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Restaurants

Best Restaurants in San Francisco

The best restaurants in San Francisco, from Benu and Michelin tables to sourdough and cioppino icons, Mission taquerias, waterfront views, and buzzy new openings by neighborhood.

Finding the best restaurants in San Francisco means embracing a city that treats dining as both high art and daily ritual.

In a single day you can eat a foil-wrapped Mission burrito for lunch, chase it with a Michelin-starred tasting menu at night, and end with a bowl of cioppino over sourdough at a century-old counter.

San Francisco's food identity is built on immigrant neighborhoods, Northern California produce, and a fiercely competitive fine-dining scene that has produced some of America's most influential chefs.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

CategoryOur pick
Best overallBenuReserve
By CuisineCaliforniosReserve
Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred RestaurantsBenuReserve
Most Romantic RestaurantsGary DankoReserve
Rooftop & View RestaurantsTop of the MarkReserve
Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantsGreens RestaurantReserve
Sourdough & Iconic San Francisco EatsBoudin BakeryReserve
New & Trendy Restaurant OpeningsFour KingsReserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of San Francisco on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 SoMa

Benu

Contemporary$$$$· Special occasion

Corey Lee's three-Michelin-star flagship is San Francisco's benchmark for high-precision fine dining. The long tasting menu weaves Korean, Chinese, and Japanese technique into dishes of astonishing detail, including a faux shark-fin soup and a thousand-year-old quail egg that have become modern classics. The dining room is hushed and serene, the service quietly flawless. Reserved well in advance, it is the essential pilgrimage for understanding why the city sits among the world's great culinary capitals.

What to order: Multi-course tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fillmore

State Bird Provisions

New American$$$· Casual & lively

Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski turned dim-sum-style carts into a James Beard-winning phenomenon, wheeling small plates through a buzzy room so you can point and choose as they pass. The namesake state bird, a quail fried and served with onions and provisions, is the must-order, but the pancakes and daily specials keep pace. The energy is loud, playful, and distinctly San Franciscan. Reservations are famously tough, so line up early or aim for an off-peak seat.

What to order: Fried quail with provisions

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Hayes Valley

Zuni Cafe

Californian$$$· Classic & airy

A Market Street institution since 1979, Zuni Cafe helped define California cuisine with its wood-fired brick oven and airy, light-filled corner dining room. The legendary roast chicken for two, served over a warm bread salad, takes an hour and rewards every minute of the wait. Oysters, the Caesar, and the burger on focaccia round out a menu that feels both timeless and effortlessly of the moment. It remains a civilized, sunlit anchor of the city's dining scene.

What to order: Roast chicken for two

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Nob Hill

Swan Oyster Depot

Seafood$$· No-frills counter

A narrow, marble-countered seafood shrine open since 1912, Swan Oyster Depot is pure San Francisco tradition. There are no tables, just eighteen stools and a family of countermen shucking oysters, cracking Dungeness crab, and pouring Anchor Steam with easy banter. Come for the raw platters, the crab Louie, and the smoked salmon, all impeccably fresh. Cash-friendly and cash-only in spirit, it closes early and draws a line down Polk Street, so arrive before noon.

What to order: Fresh Dungeness crab

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Van Ness

House of Prime Rib

Steakhouse$$$· Old-school clubby

A gloriously unchanged temple to red meat, House of Prime Rib has been carving from gleaming silver trolleys since 1949. The single main event is prime rib, aged and roasted, wheeled to your table and sliced to order alongside Yorkshire pudding, creamed spinach, and a spinning bowl salad tossed tableside. The clubby, dimly lit rooms and stiff martinis complete the throwback ritual. Book well ahead; this is one of the city's most beloved and consistently packed classics.

What to order: Prime rib

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Financial District

Tadich Grill

Seafood$$$· Historic & bustling

California's oldest continuously operating restaurant, Tadich Grill traces its roots to the Gold Rush of 1849 and still feels like stepping into old San Francisco. White-jacketed waiters, wooden booths, and a long brass-railed bar set the scene for grilled seafood and the city's defining dish, cioppino, a tomato-rich shellfish stew invented by local Italian fishermen. The sand dabs and Hangtown fry are equally historic. No reservations, so expect a wait for one of downtown's great living institutions.

What to order: Cioppino

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mission

La Taqueria

Mexican$· Casual & busy

For many, La Taqueria is the platonic ideal of the Mission burrito, the overstuffed, foil-wrapped icon that San Francisco gave the world. The signature omits rice, letting perfectly seasoned carnitas or carne asada, beans, cheese, and salsa shine, and the tortilla is griddled crisp on request. The tacos are equally exemplary, and the room is bright, no-frills, and always busy. A James Beard classic, it is the essential first stop on any Mission food crawl.

What to order: Mission burrito

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Chinatown

Mister Jiu's

Chinese$$$· Elegant & modern

Brandon Jew's Michelin-starred restaurant reimagines Cantonese banquet cooking inside a beautifully restored Chinatown banquet hall. The menu bridges Chinese tradition and California ingredients, from hot and sour soup to a superb whole roast duck and mushroom mu shu, all cooked with fine-dining precision. The elegant room, glowing with custom lanterns, honors the neighborhood's history while pushing it forward. It is one of the most important and delicious tables in modern San Francisco, and reservations are essential.

What to order: Whole roast duck

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Western Addition

Nopa

Californian$$$· Buzzy & communal

The restaurant that gave its NoPa neighborhood a name, Nopa is a soaring, high-ceilinged room built around a wood-fired oven and a late-night energy all its own. The organic, wood-grilled cooking centers on a legendary rotisserie chicken, along with the flatbreads, moroccan-spiced lamb, and a serious cocktail list. Popular with chefs after their own shifts, it serves until well past midnight. Buzzy, communal, and reliably excellent, it is a quintessential San Francisco neighborhood restaurant.

