San Francisco Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in San Francisco - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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29 Recommendations
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1. Alta CA
$$$ | Civic Center | AmericanThe creation of lauded chef Daniel Patterson, this pretty restaurant has creativity to rival that of Patterson's Michelin-starred Coi, but a much less formal vibe. A 25-seat circular bar dominates the dining room, while small plates dominate the menu. The fried brussels sprouts are pure crunchy bliss, while the delicate homemade pierogi is a mainstay but with seasonal accents, like pumpkin. Located across from the Twitter and Uber HQs, it attracts the hoodies, but also the pretheater crowd. This is one of the city's few great food experiences after midnight on weekends.
1420 Market St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-590–2585Known For
- Homemade pierogi with seasonal fillings
- Creative cuisine
- Good cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed for lunch on weekends, Closed Sun. -
2. La Ciccia
$$ | Noe Valley |This charming neighborhood trattoria is the only restaurant in the city exclusively serving Sardinian food. The island's classics are all represented—octopus stew in a spicy tomato sauce; spaghetti with bottariga (cured roe); and macaroni with sea urchin and cured tuna heart. Many choices on the extensive wine list are Sardinian. The staff is both friendly and efficient. This is not only a locals' favorite, but a restaurant industry one as well, so book seats in this unassuming spot in advance. Ask for a table on the lovely, light-speckled patio to set the mood for a romantic date night.
291 30th St., San Francisco, California, 94131, USA415-550–8114Known For
- Romantic patio dining
- Restaurant industry favorite
- Extensive wine list including Sardinian wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch -
3. Nightbird
$$$$ | Hayes Valley |Chef-owner Kim Alter's solo debut is this small, charming, seasonally focused tasting-menu destination that is an oasis of calm away from the frantic traffic of Gough Street. The five-course-plus-five-bite menus are beautifully orchestrated, served by a staff that seems to always anticipate the next question or request, making this one of the more relaxed splurges of San Francisco's gastronomic elite restaurants.
330 Gough St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-829–7565Known For
- Quail egg amuse-bouche
- Tiny art-deco adjacent bar, Linden Room
- Timing adjusted for diners with tickets to a show
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch -
4. Rich Table
$$$ | Hayes Valley |Sardine chips and porcini doughnuts are popular bites at co-chef Evan and Sarah Rich's lively, creative restaurant; mains are also clever stunners, including pastas like the sea urchin cacio e pepe. The room's weathered-wood wallboards, repurposed from a Northern California sawmill, give it a homey vibe. There's a nice selection of wines by the glass and artisanal cocktails. Reservations are not an easy acquisition, but twelve bar seats are available for walk-ins. Try their fast-casual option a block away, RT Rotisserie, if you need a quick pre-theater sandwich or roast chicken plate.
199 Gough St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-355–9085Known For
- Tough-to-get reservations
- Freshly baked bread
- Seasonal ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential -
5. Zuni Café
$$$ | Hayes Valley |After one bite of Zuni's succulent brick-oven-roasted whole chicken with warm bread salad, you'll understand why the two-floor café is a perennial star. Its long copper bar is a hub for a disparate mix of patrons who commune over oysters on the half shell and cocktails and wine. Nearly as famous as the chicken are the Caesar salad with house-cured anchovies and the chocolatey flourless gâteau Victoire. The most cheerful spot to sit is at the tip of the pyramid window near the bar, easier to score if you plan a late lunch.
1658 Market St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-552–2522Known For
- Seasonal Californian cooking at its best
- Under-the-radar lunch and late-night burger
- Beloved margarita
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Arlequin
$$ | Hayes Valley | AmericanFor lunch on the go, don't submit to fast food when you've got Arlequin, the café offshoot of trendy Absinthe. Whatever you choose—breakfast, a hot or cold sandwich, lamb burger, roasted chicken—take it back to the lovely outdoor patio, a surprising oasis that makes Arlequin a standout.
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7. Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
$ | Noe Valley |The Noe Valley location of this family-friendly California burger chain offers a cozy indoor-outdoor dining area, the latter really a patio encased in glass windows for watching foot traffic along 24th Street. The ample menu is loaded with fancier versions of diner classics—think the Gastropub burger, with a fried egg and a pretzel bun, or the Maui Waui, with a teriyaki glaze and grilled pineapple. There are a variety of vegetarian burgers, tossed salads, and, of course, every kind of fry.
4138 24th St., San Francisco, California, 941114, USA415-282--7770Known For
- All kinds of fries
- Vegetarian options
- Delicious milk shakes
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8. Blue Bottle Coffee
$ | Hayes Valley |Hidden away on a side street by Patricia's Green is this modest kiosk where the organic beans are ground for each cup and the espresso is automatically ristretto—a short shot. While Blue Bottle is now a global juggernaut (the blue, boutique equivalent of the green mermaid chain, as locals like to say), Linden Street was the first brick-and-mortar shop, and it's still a San Francisco coffee lover's favorite.
315 Linden St., San Francisco, California, USAKnown For
- Where it all started
- Intense dedication to quality coffee
- Must-stop on a Hayes Valley tour
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9. Cafe Flore
$ | Castro | CaféSometimes referred to as Cafe Floorshow because it's such a see-and-be-seen place, Cafe Flore serves coffee drinks, beer, and tasty café fare. It's a good place to catch the latest Castro gossip.
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10. Castro Coffee Company
$ | Castro |The knowledgeable staff at this small storefront pours a perfect latte, Turkish coffee, or French roast. It's the best place in the neighborhood to grab a pound of beans or a cup of quality coffee to go.
