Restaurants
The Bay Area Restaurants We’ll Be Dining at in 2025
Playa (Photo by Matt Spinetta/Prismic Photography)From Marin to Wine Country and back to San Francisco, here are the restaurants, bakeries and cafes where we will be indulging all year long.
Marin
At Mill Valley’s Playa, the bold and bright Mexican dishes are meant to be shared with friends and family in a traditional style. And now after eight years of award-winning service (including a 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand nod), chef Michael Siegel, who also helms the nearby Corner Bar, has totally revamped the menu. “We are excited to expand our offerings to include interesting and lesser-known Latin American flavors,” he says. The dishes are split into four categories including antojitos (snacks/little cravings), mariscos (seafood), platos fuertes (mains) and masa (ground corn dough), the latter featuring tortillas made in-house. And you won’t want to miss the perfectly paired drinks from the new cocktail menu designed by general manager Manfred Mendez — those you don’t have to share. 41 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley
When Jackie Suthon opened Kuro Nami in 2024 — next door to The Baan Thai Cuisine, which he also owns — he envisioned a space that would not only serve refined Japanese cuisine but also celebrate the art and culture behind it. Customers at Kuro Nami, which means “black wave” and celebrates the depth and mystery of the ocean, make return visits for the elevated flavors of the Kani Miso, a rich and savory dish made from the delicate umami of crab innards, served warm and velvety. “Our goal is simple: to offer an exceptional dining experience where authenticity and innovation come together,” Suthon says. This spring look for an all-new Lunch Set that includes a main dish served with miso soup and a salad. 69 Center Boulevard, San Anselmo
Tucked away in West Marin’s Lodge at Marconi, Mable’s offers a refined dining experience anchored by a Mediterranean-inspired menu that is sourced from the local bounty. “West Marin provides lush soil, rich agriculture and fresh coastal waters, creating a perfect canvas for the dishes we serve,” says executive chef Les Goodman. You’ll find comforting favorites here, like sourdough focaccia, elevated by house cultured butter with buttermilk and Hog Island sea salt, as well as diverse shareables and hearty entrees. The beverage program is decidedly California-centric; Mable’s has partnered with Revel Wines and also serves unique cocktails like the Fog Negroni. The most truly local part of a meal here? The sweeping bucolic views from the patio. 18500 Highway 1, Marshall
It’s a nice thing to return to your roots. And that’s exactly what happened late last year when brewmaster Larry Berlin, the original brewer for both Ross Valley and Iron Springs breweries, opened Fairfax Brewing Company in the former Iron Springs location (most recently the location of HenHouse Brewing Company). He is joined by a team of Marinites with abundant restaurant experience including Alex and Lisa Stricker and Dan McGarry, along with chef Aiki Terashima. The fully refreshed space includes 165 seats and caters to families and beer aficionados alike, with a lively bar, elevated pub grub favorites, a game room, live music and a dog-friendly parklet. “We created a community space so that our friends and neighbors could make connections with us and each other,” Alex says. 765 Center Boulevard, Fairfax
Already a hit in Oakland, this burger joint specializes in fully vegan offerings. The menu consists of American classics made with plant-based products like Impossible Patties, chick’n and dairy-free cheese, and there are kid-size meals, too. No fast food–style meal is complete without fries, which can be ordered plain or loaded with toppings. “Having gone vegan while living in this beautiful community, I often found myself driving far for options that would resonate with my values,” says founder Darren Preston. “My dream has always been to cultivate a space where the love for gourmet burgers meets a commitment to ethical eating, offering a compassionate choice that everyone can enjoy right here in Marin.” 819 Fourth Street, San Rafael
San Francisco