What to order: Wood-grilled rotisserie chicken

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Hayes Valley

Rich Table

New American$$$· Warm & inventive

Evan and Sarah Rich run one of the city's most inventive and warmly personal restaurants, a Michelin-starred room of reclaimed wood in the heart of Hayes Valley. The playful, ingredient-driven menu is famous for its sardine-threaded potato chips and porcini doughnuts, gateway snacks to genuinely creative Californian cooking. Handmade pastas and thoughtful mains follow, backed by a smart wine list. It is an ideal pre-theater or celebratory dinner that feels ambitious without a shred of pretension.

What to order: Sardine potato chips

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 SoMa

Saison

Contemporary$$$$· Special occasion

A three-Michelin-star destination built around an open hearth, Saison delivers a fire-driven tasting menu in a dramatic, brick-walled SoMa space. Cooking over live embers, the kitchen coaxes remarkable depth from pristine California seafood and produce, plating with quiet luxury. The counter seats let you watch the flames and interact with the cooks, making it feel intimate despite the grandeur. It is a splurge for milestone occasions and a showcase of the city's obsession with the finest raw ingredients.

What to order: Fire-cooked tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Van Ness

Acquerello

Italian$$$$· Refined & elegant

Set in a former chapel with a vaulted wood ceiling, Acquerello is San Francisco's temple of refined Italian fine dining, holding two Michelin stars for decades of consistency. Chef Suzette Gresham's cooking is luxurious yet soulful, anchored by silky pastas and the famous ridged pasta with foie gras and truffle. The Parmesan budino is a signature finish, and the Italian wine cellar is deep and considered. Gracious and hushed, it is a benchmark for classical, celebratory dining.

What to order: Parmesan budino

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Divisadero

Che Fico

Italian$$$· Lively & golden

David Nayfeld's warm, plant-draped trattoria above Divisadero Street draws on Italian and Roman-Jewish traditions with California ingredients. The menu roams from blistered pizzas and handmade pastas to crispy fried artichokes in the Roman-Jewish style, all delivered with generosity and skill. The room is lively and golden-lit, a genuine scene since it opened. Reservations remain hard to land, but the cooking and the buzzing energy make Che Fico one of the city's most enjoyable Italian tables.

What to order: Roman-Jewish fried artichokes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mission

Foreign Cinema

Mediterranean$$$· Cinematic & romantic

One of the Mission's most romantic destinations, Foreign Cinema screens classic films on a courtyard wall while serving polished Californian-Mediterranean fare beneath the stars. The weekend brunch is a beloved city ritual, with pop-tarts, fried chicken, and a fresh oyster bar, while dinner turns more refined. String lights, a heated patio, and the flickering projector create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in town. Book the courtyard for the full effect of this enduring, cinematic favorite.

What to order: Weekend brunch classics

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 SoMa

Yank Sing

Dim sum$$· Bright & bustling

A San Francisco dim sum institution, Yank Sing has been rolling carts of Cantonese small plates for generations, now anchored in the Rincon Center atrium. The Shanghai soup dumplings are the marquee draw, joined by shrimp har gow, char siu bao, and Peking duck by the piece as the carts circle your table. Bright, bustling, and popular for weekend family feasts, it is a lunchtime ritual. Go with a group, pace yourself, and let the carts guide the meal.

What to order: Shanghai soup dumplings

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mission

Californios

Mexican$$$$· Refined tasting menu

Chef Val Cantu's Michelin-starred restaurant elevates Mexican cuisine to a luxurious multi-course tasting menu, a genuine rarity and a point of pride for the city. Heirloom corn is nixtamalized in-house for tortillas that anchor refined courses built on California seafood, produce, and deep regional Mexican technique. The intimate room and precise service make it a special-occasion standout. For anyone who wants to see Mexican cooking treated with the ambition of the world's finest kitchens, this is the destination.

What to order: Heirloom-corn tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mission

Tartine Bakery

Bakery$$· Beloved & busy

The bakery that helped launch a national obsession with naturally leavened bread, Tartine remains a Mission cornerstone and a James Beard-honored icon. The morning bun, a flaky, orange-scented croissant coil, is the essential order, alaongside the country loaves, croissants, and pressed sandwiches at lunch. The line spills onto Guerrero Street for good reason. Grab a pastry and a coffee, then wander the neighborhood; it is one of the purest, most beloved bites in San Francisco.

What to order: Morning bun

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Embarcadero

Boulevard

New American$$$· Elegant & gracious

Nancy Oakes' Belle Epoque brasserie in the historic Audiffred Building has been a waterfront fixture since 1993, earning a James Beard award and legions of devoted regulars. The elegant, tile-and-brass dining room frames sophisticated American cooking, from wood-oven-roasted meats to seasonal seafood, executed with polish and warmth. Its Embarcadero perch and gracious service make it a natural choice for anniversaries and business dinners alike. Boulevard's enduring quality has made it one of the city's most reliable fine-dining institutions.

What to order: Wood-oven roasted meats

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in San Francisco by Cuisine

San Francisco's layered immigrant history makes it one of America's great cuisine cities, where a short walk or Muni ride can carry you from northern-style pho in the Tenderloin's Little Saigon to Mission taquerias and Cantonese seafood palaces in Chinatown.

The best restaurants in San Francisco by cuisine reward exploration beyond the tourist core: neighborhood specialists in the Richmond, Sunset, and Mission often outshine flashier downtown destinations.

