By: Kat Bein By: Kat Bein | December 9, 2021 | Food & Drink Feature
We San Franciscans are some of the wealthiest folk in the world—and we're not talking about salaries.
Our beautiful City by the Bay is home to some truly world-class dining experiences. Be it Michelin-star chefs, fresh seafood, international flavors or just some darn-good burritos, there's always something to wow your guests and tickle your taste buds.
Today, we're taking a closer look at the best of the best, breaking down the must-try menus and hard-to-get reservations that keep San Fran at the top of the foodie lists year in and year out.
See also: Every Michelin-Star Restaurant in San Francisco
22 Hawthorne Street / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary, Asian
The Atmosphere: Minimalist and modern
Why You Need To Dine Here: After a stint as head chef at French Laundry, Corey Lee opened this innovative establishment in 2010, working its thoughtfully-curated and ever-evolving fixed menu into the first to earn a Michelin star in San Francisco. Benu now boasts three.
Pro Tip: Expect to spend three hours over the course of your stay, and let the reservationist know if you’ve dined before under a different name, so they can be sure to prepare a new menu for your experience.
28 Waverly Place / Website
The Cuisine: Chinese, Contemporary
The Atmosphere: Chic fine dining with plants and bold accents
Why You Need To Dine Here: This Michelin-star spot keeps history alive in Chinatown, putting a modern twist on traditional dishes in a space that's long been a gathering place for food and fun. Great for date nights or family outings with impeccable dishes, and the bar is a must-see.
151 Noe Street / Website
The Cuisine: French
The Atmosphere: Warm and intimate
Why You Need To Dine Here: Chef Clemont grew up in the French Alps, honed his skills in Paris and spent three years at SF's James Beard-nominated Le Charm before opening this neighborhood spot in 2008. When the city’s French transplants need a taste of home, they’ll commune at this authentic and traditional gem.
3127 Fillmore Street / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary, French
The Atmosphere: Warm, minimal and modern
Why You Need To Dine Here: Taste the three-star Michelin brilliance of Dominique Crenn's culinary artistry. Food becomes poetry as Crenn tells a story with each plate, building upon her French heritage with an acute eye for style and innovation.
Pro Tip: Reserve a Moveable Feast session and journey through a 14-course tasting menu while exploring the restaurant space.
838 Grant Ave. / Website
The Cuisine: Modern Cantonese
The Atmosphere: Opulent and ornate
Why You Need To Dine Here: Chef Ho is a Michelin-starred master with more than 36 years of experience. His new restaurant recently opened in a long-beloved spot in Chinatown, but the lively atmosphere and incredible menu has already blown us away.
Pro Tip: Place an order for the off-menu Peking duck 48 hours in advance of your reservation.
800 North Point Street / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary
The Atmosphere: Traditional fine dining
Why You Need To Dine Here: James Beard has awarded this elevated yet approachable Fisherman's Wharf favorite with 11 nominations and three wins including Best New Restaurants in 2000, Outstanding Service and Best Chef in America. Michelin agrees, crowning the French-style fare with a star for its fresh and locally-grown ingredients.
470 Pacific Ave. / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary, Californian
The Atmosphere: Warm and romantic
Why You Need To Dine Here: A James Beard Best Chef: Pacific, Chef Michael Tusk serves a new tasting menu each night, though its Fresh Run Farm ingredients are sure to highlight the curious magic of California cuisine. A bit of Italian influence touches his craft, and it's earned Quince three Michelin stars.
Pro Tip: While the full menu can only be experienced in the dining room, the salon offers a more casual dining experience.
178 Townsend Street / Website
The Cuisine: Modern American
The Atmosphere: Fanciful and inviting
Why You Need To Dine Here: Boasting two Michelin stars, Saison focuses its menu around wood-fire cooking and seasonal ingredients. The kitchen is laid open to the guests, taking the central theme of the hearth to dynamic new heights.
Pro Tip:
1581 Webster Street #235 / Website
The Cuisine: Japanese
The Atmosphere: Intimate mall hideaway
Why You Need To Dine Here: If you’re looking for that authentic ramen taste outside of Japan, Marufuku offers one of the best bowls in the country. Situated in the Japan Center Malls, it’s not unusual to find a line snaking around the lobby.
