Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Velvet 48 Wine Bar

5.0

5 (85)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Burlingame

About the restaurant

Velvet 48 is a premium wine bar in downtown Burlingame started by 20-year wine industry veteran, Jason Cooper. We offer over 40 wines by the glass, 1100 wines by the bottle, a cultivated beer selection, and a variety of delicious savory and sweet small plates.

We have wines across every price point so there is something for everyone, from the casual wine drinker to the wine aficionado, who will be impressed by a wine collection that houses some of the finest wines in the world. We aim to cultivate an experience for our guests that starts with a complimentary splash of our house label, Velvet 48 Sparkling wine, followed by outstanding service from our Wine Specialists to guide you through our expansive list. We offer a discount of 25% off bottles purchased TO GO.

Due to the nature of our alcoholic license, we are unable to allow anyone under 21 on the premises, including infants.

Thank your for your understanding.

Top review

Michael

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Hundreds of wines to choose, from local to worldwide. Knowledgable and friendly staff, chic tasting room, always great vibes and good tunes spinning when we visit Velvet 48!

Tacolicious - Marina

4.9

4.9 (66)

$30 and under

Mexican

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Tacolicious is a casual, modern Mexican restaurant with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto. We source our ingredients responsibly, take our tacos as seriously as our cocktails, and offer a fun sit-down, full-service experience. We have outdoor dining and private rooms and do off-site catering. Go to tacolicious.com for more information; catering requests can be sent to events@tacolicious.com.

Questions? Please email us at marina_management@tacolicious.com. We reply to emails quickly!

Top review

Justen

Dined 3 days ago

Great food, nice environment, friendly service. The latter was a little slow at times, but not horrible. Overall good place for tacos.

Burma Love

4.9

4.9 (87)

$31 to $50

Burmese

SOMA

About the restaurant

Located in San Francisco, Burma Love is the contemporary younger sister to the Burma Superstar Family of Restaurants.

Our restaurants are divided between a semi-private bar area and main dining room, so whether you are looking for a place to have an intimate dinner date, or an eventful night out with your family and friends, Burma Love fits the bill.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined on Jul 2, 2025

Service was awesome. Our server was attentive, funny and engaging. The food was delicious and the drinks creative and very good.

Vino Locale - Palo Alto

4.9

4.9 (114)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Welcome to Vino Locale serving downtown Palo Alto since 2005!
The only Wine Garden & Kitchen in downtown Palo Alto with Nightly Live Music in the back garden!

Check music schedule on our website www.vinolocale.org
Join us for Dinner, Wine and live music in the Vino Garden!
Dog Friendly Patio

Happy Hour (Tue-Sat) 3:00-5:30
Great wines from California and around the world
Wine flights with cheese pairings
Craft beers on tap & beer flights
Nuts and olive flights
Cheese & Charcuterie boards
Extensive Tapas Menu
Dinner Menu

Top review

Mondee

Dined 2 days ago

Great place to get together with friends, enjoy the peaceful & beautiful ambiance with nice live music, great food with variety & also good variety of drinks, and friendly & good service. Both good selection of wines, beers, and non alcoholic drinks. We always look forward to getting together there. I love their new Frose’ - very refreshing, and yummy.

VinoVero

4.9

4.9 (7)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Los Gatos

About the restaurant

There’s no sign screaming for attention — just the glow of a few tables inside, the clink of glasses, and the scent of something good coming from the kitchen. With just 28 seats and a small patio out front, this little Italian spot keeps things simple: fresh local ingredients, hand-made food, and a genuine sense of hospitality that doesn’t follow a script.

The focaccia comes out warm. The wine list leans thoughtful, not flashy. And the mood is relaxed — the kind of place where strangers end up talking across tables and no one’s in a hurry.

Locally owned and operated, the motto here is simple: we close when the guests leave.

No rush. Just good food, good wine, and a space that feels like it’s always been there.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 3 days ago

Sidewalk Cafe with a big heart! The setting is just odd. Right next to a conventional (noisy) Italian Restaurant, On the sidewalk- so the street and road scenes are part of your meal. The distractions are nonstop. Several superlatives. The Frociatia was light airy crispy and 3 inches tall! The Pork Chops were plentiful, succulent and infused with flavor that wouldn't quit. Chef Michele Bevilacqua was entertaining and massively informative on all things food and wine. He is pretty definite about what constitutes an elevated experience. Come ready to be entertained, fed and included in a special, but funky, experience.

Lucuma Kitchen & Bar

4.9

4.9 (26)

$30 and under

Peruvian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Step into a world of authentic Peruvian cuisine with a twist. Our menu features distinctive dishes, setting us apart from the ordinary. Beyond the plate, you'll find a beautifully designed restaurant, a team dedicated to providing outstanding customer service, and a vibrant bar offering creative Peruvian-inspired cocktails. Join us for a truly special taste of Peru.

Top review

Mey

Dined 3 days ago

Had the clasico ceviche, Anticuchos de corazón, Papa la huancaina, Peruvian style paella and banana flambee dessert. Everything was delicious but the banana flambee with the Lucuma fruit ice cream is a must!!

