The Best Restaurant Openings in Northern California – May 2026

If you’ve driven through Sonoma County, you’ve likely seen Graton Resort & Casino, the heavily advertised entertainment destination just off Highway 101. Now the property is raising its culinary ambitions with AYA, a new rooftop restaurant led by chef Roy Ellamar, formerly of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. The menu draws on Ellamar’s Hawaiian-Filipino heritage, with dishes like octopus sisig and salt-baked snapper finished tableside delivering the kind of theatrical flair that feels right at home in a casino setting.

For the past several years, chef Carlos Altamirano has built a loyal following with his Peruvian cooking at Altamirano in the Panhandle. His newest venture, Casa Sofia, brings that same warmth to SoMa, just steps from the dining boom surrounding Mission Rock. The space is more lavish than its sibling restaurant, with plush jewel-toned booths, patterned wallpaper, and plants seemingly everywhere you look. The menu remains approachable, offering Peruvian classics like ají de gallina and lomo saltado prepared for a neighborhood increasingly packed with Giants fans, office workers, and eventgoers.

For months, locals have been anticipating the reopening of the Huntington Hotel atop Nob Hill. The wait has paid off with a Ken Fulk-designed refresh that includes the return of the historic Big Four restaurant. In the spirit of places like Tosca Cafe or New York’s Le Veau d’Or, The Big Four leans into classic luxury with a few contemporary surprises. Chef David Intonato, formerly of the Appellation group, has populated the menu with throwbacks like a Louie wedge and beef cioppino, alongside unexpected additions such as shakshuka served with views of Grace Cathedral.

The Bay Area’s appetite for Asian-inspired viennoiserie shows no signs of slowing down. Case in point: the expansion of Oakland favorite Bake Sum, led by Joice Tang, to Alameda. Now locals can line up for specialties like yuzu meringue tarts, halo-halo croissants, and okonomiyaki danishes without crossing the estuary. Located inside the Alameda Marketplace, the new space is larger than the original bakery and includes a retail section featuring curated local brands. Tang is also preparing to release her first cookbook.

Newly opened at Silverado Resort, Matchplay Kitchen + Bar nods to the enduring appeal of private clubs, delivering a golf-club atmosphere without the membership fees. That country-club sensibility extends from the polished interiors to an approachable menu filled with Wine Country staples, including burrata, Dungeness crab cakes, and chicken pot pie. The cocktail program is substantial, but Matchplay works just as well for a leisurely breakfast or alcohol-free lunch.

Following the success of San Francisco’s consistently packed China Live, George Chen and Cindy Wong-Chen have expanded to Santa Clara with Asia Live at Westfield Valley Fair. The opening further cements the shopping center’s reputation as one of the region’s most ambitious dining destinations. Spanning 15,000 square feet and 350 seats, the restaurant draws inspiration from Greater China, Southeast Asia, India, Korea, and Japan, pairing interactive presentations with a format designed to accommodate everything from family gatherings to celebratory dinners.

After winning over Palo Alto diners with its warm take on Turkish hospitality, Meyhouse expands to the East Bay with a new San Ramon location, complete with a neighboring jazz bar. The menu draws inspiration from Istanbul taverns, with dishes ranging from regional specialties like whipped Ezine cheese from the Dardanelles to shareable staples such as kebab platters and charcoal-grilled fish. An extensive rakı and cocktail program rounds out the experience.