Best Restaurants for Celebrating Derby Day in San Francisco Bay Area

by OpenTable x Woodford Reserve

Updated 19 October 2021

To mark this year's Derby Day, OpenTable and Woodford Reserve have come together to bring you a list of restaurants offering Derby Day drink specials and celebratory dishes near you. Whether you are donning your finest Derby attire and heading to a local watering hole or planning a feast for the festivities at home, we've got the restaurant (and game day tipple) for you.

CRAFTED CAREFULLY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Top Hatters Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (621)

$31 to $50

Global, International

San Leandro

About the restaurant

Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar is a modern neighborhood restaurant, that has secured a place on the SF Chronicle's top 100 list and has been honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. We serve an eclectic mix of rustic made-from-scratch dishes, celebrating the wonderful textures that make up our neighborhoods. We offer a mingling of small and large plates, meant to be shared, always nuanced and inspired by what we harvest from our neighboring small farms. Our food is approachable, eschewing complicated names, and bohemian in spirit as we are nonconforming and unconventional—sophisticated only in the way we can weave different ethnic influences and ingredients together.

Top review

PattyVIP

Dined on 1 Jan 2025

I am not a bread person per se, but the foccacia turned me into one. Food was excellent but I would go back just for the foccacia.

Trabocco

4.7

4.7 (3509)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Alameda

About the restaurant

Chef-owner, Giuseppe Naccarelli presents a seasonally inspired menu of classic Italian dishes with a modern twist, influenced by the cuisine of his native region of Abruzzo.
A Trabocco is a unique fishing pier found along the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo. Architect and Designer Lev Weisbach of Weisbach Architecture|Design was inspired by the beautiful Trabocchi of Abruzzo when he created his spectacular design. With its reclaimed wood ceilings, dramatic copper encased fireplace, and modern bar Trabocco is warm and welcoming yet strikingly dramatic and modern.

Top review

Ginger

Dined 7 days ago

2nd time here with same friend who flew into OAK in Sept. and this evening. heard great things about it before, and it is true!

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Popular dish

Tiramisu

Wood Tavern

4.8

4.8 (2830)

$31 to $50

Gastro Pub

Oakland

About the restaurant

Wood Tavern is nestled into a charming neighborhood shopping district on bustling College Avenue. Serving a hearty American Brasserie style menu. The contemporary loft- like space houses a dining room filled with "butcher block' tables, a comfy, copper topped bar and a chef's counter where you can dine watching the chef in action.

Top review

Anne

Dined today

Amazing food and service! Just wish prices were more reasonable.

Paradiso - San Leandro

4.7

4.7 (1942)

$31 to $50

Italian

San Leandro

About the restaurant

Welcome to Paradiso! We are open daily from 11:30am to 9:00 pm (closing at 10:00pm on Friday & Saturday). Whether you are looking for a birthday, anniversary, romantic dinner for two, corporate event in our private dining room, or anything in between, your great experience is waiting for you. With our award winning Level 2 Wine Spectator list, craft cocktail program, and "everything made from scratch" menu, Paradiso's California inspired Italian seafood and steakhouse has been a crowd favorite for nearly three decades. By booking your anniversary with us on open table, you get a anniversary Gift Card, so come celebrate with us! We also have takeout and delivery available, please check our website for hours and details.

Top review

Shirley

Dined 1 day ago

Just enjoyed a lovely meal at Paradiso. Everything was excellent, from the service, the drinks, the appetizers, meal and dessert. We were a small group celebrating one of our friend’s 75th birthday. Along with cocktails and wine, we shared the calamari and the beet salad, which were both delightful! The calamari was fried perfectly and the beet salad was so flavorful it was easily devoured. Two of us enjoyed the rigatoni bolognese and one ordered the rack of lamb, which was on the rare side but beautifully cooked. The server was so nice and responsive, it really enhanced our experience. We ended the meal with crème brûlée and Paradiso gifted our birthday gal with a very nice tiramisu. Both were a perfect finish to a great meal and experience at Paradiso. We have been to Paradiso separately and as a group several times over the years. It continues to be a high quality restaurant that is a great place for family or friends to connect over excellent food.

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1515 Restaurant & Lounge

4.0

4 (834)

$31 to $50

Californian

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

1515 Restaurant & Lounge, your go-to spot for fresh and creative California cuisine in a relaxed, stylish setting. Whether you’re here for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, we are ready for you.

Kick off your meal with appetizers like seared jumbo habanero glazed scallops, calamari, fried ravioli or bruschetta. Dive into our award winning entree selections like fresh sea bass or salmon, a juicy grilled ribeye steak or lamb chops. Or try the seafood fettuccine, zesty chicken piccata, jambalaya penne pasta, hearty fresh salads, hot sandwiches, and delicious pizzas. These selections all go perfectly with our extensive wine list and crafted cocktails,

Enjoy beautiful weather on our sunny patio or catch the game on one of our many TVs throughout the bar and dining areas. Planning a special event? Our private dining and banquet rooms are ideal for any occasion. Reach out to info@1515wc.com to book your spot. And for a taste of what’s happening, follow us on Instagram @1515_restaurant.