The Shuckery

4.8

4.8 (1075)

$30 and under

Oyster Bar

Petaluma

About the restaurant

Indulge in seafood the way it was meant to be—fresh, seasonal, and delightful. Experience The Shuckery, where we offer raw oysters and a range of creatively crafted, ocean-inspired dishes. Beyond just an oyster bar, The Shuckery embodies a culinary journey rooted in genuine hospitality and dishes that both comfort and exhilarate.

Best of The Bohemian Northbay Winner "Best Restaurant for Oysters" 2024 & 2025 and "Best Sommelier" and "Best Wine List in Sonoma County 2023"

Currently, all our seating is indoors, and we provide a unique experience in the heart of downtown Petaluma, nestled in the historic and beautiful Hotel Petaluma.

To ensure we can accommodate all of our guests, we kindly ask that table seating is limited to 1 hour and 45 minutes for parties of 2-4 and 2 hours for parties of 5+ or more.
While reservations are recommended, we do have an 18 seat first come, first served bar and hightop table selection for walk-in guests.
Chef; Matt Meyer
Owner; Jazmine Lalicker

Top review

Corinne

Dined 1 day ago

Went,as we usually do, to celebrate our anniversary. Asked for a window seat and mentioned our anniversary in the notes when I made the booking. We were greeted and wished a ‘happy anniversary’ then seated at the outward facing window seat in the corner. It was a cozy and quiet space that kicked off our evening perfectly! Oysters were delish with the bread basket and a sparkling rose. I changed it up and had the scallops and have found a new favorite. Husband did not vary from his norm enjoying the mussels and clams. We ended the night sharing the dessert special, strawberry bread pudding…yum! Not big dessert people, that treat was a marvel! Our service was excellent and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. I ❤️ The Shuckery Oh, here’s a tip…do NOT park in the empty lot on Keller St. it is obviously a scam money maker for Ace Towing and cohorts. We were towed from the lot between 7-9 and it was $675 to get our car out. Poor signage and it’s a closed office space…dirty dogs Still loved our dinner but took a little of the glow off.

Gola

4.8

4.8 (302)

$30 and under

Tunisian

Mission

About the restaurant

Gola offers Mediterranean food with an emphasis on the Tunisian cuisine .
Located in the heart of the Mission district surrounded by restaurants, bars and boutique shops,
Dinner :5 pm -10 pm. A little menu with a lots of flavors like the braised lamb riblets or the unique Tunisian deviled eggs. A full bar with a selection of spirits and exclusive Tunisian wines and alcohol. all served in a very cozy warm and charming setting.

Top review

Karishma

Dined on Jul 5, 2025

The appetizers and the main course were absolutely delicious! We tried the Tunisian red wines which weren't that great! The dessert at the end was also underwhelming. However the service was phenomenal. And as I mentioned before, the food was something we would definitely come back for.

Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

4.8

4.8 (452)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Alameda

About the restaurant

About
Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge is a tropical vacation spot right in the middle of your hometown! Serving award-winning, world famous classic and exotic cocktails along with many original recipes, along with some tasty snacks, Forbidden Island is a retro-oasis in the desert of your busy modern day! Now open indoors (seated capacity only) as well as outdoors in our Tiki Garden/ Patio, 7 days a week.

* Please note that all reservations are limited to 90 minutes for groups of 1-3 and 2 hours for groups of 4-8.

Top review

Amanda

Dined on Jun 29, 2025

I still love that you can reserve a table - best thing from covid! I also love that there is outdoor and indoor seating. Great music not too loud fun atmosphere and friendly sporty service. The drinks of course were amazing per usual and the food has improved - had the forbidden fries and cups with guacamole. We rode our bikes there and they even allowed us to park them inside the gate which was very nice!

Tacolicious - Palo Alto

4.8

4.8 (217)

$30 and under

Mexican

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Tacolicious is a casual, modern Mexican restaurant with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto. We source our ingredients responsibly, take our tacos as seriously as our cocktails, and offer a fun sit-down, full-service experience.

Large party of 12 +? Email us at palo_alto_management@tacolicious.com and we'll fit you in. We have outdoor dining, a great private room and do off-site catering. Go to tacolicious.com for more information; catering requests can be sent to events@tacolicious.com.

Top review

Tony - SherylVIP

Dined on Jun 29, 2025

Tacos were very tasty & tortillas most delicious, but think $7+ taco is over-priced. Whole Pinto Beans (since Black Beans are likely canned) vs. visually unappealing Refritos should be offered. Had to ask for ordered Sides, forgotten when Tacos delivered. $13 Single-serving Chicken Soup size should be sharable... had to practically beg for 2 Salsa bowls for 2 small portions. And, fyi... where are the spoons for serving up delicious Salsas? Music is uninteresting Pop & several decibels too loud!!! A Soundtrack for monotony, it prohibits normal conversation. 1/3 Bathrooms required serious cleaning attention. Implement hourly Check/Maintenance schedul.e OK. Bastante!

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