The 45 Best Restaurants in San Francisco

The 45 Best Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco is a top place to visit for its art, culture, and eating options, whether you enjoy historical or modern vacations. It is unquestionably one of the world’s top cities for food. You cannot go wrong here, whether you are a Michelin star expert or looking for good affordable food. San Francisco’s top eateries range from cutting-edge and contemporary to traditional and cozy. Small but well constructed, the city is brimming with fantastic dining options from The Mission to Chinatown, and everywhere in between. It can be difficult to choose where to eat in San Francisco, but our list can guide you. Our top recommendations for the city’s best restaurants highlight dining establishments that are creative, dependable, fresh, and most importantly, memorable. Most menus frequently use California’s regional ingredients and traditional cooking methods in a variety of cuisines, including Thai, hearty vegetarian, American classics, fine dining, Mexican comfort food, and more. Here are a handful of the top restaurants in San Francisco right now to help you decide which ones to try first. 

Read also; The best Food markets in San Francisco

Top Casual Dining Places in San Francisco

1. Liholiho Yacht Club

This elegant bistro combines Hawaiian, Californian, and Chinese influences. Walking through the door is like taking the first sip of a mai tai and knowing you’re ready to have fun because it’s powerful, vibrant, and hits your palate. You won’t find identical dishes anywhere else in the city when it comes to their food. Everything on the plate, from the roasted octopus with curry raisins, castelvetrano olives, butterball potatoes, and fresh coriander to the duck liver toast with jalapeno and pickled pineapple, is the creation of chef Ravi Kapur.

practical information

address: 871 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-9 pm

website: Liholiho Yacht Club

2. Tartine Inner Sunset

If not for the line in front of Tartine Bakery, it would be virtually effortless to pass it by when strolling through the hazy Inner Sunset neighborhood. The third San Francisco outpost of the bakery powerhouse offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch with specialties including coddled eggs with trout roe, smrrebrd (open-faced sandwiches), and the well-known leavened flatbreads. The pastry case, which is packed with morning buns, pain au chocolat, frangipane croissants, and salted buckwheat cookies, is always the holy grail.

practical information

address:1226 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States

hours:mon-sun; 8 am-4 pm

phone:+1 415-742-5005

website: Tartine Inner Sunset

3. State Bird Provisions

The most discerning eaters in San Francisco frequent this 45-seat industrial-chic restaurant, so plan to make a reservation far in advance. Throughout dinner service, carts that look like dim sum are used to deliver the food to diners. The chef has a talent for combining unusual flavors in unexpected ways, such as hog belly with citrus salad and the state bird’s namesake (quail) with supplies. Portugal to Hungary are represented on the wine list, and the majority of the bottles cost between $60 and $200.

practical information

address:1529 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States

hours:sun-thur;5:30-10 pm/fri-sat;5:30-10:30 pm

phone:+1 415-795-1272

website: State Bird Provisions

4. Brenda’s Meat & Three

Brenda’s Meat & Three is like entering another world, one where the grits are always cheesy, the biscuits impossibly flaky, and the potatoes skillfully mashed. Three square meals are served here every day, which is spectacular in and of itself, but it’s at supper that you can really taste the New Orleans heritage of owner Brenda Buenviajé. A menu board mounted high on the wall lists the day’s meat selections, which always include some of the best-fried chicken in the area in addition to changing options like fried catfish and shrimp etouffée.

Practical information

address:919 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States

hours:mon-sun; 8 am-9 pm

phone:+1 415-926-8657

website: Brenda’s Meat & Three

5. Lazy Bear

This well-liked pop-up-turned-restaurant is proof of chef David Barzelay’s talent for creating a memorable dining experience. The 1950s-era supper club idea of the restaurant is made comfortable by the midcentury setting. Each of the 15 meals is introduced by the chef as they come out, creating a presentation that is both theatrical and welcoming. Even though the menu is continuously changing, you can anticipate dishes like bay scallops with celtuce, pine nuts, and small gem and porcini with egg yolk fudge in a wild mushroom broth.

practical information

address:3416 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-874-9921

website: Lazy Bear

6. Rich Table

Even though Rich Table is located in exclusive Hayes Valley, the moment one enters the restaurant, they are taken to a rustic farmhouse. However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to try some of the menu’s best items. In reality, the “bits” area features some of their most well-known dishes, such as the sardine chips with horseradish creme fraîche and the dry porcini doughnuts with raclette. Always remember to save space for dessert.