The new restaurant from husband-and-wife chef duo David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher might be a Michelin-star winner, but it’s also a labor of love. “7 Adams is a fine dining concept striving for the warmth and welcome of a neighborhood restaurant,” says Serena. The tasting menu and Chef’s Counter tasting menu both celebrate California’s seasons, with each dish showcasing the distinct creative touch that the chefs are known for. “We keep each dish interesting by layering textures and flavors and incorporating elements that are unfamiliar or unexpected,” says David. Here, you might dine on A5 wagyu rib-eye with beef tongue, porcini miso and bone marrow sauce, or asparagus with hazelnut vinaigrette, nettle and farro chip. 1963 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Opened in 2020 by chefs/owners Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, The Anchovy Bar aims to be the ideal spot to drop in and enjoy a quick half-dozen oysters and something sparkling. The idea is that eating lower on the food chain — think oysters, clams, mussels, small fish and seaweeds that reproduce easily — have net-positive impacts on the ocean. While guests love the local anchovy toast or the broiled oysters with smoked bacon-sambal butter, you can’t overlook the namesake fish. “Our love for local anchovies and sharing the story of this often-overlooked fish inspired The Anchovy Bar,” Brioza says. “We dare you not to love them, too.” Be sure to stop by after April 1, the start of anchovy season and the restaurant’s most anticipated time of year. 1740 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
The Eastern Mediterranean dishes at Dalida marry the vast geography behind the many cuisines and cultures represented with the hyperlocal — a community garden plot foraged by the culinary and bar teams is right outside. One might find an Armenian spiced chickpea and potato dumpling, an Iranian stew combining noodles and herbs or a Turkish dish of mussels stuffed with rice on the menu at the award-winning Dalida, located in a historic building right off the Main Parade Lawn in the Presidio. “There’s a sense of comfort and nostalgia, and a touch of intrigue and surprise in each of our dishes,” says Laura Ozyilmaz, who started Dalida with her husband in 2023. This spring, look for braised veal ribs with homemade molasses on the family-style chefs’ tasting menu. 101 Montgomery Street, Ste. 100, San Francisco
Wine Country
A hot spot to gather for people staying at the hotel of the same name, locals or anyone traveling to Yountville, the Michelin Guide restaurant reimagines California cuisine by showcasing the state’s diverse landscapes and climates. Executive chef Juan Cabrera prepares his à la carte and tasting menus — including the new five-course Valley to Coast tasting menu — using live-fire and open-hearth techniques. “It has been both exciting and energizing to receive such overwhelmingly positive feedback on our new Valley to Coast tasting menu right out of the gate,” Cabrera says. This spring, expect green strawberries, white asparagus and artichokes to play a big part in the tasting menu. 6757 Washington Street, Yountville
With a Michelin star, and a James Beard Award finalist at the helm, Auro is a destination in and of itself. Given the location at the Four Seasons Napa Valley, the concept is naturally designed for wine pairings, but the inspiration goes beyond vineyards. “This menu begins in the fields and farms of Northern California,” says executive chef Rogelio Garcia. Expect to find a seasonally inspired prix fixe selection, with expertly crafted amuse-bouches, house-made milk bread and meat and fish dishes, all showcasing a fusion of global flavors. For a truly intimate experience, try the Chef’s Table meal, which places guests in the heart of the kitchen, allowing them to watch the magic happen right in front of their eyes. 400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga
Bay Area Cafes & Bakeries
You might need to get up extra early to beat the crowds here, but we promise the place lives up to the hype. The flaky, handmade pastries at this woman-owned and -operated bakery are as creative as they are flavorful, with sweet and savory options making up the rotating menu. 271 Francisco Street, San Francisco
This new arrival in West Portal features doughnuts that are nothing short of distinguished (the strawberry champagne brioche doughnuts are made with local organic strawberries and Dom Perignon). If you’re extra hungry, salads and sandwiches are also available, as well as coffee and wine. 163 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco
Rory Kandel’s new walk-up window features both readyto- eat and bake-at-home treats. A portion of proceeds from her famous Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a cause close to Kandel’s heart, as the baker was recently diagnosed with the autoimmune disease. 2766 Old Sonoma Road, Napa
Classic French dishes abound here, but so do delectable pastries. Made with natural levain, long fermentation and organic local ingredients, they’re too tempting to pass up. Also tempting: the giant grand croissants. And we do mean giant; they’re made with the dough of six regular croissants. 2201 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur
