Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2780)

$50 and over

Californian

Bodega Bay

About the restaurant

Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant is a California cuisine restaurant located in Bodega Bay, California.

Top review

Marievip

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent everything; food, beverages, wait staff, chefs, atmosphere. Highly recommend, don’t miss out on this excellent restaurant.

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Liberty Farms Duck Breast

All Spice – San Mateo

4.9

4.9 (1103)

$50 and over

Californian

San Mateo

About the restaurant

Enjoy our oft-changing 3, 4 or 5-course Chef's menu for dinner inside our charming cottage or on our heated outdoor patio.

Come take a special journey when you dine at our charming restaurant.

Husband-and-wife team Sachin Chopra and Shoshana Wolff have turned a 1906 Victorian house into a pioneering dining destination that showcases Modern Californian Cuisine. It's local and seasonal whenever possible, but is also so much more. Sachin stretches beyond his classical training to create elegantly composed dishes that subtly hint at Indian, Japanese, Norwegian, Mediterranean and other worldly influences. The result is a unique cuisine with its own distinctive point of view. Warm, professional service and a thoughtful wine list enhance the experience.

We can't wait to see you!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 1, 2024

Exceptional dining experience. Every course, from the pre-appetizer to the post-dessert bites, was delicious. The sauces were perfectly matched to each dish. My salmon was cooked to perfection, tender with a lightly crispy exterior. The cheesecake featured a sweet yet tangy sauce—delicious! The table-side pouring of the onion soup was a delightful surprise. An ideal venue for a special occasion.

Commis Dining Room

4.9

4.9 (1204)

$50 and over

Californian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Commis in Oakland is a Two-Star Michelin rated fine dining restaurant by James Beard Foundation Nominated Chef James Syhabout that serves a multi-course Tasting Menu.

Diners at Commis are invited to linger for 2.5 to 3 hours over an multi-course meal in a warm, comfortable and relaxing dining room appointed by glowing glass light pendants, dark furniture, bare walnut tables, dim lit candles and floral arrangements.

Delivered by the attentive service staff and sommeliers, the cuisine of Commis showcases some of the best Northern California ingredients that are in season through modern and classic cooking techniques. The cuisine aims to bridge the flavors, textures and temperatures of the East and West with every course with the intention to excite and satisfy.

Top review

Marcvip

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Exceptional experience. Food is incredibly creative, wine pairing magnifies the whole thing.

Commis Bar

4.8

4.8 (24)

$50 and over

Californian

Oakland

About the restaurant

With only 10 bar height chairs at the cocktail bar, the COMMIS BAR experience offers a fixed 4-course menu highlighting some the best seasonal Northern California ingredients through modern and classic cooking techniques.

Diners at the bar are invited for 1.5 to 2 hours over the entire course of the meal with the shorter fixed menu compared to our full length DINING ROOM menu experience.

Top review

Kenneth

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

I learned of this establishment from the recent Open Table Michelin Star article. This was my first Michelin two star experience. The dishes were beyond fantastic and the service was great. I will definitely be back.

The Plumed Horse

4.8

4.8 (2537)

$50 and over

Californian

Saratoga

About the restaurant

The Plumed Horse Restaurant has been a beacon of South Bay fine dining since 1952. Led by Executive Chef Peter Armellino, it is a destination for those travelling to visit, yet retains its landmark status as a place to relax, unwind, enjoy, and indulge for locals. Michelin has agreed, awarding Chef Peter a star for 15 consecutive years.

Chef's tasting menu, composed of multiple courses featuring items from local farms and fishermen, is the highlight. A la carte is offered in select seatings on certain evenings.

Wear whatever makes you comfortable, but you are here for a special night out, dressing up is fun! While not required, suits, sportcoats and classy attire will generally get you the best seats in the house.

We are an "adult restaurant." If you are bringing in younger patrons, we want to make it a great experience for every guest. We ask for no tablet or cell-phone entertainment that might disturb others. This is your night to make memories with each other as a family.

Top review

Kevinvip

Dined 3 days ago

The best special occasion restaurant in South Bay.