practical information

address: 199 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-355-9085

website: Rich Table

7. House of Prime Rib

This vintage Nob Hill favorite, dating nearly 70 years, takes you back to a time before plating with tweezers became common. The restaurant’s name says it all: House of Prime Rib serves roast prime rib, and it does it exceptionally well. There are only four options; mashed or loaded baked potatoes, martini or Manhattan, meat temperature, and cut thickness. Each plate includes a salad (made at the table), potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, creamed spinach, and, of course, a monstrous hunk of beef from one of the wheeled meat carts.

practical information

address: 1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

hours:mon-fri;5-10 pm/sat-sun;4-10 pm

phone:+1 415-885-4605

website: House of Prime Rib

8. Octavia

There are certain recurring themes in the Octavia menu, with dishes like Brentwood corn lasagna with sweet corn and vibrant chiles and fresh mozzarella with Jimmy Nardellos showcasing the diversity of Northern California’s richness. The window-fronted area is still as vivacious and opulent as ever, and structural arrangements by cult-favorite florist the Petaler serve as accents.

practical information

address:1701 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-9:15 pm

phone:+1 415-408-7507

website: Octavia

9. Boulevard

After a thorough remodeling by renowned designer Ken Fulk, this iconic San Francisco restaurant recovered from the epidemic with greater impressiveness than before. Settling into a plush peacock blue booth under the warm glow of romantic spotlighting will allow you to enjoy a multi-course prix fixe dinner prepared by owner and chef Nancy Oakes and Dana Younkin. Dishes rotate frequently but adhere to the California ideal of seasonal and local.

practical information

address:1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-9:30 pm

phone:+1 415-543-6084

website: BOULEVARD

10. Zuni Cafe

No matter how well-known Zuni is or how many times you’ve been there, entering it feels like stumbling onto a hidden gem. This two-story bistro embodies old-fashioned, romantic San Francisco, complete with suited bartenders and soothing, live piano music. People adore the meal because it is traditional and well-thought-out, not because it is hip or fashionable. Californian cuisine with significant French and Italian influences is served. Long legendary and well worth the hour’s wait, the chicken for two is roasted in a wood-fired brick oven and served with a warm bread salad of scallions, garlic, mustard greens, dried currants, and pine nuts.

practical information

address:1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

hours:wed-sun; 11 am-5 pm,5:30-10 pm

phone:+1 415-552-2522

website: Zuni Café

11. Nopa

This enormous room has an almost high-end food hall vibe to it. It has a huge bar, lofty ceilings, and a ton of natural light. The communal tables, however, offer the nicest seating in the house, so if you’re prepared to put some effort into getting a seat, Nopa is a terrific place to have a meal with friends. Coming here and not getting their renowned wood-grilled hamburger, served for brunch and evening, is nearly immoral. The flatbread with chorizo, onions, arugula, and ricotta on top is another favorite. However, it will be loud and noisy, so come prepared.

practical information

address:560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States

hours:sun-thur;5:30-10 pm/fri-sat;5:30-11 pm

phone: +1 415-864-8643

website: Nopa

12. AL’s Place

Although AL’s Place has a distinctive brilliant blue facade on grimy Valencia Street, the interior is a contemporary minimalist haven. Baby blue tiled floors, modern wood seats and tables, and cheeky flashes of color are all present throughout this renovated cafe. Even two of the 30 seats can be very impossible to reserve on a Friday or a Saturday, but it’s worth a shot for vegetarians or detoxers who still want to indulge. AL’s Place, which Bon Appétit named Best New Restaurant of the Year in 2015, continues to wow with its inventive ways of promoting vegetables. Order the campanelle with smoked fumet and turnip-kimchi pesto or the pear curry with black lime fish. For daring diners, the brine-pickled French fries with smoked apple sauce are a must.

practical information

address:1499 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

phone:+1 415-416-6136

San Francisco’s Top Asian Eateries

13. Mister Jiu’s

The cuisine of Chef Brandon Jew, who got his start at Bar Agricole, is a creative western interpretation of traditional Cantonese cuisine. Mister Jiu’s overlooks Chinatown from its light-filled, East-meets-West interior with floor-length windows. While the restaurant’s modern hardwood tables with lazy Susans for communal dining bring it into the present, salvaged gold floral chandeliers pay homage to its past. Bring a crew if you have one since the large tables allow family gatherings or special celebrations.

