San Francisco Restaurant Guide - Top San Francisco Restaurants

It's almost unfair. With world-class wineries, artisinal cheese makers and small farms just a short drive away, San Francisco is awash in culinary riches. The quality and quantity of the restaurants here make San Francisco an unparalleled food city. The city is best known for its farm fresh, ingredient-driven food showcased at restaurants like the Foreign Cinema, Greens and Boulevard. Trendy neighborhoods like the Mission District and Noe Valley have come on strong with inventive but down-to-earth restaurants such as Range, Delfina and Incanto while top-of-the-line newcomers Coi and Ame wow locals and visitors alike with their eclectic, technically precise cuisine rooted in western and Asian traditions. With so many choices, the only downside in this city of plenty is deciding where to eat.
Cliff House Restaurant San Francisco

The Cliff House

1090 Point Lobos, San Francisco, CA; Tel. 1.877.485.2032

Fresh Seafood and Stunning Views at a True San Francisco Landmark!

The Cliff House is a definite must see for any visitor or local looking for a memorable San Francisco dining experience. The Cliff House's restaurants and lounges serve an assortment of fine food and wine, using the freshest local ingredients.
First Crush Restaurant San Francisco

First Crush

101 Cyril Magnin St. San Francisco, CA; Tel. 1.877.498.5347

Do you remember Your First Crush?

In the fall of 1998, First Crush opened their doors and immediately became one of San Francisco's favorite rendezvous spots for couples, friends, and colleagues looking for a restaurant that can truly accommodate any and all occasions. The stylish yet unpretentious street level restaurant offers a lively setting perfect for an early get together amongst friends or an intimate late night snack, glass of wine or sharing a scrumptious dessert with that special someone. First Crush offers a seasonal changing menu offering the freshest ingredients available. The restaurant takes pride in the extensive wine list, offering a large selection of both classic family California wineries as well as up and comers.
Cafe Arguello San Francisco

Cafe Arguello

2832 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110; Tel. 1.877.451.9711

Finest Basque & Spanish Comfort Foods in the City

Step inside the family owned and operated Cafe Arguello in the Mission District for a terrific traditional Basque and Spanish dining experience.
Castagnola's San Francisco

Castagnola's

286 Jefferson Street, San Francisco California 94133; Tel. 1.877.455.6994

A top restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf, perfect for large parties!

Local fishermen deliver fresh fish and seafood daily to Castagnola's dock. This top restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf serves wonderful fresh seafood with a hardy fare of steaks, lamb, veal, chicken and pasta. Castagnola's Whole Main Lobster is a House Specialty.
E&O Trading Company San Francisco

E&O Trading Company

314 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94108; Tel. 1.877.492.0843

"One of San Francisco's top restaurants!"

E&O Trading Company is located in the heart of downtown San Francisco just a block off Union Square. This exciting restaurant is perfect for fun cocktails, a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends and family.
Daffodil Restaurant

Daffodil Restaurant

Fresh Food and Casual Elegance near Union Square

665 Bush Street, San Francisco CA 94108
1.877.219.7031
Daffodil Restaurant, just steps from the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square, is a world-class dining establishment featuring delicious small plates perfect for sharing with family and friends. Each menu item includes a thoughtful wine suggestion, taking the guesswork out of pairing each dish with the ideal wine. Succulent large dishes, fresh vegetarian entrees and premium cocktails round out the distinctive menu at Daffodil Restaurant.
Santorini Restaurant

Santorini Restaurant

Union Square's Premier Mediterranean Restaurant

242 O'Farrell St., San Francisco CA 94102
1.877.469.0285
Santorini Restaurant offers a sunny Mediterranean dining experience in the heart of San Francisco's foggy restaurant scene. Bold flavors and classic ingredients make Santorini's menu an accessible choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Menu items range from eggs Benedict to classic spanakopita to innovative wood-fired pizzas. The intimate dining room is splashed in warm yellow tones with elegant dark wood detailing, creating a comfortable atmosphere for casual dining. A lengthy catering menu and a private banquet room make this San Francisco restaurant an easy choice for large events.
La Terrasse

La Terrasse

215 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco, Ca. 94129; Tel. 1.888.406.1224

"Elegance - Comfort - Integrity"

Situated in the heart of San Francisco’s Historic Presidio La Terrasse is a lovely French Brasserie that serves lunch, dinner and brunch. Enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from their patio. Offering picnic basket service and perfect for private parties of up to 40 people, this San Francisco Ca restaurant is an all-around must in the Presidio. Call for reservations and availability.
Roots Restaurant San Francisco CA Restaurant

