Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Marina Bar and Grill

5.0

5 (44)

$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

Monica

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Always a great place to hang out with friends! Love Rich and Vanitha!

Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club

4.9

4.9 (873)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

About the restaurant

***Best Jazz Club in the City, by San Francisco Magazine***
Mr. Tipple’s is a craft cocktail bar featuring live jazz.
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Reservations have a 90min time limit from reservation time.
There is a $20/guest min for table service
Mr. Tipple’s heralds back to a 1950s NYC basement. Cozy. Dark. Boozy. The intimate setting features local jazz artists up close and personal. It’s a joint where you come as you are, hear great music, tap your toes, and sip a properly chilled cocktail.
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My name is Mr. Tipple. Just a simple and laughable bloke hailing from London. I run a recording studio. My friends joke that you’ll oft find me spinning cocktails, not reeling tape. After a few too many, I usually just sit back and enjoy the music, having forgotten to hit record. Regardless, the band is always jiving, the whiskey is always cold, and we’re having a smashing good time.

Top review

AlexVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I love this place. This is my third time visiting and I don’t live in SF. I visit every time I come to town. The food is bomb and the music is the best part. Love it!

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Popular dish

Sui Gao Dumplings

Popular dish

Shanghai Soup Dumplings

Experience

Music Focused Preferred Seats

Vino Locale - Palo Alto

4.8

4.8 (105)

$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

Chris

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

Wonderful cosy outdoor space with live music, great food and drink. Perfect date night

Tasting House

4.8

4.8 (525)

$50 and over

Global, International

Los Gatos

About the restaurant

We believe wine is better with food & food is better with wine. A perfect pairing is an experience everyone should enjoy..often. Our unique approach to food and wine means we are "wine first". We first curate the wine list which includes 65+ wines by the glass and then design a food menu that specifically complements the wine. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Julian Silvera who spent his early culinary career in restaurants in his native NYC. He then took his talents to Florida's Knife and Spoon, where he helped garner a coveted Michelin star. Chef Julian is passionate about sourcing hyperlocal ingredients & has a strong focus on sustainability. Our service team includes ten sommeliers and is proud to offer guests more than 700 wines by the bottle. We are a casually elegant wine bistro open Tues-Sat 5PM to 10PM. The Champagne Bar is open daily noon-10PM. Children are welcome on the patio. The Wine Bistro and Champagne Bar seats adults only. Live Music Nightly.

Top review

AlVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful first time experience. Service was OUTSTANDING and our party had a great time

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Experience

Live Music 6PM Nightly

Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu Experience

Experience

Valentine's Day Menu

Speisekammer

4.7

4.7 (1645)

$30 and under

German

Alameda

About the restaurant

Traditional German cuisine- Pickup-take out & delivery through UberEats, Postmates & Grubhub- Limited outdoor dining.

Top review

Jerry

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

A taste of Germany in Alameda with excellent food and drinks

Yoshi's Oakland

4.7

4.7 (8320)

$30 and under

Japanese

Oakland

About the restaurant

Yoshi's has served Japan's best traditional dishes to Bay Area patrons since 1972. The menu highlights artfully arranged sushi, fresh grilled seafood, classic Japanese dishes, and vegetarian fare. Patrons can kick off their shoes in the traditional Japanese tatami seating or dine at tables. Expert sushi chefs create sushi and sashimi to order either in the restaurant or in the jazz house. Start the evening in the cocktail lounge before dinner or have a nightcap after taking in a show in the jazz house.

Top review

RhondaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Yoshi's in Oakland is a gem! The combination of delicious Japanese cuisine and world-class live jazz creates an unforgettable experience. The sushi is always fresh, the cocktails are creative, and the ambiance is elegant yet welcoming. The staff ensures you feel cared for whether you're there for dinner or a show. It's the perfect spot for a date night or celebrating with friends. I highly recommend it!

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4.6

4.6 (2017)

$31 to $50

Southern

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of San Francisco's historic Theater District, Biscuits and Blues is a West Coast musical landmark where every seat provides an up-close, live music experience. Our all-ages supper club is a great place for the whole family to experience America's greatest musical heritage! We have live music six nights a week featuring national and Bay Area acts. Our full bar and soulful Southern menu compliments the savory sounds of our top-notch talent. If you’re trying to decide between food and music, you can indulge in both with us!

