The Best 50 Bay Area restaurants for 2022, starting with Nos. 41-50

The Bay Space boasts such a humiliation of restaurant riches — 50 Michelin-starred eating places, a whole lot and a whole lot of pop-ups and 1000’s of fantastic eateries in between — there’s one thing for each style and craving. Some folks might persist with counter-service, whereas others want prix fixe. A few of us are keen to cross the county – heck, the area – for the promise of the perfect sashimi whereas others discover themselves returning to that trusted neighborhood trattoria again and again.

So how did our restaurant critics and meals writers give you a listing of the highest 50? First, we took San Francisco out of the equation. (That bastion of gastronomy will get sufficient ink — and our readers dwell right here within the East and South Bays.) We set the Michelin stars to the aspect and gave them their own list. (See: Will get sufficient ink.) After which we spent spent months visiting and revisiting eating places – and consuming kale in between – to provide this record of sensational bistros, swanky fine-dining and tiny holes-in-the-wall.

Over the following 5 days, we’ll be rolling out the highest 50. Contemplate it not a lot a rating as a information for all events and cravings.

Now let’s get began — as a result of once you’re dying for quesabirria, schnitzel, falafel-waffles and extra, ready will not be an possibility.

A information to the abbreviations:

$: A typical entree is $15 or much less

$$: $16-$50

$$$: $51-$100

$$$$: Greater than $100

El Storage, Richmond: One phrase – quesabirria

The Montano household of Richmond was among the many first to deliver drippy, scrumptious, slow-cooked birria to the Bay Space, and they’re nonetheless among the many greatest. What began as a small storage operation on Garvin Avenue become a cavernous Macdonald Avenue restaurant the place folks line up for his or her high vendor: crispy, flavor-drenched quesabirria tacos.

For the uninitiated, slow-stewed beef is stuffed into corn tortillas with gooey mozzarella, dipped within the birria’s broth after which fried for next-level taste. You completely should get a aspect of the brick-red consome, swimming with beef, cilantro and inexperienced onion, to sip by itself or use to dip your tacos.

Whereas there are a number of good quesabirria spots within the East Bay, we admire that El Storage presents different dishes worthy of your consideration, too,  like a fierce rooster tinga and an avocado tostada for vegetarians. Additionally they maintain the strains shifting, so that you’re not ready lengthy, and provide a lot seating that you simply’ll by no means should dip or slurp on the curb. And despite the fact that it’s a counter-serve spot, they convey your meals to you, which is at all times a plus.

Don’t miss: Quesabirria tacos, after all, consome, tostada de tinga, aguachile verde and that tamarind agua fresca.

Particulars: 1428 Macdonald Ave., Richmond; www.elgarage.online; $

Good to Eat Dumplings, Emeryville: Once you need genuine Taiwanese flavors

Good to Eat began as a pop-up, slinging potstickers and dumplings to Oakland brewery patrons. This 12 months, it graduated right into a bustling sit-down house in Emeryville, and whereas it nonetheless prepares dumplings – springy-skinned wonders with fillings that vary from shrimp-and-pork to cauliflower-and-shiitake – limiting oneself to solely that will be a disservice to the kitchen’s abilities.

Cofounders Tony Tung and Angie Lin create flavors from Taiwan that the majority People might have by no means skilled. Greens from native farms shine in small plates like opo-squash leaves with tahini and pickled white bittermelon with honey. (Sure, they one way or the other made a salad out of bittermelon.) The fried rooster with fermented-tofu sauce is funky and crunchy, and the Taiwanese minced-pork noodles are engineered for infinite slurping. A considerable stew of pork stomach with rice wine and ginger is a superb rendition of conventional red-braised pork, with jiggling items of meat in a savory braise as darkish as molasses.

And the restaurant phases occasional tasting menus and neighborhood occasions like a Moon Pageant barbecue to recreate the Taiwanese expertise of grilling exterior with household and buddies.

Don’t miss: Braised pork stomach and scallion with rice is a should. Additionally scrumptious: the minced-pork noodles, vegetable sides and, after all, dumplings.

Particulars: 1298 sixty fifth St., Emeryville; goodtoeatdumplings.com, $-$$

Ghazni Afghan Kabobs, Hayward: Once you’re all about mom-and-pop kabobs

When the craving hits for Afghan meals — glistening basmati rice, juicy kabobs and succulent braised lamb shank — we hope you’re in Hayward or shut sufficient to hit one of many Wahab brothers’ no-frills household eating places. Named for the traditional metropolis in Afghanistan, as soon as a sister metropolis to Hayward, Ghazni checks all of the packing containers of a standard Afghan restaurant, with a couple of touches that caught our kabob professional’s consideration. For starters, Ghanzni serves brown basmati rice, buttered simply sufficient to provide these lengthy grains a glisten — however not sufficient to scent like film popcorn. The qabuli pallaw is simply in regards to the tenderest slow-cooked lamb shank you’ll discover, served hidden underneath a beneficiant pile of raisin-and-candied-carrot basmati. Their mantu is so good, it might maintain its personal take-out window: Delicate, two-bite dumplings are filled with seasoned floor beef and topped with brilliant lentils, yogurt and a flurry of contemporary and dried herbs.

