Bay Area Restaurant Reviews



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The Bay Area offers an impressing array of restaurants. You could eat out every night of the year at a different place and barely begin to scratch the surface. Of course, many if not most restaurants are not particularly remarkable, but we're lucky to have a few outstanding gems here and there.

I don't pretend to direct you to the best the Bay Area has to offer - I haven't discovered it myself - but I hope these reviews can help you decide whether you want to eat at a particular place. Before you read these reviews, however, you may want to check out this caveat. Buen Provecho!


East Bay

Alameda | Albany/El Cerrito | Berkeley | Castro Valley | Emeryville | Fremont/Newark | Hayward/Union City | Oakland | Orinda | Pleasanton/Livermore | Richmond | San Leandro | Walnut Creek

Rest of the Bay Area

San Francisco | Napa | North Bay | Peninsula | South Bay


See also

San Leandro Restaurants | Tea Rooms | Restaurants Beyond the Bay Area | Chain Restaurants | Road Restaurants | Venue Food

Closed & Revamped Restaurants | Links | Food Blog: Restaurants


    Alameda

  • Amarin Thai
    Thai
    Frequently visited, Very Good, $
  • Asena
    Mediterranean
    Last visited in March, 2005, Very Good, $$ NF
  • Barceluna at Kelly's
    Spanish
    Visited in December 2006, OK, $$
  • C'era una Volta
    California/Brunch
    Visited in May 2006, OK, $$
  • Golden Thai
    Thai
    Visited in January, 2002, So-So, $
  • Hinn Tha Bistro
    Burmese
    Visited in August 2003, Good, $
  • India Palace
    Indian
    Visited frequently in 2000/01, OK, $$
  • The New Zealander
    New Zealander
    Visited in January 2004, OK, $ F
  • Pappo
    Californian
    Visited in August 2006, Good, $$$
  • Pasta Pelican
    Italian
    Visited in June 2004, Good, $$
  • Sahib
    Indian
    Visited in January, 2002, So-So, $
  • Skylight Cafe  
    Italian
    Visited in January, 2002, OK, $$
  • Speisekammer
    German
    Visited in January, 2005, Good, $$$ F

    Albany - El Cerrito

  • Beauregard's
    Californian.
    Visited in Jan. 2003, Good, $$ F
  • Cafe Raj
    Indian
    Visited in March 1999, Revisited in Oct 1999, Good, $
  • Fatapple's
    Brunch/American
    Visited in August 2005, Very Good $$ F
  • Nizza La Bella
    Visited in August 2003, Good, $$ NF
  • Solano Grill and Bar
    Fusion, Albany, Ca.
    Visited in May 1999, Good, $$

    Berkeley

  • Adagia
    California
    Visited in Feb. 2007, Very Good, $$
  • Le Bateau Ivre
    French-International
    Visited in Feb. 2002, Feb. 2001, Good, $$ NF
  • Bistro Liaison
    French
    Visited in November 2004, Good, $$ NF
  • Buttercup
    Latin-American
    Visited in January 2004, Good, $$ F
  • Cafe de la Paz
    Latin-American
    Visited in September 2007, Very Good, $$ N
  • Cafe Rouge
    Mediterranean
    Visited in July 2001 Very Good, $$$ F
  • Cafe Tibet
    Tibetan
    Visited in December 2001, Good, $
  • Cancun
    Taqueria
    Visited in November 2004, Very Good, $ F
  • Cesar
    Tapas
    Visited in January 2004, OK, $$ NF
  • Chez Panisse
    Californian
    Visited in April 2006, Very Good, $$$
  • Downtown
    Californian
    Visited in November 2001, Good, $$
  • Ethiopian Restaurant
    Ethiopian
    Visited in July 2004, Good, $$ F
  • Filippos
    Italian (went for brunch)
    Visited in November 2005, OK, $$ F
  • Finfiné
    Ethiopian
    Visited in May 2005, Good, $$ F
  • Fondue Fred's
    Fondue
    Visited in March, 1999, So-So, $$
  • Gregoire
    French take-out
    Visited in January 2005, Very Good, $$$
  • House of Curries
    Indian
    Visited in April 2008, Good, $
  • India Palace
    Indian
    Visited in April, 2004, OK, $$ F
  • La Note
    California French
    Visited in August 2006, Good, $$
  • Lalime's
    Mediterranean
    Visited in December 2000, Good, $$$
  • La Mediterranee
    Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
    Visited in December, 2003, Very Good, $ F
  • Little Plearn
    Thai
    Visited in December 2004, OK, $ F
  • Naan n' Curry
    Indian
    Visited in November 2004, OK, $ N
  • Pomegranate
    Mediterranean
    Visited in April 2004, Very Good, $$ F
  • Priya Indian Cuisine
    Indian
    Visited in March 2006, So-so, $$ F
  • Rivoli
    Californian
    Visited in Jan. 2000, Very Good, $$
  • Tropical Paradise
    Ghanaian
    Visited in May 2005, Very Good, $-$$ F
  • Truly Mediterranean
    Middle Eastern
    Visited in November 2004, OK, $ N
  • Venezia
    Italian
    Visited in October 1999, Good, $$
  • Viceroy Indian Cuisine
    Indian
    Visited in July 2006, Don't bother $$ F
  • Zatar
    Mediterranean
    Visited in September 2004, Good, $$$ F

