46 Best Restaurants in San Francisco
Last updated February 23, 2026
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San Francisco City is regarded among the finest globally, both in terms of culture and cuisine.
It’s no wonder that numerous individuals from various regions have come here over the last two centuries to have a taste of San Francisco's culinary landscape.
The charming mix of culturally-inspired dishes, along with farm-2-table, upscale dining, and seafood, forms the essential characteristics of San Francisco cuisine — tasty with an allure that attracts visitors from near and far.
Here are the 46 best restaurants in San Francisco!
1. Rintaro
This is a fashionable Japanese restaurant set in a vibrant area decorated with visible wood elements.
Sylvan Brackett, hailing from a lineage of carpenters, established the restaurant and included renowned redwood wine barrels and artisanal cedar in the design of the dining area.
The ambiance in this restaurant radiates calmness, even in hectic moments.
2. Birdsong
Birdsong is a high-end restaurant situated in a rugged neighborhood close to Market Street, providing an elegant forest-wilderness-inspired dining atmosphere.
Christopher Bleidorn, the chef, recognized for his contributions in leading kitchens across San Francisco, offers a tasting menu here showcasing Pacific Northwest cuisine and wood-fired preparations.
The restaurant seeks to highlight meals at their finest, frequently presenting ingredients in their entirety and utilizing livefire cooking methods.
3. Coi
This is a famous restaurant located in San Francisco's North Beach area, providing innovative French-Californian tasting experiences.
Under the guidance of Chef Patterson Daniel and currently Erik Anderson, the Michelin-star restaurant is renowned for its unique minimalist food philosophy, utilizing ingredients that are locally sourced.
Their tasting menu (eight-course) features a highly seasonal item like Dungeness crab accompanied by bay leaf and grapefruit.
4. Copra
Copra stands as a beautiful San Francisco restaurant, featuring a remarkable interior decorated with macrame, vines, ropes, and shelves brimming with ceramics and baskets.
The restaurant serves South Indian dishes that complement the magnificence of its ambiance.
Plates such as black cod encased in banana leaf and hamachi collar adorned with fragile blossoms stand out as some of the highlights here.
Copra's diligent staff also offers outstanding service and useful recommendations for selecting meals.
5. Pizzeria Delfina
Pizzeria Delfina, located in San Francisco's Mission District, offers a casual atmosphere with outdoor seats and a variety of nice Italian wines.
Founded in 1998, the restaurant has been influential in molding the Cal-Italian culinary landscape of the Bay Area.
It recently completed an extensive renovation which features gold-plated details and an attractive wooden bar while preserving its enticing food menu, which includes favorites like its signature spaghetti which is so tasty.
6. ROOH SF
This is a Bay Area restaurant that provides a creative approach to Indian dishes and distinctive cocktails.
The alfresco dining space here features sidewalk seating, a large courtyard, and gas heaters, with fleece-branded blankets for sale.
Indoor seating remains available as well, although making reservations is advisable.
Pujan Sarkar, the chef, has been at the kitchen helm for more than seven years, creating 'progressive Indian' cuisine that has continued to receive praise.
7. Liholiho Yacht Club
This is a fantastic laid-back restaurant offering a range of unique tastes.
Each item on their menu consistently challenges decision-making abilities, and their Tendernob location is now active as dinein service.
The restaurant's basement bar is definitely worth visiting for its distinctive drink selections and irresistible food offerings such as waffles and crudos.
8. Mijoté
This is a delightful French eatery situated in the center of the lovely Mission neighborhood.
It's a favored location for romantic outings and group gatherings, providing a warm atmosphere and vibrant energy.
The bar here offers a close-up view of the kitchen hustle, allowing visitors to watch the talented team cut sourdough bread, cook hanger steaks, and pour natural wine.
9. Flour + Water
This is a rustic and informal Italian eatery that has offered wooden fired pizza and artisanal pasta for over 15 years.
