Where To Dine In San Francisco: 23 Must-Try Spots
Hungry in San Francisco and not sure where to start? This city packs serious flavor into every neighborhood, from tiny counter joints to white tablecloth legends. You will taste history, innovation, and cultures side by side, sometimes on the same block. Let this curated list guide you to the plates locals crave and visitors remember.
1. Zuni Cafe
Zuni Cafe feels timeless, with big windows catching that soft Market Street glow. The brick oven turns out the iconic roast chicken for two, with bread salad soaking up every luxurious drip. Order oysters, a Negroni, and watch the city pass by.
You come for comfort and leave feeling unhurried, like San Francisco just welcomed you home. The Caesar is bracing, the burger is legendary, and the staff remembers regulars. It is date night, solo lunch, and celebration all in one.
2. Tartine Manufactory
Follow the scent of fresh bread to Tartine Manufactory, where crusts sing and crumb is cloud soft. Morning brings croissants, kouign-amann, and strong coffee that jolts you awake. By noon, open-faced tartines pile high with market produce and creamy spreads.
You will want to linger, listening to the hum of the ovens and chatter. Share the soft serve, grab a loaf for later, and snag jars of jam. It is casual, bright, and irresistibly delicious, any time of day.
3. Swan Oyster Depot
Arrive early, accept the line, and settle into Swan Oyster Depot’s marble counter. The crew shucks with speed, piling oysters, sweet crab, and sashimi-grade salmon onto chilled plates. A cold beer, a squeeze of lemon, and conversation with neighbors complete the ritual.
It feels like time travel in the best way. Ask for the Sicilian sashimi and do not skip the clam chowder. This is San Francisco seafood stripped to essentials, sparkling fresh and utterly perfect.
4. Mourad
Mourad reimagines Moroccan flavors with polished precision and city swagger. Spice perfumes the room while plates of basteeya, lamb, and carrots glow like jewels. The tasting menu flows, but family-style large plates make sharing feel celebratory.
You taste smoke, preserved lemon brightness, and slow-cooked depth in every bite. Cocktails lean aromatic, desserts finish with nuance, and service is smooth. For a special night that still feels personal, this is the move.
5. House of Prime Rib
House of Prime Rib is pure theater, all rolling carts and gleaming knives. You choose your cut, watch it carved, and the plate arrives with creamed spinach, baked potato, and Yorkshire pudding. Martinis are cold, napkins are crisp, and everyone grins.
It is indulgent, unapologetically old-school, and impossible to leave hungry. Book well ahead, show up hungry, and surrender to the ritual. This is San Francisco tradition, juicy and generous.
6. La Taqueria
La Taqueria sets the Mission standard with tacos that drip flavor. Carnitas crackle, carne asada smokes, and the salsa pops bright. Burritos skip rice by design, keeping things meaty, juicy, and focused.
You grab a booth, squeeze on lime, and watch tortillas disappear fast. Cashiers move at lightning speed while the line wraps the block. It is a quick stop that feels essential every time you are nearby.
7. State Bird Provisions
State Bird Provisions turns dinner into a treasure hunt with carts rolling out dazzling bites. You snag plates as they pass, mixing surprises with must-order fried quail. The menu shifts constantly, keeping curiosity high and flavors bright.
It feels like a party, bustling, inventive, and delightfully casual. Wines are thoughtful, service is quick, and every dish has a twist. You leave thrilled, already planning a return for new discoveries.
8. Benu
Benu whispers rather than shouts, delivering a meticulous tasting that rewards attention. Dumpling forms, seafood delicacy, and ferments weave a quiet narrative. Each course lands with exacting detail and surprising warmth from the team.
You will remember textures that shift mid-bite and broths that linger. Pairings feel calibrated, desserts glide, and the night ends softly. For cerebral dining that still feels comforting, Benu stands unmatched.
9. Liholiho Yacht Club
Liholiho Yacht Club serves sunshine on plates that balance Hawaiian roots and California markets. Tuna, sesame, and citrus sparkle, while sizzling rice dishes anchor the meal. The space hums with energy, music, and clinking glasses.
You taste smoke, sweetness, and tart snap, often all together. Split several plates, sip a tropical-leaning cocktail, and save room for baked Hawaii. It feels playful yet precise, exactly the escape you want.
10. Saison
Saison is fire and finesse, a tasting menu glowing with ember-kissed nuance. The room is hushed, the kitchen a ballet of smoke and patience. Expect seafood purity, aged sauces, and a reverence for product.
You will lean in, catching aromas as dishes finish at the hearth. Service anticipates needs before you notice them. It is a splurge, yes, but one that feels unforgettable and deeply personal.
11. Good Good Culture Club
Good Good Culture Club cooks joy, layering Southeast Asian flavors with California produce. Plates are punchy, shareable, and bright enough to spark conversation. The space is playful, with color everywhere and a soundtrack that lifts the mood.