practical information

address:28 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-857-9688

website: MISTER JIU’S

14. Hawker Fare

Customers are encouraged to be noisy, have fun, and eat the fried chicken and Isaan-style pork sausage at the Thai restaurant Hawker Fare with their hands. Chef Jame Syhabout’s Commis possesses Oakland’s only Michelin stars. Check out their upstairs bar, Holy Mountain, if you’re looking for a quiet, gloomy hangout that was influenced by Alejandro Jodorowsky’s art.

Read also; 10 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in San Francisco

practical information

address:680 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

hours:sun-thur;5-10 pm/fri-sat;5-11 pm

phone:+1 415-400-5699

website: Hawker Fare

15. ROOH SF

A royal-purple and cobalt-blue backdrop are emphasized by crimson drapes and yellow walls in the modern Indian restaurant Rooh, which has a color scheme that is just as vibrant and alluring as the food. The food is amazing since it is prepared using ayurveda (holistic medicine) principles. The masala-jackfruit taco, duck seekh kebab, and tandoori octopus are some of the savory mini plates that are served after colorful sharing platters of chutneys, yogurts, and kulcha. Keep room for the Bombay vada scotch egg with tomato kut and butter powder, though.

practical information

address:333 Brannan St #150, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States

hours:sun-thur;5-9:30 pm/fri-sat;5:30-10 pm

phone:+1 415-525-4174

website: ROOH SF

16. Rintaro

On the West Coast, Rintaro comes the closest to simulating a Shibuya izakaya atmosphere. Years of training with Alice Waters are evident in Sylvan Mishima Brackett’s cuisine, which is a fusion of fresh California cooking and traditional Japanese izakaya. His affordable menu allows you to select a variety of dishes, including some you might usually skip, such as the skewered strange pieces (gizzards, heart, liver), any of the hand-rolled udons, or any of the udon noodle varieties.

practical information

address:82 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

phone:+1 415-589-7022

website: Rintaro

17. China Live

A refined way to enjoy everything San Francisco’s Chinatown has to offer is to visit George Chen’s enormous Chinese cuisine shop. However, this is definitely your best option for a one-stop shop if you want to experience a range of foods, like charred Chinese broccoli, Peking duck, soup dumplings, and fried scallion pancakes.  Additionally, because the kitchen is open, you can see the culinary staff making rice in a wok and wrapping dumplings. Don’t forget to stop at the market on the way out to stock up on homemade condiments, and if you want to stay out later, head to the upstairs bar Cold Drinks Bar, where the menu is dominated by smoky cocktails prepared with scotch.

practical information

address:644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

hours:sun-thur;5-9:30 pm/fri-sat;5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-788-8188

website: China Live

18. Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup

At this popular Korean restaurant in San Francisco’s Japantown, there may be a two-hour wait for a table during dinner rush, and nearly every item on the menu includes beef in some form: Beef bibimbap, kalbi tang (or beef rib soup), seolleongtang (the ox bone soup famous for curing hangovers), and, if all of that isn’t enough for you, boiled beef brisket that you can order as an appetizer. The kalbijjim, a fall-off-the-bone, slow-braised beef short rib stew that is Daeho’s claim to fame, is the star of the show and possibly the entire Korean restaurant scene in the city.

practical information

address:3995 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States

hours:mon-sun; 11 am-8 pm

phone: +1 628-895-0505

website:Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup

19. Mandalay Restaurant

One of the great Burmese restaurant cities in the U.S. is San Francisco, and while it’s not the flashiest or busiest, Mandalay might be the best of the bunch. It makes the fewest concessions to Western palates, which usually means bigger punchier flavors. Try the flavorful samosa soup or any of the fragrant noodle dishes, but whatever you do, don’t miss the best-fermented tea leaf salad in town. This version of the classic is available without lettuce or cabbage to tame the deliciously pungent flavors or diminish the outrageous crunch of the nuts and seeds.