Whether you crave hand-cut noodles, a Mission burrito, tea leaf salad, or a wood-fired Neapolitan pie, the city delivers depth and authenticity across price points.

This roundup highlights standout picks spanning the culinary map, from long-running institutions to modern reinventions, so you can build a week of eating that circles the globe without leaving the city limits.

  • Californios

    Modern Mexican $$$$

    Californios is San Francisco's two-Michelin-starred temple to modern Mexican fine dining, where a multicourse tasting menu elevates masa, chiles, and heirloom ingredients to refined heights. Chef Val Cantu's cooking honors regional Mexican traditions while pushing them forward with California produce and precision. It is the flagship that helped teach the city to take Mexican cuisine seriously as destination fine dining.

    What to order: Multicourse Mexican tasting menu

    Reserve

  • La Taqueria

    Mexican $

    A Mission District institution and James Beard America's Classics honoree, celebrated for its no-rice burritos and crisp-edged carnitas. The tacos dorados, griddled for a crunchy shell, have a cult following, and the horchata rounds out an unfussy, deeply satisfying meal. It is a must for understanding San Francisco's Mexican food culture beyond the white-tablecloth room.

    What to order: Carnitas burrito; tacos dorados

    Reserve

  • Turtle Tower

    Vietnamese $

    A no-frills favorite in the Tenderloin's Little Saigon corridor, known for northern-style pho featuring hand-cut wide noodles and a clean, chicken-forward broth. The pho ga is a signature, and the surrounding blocks offer banh mi, che, and grocery exploration. It anchors one of the city's best strips for Vietnamese eating.

    What to order: Pho ga; pho bo

    Reserve

  • Burma Superstar

    Burmese $$

    This Inner Richmond mainstay on Clement Street helped introduce San Francisco to Burmese cooking, and the tossed-tableside tea leaf salad remains its signature. The samusa soup, coconut rice, and curries balance tangy, savory, and crunchy in equal measure. Expect a wait, since the no-reservations room stays packed for good reason.

    What to order: Tea leaf salad; samusa soup

    Reserve

  • R&G Lounge

    Cantonese $$

    A Chinatown stalwart famous for its salt and pepper Dungeness crab, cracked and fried to order in a peppery crust. The Cantonese menu runs deep with clay pots, live seafood, and classic banquet dishes across two lively floors. It is a reliable anchor of San Francisco's Chinese dining scene and a great group spot.

    What to order: Salt and pepper Dungeness crab

    Reserve

  • Dosa

    South Indian $$

    This upscale South Indian restaurant brings crackling paper dosas, uttapams, and coastal curries to a stylish Fillmore setting. Creative cocktails make it a lively night out, while vegetarian thalis showcase the cuisine's range and generosity. It reflects the city's talent for polished, regionally rooted takes on Indian cooking.

    What to order: Masala dosa; coastal curries

    Reserve

  • Rintaro

    Japanese $$$

    A meticulous Japanese izakaya in the Mission where chef Sylvan Mishima Brackett grills yakitori over binchotan charcoal and pulls handmade udon to order. The seasonal small plates and house-made pickles reflect a devotion to Japanese technique and California ingredients. It is a modern neighborhood standout and one of the city's finest Japanese kitchens.

    What to order: Yakitori; handmade udon

    Reserve

  • Zuni Café

    Californian $$$

    A Market Street icon since 1979, Zuni Café defines a certain San Francisco Californian sensibility with its wood-oven roast chicken for two served over warm bread salad. The Caesar and the raw bar round out a menu built on seasonal, ingredient-driven simplicity. It is a longtime institution that helped shape the city's farm-to-table identity.

    What to order: Roast chicken for two with bread salad

    Reserve

  • La Mar

    Peruvian $$$

    Perched on the Embarcadero, this stylish Peruvian cebicheria serves bright ceviches, tiraditos, and pisco cocktails with bay views. The menu spans anticuchos, causa, and lomo saltado, showcasing Peru's Japanese and Chinese culinary influences. It brings coastal Peruvian cooking and a festive waterfront energy to the city.

    What to order: Ceviche; lomo saltado; pisco

    Reserve

  • Tony's Pizza Napoletana

    Italian $$

    In North Beach, world pizza champion Tony Gemignani fires multiple styles from a lineup of specialized ovens, with the Neapolitan Margherita limited to 73 per day. The range spans California, Sicilian, and coal-fired New York slices, all executed with obsessive craft. It is a lively, crowd-pleasing anchor of the city's Italian dining heritage.

    What to order: Margherita; coal-fired pizzas

    Reserve

Best Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco punches far above its weight in fine dining, home to several of the country's rare three-Michelin-star tables and a deep bench of one- and two-star rooms.

The best fine dining restaurants in San Francisco range from avant-garde tasting-menu theater to quiet, produce-driven precision, and many are helmed by chefs shaped by Northern California's obsession with ingredients.

Expect ticketed reservations, seasonal menus, and thoughtful wine and non-alcoholic pairings. These are the rooms for milestone celebrations and once-in-a-trip splurges.

Book weeks or months ahead, arrive curious, and let the kitchen lead; the city's top tables reward diners who surrender to the experience.

  • Benu

    Modern Asian $$$$

    Corey Lee's three-Michelin-star flagship is the city's fine-dining pilgrimage, a serene SoMa room where French technique meets Korean and Chinese tradition. The ticketed tasting menu is precise, restrained, and quietly astonishing, with dishes refined over years. It is a bucket-list experience for serious food lovers.

