Sudwerk Brewing Co. The Dock

Very cool place. Great outdoor space with loads of room and seating. Indoor space is very open and airy with a modern touch to it. Good good, good beer. Mocktails, cocktails, and everything. Good service staff.

Sudwerk will always have my business. Manager Ted saved me by doing some detective work to figure out who hit my car in the parking lot and I will always be grateful. Helps that the beer and food is also delicious, but staff will keep me coming back. You know what you did Ted, thanks man.

This is a usual go to place for me, a good variety of beer to choose from plus their own in house brews, decent burgers and my favorite truffle fries. They are family friendly and pet friendly for outdoor seating. Another nice feature is that they have 2 bars one indoor and one outdoor (when the weather is nice). If you're in Davis and a little thirsty, stop by Sudwerk Brewing Co.

This is an incredible spot. The beer is great, and the fried brussel sprouts and artichokes are amazing.

Cool place. Unique rustic, cozy atmosphere. Great selection of brews & spirits. Fabulous, friendly service. What's not to like?

The patio was definitely a vibe and being able to bring the dogs was great! The fried Brussels sprouts / artichoke hearts were really good! We ordered a west coast IPA and the garde-ians of the galaxy but we returned the garde-ian's because we assumed it was an IPA with galaxy hops but it was more of a malty beer. Definitely not their fault and overall we had a great experience!!

Great experience, food and drinks with our family, friends. Very good ambiance with the indoor / outdoor vibe and all the games for kids and adults and of course the full bar is legit. 5 out of 5 stars for sure!

Great service and great drinks and food. Best soft pretzel and beer cheese I've ever had.

We recently hosted our wedding cocktail hour at Sudwerk Brewing Co. in Davis, and it turned out to be a great experience. Even though we pulled things together fairly last minute, the Sudwerk team made the process smooth and easy. The service really stood out. From the first call to the day of the event, the staff were friendly, responsive, and flexible. They handled details without making us feel stressed and were always quick to help with whatever we needed. On the night itself, servers checked in regularly and kept food and drinks moving so we didn’t have to worry about anything. The beer hall was a perfect setting for our group. It has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that felt just right for a wedding cocktail hour—casual but still special. Our guests enjoyed the space, and it gave everyone plenty of room to mingle comfortably. The food was tasty and well-received across the board. It was the kind of menu that works well for a group: flavorful, shareable, and filling without being too heavy. Combined with their beers—always a highlight at Sudwerk—it made for a spread that people genuinely enjoyed. Guests are still mentioning how good the drinks and appetizers were. What we appreciated most was how smoothly everything came together. Weddings can be hectic, and with such short notice we weren’t sure what to expect. But the Sudwerk staff kept things on track, handled the logistics, and gave us peace of mind so we could focus on being with our friends and family. We left feeling very grateful to have chosen a local Davis spot that combines good food, good drinks, and good people. Sudwerk has a reputation as a community staple, and after our event it’s easy to see why. If you’re looking for a place to host an event, or just want to enjoy a laid-back meal and a beer, Sudwerk is a solid choice. They did a wonderful job for our wedding cocktail hour, and we’d happily recommend them to anyone planning a celebration in town.

Update: Been back a few times since my review; Added more photos. Food and service are always consistent. Original: I’ve been coming to Sudwerks pretty much my entire life and have seen the various transformations from restaurant to more casual beer pub. I’m not sure where the negative reviews come from since they reopened, but they aren’t warranted. The staff are friendly, food is on point, and they have some good beers. The Overgrowth Double IPA is SOOO good. Wow. One of my favorite IPAs of late. The burgers, fried chicken sandwich and pretzels are bomb. Fries are good too. Smoked wings are really good! There’s plenty of patio space and it’s totally kid and dog friendly. Would definitely recommend it. The ordering process can be impersonal, but if you just take it as a brewery and not full fledged restaurant, then it’s fine. Tipping culture has gotten out of hand and I’ve trained myself to just tip for good service, and not as a standard for a non waiter type of service. BUT..you can order beer tasters via the QR code, so that’s cool. And they serve them quick. However, you can’t order food with the QR codes which is disjuncted The other thing I’d knock them for is they could have other options on the food menu. Maybe some more sandwich options? Like a BLT, Roasted Turkey sandwich, Wraps etc. My wife struggled with what to get (ended up on the fried chicken sandwich), and would have liked some lighter fare - which wasn’t a salad.