practical information

address:4348 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

hours: mon and wed-thur;4-8:30 pm/fri-sat; 11:30 am-9 pm/sun; 11:30 am-8:30 pm

phone:+1 415-386-3896

website: MANDALAY RESTAURANT

20. Prubechu

San Francisco’s only Guamanian restaurant, which was reborn at its Mission location last year, continues to educate newcomers to Chamorro cuisine through delectable dishes like tinaktak, a dish akin to stroganoff with egg noodles, pork ribs over red rice, and a variety of kelaguen, or flatbread-like ceviches, which are served here like tacos.

practical information

address:2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

hours:wed-sat;12-3 pm,5-9:30 PM/sun; 11 am-3 pm

phone:+1 415-853-0671

website: Prubechu

21. Ju-Ni

The 18-course omakase menu at Ju-Ni is cheap and includes fish that is imported from Tokyo’s renowned Tsukiji fish market, which is a sure sign that the restaurant takes its food seriously. Give the chef complete control of your trust; you’ll be glad you did. The counter seating makes it possible to participate in the performance while seeing the meal being prepared. Even the most apprehensive diner may feel at ease thanks to the restaurant’s quaint, Eastern-inspired decor and compact (12-seat!) sushi bar. 

practical information

address:1335 Fulton St #101, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-655-9924

website: Ju-Ni

22. Lucca Delicatessen

Since 1929, this traditional Italian-American deli has been slicing and stacking sandwiches for the serious sandwich lovers of San Francisco. Everyone has a favorite special, from the Pat Burrell roast beef with pepper jack and peppers to the #1 Italian Combo with salami, ham, mortadella, and provolone. Salami hangs from the rafters and cheese wheels weigh down the shelves. The smart strategy is to get a box of ravioli to take home for dinner and a sandwich for lunch.

practical information

address:2120 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States

hours:mon-sun; 9 am-6 pm

phone:+1 415-921-7873

website: Lucca Delicatessen

23. Mamahuhu

When chef Brandon Jew launches a new eatery, you can be sure the interior will be just as fashionable as the fare. Open rafters, light pink, and vivid teal tiles act as visual starters for the next meal. With crispy rice-battered free-range chicken, pineapple, honey, and hawthorn, Jew’s sweet and sour chicken is a house specialty for good reason. The black sesame banana cake with white sesame cream for dessert and the mushroom mapo tofu with shiitake and fermented chile are also standouts.

practical information

address:517 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

hours:mon-sun;11:30 am-9 pm

phone:+1 415-742-4958

website: Mamahuhu

24. Restaurant Nisei

Former Californios star David Yoshimura draws inspiration from his Japanese-American upbringing for Nisei, his Michelin-starred first restaurant serving Japanese soul food. With its white booths and inky black walls covered in vivid local paintings, the dining area is a tranquil haven. In the kitchen, Yoshimura and his staff wrap buttery uni, sweet Brentwood corn, and fermented blueberries in sheets of glossy nori, and tuck a fresh oyster into a foamy bed of English peas and wasabi. A selection of tsukemono may be served as the last dish of the 10-course tasting menu, along with a tiny cup of bone broth miso soup, duck fat rice, and a delicate rack of lamb.

practical information

address: 2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

hours:wed-sun;5-9 pm

phone:+1 415-827-6898

website: Restaurant Nisei

25. Good Luck Dim Sum

San Francisco is fortunate to have many top-notch dim sum alternatives, whether you’re in the mood for something traditional like Yank Sing or more contemporary like Dumpling Time. The best is dim sum. There is usually a line extending out the door on weekends because it is an inexpensive option and a community favorite. Be ready to place your order quickly and with cash. Take your lotus-leaf-wrapped sticky rice, shrimp-stuffed shumai, and fried sesame balls to Baker Beach or Golden Gate Park for spectacular views of the harbor and bridge.

practical information

address: 736 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

hours:wed-min; 8 am-4 pm

phone:+1 415-386-3388

26. PPQ Dungeness Island – San Francisco

No one does Vietnamese-style roast crab, coated in a metric ton of butter and garlic, better than this Richmond District tradition. If you indulge in a few of those crabs and a large plate of garlic noodles, any weeknight supper can feel like a great occasion.

practical information

address:2332 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States

hours: mon and wed-thur;4-9 pm/fri;4-9:30 pm/sat;12-9:30 pm/sun;12-9 pm

phone:+1 415-386-8266

website: PPQ Dungeness Island – San Francisco

27. Nari

This is a gourmet mecca, as seen by the queue of fashionable trendsetters waiting at the entry. This kind of audience makes time to visit every restaurant included on the city’s “best restaurants” lists. Try the Tangmo punch, a sweet and herbal cocktail made with Thai basil, aloe liqueur, and watermelon juice. Leave room for the full main dishes like the early girl tomatoes and pork cooked in a Northern Thai curry mixture and topped with crispy pork skins. The spicy bay squid with sticky pork jowls is a guaranteed choice in the beginnings area. The enthusiastic recommendations made by the workers are evident in them. Put your faith in them, and they won’t mislead you. 

