The Best Restaurant in The Bay Area, California

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The Bay Area is home to popular, innovative restaurants such as Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Commis in Oakland—for which reservations must be made well in advance. Expect an emphasis on locally grown produce, hormone-free meats, and California wines. Many Marin cafés don't serve dinner, and dinner service ends on the early side. (No 10 pm reservations in that neck of the woods.)

Sobre Mesa

$$$ | Downtown

A unique blend of African culinary influences along with flavors from various Latin American countries are the draw at chef Nelson German's restaurant. Each tapa is compelling (there are no main courses, though there are more than enough tempting dishes to satisfy a group) and nicely ties together the two geographic regions. This is a perfect example of a bar with excellent food or a restaurant with standout cocktails—it toes the line perfectly between the two. The decor is sleek with a gentle island theme as if it's a hip supper club in Miami. Every night feels like a party.

1618 Franklin St., Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
510-858–7544
Known For
  • Suya beef empanadas
  • Cast iron–grilled whole fish with chow chow and caramelized sweet plantain
  • The namesake cocktail with two kinds of rum
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. No lunch

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