Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American 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!

Baxters Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (75)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Benicia

About the restaurant

Baxters is a casual fine dining experience located on First Street in the waterside town of Benicia. We are known for our Beef Wellington and succulent Scallops.

Top review

Randy

Dined 6 days ago

Great food and great presentation of the entree. Bartender makes a fine cocktail.

The Harbor House Inn

4.8

4.8 (10)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Mendocino

About the restaurant

Escape to the Harbor House Inn, perched on a stunning bluff with breathtaking views of the Mendocino coastline. This secluded retreat features a Michelin-starred restaurant where Chef Matthew Kammerer creates exquisite dishes using the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy a multi-course tasting menu that highlights unique finds like sea urchin and seaweed, all presented with innovative techniques and Japanese-inspired flavors. The intimate dining setting is perfect for romantic dinners or special occasions, complemented by warm service that makes you feel at home. Beyond the culinary experience, the Harbor House Inn offers 11 beautifully appointed guest rooms, each with its own charm. Explore the rugged coastline, pristine beaches, and quaint towns nearby. Whether you're looking for a gourmet getaway or a peaceful retreat, the Harbor House Inn promises an unforgettable experience. Book your reservation today and discover the magic of this coastal haven.

Top review

Scot

Dined 7 days ago

Great food, incredible setting, great service….expensive but worth it. Get the wine pairings

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Experience

Tasting Menu in the Dining Room

Experience

5 Course Lunch

Experience

In-Room Dining Service for Inn Guests

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

4.8

4.8 (2020)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Santa Rosa

About the restaurant

We are located just 6 minutes from Coddingtown Mall and 10 minutes from Downtown Santa Rosa surrounded by beautiful vineyards with an onsite garden for fresh, farm-to-table vegetables and herbs.

"An impressive new Santa Rosa restaurant that's instantly one of our best"
Jeff Cox, renowned Wine Country food critic.

If you are unable to find the reservation you want, please call us directly at (707) 546-6462. Thank you.

Top review

JEFFREY

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent food and staff. Good wine to pair with dinner.

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Gatehouse Restaurant at The Culinary Institute of America

4.8

4.8 (1257)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

St. Helena

About the restaurant

Join us for a unique dining experience that is unmatched in the Napa Valley. Set on the historic campus of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, Gatehouse Restaurant showcases the talents of CIA students who have completed two years of rigorous study, under the supervision of our world-class faculty. Enjoy a meal inspired by local produce from the college’s own farms and gardens, and other high-quality ingredients. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Top review

Mary louiseVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a fantastic dinner the service was very professional the food creative and delicious This is a favourite

Firefly Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3092)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Noe Valley

About the restaurant

We serve food that, more often than not, accesses that part of our deepest soul where genuine expression can flow forth. We have always tried to give our food and service our best selves, as honest and vulnerable as we can muster. We strive to be a place where you might actually have a real connection; maybe with your server, maybe with your food or maybe with your possibly gracious host who is ACTUALLY glad you’re there.

Oh, you wanted a restaurant description? Sorry. Can’t really help you there. We’re not so big on labels. Our food is hard to nail down as we are constantly evolving and entirely seasonal and personal. We’ve used “Food you eat” as a tag line on occasion and that remains accurate. We could also describe it as “Food we really want you to eat”. When you’re here, tell us what you would call it.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 2 days ago

Food was excellent. 99% of the menu was GF, the Chef is GF, I can’t remember the last time I had so many high quality options when eating out. Wouldn’t have known anything was GF had I not been told (it was THAT good!). Service was excellent. Staff was knowledgeable and kind. They clear and wipe down the table between courses, a small but significant touch to giving the place an upscale feel. Well worth a visit, we’ll be coming back soon :)

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Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Blossom and Root Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (203)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Danville

About the restaurant

Featuring plant based ingredients, elevated cooking techniques, a creative beverage list and a colorful ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. Blossom & Root is the Tri-Valley dining destination for anyone curious about - or naturally inclined towards contemporary vegan fare with an "Eat Local" emphasis. Private dining is available. The pretty space is full of blue patterns and hues, with lots of plants (decorative and possibly edible). Featuring just as creative of a bar program as menu.

Top review

AndreaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

What a fantastic place. Delicious food. Be sure ti order the bread as soon ad you sit down. We had it with the herb butter. Yummy! I had the Thai tofu and noodles. It was fantastic! I can't wait to go back.

The Progress

4.8

4.8 (2603)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Western Addition

About the restaurant

The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.

Top review

ThomasVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great food, great service, great interior design, and would highly recommend. It felt special

Valette

4.8

4.8 (3969)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Healdsburg

About the restaurant

Contemporary American: Portraying what Sonoma County has to offer with refined elegance and simplicity.

We will showcase what the region has to offer by focusing on the amazing network of farmers and artisan producers in the area. The relationships we have formed with our purveyors have given us the opportunity to work with what is available while providing the flexibility of changing our menu weekly.

We are determined to provide warm and personable service by dedicated professionals who love what they do. Every guest will feel as if we were inviting them into our own homes.

The wine program is inspired by the incredible history and diversity of the region that surrounds us. Here you can explore classic varieties made by the pioneers whose dedication has made Northern California one of the most exciting wine growing regions in the world.

Top review

Kathleen

Dined 2 days ago

We had a great time at Valette! It was a bit noisy. The food was fantastic!

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Popular dish

Day Boat Scallops en Croute

Popular dish

Coriander Crusted Duck Breast

Popular dish

Prime New York Strip Loin

Torc

4.7

4.7 (3235)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Napa

About the restaurant

Walk into TORC and you might notice the music. It's rock & roll, blues, or soul, and it's undeniably on. You might notice the energy — it's high. And you'll definitely notice our bar. It's busy serving well-made cocktails and pouring rare wines we're proud to say you probably won't find anywhere else by the glass. There are no white tablecloths. No dabbing the corners of your mouth. No pomp, but lots of circumstance. And perhaps the only reason you noticed the aforementioned is because you haven't tasted our food. That's when the music fades into the background. Join us.

Top review

Justin

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding from the moment we walked in. Great service, excellent food. Tomato salad was fabulous, appetisers great, duck outstanding, desserts super. Great all around experience! We will return next time in Napa!

Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

4.8

4.8 (554)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Oakland

About the restaurant

Recommended in the MICHELIN Guide for California 2021-2025. Located in Oakland’s historic Grand Lake District, Bardo is a neighborhood lounge and restaurant inspired by the comfort and camaraderie of a mid-century dinner party. Drawing on the celebration and elegance of old school entertaining, we envisioned a space for friends and neighbors to enjoy amazing food, cocktails, conversation and great music.

Our lounge is a swank living room, furnished with hand-picked finds from antique and vintage markets from Palm Springs to Portland. Our mezzanine dining room features a rotating menu of fresh, seasonal supper-fare with local and sustainably sourced meats, fish and produce. While we think the food, drinks and atmosphere are all great reasons to visit us, it’s the relationships with our friends, neighbors and guests that is the driving force behind Bardo.

Top review

Ashley

Dined 4 days ago

A group of six of us did the Dinner Party menu and it was phenomenal. The drink menu was also a huge plus as every drink we had was great!

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