San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant Guide

Top San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants

A few of our top picks for San Francisco dining sorted by Cuisine.

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Try searching through all available restaurants by making a selection from either the neighborhood or cuisine menus above.

American

bacar restaurant Contemporary American

448 Brannan Street San Francisco. SOMA. $31 to $50
A lively modern San Francisco brasserie. Mahogany, glass, steel, rich fall tones and an open kitchen combine to create a comfortable yet elegant ambiance. Chef Morgan Mueller offers Northern California seasonal cuisine, featuring the freshest local ingredients with French and Mediterranean influences. Options abound for sharing, wine pairing, including a raw bar, wood burning oven, and an extensive a la carte menu reflecting market availability. The wine list is 800 bottles strong, with 65 wines served by the glass.
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Boulevard American

1 Mission St. San Francisco. Financial District / Embarcadero. $31 to $50
Since its opening in 1993, Boulevard restaurant has been hailed as one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Created in partnership with designer Pat Kuleto, the elegant, yet warm and welcoming interior of Boulevard is the essence of the Belle ?poque style. It is a glorious setting for Chef Nancy Oakes hearty, flavorful, beautiful cuisine. American regional flavors, French influenced style, enthralling design, form the entire experience at Boulevard. Located in the heart of the San Francisco's revived waterfront area, the historic Audiffred Building is the ideal home for Boulevard. In the Zagat Guide for the year 2000, Boulevard restaurant was rated #1 in the Bay Area for the 3rd year in a row.
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Luna Park - San Francisco American

694 Valencia St. San Francisco. Mission / Bernal Heights. $30 and under
Luna Park with its casually hip decor, lively bar scene, and delicious moderately-priced cuisine is a Valencia Street sensation, loved by San Franciscans and visitors alike. The menu, mostly French and Italian with a few American and Asian accents, is simple without sacrificing excitement, highlighting flavorful ingredients and presenting food in a way that is comforting and nourishing to the soul.
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MICHAEL MINA American

335 Powell St. San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $50 and over
A 2008 Michelin two star winner and San Francisco Chronicle's Four Star recipient, MICHAEL MINA takes simple yet striking flavor combinations to an unexpected level at this 2005 Bon Appétit Chef of the Year's eponymous restaurant. A Wine Spectator Grand Award of Excellence winner in 2006 and 2005 makes MICHAEL MINA the first restaurant to be honored with this award within its first year of opening. The 2,500 plus selection of wines assembled by the wine director Rajat Parr completes the dining experience. Stunning decor and the restaurant's proximity to theatres makes it an excellent choice for dinner before or after a show. Michael Mina’s first cookbook “MICHAEL MINA: The Cookbook” is on sale now at any of his restaurants or at www.michaelmina.net.
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Postrio Contemporary American

545 Post St. San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $31 to $50
Postrio is celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck's Northern California jewel. Puck and Chef de Cuisine Seis Kamimura developed a Contemporary American Cuisine accenting the cultural diversity of San Francisco. The glamorous dining room boasts an incredible art collection, including a private dining area designed by Dale Chihuly. The dramatic three-tiered entrance leads you into the dining room, where as buzzing crowd of celebrities, socialites and restaurateurs can be found.
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Town Hall American

342 Howard St. San Francisco. SOMA. $31 to $50
Town Hall restaurant is the new hot spot in the SOMA - a casual chic restaurant, located in the historic Meco building, serving New American cuisine with a focus on regional ingredients. At Town Hall, there is a communal table, bar, patio, private room, and beautiful dining room.
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Asian

Asia de Cuba - San Francisco Asian

495 Geary St. San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $31 to $50
Asia de Cuba is a high-energy restaurant offering a fusion of Asian and Latin cuisines served to share featuring communal dining. Enjoy the specialty cocktail, wine, sake and rum lists.

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Basque

Piperade Basque

1015 Battery St. San Francisco. Financial District / Embarcadero. $31 to $50
Gerald and Cameron Hirigoyen's mid-priced Downtown Basque restaurant is a charming place with professional service and signature bistro dishes. Winner of San Francisco Magazine's Red Hot Chef 2003.
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California

TWO Californian

22 Hawthorne St. San Francisco. SOMA. $31 to $50
At TWO, we serve California comfort food of the first order in a space that’s simultaneously homey and snazzy. Tucked away on one of downtown San Francisco’s charming little side streets, earthiness meets sheer sophistication in a place where it’s possible to feel utterly comfortable while dining on some of the city’s finest food. If you’re wondering about the name, TWO is the second incarnation of Hawthorne Lane, one of San Francisco’s most celebrated special-occasion restaurants. TWO is owned and operated by the same person and we continue to serve cutting-edge cuisine, now in a much more casual and relaxed setting. The bar and dining area in front are complimented by several different private and semi-private spaces in the building, perfect for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, receptions and all kinds of business meetings.
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Jardiniere French

