Now on Resy: Arcana, Osito, and More Local Favorites

Whether you opt for the à la carte, the four-course prix-fixe, or the classic tasting menu experience, Osito is sure to impress. And it’s thanks to chef-owner Seth Stowaway and his team, who make spectacular use of the kitchen’s wood-burning oven and hearth (no burners or induction cooktops in this kitchen) to turn hyper-local and seasonal produce into riveting dishes.

Thomas Keller creates some of the country’s most sophisticated cuisine at The French Laundry just up the street, but he’s an ace with more casual fare, too, as is shown nightly with Ad Hoc’s ever-changing fixed-price menu. Get ready for dishes like Caesar salad and grilled flank steak, but if the famous buttermilk fried chicken is available, don’t miss it. 

Richmond locals have long been fans of this neighborhood staple, especially for its reliable burger, Old Bay chips and dip, and the “Big Ass chocolate chip cookie.” But it’s hard to pass up things like salmon tiradito, zippy ceviche, and a Latin-inspired cioppino.

Because this downtown Oakland spot isn’t just some themed cocktail-focused spot; it’s a full-on tropical escape. Think lush plants and a cool retro design, with reggaeton and cumbia playing overheard. Modern and classic cocktail boast island vibes, and the cheese empanadas, peri peri chicken wings, and Gulf Coast shrimp lollipops simply do the rest.

This colorful and vibrant local’s haunt is known for Thai staples and unique creations. For every plate of pad Thai and tom yum soup, there’s beef satay sticking out of a building-size hunk of toast, sfogliatelle-looking curry puffs, and excellent Thai fried chicken.

A skip from Union Square, the expansive patio — and legendary drag brunches — are the main draw for cocktails, shrimp hushpuppies, shaved Brussels salads, and honey fried chicken sandwiches. It’s delicious fun any way you shake it. 

Because The Rustic comes courtesy of Restaurant Chez Panisse veteran Zoti Ali Turap, and at this Marin County offshoot of the San Francisco original, you can expect the same, fresh, California-accented Italian food. Think housemade pastas (gluten-free options are available), artisanal pizzas, and a skillfully chosen wine list. Big bonus: complimentary focaccia is served on request.

This downtown Livermore spot has a laid-back vibe, with something for everyone — whether you’re looking for a casual drink or a full meal with friends.

This is the place to go to when you want youtiao — long, golden, deep-fried Taiwanese doughnuts — and spiked boba cocktails for brunch, or sesame peanut noodles or a smash burger at night.

The room is charming, and the service is friendly and accommodating — everything you’d want in a go-to Thai spot. The menu brings a coastal vibe, with dishes like fried calamari with tom yum aioli, jumbo prawns in red curry, and lobster tail smothered in yellow curry, alongside more familiar dishes like crab fried rice and noodles. 

Magic and fantasy are the themes at this grown-up wonderland beneath a towering dragon statue. Bewitching murals, Harry Potter references (you will see a Quidditch broom), and an eerie, light-streaked floor help set the scene for a menu of conjured-up libations (yes, there is Butterbeer) and a menu full of dishes like deviled dragon eggs and an enchanted burger.

The narrow, minimalist space belies the bright, aromatic, and flavor-packed dishes that come out of this kitchen. This is Thai food with a Michelin nod, after all, where the menu ranges from sweet scallops with shredded lemongrass and chili jam to beef cheek curry, spicy papaya salad with fried quail, and inky squid stir-fry. A glass or two of skin-contact wine, some mango sorbet and sticky rice, and you’re set.

Much like Kaiyo Cow Hollow and the rooftop restaurant just an elevator ride away, Nikkei cuisine is alive and well at this iteration on the hotel’s ground floor. Peruvian and Japanese flavors and ingredients abound, from individual oysters bathing in leche de tigre to super shareable plates of lomo saltado. The drink menu differs from the rooftop, so consider one here, one there, and call it a night. 

The small space filled with Japanese daruma dolls and good luck cats looks like something you stumbled upon in a Tokyo alleyway. The food feels just as intimate and inviting — things like a breaded pork cutlet over scrambled eggs and steamed rice (a mainstay) and the quirkily named “stupid tuna roll,” most likely named for the absurd amount of tuna sashimi and uni draped over the sushi roll.

The crowd’s young, purple lights and neon create a cool vibe, and everyone’s digging into puffy-crust pizzas, dips, and skewers. Stick around for late-night hookah.

They may be trying to reinvent history at this iconic, nearly 100-year-old bar, but the place still has soul. The old and new commingle — yes, there’s a perfect pint of Guinness waiting for you, but also an espresso martini or Negroni — and you can never go wrong with a Scotch egg. Or a smash burger, for that matter.

How can you not have fun at a place serving wood-fired pizza topped with hot dogs and French fries? Everyone seems to be having a blast here, where the wine flows easily, and the pies come hot and bubbly from the oven. There are classic toppings, of course, plus shareable starters like meatballs, arancini, and arugula salads.