Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Grass Valley, CA

George .Berlioz Taste of Thai, Grass Valley, CA 204 W Main St., Suite 103 — a jewel of Thai cuisine right in downtown Grass Valley.  If you want “bam-pow” flavor, this is the spot. From the moment we walked in, we knew something special was happening. The service? World class. Paula—our waitress who gave us world class service, Jep our server who was most insightful (and that girl with the cool tattoo on her left arm) Saffron,—delivered with a smile that lit up the whole room. That kind of genuine warmth makes you feel immediately at home, like everyone who works there loves doing what they do. It’s not just polite—it’s joy in human form. Now, let’s talk food: • Pad Kee Mao: noodles cooked to perfection—slightly chewy, richly sauced, never soggy. The pork was tender, giving just the right pull with each bite. The spice level? Hot. Not just “Thai hot” but “if I asked for hot-hot, this is what I want” kind of spicy. BAM. • The Evil Jungle Noodle: this was the show-stopper. A daring mix of red curry and yellow curry married with fresh vegetables that pop in color and flavor. Each spoonful punches with vibrant curry richness, fresh greens, and layered textures. It’s familiar, yet creative—everything you want when you try variation on a classic. What stood out most was how everything comes together: the atmosphere, the authenticity, the pride in the cooking. The food exploded in flavor, but it never overwhelmed—you taste each ingredient. If I could sum it up in one line: Taste of Thai is one of the best Thai meals I’ve had in a long time, full of soul, style, and spice. We did have an appetizer that I highly recommend it delivered more than I expected. Tod Mun Pla (Thai Fish Cakes) — lightly deep-fried little rounds of spiced fish paste, crispy on the outside yet tender and packed with savory flavor inside. They come served with crisp cucumber slices and a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce that cuts through the richness just right.

Peggie Hartig We had such a nice, quiet dinner at Casa Las Katarina’s. We ordered chile rellenos, cheese enchiladas, and churros, and everything was really delicious. My husband couldn’t stop talking about his chile relleno—he said it was just like his mom used to make, which is a huge compliment. Our server was super nice, and we had a fun time chatting with her. The restaurant was decorated for the holidays and had a nice fire in the fireplace. Overall, a really good, relaxing meal. We’ll definitely be back.

Megan Marie Great spot for a quick bite. Authentic flavors, reasonable prices, friendly staff, and clean restaurant. Stopped here on our way back from Reno, and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend the Diablo Shrimp, Chile Relleno, and Tacos. 10 out of 10!

Jami C The best Italian restaurant in Nevada County. Since weve discovered this hidden gem we cannot get enough of it.

Raybies Flynn I am happy to see more ethnic food in small town Grass Valley. They make THE best falafel! The hummus bowl is huge and perfect for sharing with a friend or two. The restaurant is comfortable and clean. I love the water dispenser for customers. It is useful and ornate.

Dion Reif Food was good and pricing was fair for a family to go out to dinner.

Bari Busby We got sandwiches, soup and cookies. All of them were excellent. The bill was 48 bucks, which seems a tad high.

Phil Lan Arrived at Grass Valley in the late night and this place was still open. Good to try the local brewery. They offer pizzas out of a wood fired oven. I tried Asian wraps and they were great.

Linda Curtis Our first time dining at this restaurant, and well definitely return! Friendly service, and my chicken asada burrito was excellent!! Enough for lunch the next day, too.

Heidi Seavers We have enjoyed tacos here many times. Always consistent, authentic and filling. Today we had a churro with a chocolate center and oh my goodness, fue muy delicioso!!!

John Juntunen If you are looking for a small family friendly Mediterranean food this is your place. Great selection of food, from pizza and sandwiches to gyros and salads. Meals are cooked in a fire roasting oven. The owner actually does the cooking.

Jake Novick Amazing Laotian food in Nevada City! So rare to find a Laotuab restaurant but this place exceeded expectations! The curries were delectable (try the Ginger Curry), papaya salad was perfectly spiced, and the sticky rice was great. Service is very friendly and helpful, and the space is fresh, lots of plants, and comfortable.

Joshua Cardenas Enrique lounge the atmosphere is great music is soothing. Menu is selective but great place to come and lounge and grab a drink at the full bar and try some awesome delicious foods. Definitely coming back. Lemon pepper chicken get with Alfredo Fettuccine trust me you will love the combo

Sarah Stone-Francisco, Grass Valley Realtor I am so happy we found Mantra Tea House!!! Amazing Ramen in Grass Valley!!! So absolutely delicious! And their poke bowl is gorgeous and mouthwatering, too! We’ll be back again and again!!! ♥️♥️♥️

Todd I Authentic and charming. They recognized their 51st anniversary in business while we were there. Homemade everything. Traditional offerings, and very affordable. They offer extensive outdoor seating for when the weather allows. Our server Mel was perky and enthusiastic. Happy Apple is off the beaten path and we always seek them out when we are visiting relatives in Penn Valley. For us, our visits here are more of an “event “ than just a meal.