The Guide to Michelin Restaurants Beyond San Francisco
While San Francisco itself has some amazing Michelin-starred restaurants, quite a few eateries beyond the bridge offer an amazing dining experience and are very much worth the trip.
The Michelin star is the highest distinction a restaurant can earn in the culinary world. Restaurants can receive one, two or three Michelin stars, and these stars can also be taken away at any time. In the past 10 years, more and more restaurants in and around the San Francisco Bay Area have received at least one Michelin star, with a total of six restaurants having three stars.
Stars are granted based on a wide range of criteria, including quality of ingredients, impressive technical skill, and a balanced menu with a wide range of flavors. Drinks offered must complement the meals accordingly. The distinction between the stars is as follows:
- One Star: A very good restaurant in its own category.
- Two Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour.
- Three Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.
The French Laundry
6640 Washington St., Yountville
This is one of the most famous restaurants in America, having held three Michelin stars since 2007. The French Laundry is truly a must-visit for any die-hard foodie. Thomas Keller, now the proud owner of a restaurant empire, started running this ambitious restaurant in 1994 in the heart of Napa Valley. Here, you will dine on a 12-course tasting menu of French cuisine with modern American flair and ingredients sourced from the restaurant's gardens. Another unique feature is that not a single ingredient is duplicated between courses. It is also one of the most expensive restaurants on this list, at $350 per person, including service and taxes. Supplements and alcoholic beverages may be added at an additional cost.
Visit French LaundrySingleThread
131 North St., Healdsburg
Recognized as one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, SingleThread is a 55-seat restaurant from the husband-and-wife team of chef Kyle Connaughton and farmer Katina Connaughton. Their 10-course tasting menu ($425 per person) takes diners on a complete culinary journey dictated by a seasonal bounty from their nearby farm. Your Japanese kaiseki (multi-course) dinner embraces the spirit of Japanese hospitality as it celebrates their training in both Japan and England and is infused with California farm-to-table gastronomy.
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3859 Piedmont Ave., Oakland
Just over the Bay Bridge in Oakland sits Commis, owner of two Michelin stars and the beacon of fine dining in the East Bay. Although the multi-course tasting menu ($225 per person) is ambitious and bold, the space is small and minimally decorated, offering few distractions from the food. The 31 seats include a counter overlooking the open kitchen in the front. The food is as delicious as it is intimate.
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98 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo
A refined yet approachable restaurant, Madcap is recognized as one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area for contemporary cuisine. Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, the restaurant offers a variety of seasonal California and Japanese dishes, using organic and farm-raised products. Their multi-course tasting menu ($140 per person) is unique and has plenty to offer.
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400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga
Located in the beautiful Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Napa Valley, Auro is a celebration of local ingredients and rural splendor. The dishes are distinctly Californian, showcasing ingredients from their lush, on-site gardens, and regional farms with meticulous technique. Their five-course tasting menu ($165 a person) rotates weekly and has an impressive wine pairing.
Visit AuroWakuriya
115 De Anza Blvd., San Mateo
Wakuriya is a Japanese restaurant in the kaiseki tradition, but with a contemporary twist, located in San Mateo. The restaurant is small but very serious, and it serves up some delicious cuisine. There is just one chef preparing meals for every guest, all of whom sit at a long open kitchen counter so you can watch him at work. Wakuriya offers a nine-course tasting menu ($158 per person) that changes monthly. The place books up and reservations are accepted one month in advance, so make sure to set a reminder!
Visit WakuriyaBarndiva
231 Center St., Healdsburg
As the name suggests, Barndiva is in an actual barn, but a chic one at that. The rustic wood panels combined with charming string lights make it a hot spot for parties and weddings. The food is delicious and visually stunning, using seasonally inspired menus and sourcing from local farmers, ranchers, and small-batch purveyors. Their cocktail and wine program is also nothing to scoff at.
Visit BarndivaSushi Shin
312 Arguello St., Redwood City
This Redwood City spot radiates authenticity, offering quality fish sourced from the Tokyo fish market. All seafood is presented with loving care and precision throughout the entirety of the generous tasting course. Diners will be pleased to know that each dish is carefully sourced by season, ensuring only the freshest sushi dishes are served.
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587 St Helena Hwy., St Helena
Modern American cuisine shines at Press, which sits right on Napa's St. Helena Highway. Here, among dark wood and under lofty ceilings, you can find the largest selection of Napa wines in the world. You can also find incredible food. There is a chef's tasting menu ($195 per person), as well as an à la carte menu, that highlights locally sourced seafood, steak and produce.
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250 California Ave., Palo Alto
Both head chef Chef Anthony Secviar and Master Sommelier Dennis Kelly trained under French Laundry chef Thomas Keller, so you know dining at Protégé will be an experience. Here you'll find New-American experimental cuisine with flair. The seven course-tasting menu is fantastic ($225 a person), and the à la carte menu available in the bar, lounge and patio, is delicious too.
Visit ProtégéSushi Yoshuzumi
325 E 4th Ave., San Mateo
While reservations are hard to come by, they are worth the time and effort. Sushi Yoshuzumi is a place for sushi purists and focuses on Edomae sushi, a style the chef perfected during his time in Japan and New York. The setting is small and intimate, with only eight tables and a chef's station for pumping out incredible omakase.
Visit Sushi YoshizumiThe Village Pub
2967 Woodside Rd., Woodside
Located south of the city in the charming town of Woodside, The Village Pub serves approachable, high-end American in a sophisticated setting. 80-percent of their produce sources from their partner, SMIP ranch, located in the woodside hills. This means they use fresh produce, free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. If you're a wine lover, they also have a highly praised wine and spirits program with plenty of options.
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Carol is a digital marketer creating media-rich content for global audiences covering travel, San Francisco and the Bay Area, food & drink, outdoor experiences, and cross-cultural storytelling. Her work is found in the San Mateo Daily Journal and The Skyline View (Skyline College). Before travel writing, her professional background included working internationally in business, nonprofits, and government. She lives in San Francisco with her family and regularly explores the parks in her city, especially untamed McLaren Park.
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