427 Castro St., San Francisco, California, 94114, USA415-552–6676Known For
- Solid variety of excellent coffee drinks
- Reasonable prices
- Friendly service
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11. Cha Cha Cha
$$ | Haight |This boisterous institution serves island cuisine—a mix of Cajun, Southwestern, and Caribbean influences—tapas style, in a setting with Technicolor tropical plastic decor. The food is hot and spicy: try the fried calamari or chili-spiked Cajun shrimp, and wash everything down with a pitcher of Cha Cha Cha's signature sangria. Reservations are not accepted, so expect a wait for dinner.
1801 Haight St., San Francisco, California, 94117, USA415-386–7670Known For
- Worthy ceviche and paella mixta
- Ropa vieja (stewed shredded beef and vegetables)
- Long but quick-moving lines
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12. Chow
$ | Castro | AmericanThis consistently popular and consciously unpretentious, funky-yet-savvy diner serves standards like hamburgers, pizzas, and spaghetti with meatballs, all treated with culinary respect. More budget-friendly than some of the area's other options, it has built its reputation on honest and approachable fare. Diners will discover Mexican- and Asian-style dishes mixed in with the primarily American/Italian menu (the silky wontons are popular), all-day brunch, and a nice list of salads. Don't even think about leaving without trying the ginger cake with caramel sauce. The wine list has some well-chosen picks.
215 Church St., San Francisco, California, 94114, USA415-552–2469Known For
- Diner-style food
- Good value
- Fresh ingredients
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13. Dinosaurs
$ | Castro |This small Castro storefront serves up exceptionally fresh banh mi and rockin' spring rolls. Service is quick, and a couple of tables take in the scene on Market Street.
2275 Market St., San Francisco, California, 94114, USA415-503–1421Known For
- Special banh mi with three kinds of pork
- Vegetarian options
- Smoothies and Vietnamese iced coffee
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14. Flywheel Coffee Roasters
$ | Haight |Family-owned, this light-filled café with a view of Golden Gate Park roasts its beans in-house for a great cuppa. The cold brew is very good, and the food includes vegan options.
672 Stanyan St., San Francisco, California, USAKnown For
- Cold brew and siphon coffee
- Airy, artsy-rustic space
- Location overlooking the park
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15. Frances
$$$$ | Castro |One of the hottest tickets in town, chef Melissa Perello's simple, sublime restaurant is a consummate date-night destination. Perello's seasonal California-French cooking is its own enduring love affair, with standouts including the savory bavette steak, grilled Sakura pork chop, and panisse frites. For dessert, the lumberjack cake is a perennial favorite. The space has a limited number of tables, the tasting menu changes weekly, and service is professional and warm.
3870 17th St., San Francisco, California, 94114, USA415-621–3870Known For
- Lumberjack cake
- Neighborhood gem
- Reasonably priced tasting menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential -
16. Hayes Street Grill
$$$ | Hayes Valley |You'll snag a table if you arrive at this longtime (since 1979) standby just as music lovers are folding their napkins and heading off for a show at the nearby Opera House or SFJAZZ Center. Fresh, sustainable, often local seafood lures the faithful here, as well as peak seasonal produce from the nearby region. Much of the fish—yellowtail, salmon, swordfish—is grilled and served with a choice of sauces, from beurre blanc to lemon-and-caper butter. Brass coat hooks, white tablecloths, a long bar, and a mix of banquettes and tables define the traditional San Francisco look.
320 Hayes St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-863–5545Known For
- Simple yet excellent fish preparations
- Choice of sauces
- White-tablecloth dining in timeless atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed most Mon.–Wed. except opera and symphony performance days -
17. Jardinière
$$$$ | Hayes Valley | FrenchFamed chef Traci Des Jardins’ restaurant is so sophisticated you may as well be eating at the nearby Opera House. An eye-catching curving staircase leads to an oval atrium, where locals and out-of-towners alike indulge in French-Californian dishes, such as foie gras terrine or sorrel soup. Downstairs is the bar, with artisanal cocktails and smaller plates.
300 Grove St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-861–5555Known For
- French technique
- Pre-opera dining
- Romantic ambience
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
18. Loquat
$ | Hayes Valley |This charming bakery, done in pinks and pressed tin, features treats by Tartine Bakery alum Kristina Costa that reflect the Jewish diaspora. With tempting cakes lining the marble counter and display cases full of tarts, cookies, babka, and other pastries, you'll be hard-pressed to get away without trying more than one. The Four Barrel coffee is excellent, and the line moves quickly, so don't be discouraged if it stretches out the door.
198 Gough St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-994–6594Known For
- To-die-for cinnamon date sugar babka
- Savory bourekas, great for picnics
- Long lines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner -
19. Lovejoy's Tea Room
$$ | Noe Valley |The tearoom is a homey jumble, with its lace-covered tables, couches, and mismatched chairs set among the antiques for sale. High tea and cream tea are served, along with traditional English-tearoom "fayre," such as crustless sandwiches, scones, crumpets, and shepherd's pie. It's all quite cozy. The antiques shop across the street is a fun browse for teas and vintage teacups.
1351 Church St., San Francisco, California, USAKnown For
- Comfy-chic vibe
- Classic English high tea
- Lovejoy's Antiques, across the street
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No dinner -
20. Nojo Ramen Tavern
$$ | Hayes Valley |For a little bonhomie before the symphony, it's hard to go wrong with this buzzy (and typically crowded) ramen spot. Noodles are the star of the menu, and deservedly so, but you'll also find izakaya-style small plates, including pot stickers and chicken fritters. Seating is at a premium in the mod Japanese/San Franciscan dining room with windows overlooking Franklin Street.
231 Franklin St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA415-896–4587Known For
- Ramen with chicken-based (paitan) broth
- Comfort food like chicken teriyaki
- Long lines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch weekdays
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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