Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in East Bay

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in East Bay? 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Shadowbrook Winery

4.9

4.9 (554)

$50 and over

Winery

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Shadowbrook Winery has become the East Bay’s most decorated winery with over 75 medals. Shadowbrook is a small production family-owned winery located in the foothills of Mt. Diablo. We offer a diverse selection of exceptional red wines, along with some fantastic white wine options. Whether you're looking for a wine tasting experience, a glass or bottle to enjoy, or even a variety of local beers on draft, we’ve got something for everyone. Pair it all with our excellent food menu for the perfect experience.
We offer various seating options all with beautiful views of Mt. Diablo and our vineyards. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house! Most seating is outdoors to enjoy the scenery, with covered patios, shade, and umbrellas for warm days, plus heaters, a fireplace, and fire pits for cooler weather. We also offer indoor seating, though it does not have the same views. All seating is first-come, first-served. Please note we are reservation-only, so plan ahead!

Top review

SherriVIP

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Always love spending time with friends at this beautiful venue. The crab dip was delicious and a must have!

Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

4.9

4.9 (412)

$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

JohnVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Always enjoy Forbidden Island. Great cocktails and super friendly staff. All our drinks were crafted perfectly!

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Experience

New Year's Eve Tiki Party

Babette

4.7

4.7 (125)

$31 to $50

Californian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

At Babette, the husband and wife team of Joan Ellis and Patrick Hooker, are in the kitchen preparing each plate to ensure that their vision and taste profile are translated to each diner. The attention to detail are evident in not only the food they make but also the ambience they have created. The interior of the restaurant is natural brick and the couple have chosen a rich color palette of deep blues and greens for the walls. An elegant chandelier hangs over a natural wood backed booth providing both a cozy and elegant feel to the room. Outside on the spacious patio, a magnificent redwood tree provides natural shade to the built in seating area and plants are abundant creating a lush, garden setting.
Live music Brunches, New York style Pizza, unique Entrees and our famous Sicilian Lemon Almond Pistachio Cake are just a taste of what you will find at Babette. Warm and knowledgeable staff will make you feel like part of the family.

Top review

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

What an incredible place. Gorgeous decor, wonderful staff, great music, fantastic food.

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Experience

Babette Large Party Experience

Rosenblum Cellars

4.9

4.9 (706)

$30 and under

Winery

Oakland

About the restaurant

Since 1978, Rosenblum has become one of the most-awarded and highly-rated California Zinfandel portfolios. Having more than 50 Zinfandels with 90+ points from Wine Spectator, it’s a record for Zinfandel lovers, but for us it’s just business as usual.

Top review

Loraine

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Rosenblum is a great place to come for wine and snacks. No real food served but the cheeses, breads and other go great with the wine. Also has salads and pizzas which are okay. Great service and reasonably priced.

Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

4.8

4.8 (486)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Oakland

About the restaurant

Recommended in the MICHELIN Guide for California 2021-2023. Located in Oakland’s historic Grand Lake District, Bardo is a neighborhood lounge and restaurant inspired by the comfort and camaraderie of a mid-century dinner party. Drawing on the celebration and elegance of old school entertaining, we envisioned a space for friends and neighbors to enjoy amazing food, cocktails, conversation and great music.

Our lounge is a swank living room, furnished with hand-picked finds from antique and vintage markets from Palm Springs to Portland. Our mezzanine dining room features a rotating menu of fresh, seasonal supper-fare with local and sustainably sourced meats, fish and produce. While we think the food, drinks and atmosphere are all great reasons to visit us, it’s the relationships with our friends, neighbors and guests that is the driving force behind Bardo.

Top review

Sharde'VIP

Dined 5 days ago

Beautiful restaurant and delicious food! Bug be warned about Lakeshore Ave. Left and my car windows were smashed in. I knew better to have anything in the car. But apparently that didn’t matter. I’ll never be returning bc the area just isn’t good, sadly.

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New Year's Eve Dinner & Celebration!

Nonni's Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1306)

$30 and under

European

Pleasanton

About the restaurant

Come join us at Nonni's where you are part of the family. Our food is always made from scratch and is always from the heart.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Our favorite special occasion restaurant. Great food, great atmosphere, and superior staff.

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Popular dish

French Onion Soup

Julia's Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1637)

$31 to $50

French

Berkeley

About the restaurant

Teatime
Tuesdays | 12pm-2pm

Indoor Dining
Lunch
Wednesday - Saturday | 12pm-2pm

Dinner
Tuesday-Saturday | 5pm-7:45pm

Located on the second floor of the Berkeley City Club, a Julia Morgan Historic Hotel, Julia's boasts a beautiful over-sized fireplace, and ornate details true to Morgan's iconic Moorish Gothic architectural design.

Julia's offers an innovative, creative, contemporary approach to your dining experience and is inspired by local, organic, and seasonal ingredients.

Our diverse wine list complements our menu featuring wines carefully selected from regions around the world.

Top review

AnnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The setting is unique and unparalleled in the East Bay - Julia Morgan's 'Little Castle'!

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Experience

Teatime

Noka Ramen

4.7

4.7 (157)

$30 and under

Ramen

Oakland

About the restaurant

Hello Gorgeous,
At NōKA Ramen, our mission is to introduce Bay Area with our “Hakata” Tonkotsu style — creamy and rich pork broth; pairing with HOMEMADE artisan noodles — smooth, firm and bouncy texture; using Japanese techniques to deliver our guests the golden experience.

Come for noods, stay for cocktails!

Top review

ShrutiVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Such a fun location with great staff and food was good as well! Not sure the price point matches. The food is slightly priced over and the drinks were priced very high for what they were. I get we’re in the Bay Area so it’s not easy.

Flores Emeryville

4.6

4.6 (45)

$30 and under

Mexican

Emeryville

About the restaurant

Flores is a three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winning restaurant serving up hyperlocal Mexican food from across the country.

From the Gulf to the Pacific, we bring the heart and soul of Mexico to your table through our favorite family recipes. Flores serves up traditional Mexican cuisine in a relaxed and vibrant setting that transports you to the beachside resorts of Mexico. Our bar features more than 50 rare and small-batch tequilas and mezcals, which we serve in handcrafted margaritas and creative cocktails.
4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks for employee benefit, including health insurance, commuter benefit, sick days, and minimum wage ordinance.

Top review

La TeanaVIP

Dined on Nov 15, 2024

The Food, Service and Ambience was absolutely INCREDIBLE! I can't wait to go back.

Marina Bar and Grill

5.0

5 (41)

$30 and under

American

Discovery Bay

About the restaurant

Marina Bar and Grill is a trendy, casual restaurant and bar situated in Discovery Bay.
We take pride in serving community favorites with exceptional service and a friendly smile.
Our prime location at Discovery Bay Marina offers stunning waterfront views for you to enjoy along with your delicious meal and refreshing drink.
In addition to our extensive take-out menu, we also host parties, events, and all special occasions.
We invite you to come and enjoy an unforgettable time with us!

Top review

LynnVIP

Dined 7 days ago

I have so much FUN playing Singo Bingo with my friends.. great crowd, food and atmosphere….👍🏻

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