Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Peninsula

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Peninsula? 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!

Velvet 48 Wine Bar

5.0

5 (85)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Burlingame

About the restaurant

Velvet 48 is a premium wine bar in downtown Burlingame started by 20-year wine industry veteran, Jason Cooper. We offer over 40 wines by the glass, 1100 wines by the bottle, a cultivated beer selection, and a variety of delicious savory and sweet small plates.

We have wines across every price point so there is something for everyone, from the casual wine drinker to the wine aficionado, who will be impressed by a wine collection that houses some of the finest wines in the world. We aim to cultivate an experience for our guests that starts with a complimentary splash of our house label, Velvet 48 Sparkling wine, followed by outstanding service from our Wine Specialists to guide you through our expansive list. We offer a discount of 25% off bottles purchased TO GO.

Due to the nature of our alcoholic license, we are unable to allow anyone under 21 on the premises, including infants.

Thank your for your understanding.

Top review

Michael

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Hundreds of wines to choose, from local to worldwide. Knowledgable and friendly staff, chic tasting room, always great vibes and good tunes spinning when we visit Velvet 48!

Spasso

4.8

4.8 (1393)

$30 and under

Italian

San Carlos

About the restaurant

Spasso features Italian, Mediterranean cuisine and Tapas. Spasso has been a new favorite neighborhood destination located in San Carlos on Laurel Street. Spasso features an extensive Napa Valley and Italian wine selection, and a full bar with specialized cocktails are available. Our waitstaff are consistently friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. And, the atmosphere is lively and exciting.

Top review

mary

Dined 7 days ago

Spasso is a neighborhood gem. Service was fantastic, food wonderful and the price was very good.

Tacolicious - Palo Alto

4.8

4.8 (217)

$30 and under

Mexican

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Tacolicious is a casual, modern Mexican restaurant with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto. 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

Tony - SherylVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Tacos were very tasty & tortillas most delicious, but think $7+ taco is over-priced. Whole Pinto Beans (since Black Beans are likely canned) vs. visually unappealing Refritos should be offered. Had to ask for ordered Sides, forgotten when Tacos delivered. $13 Single-serving Chicken Soup size should be sharable... had to practically beg for 2 Salsa bowls for 2 small portions. And, fyi... where are the spoons for serving up delicious Salsas? Music is uninteresting Pop & several decibels too loud!!! A Soundtrack for monotony, it prohibits normal conversation. 1/3 Bathrooms required serious cleaning attention. Implement hourly Check/Maintenance schedul.e OK. Bastante!

Vino Locale - Palo Alto

4.8

4.8 (112)

$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

KatieVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

A delightful surprise find for us. The food was spectacular and service superb. Very nice ambiance. We got lucky and when we went there was live soft jazz.

Steins Beer Garden

4.7

4.7 (262)

$30 and under

American

Mountain View

About the restaurant

Steins Beer Garden is a modern American take on the classic German biergarten!
With spacious indoors and dog-friendly patio seating, we proudly feature 31 taps of craft beer, exhilarating craft cocktails, and an excellent variety of American Gourmet Comfort Food from Executive Chef Eduardo Andrade.

Through our Made-From-Scratch house dishes and deep appreciation for the highest quality of ingredients, we always strive to bring forth an exceptional communal dining experience.

See you at the beer garden!

Top review

Terry

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Nice spot on the patio to catch up with a dear friend. So glad y'all are still open!

Doppio Zero - San Carlos

4.7

4.7 (244)

$30 and under

Italian

San Carlos

About the restaurant

Doppio Zero will bring award-winning Neapolitan pizzas, homemade pastas, and traditional Southern Italian flavors to downtown San Carlos. Doppio Zero is a well-renowned restaurant group that has been featured on the Michelin Guide, recognized by 50TopPizza as one of the best pizzeria's in the world and certified Vera Pizza Napoletana by VPN Americas.

Top review

MindyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a delicious dinner and birthday celebration. We came from the East Bay to enjoy the short ribs fettuccine and it exceeded our expectations! Service was excellent and we’ll return soon.

Sushi Roku - Palo Alto

4.7

4.7 (63)

$30 and under

Sushi

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Sushi Roku is revolutionizing the culinary scene. A Japanese sushi concept new to Palo Alto, unites the elements of inventive fusion dishes, hip ambiance and trendy cocktails while offering unparalleled hospitality.

Top review

MarcelVIP

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

Always consistent and nice. Service is excellent. The brussels sprout chips are amazing. Rolls are very good. Price is on the high side.

The Refuge - San Mateo

4.6

4.6 (132)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

San Mateo

About the restaurant

As featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, The REFUGE specializes in hand-carved, ultra tender, boldly flavored navel pastrami which is sending shockwaves throughout the gastronomic consciousness of patrons who call it “the greatest this planet will see in some time.” The REFUGE boasts the world’s best Belgian and Craft Beer on draught (24 in San Mateo) in the Bay Area, with many more by bottle.

Since 2008, the REFUGE has been providing protection for many East Coast street food classics especially the hand-carved navel pastrami. But wait, just for good measure, we grind our own blend of hamburger on a daily basis as well as procure our own Ribeye Blend for our Authentic CheeseSteaks.

We also offer honest Old World wine, dazzling salads and eclectic appetizers. Casual connoisseurs unite! This place is the real deal. Whether it’s a quick lunch, a raging evening, a private event, take-out or delivery, the REFUGE experience is unlike any other place at any one time.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Truly the best pastrami I've had anywhere in the world. Couple that with great Belgian beers, excellent service, and what more could a person ask for? Outstanding!

Discover more

Experience

REFUGE San Mateo Bi-Weekly Trivia Night!

Experience

REFUGE San Mateo Bi-Weekly Trivia Night!

Experience

REFUGE San Mateo Bi-Weekly Trivia Night!

Oak + Violet - Park James Hotel

4.4

4.4 (853)

$31 to $50

Californian

Menlo Park

About the restaurant

Welcome to Oak + Violet where the vibrant spirit of California's Culinary creativity meets the craft cuisine. Tucked away in the heart of Menlo Park.
From farm-fresh salads bursting with seasonal produce to succulent seafood caught.
And let's not forget about the drinks! Our carefully curated selection of local wines, craft beers, and artisanal cocktails reflects the innovative spirit of California's beverage scene.
Oak + Violet is a gathering place where friends and foodies come together to celebrate the flavors, the culture, and the community that make California so special.

Come and Enjoy the Oak + Violet Experience

Top review

Stacey

Dined 6 days ago

Second time here and I am as impressed as I was the first time. It is pricy but the food is phenomenal and worth every dollar. Highly recommend.

Pinstripes - San Mateo

4.4

4.4 (61)

$30 and under

Italian

San Mateo

About the restaurant

Pinstripes: Where Sophisticated Fun Meets Exquisite Dining. With over 30,000 square feet of entertainment space, indulge in scratch-made Italian American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust wine list. Find our Daily Specials on the experiences and offers below. We guarantee we have a special for everyone!

Top review

CHERYL

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

AWESOME FOOD, MIMOSAS, AND SERVICE. SAD THAT "CHEF JOE" IS LEAVING THE RESTAURANT.

Discover more

Experience

Saturday Brunch with Bubbles! - Brunch Buffet

Experience

Sunday Brunch with the Bunch! - Brunch Buffet

Experience

Thursday - DJ & Half Price Handcrafted Cocktails!

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