    Castro Valley

  • JD's Restaurant
    Breakfast/lunch
    Visited in October 2003, revisited April 2004 Good, $ F
  • Jenny's Cafe
    Coffee-shop
    Visited in September 2003, OK, $$ F
  • Knudsen's Ice Creamery
    Ice Cream Parlor
    Frequently visited, Very Good, $ VF
  • Palomares Cafe
    Italian
    Visisted in November 2007, Very Good, $$ F
  • Pyzano's Pizza
    Pizzeria
    Visited in July 2004, Good, $ VF
  • Top Thai
    Thai
    Visited in July 2006, Very Good, $
  • Village Bistro
    Continental
    Visited in June 2004, Good, $$

    Emeryville

  • P.F. Changs
    Chinese
    Visited in December 2004, Good, $$ F

    Fremont / Newark

  • Red Kwali
    Malay Bistro
    Visited in Nov. 2005, OK, $$ F
  • Salang Pass
    Afghan
    Visited in July 2005, Very Good, $$ F
  • Tyme for Tea
    Teahouse
    Last Visited in January 2007, Good, $$ F

    Hayward/Union City

  • A Street Cafe
    Continental/French
    Visited in August 2004, Good, $$ N
  • Banyan Garden
    Singaporean/Thai/Malaysian Bistro, Union City
    Visited in March 2005, Good, $ F
  • Buon Appetito
    Italian
    Visited in April 2006, Very Good, $$
  • Chef's Experience China Bistro
    Chinese Bistro
    Visited in March 2006, OK, $
  • Everett and Jones
    BBQ/Take-out
    Frequently Visited, Very Good, $ N
  • Favorite India
    Indian/Delivery
    Frequently visited, Very Good, $ F
  • Hayward Ranch
    Steakhouse
    Visited in August 2000, OK, $$
  • Kabila
    Indian, Union City
    Visited in November 2000, OK, $
  • Neumanali
    Californian
    Visited in November 2004, OK, $$$
  • Pho Hoa Ty
    Vietnamese/Pho, Hayward
    Visited in February 2004, OK, $ F
  • Thai Garden
    Thai, Hayward
    Visited in April 2005, OK, $ F
  • Val's
    Coffeeshop
    Visited in March 2002, Very Good, $ F
  • Cafe Vasiliki
    Coffeeshop
    Visited in May 2005, OK, $ F

    Oakland

  • A Cote
    French/small plates
    Rockridge
    Last Visited in April 2004, Good, $$ NF
  • Battambang
    Cambodian
    Downtown
    Originally visited in July 2000, frequently revisited Very Good, $
  • Barclays
    Irish pub
    Jack London Sq.
    Visited in March 2004, OK, $$ F
  • Bay Wolf
    Mediterranean
    Piedmont Ave.
    Last visited in January 2005, Very Good, $$$ N
  • Breads of India
    Indian
    Downtown Oakland
    Visited in July 2007, OK, $$ F
  • Cafe Colucci
    Ethiopian
    North Oakland
    Visited in July 2004, Good, $$ F
  • China Garlic Restaurant
    Chinese
    Piedmont Ave.
    Visited in Feb. 2005, Don't bother, $
  • Citron
    French
    Rockridge
    Visited in July 2000, Good, $$$
  • Cock-a-Doodle Cafe
    Brunch/Californian
    Downtown
    Visited in August 2005, Good, $$ F
  • Crepevine
    Brunch/Crepes
    Piedmont Ave.
    Occasionally visited, Good, $ F
  • Dona Tomas
    Mexican
    Temescal
    Visited in December 2004, OK, $$$ F
  • Hahn's Hibachi
    Korean BBQ
    Jack London Sq.
    Visited in February 2004, Good, $$ F
  • Jojo
    California French
    Piedmont Ave.
    Visited in April 2004, Very Good, $$$ NF
  • Le Cheval
    Vietnamese
    Downtown Oakland
    Visited in April 2007, Very Good, $ F
  • Lotus Thai Cuisine
    Thai
    Piedmont Ave.
    Visited in June 2004, So-So, $ F
  • Luka's Taproom
    Californian
    Downtown
    Visited in July 2005, Good, $$-$$$ NF
  • Mezze
    Mediterranean
    Lake Merrit
    Visited in August 2003, Very Good, $$$ F
  • Montclair Egg shop
    Breakfast
    Montclair
    Visited in June 2004, Good, $ F
  • Old Weang Ping
    Thai
    Laurel
    Visited in August 2004, Very Good, $ N
  • Oliveto
    Italian
    Rockridge
    Visited in October 1999, Good, $$$
  • Phnom Penh Restaurant
    Cambodian
    Laurel
    Visited in 2005, Very Good, $ N
  • Pizza Pazza
    Pizza
    Piedmont Ave.
    Visited in November 2005, Very Good, $ N
  • The Rex
    Californian
    Downtown
    Visited in Jan. 2003, So-So, $$ F
  • Spettro
    Italian
    Lake Merrit
    Visited in Feb. 2007, Very Good, $$ F
  • Tanjia
    Moroccan
    McArthur Bart Station Area
    Visited in November 2006, Good, $$ F
  • Zachary's Chicago Pizza
    Pizza
    Rockridge
    Frequently Visited, Excellent, $ F
  • Zatis
    Mediterranean
    Piedmont Ave.
    Visited in May 2004, Good, $$
  • Zza's
    Italian
    Lake Merrit
    Visited in July 2007, Very Good, $$ VF

