Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in East Bay

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in East Bay? 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!

Neumanali

4.8

4.8 (625)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hayward

About the restaurant

Welcome to our beautifully restored Victorian with a contemporary twist. Neumanali opened fifteen years ago and quickly became a neighborhood favorite.

We are open for indoor dining. Patio seating is available. We are not requiring masks for those who have been vaccinated, however, we appreciate your adherence to the state masking requirements for those not vaccinated.

The menu features both fresh and seasonal entrees in addition to a selection of fun and unusual small plates. Perennial favorites are the pan-seared day boat scallops, grilled ribeye and pan seared pork chop. The wine list is a bit eclectic and features smaller, more difficult to find winery selections. Lush garden dining is available now.

Top review

Jeanine

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Just a wonderful place for dinner. Delicious food and a quiet beautiful dining room. We can’t wait to go back!

Enoteca Molinari

4.8

4.8 (615)

$31 to $50

Italian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Enoteca Molinari is an Italian restaurant & wine bar (with heated outdoor seating) that specializes in house-made pasta and Italian dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy our all Italian wine list and don't forget to try some dessert.

Please make sure to give us 24 hours of notice if you can't make your reservation.

Thank you for your understanding!

Grazie mille!

Top review

Ethan

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Great food very fresh ingredients. We love to watch the chef prepare the dishes

Rancho Cantina

4.8

4.8 (78)

$30 and under

Mexican

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Step into Rancho Cantina and experience California's culinary heritage. This vibrant restaurant celebrates the rich flavors of the Golden State, blending Spanish and Mexican traditions for an authentic dining experience. The warm atmosphere features reclaimed wood, leather-backed bar stools, and Mexican tiling, creating a cozy yet upscale vibe. The open kitchen and wood-fired grill let you witness the culinary artistry as tortillas are flipped and dishes are crafted with care. Rancho Cantina's menu offers unique dishes, many cooked over the wood-fired grill. From succulent house specials to flavorful Cantiña plates, there's something for everyone. Don't miss their signature Rancho Enchiladas, available with various fillings and sauces. Complete your visit with a refreshing margarita. Their drink menu includes local beers, imported bottles, a curated selection of wines, and rancho-inspired cocktails. Enjoy a Spicy Bandelero with Xicaru Mezcal or a classic Rancho Sour with Lunazul tequila. Whether for a romantic date or a casual meal, Rancho Cantina is the perfect choice.

Top review

newyorkgirl

Dined 7 days ago

Had a great meal last evening and everyone enjoyed their entree. Feel like food has improved with new owner.

Grand Lake Kitchen - Dimond

4.8

4.8 (280)

$30 and under

American

Oakland

About the restaurant

May and David Wasem's second Grand Lake Kitchen location offers the same uplifted American classics and warm hospitality as you've come to expect from the original but in a larger, more accessible and central location of the Dimond District in Oakland. An all-day cafe specializing in brunch and dinner! Maximum party size for regular reservations is 15.

GLK Dimond houses a spacious dining room, full bar, two outdoor patios (dog friendly), private dining room, take-out counter, and retail wine and gift store

Top review

jen

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Really fun restaurant, cool vibe. The service was great and very friendly. Food came out fast and was delicious.

Bellanico Restaurant and Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (2095)

$30 and under

Italian

Oakland

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Larry

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

This restaurant has terrific food and service, plus the value is outstanding!

Kimono Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (660)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Benicia

About the restaurant

Kimono welcomes you to a great experience and fresh sushi, seafood, and steak. Where we take customer service seriously and make every visit remarkable.

Top review

BettyVIP

Dined on May 13, 2025

Had lunch at Kimono today and my Tenppen shrimp was delicious. Eric was my chef. The shrimp was sweet and fresh tasting. Thank you, Kimono for another great meal!! 🤗❤️💕👍🎉

Bruno's Italian Cuisine - Livermore

4.7

4.7 (177)

$30 and under

Italian

Livermore

About the restaurant

Bruno's Italian Cuisine invites you to experience the warmth of a cozy Italian trattoria in Livermore. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of fresh garlic and herbs, setting the stage for a delightful meal. Our menu features a variety of classic Italian dishes made with the freshest ingredients. Start with crispy garlic cheese bread or Portuguese-style clams sautéed with garlic, tomatoes, and Cajun sausage in white wine sauce. For the main course, enjoy our flavorful fettuccine alfredo or hearty spaghetti bolognese. We also offer a selection of pizzas, including classic pepperoni and a unique Mexican pizza with pepperoni, linguica, bell peppers, and jalapenos. No meal is complete without dessert. Don't miss our homemade tiramisu, known for its light, fluffy texture and rich coffee flavor. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a night out, Bruno's Italian Cuisine is the perfect destination for authentic Italian dining.

Top review

SaraVIP

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

Love this place! A favorite when visiting Downtown Livermore!

Saucy Oakland

4.7

4.7 (167)

$30 and under

Asian

Oakland

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

andrea

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Super tasty and great service! Did the prix fix - totally worth it!

Ajanta Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1106)

$30 and under

Indian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

Ajanta features regional dishes from all over India, offered through a menu that changes every month. We feature organic chicken and vegetables. When possible, we use local and sustainable products. All seafood is sustainable, obtained from Monterey Fish Market. All meats are hormone- and antibiotic-free.

Ajanta has been voted best Indian restaurant in the entire San Francisco Bay Area by Zagat Guide from 2009-2014. We were also voted best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area A-List contest from 2009-2011 and 2013. In addition, we have received top reviews in several publications, including the East Bay Express, Diablo Magazine, and the Contra Costa Times. We are also included in Michelin Guide.

Our elegant dining hall features art inspired from the famous Ajanta caves in India.

Top review

HilaryVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

This restaurant always delivers delicious food and great service.

alaMar Dominican Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (227)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Oakland

About the restaurant

alaMar is a Contemporary Dominican Kitchen located in the hip Uptown Oakland area. Bravo TV's Top Chef Season 18 Contestant, Chef Nelson German, dives deep into his Dominican culture at alaMar by offering a regional menu of foods he grew up on that his mom, grandmother, and Aunt Maritza would cook and NYC-style Dominican street foods he enjoyed as a child. German brings a unique take to family recipes with his contemporary NYC twist on traditional dishes, including his popular braised oxtail dish. There is indoor seating and a dog-friendly patio with heaters for al fresco dining. The not-to-be-missed craft cocktail program reflects Caribbean influences such as the signature Mamajuana cocktail.

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Always have great tasting food. Service was good. Loved the Pernil.

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