01
Waterfront classic
Lara's Fine Dining
Marina Bay / Esplanade • Waterfront Seafood And Steakhouse • Best Special-Occasion Dinner
A polished waterfront restaurant with sweeping marina views and a seafood-heavy menu built for lingering dinners.
Set right on the water at Marina Bay, Lara’s feels like a mini getaway without leaving Richmond. The room is all big windows, white tablecloths, and a calm buzz from people celebrating birthdays and date nights. Come for crab cakes, grilled fish, and steaks, and stay for a sunset over the harbor and a lingering glass of wine.
02
Neighborhood favorite
The Artisan Kitchen & Cafe
Marina Bay Parkway • Daytime Café And Bistro • Best For Daytime Meetups
A bright, friendly café known for from-scratch breakfast, lunch, and Friday night dinners in an easygoing marina-side setting.
The Artisan Kitchen & Cafe is where Marina Bay locals grab coffee, a solid breakfast sandwich, or a fresh salad and soup combo at lunch. The counter-service setup keeps things relaxed, but the food is surprisingly thoughtful, from baked goods to rotating specials. It’s an easy choice for a casual meetup, remote work session, or low-key Friday dinner when you don’t want to cross a bridge for good food.
03
View-filled standout
Assemble
Craneway / Ford Point • Industrial-Chic Californian Restaurant • Best Bay-View Meal
A spacious, industrial-style spot in the historic Ford Point building serving Californian comfort food with dramatic bay and bridge views.
Housed next to the Craneway Pavilion on the waterfront, Assemble leans into its industrial setting with high ceilings, exposed beams, and big-picture windows. The menu runs through burgers, hearty salads, and shareable plates that suit everything from family lunches to relaxed group dinners. On a clear day, you get front-row views of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco that make even a simple burger and beer feel like an occasion.
04
Comfort go-to
Huong Tra Restaurant
23Rd Street Corridor • Casual Vietnamese Restaurant • Go-To Comfort Food
A no-frills Vietnamese spot beloved for generous portions of pho, rice plates, and stir-fries at very fair prices.
Huong Tra is the kind of place you find once and then keep in your regular rotation. The dining room is simple, but the menu is deep: steaming bowls of pho, crispy appetizers, and plenty of rice and noodle dishes that travel well for takeout. It’s especially handy on cool evenings or weeknights when you want something warming, flavorful, and reliably satisfying without dressing up.
05
Casual European escape
Gran Milan
Richmond Annex / Central Ave • Italian Bakery And Coffee Bar • Best Coffee And Pastry Stop
A lively Italian bakery-café turning out strong espresso, pastries, and light meals just off the freeway.
Gran Milan draws a steady mix of commuters, families, and East Bay food people for its Italian pastries and proper coffee. Glass cases are packed with croissants, focaccia, and sweets, while the kitchen sends out pizzas, sandwiches, and simple pasta plates. It’s perfect for a pre-errand cappuccino, a quick lunch near the Central Avenue shopping strip, or picking up pastries to bring to a gathering.