With a strong focus on well-designed, well-executed handcrafted beer and a farm-to-table menu, Alaro Craft Brewery in Sacramento delivers creative dishes and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. From tapas-style small bites to full-bellied burgers that genuinely impress, the Alaro team has put together one of the more interesting restaurants in the area. The diverse selection of dishes works well with the brewery’s craft beers, and there’s real thought behind pairing them together for a satisfying meal.

What makes Alaro different isn’t just the quality of the food and beer — the brewery welcomes dogs on their patio and in certain indoor areas, so you can actually spend time there with your dog instead of having to choose between visiting and leaving them at home. The outdoor patio catches good California sun, and it’s genuinely pleasant to sit out there with a beer and watch people pass by on the street. The indoor space has a casual, unpretentious vibe that doesn’t feel like you need to dress up or behave formally, which is nice when you’re with a dog.

The menu changes seasonally, so there’s reason to come back more than once. You’ll find the standard brewery crowd here — people who take beer seriously but aren’t snobby about it — mixed with folks just looking for a good meal and decent drinks. Parking in the area is relatively straightforward, and the brewery’s location makes it easy to walk over from some of the other shops and restaurants nearby in the Sacramento area.

If you’re planning to bring your dog, calling ahead to confirm they’re comfortable with dogs that day is a good idea, since patio access can vary with weather and how busy they are.