Outdoor casual beer brewing house with live band on the weekends evenings. Beer are very good. Snacks are on the spicy side. Excellent gathering place with friends.

I've been here a couple of times and really like it. They have very tasty beers of a variety of types (peach optimo sour was delicious and a true sour lover's sour). I really liked the cheesesteak! It had a great kick to it and was so flavorful. The service was great and the patio was comfortable, even when it was 92 degrees out, thanks to the misters. If you are in Davis and like beer and/or food delivered with good vibes, I heartily recommend it!

First time going since the remodel and I have to say that “I love what they did to the place”. Lots of outdoor seating, family friendly and a fresh look. They have a game room if the kiddos get bored and games outside like a large connect four. Service was great. Very friendly and super helpful wait staff. They use local companies like Village Bakery to source their ingredients. Menu has seasonal items which is great. They have a different menu for weekends brunch hours. We had a party of six. We did make reservations because it can be quite busy on a Friday evening. I had the French onion soup and the little gem salad. Both were delicious! I highly recommend the Brussel sprouts and Jalapeño and artichoke dip. Still have great beers and a regular bar to serve as well. Grab your favorite beer to take home in cans. In the summer they have music outside and seating at the dock. I recommend Sudwerks if you haven’t been since the remodel or if it’s your first time.

I had lunch here and it was delicious! I had the Fish and chips with a cool beer. I believe the fish was Salmon sitting in the middle of guacamole dip sauce. It was so delicious I wish there was a larger portion. The chips were those thick crunchy type. The beer was tasty, I just don't remember the name. They have so many beers to pick from. They have your hard drinks and wines too. The bathrooms were very clean. Parking lot is big with some of the spaces shaded with an overpass.

Completely renovated restaurant that is very welcoming for beer goers and families. The outside space is great, and they occasionally have local bands playing. The food was delicious, but on a busy night, the service could be slow.

Always a great spot. I have been going here since I went to Davis 20 years ago. While the structure and ambiance have changed, it is still one of my favorite breweries. The beers are just as good and the staff is still just as nice. I do like the new outdoor area.

This is my first time stopping at this brewery. I’m a really huge fan of double IPAs and they released one the previous day (New Overgrowth). It was absolutely amazing. The fried chicken sandwich was delicious as well. The atmosphere and ambience is fantastic and I’m looking forward to coming back.

I was very thankful for Sydney who helped us with gluten free options. They don't have a dedicated GF fryer for French fries, Brussels, etc but I was still able to enjoy the gruyere mushroom burger with a GF bun, a side salad, and pesto deviled eggs. Nice cocktail list as an alternative to beer. Sydney seemed very knowledgeable about food allergies and I really appreciated her assistance and concern! Loved the vibe and outdoor seating options.

K Chang

Outdoor casual beer brewing house with live band on the weekends evenings. Beer are very good. Snacks are on the spicy side. Excellent gathering place with friends.

Dan Killam

I've been here a couple of times and really like it. They have very tasty beers of a variety of types (peach optimo sour was delicious and a true sour lover's sour). I really liked the cheesesteak! It had a great kick to it and was so flavorful. The service was great and the patio was comfortable, even when it was 92 degrees out, thanks to the misters. If you are in Davis and like beer and/or food delivered with good vibes, I heartily recommend it!

Grammy G

First time going since the remodel and I have to say that “I love what they did to the place”. Lots of outdoor seating, family friendly and a fresh look. They have a game room if the kiddos get bored and games outside like a large connect four. Service was great. Very friendly and super helpful wait staff. They use local companies like Village Bakery to source their ingredients. Menu has seasonal items which is great. They have a different menu for weekends brunch hours. We had a party of six. We did make reservations because it can be quite busy on a Friday evening. I had the French onion soup and the little gem salad. Both were delicious! I highly recommend the Brussel sprouts and Jalapeño and artichoke dip. Still have great beers and a regular bar to serve as well. Grab your favorite beer to take home in cans. In the summer they have music outside and seating at the dock. I recommend Sudwerks if you haven’t been since the remodel or if it’s your first time.

