: the four scoop sampler, which is perfect for indecisive eaters, flavor explorers, or just sharing with friends on a warm afternoon.
Because, while tasting the rich, strong ice cream will make you happy, the real charm of this place is watching families and friends gather in the lively, fun atmosphere until 11 p.m.
Skipolini’s Pizza
$$ | (916) 355-8555 | WEBSITE
Skipolini’s Pizza is the kind of place where you’ll spend your meal trying to figure out if the family at the next table is celebrating a birthday or just really, really into pizza. It’s one of those spots that has successfully created buzz through sheer generosity (just look at their massive $6 lunch slices), so you’ll be texting everyone you know to meet you there.
Once you finally grab a booth, go classic/custom by ordering the Prego Pizza, a must-try pie made with roasted garlic and sundried tomatoes, and snacking on cheesebread with jalapeños and Skips Dip. The service is sort of like hitting shuffle on a friendly playlist—one visit you’ll get quick, attentive help, on another you might get a slight wait if they’re juggling a big team event.
Halal Grill express حلال Kabob+Shashlik
$ | (279) 901-0184 | WEBSITE
While the crowd at Halal Grill Express might include families grabbing a quick dinner or office workers on their lunch break, the food deserves your full attention. Boost your chicken wrap by requesting extra tzatziki sauce or add some pickled hot peppers to your lamb burrito before getting a main like the chef’s special grilled lamb wrap. And dishes like the chicken and lamb options have become Halal Grill Express favorites because they live up to their flavorful reputation.
Pronto’s New York Pizzeria
$ | WEBSITE
As one of the best pizza experiences in Folsom, Pronto’s New York Pizzeria is living proof that there are excellent restaurants in the strip malls of California. Orders for their popular hand-made pies can only be made in person or by phone, and when you make the call you should just go ahead and commit to the $30 two-cheese pizza special. The menu is heavy on authentic east coast-style ingredients such as pepperoni, pineapple, and crispy wings.
While the offerings remain consistent, recent standouts include the pepperoni and pineapple pizza and the homemade cannoli’s, two of the most delicious bites you might ever take.
Tong Thai Bistro
$ | (916) 510-1439 | WEBSITE
Tong Thai Bistro doesn’t pretend to be anything but a cozy neighborhood gem. They serve a crispy pork belly that crackles with every bite and a whole fried fish that arrives with a serious spicy kick. Adding to the authenticity, their menu balances fiery classics like Pad See Ew with comforting bowls of perfectly balanced beef soup. The restaurant is tucked into a modest strip mall, so come here for the food, not the scenery.
It never feels too fancy, but you can sense the pride in the air from regulars who drive across state lines just for another plate of their aromatic Panang with crispy chicken.
Teriyaki Stop
$ | (916) 357-5202 | WEBSITE
The bustling lunch counter at Teriyaki Stop is a straightforward and satisfying experience that’ll cost you about $15 a plate for one of their walk-in-friendly, everyday meals. The restaurant staff will greet you with a smile and guide you to a clean table where you’ll be welcomed with some water or iced tea. When it’s finally time for the main event, your generous plate arrives to reveal the teriyaki feast where the flavor-packed meal begins.
Portions of juicy chicken, medium-spiced honey teriyaki, and options like Thai chicken and veggie noodles will keep you busy before heading back to work or running afternoon errands in the nearby Folsom area.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
$$ | (916) 817-1207 | WEBSITE
Mountain Mike’s always delivers an enjoyable night of pizza and sports with a side of family fun. The spot does the classics really well: the “Snowy Alps” veggie pie, the “Chicken Club,” wings, salads, and fries. Some of the game day’s best moments happen on the big screen TVs, so you might catch a thrilling play while you’re enjoying a slice. Sit at the high-top tables if you want to make eyes with the game onscreen, or hang out in one of the back booths and let the kids enjoy the arcade games.
Leatherby’s – Family Creamery
$$ | (916) 510-2373 | WEBSITE
Leatherby’s is the best ice cream parlor in Folsom. They manage to be classic without sacrificing quality, which can be hard to do in a town that loves their generic chain versions of family-friendly spots. You’ll feel the warmth walking into the dining room, which has several freezers displaying colorful tubs of ice cream, as well as a vintage soda fountain counter only used to craft elaborate sundaes that need to be ordered with a bit of patience.
There are plenty of good options, but the Rachel’s sundae is great as it has a little crunch and creamier texture compared to the other desserts. The plant-based burger also shows off their ability to do thoughtful dishes beyond your normal burgers and fries—it tastes like you’re actually eating a proper patty and not something that came out of a box.