Pro Tip: Marufuku does not accept reservations, so come when doors open for lunch or plan to wait in line for the goods.
1722 Sacramento Street / Website
The Cuisine: Italian Contemporary
The Atmosphere: Chic converted chapel vibes
Why You Need To Dine Here: Refined luxury comes with a side of traditional countryside charm at this 30-year-plus fine-dining experience. Two Michelin stars and a few generations later, Acquerello is still a must for romantics and food lovers alike.
61 Division Street / Website
The Cuisine: Japanese-American
The Atmosphere: Modern and masculine
Why You Need To Dine Here: If business or pleasure calls for a fine steak, Michelin-starred Niku is a must. Its in-house dry aging program cultivates heaven from the finest cuts, including Japanese A5 wagyu. Wood fire is at the heart of Executive Chef Dustin Falcon's process, who came up via Lazy Bear and French Laundry.
1499 Valencia Street / Website
The Cuisine: Relaxed and friendly
The Atmosphere: New American
Why You Need To Dine Here: Clean and colorful, this vegetarian-friendly neighborhood spot is family-driven and seasonally focused. Al’s Place earned a Michelin star for its must-try sustainable menu.
2000 Union Street / Website
The Cuisine: Vegan
The Atmosphere: Charmingly chic
Why You Need To Dine Here: Carnivores and omnivores alike would be remiss to skip this innovative eatery just because meat isn't on the menu. Hearty and seasonal, Wildseed offers divine dishes that will wow every crowd and do a body good.
199 Gough Street / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary, Californian
The Atmosphere: Quaint and rustic elegance
Why You Need To Dine Here: Married Chefs Evan and Sarah Rich earned a Michelin star for their friendly fine dining affair. Enjoy a chef's menu or choose your own culinary adventure with fresh, farm-to-table dinners, heart-warming bites and down-to-earth dishes.
355 11th Street / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary Mexican
The Atmosphere: Fine dining and fresh air
Why You Need To Dine Here: The nightly tasting menu at this two Michelin-star establishment keeps fans coming back to see what's next. Family-owned and operated, it offers an elevated and modern take on traditional Mexican favorites.
Pro Tip: Eat al fresco at Californio’s new and enclosed garden patio, complete with heating lamps.
584 Washington Street / Website
The Cuisine: Sushi
The Atmosphere: Intimate and romantic with seats at the chef’s bar
Why You Need To Dine Here: Kyoto-born owner-chef Mitsunori Kusakabe won a Michelin star for his work at Sushi Ran, and his nightly omakase menu is as distinguished. An award-winning sushi chef, he's even served sushi to then-President Obama.
552 Green Street / Website
The Cuisine: Italian Seafood
The Atmosphere: Nautical neighborhood fun
Why You Need To Dine Here: North Beach is home to some of the freshest seafood in the city with a side of whimsy for the whole family. Husband and wife team Rich and Laura Azzolino are born and bred in SF's "Little Italy," and they've served authentic fair to smiling guests for nearly a decade.
101 Spear Street / Website
The Cuisine: Chinese dim sum
The Atmosphere: Lively and unpretentious
Why You Need To Dine Here: Since 1958, this family-owned dim sum restaurant has served some of the finest dumplings, satays and shared bites in the Bay Area. It’s a contemporary take on the traditional Chinese dining hall experience, and waiters wheel out the plates in abundance.
2889 Mission Street / Website
The Cuisine: Mexican
The Atmosphere: Colorful and casual
Why You Need To Dine Here: Tacos and burritos are abundant in the Mission, but this is the place locals go to get the best. Traditional and delectable, it’s a good bite on the go or a fun spot to pass the time.
1605 Jerrold Ave. / Website
The Cuisine: Neapolitan Pizza
The Atmosphere: Outdoor local joint
Why You Need To Dine Here: This beloved brick-oven hot spot grew from a popular pizza truck to a 7,000-square-foot beer garden in Bayview. The pies are hand-made from scratch with a variety of toppings, and everything is oh-so-instagrammable.