Mitchel Long

I had lunch here and it was delicious! I had the Fish and chips with a cool beer. I believe the fish was Salmon sitting in the middle of guacamole dip sauce. It was so delicious I wish there was a larger portion. The chips were those thick crunchy type. The beer was tasty, I just don't remember the name. They have so many beers to pick from. They have your hard drinks and wines too. The bathrooms were very clean. Parking lot is big with some of the spaces shaded with an overpass.

Adam

Completely renovated restaurant that is very welcoming for beer goers and families. The outside space is great, and they occasionally have local bands playing. The food was delicious, but on a busy night, the service could be slow.

Samir Jaluria

Always a great spot. I have been going here since I went to Davis 20 years ago. While the structure and ambiance have changed, it is still one of my favorite breweries. The beers are just as good and the staff is still just as nice. I do like the new outdoor area.

Ben Roehrig

The patio was definitely a vibe and being able to bring the dogs was great! The fried Brussels sprouts / artichoke hearts were really good! We ordered a west coast IPA and the garde-ians of the galaxy but we returned the garde-ian's because we assumed it was an IPA with galaxy hops but it was more of a malty beer. Definitely not their fault and overall we had a great experience!!

Jeff W

This is my first time stopping at this brewery. I’m a really huge fan of double IPAs and they released one the previous day (New Overgrowth). It was absolutely amazing. The fried chicken sandwich was delicious as well. The atmosphere and ambience is fantastic and I’m looking forward to coming back.

Lance Floyd

Great service and great drinks and food. Best soft pretzel and beer cheese I've ever had.

Good craft beer beer, brewed onsite. Also a good house made hard seltzer, great cocktails, cocktails, etc. The food is great too! The best part is the huge outdoor patio.

Husband and I went here once or twice as undergrads when it was just a brewery, maybe 7 years ago? Now we live in Davis once again and come here almost once a week! Trivia with Dr. Andy on Wednesdays is so fun and there are tons of events throughout the week. The Ruben, fried chicken sandwich, and banh mi fries are always favorites. Wide selection of beers, cocktails, nonalcoholic options. Consistently tasty food. This is a dog and kid-friendly establishment with plenty of parking, space, and games (corn hole, connect four, arcade games, etc). In the winter, the fire pits are cozy, and in the summer, the shade and misters make the outdoor concrete patio a cool haven. Love what Sudwerk has done with their space and highly recommend as an outing! I would only say that if you’re sensitive to train sounds, either sit inside or don’t go because the tracks are pretty close by.

Greg Connolly

Great experience, food and drinks with our family, friends. Very good ambiance with the indoor / outdoor vibe and all the games for kids and adults and of course the full bar is legit. 5 out of 5 stars for sure!

Julian Sarafian

We recently hosted our wedding cocktail hour at Sudwerk Brewing Co. in Davis, and it turned out to be a great experience. Even though we pulled things together fairly last minute, the Sudwerk team made the process smooth and easy. The service really stood out. From the first call to the day of the event, the staff were friendly, responsive, and flexible. They handled details without making us feel stressed and were always quick to help with whatever we needed. On the night itself, servers checked in regularly and kept food and drinks moving so we didn’t have to worry about anything. The beer hall was a perfect setting for our group. It has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that felt just right for a wedding cocktail hour—casual but still special. Our guests enjoyed the space, and it gave everyone plenty of room to mingle comfortably. The food was tasty and well-received across the board. It was the kind of menu that works well for a group: flavorful, shareable, and filling without being too heavy. Combined with their beers—always a highlight at Sudwerk—it made for a spread that people genuinely enjoyed. Guests are still mentioning how good the drinks and appetizers were. What we appreciated most was how smoothly everything came together. Weddings can be hectic, and with such short notice we weren’t sure what to expect. But the Sudwerk staff kept things on track, handled the logistics, and gave us peace of mind so we could focus on being with our friends and family. We left feeling very grateful to have chosen a local Davis spot that combines good food, good drinks, and good people. Sudwerk has a reputation as a community staple, and after our event it’s easy to see why. If you’re looking for a place to host an event, or just want to enjoy a laid-back meal and a beer, Sudwerk is a solid choice. They did a wonderful job for our wedding cocktail hour, and we’d happily recommend them to anyone planning a celebration in town.