Situated in San Francisco's Mission-Potrero neighborhood, it has emerged as a bold matron of its restaurant family.
The eatery provides a shared table that overlooks its bustling pizza oven. Here, tasty pizzas are crafted.
10. Angler
Angler is a high-end seafood restaurant situated in the Embarcadero, featuring a lodge-style ambiance and breathtaking views of the bay.
Led by Chef Skenes Joshua, formerly of Saison, this restaurant centers on seafood dishes prepared over a wood and hearth-fired grill of 32 feet.
Their menu highlights fresh shellfish from the tanks and delicious house rolls accompanied by seaweed cultured butter.
11. Quince
Quince is a prestigious, famous restaurant that provides an extensive array of wines and locally sourced, seasonal dishes.
It ranks among the most expensive Michelin three-star restaurants in San Francisco, featuring a prix fixe $360 menu that includes 8 to 10 courses with wine pairings available (optional) for an extra $320.
The chef of the restaurant, Michael Tusk, focuses on pasta meals which are part of the ultra-luxurious dining experience here.
12. Kokkari Estiatorio
Kokkari Estiatorio stands as a famous Greek restaurant featuring an elegant vintage atmosphere highlighted by its crackling fireplace and rich wooden finishes.
The venue got its name from a quaint fishing village located on Samos Island in the beautiful Aegean Sea, contributing to its allure.
13. Nopa
This is a well-known restaurant celebrated for its emphasis on local, fresh produce and innovative cocktails.
This two-level environment provides a vibrant ambiance for visitors to savor Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
The restaurant features a cozy outdoor dining space equipped with plush seating and heat lamps, fostering an inviting and warm atmosphere within Hayes Street.
The farm-2-table methods of Nopa guarantee that numerous menu selections remain gluten-free, earning it the reputation as a preferred spot for diners in San Francisco's Bay Side.
14. Mister Jiu's
This is an upscale Chinese restaurant featuring a California flair and located in an exquisitely renovated historic building.
The menu here includes family-style meals, ideal for groups, along with a sophisticated bar that provides a variety of appealing cocktails.
Brandon Jew, the chef incorporates Sichuan occasional specialties and seasonal produce sourced from local farms.
Menu items in the restaurant consist of cherry tomatoes paired with smoked tofu, then Petrale sole and summer squash paired with fried rice.
15. Swan Oyster Depot
This is a vibrant iconic spot famous for its seafood and raw-bar offerings.
This simple counter space located in a seafood market draws throngs of visitors looking for the indulgent bites of cold, crunchy crab, the initial salty raw oyster thrill, and other incredibly fresh shellfish.
Even with the delay here sometimes, guests feel completely at home once they take a seat behind the restaurant’s counter.
16. House Prime Rib
This is a traditional English-style eatery that has offered martinis and prime rib since around the 1940s.
It is a divisive place and a beloved choice for many within San Francisco.
This vintage establishment provides a nostalgic eating experience featuring carvers in long hats, salad spinning at the table, and red leather banquette.
It is recognized for its delightful ambiance and its ample servings of top-quality prime rib.
17. La Taqueria
Found in the lively Mission District, La Taqueria has remained a popular destination since 1973 due to its authentic tacos and burritos.
Jara family's snugly wrapped tacos and burritos have gained them a devoted fanbase.
Lately, their hidden menu was uncovered, highlighting clever menu tricks such as the tasty "burrito dorado” dish.
18. Nari
This is a chic restaurant featuring a blend of Californian and Thai dishes, complemented by inventive cocktails.
The restaurant's brightly illuminated dining area boasts lofty ceilings and vibrant greenery, establishing a refined botanical ambiance.
Their menu, designed by Chef Techamuanvivit Pim, features dishes that blend sweet, sour, and spicy tastes in creative manners.
Situated in Hotel Kabuki in Japantown, Nari honors its own name which translates to 'women'.
19. Foreign Cinema
Foreign Cinema, situated in San Francisco’s Mission district, is a celebrated restaurant serving Californian-Mediterranean dishes and a sought-after brunch experience.
