Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated June 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 analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sun Moon Studio

5.0

5 (60)

$50 and over

Californian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Sun Moon Studio is a farmer 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. *Please note: beginning July 18th, 2025 the tasting menu price will increase to $180. *

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

Reservations are released on a rolling basis, 6 weeks in advance at 12 noon.

We are looking forward to cooking for you!

Alan and Sarah

Top review

AlanVIP

Dined today

Superb food, start to finish. Low-key ambiance - not ritzy, but high quality and very attentive. Lovely anniversary celebration.

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Experience

Sun Moon Studio Tasting Menu

Commis Bar

5.0

5 (52)

$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

Shelley

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely WONDERFUL! From when we walked in to when we left, everyone and everything was perfect. We ate at the bar, so we had a great time talking to the bartenders. The food was outstanding. Attention to detail was spot on. We can’t wait to go back for the dining room experience!

Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2959)

$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

Barry

Dined 6 days ago

Our meal was superb and our waiter was outstanding!

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Popular dish

Dungeness Crab Cake

Popular dish

Liberty Farms Duck Breast

Popular dish

Caesar Salad

Commis Dining Room

4.8

4.8 (1230)

$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

VeronicaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Impeccable service includes attentiveness, knowledgable and friendly staffs, the wine pairing enhanced both the food and the wine, creating more enjoyable experience. Thanks to the whole team of Commis for making our birthday celebration more special.

The Club On Post

4.9

4.9 (51)

$30 and under

Californian

San Jose

About the restaurant

Introducing The Club on Post, a culinary gem nestled in the historic district of San Jose. Led by the visionary Chef Antonio, our restaurant embodies the vibrant spirit of downtown, situated amidst iconic landmarks like the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, California Theatre, San Jose Improv and SAP Center. With a prime location near major hotels and Cesar Chavez Plaza, we offer a haven for locals and visitors alike.

At The Club on Post, indulge in our culinary masterpiece, the signature Club Wagyu Burger, a testament to Chef Antonio's culinary prowess. Pair it with our renowned espresso martini, hailed as the best in San Jose, for an unforgettable dining experience.

Step into our laid-back yet chic atmosphere, adorned with welcoming Roman plaster walls, where every visit feels like a journey into culinary excellence and relaxation. Experience the essence of San Jose's dining scene at The Club on Post.

Top review

Melissa

Dined on May 25, 2025

Great food choices and delicious food. Everyone at our table got something different and everyone loved their dishes.

Frances

4.8

4.8 (3712)

$50 and over

Californian

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

JosephVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful, creative dishes presented in the most beautiful fashion and served with artful attention to every detail.

Ethel's Fancy

4.8

4.8 (614)

$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 will be Closed for our Summer Break from the 29th of June, through July 8th. Reopening July 9th, 5pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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

Alyssa

Dined 2 days ago

Such quality food and you can tell each dish was made with excellent attention to detail! Our server was extremely attentive and made great recommendations, highly recommend!

lelé kitchen

4.9

4.9 (83)

$50 and over

Californian

Los Gatos

About the restaurant

lelé kitchen combines upscale dining and California farm-to-table with a Eastern European twist. Elena Leskina, well known for her beloved bakery and cafe, with Chef Ulad Skoblia curate a menu that celebrates bold Slavic flavors — caviar, smoked fish, dill, and root vegetables — infused with local seasonal ingredients

Nestled near the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains, our location inspires both seasonal cuisine and wines. Advanced Sommelier (CSM-A) 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 special family night out. We’re also kid-friendly with a small children’s menu

Whether you’re savoring oysters, craving bubbly and caviar, desire a relaxing memorable dinner or treating yourself to amazing desserts, at lele kitchen you’ll experience the best of, creative chef-driven cuisine

Top review

KelsieVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Do not sleep on this neighborhood gem! The only thing we didn't like about our experience is that we did not go sooner. The staff is so friendly, especially Fedar, the Beverage Manager. He taught us about different wines that we otherwise would not have tried on our own. The food is amazing & all made from scratch. There are mainly small bites and appetizers which makes it fun to try different things. The cauliflower and seaweed soup sounds like a strange combo but it was delicious. We wanted to lick the bowl! Desserts were also very unique. We can't wait to go back and try more! Please support this local business. It is much needed in our area.

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Experience

Wine Dinner w/ Giornata (Six Courses, $149+)

Aziza

4.7

4.7 (2986)

$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

RichVIP

Dined today

Great meal with solid service. We'll be back again!

MKT Restaurant and Bar

4.9

4.9 (1266)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

MKT Restaurant & Bar at Four Seasons San Francisco offers a sophisticated and inviting space that effortlessly blends modern elegance with a warm, welcoming ambiance. Perfectly situated within the iconic Four Seasons Hotel, MKT provides an exceptional setting for private dining experiences, whether for intimate dinners, business meetings, or special celebrations. With versatile event spaces, including private dining rooms designed for exclusive gatherings, MKT is ideal for hosting everything from milestone birthdays to corporate functions. The restaurant’s sleek yet comfortable design, combined with its renowned culinary offerings, ensures that every event is memorable. Whether you're planning a cocktail reception or a formal dinner, MKT delivers a distinctive atmosphere tailored to your needs.

Top review

Laurie

Dined on May 11, 2025

Amazing!Service was Spectacular! Food was Outstanding

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