Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in 2021 Includes Two Bay Area Eateries
Yelp released its annual list of America’s Top 100 Places to Eat in 2021, which has become a yearly event for foodies. The list is different from other national culinary lists because it uses Yelp reviews around the country, combined with local culinary experts to compile a list of local fine dining, small food purveyors and hidden gems.
This year’s list is a little disappointing for Northern California foodies. The 2020 list including 8 spots around NorCal, including in Roseville, Woodland and the Bay Area. This year, NorCal only has two restaurants on the list, both hailing from the Bay Area. Let’s see which eateries made this year’s list:
#2: Mazra – San Bruno, CA
Although NorCal didn’t have a lot of representation on this list, this South Bay Mediterranean joint earned the #2 overall spot. Located just minutes from the San Francisco Airport, Mazra specializes in wood-fired meats, rotisserie chicken, wraps and seasonal mezzas.
Opening in the middle of the 2020 pandemic, the restaurant has quickly amazed foodies with its dishes. Here are a couple reviews from Yelp users:
“Their food is just so good! Best fries ever! Best fries ever! Best fries ever!” – Melody L.
“Okay, look, there are some solid middle eastern food in the Bay Area, but none, I mean NONE come close to comparing what we just experienced at Mazra.” – Danielle K.
“Overall this place is a MUST try! Huge shout out to Troy, and the hardworking team at Mazra! The food is delicious, fresh, authentic, and love supporting a local place! Already cant wait to go back… *DROOL*” – Brendon N.
#36: Creekwood – Berkeley, CA
This Berkeley restaurant is amazing visitors with its unique take on classic Italian dishes. With it’s growing popularity in the East Bay, along with its “travelability” during the Covid pandemic, Creekwood was able to make #36 on the annual list.
You’ll hear most visitors rave about the fried Gnudi, delectable gnocchi and wood fired pizza, along with its mouth-watering Italian breakfast. Here are some reviews by recent Yelp users:
“A nicely executed, affordable, well-rounded meal. Having been here before, I can attest to the fact that you can’t go wrong with anything: whether their pizze, apps, entrees, or desserts. Creekwood might be hidden in plain sight in this quieter section of town, but it’s well worth checking out even if you’re not from the immediate area!” – Vincent L.
“The food was absolutely delicious! I got the lamb shank and it came with a container of delicious sauce to pour on top, which I almost didn’t need because the lamb was so juicy itself. The carrot cake was also really tasty.” –
Emily F.
“Although their menu is small, you can tell they put a lot of time and effort into perfecting their dishes. We found their food to be full of flavor, yet still light! Our family of five ordered the Little Gem Salad, Roasted Beet Salad, Gnocchi, Steak Frites, Margherita Pizza, and Mushroom Pizza. I think their Roasted Beet Salad surprised me the most. It was just so refreshing on a hot summer day! My only complaint is that there seemed to be some miscommunication about the hand made pasta (that I really wanted to order) being sold out. Towards the end of our dinner we saw that the table behind us (that ordered after us) got the hand made pasta. I wish I could have tried it!” – Kaela D.
Annnnd that’s the complete list of NorCal restaurants who made the list in 2021. It’s too bad. We just have so much great food in the area that it’s unfortunate they don’t get more national accolades.
If you want some foodie inspiration, see the 8 restaurants that made the 2020 list.
