New American Restaurants near Orinda, CA

“Excellent! We had a great experience!“

“Friends here visiting and found this gem of a place! Best thing is we didn’t have to go far! Food was delicious!“

“This is what we had tonight but, they have excellent food and service every time.“

“I’ve recently cut out all dairy and pretty much all meat, although I will make an exception for special occasions and eat meat seldomly. anyway the options here are delicious if you’re a vegan! Their menu is full of tasty choices. U couldn’t be happier with my recent door dash orders“

“Always an interesting experience and fun treat. Classic cocktails in a classic atmosphere. Service is on point! Food is innovative yet still comforting and familiar. Never disappointed.“

“Had our Saturday Thanksgiving with the family here and not only did they accommodate for about 30 people, but the service was excellent! Everyone who helped us was obviously a team player because everything came out seamlessly!

Some family we hadn't seen in years and I'm happy we all had an amazing experience!

Thank you soooo much!!!

Ps. The Lobster noodles were incredible!!!!!! I've been craving it since!.“

“Came here with a large work group and had a fantastic time. We rented out the entire facility and it was perfect. Food was delicious and had plenty of options to accommodate my colleagues with various restrictions. And the drinks were quick and tasty as well. Service was attentive, especially since we were such a large group. Only picture I took was the strawberry shortcake dessert - presentation was on point and the dessert itself lived up to that! Check it out if you’re in the area - I’m already looking forward to a return trip!“

“I had the chicken Alex had the pork loin both cooked to perfection �“

“I’ve recently cut out all dairy and pretty much all meat, although I will make an exception for special occasions and eat meat seldomly. anyway the options here are delicious if you’re a vegan! Their menu is full of tasty choices. U couldn’t be happier with my recent door dash orders“

“Fast food that doesn’t give you indigestion! (5/5 Green Stars) On the downside – the items (e.g., fries) are not dripping in fat. On the plus side, the items are not dripping in fat! It may take a while to get used to the healthier version of fast food, but think of it this way – it’s actually nourishing your body instead of poisoning it. The signature burger, made from organic quinoa and mushrooms is so much better for you than a burger made from meat. Same deal for the planet, with organic and 100% plant-based ingredients. I’m giving Next Level Burger 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact for the following reasons: • 100% plant-based. Obvious major benefits to animals, society and the planet. • Organic ingredients. Again, benefits to the planet and society. • All packaging, down to the straws, is compostable. That’s the best way to manage the waste stream for this kind of restaurant. • Next Level has supported groups like BLM and Covid healthcare workers. • Founders advocate for plant-based food to deal with climate.“

“The food inside is delicious and healthy portions. The service here is great too!“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“Food was great and drinks was great.“

“We had lovely cocktails, the Sunday Edition and Popular on Payday umm We then shared their special ribeye with smashed potatoes and asparagus... excellent... and their always popular ribbon pasta .. delicious as well. We expected to bring more home ... but too good to stop ! Thanks East End!“

“What a lovely surprise to find such tasty, healthy food so close to home, friendly staff, on time! Lightly cooked but high-protein and *yummy*“

“Loved our lunch today ! Bison stew with fry bread and bison meatballs. Hibiscus tea was awesome. Staff was so incredible. Busy and very full today. Great atmosphere.“

“Celebrated my husband’s birthday here and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable dinners we’ve had in a long time.

The service stood out from the moment we sat down. Fresh cutlery for every course, the table cleared and tidied between dishes, and the staff walked us through the ingredients and story behind each plate. The 20% service charge felt completely earned.

The menu blends Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Northern California influences — Thai-style sour and spicy notes, fresh oysters and herbs, Chinese pork meatballs, duck glazed with Shaoxing wine and soy, a Japanese-inspired beef rice — all reflecting the chef’s Chinese-Thai roots. The flavors really suit an Asian palate, and the portions are generous. I thought the snapper was the grand finale, but course after course kept coming until we were completely full! The rose ice cream at the end was unforgettable — floral, light, and not too sweet.

And the plating is genuinely art. The chef loves pairing dishes with flowers: delicate blossoms over the sashimi, a dew-covered mini lotus leaf resting on the meatballs. Every dish was a feast for the eyes.

Food, plating, service — all at a Michelin two-star level, and at around $279 per person before tax it almost feels like a deal. Location is in downtown Oakland with public parking a 2-minute walk away (I’d recommend the garage over street parking). Highly recommend!“

“An absolutely mind blowing experience and meal. We went for brunch. We had the halva pancakes and pistachio French toast. The French toast was my favorite. The bread was crunch on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. Great drinks as well. DJs were awesome. Music really set the mood for a good brunch.“

“best sushi and cheap!!! will come again!!!“

“The service was amazing from start to finish, and the food was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were delightfully boozy and well-crafted, making them the perfect complement to the meal. Dessert was especially memorable, with multiple layers and components that came together in a unique and interesting way.

