Visiting the northern California region is always a refreshing change of pace. You can easily create your own foodie tour with so many restaurant options San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose. Venturing out to Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Napa, as well as Benecia to try different eats is also well worth it.
Here are out top 10 favorites eateries from our last trip to northern Cali.
1. Oveja Negra – San Jose
Oveja Negra (meaning “Black Sheep” in Spanish) is a great choice for dinner on Santana Row in San Jose. It has a beautiful outdoor seating area. We ordered shareable plates and tried their Gambas al Ajillo, Roasted Cauliflower, Seafood Paella, and Churros just to name a few.
The dish that won the spotlight was the paella. We tried their two different versions, but the seafood paella was definitely on point.
2. Imm Thai – Berkeley
My love for Thai food is on a different level, and if you ask me how spicy then the answer will always be “THAI HOT” please. I was excited to try out Thai food in the bay area. With so many different restaurants to choose from, we decided to give Imm Thai a go for dinner one night in Berkeley.
As expected, it hit the spot! The Pad Kee Mao was flavorful and so were the fried vegetable spring rolls. Don’t forget to grab a refreshing Singha Thai beer with your meal.
3. Fenton’s Creamery – Oakland
Fenton’s Creamery is a staple in Oakland (founded in 1894). It has been featured on the Travel Channel, the Food Network, and in USA Today.
Even in the middle of the day, on a random weekday, there was still a line out the door. when we visited Their ice-cream is delicious and worth the wait though. I got a scoop of their chocolate, in a waffle cone, and with sprinkle on top (gotta have those sprinkles). I enjoyed every bite of my ice-cream cone while walking up and down Piedmont Ave.
4. Sam’s Chowder House – Half Moon Bay
This was my second time visiting Sam’s Chowder House, and it just gets better every visit. Worth the day drive from Berkeley, we headed there in the morning to experience the beach area before lunch at Sam’s.
Once we arrived at the restaurant, there was already a line at the door. The lobster rolls are nothing short of AMAZING (my absolute favorite item on the menu). My favorite part is sitting on their outdoor patio enjoying the Pacific Ocean views when we dined.
5. The Walnut Avenue Cafe – Santa Cruz
We were searching for a breakfast spot in Santa Cruz and came across this gem. The Walnut Creek Cafe had one of the most delicious huevos rancheros, and their chicken apple sausage was extraordinarily tasty.
The morning vibe was relaxed and the food hit the spot, so it was definitely a great find.
6. The Napa General Store – Napa
Huevos rancheros were my favorite breakfast item to order in Cali and I could not get enough, so I ordered them at the Napa General Store and was not disappointed.
From the tostada, to the salsa verde, to the pico it was just an absolutely delicious breakfast dish to start your day before the Napa wine tasting adventures to follow.
7. Sweet Maple – San Francisco
Our first morning in San Francisco began with an amazing breakfast at Sweet Maple on Sutter St.
Being the somewhat adventurous foodie that I am, I decided to give the Pimped Shin Cupbop dish (ramen fried rice) a try. The dish came with a slice of their thick cut bacon and a sunny side egg on top. My taste buds exploded as I devoured this dish – highly recommend!
8. In N Out – Napa
Now In N Out burger joints are all across Cali and are loved by many, so we decided to try out the location in Napa for a quick lunch when we first arrived. This location was much less crowded and we did not have to wait in line at all.
The burgers and fries came out hot and fresh – it hit the spot after a long drive. If you have never been to In N Out in Cali, then you should give it a try at least once to check it off your list.
9. Huckleberry’s – Benecia
Benecia, a small town in California, is a quiet and peaceful destination to visit. Not only is it a serene and great place for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, but we also learned it also serves up some delicious eats of its own.
The well-known breakfast spot in town, Huckleberry’s, provided a wonderful start to our day. My favorite menu item was the Mardi Gras Beignets, which are served with huckleberry, strawberry, and peach fruit toppings. Mouth-watering to say the least and great for sharing if you want a little bit of something sweet to taste.
10. Bottom of the Fifth – Benecia
Last but not least, we ended our trip visiting Bottom of the Fifth in Benecia for dinner. This was Benecia’s oldest bar. It has a local and sportsbar feel, and their food has to be some of the best bar food I’ve ever tasted.
I tried their So-Cal Style Fish Tacos and was mesmerized (it had to be that chipotle crema that got me). But if I ever pay Benecia a visit again, I would not hesitate to stop by for those fish tacos again….SO DELICIOUS!
Hope you enjoyed reading about our top favorites in northern California. Leave us a comment with any of your recommendations in and around the BAY AREAAA, we would love to hear it!