American
American
Page 2Oceanview Diner
Oceanview Diner (formerly Bette’s Oceanview Diner) is an excellent breakfast spot on Berkeley’s Fourth Street. Get the corned beef hash.
Top Dog
Top Dog is a kind-of-a-dive hot dog institution near the UC Berkeley campus. Most dogs are $4.50.
Bar Gemini
Bar Gemini is a natural wine bar in the Mission that serves excellent food from the Ernest team.
Firefly Restaurant
Firefly is a homey restaurant in Noe Valley serving delicious American comfort food. It doubles as a relaxed date spot.
Maillards
Maillards is a smashburger stand at the Outer Sunset Farmers Market. They're serving some of the crispiest patties in town.
Blue Barn
Blue Barn is a counter-service spot in Russian Hill that makes solid salads and sandwiches.
Lazy Bear
Lazy Bear is a fine dining tasting menu spot that leans hard into an outdoorsy vintage camp theme—it makes dinner at this Mission restaurant a lot of fun.
Mattina
Mattina is a Lower Pacific Heights cafe and restaurant that’s ideal for coffee and a light bite.
Mama's On Washington Square
Mama’s On Washington Square is a solid breakfast and lunch place in North Beach. It’s a bit touristy, but always hits the spot.
Chez Panisse Café
You want the Chez Panisse farm-to-table experience, without shelling out $175 per person? The upstairs cafe is the answer.
Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse is the farm-to-table legend that’s still holding it down. Dinner at the Berkeley institution is lovely, if predictable at times.
Anomaly
Anomaly is a pop-up-turned-restaurant in Lower Pacific Heights serving a “post modern” 10-course fine dining meal.
Wooden Spoon
Wooden Spoon is a casual brunch spot in Duboce Triangle serving American morning classics with the occasional Swedish twist.
Palmetto
Palmetto is a vibey bar and restaurant in downtown Oakland with great drinks and solid American-ish food.
Wayfare Tavern
Wayfare Tavern is the Financial District power lunch destination with charming British pub energy. Don’t expect much from the food.
Pearl 6101
Pearl 6101 in the Richmond is a cozy Mediterranean restaurant and bar you’ll never want to leave.
State Bird Provisions
We could eat at State Bird Provisions five nights in a row and never get bored—that’s because the Fillmore spot makes the most creative small plates in the city.
Cassava
Cassava’s new North Beach location is home to a seasonal prix fixe dinner served in a swanky space.
Surisan
Surisan is a solid Korean American brunch and dinner spot near Fisherman’s Wharf from the people behind Kitchen Story.