Northern California Dining Guide
Sourdough and oysters, wine-country kitchens and clifftop terraces.
California cuisine as a style, with menus that change with what local farms bring in, grew up in the Bay Area, and the region still eats close to the source. Dungeness crab, oysters from Tomales Bay, sourdough bread, artisan cheeses from Sonoma and Marin and produce from the Central Valley appear on menus at every level, from food halls to tasting-menu dining rooms.
We list well-loved restaurants by area. Wine country and San Francisco dining rooms often book up weeks ahead, especially on weekends; counter spots and markets are easier for a spontaneous meal.
San Francisco
Historic grills, oyster bars and a famous bakery.
A grill tracing its roots to 1849, with long wooden counters, white-jacketed waiters and cioppino.
A Market Street landmark known for its roast chicken for two with bread salad, cooked in a brick oven.
An old-fashioned dining room carving prime rib from silver carts at the table.
A Mission District bakery famous for its country bread, morning buns and pastries.
Oysters from the company's own farm on Tomales Bay, served at a bayfront bar in the Ferry Building.
Napa and Sonoma
From a roadside burger stand to some of the country's top tables.
A roadside stand with picnic tables on Highway 29 serving burgers, fish tacos and milkshakes.
Thomas Keller's Parisian-style bistro, with a bakery next door for pastries to go.
A Napa Valley favorite since 1983, known for its wood-fired dishes and a famous Mongolian pork chop.
A Sonoma Plaza restaurant with French country cooking and a cheese and charcuterie list.
A farm, inn and restaurant serving a Japanese-inspired tasting menu drawn from its own farm.
Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur
Seafood by the bay and clifftop terraces.
A family-run restaurant on a cliff 800 feet above the ocean, known for its terrace and Ambrosia burger.
A wood-fired bakery and dining room in a house beside Highway 1.
A seafood restaurant focused on sustainable fish, with a wine list known for fair markups.
A Cannery Row dining room open since 1968, with a glass-domed conservatory and a large wine cellar.
Mendocino, Tahoe and Sacramento
Mountain breakfasts, a coastal classic and Gold Rush-era dining.
A Mendocino institution in a Victorian farmhouse, with a bakery and garden.
A cozy cabin cafe on the west shore known for big breakfasts and a weekend wait.
A bistro in the historic Truckee Hotel with live jazz and seasonal mountain cooking.
A dining room in an 1853 firehouse in Old Sacramento, with a brick courtyard.
A downtown Sacramento restaurant built on the city's farm-to-fork produce.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Northern California Dining — FAQ
What food is San Francisco known for?
Sourdough bread, cioppino, Dungeness crab, Mission-style burritos, dim sum in Chinatown and oysters. The Ferry Building is a good place to taste several in one visit.
Where should I eat in Napa Valley without a reservation?
Casual spots like Gott's Roadside and the Oxbow Public Market in Napa work well for walk-ins. For sit-down dinners in Yountville and St. Helena, reserve ahead.
Is there anywhere to eat in Big Sur?
Yes, but not many places. Nepenthe, Big Sur Bakery and a few lodge restaurants serve meals; plan meal stops, carry snacks and water, and fill up on gas before you reach Big Sur.