    What to order: Tasting menu; foie gras xiao long bao

    Reserve

  • Quince

    Italian-Californian $$$$

    Michael Tusk's three-Michelin-star Jackson Square destination pairs Italian soul with Californian produce in an elegant, hushed dining room. The seasonal tasting menu leans on house-made pasta, luxurious ingredients, and impeccable service. It is a top choice for anniversaries and once-in-a-trip splurges.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting; caviar and potato

    Reserve

  • Atelier Crenn

    Modern French $$$$

    Dominique Crenn's three-Michelin-star room presents its menu as a poem, a seafood- and vegetable-forward journey that is as artistic as it is delicious. The plating borders on sculpture and the mood is intimate and personal. A singular, deeply romantic fine-dining experience.

    What to order: Poem tasting menu; le grand dessert

    Reserve

  • Saison

    Californian $$$$

    A Michelin-starred, live-fire temple where much of the cooking happens over open hearth in an open kitchen. The luxe, seasonal tasting menu showcases pristine California seafood and dry-aged proteins with quiet confidence. Its warehouse-chic room feels both grand and intimate.

    What to order: Live-fire seasonal tasting

    Reserve

  • Californios

    Modern Mexican $$$$

    A Michelin-starred tasting-menu destination reimagining Mexican cuisine with heirloom corn, refined technique, and California ingredients. Chef Val Cantu builds a multi-course journey that is both playful and precise, from nixtamalized masa to luxurious seafood. One of the city's most distinctive fine-dining stories.

    What to order: Tasting menu; heirloom corn tortillas

    Reserve

  • Acquerello

    Italian $$$

    A Michelin-starred Nob Hill mainstay serving elegant Italian cooking in a warm, converted-chapel space. Refined yet welcoming, with a legendary wine list and gracious service, it is ideal for celebrations that favor comfort over spectacle. A dependable, timeless splurge.

    What to order: Refined Italian tasting; lobster panzerotti

    Reserve

  • Gary Danko

    New American $$$

    A Michelin-starred San Francisco institution near Fisherman's Wharf, famous for its customizable multi-course menu and roving cheese cart. Polished, classic, and consistently excellent, with standout service, it is a favorite for milestone dinners that skip the avant-garde in favor of refined comfort.

    What to order: Customizable tasting; cheese cart

    Reserve

  • Lazy Bear

    New American $$$$

    A two-Michelin-star reimagining of the dinner party, where guests gather at communal tables for a multi-course tasting served with genuine warmth. David Barzelay's cooking is inventive and produce-driven, and the loft-like Mission space buzzes with convivial energy. A refined experience that never feels stuffy.

    What to order: Communal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Nari

    Thai $$$

    Pim Techamuanvivit's Michelin-starred Japantown room brings serious technique to bold, regional Thai flavors. The menu is aromatic, layered, and fiercely seasonal, marrying heritage recipes with California produce. It is one of the city's most exciting fine-dining destinations.

    What to order: Thai tasting; hoi tod

    Reserve

  • Mister Jiu's

    Modern Chinese $$$

    Brandon Jew's Michelin-starred Chinatown restaurant sets modern Chinese-American cooking in a beautifully restored banquet hall. The menu bridges Cantonese tradition and California ingredients with elegance and warmth. A refined but welcoming choice for celebrations rooted in the neighborhood.

    What to order: Whole roast duck; sizzling rice soup

    Reserve

  • Ju-Ni

    Sushi $$$$

    A Michelin-starred omakase counter where each guest is served personally by a dedicated chef. The sushi is pristine, the fish flown in from Japan, and the intimate Hayes Valley setting focuses all attention on the seat in front of you. A precise, ingredient-luxe experience for sushi devotees.

    What to order: Sushi omakase

    Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in San Francisco

For date nights, anniversaries, and proposals, the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco pair intimate lighting and gracious service with food worth lingering over.

The city offers everything from hushed tasting-menu rooms and clubby old-school steakhouses to cozy neighborhood trattorias and courtyards where films flicker against the wall.

Romance here is less about stiff formality and more about atmosphere: a foggy night, a shared bottle of wine, and a room that makes time slow down. Whether you want Nob Hill elegance or a tucked-away booth in a converted Victorian, these picks set the mood.

Reserve ahead, request a quiet corner if you can, and plan a leisurely, unhurried evening.

  • Gary Danko

    New American $$$$

    Near Fisherman's Wharf, Gary Danko is a special-occasion classic built on flawless service and a customizable prix fixe. Warm wood, low light, and a legendary cheese cart make anniversaries feel effortless. Reserve well ahead for this enduring date-night crown jewel.

    What to order: Customizable prix fixe; cheese cart

    Reserve

  • Acquerello

    Italian $$$$

    Set in a former chapel near Van Ness, Acquerello is quietly grand, with vaulted ceilings and impeccable Italian fine dining. Plush and intimate, it pairs a serious wine cellar with refined pastas for an unhurried, deeply romantic evening.

    What to order: Refined Italian tasting; wine cellar

    Reserve

  • Quince

    Contemporary $$$$

    A three-Michelin-star room in Jackson Square, Quince offers a luxurious, elegant tasting-menu experience for milestone celebrations. Polished service, sophisticated plating, and a stellar wine list make it a splurge worth the occasion.

    What to order: Multi-course tasting; wine pairings

    Reserve

  • Kokkari Estiatorio

    Greek $$$

    A rustic-elegant Greek taverna in the Financial District, Kokkari centers on a roaring fireplace and warm, golden lighting. Share meze, whole fish, and wine in a setting that feels both lively and intimate for a relaxed date.

    What to order: Meze; wood-fired whole fish

    Reserve

  • Frascati

    California Mediterranean $$$

    A cozy Russian Hill neighborhood favorite where the Hyde Street cable car rattles past the window. Candlelit tables, California-Mediterranean plates, and gracious service make it a comfortable, unpretentious spot for a romantic evening.