    Orinda

  • Calypso Bar & Grill
    Caribbean (visited for drinks)
    Visited in February 2006, Good, $$

    Pleasanton / Livermore

  • Baci
    Italian
    Visited in April 2004, OK, $$
  • Café Garré
    Californian
    Livermore
    Visited in April 2005, OK, $$
  • Casa Madrid
    Spanish
    Visited in June 2004, Good, $$
  • The English Rose Tea Room
    Tea Room
    Visited in April 2006, Don't Bother, $$ N
  • Fontina Ristorante
    Italian
    Visited in April 2004, OK, $$ F
  • Pleasanton Hotel
    Continental
    Visited in June 2004, Very Good Mystery, OK Food, $$$
  • Stacey's
    Californian
    Visited in June 2004, OK, $$ N

    Richmond

  • The Baltic
    Mediterranean, Point Richmond
    Visited in July 1999, So-So, $$

    Walnut Creek

  • Ephesus
    Middle Eastern
    Visited in Aug. 2005, Good, $$

    San Francisco

  • A 16
    Italian
    Visited in February 2004, Good, $$ F
  • Acquerello
    Italian
    Last visited in Sep. 2004, Excellent, $$$$ NF
  • Aslam's Rasoi
    Indian
    Visited in April 2006, Good, $$ F
  • Aziza
    Moroccan
    Visited in Jan. 2005, Good, $$$
  • Bocadillos
    Tapas
    Visited in Nov. 2004, Good, $$ NF
  • Boulevard
    Californian
    Visited in March 2005, Good, $$$$ NF
  • The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton
    French-Japanese
    Visited in September 2007, Very Good, $$$$$ NF
  • Fleur de Lys
    French
    Visited in May 2005, Good, $$$$$ NF
  • Fringale
    French
    Visited in February 2007, Good, $$$
  • The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel
    Tea
    Visited in May 2006, Good, $$$$
  • Gary Danko
    California-French
    Visited in December 2003, Very Good, $$$$ NF
  • The Helmand
    Afghani
    Visited in September 2001, Good, $$
  • Jardiniére
    California-French
    Visited in July 2004, OK, $$$$ NF
  • Kokkari Estiatorio
    Greek
    Visited in July 2001, Good, $$$
  • Le Charm
    French
    Visited by Mike in December 2005, OK, $$$
  • Leland Tea Company
    Tea
    Visited in October 2006, OK, $
  • The Lobby Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton
    Tea
    Visited in May 2005, Good, $$$
  • Lovejoy's Tea Room
    Tea
    Visited in July 2005, Excellent, $$
  • Matterhorn
    Swiss/Fondue
    Visited in April 2004, Very Good, $$$ F
  • Mo's Gourment Burgers
    Burgers
    Visited in February 2007, Good, $
  • Pasha
    Moroccan
    Visited in September 2000, Good, $$$
  • Piperade
    Basque
    Last visited in June 2005, Very Good, $$$ NF
  • Rasselas
    Ethiopian
    Visited in September 2003, Good, $$
  • El Raigon
    Argentine
    Visited in October 2004, Very Good, $$$ NF
  • Secret Garden
    Tea
    Visited in November 2006, Good, $$

    Napa

  • Bistro Jeantry
    French, Yountville, Ca.
    Visited in August 2000, Good, $$$
  • Solbar
    American, Calistoca, Ca.
    Visited in July 2007, Very Good, $$$ F

    North Bay

  • The Rice Table
    Indonesian, San Rafael, Ca.
    Visited in May 2004, Good, $$ F

    Peninsula

  • Banyan Garden
    Singaporean/Thai/Malaysian, San Mateo
    Visited in May 2005, Good, $ F
  • Left Bank
    French, Menlo Park, Ca.
    Visited in February 2002, Good, $$$
  • Taxi's Hamburgers  new
    Burgers, Palo Alto, Ca.
    Visited in January, 2008, Good, $

    South Bay

  • Amber India
    Indian, Mountain View
    Visited in May 2004, So-So, $$$ F
  • House of Siam
    Thai, San Jose
    Visited in August 2005, Good, $$ F
  • The Lobby Lounge at the Fairmont Hotel
    Californian, San Jose
    Visited in August 2005, Good, $$ F
  • Manresa
    Catalan, Los Gatos
    Visited August 2005, Good, $$$$ F

Notations:

VF: Very Child Friendly, offers high chairs, child menus, crayons & changing tables
F: Child Friendly, highchairs at least available
N: Neutral, no highchairs but kids would still be allright here
NF: Not Child Friendly, a young child would be out of place here