Love that sudwerk is back! We rode our bikes here (from Sacramento relatively often). I love the updated outdoor space, new restaurant space is cool. The people’s Pilsner is fantastic, I’m sure the other stuff is good too but I appreciate when brewers excel at Pilsner since it’s way harder to make a great Pilsner than a sweaty ipa, hazy or dipa

I wish they had actual servers and you could order at the table. It's too much running around for what they charge, but we still had a good time.

The new space looks great! Good food and great cocktails!

I must amend my review! I kept the original, 3 star review at the bottom because I refuse to hide my shame. They have addressed the spoon/straw/glass discontinuity and everything is now on the up and up. Photos for evidence. The food is worth the price. The ambience (outside) is worth the time. A rare, good Davis restaurant. Original, no longer relevant: Much like a tall but extremely thin glass of root beer float with a spoon and straw too short to be useful, this restaurant offers a contrasting experience that’s as initially impressive as it is eventually a let down.

Longstanding brewery located in the Old East Davis area. Wide selection of beers on tap and in bottles, and a decent food menu as well. The fries are addictively good, but the Reuben is a must-try! Sizable outdoor patio, as well as a big interior with a game room as well. Fast and efficient service. Large free parking lot, but a funky layout and a couple of funky exits/entrances.

Happened to pop while visiting UC Davis. Generally, like going to pubs and breweries and came across the place on maps. Pretty easy to get to as it’s off a main street (2nd St.) although I happened to drive in through the back entrance, per google directions, which I would not recommend as it’s an unpaved roadway. Initial impressions were a little underwhelming from the parking lot but once inside the open-air area it was really nice and truly welcoming! The inner sitting area and bar are also very nice and definitely looked like a great place to hang out and have a few brews. All the staff were awesome, very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, since I was driving, I could not sample the beers on this trip which was a bummer. The food which looked very nice was not that tasty, we sampled multiple dishes. Fries were very good but would not come here for just the food. It was presented very well though. The outer open area is where we sat, it was really inviting and well laid out, it is very family friendly. There were a lot of small kids & parents. There was plenty of seating and sunshades as well as water vapor cooling mist. There were fire pits too - really awesome! They were setting up for a band. Additionally, the restrooms were also exceptionally clean. I’m going to come back and try the beers. I did like my overall experience, just the food did not live up to what I was expecting but I still think overall this is a good place in Davis to visit, really a very nice vibe. I really wanted to try the beers! Will update on my next visit!

Came for the cherry blossom festival and had to try the Asian fusion fries. It was a great choice. Beer is always good. Their food has changed to more of bar style food than restaurant style. Was good because that was what I was in the mood for.

Revamp restaurant area, now also set in cocktails. The food was good, ad my wife enjoined the burger. I had trouble with the fish and chip as I was expecting something more traditional, but overall it was OK. The cocktails were also good, although there could be some improvement. In general, glad to see that the place is doing well, ande should definitely sponsor it.

Wei-Ai Tai

Longstanding brewery located in the Old East Davis area. Wide selection of beers on tap and in bottles, and a decent food menu as well. The fries are addictively good, but the Reuben is a must-try! Sizable outdoor patio, as well as a big interior with a game room as well. Fast and efficient service. Large free parking lot, but a funky layout and a couple of funky exits/entrances.