This famous location boasts a captivating outdoor terrace decorated with shimmering lights, allowing guests to savor meals while viewing films displayed on their wall.
The venue has been flourishing for more than 20 years due to its daring and reliably tasty dishes crafted by the co-owners and chefs John Clark and Gayle Pirie.
20. Yank Sing
Yank Sing is a famous dim sum eatery that has offered traditional dim sum since 1958.
It is a lively Chinese restaurant famous for attracting large audiences, offering more than 100 dim sum rotating selections, including vegan and vegetarian options.
The restaurant, owned by a family, has two sites and is well-known for its unique dishes such as Grandma Alice chicken & mushroom dumplings.
21. Greens
This is a famous San Francisco vegetarian restaurant that has offered sustainable and creative plant-based meals for more than 40 years.
This restaurant features sweeping views of the bay and collaborates closely with nearby organic farmers like GreenGulch Farm.
Featuring an attractive wood decor and floor-2-ceiling windows, Greens provides a wide range of Old and New World wines in order to enhance its menu which is constantly evolving.
22. Burma Superstar
This is a vibrant and well-known restaurant which has been providing authentic Burmese dishes since 1992 in San Francisco's Bay Area.
The cozy and unpretentious atmosphere of the restaurant creates an ideal backdrop to savor their famed meals including their renowned TeaLeaf Salad, Mohinga, and Platha.
Burmese cuisine has a distinctive mix of tastes influenced by India, China, Laos, and Thailand, which can be explored through the extensive menu of Burma Superstar.
23. Waterbar Restaurant
This is a chic seafood restaurant situated along the water front of the Embarcadero of San Francisco.
The restaurant provides views of San Francisco's Bay Lights and Bay Bridge.
The restaurant also has a horseshoe-shape bar and an outdoor area with the bay's close-up views.
24. Pier 23 CafeRestaurant & Bar
This stands as a family-operated restaurant situated on the stunning Embarcadero, emphasizing seafood and providing outdoor seating by the water.
The menu here includes offerings such as salads, crab cakes, and tacos, paired with quality beer and strong cocktails.
Although Pier 23 is better recognized for its lovely live music than its cuisine, it remains a favored nightlife destination in the vicinity.
Guests can experience live music here every night from local blues and jazz musicians while admiring beautiful views of the bay.
25. Gary Danko
This famous eatery named after the chef, Gary Danko provides a sophisticated and friendly San Francisco dining experience.
The restaurant is recognized for its set-price offerings that highlight American dishes infused with California-French flavors.
With careful attention to detail, this restaurant offers a refined atmosphere without coming off as snobbish.
The seasonal offerings of Gary Danko highlight the chef's skills and imagination, offering items like lettuce cream with oysters in glaze and game crusted with juniper.
26. Tacolicious
This is a well-known local establishment famous for its small dishes, tacos, and tequila cocktails.
This Marina outpost within San Francisco serves fresh salads, tasty tacos including grilled octopus and shrimp options, along with excellent margaritas.
Their service here is remarkable, featuring an enjoyable and vibrant ambiance.
Visitors can also indulge in unlimited salsa and chips while relishing the restaurant's tasty cuisine.
So, if you find yourself within San Francisco City and have a craving for tacos, you should definitely check out Tacolicious in Chestnut Street!
27. Aziza
This is a Californian-Moroccan eatery located in San Francisco's Richmond district, featuring imaginative cocktails and inventive dishes in a lively atmosphere.
It’s recognized for its unique and unconventional vibe, earning it popularity among residents.
Its dining area showcases Moroccan lamps, sleek lines, and patterned tiles, fostering a warm atmosphere.
The restaurant's interior mimics an upscale Marrakesh resort with its high ceilings and chic lighting.
28. Good MongKok Bakery
This is a well-known Chinese bakery situated in Chinatown, famous for its freshly made baked treats and dim sum.
