Our list of places locals love to eat in San Francisco is diverse. Classic Chinese, Hawaiian, Mediterranean and American dishes are also available. The city has a wide variety of restaurants that locals can't get enough of, offering the culturally diverse yet positively Californian flavor that defines the city.
There are great restaurants all over the city, but Chinatown has some great ones, including a Michelin-starred restaurant. However, you shouldn't miss one of the city's most popular dishes: Dungeness crab. It is found in the waters around San Francisco and can be found in many seafood restaurants in the city. Dine like a local with our guide to the best restaurants in San Francisco.
What is the best place to eat in San Francisco?
1. House of Prime Rib
House of Prime Rib is a decade-old restaurant focused on steak and American cuisine, specializing in table-side roast beef. All meat is produced from the highest quality 2% beef available on the market and aged for 21 days to ensure tenderness and flavour. In addition to delicious meats, you will also find many side dishes for your meal, such as salad bowl or mashed potatoes. You can also get a taste of England by ordering the Yorkshire pudding. Experience it for yourself by driving a few blocks east from Lafayette Park to Polk Gulch.
2. Sotto Mare
Sotto Mare is a lively Italian-style seafood restaurant that focuses on fresh ingredients, many of which are caught locally, particularly the oysters. The food is prepared with spicy flavors and authentic Italian style. You can enjoy crab cioppino or another prepared seafood dish, or buy fresh fish and oysters here if you want to cook it yourself. Whatever your goal, you can find this restaurant in North Beach, just steps from Washington Square.
3. Swan Oyster Depot
Swan Oyster Depot is a historic seafood restaurant where you will find a wide selection of fresh seafood, although the emphasis is on oysters and rare oysters are often featured. While the actual menu is full of prepared foods and ingredients you can get for your cooking, you'll also find a secret menu. The secret menu consists mostly of special orders that local customers have requested so often that they simply put them on the secret menu. These products include, among others, Sicilian sashimi and a dozen eggs composed of several raw scallops with Sriracha sauce and ponzu.
Read More: Seafood Delights: Sampling the Best of San Francisco's Coastal Cuisine
4. Super Duper
Super Duper is committed to providing our customers with superior service by serving freshly prepared, high-quality burgers that you don't have to wait for. In this restaurant everything is homemade. The burgers are homemade and the pickles are also homemade. Continuing their commitment to original work, you'll find that their signs are hand painted and that they work with local artists and designers to support the community. You can see it all in the Marina District.
5. Verjus
Verjus is a popular San Francisco restaurant that focuses on sourcing food from small, independent producers to ensure fresh, local flavor in every dish. The food itself is similar to the atmosphere: it's designed to be casual and fun while still exuding an aura of elegance. The restaurant's wine bar stands out, offering a varied selection of wines. Like the food ingredients, the wine also comes from organically grown independent vineyards. You can find this restaurant in Jackson Square, across from the Transamerica Pyramid.
6. Sam Wo Restaurant
Sam Wo Restaurant is an iconic, century-old Chinese restaurant where you can still find authentic Chinatown dishes amidst its rich history and fame. This restaurant has made a huge impact on the local dining scene, not only for its delicious Chinese offerings, but also for having a waiter who was once considered the rudest waiter of all time. Even though that server is long gone, the restaurant still maintains some of the unique service styles enjoyed by locals. You can experience it all for yourself, just a short walk south of Portsmouth Square.
7. Mister Jius's
Mister Jius's is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant serving incredible Cantonese classics with a California twist. The chef/owner has sought to create a comfortable dining experience where everyone can enjoy the best of modern Chinese and California cuisine. Some of the most popular items on the menu include scallion and black cod fritters with celeriac, black garlic and red kuri squash. You can try it in Chinatown, just down the street from Portsmouth Square.
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8. Liholiho Yacht Club
Liholiho Yacht Club is a sophisticated restaurant that combines traditional Hawaiian cuisine with classic California dishes and techniques. Just like in Hawaii, food here is usually served on communal plates so that all diners can try everything. You will also find 2 bars here, but they fill up quickly. If you want to make this stop on your trip to San Francisco, be sure to make your reservations well in advance. You can find this restaurant in Polk Gulch, just west of Union Square.
9. Pearl 6101
Pearl 6101 is a Mediterranean restaurant offering a varied menu and a large, airy space to enjoy your evening, whether enjoying a meal, a drink or both. The cuisine is mainly Mediterranean-inspired, but California also makes an appearance, especially due to its commitment to local ingredients. The menu offers delights, from various fish and pasta dishes to a delicious bone-in grilled pork chop. You can find this restaurant in Outer Richmond, north of Little Russia.
10. Pork Store Café
One of the best places in town for brunch, Pork Store Café offers sophisticated fare, including breakfast dishes with a little bit of everything. Portions are generally quite generous. So keep this in mind when planning your activities for the day. You'll also find a lunch and dinner menu with dishes like salads, burgers, and entrees like steaks and pork chops. A vegetarian dish is also available. You can try it in Haight-Ashbury, west of Buena Vista Park.
