Karlines Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Redding

The food was excellent, the best as compared to other restaurants. It was one of the best dinners out we have had in some time. I have no complaints, the only thing we found less than five stars was the crowding and the noise and the hard heavy chairs but a small price to pay for a quality restaurant. They were very busy including some large parties. Our waitress was very pleasant and overall, we had an outstanding dinner out exceeding our expectations.

5/15/2025 Update We had not been to Karline's for some time but decided to go for Mother's Day, actually we went the day before hoping we would avoid the crowd. It was a mistake the restaurant was way overcrowded, and the experience was very unpleasant due to the noise level and the traffic as we were seated in the 'hallway.' I wonder if the fire department is okay with the crowd capacity for exiting if there is a fire. Honestly my experience in restaurants in the U.S. and abroad were never on any occasion as horribly noisy and overcrowded. The waiter covered the basics but clearly had no time to spare to provide quality service, after all the high prices include service, and the ambiance in a restaurant is also what you pay for. We wanted a pleasant easy-going experience but what we got was like being in a sports bar or ringside at an athletic event, it was unbearably loud and obnoxious, and we took some time after leaving to take a deep breath to shake off the chaotic experience, we had to struggle the whole time to hear each other over the noise. Yes, the food was good, with the exception of the lemon cake that alone gets one star, there was no discernable lemon flavor and overall tasteless. Still the only reason we have been there is for the food, but we have been there rarely, each time hoping for a better experience. We gave two stars for the food after subtracting for the unpleasant experience. It is unfortunate to see an owner who would appear to be more intent on the bottom line than providing a manageable pleasant dining experience; private large parties intermingled with dining and a bar crammed into an odd configuration of space is anything but desirable. Since our last visit nothing has changed it has only...

An unexpected gem in Redding. We went to Karlines while visiting the in-laws and I was utterly blown away by how great it was. A rather bland exterior conceals a beautiful inside area with an exposed central kitchen and bar up front. We had called ahead and reserved a table, and were seated promptly. Our server Joyce was wonderful: fast, polite, and personable. The drinks were good, with a decent variety of wines, cocktails, and beers. The food was even better. We had the burrata plate and calamari as starters, both of which were very good. The pesto and fresh tomatoes helped cut the richness of the burrata and the grilled lemon half added brightness and complexity to the calamari. We followed that with the chicken marsala, the garlic prawns, and the two daily specials of prime rib and sesame encrusted ahi ahi. The chicken marsala and garlic prawns were wonderful, both rich and cooked perfectly with the mashed potatoes and risotto as perfect compliments to the entrees, respectively. I personally ordered the mahi-mahi and was blown away. The fish tasted fresh and was perfectly seared. Complimenting this was a beautiful creamy and rich avocado pesto pasta, which in a stroke of genius, was mixed with crispy wonton strips at the bottom of the plate to prevent textural homogeneity. My SO ordered the prime rib and was delighted. Though I don't eat red meat, it looked perfectly cooked and tender, with a bed of mashed potatoes and asparagus. We followed this up with the order of the silken chocolate cake and raspberry creme brulee, both of which exceeded expectations and capped off a truly wonderful meal. If you are in the area and looking for a nice dining experience, I can say that Karlines simply must be near the top on your...

Tonight my husband and I had the pleasure of dining at Karline’s.

Neither of us had ever been before, so we were excited to check it out. I called around 4pm hoping to snag a 6pm reservation, and while they were booked, they had a 6:30 available—which worked out perfectly. When we pulled into the parking lot and saw it was packed, I took that as a very good sign.

The moment we walked in, we were greeted by the sweetest hostess with a gorgeous smile and welcoming energy. We let her know about our reservation and were seated right away. The restaurant was full of happy diners, and despite the cozy space, it wasn’t loud or chaotic. The dim lighting and romantic atmosphere made it feel like the perfect date night spot.

We kicked things off with the fried artichokes (highly recommend!), and stuck with water to drink. For dinner, I went with the Cranberry Chicken Salad paired with a cup of minestrone soup, while my husband opted for the ribeye steak with added mushrooms and a side salad.

Everything came out in perfect timing—first the appetizer, then some warm bread and our soup/salad, and finally our entrees. The service was smooth and unhurried, which I appreciated. When the main dishes arrived, we were both surprised by how generous the portions were. My salad was crisp, fresh, and dressed just right. And my husband’s steak? Cooked to perfection and full of flavor.

We were so tempted by the crème brûlée but too full to take it on this time—next visit, for sure. The total bill came to $100, which is pretty average for a nice dinner these days.

All in all, we give Karline’s a solid 10/10. If you're looking for a delicious meal and a cozy date night vibe, definitely...