Even with its small interior and standing space, the bakery draws long queues of visitors keen to snatch up its tasty grab-n-go choices of dim sum.
The offerings here feature turnip cakes, charsiu buns, sticky rice inside lotus leaf, and shrimp dumplings, all kept hot in large steaming baskets.
29. EPIC Steak
EPIC Steak, situated in San Francisco's Embarcadero district, is a chic waterfront dining establishment that provides the Bay Bridge’s stunning views.
Its menu presents a carefully chosen array of wood-grilled steaks gotten from California local farms, along with options from Idaho, Tasmania, and Japan.
A highlight of their menu here is the ribeye of 14 ounces, expertly grilled and dry-aged, accompanied by delicious sides and various sauces.
30. La Ciccia
La Ciccia stands as a delightful, intimate San Francisco restaurant that focuses on offering genuine Sardinian dishes and an extensive array of wines.
Their menu includes octopus stew, handcrafted spaghetti, and various Sardinian meals that are packed with flavor.
This restaurant is definitely among my top restaurants in San Francisco.
31. Lazy Bear
This is a famous midcentury-styled restaurant situated in San Francisco's Mission District, serving New American dishes.
Previously a pop-up, the restaurant is now a dining venue featuring a highly seasonal menu and a warm, lumberjack-chic atmosphere.
The restaurant's appeal is found in the nostalgic features, evident in the way dishes are presented and the friendly service here.
32. Saison
Saison is an upscale dining establishment in the SoMa area of San Francisco, featuring a seasonal, wood-fired menu and a wide variety of wines.
The restaurant boasts refined outdoor patio seating and a stylish industrial dining area.
Chef Chung Paul and executive chef Richard Lee head the kitchen here, focusing on vegetable- and flame-focused California dishes.
Saison is recognized for its cooking method over an open fire, utilizing seasonal ingredients sourced straight from local farms.
33. Tadich Grill
This is a legendary seafood restaurant found in San Francisco's Bay Area and recognized for its traditional ambiance and vibrant environment.
Founded in 1849, it’s recognized as the oldest California restaurant and the nation’s third oldest.
The quick service here, the ambiance reminiscent of a European bistro, and traditional dishes like Dungeness crab cake, clam chowder, and oysters Rockefeller, contribute to its status as a favored dining location.
34. Akikos
This is a fashionable and rustic bistro which has been providing outstanding sushi to diners in San Francisco for more than 30 years.
This family-run eatery takes pride in sourcing fresh fish directly from local suppliers and the Tsukiji Fish Market of Japan, resulting in delectable and beautifully arranged meals.
Akikos showcases a blend of textures such as warm timber, bare brick walls, and dim lighting, fostering a welcoming vibe for visitors.
35. International Smoke
An amazing dining establishment by Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina, International Smoke provides a worldwide-inspired culinary experience emphasizing innovative cocktails and grilled meats.
The menu here includes wood-grilled steaks, ribs, seafood, and tasty dishes.
The goal of the restaurant is to unite individuals around tasty drinks and food in a friendly environment.
36. Atelier Crenn
Atelier Crenn stands as a trendy San Francisco restaurant, overseen by French-born Dominique Crenn.
This premier restaurant presents a tasting pescatarian menu of 14 courses that features seasonal and sustainable produce sourced from the SonomaCounty farm of the restaurant.
Guests always get poems that relate to each course, fostering an engaging and delightful culinary journey.
This restaurant is also dedicated to sustainability, holding a plastic-free certification and assisting in efforts to combat food insecurity.
37. Minnie Bell’s
This is a touching success narrative in a region where soul food restaurants face challenges and the black population is decreasing.
It is not a complete restaurant; instead, it's a kiosk located in Emeryville Public Market, distant from the lively culinary scenes of Oakland and San Francisco.
Guests always laud the attentive personnel and friendly owner here, along with their unique offerings such as oxtail risotto and their delicious fried chicken.
