Locals Guide
LOCALS GUIDE: Visit the DOS team's go-to spots during your visit to the HQ!
(* = Walkable from DOS HQ.)
STAY:
Hotel Piccadilly - Small boutique hotel. Smoking drinks at the hotel bar too.
The Elderberry House - About 60 minutes up into the mountains you'll find a luxurious European château. Just 16 miles further from Yosemite National Park. Pricey but the best of the best right here.
BREAKFAST:
Yava Bakery & Cafe - French and Middle Eastern inspired bakery with exquisite menu and decor.
*Irene’s - The traditional local diner.
The Elbow Room - Little more upscale, fresh menu. Nice to eat outside by the fire during the cold months.
LUNCH:
*Piemonte’s Deli - Been around for ages. Italian deli. The Piemonte’s Special sandwich is chefs kiss. Call ahead if you want to just pick up.
La Elegante - Excellent Mexican food. Busy, small and delicious. Usually closes at 3pm. Downtown.
Chef Paul’s - Great soul food classic with chicken and waffles etc.
Moto: Delicious neighborhood spot and we hear has an excellent brunch!
DINNER:
Nice/Hip:
The Annex - Great craft cocktails, fresh menu. Lively scene.
Lune - Feels like you're in a small dimly lite Parisian cafe. Feminine. Great wine and food menu.
Saizon (New!) - Gorgeous restaurant. Feels like you're in NY or SF.
Tabachines Cocina - Upscale Mexican restaurant. Extensive Mezcal and Tequila offerings.
Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar - Contemporary Japanese sushi and Whiskey spot. Love the Toki Highball cocktail!
OLD SCHOOL VIBES:
The Manhattan - Our favorite hidden gem. Steak house, great bar. older folks who patron get all kinds of dressed up.
The Lime Lite - Another hidden gem. Steak house with updated menu. Sexy bar, leather booths.
ROMANTIC:
*Oggi Cosi Si Mangia - Super cozy and romantic Italian food out of an old house in the Tower District. Right down the street from the boutique.
*Veni Vidi Vici - Artisan food, locally owned. Good martinis.
BARS:
*The Howlin Wolf - Craft cocktails, hip, usually live music.
*Livingstone’s Restaurant & Pub - Long time legendary bar. This place is always packed patrons of all ages. Lively and fun atmosphere.
*Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen - Huge selection of beers on tap. Back patio for smoking and usually a band on any a night.
LGBTQ+:
*Splash - If you’re looking for a night out this is the spot. Drag queens, loud music, fun.
*FAB - Always busy, always a good time.
DIVE:
Santa Fe Basque - Rad spot, red booths, big bar. Cheap drinks. Big portions.
*Spoke Easy - Little hidden brewery popular with cyclists on a lesser known street in tower.
Jimbos - Large country western bar.
BREWERIES:
South Of Shaw - Nice. And good brick oven pizza.
Tioga - The most popular brewery downtown. Food trucks and usually scene goin’ on.
Full Circle Downtown - We like this brewery out of an old warehouse downtown.
COFFEE:
Fulton Street Coffee House - Lots of plants and good people watching. We like this downtown spot.
*Component Coffee Lab (formally the The Revue) - Long time iconic tower coffee house. Great place to work or catch up with friends. Hip vibes.
La Boulangerie - French inspired, great outdoor patio. Freshly made bread, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and espresso drinks. Locals favorite.
SHOPS:
Nicolson Hat Co. - You and your crew will talk about this special spot forever. As good as it gets. Female owned and ran custom hat maker. Rad shop out of an unassuming house near Tower. (Bring Whiskey.)
*Tower Records -flip through old records, next to a excellent ice cream parlor, Ampersand.
VINTAGE:
BLK Market Vintage: Pre-picked, low prices, all $$ support vocational schools for the un-housed.
Yoshi Now! - Iconic Fresno Spot. Great spot for pre-picked but still not too pricey vintage clothing, furniture and decor.
Reloved Vintage - Owned by two chicks. Lots of good art, furniture and the like.
Reclaimed Mt. Goods - All the best pre-picked vintage furniture. Leans mid century & 90s.
*Plus there are lots of good vintage shops all along Olive in the Tower District!
SPECIALTY FOOD/GROCERY:
Vineyards Farmers Market - Wednesdays 3pm-6pm, Saturday 7am-noon. Rain or shine.
Sam’s Deli & Grocery - A local institution. Great wine, deli, and everything Italian.
EXPERIENCES:
Gazebo Gardens - Thursday, Friday, Saturday they host a beer garden and food trucks. Call to confirm.
Apcal - Saturdays - spring through fall - outdoor live music, food and wine at a vineyard just outside town. Sit in the grass and enjoy. Apcalwine.Com
Arthop - Its like a roaming open house every first and third Thursday of the month. Google “Arthop Fresno”.
Yoga at Tower Yoga Fresno
Thursday night bull riding - This is the best kept secret and we’d kind of like to keep it that way. Message us if you want in.
HEADED TO YOSEMITE?
Eat breakfast or lunch in Coarsegold at The Wild Fig. Stop for beers, burgers and usually live country western music at The Snow Line. Eat dinner at The Narrow Gauge (decor is top notch). Stay at the the Ahwahnee Hotel (if you can get in). Excellent thrift stores all along the way starting in Coarse Gold through Oakhurst. We also love The Hitching Post to eat and play pool. Local vibe, people are always nice and friendly.