Read also; The Best Ramen Restaurants in San Francisco

practical information

address:1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States

hours:wed-thur and sun;5:30-9 pm/fri-sat;5:30-9:30 pm

phone:+1 415-868-6274

website: Nari

San Francisco’s Top European Eateries

28. Cala

The interior of Cala is right out of La Condesa, Mexico City’s hipster-friendly modern neighborhood. This is due to the fact that Contramar’s executive chef Gabriela Cámara is a native of Mexico City. Every dish on the menu has the trifecta of classic ingredients, inventive technique, and beautiful presentation thanks to Chef Cámara. Consider a sweet potato that has been roasted until the center is creamy and the outside is crisped; it is served with warm tortillas and salsa negra made from bone marrow. Come for a laid-back evening of making new acquaintances at the common table (or bring your own).

practical information

address:149 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

phone: +1 415-660-7701

29. La Taqueria

Taquerias are viewed by San Franciscans as being similar to sports teams in that everyone has a favorite. Even though there are dozens of them in the Mission District, La Taqueria boasts some of the most devoted patrons. That’s because, despite consistently receiving praise for creating one of the best burritos in America, this no-frills, traditional taqueria keeps faithful to its roots. It is imperative that you order it El Dorado-style, which means pressing it on the grill until it is golden brown and just a little blistered, whether you choose carne asada (preferred), pollo, or vegetarian options. 

practical information

address:2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

hours:wed-sat; 11 am-8:45 pm/sun; 11 am-7:45 pm

phone:+1 415-285-7117

30. Tosca Cafe

Tosca combines Italian sensibilities with local, fresh foods from California. Don’t skip the tiramisu for dessert and be sure to get both the bucatini and the crispy pig ears. For drinkers, Tosca is renowned for its house cappuccino, which is made with cappuccino mix, cream, Armagnac, and bourbon rather than a real cappuccino. Although the larger booths make it a fantastic choice for larger gatherings as well, it’s a great place for date nights.

practical information

address: 242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

hours:tue-wed;5-10 pm/thur-sat;5-11 pm

phone:+1 415-986-9651

website: Tosca Cafe

31. Cotogna

This is the destination for superb, authentic Italian cuisine. Order the escarole in Gorgonzola dolce with fuyu persimmon from the antipasti section. Other options on the menu include pizza with wild nettle, ricotta della house, lemon, and homemade pappardelle with venison sugo. The wine selection, chosen by renowned sommelier David Lynch, offers a thorough exploration of Italian wines. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the food is amazing.

practical information

address:490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

hours:tue-sat; 11:30 am-9 pm

phone:+1 415-775-8508

website: Cotogna

32. Californios

In the spring of 2021, Val Cantu’s two Michelin-starred Californios returned with a brand-new location and the same ambitious tasting menu of superb food rooted in Mexican traditions. Cantu and his team honor Mexican ingredients and cooking methods in the former Bar Agricole location in SoMa. They elevate masa to new heights through in-house nixtamalization for handmade tortillas and take artistic license with dishes like puffed pieces of black masa topped with sea urchin and a grilled banana served with a dollop of caviar.

practical information

address:355 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-757-0994

website: Californios

33. Monsieur Benjamin

This upscale French bistro blends in perfectly with Hayes Valley’s contemporary setting. Inside, the restaurant’s sleek, angular design communicates the keen seriousness with which chef Corey Lee approaches his cuisine, while outside the doors, the symphony and other concert halls are located rather suitably. Seoul-born chef Corey Lee has established a modest but powerful restaurant empire in San Francisco, home to restaurants like Benu (modern American cuisine with three Michelin stars) and SFMoMa’s In Situ (global). Highlights include the duck confit, trout roe tartlet, and seafood sausage.