You will pass bites, sip natural wines, and feel the room buzz. Vegetarian options shine, spicy lovers are happy, and desserts are refreshing. It is a friends-night-out spot that keeps you smiling.
12. Nopa
Nopa is the city’s reliable heartbeat, pulsing late into the night with wood-fire comfort. The pork chop arrives blushing and smoky, salads crunch with perfect acidity, and the burger is spot on. Brunch or midnight, the room always hums.
You slide into a booth, share spreads, and scout desserts early. Cocktails are balanced, service is practiced, and the vibe stays generous. It feels like community in motion, delicious and easy.
13. Cotogna
Cotogna celebrates comfort with pastas that clutch your heart. Seasonal ragu, delicate agnolotti, and blistered pizzas roll from the hearth. The room glows, service chats, and everything tastes like a hug.
You can go fancy or simple and still feel right. Share a roast, swirl a Barolo, and finish with gelato that melts just slowly enough. Weeknights or dates, it never misses.
14. Angler
Angler is all about flame, fat, and the ocean’s freshest gifts. You will watch whole fish roast, vegetables blister, and butter flow. The raw bar is icy, the caviar gleams, and the fried potatoes are scandalously good.
It feels luxurious without stiffness, a place to linger and explore. Cocktails lean clean, wines champion harvest and sea. For live-fire drama by the water, this is your stage.
15. Rintaro
Rintaro charms with cedar warmth and careful craft. Skewers kiss the grill, udon lands silky, and sashimi glows with precision. The space feels like a Kyoto dream crossed with Mission cool.
You order a little of everything and end up ordering more. Sake flights show range, desserts stay delicate, and conversation flows. It is the kind of dinner that resets your senses.
16. Brenda’s French Soul Food
Brenda’s brings New Orleans comfort to SF mornings and beyond. Beignets arrive hot, filled, and sugared like a celebration. Shrimp and grits soothe, fried chicken crunches, and chicory coffee keeps the party moving.
You will wait, and it will be worth it. Share plates, dab hot sauce, and let the butter do its work. It is joyful food that sticks with you all day.
17. Yamo
Yamo is a seven-stool miracle where woks thunder and garlic lives loudly. The noodles are cheap, oily in the best way, and absolutely craveable. Tea leaf salad crackles with seeds and tang.
You slide into a seat, order fast, and watch the dance. Service is brisk, cash friendly, and full plates land quickly. When only comfort will do, Yamo delivers without fuss.
18. Zazie
Zazie feels like brunch at a friend’s charming French cottage. Pancakes float, benedicts stack high, and mimosas sparkle in the garden. The patio hides from the fog just enough to feel sunny.
You can linger with coffee while the neighborhood strolls by. Service is friendly, policies are fair, and the vibe is neighborly. It is weekend perfection tucked under the trees.
19. Marlena
Marlena delivers fine dining intimacy at a gentle price. Courses celebrate vegetables without skipping richness, and bread service steals hearts. The room is calm, thoughtful, and welcoming for dates or solo treat-yourself nights.
You taste seasons shifting plate to plate with quiet confidence. Wines highlight small producers, desserts land softly, and pacing soothes. It is a neighborhood gem with destination ambition.
20. The Morris
The Morris builds meals around soulful technique and serious drink. Smoked duck slides beautifully with mustard, and brown butter potatoes beg repeating. The wine list is deep, smart, and lovingly guided by the team.
You can go adventurous or classic and feel supported. Cocktails show restraint, desserts carry gentle sweetness, and the music never shouts. It is where you bring someone to impress thoughtfully.
21. Outta Sight Pizza
Outta Sight slings slices that fold just right, with blistered edges and saucy swagger. Toppings stay balanced, cheese stretches, and the crust sings. Grab a slice, grab two, and chase with a cold soda.
You will stand, chat, and watch pies fly from the oven. It is fast, friendly, and exactly what late afternoons crave. Simple joy, no complications, maximum satisfaction.
22. Sotto Mare
Sotto Mare serves cioppino like a foggy night hug. Bowls brim with clams, mussels, shrimp, and crab in tomato broth. Bread arrives to catch every last drop, and glasses clink happily.
You will splash a bib on and dive in, smiling between bites. The room is lively, cramped, and exactly right. Old-school charm meets fresh catch with zero pretense.
23. Aziza
Aziza balances warmth and polish, carrying Moroccan flavors with light hands. You taste saffron, cumin, and preserved lemon woven through tender meats and vegetables. Couscous is feathery, sauces shimmer, and bread arrives ready for swiping.
The room encourages conversation and lingering. Cocktails lean spice-forward, desserts refresh with citrus and herbs. It is a destination worth the ride to the Richmond.