    What to order: Seasonal plates; window-table setting

    Reserve

  • Foreign Cinema

    Californian Mediterranean $$$

    In the Mission, Foreign Cinema screens classic films on a courtyard wall while you dine under the stars. The atmospheric, string-lit patio and Cal-Mediterranean menu make it a playful yet genuinely romantic date destination.

    What to order: Cal-Med plates; courtyard films

    Reserve

  • La Ciccia

    Sardinian $$$

    A tiny, warm Sardinian spot in Noe Valley beloved for its intimacy and heartfelt hospitality. Bold seafood pastas and a thoughtful Italian wine list make this snug room a cozy, low-key choice for couples.

    What to order: Seafood pasta; Sardinian wines

    Reserve

  • Spruce

    New American $$$$

    A refined Pacific Heights dining room with leather banquettes, a handsome bar, and polished California cuisine. Sophisticated but comfortable, it suits a dressed-up date built around a great glass of wine and an unhurried meal.

    What to order: California seasonal plates; wine list

    Reserve

  • Harris' The San Francisco Steakhouse

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A classic dry-aged steakhouse in Polk Gulch with clubby energy, dark wood, and old-school charm. The timeless setting suits couples who want a celebratory steak dinner with a great martini and generous cuts.

    What to order: Dry-aged steaks; big cuts

    Reserve

  • Zuni Café

    California Mediterranean $$$

    A Market Street institution with a copper bar, tall windows, and a famous wood-fired chicken for two. Stylish and easygoing, it works for a relaxed date over oysters, wine, and that legendary roast built to be shared.

    What to order: Roast chicken for two; oysters

    Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in San Francisco

Few cities reward dining with a view like San Francisco, where the bay, the bridges, and the hills create dramatic backdrops nearly year-round.

The best rooftop and view restaurants in San Francisco range from sky-high cocktail lounges atop Nob Hill towers to waterfront patios and hotel terraces perfect for golden hour.

Clear afternoons and early evenings are prime, when the fog holds off and the skyline glows, so reservations or early arrivals become essential. Many focus as much on the setting and drinks as the food, so calibrate expectations accordingly.

Whether you want a signature cocktail high above Union Square or a laid-back terrace with Bay Bridge views, these spots deliver San Francisco's most photogenic dining.

  • Top of the Mark

    American $$$

    Perched on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins on Nob Hill, this storied lounge offers sweeping panoramas across the city, the bay, and the bridges. The terrace-level vantage is a prime golden-hour spot for cocktails and live music.

    What to order: Cocktails; small plates; views

    Reserve

  • Charmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge

    American $$$

    High atop the San Francisco Proper Hotel in Mid-Market, Charmaine's offers stylish open-air seating with fire pits and jaw-dropping city panoramas. Come for the view and a drink; the vantage point over the skyline is unforgettable.

    What to order: Cocktails with panoramic views

    Reserve

  • The View Lounge

    American $$$

    On the 39th floor of the Marriott Marquis, this lounge frames the downtown skyline through soaring, sculptural windows. It is one of the city's most iconic high-rise spots for cocktails, especially at sunset over SoMa.

    What to order: Cocktails; skyline views

    Reserve

  • Cityscape Lounge

    American $$$

    Atop the Hilton Union Square on the 46th floor, Cityscape offers a chic, energetic scene with wraparound skyline views, cocktails, and small plates. It is a popular destination for drinks and people-watching above downtown.

    What to order: Cocktails; small plates; skyline

    Reserve

  • Dirty Habit

    American $$

    A relaxed, elevated terrace at Hotel Zelos in the heart of downtown, serving craft cocktails and shareable bites. Its comfortable vibe makes it a solid choice for after-work drinks or a laid-back evening near Union Square.

    What to order: Cocktails; bar bites; city views

    Reserve

  • El Techo

    Latin American $$

    A breezy covered rooftop in the Mission serving Latin American street food, ceviches, and tropical cocktails. The lively terrace and strong food set it apart from view-only rooftops, making it a top all-around pick.

    What to order: Ceviche; tacos; rooftop

    Reserve

  • Everdene

    American $$$

    A twelfth-floor bar at Virgin Hotels San Francisco in SoMa, overlooking the downtown rooftops and skyline. The airy perch and glowing terrace make it a scenic spot for cocktails, especially as the light fades over the city.

    What to order: Cocktails; skyline perch

    Reserve

  • Waterbar

    Seafood $$$

    An Embarcadero seafood destination with panoramic Bay Bridge views and an expansive waterfront patio. The setting over the water is dramatic and well suited to oyster lovers, groups, and celebrations.

    What to order: Oysters; seafood; bay views

    Reserve

  • Greens Restaurant

    Vegetarian $$$

    A pioneering vegetarian dining room at Fort Mason with wide windows framing the marina and the Golden Gate Bridge. Popular for its produce-driven cooking, it delivers serene vibes and one of the city's finest waterfront vantage points.

    What to order: Seasonal vegetarian; bridge views

    Reserve

  • Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant

    American $$

    A relaxed brewpub above Ocean Beach with sweeping views of the Pacific and the Great Highway. The oceanfront setting and house beers make it one of the more atmospheric warm-weather waterfront dining spots.

    What to order: House beer; pub fare; ocean views

    Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco's plant-based scene has grown from a niche into a genuine strength, with dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants alongside omnivore kitchens that treat vegetables as headliners.

The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in San Francisco span casual cafes, refined seasonal menus, and globally inspired spots serving everything from vegan Mexican to plant-based Asian and Ethiopian.

