Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Velvet 48 Wine Bar

5.0

5 (72)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Burlingame

About the restaurant

Velvet 48 is a premium wine bar in downtown Burlingame started by 20-year wine industry veteran, Jason Cooper. We offer over 40 wines by the glass, 1100 wines by the bottle, a cultivated beer selection, and a variety of delicious savory and sweet small plates.

We have wines across every price point so there is something for everyone, from the casual wine drinker to the wine aficionado, who will be impressed by a wine collection that houses some of the finest wines in the world. We aim to cultivate an experience for our guests that starts with a complimentary splash of our house label, Velvet 48 Sparkling wine, followed by outstanding service from our Wine Specialists to guide you through our expansive list. We offer a discount of 25% off bottles purchased TO GO.

Due to the nature of our alcoholic license, we are unable to allow anyone under 21 on the premises, including infants.

Thank your for your understanding.

Top review

Barry

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Always a great time at Velvet 48 - Austin the manager gave me a great recommendation of a Burgundian wine (I typically go Californian Pinot Noir) and I really appreciated him suggesting some new geographies to enjoy!

Shadowbrook Winery

4.9

4.9 (554)

$50 and over

Winery

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Shadowbrook Winery has become the East Bay’s most decorated winery with over 75 medals. Shadowbrook is a small production family-owned winery located in the foothills of Mt. Diablo. We offer a diverse selection of exceptional red wines, along with some fantastic white wine options. Whether you're looking for a wine tasting experience, a glass or bottle to enjoy, or even a variety of local beers on draft, we’ve got something for everyone. Pair it all with our excellent food menu for the perfect experience.
We offer various seating options all with beautiful views of Mt. Diablo and our vineyards. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house! Most seating is outdoors to enjoy the scenery, with covered patios, shade, and umbrellas for warm days, plus heaters, a fireplace, and fire pits for cooler weather. We also offer indoor seating, though it does not have the same views. All seating is first-come, first-served. Please note we are reservation-only, so plan ahead!

Top review

SherriVIP

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Always love spending time with friends at this beautiful venue. The crab dip was delicious and a must have!

Hashiri Bettei Kaiseki Aoki

4.9

4.9 (22)

$50 and over

Japanese

Saratoga

About the restaurant

We, Hashiri Bettei Kaiseki Aoki, deliver the experience of “kaiseki ryori,” a type of Japanese fine dining which historically developed to be served in the Japanese tea room. The tea room, as a space, symbolizes the home of the Japanese tea ceremony, a simple yet transformative experience offering a pause in time to appreciate the seemingly small experience of sharing tea. As such, we’ve designed both the architecture and the experience, to condense an infinite expanse into an extremely small space.

The space is designed sans distracting elements. Lighting will be subtle and architectural details are clean yet warm. Designed to allow dishes to remain the focal point of the experience, our space represents the endless potential for an intimate dining experience that continues to linger on pallet and in mind well after the end.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 7 days ago

One of the best Kaiseki experiences in the Bay Area!

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Experience

Chef's Tasting Kaiseki Experience

Eos & Nyx

4.6

4.6 (44)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Jose

About the restaurant

The team behind DTSJ favorites - Paper Plane, MINIBOSS, Still O.G. and Alter Ego - elevates the local scene once again with Eos & Nyx, a dual level indoor/outdoor dining experience serving Mediterranean flavors with modern twists.
Drawing inspiration from the Greek deities of dawn and night, this venue provides a culinary journey that transforms as the day unfolds. Guests will savor an array of mezzes, indulgent brunch offerings and grilled seafood and meats, all prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The bar program features inventive craft cocktails, wines and spirits, showcased against a striking double-height, rotating liquor display that spans both levels of the restaurant. The custom design elements create a captivating atmosphere - by day, the space is vibrant and energetic; by night, it transforms into an urban oasis with intimate accent lighting. Eos & Nyx artfully blend the concepts of day and night, presenting a one-of-a-kind elegant, memorable dining experience.

Top review

Caroline

Dined 1 day ago

Enjoyed my birthday! Ambience 10/10! Service 10/10

The Caviar Co.

4.9

4.9 (54)

$50 and over

Seafood

Tiburon

About the restaurant

The Caviar Co. Champagne Lounge is nestled in charming downtown Tiburon. Our menu features caviar flights, light bites, and an extensive champagne list to indulge in. Whether you are new to caviar or a seasoned connoisseur, our tasting room has offerings for every palate!

Our tasting room is currently licensed for guests 21+.

Top review

Drusie

Dined 5 days ago

Perfect location for delicious caviar and champagne. Service was exceptional and we liked the feel of the space. Thank you!

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Experience

Afternoon Tea

lelé kitchen

4.9

4.9 (26)

$50 and over

Californian

Los Gatos

About the restaurant

Lele Kitchen is a continuation of Lena Leskina’s beloved bakery and cafe, now expanding into upscale dining with a California farm-to-table and Eastern European twist. Chef Ulad Skoblia curates a menu that celebrates bold Slavic flavors — caviar, smoked fish, dill, and root vegetables — infused with California’s seasonal ingredients.

