Diners' Choice: American restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American 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!

Auro

5.0

5 (232)

$50 and over

American

Calistoga

About the restaurant

Calistoga's only Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Rogelio Garcia crafts seven courses from Napa Valley's peak ingredients, applying French technique with Mexican and Japanese influences. Book the alfresco patio or the intimate dining room and enjoy vineyard and mountain views, or reserve the Chef's Table inside the kitchen. Sommelier Derek Stevenson pairs each course from his 450-label wine list - Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence winner. Experience what happens when Napa Valley's bounty meets Four Seasons hospitality and world-class artistry.

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined on Jul 6, 2025

Napa Valley food is pretty amazing, and after 5 Michelin stars in less than 72 hours, Auro was our best meal.

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Experience

DANA Estates Wine Dinner | July 30, 2025

Experience

Realm Cellars Wine Dinner | August 27, 2025

Experience

Chris Carpenter Wine Dinner | September 24, 2025

Golden Bear Station

4.9

4.9 (467)

$31 to $50

American

Kenwood

About the restaurant

Golden Bear Station is a New American restaurant that offers a unique perspective through the lens from the owners of Animo and Mu Ramen.

Mu Ramen and Animo owners Joshua Smookler and Heidy He have received exceptional recognition, including a prestigious 2-star review from the New York Times in 2015. The New York Times also dubbed them as the best ramen in NYC, while Eater named them the best ramen in America in 2016. Animo, on the other hand, has been praised by the San Francisco Chronicle and recognized as one of Esquire's Best New Restaurant in America in 2022. Both restaurants have earned a place and acknowledgement in the Michelin guide.

Golden Bear Station strives to encompass the essence of a local establishment and a haven for aficionados of wine and gastronomy. It serves as a gathering place where individuals flock to savor global and seasonal delicacies.

Top review

Diana

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful food from the co-owner/chef, great service from the co-owner’s lovely, gracious wife and attentive staff. We had the Dover sole and the duck and both were outstanding. Don’t miss this fine, family owned restaurant!

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Popular dish

Porterhouse (for two)

Popular dish

Ribeye

Saison

4.9

4.9 (74)

$50 and over

American

SOMA

About the restaurant

Saison is a two Michelin-starred, open wood fire restaurant under the leadership of Executive Chef Richard Lee, emphasizing the bounty of California’s evolving terroir and its incredible farmers, ranchers, and fishermen and women. Saison is driven by Lee’s dedication to purity and innovation, paired with a Grand Award-winning wine list in a dynamic space where guest and team celebrate an intimate, culture-shifting experience. Chef Lee builds upon Saison’s formidable foundation as the original fine dining establishment in the U.S. to use open hearth cooking, crafting nuanced flavors with intention that are inspired by the culinary diversity of Northern California.

Saison has one of the country’s largest and most remarkable selections of Old and New World wine, with a special emphasis on Burgundy, originally established by Saison Hospitality co-founder and Saison Winery winemaker Mark Bright and now curated by Beverage Director and Assistant General Manager Molly Greene.

Top review

DanVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing meal. Top 3 of my life for sure. So many things I’ve never had before, so unique.

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Experience

Tasting Menu By Our Kitchen

Experience

Tasting Menu In Our Barside Salon

Experience

Abridged Menu In Our Barside Salon

Juanita & Maude

4.9

4.9 (1839)

$50 and over

American

Albany

About the restaurant

An intimate neighborhood restaurant, Juanita & Maude features Chef Scott Eastman's personal take on American Cuisine. The daily changing menu highlights classic dishes including Michelin Guide's top 5 hamburger in California. His refined comfort food is matched with seasonal craft cocktails and an international wine list.

Juanita & Maude's lively dining room or serene outdoor patio is the perfect spot for a night out, celebration or special occasion. Conveniently located near the corner of Solano and San Pablo Avenues.

Top review

Lori

Dined 6 days ago

As always the food, ambience, and service was excellent.

The Hero Ranch Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (2850)

$31 to $50

American

Saratoga

About the restaurant

Hero Ranch Kitchen was created by two friends that had a very simple idea. “Lets create a space and a place that we would want to go to.” “Lets serve our favorite dishes…whether it's the finest Wagyu steaks, or a 1lb burger…lets create a menu that we can all enjoy. Let's use the best ingredients and sell the best wines in the industry at prices that are always fair and approachable.” Let's build our restaurants in a neighborhood community where we can all enjoy each other’s company. HRK is a reflection of our life's greatest hits!” We hope you will enjoy.

Top review

DebraVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food always great! Service was okay as waitress lacked intuitiveness of needs or conversation.

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Brussels Sprouts Salad

Mustards Grill

4.8

4.8 (11227)

$31 to $50

American

Yountville

About the restaurant

Aged for almost 37 years in the Napa Valley…
Since its beginnings as a local gathering spot over 35 years ago, Mustards Grill has blossomed into a destination for all who appreciate memorable food, superb wines and a warm welcome. Mustards food is Chef/Owner Cindy Pawlcyn’s mix of American regional dishes with global influences. The list of “Way Too Many Wines” represents the best from appellations throughout California and the New World.

