Best Restaurants for Quiet Conversation in Kensington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianFrenchFusion / EclecticTapas / Small PlatesMediterranean

Regions

East BaySan Francisco

Neighborhoods

AlbanyBerkeleyDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoOakland

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

10 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Juanita & Maude

4.9

Exceptional(1839)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Albany

Booked 15 times today

An intimate neighborhood restaurant, Juanita & Maude features Chef Scott Eastman's personal take on American Cuisine. The daily changing menu highlights classic dishes including Michelin Guide's top 5 hamburger in California. His refined comfort food is matched with seasonal craft cocktails and an international wine list. Juanita & Maude's lively dining room or serene outdoor patio is the perfect spot for a night out, celebration or special occasion. Conveniently located near the corner of Solano and San Pablo Avenues.

A photo of Julia's Restaurant restaurant

2. Julia's Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1738)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Berkeley

Booked 16 times today

Teatime Tuesdays | 12pm-2pmIndoor DiningLunchWednesday - Saturday | 12pm-2pmDinnerTuesday-Saturday | 5pm-7:45pmLocated on the second floor of the Berkeley City Club, a Julia Morgan Historic Hotel, Julia's boasts a beautiful over-sized fireplace, and ornate details true to Morgan's iconic Moorish Gothic architectural design.Julia's offers an innovative, creative, contemporary approach to your dining experience and is inspired by local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Our diverse wine list complements our menu featuring wines carefully selected from regions around the world.

3. ZINO

4.3

Awesome(438)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Berkeley

Booked 2 times today

A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar located in the heart of Downtown Berkeley. ZINO features a rotating menu of cuisines, complemented by a modern cocktail program infused with Mediterranean flavors and spices. ZINO is a gathering place for people of the community to socialize, celebrate, and share in the unique flavors of one of the most diverse regions of the world.Vegetarian menu available.For Parties of 9 or more, please contact the restaurant directly.

A photo of ACRE Kitchen and Bar restaurant

4. ACRE Kitchen and Bar

4.5

Awesome(804)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Oakland

Booked 42 times today

Right in the heart of Rockridge, Oakland, ACRE Kitchen & Bar is all about simple, seasonal food done right. Led by Chef Dirk Tolsma, we source from the best Northern California farms and purveyors to create dishes that are fresh, honest, and made to be shared.Our fresh ground brisket burger on a house-baked bun? A local favorite. The berbere-spiced fried chicken? Crispy, bold, and packed with flavor. Some dishes rotate with the seasons, but the commitment to great ingredients never changes.We work with FEED Sonoma Co-Op, Star Route Farms, Full Belly Farm, Monterey Fish, and Rocky’s Chicken to bring you the best of what’s local.Proudly awarded Gold for Best New Restaurant in the East Bay Express Best of the East Bay Awards, we’re here to serve up great food with a true taste of Northern California.*20% gratuity will be added to all parties 8 or more.

5. Boulevard

4.8

Exceptional(9224)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 55 times today

Chef Nancy Oakes, Chef Dana Younkin and our entire team, look forward to welcoming you to a refreshed and reimagine Boulevard. The dining room features a 3 course prix fixe menu with a multitude of choices. For the more spontaneous sorts; our bar, lounge and chef's counter is available on a walk-in basis and limited reservations. An a la carte menu is offered in these areas. For private events and larger groups, please check our our website.

6. Trestle

4.7

Exceptional(2934)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 30 times today

Hi Neighbor!At Trestle, we remember a time, not too long ago, where people took pause to enjoy a meal in the presence of great company, giving it the reverence and respect deserved. We provide a dining experience served in courses, with the satisfaction and warmth found at a family gathering, creating the foundation to a proper meal. Every day we feature a changing 4 course prix fixe menu with choices on each course for $52/person. Unfortunately, we do not offer ala-carte options.We are able to accommodate vegetarian options nightly. We do our best to accommodate other allergies/restrictions based on the menu for that evening. Due to our limited spacing, we can accommodate parties of 8 or less only.

