The 27 Best Restaurants in San Francisco
The City by the Bay has a well-deserved reputation as one of the country’s top dining cities. When it comes to the best San Francisco restaurants, there’s something for every taste. Needless to say, superb food is not just a way of life for residents, but also an essential part of the social fabric of the city. Whether it’s treating yourself to an over-the-top omakase lunch, slurping down bowls of comforting spaghetti pomodoro, or tucking into some of the best street tacos this side of the border, diverse cuisine is found in every neighborhood of San Francisco.
For visitors and residents alike, the options are overwhelming, and with an ever-evolving restaurant landscape, the choices are dizzying. We suggest you ask yourself what you’re craving, and then go find the satiating answer. Here are 28 picks to get you started. This list is by no means comprehensive, but the places you've got to try at least once.
Read our complete San Francisco travel guide here.
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.
Pete LeerestaurantMister Jiu's
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Gold List 2021Chef Brandon Jew cut his teeth at Bar Agricole, and his cuisine is an inspired western take on traditional Cantonese cooking. In an airy East-meets-West space with floor-length windows, Mister Jiu's looks out onto Chinatown. Salvaged gold floral chandeliers nod to the restaurant's history, while sleek wooden tables equipped with lazy Susans for communal dining bring it into the present. The spacious tables accommodate family occasions or special events, so bring a crew if you've got one.
Chad Santo TomasrestaurantCopra
$$The wow factor is high in the massive (two-story, 138-seat ) corner dining room whose design is all about texture. With a hint of the tropics and a boho chic style that would make a modern Stevie Nicks proud, Copra is an Instagram darling. Chef Srijith Gopinathan, formerly of Michelin-starred Campton Place, brings the flavors of his childhood in southern India and neighboring Sri Lanka to the table. You'll definitely want to go with people who don't mind sharing plates or listening to you ooh and ahh each time an artful dish is placed on the table. Definitely try the chutneys (tamarind, coconut green sambal, ghost chili chutney), the seafood curries, and the Rasam Poori, Gopinathan’s passion fruit riff on traditional rasam. If you like duck, the plantation duck leg simmered in green pepper masala is pretty life-changing.
Jean BairestaurantEmpress by Boon
$$$To get into the dining room, you’ll find a nondescript entrance on Grant Avenue and ride the elevator up to the sixth floor. Once the doors open, it's like entering a private club only you (and your fellow diners) know about—hovering over the chic lounge is a striking 24-foot-diameter, carved-wood pergola that was part of the bygone Chinese restaurant Empress of China, the space's former tenant. Modern Cantonese is how chef Boon sums up his prix-fixe menu of nine courses, mostly served family-style. It changes seasonally, but you’ll find cult classics like the Iberico ham soup dumplings and roasted crispy chicken are always around. Hint: you can dine a la carte in the bar and lounge, and don't need a reservation. You'll find some of the same items found on prix-fixe menu, and a few other tasty surprises such as steamed vegetarian dim sum and a crispy prawn roll.
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Zach HityrestaurantLiholiho Yacht Club
$$$This polished bistro is one part Hawaiian, one part Californian, and one part Chinese. Walking in the door is like the first sip of their Summertime Sling cocktail: It's vibrant, smooth, and you know you're about to have some fun. When it comes to the food, you won't find similar dishes anywhere else in the city. From the duck liver toast with jalapeño and pickled pineapple to the crispy, deep-fried shrimp fritters with shiso ranch dipping sauce and tuna poke with nori crackers, everything on the menu is conjured from the imagination of chef Ravi Kapur.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Brian FlahertyrestaurantTartine Manufactory
$$This bright former warehouse has a choose-your-own-adventure setup: It touts a bakery (this is Tartine after all), a coffee counter, an ice cream window, and a small wine bar. The rule of thumb here is that there are no wrong choices, whether you’re stopping in before work for a loaf of fresh-baked country bread, want to grab pastries for the office (the frangipane croissant might earn you a promotion), or want something fresh and satiating for lunch, in which case, order the smoked salmon tartine with whipped cream cheese and pickled mustard seed.
