Restaurants in Union City

The stout, mottled brick front and black and white striped awning of BFC Cajun Seafood's storefront conceal the carefully crafted and spicy Cajun fare waiting inside. Bone-in catfish fillets come on sandwiches or as part of fried-fish plates sporting rich batter with an extra crunch that frequently alarms local seismologists. Beneath the glittering shell of a glass counter, an array of fresh-baked homemade pies and cakes divest themselves of single slices or travel whole to patrons' homes packaged in carry-out orders.

Touch of Soul’s chefs translate homestyle Southern recipes into platters of comforting standbys. Land-dwelling favorites such as fried chicken and poboys mingle with Gulf staples such as red snapper, sole, and oysters that arrive tableside decked in delicate grill marks or donning healthy coats of fresh-fried batter. From Tuesday through Sunday, the kitchen also preps nightly dinner specials such as marinated steak smothered in beef gravy, or turkey wings seasoned and slow cooked to perfection. These dinners come flanked by three authentic Dixie side dishes, including red beans and rice, fresh yams, or corn bread baked into the shape of Jimmy Carter’s silhouette.

Once upon a time, a bubblegum-pink catering truck was the only outlet for ShugaHill Ice Creamery's fried fare. Today, the catering truck continues to ferry burgers, barbecue, and seafood around town, but a brick-and-mortar eatery also doles out the sizzling eats. The eatery’s menu grants patrons artistic license over their plates, showcasing meal components such as mac ‘n’ cheese, smoky turkey wings, and po boys stuffed with oyster, snapper, catfish, or sole. Beneath the murals of various sweets that line the walls, main courses culminate in cool hillocks of ice cream, which delight any diner who hasn’t just lost a pet glacier.

The chefs at American Natural Food & Cafe strive to expand American palates with a menu of dishes influenced by foods from all over the Mediterranean basin. A perennial list of French-inspired Moroccan cuisine—such as fava-bean soup or saffron-coated roasted chicken—anchors an ever-changing lineup of specials drawn from such countries as Spain, Egypt, and Libya.

For those inspired to whip up their own Mediterranean dishes at home, the eatery's grocery-store section provides aspiring chefs with spices and hand-selected, naturally raised foods from around the world. The packed shelves provide a backdrop to intimate tables lit by strings of lights and candlesticks, which, unfortunately, do not come to life to welcome you in song.

In the warm aura of Ethiopia Restaurant's pulsing fireplace, chattering groups use injera bread to scoop up time-tested dishes peppered with imported spices. Weighing down cerulean tablecloths, beef, lamb, and chicken dishes escort hundreds of possible vegetarian combinations beneath the outdoor patio's sprays of coral-hued blossoms. Plates draw inspiration from the shop's colorful works of art to dress in vibrant swaths of red lentils like bib models. Brimming with Ethiopian beers and honey wine, glasses cling together to toast meals and special occasions.

The Terrace Room’s art-deco furnishings, elaborate ironwork, and white-draped tables evoke an elegant supper-club vibe that complements the restaurant’s classy confines in the Lake Merritt Hotel, built in 1927. The eatery’s upscale American dishes borrow influences of Cajun, French, and Italian cuisines, which chefs skillfully weave together and artfully plate to cultivate a sophisticated and luxurious dining experience. Amid picturesque murals and panoramic views of Lake Merritt, dishes parade out of the kitchen bearing local and seasonal ingredients, as well as organic touches, such at the Bison chocolate stout that flavors battered fish 'n' chips. Chicken and dumplings sate stomachs with tender meat from Petaluma free-range chickens—a tasty and humane alternative to chicken cooped up in a cubicle all day—and the menu brims with sustainable seafood, platefuls of pasta, and flavorful cuts of beef. Servers splash wine into glasses, or bring up bottles of requested vinos for those hoping to discover the flavorful bounty or Cracker Jack prize inside.