Nestled near the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains, our location inspires both our seasonal cuisine and wines. Advanced Sommelier Fedar Kamkou guides the wine program, highlighting Californian winemakers to pair perfectly with each dish. Our casual upscale atmosphere blends classy sophistication with a relaxed vibe, perfect for any occasion — whether it's a cozy dinner with friends or a special family night out. And yes, we’re kid-friendly, with special touches like a small children’s menu.

Whether you’re savoring oysters, clay pot-roasted rabbit, or treating yourself to our dessert at Lele Kitchen, you’ll experience the best of creative, chef-driven cuisine.

Top review

RodVIP

Dined 7 days ago

I'm not quite sure where to start with this review as lelé kitchen defies the typical food review. Let me say that the recent SF Chronicle review of the restaurant doesn't do this place justice. The Blossom Hill Road location is quite unassuming to say the least, but don't be fooled by a book's cover as the saying goes. Do not pass up the oysters! They are presented in a unique and yet simplistic manner, no bed of crushed ice for these succulent beauties which are seasoned way beyond a typical tartar sauce along with horseradish. The Wagyu and halibut entrees were artistically presented along with vegetables which were perfectly prepared. The apple cake is one of those rare desserts that you will remember for its creativity and exquisite tastes. Life is short, eat dessert, and be prepared to be wowed. The service was also very attentive, knowledgeable, and personable. They understand the magic that happens in the kitchen, and they do an excellent job of completing the entire experience. lelé kitchen is destined to be a jewel in the SF Bay Area dining scene! I'm glad I found this culinary treasure in its early days as getting reservations are going to be a real challenge once the word gets out!

Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge

4.9

4.9 (412)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Alameda

About the restaurant

About
Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge is a tropical vacation spot right in the middle of your hometown! Serving award-winning, world famous classic and exotic cocktails along with many original recipes, along with some tasty snacks, Forbidden Island is a retro-oasis in the desert of your busy modern day! Now open indoors (seated capacity only) as well as outdoors in our Tiki Garden/ Patio, 7 days a week.

* Please note that all reservations are limited to 90 minutes for groups of 1-3 and 2 hours for groups of 4-8.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Always enjoy Forbidden Island. Great cocktails and super friendly staff. All our drinks were crafted perfectly!

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Experience

New Year's Eve Tiki Party

Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club

4.9

4.9 (854)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

About the restaurant

***Best Jazz Club in the City, by San Francisco Magazine***
Mr. Tipple’s is a craft cocktail bar featuring live jazz.
-
Reservations have a 90min time limit from reservation time.
There is a $20/guest min for table service
Mr. Tipple’s heralds back to a 1950s NYC basement. Cozy. Dark. Boozy. The intimate setting features local jazz artists up close and personal. It’s a joint where you come as you are, hear great music, tap your toes, and sip a properly chilled cocktail.
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My name is Mr. Tipple. Just a simple and laughable bloke hailing from London. I run a recording studio. My friends joke that you’ll oft find me spinning cocktails, not reeling tape. After a few too many, I usually just sit back and enjoy the music, having forgotten to hit record. Regardless, the band is always jiving, the whiskey is always cold, and we’re having a smashing good time.

Top review

Dan

Dined 6 days ago

Great jazz venue. Cocktails wonderful done. Service spot on.

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Popular dish

Sui Gao Dumplings

Popular dish

Shanghai Soup Dumplings

Experience

- Music Focused Preferred Seats - Center Section

Babette

4.7

4.7 (125)

$31 to $50

Californian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

At Babette, the husband and wife team of Joan Ellis and Patrick Hooker, are in the kitchen preparing each plate to ensure that their vision and taste profile are translated to each diner. The attention to detail are evident in not only the food they make but also the ambience they have created. The interior of the restaurant is natural brick and the couple have chosen a rich color palette of deep blues and greens for the walls. An elegant chandelier hangs over a natural wood backed booth providing both a cozy and elegant feel to the room. Outside on the spacious patio, a magnificent redwood tree provides natural shade to the built in seating area and plants are abundant creating a lush, garden setting.
Live music Brunches, New York style Pizza, unique Entrees and our famous Sicilian Lemon Almond Pistachio Cake are just a taste of what you will find at Babette. Warm and knowledgeable staff will make you feel like part of the family.

Top review

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

What an incredible place. Gorgeous decor, wonderful staff, great music, fantastic food.

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Experience

Babette Large Party Experience

The Speakeasy/Boardroom Novato

4.6

4.6 (34)

$31 to $50

American

Novato

About the restaurant

Situated in Novato, The Boardroom harks back to the Old Chicago Restaurants, serving as a favorite spot for locals to dine, drink, and socialize. Our menu, crafted from the freshest ingredients, promises to introduce bold and inspiring flavors to your palate. Join us today.

Top review

NICOLE

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Great food - great atmosphere - will go back regularly

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