Ed AndersonrestaurantState Bird Provisions
$$$The 45-seat industrial-chic dining room is perpetually packed, so be prepared to make a reservation far in advance: San Francisco's most elite foodies eat here regularly. The food is served dim sum-style, with carts wheeling around the dining room throughout dinner service. The chef has a knack for finding eclectic flavors that pair surprisingly well together, like pork belly with citrus salad and the namesake state bird (quail) with provisions. The wine list includes bottles from across Europe from Portugal to Hungary, and most range between $60 to $200.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Kassie BorresonrestaurantLazy Bear
$$$This beloved pop-up-turned-restaurant is a testament to chef David Barzelay’s ability to host a dynamic dining experience that is as memorable as his food. The midcentury space provides a homey ambience for the restaurant’s theme: a 1950s-era supper club. A chef introduces each of the 15 courses as they arrive, making for a presentation that’s both theatrical and hospitable. Though the dishes are constantly changing, expect items like porcini with egg yolk fudge in a wild mushroom broth, and bay scallop with celtuce, pine nuts, and little gem.
Courtesy KokkarirestaurantKokkari Estiatorio
$$The place is big, with around 200 seats, and is always full. The front room is smaller and homey, with a quaint bar, while the adjacent dining room is boisterous and busy, with servers whizzing by to the open kitchen—there's usually chicken or lamb turning in view on the spit. This is a great place to share and, as it's a Greek restaurant, lamb is recommended and always done right, whether it's meatballs, shank, chops, skewers, or in Mouussaka. Tender grilled octopus served with lemon juice and olive oil is a popular choice, as is the traditional grilled whole fish with horta and lemon. Start the night with traditional sharing mezes such as the stuffed grape leaves and saghanaki, pan-fried tableside. Opa!
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Albert LawrestaurantDelfina
$$Mention Delfina to anyone in the know and two words spring to mind: Spaghetti Pomodoro, which was and still is Delfina's go-to dish. All pasta is made in-house so you can't go wrong. But diners will find much to love deeper in the menu too, such as the liberty duck breast with brown butter polenta, clam pizza, and whole grilled fish. You’re not coming here for cocktails, though they do have a signature Delfina Spritz, that satiates dolce vita cravings. The wine list is where to lollygag, and Delfina has a small but attentive selection of whites, reds, and bubbles from Italy, with a few California choices sprinkled in for good measure.
Kassie BorresonrestaurantRich Table
$$$Rich Table might be in swanky Hayes Valley, but to step inside this intimate restaurant’s doors is to be transported to a rural farmhouse. Husband and wife Evan and Sarah Rich quickly amassed a cult following after opening this restaurant in 2012. But you don’t have to go all-out to sample some of the best dishes on the menu. In fact, the “bites” section boasts some of their most-talked about items, like the dried porcini doughnuts with raclette or the sardine chips with horseradish creme fraîche. Do make sure to leave room for dessert.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Brian FlahertyrestaurantZuni Café
$$$Walking into Zuni feels like stumbling upon a hidden gem, no matter how renowned it is or many times you've been. This bi-level bistro is old time, romantic San Francisco: vested bartenders, soft, live piano music, the works. The food is classic and thoughtful, not trendy, and that’s exactly why people love it. The cuisine is California with heavy French and Italian influences. The chicken for two, roasted in the wood-fired brick oven and served with a warm bread salad of scallions, garlic, mustard greens, dried currants, and pine nuts has been famous for decades, and is well-worth the one-hour wait.
Courtesy NoparestaurantNopa
$$$This cavernous space almost feels like a high-design food hall. It features an abundance of natural light, high ceilings, and a massive bar. The best seats in the house, however, are at the communal tables and if you're willing to work for a seat, Nopa makes for a great meal out with friends. It's almost immoral to come here without ordering their famous wood-grilled cheeseburger. Another favorite is their flatbread, which changes with the chef’s whims and seasonal wind, but it might come topped with tasso ham, roasted mushrooms, and gruyère cheese. It will be both noisy and boisterous though, so come energetic.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Garry Belinsky/Courtesy RoohrestaurantRooh
$$Rooh is a modern Indian restaurant with a palette as colorful and enticing as the food: a royal-purple and cobalt-blue backdrop accentuated by red curtains and yellow walls. The menu here follows ayurvedic (holistic medicine) principles, and the result is astounding. Colorful sharing platters of chutneys, yogurts, and kulcha are followed by savory small plates like the Himalayan morels, pulled lamb steamed buns, and tandoori octopus. Just be sure to save room for the cashew praline cake with thandai ice cream.
