We (as most people do) take food seriously. Like, really seriously. We’ve basically made it our life’s mission to discover the tastiest bites this city has to offer. So when someone asks us where to find the best grub in San Francisco, We’ve got strong opinions. We’re talking Michelin-starred sushi that almost made us weep tears of soy sauce joy. Killer burritos that sent us into a guacamole-fueled daze. And let’s just say we enjoy dim sum on a deeper level thanks to some transcendent soup dumplings.
What we’re saying is, SF has got top-notch eats. We’re talking food that lights up all the pleasure centers in your brain. And we’ve stuffed our face at enough trendy hot spots and secretly amazing holes-in-the-wall to provide a list of must-try restaurants for first-timers and seasoned SF foodies alike. You’ll find everything from Farm-to-Table fare fresh enough to remind you that vegetables can actually taste good to seafood so fresh it’s practically flopping. Plus plenty of other delicious destinations guaranteed to launch your tastebuds straight into gastro-ecstasy.
So grab those stretchy pants, prepare your appetite, and read on to discover some of our personal picks for the very best mouthwatering meals in San Francisco that every food-lover needs to try!
The 8 Best Restaurants in San Francisco
From the top tucked-away taquerias in Mission that tourists don’t even know exist to the harborfront hangouts serving the catch of the day so fresh the boats are visible from your table, you’ll want to bookmark these winners for your next SF stay.
Just be sure to loosen your belt first – because incredible ingredients, creative chefs, and some of California’s finest local beverages are about to take your tastebuds on an unforgettable adventure in Flavortown.
State Bird Provisions is a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves a unique menu divided into sections called Provisions, Toast and Pancakes, and Commandables. The menu features a signature crispy California State Bird, as well as fried quail with lemon and onions. The restaurant opens at 5:30 PM, so be sure to get there early enough to get a prime spot.
The menu rotates frequently, with a focus on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Recent highlights include guanciale chawanmushi and hog island oysters. You’ll also find smoked almonds, sweet corn polenta ‘elote’, and charred octopus with kampot peppercorn sauce.
Founded by a husband and wife team, State Bird Provisions has become one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Since its December 2011 opening, it has become so popular that it is nearly impossible to get a reservation. This restaurant serves delicious, small plates from a tiny open kitchen, and has received rave reviews from critics and diners alike. It has even won the James Beard Award.
Service options: Dine-in | No takeaway
Mersea Restaurant, Bar and Venue
Mersea Restaurant, Bar and Venue is a beautiful restaurant with an outstanding view of the bay. It is located in the heart of Chinatown, and its rooftop is a great place to enjoy the city. Mersea is a great place to try a full Chinese meal while taking in the view of the Bay. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Owner Mee Sun and her team ensure that the diners enjoy their visit.
There are a number of great restaurants in San Francisco with stunning views. If you’re a foodie, you’ll find that Mersea Restaurant & Bar is one of the most unique and delicious restaurants in the city. The 30-dollar lunch menu is a great deal, and you’ll be able to enjoy the city’s sights while eating.
For those who want to get creative, you can choose from a menu with a wide selection of salad add-ons. For example, the “Make Your Own Salad” offers four greens, four dressings, and a variety of add-ons, including chickpeas, radish, apple, chicken, and six types of nuts.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No delivery
Eight AM
Eight AM is a fantastic spot for breakfast or lunch. The cafe serves breakfast favorites like avocado toast, eggs and bacon, and you can even get savory crepes or belgian waffles. They also serve a wide selection of coffees and beverages, including cordials, bitters and wines.
Plus, it’s a favorite among working professionals and a popular food chain. They have amazing service and a modern cafe atmosphere. The menu features a large selection of savory and sweet dishes, including avocado toast and blueberry shortcakes. They also serve great coffee and smoothies. Their service is fast and their breakfast dishes are delicious.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No delivery
Pacific Cafe
Pacific Cafe is a legendary seafood restaurant located in the Outer Richmond area of San Francisco. The restaurant has been serving fresh local seafood since July 4, 1974, and has become a neighborhood favorite. The menu features about two dozen entrees, all seafood, with the exception of a steak, and it’s divided into categories like “Fried,” “Grilled,” “Sauteed” and “Baked.”
