Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Monk's Kettle

4.9

4.9 (23)

$30 and under

American

Mission District

About the restaurant

The Monk’s Kettle is a neighborhood tavern in San Francisco’s Mission District offering upscale pub fare and a broad and balanced craft beer list.

A place where all are welcome, where the mission is simply to create a place people want to be.

Named the Best Beer Bar in California. Named one of the best Burgers and Fried Chicken Sandwiches in the region.

Monks Kettle is moving to Rockridge in Oakland later this summer. Our last day of service in San Francisco is Sunday June 30. We hope to reopen in Rockridge around September.

Top review

Reviewer

Dined on Apr 28, 2024

Delicious food, drinks, and really friendly staff. Always a great experience!

Biscuits and Blues

4.8

4.8 (1969)

$31 to $50

Southern

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of San Francisco's historic Theater District, Biscuits and Blues is a West Coast musical landmark where every seat provides an up-close, live music experience. Our all-ages supper club is a great place for the whole family to experience America's greatest musical heritage! We have live music six nights a week featuring national and Bay Area acts. Our full bar and soulful Southern menu compliments the savory sounds of our top-notch talent. If you’re trying to decide between food and music, you can indulge in both with us!

Our typical show schedule**:
Wednesday & Thursday: 1st Show starts at 6:30pm , 2nd Show at 9:00 pm | $25 Presale & $30 Day of show
Friday & Saturday: 1st Show starts at 6:30pm, 2nd Show at 9:15pm | $35 Presale & $40 Day of show
Tickets Valid for both shows.

Show times and prices may vary and are dependent on specific acts.
No refunds-no cancellations for show tickets. Every ticket comes with a table.

Top review

Lance

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

We had never been to Biscuits and Blues before, but had heard about how great it was. Turns out all the rumors are true! Great place! Good food. Wonderful owners who dote on their customers. Fantastic music! We'll be back.

Vino Locale - Palo Alto

4.8

4.8 (101)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Welcome to Vino Locale serving downtown Palo Alto since 2005!
The only Wine Garden & Kitchen in downtown Palo Alto with Nightly Live Music in the back garden!

Check music schedule on our website www.vinolocale.org
Join us for Dinner, Wine and live music in the Vino Garden!
Dog Friendly Patio

Happy Hour (Tue-Sat) 3:00-5:30
Great wines from California and around the world
Wine flights with cheese pairings
Craft beers on tap & beer flights
Nuts and olive flights
Cheese & Charcuterie boards
Extensive Tapas Menu
Dinner Menu

Top review

Raisa

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

I absolutely LOVE Vino Locale! It feels like home and I'm always greeted with a smile and some of the best warm loving service I've ever had. The Thursday evening live music is so tastefully done. Not too loud and just so enjoyable. I brought my team of 12 to the backyard patio and it felt like I invited them to my private backyard. Celinda is the best server ever. Just kind and on-point no matter how slammed they are. Thank you for such a special place and making me and my team feel at home.

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Experience

Saturdays are Reserve days (30% OFF Reserves)

Experience

Happy Hour Wine Tasting

Ichika Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (11)

$31 to $50

Izakaya

San Bruno

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Awesome customer service and most of all food is super flavorful, cooked to perfection.

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Experience

Omakase Special

MUA

4.6

4.6 (1349)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Oakland

About the restaurant

MUA is known for its open atmosphere, eclectic décor, art events and, of course, its delicious food. Ideal for large parties or intimate gatherings, the spacious dining room creates a relaxed, casual vibe for guests to enjoy their meals. A large selection of wines, cocktails and beers make MUA a great spot for an evening out with friends.

Family owned and run Mua was one of the first restaurants to open in what was then Auto Row in Oakland, in 2008. After their first 2 restaurants, Pastoral in Berkeley (first opened in 1982 while still students, 37 in the architecture program at Cal and San-Ju painting at SFAI) then later Soizic (Jack London Square, 1996), they wanted to shift gears from heavily curated menus to more comfort-based fare catering more to the eclectic and artistic community in Oakland. Today you’ll find people of all ages and backgrounds, from Too Short to Jerry Brown.

