Jackson eats simply. The historic downtown has a row of low-key places: a brewpub, a couple of cafes, and the National Hotel's bar and dining room — operating since 1862 and one of the more atmospheric places to drink a beer in Gold Country. Mel and Faye's Diner on Highway 49 has been the locals' breakfast spot since 1956.
For something more ambitious, drive to nearby Sutter Creek or Amador City, where a number of small farm-to-table restaurants have appeared in recent years, riding the Shenandoah Valley wine boom. Element Restaurant in Sutter Creek and the Imperial Hotel in Amador City are both worth the short trip.