Show times and prices may vary and are dependent on specific acts.
No refunds-no cancellations for show tickets. Every ticket has a seat. Singles will be assigned a bar seat or shareable table seat when available.

Top review

Marcia

Dined 4 days ago

We had a great time! The entertainment was terrific, and because the audience was small the performer was able to interact with us, making it special. The fried chicken dinner was seasoned perfectly, the catfish dinner was delicious. Cocktails were great, and staff were attentive and friendly.

Broma

4.6

4.6 (217)

$50 and over

Spanish

Mountain View

About the restaurant

A modern palette blended with regional tastes embodies an atmosphere that welcomes novel thought and casual gatherings. Inspired by Spanish cuisine, yet influenced by many places, our restaurant is a culinary journey—one that’s as bold and diverse as the flavors found on our menu.
Inspired by his travels through Spain and Portugal, Michelin-starred chef Jarad Gallagher Latin influenced cuisine at Broma.
We work closely with our purveyors to source only the finest ingredients, both local and abroad.
In addition, we offer hand-crafted cocktails from The Emerald Hour, craft beer, American and international wines, and a variety of delightful non-alcoholic options.

Top review

MichalVIP

Dined on Dec 17, 2024

We met friends, shared some small plates and had mains as well. All the dishes were delicious, with high quality ingredients (and we’re foodies who know how to cook)! We loved that it was quiet enough to converse. It is attached to a hotel in a somewhat off-the beaten path location but it’s worth a visit (and open on days when many restaurants are closed, like Mondays). The ambiance is very nice inside. A hidden gem!

Four Kings

4.6

4.6 (138)

$30 and under

Chinese

Chinatown

About the restaurant

## Four Kings: A Nostalgic Journey Through Cantonese Cuisine Step into Four Kings and be transported to a vibrant world of nostalgia and flavor. This San Francisco gem, helmed by chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long, serves up a modern take on Cantonese cuisine, infused with the chefs' personal memories and a playful spirit. The atmosphere is electric, with 90s Cantopop tunes filling the air and retro Hong Kong memorabilia adorning the walls. The open kitchen allows you to witness the culinary artistry firsthand, as chefs prepare dishes like the signature **fried squab** and the innovative **mapo spaghetti**. The menu is a celebration of bold flavors and unexpected combinations. Start with the **XO escargot with milk bread**, a decadent treat that will leave you wanting more. For a taste of tradition, try the **Hong Kong black peppered steak**, cooked to perfection and bursting with savory notes. Vegetarians will delight in the **garlic pea shoots**, a simple yet flavorful dish that showcases the freshest ingredients. Four Kings is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a place to gather with friends, share delicious food, and reminisce about the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. So come hungry, come curious,

Top review

Lizzie

Dined 1 day ago

We walked in right at 7:45pm and the people outside said it was a 1 hour walk-in wait at 7:45pm! The place wasn't that full when we walked in ad there were some open tables, but they filled up pretty quickly with reservations. It was so cool seeing Chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long (two Mister Jiu's alums) and their partners Millie Boonkokua and Lucy Li in person working. I've seen their pictures and read their names so much, I fangirled internally. We were seated at the bar next to each other which was fine. I love the art and Canto decor. It's cozy and warm and nostalgic and modern all at once. We enjoyed the complimentary peanuts and cucumber--that was a good starter because we didn't order any vegetables because too many other dishes sounded good. Our waitress said 3 dishes would be good for 2 people--maybe 4 if we got fewer carb-heavy dishes. We ordered the squab ($45) (limited quantities), Mapo spaghetti ($21), and claypot Rice w/ Chinese sausage & Bacon ($26.) We had high expectations for the squab and claypot (which they said would take 30 minutes, but seemed like it was faster.) The squab grew on us--the lemon and powder we were given for it helped amplify the flavor. The claypot was very good--the crispy crackling rice was delicious and rich. The sausage and bacon wasn't fatty but flavorful. The highlight of the night was the Mapo spaghetti.

Haus Of Chefs

4.5

4.5 (19)

$31 to $50

American

Oakland

About the restaurant

Haus of Chefs is an innovative concept that pairs culinary talent with a ready-made professional kitchen, inside an upscale restaurant with a full bar.

Top review

Catalina

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Everything was so delicious. That catfish made my whole day. 10/10 I will be back!

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