Best San Francisco Restaurants

Embarcadero, Financial District, SOMA, Russian Hill, Nob Hill

Even San Francisco's casual restaurants offer first-class food. Any of these restaurants in popular San Francisco neighborhoods are perfect for a lunch-break from sightseeing, a casual night out, or meeting a group of friends.

Embarcadero

The restaurants along the Embarcadero boast amazing views and are the perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing and take in the scenery.

One Market

This spacious restaurant has large bay windows overlooking the Embarcadero. The pan-seared scallops with sweet breads come highly recommended, as does the Chef's Tasting Menu, the Tasmanian Ocean Trout, and the "Weekly Beast" (a whole animal, served on the weekends). They are the proud recipients of a Michelin Star.

The Slanted Door

At 1 Ferry Building No. 3 you will find delicious Vietnamese food with a great view of the Bay. The most famous dishes here are the clay pot chicken and wood oven roasted whole fish. The menu is tapas style and features great cocktails.

Piperade

Piperade serves California and Basque cuisine. Their unique menu offers different traditional Basque specialties each night of the week.

Waterbar

This seafood restaurant serves great seafood with a view.

Financial District

Bocadillos

This tapas restaurant serves Basque cuisine and has a great ambiance. Recommended dishes include the lamb burgers, tai snapper ceviche, and house made chorizo.

Contogna

Go here for the bustling energy, great bar menu, and amazing Italian food. The Chef/Owner Michael Tusk is the recipient of a James Beard Award, so it's no surprise that Contagna is considered by many to be the best Italian food in San Francisco. The exposed brick and wood paneled walls add to the trendy ambiance.

SOMA

Prospect

Prospect serves contemporary American food. It has comfortable, communal vibes and seating at the bar and main dining room.

Town Hall

The time the Chef at Town Hall spent in New Orleans has influenced his New American cooking style. That means you'll find items like cornmeal fried oysters, chocolate pot de la creme, and roasted veal meatballs on the menu. The restaurant is located in a 100 year old building with brick walls and industrial windows, which adds to its charm.

Bar Agricole

This collaboration of some of San Francisco's best bartenders is the perfect blend of bar and restaurant. All cocktails are handcrafted and creative. The bar is open late and they serve American/California food.

Russian Hill

Pesce

This Italian restaurant serves small plates of great seafood. Some of their best dishes include warm octopus with potatoes and their grilled sardines.

Zarzuela

Zarzuela is one of the oldest and best tapas restaurants in San Francisco.

Nob Hill

Canteen

This casual, 20 seat diner by a fine dining chef is a great neighborhood spot. The menu changes weekly and is a combination of American, California, and French cooking.

Swan Oyster Depot

Named an "American Classic" by the James Beard Foundation, this 20 seat retail store has some of the best oysters in San Francisco. It's a family owned business, and the sons and grandsons of the original owner can still be found behind the counter.