Rupinder Matharu

Happened to pop while visiting UC Davis. Generally, like going to pubs and breweries and came across the place on maps. Pretty easy to get to as it’s off a main street (2nd St.) although I happened to drive in through the back entrance, per google directions, which I would not recommend as it’s an unpaved roadway. Initial impressions were a little underwhelming from the parking lot but once inside the open-air area it was really nice and truly welcoming! The inner sitting area and bar are also very nice and definitely looked like a great place to hang out and have a few brews. All the staff were awesome, very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, since I was driving, I could not sample the beers on this trip which was a bummer. The food which looked very nice was not that tasty, we sampled multiple dishes. Fries were very good but would not come here for just the food. It was presented very well though. The outer open area is where we sat, it was really inviting and well laid out, it is very family friendly. There were a lot of small kids & parents. There was plenty of seating and sunshades as well as water vapor cooling mist. There were fire pits too - really awesome! They were setting up for a band. Additionally, the restrooms were also exceptionally clean. I’m going to come back and try the beers. I did like my overall experience, just the food did not live up to what I was expecting but I still think overall this is a good place in Davis to visit, really a very nice vibe. I really wanted to try the beers! Will update on my next visit!

Daniel Snyder

Came for the cherry blossom festival and had to try the Asian fusion fries. It was a great choice. Beer is always good. Their food has changed to more of bar style food than restaurant style. Was good because that was what I was in the mood for.

Manuel Navedo

Revamp restaurant area, now also set in cocktails. The food was good, ad my wife enjoined the burger. I had trouble with the fish and chip as I was expecting something more traditional, but overall it was OK. The cocktails were also good, although there could be some improvement. In general, glad to see that the place is doing well, ande should definitely sponsor it.

Stars marked down for not being vegetarian friendly. They used to have Impossible burgers, which are ok, but got rid of them for mushroom burgers, which are not at all ok. Vegetarians don’t have many options here at all. Would love to see a wider menu with options for more diets.

We have been to this brewery before the dining portion was added. It's a really nice place to come for some food and a good beer. The chicken sandwich was very generous portions and it was pretty good. Burgers and fries were also fresh and good. Nothing outstanding but good pub food. We sat outside to enjoy the fresh air. Music from the band was a little too loud and it was difficult to enjoy any kind of conversation, but you could go inside if you wanted a quieter dining experience.

Trying the new patio for the first time. Not impressed. The beer is still great. But there is loud music playing that makes it hard to have a conversation. It is coming out of ground level speakers all around the tables and is thus inescapable. Probably not coming back.

Kel Coupons

We have been to this brewery before the dining portion was added. It's a really nice place to come for some food and a good beer. The chicken sandwich was very generous portions and it was pretty good. Burgers and fries were also fresh and good. Nothing outstanding but good pub food. We sat outside to enjoy the fresh air. Music from the band was a little too loud and it was difficult to enjoy any kind of conversation, but you could go inside if you wanted a quieter dining experience.

The food and beer was decent, but if the hostess recommends the bar area, be sure to decline. I’ve never come across an atmosphere where those seated at the bar were given such little personal space. Had people ordering drinks on top of me and the bartender hit me in the head twice passing drinks to people who were literally climbing on top of my chair to get them.

Sudwerk Brewing Co. falls short in key areas that define a great brewery experience. Starting with the food, it's unfortunately quite bland, lacking the flavorful punch that enhances a beer-tasting outing. The poor seating arrangement adds to the discomfort, making it challenging to relax and enjoy the brews. One of the most disappointing aspects is the occasional lack of drinks due to running out of stock. This can severely impact the overall experience, leaving patrons with limited choices and potentially forcing them to settle for options they may not prefer.

The “tasting room” for this brewery does no justice for some of the finest brews made in America. Weird hours, outdoor seating, self service, porta-potties … REALLY!?!? I’ve been enjoying Sudwerk beers for well over a decade, and as I said, the beers are fantastic. However, I’ve enjoyed drinking them here less and less each year - and as of Aug 2022 we’re seeing a new low. That’s why most customers order “ToGo”. Maybe some day soon they’ll get it together and offer a nice place to actually enjoy their beers! Still waiting …

Completely new restaurant opened 2023. Beer and wine were fabulous as always, and also like before, the food was lacking. Outdoor dining is a must. Indoor conversations are barely possible when sitting side by side with someone, let alone across a table. Previous review circa 2010: Excellent wines, but the food can sometimes leave me wishing for a little better.

