From grass-fed shaking beef to locally sourced golden chanterelles to salt-roasted pear sorbet, San Francisco has long been a hub of dining innovation. What new restaurants or old standbys are your favorites? We get the latest from dining critics on the best cuisine and dining trends in the Bay Area.
Map of Recommended Restaurants
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Restaurants Recommended by Food Critics and Bloggers
San Francisco
Marlowe
Pläj
Benu (chef Corey Lee)
Park Tavern
Aziza
Bar Tartine
Quince
Sandbox Bakery (opened by former chef at Slanted Door)
Deli Board
Outerlands
Commonwealth
Kokkari
Craftsman and Wolves
Lai Hong Lounge in Chinatown (branch of Kong Kong Lounge)
M.Y. China in Westfield Mall
Hakkasan
Mandalay
Charles Phan's Hard Water (not yet opened)
East Bay
Miss Ollie's in Oakland
Flora Restaurant and Bar in Oakland
Hopscotch Restaurant and Bar in Oakland
Duende in Oakland
Cosecha in Oakland
Ippuku in Berkeley (chef Christian Geideman)
Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley
Beauty's Bagel Shop in Oakland
Authentic Bagel Company in Oakland
Bartavelle Coffee and Wine Bar in Berkeley
Chez Panisse in Berkeley
Slow Hand BBQ in Pleasant Hill
Comal in Berkeley (former chef at Delfina's)
Tamarindo Antojeria Mexicana in Oakland
Gather in Berkeley
Saul's Restaurant and Delicatessen in Berkeley
A16 (currently in San Francisco. Set to open another location in the East Bay)
Peninsula and South Bay
Chez TJ in Mountain View
Alexander's Steakhouse in San Francisco and Silicon Valley
The Sea in Palo Alto
Attic in San Mateo
Manresa in Los Gatos
All Spice in San Mateo
North Bay
Mill Valley Beerworks in Mill Valley
Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael (founding owner of member Grateful Dead)
The Tavern at Lark Creek in Larkspur
Picco in Larkspur
Restaurants Recommended by Callers
San Francisco
Halu in the Inner Richmond
Dixie
Arang Korean Restaurant
Ayulta in the Mission
Saha
El Nopalito
Original Joe's Italian
The Slanted Door
Zuni Café
Goat Hill Pizza
East Bay
Hot Basil Café in Concord
The Compass Star in Martinez
Artisan Bistro in Lafayette
Taqueria El Farolito in Oakland
La Costa in Oakland
Fentons Creamery in Oakland
Champa Garden in Oakland
Disco Volante in Oakland
Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland
Peninsula and South Bay
31st Union in San Mateo
CasCal in Mountain View
Buda Thai in Mountain View
Heavenly Cafe in Scotts Valley
North Bay
Yanni's Sausage Grill of Penngrove
Rosso Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar (good gluten-free crust)
Hole in the Wall Restaurant in Sebastopol
The Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa
Backyard in Forestville
The Thomas and Fagiani's Bar at The Thomas in Napa
Goose and Gander in Saint Helena
Scopa in Healdsburg
Spoonbar in Healdsburg
- More: Bay Area Bites
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- More: Tasting Table
- More: Is New York Losing the Restaurant War to the Bay Area? (The Awl)