The MorrisrestaurantThe Morris
$$$The low-key Potrero Flats spot reads bland on the outside, but don’t let the wah-wah-wah exterior fool you. Once you pass the open kitchen and transparent wine room where the restaurant’s renowned bottles are stored, you’ll quickly realize there’s nothing blasé about The Morris. This is a great place to share, and portion sizes are designed just for that. The menu opens with nibbles such as mushroom profiteroles, charcuterie (all made in-house), and pork cracklins. The mains are legendary—seasonal contenders rotate in and out, but many people return again and again for the smoked duck, half or whole, which is brined, aged for 7-10 days, smoked over hickory, oven roasted, and worth crossing the city for. The Morris has a Poulet-Frites (chicken and fries) lunch every Saturday too. No matter how full you are, don't leave without ordering the buckwheat donuts with whiskey creme anglaise for dessert.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Albert Law/Courtesy AzizarestaurantAziza
$$This Moroccan-inspired restaurant has been a gem of the foggy Outer Richmond for some years. (It's in good company with other neighborhood fave Fiorella.) A recent refresh has brought new life to it, with vibrant tilework and soft lighting that channels a Marrakech riad at sunset. A one-page wine list offers a curated selection of wines from around southern Europe: carricante from Italy, assyrtico from Santorini, syrah from France. Plus, a few California blends for good measure. Start with the roasted prawns, bathed in spicy harissa and garlic. The basteeya—a traditional savory pastry filled with chicken confit and spiced almonds—is a must. The short ribs with shakshuka and pickled beans are enough to feed two, and well-worth the calories.
Courtesy El Rey Taquiza ArtesanalrestaurantEl Rey Taquiza Artesanal
$While everyone in the Mission talks about burritos, this relatively new neighborhood spot celebrates the best thing that ever happened to Tuesdays—the humble taco. In fact, Taquiza means taco party and the small street tacos popular in Mexico City are king (El Rey) here. You can choose from just about any kind of meat to put between the homemade tortillas, but the Al Pastor Trompo—spit-grilled slices of pork—with a couple of chunks of pineapple, a sprinkling of cilantro, chopped onion, and a wedge of lime is as close to taco heaven as you’ll get.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Garrett RowlandrestaurantAkikos
$$$If you're an adventurous eater or Japanese food connoisseur, then the nine-course omakase experience is made for you. Artfully-plated bites of diverse, sustainably driven Japanese cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients and fresh fish from Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Fish Market are the stars of a menu that changes regularly. You might get fish dumplings in miso soup, toro and scallops, steamed egg custard, Chi Ayu tempura—the possibilities are as limitless as the chef's imagination and creativity. The best thing about dining at Akikos is the anticipation of what's coming next.
Courtesy La TaqueriarestaurantLa Taqueria
$To San Franciscans, taquerias are like sports teams: Everyone is devoted to their favorite one. Though the Mission District has dozens of them, La Taqueria has some of the most die-hard fans. That’s because this no-frills, old-school taqueria stays true to its roots, no matter how many times it gets cited as rolling one of the best burritos in America. Whether you opt for carne asada (recommended), pollo, or vegetarian, it’s an absolute must to get it El Dorado-style: pressed on the grill until it’s golden brown and slightly blistered. In the mood for a taco? Make it a super, with the works.
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CotognarestaurantCotogna
$$$This beautiful, light-filled brick-and-wood space is a modern interpretation of the rustic Italian kitchen. This is the place for masterful, classic Italian cuisine including melt-in-your-mouth pizza such as simple but divine prosciutto and arugula and homemade pastas whose sauces change with the seasons. The wine list is a deep foray into Italian wines, curated by legendary sommelier David Lynch. Even though the vibe is casual, the food is spectacular.
Bonjwing LeerestaurantAngler
$$$Bay Bridge views, dark wood, brick walls, modern lighting, and a wood-burning hearth set the tone for Angler, a buzzy spot serving some of the best modern seafood in San Francisco. Chef Joshua Skenes (of three-Michelin-starred Saison) has outdone himself again with a microclimate-oriented menu, that includes ingredients sourced directly from local fishermen and gatherers. A surf-and-turf raw bar features items unlikely found elsewhere in the city (or any other city for that matter) like purple sea urchin and antelope tartare.
