Dinner Spots in San Francisco
1. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine, San Francisco
Colorful Thai restaurant with colorful food to match. Serves street food classics and elevated interpretations of other staples - pad thai, curries, noodles, and so on. Visit any one of the three locations throughout the Bay Area.
2. Limón, San Francisco
Choice spot to enjoy traditional Peruvian food. Known for its rotisserie chicken and empanadas. Family-owned modern take on Peruvian cuisine with Latin and Asian influences.
3. Benu, San Francisco
Highbrow restaurant with three Michelin stars serving Asian-inspired dishes. The tasting menu features a variety of seafood, meats, and vegetables - at $375, it's an expensive but celebrated experience. A headline dining venue.
4. Firenze By Night, San Francisco
Old school Italian restaurant serving the usual ensemble of antipasti, pasta, grilled meats, and fish. The signature gnocchi is a solid foundation for any order. Family-run and a North Beach staple.
5. Mister Jiu's, San Francisco
Michelin Star Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Food is served family-style, so it is a great place to bring a group. The venue's top-floor lunar-inspired cocktail lounge, Moongate, is worth a booking too.
6. Mourad, San Francisco
Michelin-star restaurant in SoMa serving Moroccan cuisine. Combining class with comfort, Mourad's interior design echoes its fine dining stature. Enjoy a cocktail with dinner, or select a bottle from the venue's suspended wine cellar.
7. Cuisine of Nepal, San Francisco
Hearty spread of Nepalese and Indian food with a few Tibetan dishes sprinkled in. Visit hungry and order a surplus. The staff are super friendly and are happy to offer recommendations based on taste preferences.
8. Spruce, San Francisco
Upscale spot for high-end food lovers. One Michelin star earned by focusing on local ingredients. Try and sit at the bar if you can.
9. House of Prime Rib, San Francisco
English-style restaurant serving high-grade prime rib. The meat is carved tableside and served with a pairing of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Specialized cuts and accompaniments can be ordered. Reservations are a must.
10. Lavash, San Francisco
One of the Bay's most respected Persian restaurants. Lavash it is a super inviting restaurant with food to match. The Koobideh skewer and the Kashk-e Bademjan are both recommended. Best to reserve ahead of time.
11. Causwells, San Francisco
Neighborhood American bistro with an award-winning cheeseburger - the "Americana." The crispy chicken sandwich is another standout. The menu, as a whole, spotlights local, seasonal ingredients. Friendly service and reliable food.
12. La Ciccia, San Francisco
Go-to Italian for many in the bay area - especially those with a love for Sardinian-inspired seafood dishes. Highlight eats include octopus stew and bottarga spaghetti. Intimate within, and with some outdoor seating.
13. Del Popolo, San Francisco
A change of pace from the casual pizza eateries in San Francisco, Del Popolo serves Neopolitan-style pizza made in a wood-fired oven. Also offers antipasti alongside a selection of wine and beers. Rustic-chic digs.
14. Caffè Macaroni, San Francisco
Old-school Italian restaurant that's full of character. Great food and drinks, the quality is reflected in the price. Staff are super friendly, as are the owners. Best to reserve ahead of time, especially for the alfresco tables.
15. San Tung, San Francisco
Famed fried chicken spot and Chinese restaurant - San Tung's wings have made their way onto a host of "best in America" lists. Not into wings? The restaurant also serves handmade noodles, dumplings, and more.
16. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Elevated and artful takes on modern French cuisine. An ideal spot for those who dine with the "phone eats first" philosophy. The wine list is equally as thought-out. Reserve a table in good time.
17. B Star, San Francisco
Don't wait in the line at Burma Superstar when this place is down the street and just as good (same owners). Try the laska or cauliflower balls. The cocktails are sweet but enjoyable.
18. La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, San Francisco
Peruvian 🇵🇪 restaurant with super fresh seafood. Of course, the ceviche is delicious, but the entire menu is bold and colorful. Excellent views of the SF Bay so it can get crowded.
19. China Live, San Francisco
Celebrated restaurant venue that puts the cooking process on show. Eight specialized stations with bar seating showcase different Chinese dishes. Visit with friends and prepare for a lively dining experience.
20. Villon, San Francisco
Classic-style venue within the Proper Hotel that wear many hats - breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and afternoon tea. All menus have sophisticated takes on New American cuisine. The cocktails are also fresh takes on classics.
21. Californios, San Francisco
Upscale and inventive Mexican restaurant with two Michelin stars. Sit inside or on the alfresco patio, but the best spot is arguably at the open-kitchen bar. The tasting menu is paired with small-batch wines.
22. Foreign Cinema, San Francisco
Step inside this unconventional restaurant where the menu changes every day and so does the movie that plays... talk about dinner and a show! It can book up quick so try to get reservations in advance.
23. Leo’s Oyster Bar, San Francisco
Old school-chic venue in the Financial District serving oysters, seafood, and other small plates. Popular for its food, beverages, and aesthetics - reservations are a must. Dine and drink, then linger for more cocktails.
24. The Progress, San Francisco
This upscale and inventive restaurant has earned its one Michelin star. You'll be pleased with literally anything that you order. Servers know what they're talking about and are super helpful. Sit at the bar or at a table.
25. AltoVino, San Francisco
Authentic Italian food. They have a vast wine selection and the staff will help you pair the right bottle. Close to San Francisco's famous little cable car.
26. Canela Bistro and Wine Bar, San Francisco
A cozy spot to go with friends and share some tapas. The place is Spanish/California fusion making the food interesting and really good. Definitely order two drinks throughout the meal, one of their wines and one sangria!
27. Cellarmaker House of Pizza, San Francisco
Detroit-style pizza from a San Francisco-based brewery. Grab one of Cellarmaker's brews or a guest beer, and indulge in some deep-dish pie made with fresh toppings. A quality food and drink combo.
28. Curio, San Francisco
Modern yet laid back. Really good atmosphere and live music 🎶. Drinks are fun and service is friendly. Usually good for dinner, they also do a weekend tipsy brunch.
29. IPPUDO, San Francisco
American iteration of the renowned international ramen kitchen. The bad news is that everyone and their mother knows this place and so queues are standard. The good news is that the food served makes the wait worthwhile.
30. Loló, San Francisco
Excellent fish 🐠 tacos and ceviche. There will probably be a line to get in and it's a bit hype-y but good to check out. Feels like a restaurant in Ciudad de México. Not a taqueria.
31. The Anchovy Bar, San Francisco
Great bar and restaurant focused on seafood and yes, they do serve anchovies. Cozy spot.