Northern California is saturated with world-class restaurants, one-of-a-kind wineries and a sophistication that is unmatched across the globe. There are many unique restaurants designed to satisfy every appetite in the Bay Area. Many of these restaurants offer private dining areas for parties, meetings and other events. Some offer discounted rates on certain nights of the week.

The attention placed on each individual ingredient has made Bay Area cuisine highly desired. Locals and visitors alike expect fresh, gourmet ingredients that tantalize the taste buds and excite the palate. Many area restaurants use farm-fresh, locally picked vegetables and fruits that help make the cuisine unique to the region. Restaurant patrons have high expectations for the quality and variety of wines available in the Bay Area and most restaurants boast extensive wine lists.

Many restaurants require event planners to choose a predetermined menu for groups of 20 or more. Typically, meeting planners attend a tasting prior to the event. At the tasting they also may tour the restaurant, discuss plans for the event and determine any special instructions – such as how the president of the company is allergic to chocolate and will require the fruit plate instead of the “chocolate thunder.”

Many of the restaurants in Business Meetings and More San Francisco and Northern California offer meeting space and delectable dining options.

When Harris’ Restaurant opened in 1984, it continued the rich tradition of luxurious dining in a comfortable, sophisticated environment. In fact, Harris’ was ranked as one of the nation’s Top 10 steak houses by the Wine Spectator Magazine. This award-winning establishment is the perfect example of a Bay Area restaurant that mixes fine wine and divine dining options.

Elephant & Castle San Francisco is located in the heart of the Financial District, just half a block up from the Transamerica Building. An authentic English pub concept that combines British classics with North American favorites, Elephant & Castle is a superb illustration of a Bay Area restaurant that places a distinct value on fresh ingredients and a mix of wine, beer and cocktails.

Truly a family affair rich with San Francisco tradition, Scoma’s Restaurant continually seeks to provide a memorable San Francisco dining experience on the waterfront. In addition to the Fisherman’s Wharf location at Pier 47, Scoma’s also operates a restaurant in Sausalito by the same name. This highly regarded locale offers an exceptional setting, specially designed menus and personalized service for private parties and large groups. It is often hailed as the best seafood in the Bay Area.

The Buena Vista has been a favorite San Francisco gathering place since the 1800s. It is known for being the birth place of Irish coffee in the United States and serves hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The Buena Vista attracts tourists and locals with great drinks, good company and tremendous views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Sausalito hills.

The Gordon Biersch Restaurant Group offers three locations in the Bay Area for guests to dine and taste homemade, unique beer straight from the brewery. Each restaurant features a distinctive décor and atmosphere that provides an inviting space for social gatherings, casually sophisticated dining occasions and private dining events for groups from 15 to 500.

The Cliff House is one of the crown jewels in San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Since 1863, the Cliff House has been famous for fine food, stunning ocean views, historic ambiance and caring service. Recently remodeled and restored to its original charm, the Cliff House still offers incredible, breathtaking panoramic views. The newly renovated banquet room, the Terrace Room, has been updated to provide a private meeting space. The Terrace Room, which seats up to 120 guests, provides stunning ocean vistas as well as a direct access to an outdoor terrace to give guests the quintessential San Francisco experience.

Buca di Beppo offers innovative Italian fare and meeting space in several locations throughout the Bay Area. The acclaimed food and facilities of Buca di Beppo in downtown San Francisco can host two to 200 people for daytime and evening events. The circular “Pope’s Table” has space for 14-18 people and a separate dinning room accommodates 20 to 70 guests.

Another establishment that features exquisite meeting space is the North Beach Restaurant in San Francisco’s North Beach. This relaxing Tuscan-style restaurant offers four dining rooms that are ideal for business meetings, birthdays, anniversaries and wedding rehearsals, serving private parties of 10 to 100 people. 

From Vietnamese fare with French influences at the famed Le Colonial to exquisite Mediterranean cuisine at Belden Taverna, and the upscale taquerias in the Mission, the Bay Area features dining establishments that are sure to hit the spot. Luckily, the list of choices is vast. Other renowned establishments on the short list include Foreign Cinema, A-16, SPQR, Cav, Michael Mina, Laiola, Dosa, Slanted Door, Yank Sing, Rye, Yoshi’s San Francisco, Ruth Chris Steak House, McCormick & Kuleto, Kuleto's Epic and Waterbar.

You will discover that Northern California has it all, from gourmet wine and tapas bars to international haunts. For a comprehensive listing of dining options, see the resource directories in this section of the guide.