Each entree comes with soup or salad and a side vegetable, rice or baked potato. Crab and Shrimp Louie salads are also available. Besides that, salmon, scallops, snapper, oysters, ahi tuna, rainbow trout, prawns, halibut, crab, and clams are just some of the other available options. Pacific Cafe has a warm, casual dining room with wooden booths and an open kitchen.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No delivery
Monsieur Benjamin
Monsieur Benjamin is a modern French restaurant and bar inspired by the traditions of French cuisine and the spirit of Parisian bistro culture. The menu features classic French dishes alongside tastefully modernized recipes, utilizing the abundance of great products in the Bay Area. Some of the standout dishes include the seafood sausage, trout roe tartlet, and the duck confit. The restaurant also offers a variety of seafood, including oysters, poached shrimp, and sea scallop tartare.
The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and for lunch on Sundays. Reservations are recommended, and outdoor tables and bar seating are available for walk-in guests. The dining room features an open central kitchen and has a buzzy feel, with tables being turned even at an early weekday dinner. The staff of Monsieur Benjamin has all of the knowledge of French cuisine without any of the attitude, and they are always willing to help translate items on the menu.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Tosca Cafe
Tosca Cafe is a classic San Francisco institution. It is famous for its living roof, where vines and flowers hang above tables. Its quaint ambiance is romantic at night. The restaurant originally operated underground but was reopened as a large outdoor space in 2014. Seating is limited, so you should make a reservation ahead of time.
Controversially, Tosca Cafe was closed in 2019 and for about two years following a sexual harassment accusation from one of the two owners, Ken Friedman. However, the team tried to stay open by offering take-out meals. It also tried to reopen as an outdoor pop-up in SoMa during the summer and for outdoor dining in the fall. However, this was not to be. The restaurant has since reopened as a full-service restaurant, albeit in an indoor location.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No delivery
La Ciccia
La Ciccia is an intimate restaurant located on the edge of Noe Valley, offering a culinary journey through the Italian island of Sardinia. The restaurant is known for its fresh and authentic ingredients, as well as its extensive Italian wine list, with 170 labels representing every region of Italy.
Some of the popular dishes at La Ciccia include:
- Bottarga Spaghetti: A signature dish made with spaghetti and bottarga, a type of cured fish.
- Spicy Octopus Stew: A flavorful dish featuring baby octopus in a spicy tomato sauce.
- Pani Guttiau: Traditional Sardinian flatbread baked with extra virgin olive oil and pecorino cheese.
- Insalata di Mare: A seafood salad with a variety of fresh seafood, greens, and cherry tomatoes.
La Ciccia has been a beloved Sardinian institution in San Francisco for over 16 years, with owners Massimiliano Conti and Lorella Degan selling the restaurant in 2022. The new owners have promised to maintain the restaurant’s identity, including its menu, recipes, and team, while training a new chef. Reservations are recommended, and the restaurant is currently open for indoor dining, outdoor seating (weather permitting), and take-out orders.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Montesacro (SoMa SF)
Montesacro is an authentic Italian eatery located in San Francisco’s vibrant Mid-Market neighborhood. The restaurant is deeply rooted in Roman cooking and serves pinsa, a modern take on ancient Roman flatbread, along with seasonal interpretations of Rome’s cuisine. The ambiance is a harmonious blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, with warm lighting and traditional wooden accents.
This is the place to go when the celebration calls, whether it be an intimate party, a work gathering, or a restaurant buyout. The restaurant offers group dining and private events packages. Montesacro’s menu is focused on Roman culinary traditions and seasonality, and the restaurant sources local purveyors and sustainable ingredients.
The pinsa dough is made with a blend of rice, soy, and wheat flour imported directly from Rome, all GMO-free. Montesacro has received positive reviews for its great service, friendly staff, and fair prices. The restaurant has also expanded to Walnut Creek.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | Delivery