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Aya BrackettrestaurantRintaro
$$$Rintaro is about as close to feeling like you're in a Shibuya izakaya as you can get on the West Coast. Sylvan Mishima Brackett trained for years under Alice Waters, and it's apparent in his cuisine, which is a cross between traditional Japanese izakaya and fresh California cooking. His reasonably priced menu makes it possible for seafood and meat lovers to share a selection of plates, such as the sashimi platter for two, long-simmer dashi broths, pork loin katsu, and hand rolled udon, which all wash down nicely with a bottle of sake.
Courtesy Monsieur BenjaminrestaurantMonsieur Benjamin
$$$This posh French bistro fits seamlessly into Hayes Valley’s modern landscape. Sleek, angular décor inside signals the astute seriousness in which chef Corey Lee takes his food, and just beyond the doors, quite appropriately, is the symphony and other concert halls. Chef Corey Lee hails from Seoul, but he’s built a small yet mighty restaurant empire in San Francisco that includes Benu (new American cuisine with three Michelin stars) and SFMoMa’s In Situ (global). Monsieur Benjamin is his homage to French food. Highlights include the seafood sausage, trout roe tartlet, and the duck confit.
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Christopher Fodera/Courtesy MamahuhurestaurantMamahuhu
$$When chef Brandon Jew opens a new restaurant, you know the design is going to be as stylish as the food is delicious. Open rafters, pale pink and bright teal tiles serve as visual appetizers to the feast ahead. Jew’s sweet and sour chicken is a house specialty, and for good reason: you can’t go wrong with crispy rice-battered free range chicken, pineapple, honey, and hawthorn. The only way it could be better? Stuffing it into a homemade pineapple bun as a crispy chicken sandwich. Other highlights include the mushroom mapo tofu with shiitake and fermented chili, and the black sesame banana cake with white sesame cream for dessert.
restaurantNari
$$The hard-to-secure reservations are a sure sign this is still an SF foodie hotspot, and the crowd is the type that follows every “best restaurant” list in the city. The inventive Thai menu is not one to be rushed through. Start off with a creative cocktail such as the Visithi made with lemongrass vodka, thai spice and passion fruit. In the starters section, the spicy bay squid with sticky pork jowls is a sure bet, but save room for the filling mains, such as the maan-style beef cheeks braised in coconut-free aromatic curry with masala, peanut, and ginger. The staff’s enthusiasm comes through in their heartfelt recommendations. Lay your trust in them and they will not lead you astray.
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Courtesy Kaiyo RooftoprestaurantKaiyo Rooftop
$$Here, find pre-gamers (Oracle Park is just a block away, and this is a good spot for pre-Giants game meet-ups if you don't like ballpark food), colleagues enjoying after work drinks, and tourists who've made their way up from the Hyatt Place Hotel below. For drinks, it's definitely a cocktail kind of place—with its Peruvian leanings, you’ll want to try the Pisco Sours. Food-wise, definite standouts are the tiraditos, ceviches, and sushi rolls so artfully plated you almost hate to eat them. If you’re not into raw fish, substantial and tasty bar bites include pork bao buns, Japanese fried chicken, and beef empanadas, all made in-house.
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La Ciccia
$$It’s no surprise that as a neighborhood restaurant La Ciccia is a magnet for regulars. But for a such tiny restaurant this place has assembled quite an extensive wine list—Italian leaning, of course. Given the food’s focus is on Sicilian cuisine, the offerings tend to be from southern Italy. Even the simplest dishes make a lasting impression, like the marinated white anchovies with oranges and onions, or the roasted calamari in basil oil. The pasta course (obviously) should not to be overlooked—the semolina gnochetti with pork sugo is a perfect winter day comfort dish, while the citrus fettuccine with seafood and squid ink calls for a summer evening. For the main, the seared lamb chops with Sardinian olive tapenade is a top hit. La Ciccia’s staff seems to treat each patron like a neighbor, or even a distant relative.
- Readers' Choice Awards2024 Readers' Choice Awards Survey
Courtesy ToscarestaurantTosca Café
$$This classic San Francisco haunt has recently been revamped, but the cozy cherry leather seats, open kitchen, and always-packed, rowdy bar up front remain as charming as ever. Tosca blends fresh Californian ingredients with an Italian sensibility. Order both the bucatini and crispy pig ears, and don't miss the tiramisu for dessert. Imbibers: Tosca is famed for its house cappuccino (not an actual one, it's made with cappuccino mix, cream, armagnac and bourbon). It's a prime spot for date nights, although the bigger booths make it a great option for larger parties, too.
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