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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Foster City

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26 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Pausa Bar & Cookery restaurant
1. Pausa Bar & Cookery
4.7
Exceptional(1837)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • San Mateo
Booked 49 times today
Pausa, a bar and cookery in San Mateo, calls for guests to take a recess from life and enjoy a dining experience that transports them to a place of leisure. With a strong focus on modern Italian, our menu will consist of house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, wood-fired grill, and house-cured meats. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will ensure your pause is a memorable one.We are now taking reservations for our patio tables, bar, and indoor tables. As we practice social distancing with our new limited floor plan, we ask that you and your guests limit your dining to 2 hours to accommodate all reservations.When checking table availability, if outdoor seating is not an option to select, then your reservation will be for an indoor table as the outdoor may be booked. Thank you for understanding.
A photo of Cafe Florian restaurant
2. Cafe Florian
4.2
Awesome(341)
Price: Moderate
• American • Foster City
Booked 3 times today
Cafe Florian is well worth the drive, as attested by its high ratings in reviews. Customers rave about the excellent service, delicious food, and beautiful ambiance, especially during holidays. Many recommend it as a priority for special gatherings. The seafood, sushi, and desserts are especially noted as standouts.
A photo of Twelvemonth restaurant
3. Twelvemonth
4.7
Exceptional(577)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Burlingame
Booked 28 times today
Twelvemonth is the place to be if you're in search of a Californian restaurant with a twist. With a passion for sustainability, the menu boasts 100% plant-based dishes that have been raved about by many. The ambience is also worth mentioning, with its high ceilings, comfortable seating, and a beautiful outdoor bar/lounge area. The reviews are filled with praises about the 'exceptional food', 'attentive service', and 'beautiful interior'. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat eater, you're bound to find something that suits your taste buds at Twelvemonth.
A photo of Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo restaurant
4. Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo
4.4
Awesome(2995)
Price: Moderate
• American • San Mateo
Booked 9 times today
Whether you’re chatting over a flavorful roasted chicken salad or sipping a merlot as your hand-cut blackened ribeye is mesquite grilled over a live fire, Paul Martin’s American Grill is the ideal place to impress or decompress. Located in the Hillsdale Shopping Center, our restaurant offers classic American cuisine set to a higher standard. Sink into plush seating in our polished yet welcoming dining room and experience the remarkable hospitality that makes dining with us an event.
A photo of The Refuge - San Mateo restaurant
5. The Refuge - San Mateo
4.8
Exceptional(107)
Price: Moderate
• Gastro Pub • San Mateo
Booked 11 times today
As featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, The REFUGE specializes in hand-carved, ultra tender, boldly flavored navel pastrami which is sending shockwaves throughout the gastronomic consciousness of patrons who call it “the greatest this planet will see in some time.” The REFUGE boasts the world’s best Belgian and Craft Beer on draught (24 in San Mateo) in the Bay Area, with many more by bottle.Since 2008, the REFUGE has been providing protection for many East Coast street food classics especially the hand-carved navel pastrami. But wait, just for good measure, we grind our own blend of hamburger on a daily basis as well as procure our own Ribeye Blend for our Authentic CheeseSteaks. We also offer honest Old World wine, dazzling salads and eclectic appetizers. Casual connoisseurs unite! This place is the real deal. Whether it’s a quick lunch, a raging evening, a private event, take-out or delivery, the REFUGE experience is unlike any other place at any one time.
A photo of Avenida restaurant
6. Avenida
4.5
Awesome(276)
Price: Expensive
• Filipino • San Mateo
Booked 20 times today
Avenida Modern Filipino Restaurant and Bar is a treat for Filipino cuisine lovers. With its cozy ambiance and excellent service, it's a place that feels like home. Reviewers rave about the authentic, delicious Filipino dishes, with some even recommending it as a great place to introduce non-Filipinos to the cuisine. Avenida is also praised for its beautiful presentation and diverse menu, making it a top choice for Filipino food lovers.
A photo of Waterside Grill + Lounge restaurant
7. Waterside Grill + Lounge
4.7
Exceptional(116)
Price: Moderate
• Global, International • Redwood City
Booked 5 times today
Join us for a relaxing and memorable experience at Waterside Grill + Lounge. Our locally inspired seasonal menu, creative cocktail offerings, global plates and unmatched hospitality on the San Francisco waterfront provide the recipe for a great meal. With an innovative culinary and mixology team ready to cater to your every need, you’ll easily see why we are the premier destination in Redwood Shores. Our large outdoor terrace provides for unmatched al fresco bar and restaurant experience. Whether you are here for business or pleasure, we welcome you to our table.
A photo of All Spice – San Mateo restaurant
8. All Spice – San Mateo
4.5
Awesome(1104)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • San Mateo
Booked 1 time today