2316 Polk Street / Website
The Cuisine: Japanese-American
The Atmosphere: Minimalist and modern
Why You Need To Dine Here: From the mind of Chef David Yoshimura, former Chef de Cuisine at Michelin-starred Californios, this Russian Hill restaurant is a fine dining take on Japanese home cooking. It centers around Washoku cuisine, a philosophy pinned on balance of color, taste preparations, sense and respect to the food itself.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for Nisei pop-ups and collaborations with other great Bay Area chefs, like the 2020 Bento Boxes in partnership with Mr. Jiu's.
2700 Jones Street / Website
The Cuisine: Filipino-Californian
The Atmosphere: Bright and airy
Why You Need To Dine Here: Travel to the Philippines at this vibrant fine dining spot that wears cultural heritage proudly on its sleeve. Chef Francis Ang mixes memories of her Filipino upbringing with her Bay area roots to curate a delicious blend award-winning flavor and technique.
2065 Polk Street / Website
The Cuisine: Californian-European
The Atmosphere: Fresh California chic
Why You Need To Dine Here: From the bones of Michelin-star restaurant Lord Stanley, Turntable twists the famed name into a rotating series of visiting chef expositions. Husband and wife Rupert and Carrie Blease continue to curate the show, bringing in star chefs from around the globe for a fresh and always exciting assortment of flavors and perspectives.
1085 Mission Street / Website
The Cuisine: American Contemporary
The Atmosphere: Cozy chic with woodsy accents
Why You Need To Dine Here: Whole ingredients shine in this artful and sustainable culinary experience. Having won two Michelin stars, Birdsong’s tasting menu is free to fly sky high on its mission to enchant and enthrall.
2401 Harrison Street / Website
The Cuisine: Californian-Italian
The Atmosphere: Cozy but classy
Why You Need To Dine Here: Exceptionalism comes to comforting favorites at this Mission must. Executive Chef Thomas McNaughton blends traditional Italians techniques with northern Californian flavors with a daily past menu, divine pizzas and more.
Pro Tip: Visit the newly-renovated Flour + Water in 2022, and it’s little sister restaurant Penny Roma.
620 Gough Street / Website
The Cuisine: Sushi
The Atmosphere: Hip and colorful
Why You Need To Dine Here: Come here for the fresh and personalized omakase experience that utilizes the freshest catches of the Bay's local markets. The presentation is breathtaking, and the flavors will astound, all in a cool and contemporary atmosphere.
990 Valencia Street / Website
The Cuisine: Filipino-Fusion
The Atmosphere: Casual and colorful
Why You Need To Dine Here: From food truck frenzy to multi-location Bay Area takeover, Senor Sisig is pushing Filipino flavors to funky new heights. Marinated meats, fully-loaded fries and seasonal treats abound, but the California burrito is truly one of the best flavor experiences around.
252 California Street / Website
The Cuisine: Mediterranean
The Atmosphere: Fine, fun and fanciful
Why You Need To Dine Here: Michael Mina is a culinary star who knocks any flavor profile out of the park. Here, he explores Greecian traditions with a friendly atmosphere and expert technique.
4 Embarcadero Ctr. / Website
The Cuisine: Contemporary Cantonese
The Atmosphere: Family-style
Why You Need To Dine Here: Fresh seafood, dim sum and banquet dinners shine at this Embarcadero favorite. Enjoy panoramic views of the Ferry Building and the San Francisco Bay while enjoying the exquisite flavors of Cantonese cuisine.
Pro Tip: Get there early to enjoy first-come, first-serve dining on the outdoor patio.
301 Mission Street / Website
The Cuisine: Grilled Meats
The Atmosphere: Chic and warm
Why You Need To Dine Here: Headed by local icon Ayesha Curry and culinary star Michael Mina, International Smoke offers bold flavors and woodfire steaks is a local favorite for visitors and long-time residents alike.
399 The Embarcadero / Website
The Cuisine: Seafood
The Atmosphere: Upscale contemporary
Why You Need To Dine Here: Enjoy some of the finest and freshest sustainable seafood on the market while soaking up the Bayside views. Romantic and exceptional, there's even space outside for dog-friendly dining.
Photography by: Pixabay
