Absinthe
Hayes Valley
Occupying a busy corner in chic Hayes Valley, Absinthe is a favorite with the see-and-be-seen brunch crowd. The menu is brasserie-inspired--serving classics like...
- Café or Bistro
- French
Citizen's Band
SoMa
Offering a contemporary take on classic American diner fare, Citizen's Band is a popular corner spot in SoMa celebrated for their mac and cheese and fried chicken....
- Casual
- American
Zuni Cafe
Hayes Valley
Chef Judy Rodgers has made Zuni Cafe into one of the most respected restaurants in San Francisco, and in many ways it represents the best of the city's culinary...
- Café or Bistro
- American
Cliff House Bistro
Sea Cliff
The dining room at Cliff House Bistro--located inside the larger Cliff House complex--takes full advantage of its enviable location with massive floor-to-ceiling...
- Café or Bistro
- American
- 1
Burma Superstar
Richmond
Since the Burma Superstar opened it 1992 in "the other chinatown," it has added locations in Alameda and Oakland. If you haven't tried Burmese, San Francisco is the...
- Casual
- Asian fusion
- 1
Cafe Flore
Castro
More famous for its people-watching than for its food--though that's good too--Cafe Flore is a fixture of the Castro. Their sunny patio is brunch central, where you...
- Café or Bistro
- American
- 1
Delfina
Mission
Long a dining destination in the Mission, Delfina is a neighborhood trattoria that does Northern Italian cuisine very well. Try the grilled calamari, any of the...
- Casual
- Italian
- 1
Dolores Park Cafe
Mission
Located right across the street from gay-centric Dolores Park, the Dolores Park Cafe serves a menu of American classics in a large, sunny dining room with huge...
- Café or Bistro
- American
- 1
Florio Bar & Cafe
Pacific Heights
A cute and very European corner bistro in Pacific Heights, Florio Bar & Café opened in 1998 and has remained a neighborhood standby for an after work bar scene...
- Café or Bistro
- Italian
- 1
Great Eastern
Chinatown
A classic Cantonese restaurant in Chinatown, the dining room at Great Eastern is guaranteed to be crowded with both local celebrities and off-shift workers from...
- Casual
- Chinese
- 1
Nopa
Western Addition
Nopa is a trendy spot, good for small parties, creative cocktails and organic California fare from an open kitchen including a raved-about wood-fired burger.
- Café or Bistro
- American
- 1
AsiaSF
SoMa
The draw at AsiaSF is not necessarily the food--though they do a good job of serving small-plate Asian fusion--but the performers, a troupe of drag queens who strut...
- Theme
- Asian fusion
- 1
Ame
SoMa
Just off the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel, curious diners will find a fusion menu by Chef Hiro Sone blending Japan, America, France, and Italy. The crowd can be a...
- Fine Dining
- Asian fusion
Anchor Oyster Bar
Castro
The nautical-themed dining room at Anchor Oyster Bar, with its stainless-steel tables, gleaming white tile, and whirring ceiling fans, provides a crisp backdrop to...
- Seafood
- American
Benu
SoMa
At new-ish restaurant Benu, Chef-owner Corey Lee--who spent years as chef de cuisine at French Laundry--wows eager patrons with his three Michelin-starred menu of...
- Fine Dining
- American
Cat Cora's Kitchen
Airport
Iron Chef and TV personality Cat Cora opened her New American tapas and cocktail lounge near Gate 55 in Terminal 2 of the San Francisco airport. Ingredients are...
- Café or Bistro
- Tapas Bar
Chile Pies
The Castro
A sliver of a bakery with a bustling lunch counter, Chile Pies in the Castro sells Mexican-influenced pies both savory and sweet. The famed green chilies of New...
- Casual
- Mexican
Chow
The Castro
The perfect restaurant for wallet-conscious diners with a big appetite, Chow serves old standbys like hamburgers and spaghetti meatballs in a festive diner...
- Casual
- American
Commonwealth
Mission
A symphony of farm-to-table and foraged ingredients, Chef Jason Fox has created some of the most imaginative dining in the area; no small feat in a city like San...
- Market
- American
Farallon
Union Square
With one of the best raw bars in San Francisco, run by award-winning chef Mark Franz, Farallon is a hot spot for local seafood-lovers and tourists alike. The dining...
- Seafood
- Local Cuisine
Frances
The Castro
Chef-owner Melissa Perello runs things to a high standard at Frances, her hit restaurant in the Castro where the dining room is small, and guaranteed to be packed...
- Fine Dining
- French
Hollywood Cafe
North Beach
Walls decorated with head shots bring the "Hollywood" to Hollywood Cafe, but the menu is decidedly down-to-earth, offering standard diner fare for breakfast like...
- Casual
- American
Indian Oven
The Haight
Specializing in northern Indian fare like classic tandoori grilled meats and curry spiced vegetables, Indian Oven enjoys a city-wide popularity. Though this means...
- Family style
- Indian
Juhu Beach Club
Oakland
Juhu Beach Club by Chef Preeti Mistry features raved-about Indian street food and cuisine, as well as a super friendly staff and fun atmosphere. Look for the big...
- Casual
- Indian
L'Ardoise
Castro
A romantic French bistro with a compact, dimly-lit dining room, L'Ardoise is a favorite with neighborhood Francophiles, who appreciate the mastery that goes into...
- Café or Bistro
- French
L'Osteria del Forno
North Beach
An affordable family-owned trattoria in North Beach, L'Osteria del Forno serves a simple menu of baked pastas, roasted meats, pizza and focaccia sandwiches in a...
- Family style
- Italian
La Mediterranee
Castro
A relaxed family-friendly setting and amiable service have kept La Mediterranee at the top of the list of Castro restaurants for years. The menu is unpretentious...
- Family style
- Mediterranean
La Taqueria
Mission
For over 30 years La Taqueria in the Mission has been something of an institution with local foodies, who praise the "traditional" burritos--this means no rice to...
- Casual
- Mexican
Lers Ros
Tenderloin
This hole-in-the-wall family Thai joint in the Tenderloin serves spicy classics like papaya salad and duck larb from an extensive menu. It's proved so popular that...
- Casual
- Thai
Marlowe
SoMa
Crowded with guests eager to sample chef Jennifer Puccio's famous burgers, Marlowe is one of SoMa's most popular foodie destinations. The dining room--clean and...
- Café or Bistro
- American