7. Le Central

4.6

Exceptional(2204)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 17 times today

Opened in 1974, Le Central has been serving traditional French cuisine for five decades, boasting the honor of being San Francisco’s most historic French bistro. Located on the edge of the Financial District, Union Square, and Chinatown in a rare one story brick building adorned with its iconic pink neon sign and crowned by a vintage “Tabac” sign. Step into this charming restaurant and be transported to a Parisian brasserie. With exposed brick walls, original imported brass bar, stained glass features, and cozy banquettes topped with brass railings. The atmosphere invites you to unwind and enjoy delicious French fare and exceptional wines and cocktails in an upscale, yet casual environment. Enjoy French classics like steak-frites, escargot, onion soup, and our world famous Cassoulet. Le Central’s cuisine is comforting yet sumptuous. Le Central is the downtown stop for locals and visitors looking for a taste of “La Belle Vie”!!!

A photo of Bellanico Restaurant and Wine Bar restaurant

8. Bellanico Restaurant and Wine Bar

4.7

Exceptional(2097)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Oakland

Booked 3 times today

Bellanico Restaurant & Wine Bar saves some tables for walk-ins, please call Bellanico directly for large party reservations. Bellanico is a continuation of Chris Shepherd & Elizabeth Frumusa’s successful restaurant in San Francisco, Aperto in Potrero Hill. Bellanico is a neighborhood restaurant located in the Glenview district of Oakland. The name Bellanico is derived from their daughters’ nicknames, Bella & Nico. The Bellanico staff take great pride in food, service and wine. We serve rustic Italian cuisine that changes seasonally. We are dedicated to serving the best seasonal, local, sustainable and organic products that they can find. Bellanico features Pitman Farms Chicken, Prather Ranch Meat, Duroc Pork and only wild caught fish and seafood. It also features a wine bar offering Old World wines with an emphasis on Italian wines. There are more than 25 wines by the glass & 6 different flights of wine.

9. Saucy Oakland

4.6

Exceptional(168)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Asian • Oakland

Booked 7 times today

Saucy Oakland features fun and delicious Pan-Asian dishes like the Thai Corndog, Hamachi spoons, soy-braised beef short ribs, and garlic noodles. Enjoy our original dishes with a selection of premium sake, sake spritzers, wine, beer, soft drinks, and tea. We are currently accepting reservations for lunch (Tue-Fri) for parties of 5 or more. We currently DO NOT offer TABLE SERVICE for lunch. We hope to provide this service in the future. Please order at the counter when you arrive.Happy Hour and Dinner (Wed-Sat).Brunch on Sundays from 11-2:30PM Saucy Oakland is a fun and creatively driven project put together by locals Chef Tony and Jenni in 2015. They've partnered up their passion for food to deliver their take on a fun concept that focuses on friends mingling over great food.

A photo of Eclipse Kitchen and Bar restaurant

10. Eclipse Kitchen and Bar

3.7

Very Good(278)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Indulge in classic San Francisco cuisine or celebrate the day’s end with one of our signature cocktails or sample a hand-selected flight of California wines at Eclipse Kitchen & Bar. Take in the grandeur of our lobby's architecture as you start your day with breakfast or wind down at the bar with a mouthwatering appetizer. Eclipse’s lively ambience is ideal for business meetings or personal celebrations. Full bar seating includes plush couches, modern pub tables and tufted benches for private conversations.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
tom
1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
One of the best restaurants in SF, perfect for any occasion...TM
More info
BoulevardPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Financial District / Embarcadero
•
4.8
B
BillyVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent dishes, chefs are on point. Definitely on the pricey side, but the service and level of culinary excellence makes it worthwhile.
More info
ACRE Kitchen and BarPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Oakland
•
4.5
L
Lori
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
As always the food, ambience, and service was excellent.
More info
Juanita & MaudePrice: Very Expensive• American• Albany
•
4.9
E
Ebone
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jul 8, 2025
The staff was very helpful when assisting me with my party accommodations. Very friendly and definitely set the tone for my experience during dinner reservations.
More info
ZINOPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Berkeley
•
4.3
A
Andre
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 29, 2025
It was completely wonderful . The duck is delicious, the snails are delicious. The crème brûlé is really good, tasty and cold , we asked for some caramel on top , the waitress is really nice about it. Also the way the waitress organized the utensils look really elegant . Definitely our favorite restaurant in the entire Berkeley and Oakland area . We would come back again for our anniversary dinner next year .
More info
Julia's RestaurantPrice: Expensive• French• Berkeley
•
4.7

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