Many of the city's produce-driven chefs source from nearby Bay Area farms, so vegetable dishes here are anything but an afterthought.

Whether you are fully vegan, vegetarian, or simply eating lighter, these picks prove that meat-free dining in San Francisco can be creative, satisfying, and celebratory rather than restrictive.

  • Greens Restaurant

    Vegetable-forward $$$

    A pioneering vegetarian restaurant at Fort Mason with sweeping views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Founded by the San Francisco Zen Center, it offers refined, seasonal produce-driven cooking that appeals to vegetarians and omnivores alike.

    What to order: Seasonal vegetable plates; wood-fired dishes

    Reserve

  • Nourish Cafe

    Vegan Cafe $

    A vegan cafe serving plant-based bowls, smoothies, wraps, and hearty breakfasts. Casual and welcoming, it is a reliable stop for fresh, satisfying vegan versions of everyday favorites.

    What to order: Plant-based bowls; smoothies

    Reserve

  • Golden Era Vegan Restaurant

    Vegan Asian $

    A longtime vegan spot in the Tenderloin serving wholesome, Asian-inspired dishes, noodle soups, and mock-meat classics. Its dedicated, health-focused approach has earned a loyal following over many years.

    What to order: Noodle soups; mock-meat plates

    Reserve

  • Ananda Fuara

    Vegetarian $

    A pioneering meat-free restaurant on Market Street famous for its Neatloaf and comforting vegetarian classics. A downtown institution run by students of Sri Chinmoy, it remains a beloved go-to for wholesome, affordable plant-based meals.

    What to order: Neatloaf; hearty veg classics

    Reserve

  • Gracias Madre

    Vegan Mexican $$

    A vegan Mexican spot in the Mission serving creative plant-based comfort food made with organic ingredients. Inventive dishes and a warm vibe make it a strong choice for those seeking hearty, flavorful meat-free meals.

    What to order: Plant-based tacos; enchiladas

    Reserve

  • Cafe Ethiopia

    Ethiopian $$

    A Mission Ethiopian restaurant with an excellent range of vegetarian and vegan combination platters served on injera. The spiced lentils, greens, and vegetable stews make it a naturally plant-friendly, communal dining experience.

    What to order: Veggie combo on injera; spiced lentils

    Reserve

  • Shizen

    Vegan Sushi $$

    A Mission izakaya and sushi bar with an entirely plant-based menu and plenty of vegan options. Inventive vegetable and mushroom rolls, small plates, and sake make it a lively, meat-free destination that surprises even skeptics.

    What to order: Vegan sushi rolls; izakaya plates

    Reserve

  • Wildseed

    Vegan $$

    A fully vegan restaurant on Union Street in Cow Hollow serving globally influenced plant-based plates and craft cocktails. Its stylish room and creative menu make it a comfortable, reliable meat-free choice.

    What to order: Globally-inspired plant plates; cocktails

    Reserve

  • Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant

    Vegan Chinese $$

    A longtime Chinese vegan institution serving hearty plant-based takes on classic dishes and dim sum. Its dedicated approach and satisfying, flavorful cooking make it a meaningful stop for meat-free dining in the Sunset.

    What to order: Mock-meat classics; vegan dim sum

    Reserve

  • Rich Table

    Californian $$$

    While not exclusively vegetarian, this Hayes Valley restaurant offers standout vegetable-forward dishes worth seeking out. Its creative produce cookery makes it a great option for flexitarians dining with meat-eaters near the arts district.

    What to order: Vegetable-forward plates; house pasta

    Reserve

Best Sourdough & Iconic San Francisco Eats

You cannot claim to know the best restaurants in San Francisco without diving into the city's iconic hometown foods: tangy sourdough bread, the overstuffed Mission burrito, briny Dungeness crab, and cioppino, the seafood stew invented by the city's Italian fishermen.

Sourdough is the headline act, a chewy, sour-tinged loaf tied to the Gold Rush that locals still buy fresh every week. Beyond bread, the foil-wrapped Mission burrito and a cracked Dungeness crab at a wharf counter are essential rites of passage.

These dishes are affordable, unpretentious, and deeply tied to San Francisco's immigrant and working waterfront roots. Come hungry, embrace the mess, and taste the foods that define the city's culinary identity worldwide.

  • Boudin Bakery

    Sourdough Bakery $

    The definitive sourdough for many, baked from the same mother dough since 1849 and considered the city's oldest continuously operating business. The Fisherman's Wharf flagship serves clam chowder in a hollowed bread bowl, dependable, generous, and quintessentially San Francisco.

    What to order: Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl

    Reserve

  • Tartine Bakery

    Bakery $$

    Beloved by locals for its blistered country loaf and buttery morning buns, drawing long lines to a corner of the Mission. The bustling, cash-only-adjacent vibe and legendary pastries make it a proper neighborhood sourdough pilgrimage.

    What to order: Country loaf; morning bun

    Reserve

  • La Taqueria

    Mexican $

    Famous for its no-rice Mission burrito, tightly wrapped around meltingly tender carnitas and salsa. A James Beard America's Classics honoree, it is a go-to for purists who want the definitive, most iconic version of the style.

    What to order: Mission-style carnitas burrito

    Reserve

  • El Farolito

    Mexican $

    A no-frills late-night institution serving the overstuffed super burrito and griddled super quesadilla. Standing at the counter with a foil-wrapped burrito after midnight is a quintessential, unpretentious San Francisco meal.