practical information

address: 451 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

hours:wed-thur;5-10 pm/fri-sat;5-11 pm/sun;12-2 pm,5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-403-2233

website: Monsieur Benjamin

34. Poc-Chuc Restaurant

This family-run regional Mexican restaurant in the Mission District specializes in dishes with Yucatecan and Mayan influences, so expect to eat a lot of smoky, citrus-marinated pork, intensely flavorful turkey mole (served in the Yucatecan style as an ink-black soup), and excellent handmade tortillas. Service is exceptionally kind and attentive.

practical information

address:2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

hours:mon-tue and wed-sat; 11 am-10 pm/sun;12-10 pm

phone:+1 415-558-1583

website: Poc-Chuc Restaurant

35. La Ciccia

It’s not surprising that La Ciccia attracts regulars given that it’s a neighborhood eatery. However, despite being so small, this restaurant has put together a sizable wine list, naturally with an Italian influence. The items typically come from southern Italy because Sicilian cuisine is the main focus of the menu. Even the most straightforward dishes, like the grilled calamari in basil oil or the white anchovies with oranges and onions, leave a lasting impression. It goes without saying that the pasta course shouldn’t be skipped. The staff at La Ciccia appears to treat each customer like a neighbor or maybe a distant relative.

Read also; 11 Best Italian Restaurants in San Francisco

practical information

address:291 30th St, San Francisco, CA 94131, United States

hours:tue-sat;5-9:30 pm

phone:+1 415-550-8114

website: La Ciccia

San Francisco’s Top Pastry Restaurants

36. Tartine Manufactory

This sleek and well-lit former warehouse offers a set-up where you can choose your own adventure. It advertises a bakery, a coffee shop, an ice cream stand, and a little wine bar. The general consensus is that there are no bad decisions to be made here, whether you’re stopping by for something from the bakery case (the pain suisse is a must), staying for lunch (in which case, order the coddled eggs with sea trout roe, fresh horseradish, and za’atar toast), or making it a destination dinner for the freshly milled durum pappardelle, lamb neck ragu, and ricotta.

practical information

address:595 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States

hours:mon-sun; 9 am-3 pm

phone:+1 415-757-0007

website: Tartine Manufactory 

37. Cinderella Bakery & Cafe

Richmond’s small cluster of Russian shops and restaurants has shrunk over time, but Cinderella Bakery & Cafe has survived, in large part because of its freshly made rye bread, puff pastry perogies, and exquisitely layered slices of honey cake. Avoid skipping the savory pelmeni Russian dumplings, which can and should be eaten with soup and a lot of sour creams.

practical information

address:436 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

hours:mon-sun; 7 am-7 pm

phone:+1 415-751-9690

website: Cinderella Bakery & Cafe

Best Fine Dining Places in San Francisco

38. Spruce

Spruce’s design is as fancy as San Francisco restaurant interiors come. Expect white tablecloths, leather chairs, a marbled bar, and dark tones all under a cathedral ceiling that are elegant without being stuffy. Even the alcohol bottles are arranged according to color. Californian cuisine permeates every aspect of the menu (try the spiced duck breast roasted to perfection, served with fennel marmalade, roasted beats, and pears).

practical information

address:3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

hours:mon-fri; 11:30 am-10 pm/sat-sun; 11 am-10 pm

phone:+1 415-931-5100

website: Spruce

39. Turntable at Lord Stanley

This elegant, bi-level space in Polk Gulch appears to have been pulled from the pages of Kinfolk. Both an à la carte menu and a seven-course tasting are available at Lord Stanley. Although they feature seafood and beef on the menu, the veggies stand out as some of the best in the city, with the base of the meal being European-Californian (as are the husband-and-wife chef team, who are from California and the UK). The tasting menu is always available with a vegetarian option. Highlights include the roasted sunchoke tart with black garlic and hen of the woods as well as the aged gouda puffs with piccalilli. Although the location is well-liked for special occasions, it is not stuffy or pretentious. Instead, it attracts urban cool locals.

