Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

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!

Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2852)

$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

elvino

Dined 4 days ago

Halibut handled in a beautiful way Steak was fabulous Service was great Food was delicious, well done good job

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Liberty Farms Duck Breast

lelé kitchen

4.9

4.9 (26)

$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

RodVIP

Dined 7 days ago

I'm not quite sure where to start with this review as lelé kitchen defies the typical food review. Let me say that the recent SF Chronicle review of the restaurant doesn't do this place justice. The Blossom Hill Road location is quite unassuming to say the least, but don't be fooled by a book's cover as the saying goes. Do not pass up the oysters! They are presented in a unique and yet simplistic manner, no bed of crushed ice for these succulent beauties which are seasoned way beyond a typical tartar sauce along with horseradish. The Wagyu and halibut entrees were artistically presented along with vegetables which were perfectly prepared. The apple cake is one of those rare desserts that you will remember for its creativity and exquisite tastes. Life is short, eat dessert, and be prepared to be wowed. The service was also very attentive, knowledgeable, and personable. They understand the magic that happens in the kitchen, and they do an excellent job of completing the entire experience. lelé kitchen is destined to be a jewel in the SF Bay Area dining scene! I'm glad I found this culinary treasure in its early days as getting reservations are going to be a real challenge once the word gets out!

Per Diem - Transit Center

4.7

4.7 (72)

$30 and under

Californian

SOMA

About the restaurant

The newest addition of Per Diem in San Francisco is now open at the Salesforce TransBay Terminal!

Per Diem brings the unique style and ambiance of San Francisco to an upscale venue in the heart of the City. The internationally acclaimed Michelin Guide lists the original Per Diem as part of an elite group of Bay Area restaurants that received a Recommend rating. We are inspired by the vibrant, fresh produce of Northern California. Per Diem’s offerings of rich flavors and 20th century décor will entice patrons looking for social meeting quarters or a savored dining experience.

Top review

Thomas

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Friendly staff and they even separated the food for sharing for us. Really nice of them.

Ethel's Fancy

4.9

4.9 (509)

$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

Ted

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Great, creative food, great service, love the smaller portion options.

Commis Dining Room

4.9

4.9 (1229)

$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

SumitVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Fantastic —This is one of the three best restaurants in Bay area as far as I am concerned..( The other two being Californios in SF and The French Laundry in Yountville )..food is fantastic and the service is to equal to it…

Commis Bar

4.8

4.8 (34)

$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

NamVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We’ve didn’t hear several times and Chef Syhabout and his team never disappoint! The food, service, and ambiance are always stellar. The atmosphere is never stuffy, and always relaxed. Whether we are eating at the bar or in the main dining room, everything is consistently fantastic! I could not recommend this place more.

Aziza

4.7

4.7 (2944)

$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

CathieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Awesome experience- food and service. Would appreciate more affordable wines on menu, but overall wonderful. Can’t wait to return

Frances

4.9

4.9 (3653)

$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

Luis

Dined 6 days ago

Best, most flavorful menu we've had at Frances. DELICIOUS!

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New Year's Eve at Frances

OSO

4.7

4.7 (1184)

$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

sherieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Amazing Mussels! Great and kind team that provide wonderful service.

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Popular dish

Shrimp & Cheesy Grits

4.8

4.8 (239)

$31 to $50

Californian

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Mo-Sat: Food until 9pm, Wine until 10pm Sun: Food until 8:45pm Wine until 9pm
Sat/Sun: Brunch: 11am-3pm
Cultivar San Francisco is an wine-centric farm to table restaurant by Cultivar Wine. The menu is inspired by locally-sourced seasonal ingredients including from our culinary garden at Caspar Estate. The menu complements hand-crafted wines from our Cultivar Winery and boutique wines from California and beyond. Cultivar Wine club flights are available. Cultivar Wine Club members get 20% off their Cultivar wine and Cultivar food. Join our Cultivar Wine Club!

Our back patio has a fireplace, heaters and festive lighting, perfect setting for a private dinner or a celebration. Sidewalk tables on Chestnut have heaters, great for people watching and guests with dogs.
Seasonal dishes and Cultivar Wines available for take out and to go.
Our location is near the Lyon St. entrance to the Presidio, near the Palace of Fine Arts and in the Marina District of San Francisco.

Top review

LilyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The pop music wasn’t amazing but the brunch and mulled wine were delicious as always

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Experience

Taco Tuesday

Experience

Charcuterie Board & Bottle

Experience

Happy Hour at Cultivar SF

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