This is an ok place to go for a beer if you want to enjoy your brew amidst a gigantic and noisy operation next to I-80 and Amtrak, but IMO totally abysmal for the food. How any server would serve this hyper-"fried" chicken sandwich to me, let alone how any cook would let it exit the kitchen, is beyond me. The fries were also cold. And they'd sold out of the beer I wanted to try (least of my concerns). Seriously, seriously disappointed.

Jansen Wendlandt

Completely new restaurant opened 2023. Beer and wine were fabulous as always, and also like before, the food was lacking. Outdoor dining is a must. Indoor conversations are barely possible when sitting side by side with someone, let alone across a table. Previous review circa 2010: Excellent wines, but the food can sometimes leave me wishing for a little better.

Suzanne Frey

This is an ok place to go for a beer if you want to enjoy your brew amidst a gigantic and noisy operation next to I-80 and Amtrak, but IMO totally abysmal for the food. How any server would serve this hyper-"fried" chicken sandwich to me, let alone how any cook would let it exit the kitchen, is beyond me. The fries were also cold. And they'd sold out of the beer I wanted to try (least of my concerns). Seriously, seriously disappointed.

To start when we ordered, they told us their only options for sides are sweet potato fries or salad, they ran out of regular fries.. when we get the receipt their was a charge for an upgrade for the fries, which we didn’t really want in the first place, but had to order based off their lack of regular fries… 2nd: 7 parties got their food before we did, when they got here after us. Waitress was really nice and tried to compensate us for the wait, only reason I’m leaving a 1 star.. 3rd: When the food finally came you can tell they forgot our order and made it super fast/rushed it.. The burger buns were burnt and too hard to eat and they got the toppings in my burger completely wrong…. Usually the experience here is okayyyy, but after today we definitely won’t be back..

Haven't been to Sudwerk Brewing in a few years. What a difference. No longer a welcome, comfortable and inviting restaraunt. Turned into a place I'll never return to. Another example of "you can never return home" Damn it.

I ordered a chicken sandwich from here and it was burnt black. The cooks need to be fired immediately. This is just sad. DO NOT COME HERE. The food is over priced and over cooked. I also got some over cooked chicken wings. Don’t waste your time here. To the owners please fire your cooks and get ppl in who actually care about cooking the food correctly.

Just had dinner after enjoying a live band out back. Ordered our meal via the QR code menu. Very impersonal, but I guess that’s the new thing… we waited just over an hour for our meal to be brought to our table. I ordered the fish & chips, a friend had the impossible burger with fries. I was stunned by the appearance of my plate- one piece of fish! $28.00! Both meals were almost cold! It was unbelievable. I’m a fan of this place and I want it to do well, but I can’t remember ever being so disappointed with a meal out on the town. Is nobody checking the plates before they leave the kitchen? As a local business owner I’d be embarrassed to serve this product to my customers. It’s too bad. The beer was good. They are clearly understaffed, and in need of some better management.

James Hovagimian

Just had dinner after enjoying a live band out back. Ordered our meal via the QR code menu. Very impersonal, but I guess that’s the new thing… we waited just over an hour for our meal to be brought to our table. I ordered the fish & chips, a friend had the impossible burger with fries. I was stunned by the appearance of my plate- one piece of fish! $28.00! Both meals were almost cold! It was unbelievable. I’m a fan of this place and I want it to do well, but I can’t remember ever being so disappointed with a meal out on the town. Is nobody checking the plates before they leave the kitchen? As a local business owner I’d be embarrassed to serve this product to my customers. It’s too bad. The beer was good. They are clearly understaffed, and in need of some better management.

Dino Alukic

I ordered a chicken sandwich from here and it was burnt black. The cooks need to be fired immediately. This is just sad. DO NOT COME HERE. The food is over priced and over cooked. I also got some over cooked chicken wings. Don’t waste your time here. To the owners please fire your cooks and get ppl in who actually care about cooking the food correctly.