A Restaurant for Every Month: 12 Bucket-List Worthy Spots in Northern California

With each new year comes the opportunity to try new things—and that includes new restaurants and dining experiences in your home state. Who knows: Maybe this is the year you check some iconic spots off your dining bucket list. Northern California certainly has no shortage of them.

From classic down-home cooking to elegant, farm-to-table cuisines, there are so many dining options to choose from here in NorCal. Not sure where to begin? Check out this list of the 12 best restaurants in Northern California, one for each wonderful month of the year. Enjoy!

1. January: Enchanted Forest - Placerville

Start the year with a visit to one of the best themed restaurants in California. Enchanted Forest, located in Placerville, offers an immersive dining experience that combines a magical atmosphere with mouthwatering food. Enjoy wholesome dishes like sweet or savory crepes, hand pies, and homemade desserts. See why this is one of the best restaurants in Northern California, if not the entire West Coast.

2. February: Chez Panisse - Berkeley

In February, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. It's a chic and cozy space that serves a pre-fixed menu that changes every night, so you're guaranteed to enjoy something new and exciting each time. Plus, the chefs use sustainable, organic, and local ingredients, meaning you're truly getting a taste of NorCal. Reservations are highly encouraged—tables fill up fast at this romantic California restaurant.

3. March: Ritual at Manresa - Los Gatos

Located in Los Gatos is Rituals at Manresa, a one-of-a-kind dining experience often credited with being one of the best restaurants in all of California. It's an upscale establishment perfect for those once-in-a-lifetime kinds of meals, like engagements, anniversaries, and more. The farm-to-table menu options and gourmet plating make it a highly revered restaurant.

4. April: Nick's Restaurant - Rockaway Beach

Nick's Restaurant in Rockaway Beach treats guests to a front-row view of the ocean while they dine. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, Nick's offers a menu filled with comforting dishes like fish and chips, lobster tail, and Nick's Famous Grilled Crab Sandwich. We can't get enough of this seafood spot in Northern California, and we think you'll be just as attached by the end of your meal.

5. May: Terra Mar Kitchen - Albion

As the weather heats up in May, stop at another oceanfront restaurant for breathtaking views of the NorCal coast. Terra Mar Kitchen at the SCP Mendocino Lodge in Albion is home to an incredible restaurant that combines elevated farm-to-fork breakfast and dinner cuisine with seasonal produce. Its fancier atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for a special evening or date night.

6. June: The Wharf - Fort Bragg

Summer has officially begun, so let's celebrate with a visit to The Wharf, a favorite local establishment in Fort Bragg, California. The Wharf offers views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Noyo River and is the perfect summertime spot to grab a bite and check out the views. Dig into fresh seafood, steak, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more. Fans of unique nosh spots with fun perks will adore this one.

7. July: Buster's Southern BBQ - Calistoga

Is it even summer without delicious barbecue? Northern California has its share of great BBQ spots, but Buster's Southern BBQ in Calistoga is the best. Charles "Buster" Davis has been blessing California with his delicious Louisiana-style cuisine since 1965, and for good reason: he is amazing. This roadside restaurant consists of a gazebo and an outdoor patio, making it the ideal spot to chow down on some barbecue on a sunny summer day. It's truly the best barbecue in Northern California.

8. August: Sam's Chowder House - Half Moon Bay

Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay is a must-do for seafood lovers and even the not-so-seafood-lovers. Everything on the menu is wonderful, from the surf to the turf options. And of course, you'll find the best clam chowder in Northern California here—you'll forget you're not in New England!

9. September: Foreign Cinema - San Francisco

Since its opening in 1999, Foreign Cinema has solidified its status as the perfect date night in San Francisco. The atmosphere is magical—warm string lights and a massive movie screen take over the outdoor patio. The food is amazing, too, with the menu consisting of new American cuisine. Come out and watch a movie in style at this unique Northern California restaurant.

10. October: Kathrin's Biergarten - Rocklin

If you plan to partake in Oktoberfest, hit up Kathrin's Biergarten in Rocklin. Owned and operated by Kathrin Grosse, the restaurant proudly brings real German beer and cuisine to the community. The outdoor Biergarten is especially on-point, complete with large oak trees and family-style picnic tables. The cuisine can't be beat, featuring classic German dishes like jägerschnitzel and pretzels larger than your head. It's a great spot for authentic German food in Northern California.

11. November: Charles Street Dinner House - Mariposa

In November, we're planning a trip to Charles Street Dinner House, a rustic old steakhouse in Mariposa. The cozy restaurant gets many visitors on their way to nearby Yosemite. Boasting a Western theme and giant cuts of steak, it's definitely a great place to relax after a day full of adventure and exploring. One of the finest steakhouses in Northern California, this dinner house will most definitely satisfy.

12. December: Matterhorn Restaurant and Bakery - San Francisco

There's nothing better than a warm meal on a cold December night. In San Francisco, you can get just that at Matterhorn Restaurant and Bakery—an alpine-inspired dining experience right in the city. The ski lodge-esque spot exudes warmth and ultimate coziness, plus the array of authentic fondue will warm you up on the chilliest winter nights. It's truly an authentic Swiss restaurant in San Francisco that will quickly become one of your faves.

Have you been to any of these unique Northern California restaurants? If not, it's time to start planning your trips to visit them this year! For help finding the best lodging, nearby attractions, and sightseeing opportunities, try out Only In Your State's itinerary planner.