Top review

PenelopeVIP

Dined on 7 Jan 2025

The place wasn't very busy, maybe because it was a Monday night. I got the crab cakes and it was excellent. The brussels sprout salad was also very good. Price is a bit more expensive but everything we had was pretty tasty.

Izzy's Steaks & Chops - San Francisco

4.3

4.3 (1070)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Izzy’s Steaks & Chops is a second-generation, family-owned dining destination that has become a beloved neighborhood establishment since its flagship location opened on Steiner Street in 1987. After a meticulous historic restoration and renovation, Izzy's will enter into its next chapter with a refreshed look and feel that honors the rich history of San Francisco and the longtime legacy of the restaurant. Helmed by Chef Daniel Lucero, Izzy’s dynamic menu celebrates traditional steakhouse fare, featuring fresh interpretations of the classics. You'll find a selection of steaks & chops, local seafood, regional wines, and inventive cocktails.

You can also dine with us at our San Carlos location: www.izzysonthepeninsula.com

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 21 Oct 2023

Service and food was great! Easy location we will definitely be back

Sens Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1354)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Sens is French for the word meaning "Sense," which refers to the faculties of sight, sound, smell, and taste that humans perceive this as stimuli originating from the body inside and out.

At Sens we love the process of cooking and its end result, complete happiness. Our inspiration is that of the Mediterranean with its diverse cultures and cuisines. Our goal is not to redefine or reinvent their cuisine but rather to refine and create delicious and beautiful food. We use only the finest local ingredients and exotic spices to elevate our classic and modern techniques. Our destination is and will always be the same, to develop and perfect the flavor, fragrance, texture and composition of each dish while creating a unique and unforgettable experience.

Welcome to Sens.

Top review

maryVIP

Dined on 19 Dec 2024

Fabulous food and service - famous salad was over the top with salmon!

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Experience

Fried Chicken Fridays

Experience

Valentine's Day at Sens

COQUETA - San Francisco

4.8

4.8 (3385)

$50 and over

Spanish

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Brought to you by Award Winning Chef Michael Chiarello and located at Pier 5 on the bustling San Francisco Waterfront, Coqueta is inspired by the cuisines of Spain. Chef Chiarello feels that Spain’s signature ‘small plates’ coupled with the social vibrancy of their dining scene is the perfect combination for San Francisco, which has its own deep-rooted history with the country. Focusing on regional dishes from Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country and beyond, the menu will feature Chiarello's interpretation of traditional Spanish cuisine and, as has always been his tradition, will highlight the bounty of fresh, local ingredients from land and sea.

Coqueta means “flirt” or “infatuation” in Spanish, and represents Michael Chiarello and his team’s exploration and interpretation of Spanish Cuisine, wine and inspired cocktails, while highlighting the bounty of Northern California.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent as always. Great wine selection! Excellent service too!

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4.2

4.2 (1295)

$30 and under

Seafood

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar, a historic wharf restaurant and bar, continues to serves fresh seafood and good drinks to locals and visitors alike.

Family owned for nearly 35 years, Pier 23 Cafe takes an innovative approach to San Francisco’s traditional seafood dishes. It’s a tried and true establishment that captures the essence of the City and its waterfront history in food, service, and picturesque waterside setting.

Soak up the California sun and the beautiful San Francisco Bay views from our Beer Garden & Waterside patio or city views of Telegraph Hill and the Embarcadero from our sidewalk tables.

Top review

libby

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

Close to the exploratorium. Good beer selection. Fish tacos are goood! Something for everyone. Kids menu

The Brixton

4.3

4.3 (523)

$31 to $50

American

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Nestled in the iconic Marina district, The Brixton offers a modern gastropub experience with a vibrant, edgy ambiance. Renowned Chef Joey Altman has curated an exciting new menu that caters to all tastes, featuring everything from savory chops to a delightful sushi stack selection. With its bright and inviting design, The Brixton is the perfect spot to relax and stay awhile.

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Top review

Renee

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

Love the friendly service and the food. We've ordered multiple dishes for brunch and dinner and the food was overall very tasty. Cocktails are good too!

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Experience

Happy Hour

Oeste

4.6

4.6 (63)

$30 and under

American

Oakland

About the restaurant

Oeste is a 100 seat bar and kitchen with a rooftop deck, located in the heart of Old Oakland. At Oeste, we are committed to providing an inviting and inclusive atmosphere, offering food for the soul, and pouring the highest quality spirits, wines and beers. We offer exemplary dishes by focusing on fresh, organic and sustainably farmed ingredients, fusing California cuisine with Latin, Southern and Asian influences. Enjoy one of our signature tap margaritas while lounging on the deck or watching a Warriors game at the bar.

Come solo or with friends and family and enjoy what Oeste has to offer!

Top review

Camela

Dined 5 days ago

We went on a Saturday night at 8 p.m. Maja was our server and we had a great time. Our experience was 10/10. From the drinks to the atmosphere we enjoyed every second and stayed until they closed. We'll definitely be back.

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