My only regret is not calling ahead for a reservation on a Friday night, as the restaurant was understandably busy. I'll definitely be planning ahead next time because I will absolutely be coming back!“

“Tummy comfort food in great post-industrial space. Friendly service, craft cocktails. Good menu options and specials. Outdoor tables also available.“

“Great food and atmosphere for celebration“

“Loved my birthday dinner tonight! Portions small for the prices in our opinion. A scallops main dish with 3 scallops is small. Drinks were amazing, decor fabulous and great service. My son had to go eat more food afterwards as he was still hungry. Bigger portions would be good. Loved everything else! Great choices, appetizers, main dishes and creative drinks were delicious. Kind of surprised knowing they knew it was my birthday that they didn't offer me a birthday "something" to make it special. For these prices I would expect something.“

“open mic Tuesdays and the food and atmosphere!“

“Amazing Owner, beautiful atmosphere and thee most delicious food. All around a 10/10!“

“Delicious food and cocktails.“

“good drinks, good food, friendly service, outdoor dining, i'll be back“

“Great variety of tasty dishes on the menu and the food was delicious! I loved the “secret” specials - you need to ask to find out what they are. Fun cocktail options. And, all of the dessert options were awesome! My fav was the cheeseburger - YUM! I would definitely go back!“

“They have a guest dock. Good food.“

“Treated my parents to a lovely dinner from Kiana for their 50 th wedding anniversary!!! Everything was delicious!“

“This is my favorite restaurant in Oakland! The food is amazing and so are the cocktails. The vive is is unreal!!!“

“We had a fantastic meal delivered to our house. Had never been to Z Cafe so our first time trying the food. It was all so delicious. I made an error when i ordered and Mehdi called me right away to explain and then helped me order. He was so kind and helpful. Never had that kind of service from anyone anywhere! We are so impressed to find this great place in our town, Oakland. where we've lived our whole lives. We'll be back and tell all our family and friends , too! Thank you !“

“I had the jerk chicken, amazing flavors and super tender. Large servings, excellent food and a great atmosphere. Definitely going back!“

“We ordered the family dinner and added the jumbo prawns. Very happy with our selections. Everything was right on point. Server was very knowledgeable about the menu and the drinks/wine, very professional. We had high expectations and were very pleased after our dinner.“

“Saw Jay Rich here, The food was pretty good well seasoned and the drinks were flowing, the waitresses were fast and responsive the whole show. Waiting on luenell to headline a show.“

“Experience exceptional dining at Jack restaurant, where the waitstaff and bartender provide top-notch service with a smile. They take the time to ask about your meal and ensure that every detail meets your satisfaction.“

“Had the Italian style sandwich here..... Really solid sandwich. What really got me though is the cook gave me this fantastic in-house made habanero sauce then I just ended up dunking over every bite I was absolutely in love with it. Really cool to sit at the counter and watch them cook, chef was such a friendly dude and the server as well! Really enjoyed the vibe of just hanging out and eating my meal“

“Been coming here since 1977. Always great food and adult beverages. Best is fried zucchini!!!!“

“Great local eatery with delicious beers and wonderful taps. Joe, the owner, is one of the most sweetest guys you’ll ever meet. Highly recommend!“

“1111 Solano is a new location for this restaurant. Previously near Craneway and before the pandemic in Point Richmond. Same chef, same staff, and same excellent food and service.“

“Not many vegetarian options, but the one you have is the best ever🤩“

“what a wonderful place to have breakfast I have not tried their lunch yet but it was so good and the portions are really big I really enjoyed myself with my family.“

“Excellent food and owners! Always fresh.“

“Great place to have dinner outside at day and night“

“I had the Chicken Mix Bowl with the smokey chipotle sauce and it was AMAZING. I am allergic to dairy, gluten, and soy so being able to not worry about that with my meal was so nice. I also have ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) and have a really hard with certain textures, usually chicken is really hard for me to eat but I had no issues with this chicken!! The texture was consistent all the way through, pulled apart really easily, and was just overall amazing. The portions are really good and the food is very flavorful. I'm really happy with my meal. Thank you guys for the amazing food. I highly recommend this place!!“

“Fun and lively place for drinks and light snacks. Drinks were great, and the manager was very friendly. She was vibing and talking to us a lot. It was nice hospitality.

The wings were great! Loved it. It was very juicy and would recommend getting them. The ceasar salad was okay.

Great to come here for happy hour or for a game as they have TVs around.“

“Great place to have dinner! Absolutely enjoyed the trivia night they had. The garbage bread is a must try! The penne pasta is delicious. The burgers are perfect! Let’s not forget the chips and the salsa. Everything was great! Service was superb.
Definitely made my family happy to eat here before we headed out in the morning.
We will be back next time we come out here.“

“Had to check out Cals tonight with some friends while on the town! The food was great! We got the Mac & Chicken and the Chicken sandwich’s. One thing to be aware about is the price. However for those more expensive items the portions are HUGE! Definitely a good place to stop while visiting Berkeley!“

“We had dinner there tonight (3/14/24) for the first time and we will be back. Two of the most interesting and truly delicious sandwiches we have ever eaten. I can't remember what mine was called, but it had chicken (roasted perfectly), sauerkraut, cheese and other awesome stuff on a grilled rye bread that was excellent. My bride had the turkey sandwich and loved it. But the star of the show were the Tater Tots. Perfectly crisp with BBQ sauce to dip them in and then into some wonderful real bacon bits. Every tot stayed crisp from the first to the last. The meal was worth every penny and more. Get into the Alameda location and try it. You won't be sorry. PS: The only bad part for me is that we live in Seattle and won't be back down until May. But you can bet I will be eating here then.“

“awesome drinks, ambiance and some good food.“