Roots

466 Bush Street (at Grant Avenue, in the Orchard Garden Hotel), San Francisco, CA 94108; Tel. 415.659.0349

Green Friendly Mindset with a Mediterranean Flair

The perfect complement to California's first "green" hotel, Roots is located at the lobby level of San Francisco's Orchard Garden Hotel. The authentically modern bar and restaurant are perfect for most any dine out occasion—a pre-theatre dinner, a business negotiation and, of course, that romantic evening.
Franciscan Crab Restaurant San Francisco CA

Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Pier 43 1/2, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA 94133; Tel. 1.877.509.6558
An extensive renovation has revitalized the Franciscan, a Fisherman's Wharf institution since 1957. Signature dishes include whole roasted Dungeness crab, seafood cioppino and fresh fish prepared in a variety of styles.
Sushi Hana San Francisco CA Sushi Restaurant and Sake Bar

Tsunami Sushi and Sake Bar

1306 Fulton Street @ Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94117; Tel. 415.567.7664
Tsunami is like a wave of the hip urbane. Dim lights, house music, a good looking waitstaff and red vintage chairs flavor the cozy sushi and sake bar-flanked dining room.
Cortez Restaurant San Francisco CA Restaurant

Cortez Restaurant

550 Geary St @ Shannon St, San Francisco, CA 94102; Tel. 877.557.9491

Tapas, drinks and cool atmosphere, in the theatre district blocks from Union Square

This adventurous restaurant and bar will satisfy your taste buds beyond any expectation. Cortez offers creative Mediterranean flavors, small plates (or tapas) perfect for sharing.
Roy's Restaurant San Francisco CA Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine

Roy's Restaurant

575 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA

Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
SanFrancisco.com's Top Choice for Delicious Hawaiian-Seafood Cuisine

Roy's blends European cooking techniques and Asian twists into what is now known as Hawaiian Fusion cuisine. Located just southeast of Union Square, this is truly an oasis for all locals, travelers and large parties. Aloha!
Ruth's Chris San Francisco

Ruth's Chris Steak House

1601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109

Prime Steak House with Sizzle

This world famous steak house has a great reputation for serving aged, corn-fed USDA Prime steaks that really sizzle. Their selection of appetizers, entrees and homemade desserts make Ruth's Chris in San Francisco a restaurant for all to enjoy. Online reservations are suggested.
Cafe Maritime San Francisco

Cafe Maritime

2417 Lombard St., San Francisco, CA; Tel. 1.877.451.9717

Named "Best Bay Area Seafood"

Since it opened in 2004, neighborhood locals and SF visitors have bestowed a loyal and vocal thumbs up to what has become the Marina's most popular seafood and late night restaurant - Cafe Maritime. Continually topping local media's "Best of" lists, Cafe Maritime is a true San Francisco insider's spot that always satisfies with amazing seafood dishes executed with perfection.

Aqua

252 California Street, San Francisco CA 94110
$$$. An expense account destination, Aqua is the crown jewel of Charles Condy's empire, which includes Charles Nob Hill, Redwood Park, and Pisces. This upscale eatery will cater to peculiar dietary needs with color and creativity. A wonderful fish entrée or veggie plate upon special request can be topped off with any of a variety of "to die for" nonfat or low-fat dessert options.

Bacar

448 Brannan St., San Francisco CA 94107
Whether it's for business dining, a celebratory dinner, casual Friday lunch, late-night snack, or just a fun night out, Bacar offers a warehouse full of wine and culinary adventures. This vibrant South of Market (SoMa) restaurant features Northern California cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere.

Boulevard

1 Mission St., San Francisco CA 94105
Housed in the historic 1889 Audiffried Building (a rare survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake), Boulevard is a waterfront San Francisco restaurant with views of the Bay Bridge, a grand, Belle Epoque feel and Zagat-praised contemporary American cuisine. Portions are generous and the presentation artful, while the pastries and desserts are made in house.

Chapeau!

1408 Clement St. 94118. Richmond District
Chapeau! means "hats off" in French and you'll be doffing your hat once you try Philippe Gardelle's lovingly prepared French food. Chapeau!'s wine list is Francophile heaven. Set in a boxy but inviting dining room in San Francisco's Richmond District, Chapeau! makes regulars of all who enter this neighborhood gem.

Fleur de Lys

777 Sutter St., San Francisco CA 94109
After a destructive fire in 2000 that left the Fleur de Lys a charred shell, this downtown San Francisco restaurant went back to the drawing board and fully renovated their downtown San Francisco location. The new dining room (more beautiful than ever) is a red, rich and chandeliered space, a luxe setting for caviar, French cheeses and four course gourmet dinners including meat, game, seafood and a new emphasis on vegetarian options.