The Wahabs, Tawab and Fawad, have been within the restaurant enterprise for 30 years. They began out in pizza, however a lifelong dream to deliver their household’s recipes to Hayward was realized in 2014, after they opened the A Road location, adopted in 2019 by the eatery on West  Winton Avenue. They stated, “We stored considering, ‘Why are folks at all times going to Dublin, Fremont or Santa Clara for Afghan meals? We should always do it in Hayward.’” We’re so glad they did.

Don’t miss: Mantu is a should, as are the qabuli pallaw, borani kadu, bolani, murgh kabob and grilled rooster salad.

Particulars: 217 W. Winton Ave. and 1235 A St., each in Hayward; www.ghazniafghankabobs.com; $-$$

Naschmarkt, Campbell and Palo Alto: When your schatzi is a schnitzel

Restaurateur Dino Tekdemir figured the Peninsula eating scene was lacking one thing – one thing {that a} basic Wiener Schnitzel might fill.

So this summer time, he opened a second location of downtown Campbell’s interesting Naschmarkt, a New Austrian delicacies specialist for the final decade. This one provides a brand new factor to Palo Alto’s California Avenue eating scene.

Right here you’ll discover all of the Austrian goodies, from pretzels to smoked pork bratwurst to our favourite, Wiener Schnitzel with lingonberry sauce. The wealthy, mushroom-sauced Jaeger Schnitzel is served with the kitchen’s housemade spaetzle. Beef goulash, the paprika-braised Hungarian specialty that’s so in style throughout the border in Austria, is one other menu standout. Total, it’s a pan-Euro mannequin with some splashes of seasonal California delicacies – assume Pan-Roasted Halibut, Bucatini Pasta with Asparagus, Watermelon Gazpacho.

For dessert? It could be onerous to decide on between the Apple Strudel with hazelnuts baked in-house and the fluffy Salzburg Nockerl souffle with blueberry compote.

Don’t miss: Escape of your wine rut and pair your meal with a gewurztraminer, gruner veltliner or zweigelt.

Particulars: 384 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, and 2323 Birch St., Palo Alto; www.naschmarkt-restaurant.com; $$

Vary Life, Livermore: The place wine nation meets elevated farm fare

This rustic, but fashionable fine-dining institution nestled amongst Livermore’s rolling hills is the quintessential wine nation restaurant, with seasonal, farm-driven dishes that come to life when paired with zippy wines, like pink zweigelt and skin-fermented Clarksburg cortese. Very like the wines on its record, Vary Life boasts an actual sense of place. The restaurant is housed in a stark-white brick constructing courting again to the 1800s. There’s a 100-year-old California pepper tree on the again patio, together with a colourful mural that includes the Lab and different nods to Livermore.

Chef and co-owner Invoice Niles is from the Tartine household of eating places, and he is aware of that magic is made by letting pristine components from native farmers, ranchers and fishermen do their factor. The menu is concentrated, with a small collection of snacks, appetizers and entrees, together with a surprising brined Klingeman Household Farms ham chop dressed with softened O’Henry peaches and crispy savoy cabbage. A summer time chopped salad is way from typical, the cherry tomatoes, lemon cucumbers and basil bits reworked by crunchy sesame seeds, shishito peppers and creamy, aged cheddar. And Milk and Honey — malted milk ice cream coated in honeycomb with a drizzle of the greenest olive oil — reminds us how the best desserts actually are one of the best.

Don’t miss: That Klingeman ham chop is a winner, as are the chopped salad and roasted rooster with a twist on panzanella that features eggplant, Fan-Stil pear, Crimson Rock onion and contemporary stracciatella.

Particulars: 2160 Railroad Ave., Livermore; www.rangelifelivermore.com; $$$.

Koi Palace, Daly Metropolis: Once you need lobster, and so they need duck. And dim sum.

This Cantonese seafood specialist wants no introduction. Since opening its 400-seat Daly Metropolis flagship in 1996, Koi Palace has grow to be the Cantonese eating and dim sum expertise by which different Bay Space spots are judged. With arched Moon Gate entryways, attentive, buttoned-up servers and large fish tanks brimming with crab and lobster, these massive, banquet-style eating places (there at the moment are 4 within the East and South bays) provide tea service, dim sum and a big selection of noodles, rice dishes, soups, barbecue, congee and, after all, complete seafood preparations.

Begin with steamed dumplings, such because the savory pork, shrimp and mushroom shumai dotted with candylike orange roe, which arrive in yellow-rimmed bamboo steamer baskets. The Rainbow Sampler is sort of a Crayola field of Shanghai-style dumplings, with dough that will get its colours from paprika, turmeric, squid ink and spinach or kale. Deal with your self to complete crab or lobster (serves two) poached in ginger, soy sauce and scallions over crispy, stir-fried noodles. Barbecue pork buns and crispy-skinned Peking duck are additionally legendary right here. Tea lovers: Go for the Tasters Choose.