Mustards is an American Grill, featuring flavors from around the globe. The wood-burning grill produces such favorites as Cindy’s famous Mongolian Pork Chop, Sonoma Rabbit, and the ½ pound Niman Ranch hamburger. The oakwood smoker fills the restaurant with aromas of BBQ baby back ribs, Wood Oven Duck, and our Oooeee Smoked Pork. Specialties include Seared Ahi Tuna on sesame crackers and Crispy Calamari tossed with curried slaw. The eclectic wine list features Way Too Many Wines from The Napa Valley, Sonoma, The Oregon, and Europe!

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The bar tender kindly created a variation on their “last word” cocktail which I was intrigued to try since I am reading Louis Penny’s _The Grey Wolf_ The ribs and burger were excellent and the calamari was wonderful- topped with julienned cabbage and lettuces which lightened the batter- fried treat even better. Our whole experience was wonderful

Market

4.9

4.9 (4279)

$30 and under

American

St. Helena

About the restaurant

Market in St. Helena offers an elegant, yet comfortable dining experience with a fresh take on American classics. At Market we focus on using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Our high quality food comes from local organic farms, which makes dining here a pure treat. Our refined atmosphere and warm genuine service creates an inviting environment for all to enjoy. Market's cuisine is flavor forward, visually stunning, and simply delicious. Market is a great place to stop for a quick lunch or a nice sit down meal. We are very engaged with the local wineries, and will help you find the perfect glass to complement any of our dishes. We look forward to seeing you soon at Market

Top review

BuckeyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Megan was our server and was super helpful and entertaining. Fish and Chips and the Lobster roll were perfect with or ZD Chardonnay, which the offer by the glass!

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4.8

4.8 (2197)

$31 to $50

American

Calistoga

About the restaurant

A locals favorite in historic craftsman home, with lovely heated/ shaded patios. Lovina is uniquely tip-free; our pricing includes a living wage, 401k with employer match, two weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, and health/ dental insurance benefits for all our hard-working employees! Recognized as "Best of the Best" on Trip Adviser for Vegan/ Gluten-Free options, Lovina also satisfies omnivores with locally famous Bolognese and wild Halibut. Our menu is seasonal and locally sourced. Woman-owned by Calistoga local Jennifer Bennett (previous owner of Zazie restaurant in SF), Lovina is unique & welcoming. We feature Jen's handmade pottery, thrown, glazed, and at her home studio here in Calistoga.

Top review

Morgan

Dined 3 days ago

This is my best dining experience in California so far. The place is beautiful, the service was warm and friendly, the food is so excellent there are barely good enough words to describe it! Amazing wine list too.

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Heritage Pork & Beef Bolognese

Mountain House

4.8

4.8 (449)

$31 to $50

American

Woodside

About the restaurant

The Mountain House has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Serving as a rest stop for travelers, loggers and homesteaders in the Santa Cruz Mountains- we have evolved into a beloved destination known for our Coastal Countryside cuisine and rustic, intimate ambiance. Offering a menu highlighting game meats, locally sourced ingredients, and a curated selection of California and Old World wines, the Mountain House is one of the most unique settings in California. From a roadhouse to fine dining, the unassuming red cabin has stood the test of time along with the majestic redwoods that surround it.

Today, the restaurant is owned and operated by distinguished chefs Dmitry Elperin and William Roberts. We offer a three-course prix fixe menu for in our dining rooms and additionally, we serve an à la carte menu in our bar and lounge, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take the scenic route to The Mountain House, where nature, history, and hospitality converge.

Top review

Tanya

Dined 1 day ago

It was a lovely evening with great food and service. I did not enjoy that we could hear the live music from the bar and the other music in the dining room at the same time. Both sounded nice separately but not at the same time. I would request a table further into the dining area next time.

Menlo Tavern

4.7

4.7 (497)

$31 to $50

American

Menlo Park

About the restaurant

Enjoy one of our new cocktails and dine on our seasonal menus or cozy up to the fireplace with a glass of wine. 'Smores by the firepits are a continued favorite for all ages!

Daily breakfast and weekend brunch are even more special with friends and family. Treat your favorite client or coworker to lunch or enjoy a romantic dinner with a loved one in the dining room. Come find out why our guests have voted us best American restaurant on the peninsula!

Join us for Tavern Time, our daily Happy Hour from 3-5PM. And don’t forget about holidays! Reservations fill quickly for holiday celebrations, so be sure to plan ahead.

Reservations are available here for groups of up to six guests. For parties of more than 10 guests, please contact the Menlo Tavern directly at (650) 330-2794.

Top review

SherwinVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic location with wonderful ambiance. Highly recommended!

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