Top review

Alisica

Dined 7 days ago

MUA is an excellent choice for a great time with great food ! Justin was my server last night and he was absolutely amazing!!! Will be going back :)

Z & Y Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (308)

$30 and under

Chinese

Chinatown

About the restaurant

Chef Han has served two Chinese Presidents and was the previous Executive Chef in the office of the Consulate General of China in San Francisco.

Z & Y Restaurant is an award winning and Michelin Guide recommended San Francisco Chinese restaurant which prepares all your favorite authentic Chinese cuisine, Szechuan regional specialties including spicy and non-spicy dishes, Mandarin style dim sum and family dishes.

San Francisco residents, as well as tourist and dignitaries from all around the world come to Z & Y Restaurant for business lunch, dinners, special events and to order our fast and reliable Chinese take out.

At Z & Y Restaurant, we prepare delicious Chinese cuisine that is full of flavor. We consider ourselves to be the best Chinese food restaurant around and with one bite from our amazing menu, we are confident you will feel the same. We invite you to come in and become a new loyal customer.

Top review

Ben

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

It was tasty and really good. The menu was extensive and complete. It's definitely worth checking out

Osha Thai Embarcadero

4.6

4.6 (310)

$30 and under

Thai

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Osha Thai Embarcadero is thrilled to welcome you back for indoor and outdoor dining at 4 Embarcadero Center!

Outdoor heated patio, spacious indoor dining for large party and family.

In its elegant eatery steeped in a relaxing ambience, Osha Thai Restaurant serves fresh cuisine originating in
Thailand.

Reservation can be made up to 10 people. For bigger group of party, please give us a call at 415.788.6742

or send us the email at osha_embarcadero@yahoo.com

Top review

Soumitravip

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

One of the best Thai restaurants in the city. The brunch options are unique and delicious.

B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille

4.6

4.6 (339)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sonoma

About the restaurant

Award winning Chef Carlo Cavallo’s upscale gastropub concept, B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille is located in the Historic Sonoma Creamery building across the street from the Old Mission in the Sonoma Plaza. We are Sonoma Plaza's only brew pub, whiskey bar. B&V's menu format is wine country inspired with farm to table elements, Italian and French influences, and good old fashion steak house. Chef Carlo Cavallo has won best beef in America, and been on Food Networks Guy Fieri show.

Top review

Josie

Dined on Aug 19, 2024

family dining perfect spot for an early dinner with 7 adults and 5 kids food was great, service was great, noisy enough so no one minded the kids

Tacolicious - Palo Alto

4.6

4.6 (200)

$30 and under

Mexican

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Tacolicious is a casual, modern Mexican restaurant with locations in San Francisco, Palo Alto and Manhattan Beach (LA). We source our ingredients responsibly, take our tacos as seriously as our cocktails, and offer a fun sit-down, full-service experience.

Large party of 12 +? Email us at palo_alto_management@tacolicious.com and we'll fit you in. We have outdoor dining, a great private room and do off-site catering. Go to tacolicious.com for more information; catering requests can be sent to events@tacolicious.com.

Top review

Letty

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely place with delicious food ! My favorite is chicken lime soup , carnitas tacos and the churros

Chotto Matte San Francisco

4.5

4.5 (39)

$50 and over

Asian

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

Coming Soon Fall 2023! Situated in Downtown San Francisco, Chotto Matte is renowned for its signature Nikkei Cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, and electric atmosphere. Chotto Matte’s chic, contemporary interior is inspired by its Japanese & Peruvian roots, making it a unique dining experience, every time. Key highlights include Chotto’s recognisable bold design, tropical foliage and theatrical robata grill.

Top review

Gabriela

Dined 6 days ago

10/10 recommend I loved my experience, really beautiful place in the city

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