    What to order: Super burrito; super quesadilla

    Reserve

  • Swan Oyster Depot

    Seafood $$

    A preserved marble-counter seafood shack running since 1912, with a handful of stools and a famous line down Polk Street. Cracked Dungeness crab, oysters on ice, and Sicilian sashimi are nostalgia and lunch rolled into one memorable experience.

    What to order: Cracked Dungeness crab; oysters

    Reserve

  • Tadich Grill

    California Seafood $$$

    The city's oldest restaurant, tracing to 1849 and long claiming to have originated cioppino. A historic stop for food pilgrims, it serves the classic seafood stew and old-school Hangtown fry in wood-paneled rooms where the tradition began.

    What to order: Cioppino; Hangtown fry

    Reserve

  • Sotto Mare

    Italian Seafood $$

    A snug North Beach favorite known for its heaping crab cioppino brimming with shellfish in tomato broth. Cozy, chaotic, and old-school Italian, it represents San Francisco's everyday seafood tradition beyond the tourist wharf.

    What to order: Crab cioppino

    Reserve

  • Good Mong Kok Bakery

    Dim Sum $

    A tiny, cash-only Chinatown counter serving cheap, steaming dim sum to a perpetual Stockton Street line. Shrimp har gow, pork buns, and sticky rice packed in a bag are affordable rites of passage for the neighborhood.

    What to order: Har gow; barbecue pork buns

    Reserve

  • The Buena Vista

    Cafe & Bar $$

    A landmark cafe near Ghirardelli Square credited with introducing Irish coffee to the United States in 1952. The bartenders line up glasses in a legendary pour, making it a rowdy, only-in-San-Francisco morning-to-night institution.

    What to order: Irish coffee

    Reserve

  • Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop

    Dessert $$

    A historic chocolate maker in its namesake square, famous for over-the-top hot fudge sundaes. Touristy but genuinely satisfying, it is a go-to for visitors who want the most dramatic, indulgent San Francisco dessert.

    What to order: Hot fudge sundae

    Reserve

Best Restaurants in San Francisco by Neighborhood

San Francisco is a city of tightly packed, distinct neighborhoods, and the best restaurants in San Francisco are spread across them rather than clustered in one dining district.

The Mission remains the heart of the taqueria scene and the city's independent food culture, while Hayes Valley and SoMa concentrate ambitious, chef-driven cooking near the arts and convention districts.

North Beach carries the Italian legacy, Chinatown blends old-guard banquet halls with modern reinvention, and the fog-cooled Richmond and Sunset reward those who venture west.

Using neighborhoods to plan your meals lets you pair dining with sightseeing, walkable strolls, and a genuine sense of local life. This roundup spotlights a signature restaurant in several key areas to help you eat your way across the city.

  • Mission District, La Taqueria

    Mexican $

    The James Beard-honored counter that defines the Mission-style burrito, served without rice so the meat and beans take center stage. The Mission is San Francisco's taqueria heartland, and this is its anchor. Pair a visit with the neighborhood's murals along Balmy Alley.

    What to order: Carne asada burrito; tacos

    Reserve

  • Hayes Valley, Rich Table

    New American $$$

    A warm, wood-lined restaurant that helped make Hayes Valley a dining destination, with inventive Californian cooking from a husband-and-wife chef team. It sits steps from the opera and symphony, an ideal pre-show anchor in one of the city's most walkable strips.

    What to order: Sardine chips; porcini doughnuts

    Reserve

  • North Beach, Tony's Pizza Napoletana

    Italian $$

    Multiple world pizza champion Tony Gemignani fires pies in several ovens and styles in the heart of the Italian North Beach. Communal and lively, it captures the neighborhood's cafe culture near Washington Square and the Beat-era landmarks.

    What to order: Margherita; Cal Italia pizza

    Reserve

  • Chinatown, Mister Jiu's

    Modern Chinese $$$$

    A Michelin-starred restaurant reinventing Chinese-American banquet cooking inside a historic Chinatown dining hall. Elegant yet rooted, it is the essential reason to plan a meal around the alleys, temples, and shops of the oldest Chinatown in North America.

    What to order: Whole roast duck; hot and sour soup

    Reserve

  • Inner Richmond, Burma Superstar

    Burmese $$

    A beloved Burmese restaurant that turned the foggy Inner Richmond into a destination, known for its hand-tossed tea leaf salad. Cash-friendly and always busy, it anchors a stretch of Clement Street packed with dim sum, bakeries, and dumpling houses.

    What to order: Tea leaf salad; samusa soup

    Reserve

  • NoPa, Nopa

    Californian $$$

    A buzzing, high-ceilinged room that gave its name to the North of Panhandle neighborhood, serving wood-fired California cooking late into the night. Convivial and neighborhood-defining, it captures the area's transformation into a dining corridor near Alamo Square.

    What to order: Wood-fired rotisserie chicken; pork chop

    Reserve

  • Embarcadero, Hog Island Oyster Co.

    Seafood $$$

    A waterfront raw bar inside the Ferry Building Marketplace, shucking oysters farmed in Tomales Bay just north of the city. With views across the bay to the Bay Bridge, it pairs perfectly with a stroll through the farmers market and artisan vendors.

    What to order: Oysters; grilled cheese; clam chowder

    Reserve

  • SoMa, Benu

    Tasting Menu $$$$

    Corey Lee's three-Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant offers a refined, cross-cultural progression in a serene South of Market space. It is a splurge and a special-occasion anchor in the district that holds the museum of modern art and the convention center.

    What to order: Thousand-year-old quail egg; tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Outer Sunset, Outerlands

    Californian $$

    A cozy, driftwood-lined cafe a few blocks from Ocean Beach that captures the laid-back, foggy charm of the Outer Sunset. Its house-baked bread and beloved brunch make it a rewarding reason to explore the city's westernmost, surf-inflected neighborhood.

