Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated October 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!

Rose's Cafe

4.9

4.9 (584)

$30 and under

Californian

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

A favorite in the Cow Hollow neighborhood, Rose's Café is a hangout for locals who bask in the sun at sidewalk tables, duck inside for a cappuccino, or stay for a leisurely meal. Many customers are regulars who frequent the pretty bistro-café that offers table service and some of the most deliciously affordable food in San Francisco - Italian fare created using organic local produce, fresh seafood, humanely raised meats, and free-range poultry. Rose's artisan bakers bake a daily selection of pastries, desserts and breads. Menu highlights include: pizzas, daily soups and house made pasta. Accepting Reservations for Dinner Only!

Top review

Amyvip

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

We had a delicious meal. Rose’s has just gotten better and better! From the fresh and perfectly share-able antipasti to the pasta with clams, pizza and steelhead. All YUM. Very solicitous service. Top notch dining!

Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2806)

$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

Craig

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous. Reccomend the scallops and duck. Great service. Good cocktails and wine.

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Liberty Farms Duck Breast

Prelude

4.9

4.9 (12)

$31 to $50

Californian

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Prelude is a restaurant that is reimagining Southern cuisine. As a team, we will produce and serve nostalgic Americana food and drink, inspired by the Bay Area. We will be using some of the best produce in the world, combining modern high-level cooking techniques and recipes passed down through the generations of our Chef Celtin Hendrickson-Jones maternal family. Our offerings will be available in two menu formats: a multi course pre-fixe menu with options for guests to handpick their dining experience, and “salon menu” featuring quick bites to larger plates, all ordered at the guest's discretion.

Top review

Jimmyvip

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding food, wine and service. We had a multi-hour experience with help from the sommelier. This place will be hard to get in to before long.

Commis Dining Room

4.9

4.9 (1212)

$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

Denisevip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

Excellent food. Chef continues to elevate his cooking! Commis deserves three Michelin stars!

Nightbird

4.9

4.9 (807)

$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

christyvip

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Plan on two hours or more. Really fine in every way. I already made a return reservation. Was worth the price.

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Experience

Bar Bites at Linden Room

Experience

Private Dining in The Nightingale Room

Commis Bar

4.8

4.8 (26)

$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

Evan

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Exceptional hospitality meets exceptional food. I would return and would recommend to family.

The Plumed Horse

4.8

4.8 (2547)

$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

Nandini

Dined 6 days ago

Amazing food and wine and extremely exceptional service! Entire staff was very professional and courteous. Will definitely come here again. Definitely one of the best restaurants I have been to.

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Experience

$128 Four-Course Prix-Fixe Menu

Experience

Chef's Seasonal Tasting Menu

Experience

THE chef's table at The Plumed Horse Restaurant

Aziza

4.8

4.8 (2909)

$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

Rebeccavip

Dined 2 days ago

We had the branzino and lamb shank, both delicious. The peach salad was ok - the peaches were not ripe. Our one complaint was the noise level. It was so loud that we couldn't hear one another talk.

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.

Frances

4.8

4.8 (3625)

$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

William

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic!!! Blown away by the food and service...

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