300 Grove St. San Francisco. Civic Center / Van Ness. $50 and over
Jardiniere, opened in 1997, is housed in a beautiful landmark building in San Francisco's chic Hayes Valley neighborhood. Highlights of the elegant setting, designed by Pat Kuleto, include a gorgeous bar and stunning staircase. The highly refined and sensual food of Chef/Owner Traci Des Jardins is a celebration of Northern California's best seasonal bounty prepared with classic French technique. The J Lounge features a full list of specialty cocktails and wines, and offers a variety of creative lounge food and small plates. Its proximity to the theaters makes it an excellent place to dine before or after a show.
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Chinese

French

Chez Papa French

1401 18th St. San Francisco. Potrero Hill / Dogpatch. $31 to $50
Chez Papa features authentic French Provencal Cuisine in a casual bistrot setting. We are open for lunch Monday to Saturday and for dinner everyday!!!
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Fifth Floor Contemporary French

12 Fourth St. San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $50 and over
The Fifth Floor Restaurant & Lounge is a modern French restaurant that draws on the similarities – culinary, agricultural and geographical– between the Bay Area and the Southwest region of France. Located on the fifth floor of San Francisco’s luxurious Hotel Palomar, the restaurant’s cuisine is driven by consulting Chef Laurent Manrique. His appreciation and passion for his native French ingredients is showcased in the Gascon-inspired menu that features fresh, simple, and modern French fare. Executing Chef Manrique’s menu is Chef de Cuisine Jennie Lorenzo. Master Sommelier Emily Wines oversees the restaurant’s wine program, which features a list of over 1,500 wines. The adjacent lounge offers an approachable atmosphere for breakfast and dinner daily, and is the perfect place to unwind with a great cocktail.
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Fleur de Lys French

777 Sutter St. San Francisco. Nob Hill. $50 and over
Fleur de Lys is one of the finest restaurants in San Francisco. Lose yourself in an opulent dining room and an outstanding meal. Chef Keller never repeats the menu. Full dinner is available at the bar without reservations. ***For guests with reservations, PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO DINING.***
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Jeanty at Jack's French

615 Sacramento St. San Francisco. Financial District / Embarcadero. $31 to $50
Located in the Financial District, Jack's dates back to 1864. Now Philippe Jeanty, who has earned quite a following and several James Beard Award nominations after 20 years behind the stoves, has made Jack's shine once more. Owned by a series of Frenchmen, it was always known for good food. Jack's is now the place city folks come to enjoy the food of Philippe Jeanty, whose tiny Yountville bistro draws a devoted food and wine crowd in Napa Valley. The menu is true to a Parisian Brasserie - steamed mussels studded with bay leaves in a big ceramic bowl; grilled rib eye steak accompanied by crisp frites overflowing from a paper cone. Also, the several 'must have' signature dishes include: Tomato soup in puff pastry, steak tartare, coq au vin and cassoulet. The ending to the meal offers such classics as creme brulee, crepe suzette and apple tatin. Housed in a gorgeous tri-level historic building.
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La Folie French

2316 Polk St. San Francisco. Russian Hill. $50 and over
La Folie is a French restaurant located in Russian Hill of San Francisco. Chef Roland Passot, with his wife Jamie opened La Folie in March of 1988. He combines the freshest ingredients in exotic combinations. Each plate leaves the kitchen resembling art-a canvas of color and design that tastes even better than it looks. La Folie continues to be rated as one of the top restaurants, receiving a star from the Michelin Guide, 4 stars from the San Francisco Chronicle and 4 stars from San Francisco Magazine
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Masa's Contemporary French

648 Bush Street San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $50 and over
Warm chocolate brown walls, subdued lighting and fresh roses on every table provide the perfect backdrop for the visual and sensual artistry that is Masa’s. Adjacent to Executive Hotel Vintage Court on the boarder of San Francisco’s Union Square and Nob Hill, Masa’s offers superlative service and exquisite California French cuisine elevated to new heights by Executive Chef Gregory Short. For over 25 years and continuing in the tradition of legendary founder Masataki Kobayashi, Masa’s has made its reputation with a succession of world-renowned chefs that have deftly walked the line between culinary adventure and classicism. Chef Short and Master Sommelier Alan Murray delight in presenting nightly three- and six-course tasting menus highlighting the best of the season and region, the restaurant’s 800-strong wine list, and otherworldly cocktails at the exclusive bar. "The French Laundry influences are evident..." -Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurants 2009
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The French Laundry American

