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Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

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OpenTable
Updated February 05, 2025

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!


A photo of Sun Moon Studio restaurant
5.0
5 (26)
$50 and over
Californian
Oakland
About the restaurant
Sun Moon Studio is a farm and producer-driven restaurant in West Oakland by Chefs Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper.

We offer a multi-course tasting menu for $150 per person in our intimate 4 table dining room. An optional beverage pairing is available for $90 per person.The focus of our menu is to highlight the bounty of local producers and farmers through the lens of our life experiences.

We are happy to adjust our menu to dietary restrictions, but require advanced notice. Please let us of your parties dietary restrictions when making a reservation so we may plan for your arrival.

We are looking forward to cooking for you!

Alan and Sarah

Top review
TeriVIP
Dined on Feb 7, 2025
Truly fantastic experience all around. Lovely service, incredible food, and a beautiful atmosphere. Each flavor combination and presentation was better than the one before. Can't wait to come back for the spring menu!
A photo of Commis Bar restaurant
4.9
4.9 (37)
$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
MarcVIP
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
Incredible food and wine pairing experience. All that in a great and friendly atmosphere. Probably the best in the Bay Area
A photo of Ethel's Fancy restaurant
4.9
4.9 (541)
$50 and over
Californian
Palo Alto
About the restaurant
A hip and fun restaurant with chef's counter dining, serving thoughtful American cuisine, with an emphasis on local seasonal products.

Ethel's Fancy is open at 5 PM Tuesday - Saturday.

We have a small dining room with a limited amount of reservable tables. We do keep our Bar seats and a table in the restaurant open for people to walk-ins. Walk-ins are on a first come basis.

Please do not make multiple reservations with the intention of combining reservations to increase party size.

All guests must be present before your party will be seated.

To help provide a seamless experience for all our guests, we have allocated 2-hours for your group of 2 to 4 people.

Top review
JoyceVIP
Dined 1 day ago
The milk bread was the star! The steak was perfect as was the little gem salad.
A photo of Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2877)
$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
Danna
Dined 1 day ago
This is a hidden gem in Bodega Bay, California. If you want fresh food, exquisitely prepared, and full of flavor then come visit Terrapin Creek Cafe. We went for the first time last night and we will definitively be making many return visits. This is local ingredients at their best!
A photo of lelé kitchen restaurant
4.9
4.9 (50)
$50 and over
Californian
Los Gatos
About the restaurant
Lele Kitchen is a continuation of Lena Leskina’s beloved bakery and cafe, now expanding into upscale dining with a California farm-to-table and Eastern European twist. Chef Ulad Skoblia curates a menu that celebrates bold Slavic flavors — caviar, smoked fish, dill, and root vegetables — infused with California’s seasonal ingredients.

Nestled near the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains, our location inspires both our seasonal cuisine and wines. Advanced Sommelier Fedar Kamkou guides the wine program, highlighting Californian winemakers to pair perfectly with each dish. Our casual upscale atmosphere blends classy sophistication with a relaxed vibe, perfect for any occasion — whether it's a cozy dinner with friends or a special family night out. And yes, we’re kid-friendly, with special touches like a small children’s menu.

Whether you’re savoring oysters, clay pot-roasted rabbit, or treating yourself to our dessert at Lele Kitchen, you’ll experience the best of creative, chef-driven cuisine.

Top review
alanVIP
Dined 1 day ago
We had the Valentine's Weekend prix fixe and it was wonderful. It's nice to have a Michelin style restaurant so close to home!
A photo of Commis Dining Room restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1225)
$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
MarcVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Great restaurant and good value for a Michelin 2 star. The Sommelier (Andrew) is particularly good
A photo of OSO restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1200)
$30 and under
Californian
Sonoma
About the restaurant
OSO Restaurant on the Historic Sonoma Plaza focuses on chef David Bush's Modern California Cuisine in a relaxed and rustic setting. OSO has table seating for reservations and offers an a la carte menu.. The menu highlights the chef's exciting, but never esoteric, cuisine which crosses all culinary borders. OSO also offers a full bar and specialty cocktails.

Chef Bush is focused on his new world style of cuisine and presents a menu that appeals to the entire scope of one's palate. Items such as fresh raw oysters, farm to table California vegetables, local fish and meat. OSO looks forward to your visit.

Top review
Barbara
Dined 7 days ago
The salmon was prepared perfectly.It was a great dining experience for a solo diner.
A photo of Frances restaurant
4.9
4.9 (3672)
$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
Pat
Dined 1 day ago
The chef selection tasting menu was a special treat. Well spaced delivery. Great explanation without being overdone. Kudos the chef's and servers
A photo of Parkside Grille restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1865)
$31 to $50
Californian
Portola Valley
About the restaurant
Discover the rustic charm of our cozy, California restaurant, tucked among the towering redwoods of Portola Valley! Where every dish and drink tells a story, and every gathering is a celebration. Reserve your table now for an unforgettable dining experience filled with warmth and flavor!

We proudly use only the highest-quality, organic produce from our local farms to serve you. For a taste of some of our most popular dishes, we recommend our Wood-Oven Baked Goat Cheese and our Asian Angus Skirt Steak.

Family-owned & operated since 2000.

Top review
BarryVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Everything from the Beet salad, to the fresh baked bread and macaroni and cheese side dish were wonderful. For the main course, the scampi and risotto were special.
A photo of Aziza restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2963)
$31 to $50
Californian
Richmond District
About the restaurant
Aziza, a Michelin-recommended restaurant, offers a captivating culinary journey through Morocco, reimagined with California's finest ingredients. Chef Mourad Lahlou's innovative dishes blend traditional Moroccan flavors with contemporary techniques, resulting in a truly unique dining experience. From classic tagines to modern interpretations, each dish is a masterpiece. Indulge in a diverse menu featuring organic and locally sourced ingredients, paired with creative cocktails and exquisite desserts. Immerse yourself in a warm and inviting atmosphere, where fine dining meets casual elegance.
Top review
Connie
Dined 6 days ago
We had an amazing experience at Aziza! We came for brunch on a Sunday, and it was still pretty quiet when we arrived at 11 AM. The service was really great and the food was so good. Highly recommend the shakshuka and crispy potatoes (we also had the avocado toast and custard French toast which were both tasty).
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