practical information

address:2065 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

hours:tue-sat;12-9 pm

phone:+1 415-518-2624

website: Turntable at Lord Stanley

San Francisco’s top Mediterranean Eateries

40. Pearl 6101

Without a doubt, despite the atmosphere is casual, the cocktails are dressed up. For instance, the martini has aqua vitae and a sea bean garnish. Although the meal selection initially appears to be quite a straightforward caesar salad, Brussels sprouts, and sea bass, the creativity is in the execution. The cauliflower is served with a zing of black tahini hummus, the duck leg confit is served with tempting turmeric yogurt, and the small gem salad has exquisitely texturized avocado crème.

practical information

address:6101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States

hours:tue-sun;5-9 pm

phone:+1 415-592-9777

website: Pearl 6101

41. Kokkari Estiatorio

The atmosphere of this cozy, rustic Greek tavern, a popular stop between date-night dinners in Jackson Square and business lunches in the FiDi, is created by a fire in the hearth and birds spinning on the spit. The lemon-oregano lamb riblets and grilled entire fish of the day, as well as the crunchy zucchini cakes and quintet of creamy and fishy dips, are always a treat.

practical information

address:200 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States

hours:mon-thur; 11:30 am-2:30 pm,5-10 pm/fri; 11:30 am-2:30 pm,5-11 pm/sat;5-11 pm/sun;5-10 pm

phone: +1 415-981-0983

website: Kokkari Estiatorio

42. Aziza

For some time, the misty Outer Richmond has been home to this Moroccan-inspired eatery. It has just been revitalized with bright tilework and gentle lighting that evokes a Marrakech riad at dusk. A curated array of wines from southern Europe is presented on a single page, including carricante from Italy, assyrtiko from Santorini, and syrah from France. Additional California blends were added for good measure. Start with the roasted prawns that have been covered in garlic and hot harissa. A must-have is the basteeya, a traditional savory pastry stuffed with spicy almonds and chicken confit. The short ribs with shakshuka and pickled beans are filling and worth the calories.

practical information

address: 5800 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States

hours:wed-fri;5-10 pm/sat-sun; 10 am-2 pm,5-10 pm

phone:+1 415-682-4196

website: Aziza

Top Seafood Restaurants in San Francisco

43. Angler

A wood-burning hearth, modern lighting, dark wood, brick walls, and Bay Bridge views set the mood at Angler, a popular restaurant serving some of San Francisco’s best contemporary fish. Chef Joshua Skenes (of the three-Michelin-starred Saison) has once again exceeded himself with a cuisine that is microclimate-focused and uses products that are primarily gathered and fished nearby. A surf-and-turf raw bar offers dishes like purple sea urchin and antelope tartare that aren’t typically found in the metropolis (or any other city, for that matter).

practical information

address:132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States

hours: Thur-sat; 11:30 am-10 pm/sun-wed;5-9 pm

phone:+1 415-872-9442

website: Angler

44. Sotto Mare

Visitors and locals alike throng to Sotto Mare to sample the city’s most renowned seafood dish, cioppino, an Italian-American stew that Ligurian immigrants in North Beach are thought to have adapted. This retro, kitsch restaurant serves it on almost every table, in hefty silver bowls for two, brimming with somewhat spicy tomato soup, Dungeness crab, various Pacific seafood, and some penne spaghetti for good measure. The meal is completed with other seafood mainstays including Louie salads.

practical information

address: 552 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

hours:sun-thur; 11:30 am-9 pm/fri-sat; 11:30 am-10 pm

phone:+1 415-398-3181

website: Sotto Mare

45. Hog Island Oyster Co.

In this city by the water, there is no shortage of good seafood, but slurping briny bivalves at the Hog Island outpost within the iconic Ferry Building is a true rite of passage. You should arrive early (the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily) to enjoy platters of fresh oysters served over ice after being harvested from waters all along the West Coast. Plan ahead as the queue can stretch for an hour or more during peak hours. Add fried local anchovies, beautiful crudo, or a remarkable grilled cheese sandwich created with three different kinds of melted cheese to the feast to round it out. Whether you’re a native or just passing through town for the weekend, it’s a lunch to remember with a glass of bubbly in your hand and views of the bridge outside.

Practical information

address: Ferry Building, #11, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States

hours:mon-sun; 11 am-8 pm

phone:+1 415-391-7117

website: Hog Island Oyster Co.

San Franciscans have always had refined tastes, so chefs are constantly raising the bar. There are many Michelin Star-winning restaurants in the city (some of them are repeat winners), and the talent is just as strong outside the bridge.