San Francisco Fine Dining
San Francisco is a renowned foodie mecca, offering everything from historic cafes to elegant fine dining restaurants. These five star restaurants are perfect for special occasions while you're in town.
Michael Mina, Financial District
Great for a relaxing dinner in an elegant setting. The modern American cuisine is prepared and presented with great attention to detail and the service is impeccable. Try the tasting menus or the "Counter Menu," which features gourmet bar food. The "Monk's Brew" cocktail, a combination of gin, Riesling, and Jasmin tea, is also highly recommended.
Bourbon Steak, Union Square
Michael Mina's American steakhouse is ideally located and offers a great view of Union Square. The steaks are slow poached in butter, then seared on the grill to create a crispy, juicy steak. It's a great combination of old-time steakhouse and modern restaurant.
Gitane, Union Square
This restaurant is perfect for a romantic dinner or dinner with a group of girls. They serve a unique menu of Moroccan, Spanish, and Portuguese cuisine.
Fifth Floor, Union Square/SOMA
Located in the Palomar Hotel, on the fifth floor as it's name suggests. The Fifth Floor serves New American cuisine, contemporary cocktails, and a diverse global wine list. The ambiance is elegant and classic, and there is a tasting menu available.
Benu, SOMA
Benu serves American, Asian, French fusion. The space is chic, minimal, and calming. There are fixed price and a la carte options available. The Eight Treasure duck with gold leaf flakes is highly recommended. The Chef/Owner, Corey Lu, was the top chef at French Laundry for eight years.
RN74, SOMA
Another Michael Mina creation, this time focused on wine. The restaurant is named for the highway passing through Burgundy, the wine which is emphasized throughout the dining experience. It's the perfect spot for post-theater dinner or drinks as the bar stays open late.
Farallon, Civic Center/Union Square
This seafood restaurant features imaginative seafood themed decor, with jellyfish lamps, painted mosaic dome in the main dining room, and separate white room that feels like part of a ship. There is a raw bar, delicious seafood platter, and highly recommended is the tuna tartare with smoked heart of palm.
Jardiniere, Hayes Valley
This is the perfect place for a special occasion. The dimly lit dining room has a romantic ambiance. Standouts on the $95 tasting menu are the warm bread salad with artichokes and marinated Crescenza cheese, diver scallops and red wine braised short ribs.
Masa's, Nob Hill
One of San Francisco's oldest fine dining establishments. Masa's creates a formal dining experience with exceptional food and impeccable service. The current chef, Gregory Short, spent 7 years at French Laundry.
Gary Danko, Fisherman's Wharf
This is one of San Francisco's best fine dining options. Create your own tasting menu of 3-5 courses, enjoy the cheese cart and exceptional wine list, and sit back as the Gary Danko staff delivers a pampered dining experience. The cuisine ranges from American, California and French. Recommended dishes are the glazed oysters with osetra caviar and the lobster risotto.
Coi, Financial District/North Beach
Coi features New American cuisine with a daily changing, 11 course tasting menu with food from various SF Farmer's Markets. Every dish is conceptually and visually artistic and heavily vegetarian.
Saison, Mission
This innovative restaurant is located in a converted barn and offers a modern take on fine dining. The menu is a 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings available at an additional cost. An a la carte menu is available Tuesday - Thursday.
Commonwealth, Mission
On the casual side of fine dining, Commonwealth serves fresh, innovative food and employs a knowledgeable, helpful staff. They use the finest ingredients, a range of techniques and diverse flavors to create refined, progressive American cuisine. They have a very reasonable tasting menu at $65, $10 of which is donated to charity.
Ame, SOMA
Ame is an elegant restaurant in the St. Regis Hotel. They serve Asian and Californian cuisine with a dining room that overlooks Mission Street. Ame also features a sashimi bar, open kitchen, and private dining room. The Staff Meal, cuttlefish noodles and sea urchin, is highly recommended.
La Folie, Russian Hill
This fine dining option serves big portions of French food with California influence. There are 3, 4, and 5 course fixed price options. The adjacent lounge is a great place to hang out and features a separate menu. The different dining rooms manage to make the large space feel intimate and welcoming.
House of Prime Rib, Nob Hill
This San Francisco staple was created in the style of an English men's club. The interior is decidedly "old-school" and features fireplaces in both dining rooms. The prime rib is baked in rock salt and carved tableside, and the chef comes around and asks if you want seconds. Sides and desserts include mashed potatoes, English trifle, and Yorkshire pudding.