The Waterboy

2000 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95811, United States
$$$ New American restaurant
(793 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Welcome to The Waterboy, a premier New American restaurant nestled in the heart of Sacramento at 2000 Capitol Ave. Renowned for its vibrant yet elegant atmosphere, this culinary gem invites you to experience a dining affair that goes beyond just a meal; it’s an exploration of flavors and fresh, local ingredients.

The Waterboy embraces the essence of New American cuisine by artfully combining seasonal inspirations with a creative flair. From the moment you step inside, the refined decor and ambiance create a warm yet sophisticated setting—ideal for romantic dinners, special celebrations, or simply enjoying the finer things in life. Customers rave about the stellar service provided by the knowledgeable and engaging staff, ensuring that every visit feels personal and memorable.

As you peruse the menu, you will be captivated by standout dishes that embody the essence of the season. The Autumn Squash Ravioli, a delightful fusion of brown butter, sage, and parmesan, will transport your palate to a warm, cozy evening. Pair that with the Pan Seared Sea Scallops, perfectly complemented by summer corn risotto and a ginger-basil butter sauce, and you have a combination that is nothing short of sublime. Health-conscious diners will also find joy in the Delta Pear & Endive Salad, where the sweetness of pears meets the salty crunch of blue cheese and walnuts in perfect harmony.

Don’t overlook the first course selections, either; the Waterboy Caesar Salad, with its crisp romaine and a touch of anchovy, is a nod to classic preparation with a contemporary twist. And for the adventurous, the daily soup is a thoughtfully curated seasonal choice prepared to dazzle your taste buds.

Beyond the food, guests have consistently praised the wine selection as well, with servers who are more than ready to guide you through their diverse offerings, making the selection process not daunting but rather a delightful journey. With many reviews praising the service and attention to detail, it is clear that The Waterboy is dedicated to creating an exceptional dining experience.

If you're looking for a dining option that seamlessly blends sophistication with an approachable atmosphere, The Waterboy will exceed your expectations. The patio seating is particularly charming during pleasant weather, where you can enjoy your meal surrounded by a lovely ambiance that enhances every bite. When you're ready to indulge in flavors that excite and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home, make your reservations soon—trust us, you won’t want to miss this culinary treasure.

For reservations and inquiries, call +1 916-498-9891. Don’t just take our word for it—visit and let your culinary adventure begin!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Popular with tourists
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

793 Reviews
Courtney Brown

08 Sep 2025

Elegant and classy atmosphere as well as friendly and classy hostesses. The food was extremely pleasant, flavorful and filling. The wine selection was fabulous with the servers being very knowledgeable yet fun with the recommendations. A very great place for romance and romantic/special occasions. A little pricey but definitely made my visit special.

Graham Eastmond

30 Jul 2025

We were visiting for graduation ceremony and The Waterboy was highly recommended by local friends. It lived up to it's high billing. Rosa was fantastic and guided our large group through the great selection of starters, first courses and entrees on offer. All recommendations were spot on. The food was delicious and we enjoyed sitting outside on a lovely Summer's evening. Don't hesitate. Book a table.

Benjamin Cole

16 Jul 2025

Every dish I tried here was full of flavor. The menu offers seasonal items that feel thoughtful and well-prepared. Servers are professional and know the menu well. The wine selection is impressive. The overall dining experience feels both classy and warm.

J.M. Cheng

02 Jul 2025

I went to lunch with a coworker for late birthday celebration. We had a wonderful meal as we share a few appetizers. The steak tartare, ceasar salad with anchovies were so delicious. It was my first time there and I’d go back again soon.

Lily P

01 Jul 2025

Really great dining on the patio. Was pet friendly and was offered a water bowl as well! Food was excellent. Especially enjoyed the Steak Tartare with the pastry! You'll have to find street parking for this, we were lucky to find one right at front.

LaVell Thompson, Jr.

20 Jun 2025

I have to say that overall, I had a positive experience at this place. You'll see from my pictures and the one video that the interior of the restaurant is pretty spectacular! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the decor chosen by the owners. I actually visited this place for the first time on a date in December 2023! So yes, this is an old review that I never got around to writing. With that idea in mind, I must be fully transparent and honest about my complete experience. The food left a little to be desired for my taste. :-( I'm being honest about that. After all, eating is probably the most important reason for visiting a restaurant, yes? I received an order of large pasta noodles with what appeared to be remnants of ground beef or sausage scattered about in the meal. In other words, and you'll see from my picture, there was barely any sauce or meat in the dish! That was unfortunate. I was mostly disappointed because of the price that my date and I paid for the meal! They are pricey as hell! LOL and frankly, I would not have minded the price that we paid if the portions had been larger. And that's the other issue: the portions are quite small at this place. Expect to spend a lot of money but not get much for what you pay for. That's the reality of it. I am always fully honest in my reviews, and this place, even with their high ratings, does not get the benefit of my lying to keep their reviews hi. I'm sorry. You're probably thinking to yourself, "If the food wasn't so great, why give them four stars?!" Well! That's easily answered: it's because of the customer service we received! Our server was very friendly. I gave him a note about the food that I ordered, and asked his opinion about the matter. I guess it was more of a complaint? My date had the same problem. The server basically explained to us that it was a standard measured amount for the proteins. It's how they did things! They literally measure out the amount of protein one receives, and that iscthat. Aside from that, the server was really fantastic. Also, there was another gentleman at the bar who gave us a free drink while we waited to be seated at our table. He was FANTASTIC!!! I had wished he could've been our server. We did have a reservation in advance. So, the decor, the customer service, and especially the cleanliness of the bathroom are the reasons to visit this establishment! I was quite surprised with how clean the restroom was. That's why they got four stars. If the food had been spectacular, I would have given them five stars! If you look at the breakdown of the star review I gave them, you'll see I gave them two stars for the food, but five stars for everything else. Will I visit this place again in the future?Hmmm, maybe or maybe not. I'm not sure, to be honest with you.

Vincent Gonzales

30 May 2025

The food is excellent and affordable. Rosa was our server, and she is very friendly and efficient. Owner and culinary icon Rick Mahan came over and greeted us. It was a super birthday dinner.

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