38. Acquerello
Acquerello is an upscale Italian eatery situated in a repurposed chapel featuring vaulted ceilings with wooden beams.
Having more than 30 years experience, the two Michelin-star restaurant provides unmatched luxury through its gourmet dining experience.
Visitors can select from the seasonal extravagant tasting menu here or the prix fixe option that includes items such as oxtail ravioli and Kampachi Crudo.
The restaurant aims to deliver traditional and modern Italian flavors in a sophisticated dining setting.
39. Marufuku Ramen
Marufuku Ramen, situated in the center of Japantown, serves as a modern sanctuary for ramen lovers.
Since its launch in 2017, the well-known venue has grown to various locations throughout California, New York, and Texas.
The menu here features an assortment of mouthwatering choices, highlighting Hakata-style genuine tonkotsu ramen—famed for its creamy, umami-packed broth made from simmered pork bones, then complemented by artisanal noodles that are ultra-thin.
40. Beit Rima
This is a charming eatery situated within the Castro, serving a selection of authentic Arabic cuisine and drinks.
The restaurant, named in honor of the Jordanian mother of the chef, stands as a sincere homage to the cuisine of his childhood.
Emphasizing genuine Jordanian and Palestinian dishes, Beit Rima offers an extensive menu that includes mezze options such as fava beanful and baba ganoush, along with lamb shank and kebabs.
41. SAN HO WON
This is a high-end Korean eatery situated in a sleek, minimalist industrial setting in the San Francisco Mission area.
The eatery provides a distinctive approach to Korean classic charcoal BBQ, emphasizing premium ingredients and sophisticated methods.
Alongside the shiny, grilled short ribs here, they also offer items like soy, sake, garlic-marinated rotisserie chicken, crunchy scallion pancakes, grilled corn with honey butter, and airy egg soufflé.
42. Rich Table
This is a well-known California restaurant situated in the lively San Francisco Hayes Valley.
The restaurant provides a distinctive dining experience featuring a barn-wood environment and an open kitchen.
Recognized for its nice farm-2-table philosophy, Rich Table offers imaginative meals crafted from regional produce.
Its menu showcases creative appetizers such as wild fennel house-made bread, dried porcini donuts, and sardine crisps with horseradish sauce.
43. Omakase
Omakase stands as a celebrated Michelin-rated restaurant, providing a cozy and genuine sushi dining adventure.
The restaurant focuses on Edomae sushi crafted with carefully chosen fish sourced from the Tsukiji Tokyo Fish Market.
The setting here, featuring just 14 seats, is traditionally Japanese and tranquil, allowing for engagement with Chef Yu Jackson as he prepares each meal.
44. Kin Khao
Situated in the Parc55 hotel, Kin Khao is a lively and contemporary Thai restaurant featuring cocktails and dishes made from local ingredients.
The vibrant decor of the restaurant enhances its striking curries. They are a standout feature of this Michelin-starred venue.
This Chef Techamuanvivit's project seeks to enhance Thai traditional cuisine through the use of vegetables, meats, and seafood sourced from local suppliers in Northern California.
45. Niku Steakhouse
Niku Steakhouse, situated in the Design District of San Francisco, presents a distinctive American-Japanese menu with wagyu and side dishes sourced locally.
In contrast to the conventional steakhouses around San Francisco, Niku offers a stylish and inviting atmosphere where visitors can savor excellent service even without dressing formally.
The restaurant belongs to Omakase Group, recognized for its other thriving establishments such as Dumpling Time and Omakase.
46. State Bird Provisions
This is a well-known eatery situated in Fillmore Street.
It features a rustic-urban ambiance and a rotating selection of small American dishes served in a dim-sum method.
Stuart Brioza, the executive chef, together with his team, even Gaby Maeda, the chef of cuisine, display their skills here with inventive California cuisine influenced by Asian flavors.
The experience in this restaurant includes 'commandables’, allowing guests to order anything in a traditional way.
