Welcome to Historic Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro
A Downtown Grass Valley Tradition!

Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro
Tofanelli’s Gold Country Bistro is Nevada County’s popular destination spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner…or simply enjoying cocktails from our full bar.

Tofanelli's is truly a family (multi-generational) owned and operated restaurant. We offer a great choice of the best local and California wines, delicious appetizers, an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, fine dining after 4pm and fresh air on our award-winning, charming outdoor patio.

A vital part of Historic Downtown Grass Valley, Tofanelli’s is located at 302 W. Main St. in the heart of the Gold Country between the thriving Center For The Arts and The Holbrooke Hotel.

Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro

Award-Winning Patio Dining

Event Inquiry
Tofanelli’s Gold Country Bistro is very proud of its two-tiered patio dining. We think it's pretty wonderful and take great pride in its design, maintenance and upkeep.

Apparently Nevada County agrees. The readers of The Union Newspaper have voted us Best Patio Dining every year since 2006!

Our patio is open year-round – weather permitted – and its dog friendly! For well-behaved dogs, of course. Tofanelli's patio is home to many events including Weddings, Wedding Rehearsal Dinners, Engagement Parties, Birthday Parties, Retirement Parties, Corporate Meetings, Community Group Meetings...virtually any celebration you can conjur. We can even create a custom menu for your event!

To inquire about your party or event, click the button below:

The Union Newspaper Best Of Award
Award-Winning Patio Dining
Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro

Tofanelli's History

The location dates back to 1859 when it was first a law office. In the 1890s, Gino Tofanelli operated a grocery store and meat market.

The overhead hook trolley system that carried large pieces of meat from the curb to the huge walk-in refrigerator is still here! In fact, Tofanelli's still uses the same huge walk-in refrigerator that was originally built for the meat market in the 1890s.

In the early 1900's Freeman's Bakery was housed next door to the original Tofanelli's building. There was also a small residence there. The bakery and residence were destroyed by fire and the area where Freeman’s Bakery stood is now Tofanelli's beautiful, award-winning patio.

Main Street Circa 1895
Looking East down Main Street, Grass Valley (circa early 1895). The large building on the left is the Holbrooke Hotel and Tofanelli's current location is just before it.
Freeman's Bakery

The front of Freeman's Bakery (circa early 1900's), now Tofanelli's award-winning patio.

Tofanelli's became famous through the 1900s as a café and then a restaurant under several owners. The current owners took over in April of 2006 with a mission of restoring the beauty of this historic property as well as the popularity of the famous Tofanelli's Restaurant that has become a Grass Valley tradition for great dining.
Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro

Current Ownership

Tofanelli's is now under the ownership of a third-generation restaurant family that has opened 15 very successful restaurants in California, Oregon and Nevada including the Grant Avenue Bar and Grill and the Golden Egg Omelet House (original opened in 1973 in San Rafael, CA) in Old Town Novato, CA. In 2006, the Golden Egg Omelet House and Grant Avenue Bar and Grill in Novato, CA. were voted Best Breakfast in Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties by the prestigious North Bay Business Journal.
Golden Egg Omelet House
The Golden Egg Omelet House, Grant Ave. in Novato, CA (circa 1980's)

Most famous were the Golden Egg Omelet House restaurants, with an incredible array of 101 omelets that have been featured on television and copied internationally. Tofanelli's introduced that same award-winning breakfast menu featuring the 101 omelets in 2006 and its popularity has grown rapidly throughout the Gold Country foothills since.

Of course Tofanelli's goes well beyond our award-winning breakfast. Our lunches feature a list of sensational salads, a full page of hamburgers and much more. Dinners at Tofanelli's are both casual and elegant with something for every taste, including many vegetarian and vegan options in addition to steaks, seafood, pasta, chicken, salads and more.

Tofanelli's wine list is extensive and always evolving, featuring local and regional California wines. Ask your server for the latest offerings.

Tofanelli’s Gold Country Bistro welcomes you daily from 8am to 3pm. Visit our historic building, relax on our marvelous patio and enjoy!