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Experience

An Evening with Clase Azul

Experience

$128 Four-Course Prix-Fixe Menu

Experience

Chef's Seasonal Tasting Menu

Aziza

4.8

4.8 (2900)

$31 to $50

Californian

Richmond District

About the restaurant

Michelin recommended Aziza presents inventive takes on California influenced, Mediterranean & Moroccan dishes, all enhance with western style service, beverages & desserts - adapted to a fine-dining yet casual setting. organic & locally produced ingredients are prominently featured on the menu that portrays Mourad Lahlou’s unique creations & modern versions of Moroccan classics.
the dinner menu is designed for flexibility with a diverse range of meal options. the inspired starter menu presents refreshing appetizer choices, or can serve as a basis for a complete meal. Moroccan classics are well represented & are accompanied by signature & innovative selections. Aziza redefines the rustic yet elegant comfort of a true neighborhood restaurant.

Top review

Marietta

Dined 1 day ago

Came here for dinner to celebrate my friend’s birthday and mine also. I had not been here since they had remodeled the restaurant years ago. We had an amazing meal! Ordered several starters, based on the recommendations of our server. We started with the delicious Little Gem Salad, then mostly chose from the “Smaller” items on the menu. We ordered the eggplant,mussels,kefta, broccolini, and the amazing cornbread with harissa butter. My friend and I thought this was the best cornbread we’ve ever had! We were so full and couldn’t even order dessert, but they brought out candles and two just baked chocolate chip cookies. Only could eat one and took the other one home. We are definitely coming back to try the main entrees. Highly recommend this place!!!

Nightbird

4.9

4.9 (801)

$50 and over

Californian

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

About the restaurant

Nightbird offers a 6 Course 6 Bite Menu, from chef, owner and James Beard Nominated, Kim Alter. It is an elegant boutique restaurant in the heart of San Francisco (Hayes Valley) embracing California's freshest, seasonal, local ingredients. the price of the menu is $195/person with a 16% service charge and 6% Heathy SF.
Please understand we have 10 tables in our dining room, for that reason we do have the policy below.
Cancellation policy: If cancelled after the 48 hour window, we charge the card on file $195 per person.
For parties over 4 people, one weeks notice is needed for a cancellation. If cancelled after the 5 working day window, we charge the card on file $195 per person.

Top review

jw4000vip

Dined 1 day ago

Definitely Michelin recommended and deserves a Michelin Star..

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Experience

Bar Bites at Linden Room

Experience

Private Dining in The Nightingale Room

Ethel's Fancy

4.8

4.8 (458)

$50 and over

Californian

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

A hip and fun restaurant with chef's counter dining, serving thoughtful American cuisine, with an emphasis on local seasonal products.

Ethel's Fancy is open at 5 PM Tuesday - Saturday.

We have a small dining room with a limited amount of reservable tables. We do keep our Bar seats and a table in the restaurant open for people to walk-ins. Walk-ins are on a first come basis.

Please do not make multiple reservations with the intention of combining reservations to increase party size.

All guests must be present before your party will be seated.

To help provide a seamless experience for all our guests, we have allocated 2-hours for your group of 2 to 4 people.

Top review

IrisB

Dined today

A fantastic experience. Our server was attentive and friendly. The cocktails were all delicious - I loved the Gold Digger. I want platefuls of the milk bread. The snap peas with wasabi sauce were phenomenal. And i think about the swordfish katsu on a regular basis.

Parkside Grille

4.8

4.8 (1822)

$31 to $50

Californian

Portola Valley

About the restaurant

Rustic elegance in beautiful Portola Valley. Secluded amongst towering redwood trees.

Family-owned & operated since 2000.

Top review

Christinevip

Dined 2 days ago

Enjoyed dining outside. Service was good, unobtrusive but available. The dishes were excellent. All four of us enjoyed our various entrees.

Frances

4.8

4.8 (3620)

$50 and over

Californian

The Castro

About the restaurant

At Frances, chef Melissa Perello’s seasonal menu reflects modern California sensibilities and focuses on ingredients from local markets, farms and producers in a casual, neighborhood setting. Named after Chef Perello’s grandmother, Frances is an ode to refined but comfortable sensibilities in both food and decor. Whether it’s the technique-rich, yet simple approach to food, or the open, familiar atmosphere and stellar service, Frances' honest, focused approach has resonated with customers and critics alike.

Top review

Tim

Dined 1 day ago

This is a jewel in the Castro—high-quality food and an unforgettable experience. Frances is the place to go if you're looking for a special place for a date night or a special occasion. We are adding Frances to our favorite list and will return for more great food. We highly recommend the Chef's tasting menu and wine pairing. Just sit back and enjoy your company as the food streams out of the kitchen. YUM!

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