Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in East Bay

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in East Bay? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

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 7 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 (35)

$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

MarcVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Incredible food and wine pairing experience. All that in a great and friendly atmosphere. Probably the best in the Bay Area

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 8 Dec 2024

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

Discover more

Experience

Babette Large Party Experience

Wence's Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1338)

$31 to $50

Californian

Pleasant Hill

About the restaurant

Wence’s Oyster Bar & Grill: Nestled in Pleasant Hill, Wence’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant renowned for its diverse menu featuring seafood, steak, pastas, and more. Our standout oyster bar is a favorite among guests, offering a fresh and delightful experience.

Our friendly team is dedicated to providing you with an impeccable dining experience, ensuring every meal is indulgent and memorable. We gladly accept dinner reservations and offer three distinct spaces perfect for hosting private events, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. We look forward to hosting you soon!

Top review

Nick

Dined 4 days ago

Great food. Fantastic service! Love Wence’s! Best restaurant in Pleasant Hill.

Roses on Adeline

4.8

4.8 (44)

$30 and under

Californian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

All guests must be 21+
Where love for Food, Art & Community thrives.

Seasonally driven bar food & cocktails with an emphasis on quality and freshness, beer, wine & great vibes too!

Our menu features comforts & classics with a sprinkle of innovation and creativity.
Fresh, seasonal, local California fusion.

Top review

Arabelle

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

What a neighborhood gem! Excellent service, beautiful decor, and great food.

Danville Harvest

4.6

4.6 (1582)

$30 and under

Californian

Danville

About the restaurant

Harvest is about sharing around the table. Brunch and Lunch menus feature both classic and creative favorites. Our Dinner menu encourages diners to explore a variety of options with our shared small plates.

Chef Noe Briseno and our team bring their passion for sustainably sourced ingredients to create an approachable menu showcasing the seasonal bounties of the Bay Area. We pride ourselves on using fresh, organic & locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Our award winning bar program features seasonal craft cocktails and the largest whiskey selection
in the Tri-Valley Area. Try something new with our build your own Manhattan Project.

Please contact Danville Harvest directly for larger groups or special requests: info@danvilleharvest.com.

Top review

Sheila

Dined 4 days ago

Loved the appetizer choices, we had a delicious and filling assortment of four different appetizers

Discover more

4.5

4.5 (2782)

$31 to $50

Californian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

Revival Bar+Kitchen is serving distinctive, locally sourced, farm-to table, snout-to tail, utterly delicious food for brunch and dinner. The full bar is mixing original, hand-crafted cocktails, and our bar menu is available to satisfy after-the-show appetites.

The entire dining room is available for meetings and buy outs.

Top review

Michael

Dined 1 day ago

Superb food, great service, comfortable seating, prices moderate considering the cost of everything these days, a bit noisy, but overall—what's not to like?

Gather

4.4

4.4 (3577)

$30 and under

Californian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

Utilizing techniques inspired by classic culinary craftsmanship, Gather in downtown Berkeley features organic local produce, pizzas, sustainable seafood, and humanely-raised meats that showcase the unique abundance of Northern California. We have a balance menu of meat and vegetarian offerings, craft cocktails, and local, sustainable wines. The experience is served up in a warm ambiance informed by honey hued reclaimed woods literally “gathered” from the surrounding area. Directly across from the UC campus, it is conveniently located with parking lot beneath the restaurant just 5 minutes from Zellerbach Hall and Berkeley Rep.

Top review

Rod

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

Always look very going to Gather! Staff are so courteous always! Brought a couple of friends it was their first time at Gather!

Bridges Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (5149)

$31 to $50

Californian

Danville

About the restaurant

In it's 28-year history, Bridges has received many accolades and awards, including being honored as one of Diablo magazine's "Seven Best Restaurants in the East Bay". Whether dining on the lush, vine-covered patio while enjoying the sounds from our natural granite waterfall, or relaxing indoors amid a sophisticated, comfortable ambiance you will discover why Bridges is a favorite Bay Area dining destination. Executive Chef Kevin Gin awes with his innovative interpretation of California cuisine featuring European and Asian influences. The staff's professional eye for detail and commitment to exceptional service add to the upscale, yet unpretentious dining experience. Bridges warm elegance, spectacular menu and great energy make it the ideal venue for socializing with friends, celebrations, business meetings or private events.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 1 day ago

We’ve been coming since they opened. It’s never disappointed. The service is excellent as is the food. Portions are large. Would highly recommend.

Virtue + Vice

4.3

4.3 (221)

$30 and under

Californian

Danville

About the restaurant

Virtue + Vice is located in Historic Downtown Danville.

We are an independent, upscale restaurant and bar serving a globally inspired menu of gourmet comfort food.

For those looking to indulge their vices, we offer luscious libations and an extensive wine menu.

Available for indoor and outdoor seating.

Top review

KarimVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Food and service was good, but I found my dinner to be a little pricey. I ordered the steak medallions with mash potatoes and vegetables. Meal was good, but only received two steak medallions instead of the three or four that I was expecting. Also, I am not a big guy, but I thought the portion was not as much as what my expectations were.

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of East Bay

Explore more Diners' Choice lists