    What to order: Dutch pancake; grilled cheese

    Reserve

  • Marina, Greens

    Vegetarian $$$

    A pioneering vegetarian restaurant with sweeping views of the yacht harbor and Golden Gate Bridge from its perch in Fort Mason. Run in partnership with a Zen center, it remains a serene, produce-driven anchor for the Marina waterfront.

    What to order: Mesquite-grilled brochettes; seasonal plates

    Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurant Openings in San Francisco

San Francisco's dining scene never stands still, and the best new and trendy restaurant openings in San Francisco keep the city on the national radar year after year.

Recent momentum has centered on Chinatown's culinary revival, Hayes Valley's continued rise, and chefs branching out from acclaimed flagships to launch bolder, more personal concepts.

New openings tend to book up fast on buzz alone, so flexibility with dates and early or late seatings helps. Because the freshest spots evolve quickly, it is always worth checking current local coverage before you go.

These picks highlight recently opened and buzzy restaurants that capture where San Francisco dining is heading right now.

  • Four Kings

    Cantonese American $$$

    A punk-inflected Cantonese American restaurant in Chinatown from Mister Jiu's alums Mike Long and Franky Ho. Its personal, ingredient-driven cooking and lively bar have made it one of the neighborhood's most talked-about arrivals.

    What to order: Cantonese classics reimagined; natural wine

    Reserve

  • Dalida

    Eastern Mediterranean $$$

    Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz's Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in the Presidio blends Turkish, Levantine, and broader regional flavors with refined technique. Its handsome dining room and vibrant mezze have kept it firmly in the conversation.

    What to order: Wood-fired mezze; regional spreads

    Reserve

  • Kiln

    New American $$$$

    A Michelin-starred Hayes Valley restaurant from chef John Wesley delivering an inventive Californian tasting menu built around live fire and seasonal produce. Its sleek room and ambitious cooking made it an instant destination.

    What to order: Fire-driven Californian tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Copra

    South Indian $$$

    Chef Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar's South Indian restaurant on Fillmore Street brings coastal spice and coconut-rich cooking to a stylish setting. Its bold flavors and polished plating draw a steady, buzzy crowd.

    What to order: Coastal South Indian curries; dosa

    Reserve

  • Le Fantastique

    French Bistro $$$

    A cozy Hayes Valley French restaurant from Robbie and Marina Wilson exemplifying the neighborhood-bistro trend. Warm, refined, and personal, it reflects a move toward comforting European cooking with a Californian pantry.

    What to order: Seasonal French plates; caviar service

    Reserve

  • Empress by Boon

    Cantonese $$$$

    A Michelin-starred Cantonese fine-dining room perched above Chinatown, led by veteran chef Ho Chee Boon. Its polished dim sum, tableside touches, and skyline views make it one of the more glamorous newer arrivals.

    What to order: Refined dim sum; Peking duck

    Reserve

  • Aphotic

    Seafood $$$$

    Chef Peter Hemsley's Michelin-starred, sustainability-focused seafood restaurant in the Design District offers an immersive tasting menu spotlighting responsibly sourced fish. Its point of view makes it emblematic of the city's adventurous new wave.

    What to order: Sustainable seafood tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Marlena

    New American $$$$

    A Michelin-starred Bernal Heights restaurant from David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher blending refined technique with a warm neighborhood feel. Its intimate tasting menu makes it one of the more distinctive recent openings.

    What to order: Seasonal Californian tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Abacá / Filipino newcomers

    Filipino $$$

    Chef Francis Ang's Filipino restaurant near Fisherman's Wharf, and a broader wave of Filipino spots, have energized the scene with everything from casual eateries to ambitious concepts. They reflect one of the city's most exciting current movements.

    What to order: Modern Filipino plates; kamayan

    Reserve

  • La Cocina Municipal Marketplace / food halls

    Food Hall $$

    Curated food halls like La Cocina's Tenderloin marketplace gather standout local, immigrant-run vendors under one roof, offering an easy way to sample multiple buzzy cooks and cuisines in a single, casual visit.

    What to order: Multiple local vendors under one roof

    Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is San Francisco most famous for?

San Francisco is most famous for sourdough bread and cioppino, the local seafood stew. Locals also love Mission-style burritos, Dungeness crab, and Chinatown dim sum, plus fine dining like three-Michelin-star Benu.

Where can I get the best cioppino in San Francisco?

Top cioppino spots include Sotto Mare in North Beach, Anchor Oyster Bar in the Castro, and Tadich Grill, one of the city's oldest restaurants. Scoma's serves it near the wharf. Try more than one.

Do I need reservations for top San Francisco restaurants?

Yes. Michelin-starred spots like Benu, Quince, and Atelier Crenn, plus State Bird Provisions, need reservations released weeks ahead. Swan Oyster Depot is walk-in only. Book early or sit at the counter.

Which San Francisco neighborhoods are best for dining?

The Mission is the buzziest hub for taquerias and chef-driven spots. Hayes Valley and the Ferry Building draw destination kitchens, North Beach offers Italian classics, Chinatown and the Richmond serve affordable Asian cuisine.

How expensive is fine dining in San Francisco?

San Francisco's top tasting menus are a splurge, typically $$$$ per person before pairings. Neighborhood restaurants, taquerias, and dim sum houses offer great value. Check current menus.

Are there good vegetarian and vegan options in San Francisco?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan spots include Greens at Fort Mason, Shizen for vegan sushi, and Golden Era. Many fine-dining kitchens accommodate vegan menus with notice, and the city's produce-driven cooking suits plant-based diners.