Enjoy our oft-changing 3, 4 or 5-course Chef's menu for dinner inside our charming cottage. Outdoor seating is currently unavailable.Come take a special journey when you dine at our charming restaurant.Husband-and-wife team Sachin Chopra and Shoshana Wolff have turned a 1906 Victorian house into a pioneering dining destination that showcases Modern Californian Cuisine. It's local and seasonal whenever possible, but is also so much more. Sachin stretches beyond his classical training to create elegantly composed dishes that subtly hint at Indian, Japanese, Norwegian, Mediterranean and other worldly influences. The result is a unique cuisine with its own distinctive point of view. Warm, professional service and a thoughtful wine list enhance the experience.We can't wait to see you!
A photo of Mistral Restaurant & Bar - Redwood City restaurant
9. Mistral Restaurant & Bar - Redwood City
4.4
Awesome(1313)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Redwood City
Booked 2 times today
Mistral’s California cuisine focuses on serving the best local ingredients available. Mistral is a destination restaurant for anniversaries & birthdays, and has an off-the-beaten-path ambiance with year-‘round patio dining and water views, an outdoor fireplace, and plenty of outside heaters. Two private rooms and the covered patio are available for private dining, business dinners, banquets, cocktail parties, weddings, and special events.A note on waterfront tables:WE DO NOT ACCEPT RESERVATIONSWe kindly ask that you and your party follow our dining limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes on our waterfront tables.Your time limit starts from your reservation time.
A photo of Pacific Catch San Mateo restaurant
10. Pacific Catch San Mateo
4.6
Exceptional(1438)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • San Mateo
Booked 17 times today
Pacific Catch is a WestCoast Fish House dedicated to delivering high quality sustainable seafood with a unique perspective. From the day we opened we've been mindful about where our ingredients come from and how to bring to life the vibrant flavors and feeling of the Pacific. It's our commitment to our guests to keep things interesting, innovative, wholesome and thoughtfully sourced. That's why we've formalized our relationship with the Monterey Bay Seafood Aquarium's Seafood Watch, James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch and the Surfrider Foundation by becoming a partner and bringing on a director of sustainability to help steward these efforts.We will be following the most stringent protocols on cleaning, sanitization, social distancing, and protections for employee health including temperature taking and the use of protective masks and gloves.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • JOHNvip
    Los Angeles •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    went here for thanksgiving dinner. seated immediately. the menu was smaller but ticked all the boxes for anyone wanting either a traditional thanksgiving turkey dinner or their more popular offerings. we opted for ribeye and chicken parmesan as our entrees and house salad and butternut squash soup as appetizers/starters. excellent service, prompt. the food was great. reasonably priced--we got out of there at around $167 before tip. would definitely return.
    More info
    Paul Martin's American Grill - San MateoPrice: Moderate• American• San Mateo
    •
    4.4
  • Margarita
    San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Dinner was very good. The music is played at a very high volume that conversation was difficult. We asked the hostess to have the music lower a bit and her response was; let me ask the manager. Volume was not lowered; we then asked our waiter and he immediately made the miracle of listening g to the request. Definitely too high of music volume.
    More info
    Pausa Bar & CookeryPrice: Expensive• Italian• San Mateo
    •
    4.7
  • Samantha
    St. Louis •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Amazing food. Amazing place. Overall 10/10 experience.
    More info
    Rustic House - San CarlosPrice: Expensive• Seafood• San Carlos
    •
    4.7
  • dawn and jimvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •144 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Tandoori prawns and chicken tikki Marsala are so good, especially with some naan to dip up sauce from the chicken . Everything delicious and staff outstanding
    More info
    RasoiPrice: Moderate• Indian• Burlingame
    •
    4.8
  • Rowe
    San Francisco Bay Area •99 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on Nov 13, 2024
    Always a pleasure to come here. Thank you, Dean, for your attentive and pleasant service.
    More info
    AvenidaPrice: Expensive• Filipino• San Mateo
    •
    4.5

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Foster City

Discover top dining destinations in the Foster City area on the San Francisco Peninsula that are truly "worth the drive." This curated list of restaurants showcases establishments that excel in both cuisine and atmosphere, offering unique dining experiences that justify a special journey. Each restaurant provides a distinctive flair, ranging from gourmet seafood to exquisite international dishes, ensuring there's something to satisfy every palate. The dining scene in Foster City is vibrant and diverse, reflecting a rich blend of culinary traditions and innovative gastronomy. These restaurants not only meet but exceed expectations with their commitment to quality, service, and a memorable dining environment. Ideal for food enthusiasts and culinary adventurers, this guide highlights eateries that are destinations in their own right, promising an unforgettable meal every visit. Whether you're planning a romantic evening, a family gathering, or a special celebration, these establishments guarantee a dining experience that's well worth the trip.

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