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St. 94110. Mission District.
Part Cal-Med bistro, part movie house, Foreign Cinema is a sleek, industrial-chic hot spot that survived its dotcom buzz to become a city standout. Choose from an extensive list of oysters, gazpacho, house-cured sardines, and Spanish paprika-roasted chicken while you enjoy a flickering art flick on Foreign Cinema's big outdoor screen. Whatever's showing, the food is always the star.

Greens

Fort Mason, Buchanan St., at Marina Blvd.
Just the view of Alcatraz alone from this spectacularly located landmark helps whet the appetite of admirers from around the world. One of the rare sophisticated dining spots that offers a splendid meatless menu, Greens is always packed. Make reservations and bring an adventurous palate. Everything is delicious and sparkling fresh.

Luna Park

694 Valencia 94110. Mission District.
Luna Park is a Mission District magnet for local hipsters and out-of-towners alike. Luna Park packs 'em in with its French-Italian-American inspired dishes such as moules frites (mussels and fries), lamb cous-cous and grilled flat iron steak with salsa verde. Don't miss the make-your-own s'mores.

McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant

900 North Point Street, San Francisco CA 94109
Located in Ghirardelli Square (near Fisherman's Wharf), McCormick and Kuleto's is a chain restaurant that's a popular tourist destination in San Francisco. With over thirty seafood specialties and a stadium-seating setup affording panoramic views of the Bay and Alcatraz Island for all diners simultaneously, it's easy to see why.
Book a table online

Palio d'Asti

640 Sacramento Street, San Francisco CA 94111
Palio d'Asti serves the hearty, earthy cuisines of Tuscany and the Italian Northwest regions of Liguria and Piedmont. Recommended dishes include mezzelune alla monferrina, house-made almond and fontina filled half moon ravioli with spinach and white truffle oil; Tuscan seafood stew; and kitchen's fresh made desserts.

Postrio - San Francisco

545 Post St., San Francisco CA 94102
Wolfgang Puck's original NorCal outpost continues to garner rave reviews and industry accolades thanks to the culinary prowess of Steve and Mitchell Rosenthal. Luckily they spend as much time churning out innovative Californian cuisine as Puck does branding pizzas.

Ponzu

401 Taylor St San Francisco CA 94102
A playful San Francisco restaurant for contemporary Asian cuisine, Ponzu, located in San Francisco's Theater District downtown near Union Sqaure, attracts both a bar crowd and a dining crowd looking for creative cocktails and bold and bright entrees and appetizers that take tastes from Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese ingredients and cooking styles. The three illuminated 125-gallon salt water tanks back the bar and lend to the slick and fun ambiance.

Scala's Bistro

432 Powell St., San Francisco CA 94102
Just a half a block from Union Square, Scala's Bistro is bustling with Old World ambiance, from original murals and a warm atmosphere done in deep, rich tones to a pan-Mediterranean menu. The open kitchen pours out aromas from Italy, Spain and France while the service is just as warm as the decor. After dinner, Harry Denton's Starlight Room is the place for a cocktail on the twenty-first floor of the Sir France Drake hotel overlooking downtown San Francisco's city lights.

Scott Howard

500 Jackson St., San Francisco, CA 94133
Tucked between the Financial District and North Beach, this restaurant is an inviting oasis that offers an exciting a la carte menu and encourages guests to linger over an extensive wine list or order from the impressive raw bar. Award-winning Chef Scott Howard takes local, seasonal ingredients and gives old favorites new twists. Warm and intimate decor and the restaurant's proximity to the financial district make it an excellent choice for dining after work or en route to a show. A Gourmet Magazine 2005 "Future Star."

The Last Supper Club

1199 Valencia St. 94110. Mission District.
The Last Supper Club should be the place for one of your first San Francisco meals. Do like the natives do and squeeze into this always crowded, night-on-the-town restaurant. The Italian-American food is lusty and zesty and served at great prices. Try The Last Supper Club's roasted octopus with chickpeas or the white truffle cheese fondue. Watching the beautiful people at the bar is an added bonus.

Town Hall

342 Howard St. 94105. South of Market.
Town Hall was designed to evoke a communal gathering place and soon after the new American restaurant opened it became the talk of the town with seasonally inspired menu and glitzy but casual decor. Set in the historic Meco building, Town Hall is a showcase of regional American ingredients.