6640 Washington Street Yountville. Yountville. $50 and over
Built in 1890 as a French Steam Laundry, this rustic two-story stone house is surrounded by a country garden planted with vintage roses, perennials and seasonal herbs. The French Laundry Restaurant has an intimate dining room with 15 tables. The dining time is 3-4 hours with two prix-fixe menus to choose from. Reservations are taken two months in advance to the calendar date (i.e. Reservations for April 1st are taken February 1st). Jackets are required. No Jeans, Shorts or Tennis Shoes please.
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Italian

Rose Pistola Italian

532 Columbus Avenue San Francisco. North Beach. $30 and under
Voted the best new restaurant in the country in 1996, Rose Pistola is a celebration of the bawdy, friendly but sophisticated side of San Francisco’s Italian district – North Beach. This stylish gathering place personifies the vibrancy of its namesake, a North Beach denizen who ran the most colorful bar and restaurant in the neighborhood. With its San Francisco-style dining counter, booths cozy dining room and lively bar, Rose Pistola invites everything from a leisurely glass of Chianti and a bowl of pasta, to a traditional, Italian-style feast of seasonal antipasti, whole roasted fish and rotisserie meats.
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Mediterranean

COCO5OO Californian

500 Brannan Street San Francisco. SOMA. $31 to $50
Loretta Keller's new south of market hotspot brings in the crowds to enjoy its warm, modern vibe and bold, stimulating flavors. Italian glass tile, Douglass fir, chocolate tones and rich teak finishes set the mood in this 1906 wood structure that anchored the corner of Fourth and Brannan as Bizou since 1993. The restaurant's commitment to high quality, small production ingredients begins in the kitchen, extends through the wine list, and forms the foundation of the new-fashioned bar. Cocktails at COCO5OO are handcrafted utilizing organic ingredients - fresh squeezed juices and premium, small production spirits.
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Campton Place Californian

340 Stockton Street San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $50 and over
A landmark dining destination for over two decades. This luxurious dining room offers fabled service while Chef Srijith brings a distinctive palette to San Francisco embodying Mediterranean inspirations with local California Cuisine & gentle spice route overtones. Our breakfast has been consistently voted as the best in the City for either a treat or for a power business meet. Our two ($36) & three ($43) course Lunch options are a haven away from the bustle of city shopping or for a break away from your desk. Dinner serves 5 course tasting menus ($95), a la carte offerings & a nine course degustation menu. The Bar & Bistro, an intimate meeting place with the ambience of a club that showcases a library selection of fine spirits & liquors, specialty cocktails, over 40 wines by glass & bistro meals including arguably the city’s best burger & late dining. This 6pm watering hole serves local high society from business to fashion and is truly the city’s best kept secret.
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Foreign Cinema Californian

2534 Mission St. San Francisco. Mission / Bernal Heights. $31 to $50
Foreign Cinema is a 'one of a kind', nationally acclaimed restaurant combining foreign and independent films with Cal-Med cooking. Enjoy an industrial chic setting, complete with outdoor courtyard, mezzanine and full bar.
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Mediterranean

Aziza Moroccan

5800 Geary Blvd. San Francisco. Richmond District. $30 and under
Aziza offers an elegant and stylish dining experience. Chef/owner Mourad Lahlou is a leader in modernizing Moroccan cuisine and adapting it to a western style fine dining setting. His innovative cuisine combines artisinal products and organic market ingredients, intense flavors and stunning presentations all combined with a progressive Californian influence. Aziza's gracious service and romantic ambience presents fine dining at its best in a warm, sexy and intimate setting.
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Seafood

Aqua Seafood

252 California Street San Francisco. Financial District / Embarcadero. $50 and over
Offering Contemporary Seafood in a sophisticated setting, Aqua has been one of San Francisco's most acclaimed and popular landmark restaurants for over 15 years. We have received a coveted two star rating from The Michelin Guide for the past three years and a 3 1/2 star review from the San Francisco Chronicle. Additionally, we have received awards from Zagat, DiRona, CitySearch, Gayot, and 7x7 Magazine. Using mostly European techniques, we serve delicate fish in a way that has traditionally been reserved for meats, offering unique menu selections of the freshest local and imported seafood.
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Farallon Seafood

450 Post Street San Francisco. Downtown / Union Square. $50 and over
At Farallon, Chef Mark Franz serves coastal cuisine with French influence. The menu changes daily depending on what's fresh. Expect exciting combinations and show-stopping execution.
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Vegetarian

Greens Restaurant Vegetarian

Bld. A, Fort Mason San Francisco. Marina / Presidio. $31 to $50
While enjoying one of San Francisco's most dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, diners savor Chef Annie Somerville’s imaginative vegetarian cuisine that features local seasonal organic produce and the finest ingredients. Greens emphasizes wonderful dishes created with a balance of colors, flavor and a contrast of textures inspired by the cuisines of the Mediterranean, Asia, Mexico and the American Southwest. "Monks Madness Mondays". We will offer 1/2 price wine list on Monday nights. March 16th through the end of April!
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