Mmmm…yummy!
Northern California is known for its incredible food scene, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, innovative culinary techniques, and a wide range of cuisines. Here are some of the top restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond:
Half Moon Bay Top Restaurants
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Pasta Moon –
This Italian restaurant sources its ingredients locally and offers homemade pasta and wood-fired pizzas. They also have a great wine selection.
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Sam’s Chowder House –
This seafood restaurant is located right on the beach and has a casual atmosphere. The menu features classic seafood dishes such as clam chowder and fish and chips.
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Navio –
This Michelin-starred restaurant is located inside the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay and serves contemporary California cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
Monterey Top Restaurants
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The Sardine Factory –
This historic restaurant, located in Cannery Row, offers a classic fine dining experience, featuring fresh seafood and steak dishes, along with an extensive wine list.
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Passionfish –
This sustainable seafood restaurant in Pacific Grove offers a farm-to-table menu, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently, but may include dishes like grilled octopus and wild salmon.
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Restaurant 1833 –
This upscale restaurant, housed in a historic building in Monterey, offers a menu of contemporary American cuisine, featuring dishes like grilled quail and seared scallops.
Napa Valley Top Restaurants
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The French Laundry (Yountville) –
This iconic restaurant is a must-visit for any foodie, offering a tasting menu of exquisite French cuisine that changes daily.
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The Restaurant at Meadowood –
Another Napa Valley gem, The Restaurant at Meadowood offers a tasting menu that features seasonal ingredients.
Sonoma Valley Top Restaurants
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The Girl & the Fig –
This Sonoma restaurant serves French-inspired cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients.
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Farmhouse Inn Restaurant (Forestville) –
This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a farm-to-table tasting menu featuring ingredients from the restaurant’s own gardens and local farms.
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SingleThread (Healdsburg) –
This Michelin three-star restaurant and inn offers a multi-course tasting menu that showcases local and Japanese-inspired flavors.
San Francisco and The Bay Area Top Restaurants
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Atelier Crenn (San Francisco) –
Chef Dominique Crenn’s Michelin three-star restaurant offers a tasting menu that is both visually stunning and delicious, with a focus on organic and sustainable ingredients.
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Bar Tartine (San Francisco) –
This cozy spot offers a creative menu of Eastern European-inspired dishes, with a focus on fermentation and house-made breads.
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Benu (San Francisco) –
Chef Corey Lee’s Michelin three-star restaurant features a tasting menu of contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine, with an emphasis on technique and presentation.
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Chez Panisse (Berkeley) –
Alice Waters’ legendary restaurant has been a leader in the farm-to-table movement since its opening in 1971, offering a seasonal menu of California cuisine.
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La Taqueria (San Francisco) –
This Mission District institution is known for its simple, delicious tacos made with fresh ingredients and handmade tortillas.
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Saison (San Francisco) –
This Michelin three-star restaurant offers a tasting menu of innovative, fire-driven cuisine using ingredients from local farms and fishermen.
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State Bird Provisions (San Francisco) –
This James Beard award-winning restaurant is known for its inventive small plates and dim sum-style service.
These are just a few of the many incredible restaurants in Northern California, and there are plenty of other hidden gems to discover as well.