Don’t miss: Dumpling aficionados should strive the Shanghai-style dumplings and pork, shrimp and mushroom shumai. And the entire crab or lobster is a should.

Particulars: 365 Gellert Blvd., Daly Metropolis; Additionally in Milpitas, Redwood Metropolis and Dublin. https://koipalace.com; $$-$$$

Silla, Santa Clara: Once you need fashionable takes on Korean classics

You’ll find many yummy Korean dishes in Santa Clara’s Okay-town – spicy fried rooster, inky black-bean noodles, DIY barbecue – however what you won’t count on is cioppino. But it is smart: Korea has each a deep-rooted fishing tradition and a ardour for hearty soups that heat the soul. Right here diners can take pleasure in chef Eric Shin’s tomatoless “Higher Than Cioppino” (BTC for brief, a nod to the native crypto-currency scene), which has the entire ocean plus beef tendon thrown right into a creamy sauce ideally suited for dipping – not with sourdough, thoughts you, however rice.

Silla’s filled with such twists on conventional fare. Bossam with honey-butter sauce, or bulgogi tacos with cheese-on-the-outside tortillas? Certain, why not? Scorching rice arrives with comfortable batons of eel and tricolor fish roe that add saline pops to every chunk. A seafood-scallion pancake is hubcap-sized and crispy on the perimeters, with a comfortable, tentacle-laden inside not in contrast to takoyaki. The galbitang is a long-simmered and clean-tasting bone broth with intensely beefy hunks of quick rib. All through the menu are fashionable takes on dishes that may remind you that Koreans love cheese, from Hearth Hearth Rooster with spicy mayo and cheese to a Spam and American-cheese Military Stew, a preparation Anthony Bourdain as soon as referred to as (in a pleasant means) the “final dorm meals.”

Don’t miss: So many decisions, however the seafood and scallion pancake, colourful fish roe and eel rice and galbitang are nonnegotiable.

Particulars: 2910 El Camino Actual, Santa Clara; sillasv.com, $$-$$$

One Home Bakery, Benicia: Once you need one of the best baked items, plus the kitchen sink

Bread is a meal – or no less than it may be in France, the place a correctly baked baguette wants little greater than butter and cheese to make one content material. That’s true of the ham-and-soft-cheese at One Home, a deceptively easy however completely crisp-sweet torpedo that reminds you {that a} sandwich’s greatest ingredient is the baker’s chops.

Hannalee Pervan was schooled at Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa and labored for the group that supplied bread to Thomas Keller’s French Laundry. She helped begin this bold bakery in 2018, utilizing flour milled day by day, natural dairy and her personal meticulously developed recipes, then caught a nasty patch throughout COVID, when she misplaced her senses of style and scent. However the place continues to be firing on all cylinders, whether or not you desire a nation levain or a savory deal with to take pleasure in within the stunningly gardened again patio.

A frisee salad with runny-yolk egg and dice-sized lardons opens the palate to heartier dishes, together with a moist rooster pot pie enveloped in a superbly flaky crust and an heirloom tomato and mozzarella sandwich with home chimichurri. Savory waffles are a specialty right here, served with braised beef or “falafel-waffle” type with kefta and tzatziki. And it could be against the law to stroll away with out dessert, whether or not that be an intense chocolate-cream tart, seasonal-fruit crostata or lemon meringue with a porcupine’s again of torched peaks.

Don’t miss: Something involving bread, that rooster pot pie and the couscous salad with squash and halloumi are terrific. Don’t deny your self dessert.

Particulars: 918 First St., Benicia; onehousebakery.com; $

Momo & Kebab, Fremont: When you’ll be able to’t scale the Himalayas for momos

You need to respect a spot that’s so assured about what it does nicely, it’s within the enterprise identify. The kebabs at this unassuming spot are certainly good – marinated in lemon and garlic and correctly charred in a clay oven; the sekuwa-style lamb is smoky and scrumptious with some butter-brushed naan. However you’d be sleeping, if you happen to didn’t order the menu’s star, the momo, Himalayan dumplings of meat combined with herbs and steamed till tender. Some locations make momos which can be dense and chewy. Not right here –  the delicate-skinned rooster momo bursts with taste and gingery juices. It’s extra Din Tai Fung soup dumpling than anything, a sense you’ll be able to improve (and most prospects do) by getting it in a bowl of Sichuan pepper and roasted tomato broth.

The kitchen prepares quite a lot of different Nepali/Tibetan specialties, together with a warming thenthuk soup with hand-stretched noodles and Navaratna korma with candy coconut milk and 9 kinds of nuts and greens. However once more, a plate of momos is all you really want – if you happen to’re nonetheless peckish, strive a dessert of baked yogurt with honey that’s just like the meltingest cheesecake ever.

Don’t miss: Rooster momos with Sichuan pepper-spiced roasted tomato sauce are those to get. The free chai is a bonus.

Particulars: 37100K Fremont Blvd., Fremont; momoandkebab.com, $$

New England Lobster Market & Eatery, Burlingame: Once you need it contemporary off the boat, er, make that aircraft

Have the urge to get cracking? Drive to Burlingame and head towards the water.