Find some of San Francisco's most unusual eateries offering innovation, dinners with events, and amazing experiences.
Our meals are the same as our shows: a great experience from the first step inside the building until appreciating the last act. Fortunately, San Francisco's eateries are equally unusual and beautiful as our shows.
Considered among the top locations in the country for great cuisine, the food scene here is a gastronomic adventure unlike any other. These unusual eateries will transport your taste receptors on a gastronomic adventure unparalleled in San Francisco, providing entertainment value as well.
Financial District and Downtown
Without seeing the energetic Hayes Valley and its environs, the Financial District and Downtown, no San Francisco trip is complete.
Spending time exploring the city is frequently worth the daily grind when one has rustic cable cars around high hills and museums and attractions abound. Here in San Francisco, we also have some of the best unique among the crowd eateries.
Bodega SF: Northern Vietnamese Cuisine
Modernized interpretation of traditional Southeast Asian cuisine is offered by Vietnamese eatery Bodega SF. The restaurant started off as a little run of pop-ups. It subsequently evolved into weekly lunch kits until at last turning into the modern restaurant.
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More classic, the noon menu consists of pho ga and banh cuon. The menu transforms for this unique occasion as the sun sets and dinnertime rolls along. A well chosen assortment of meals calls for oyster mushrooms, crab, pork belly, and Monterey squid.
Mount Hill
Nestled between Chinatown, the Financial District, Russian Hill, and Fisherman's Wharf lays San Francisco's historic Nob Hill area. See these great eateries for a dining experience you won't soon forget if you get hungry while touring some of the nearby San Francisco parks.
Swan Oyster Station
After nearly a century of commerce in one site, Swan Oyster Depot is a cultural monument in and of itself. For everyone who walks in its doors, it presents amazing fresh seafood.
While usually waits don't last more than an hour, occasionally people wait up to two hours in line to get a desired seat. Still, the wait in line is well worth it for delicacies like fresh oysters with mignonette sauce and Sicilian sashimi.
Acquiredllo
From a sophisticated dining room to equally great Italian cuisine, the whole experience at Acquerello is really outstanding. Handmade pasta and house-made chocolates are two-star Michelin restaurant's specialty.
The cuisine varies seasonally quite a bit. Anticipate well-known Italian tastes enhanced to new standards with creative ideas. Up to three months in advance, you can book reservations—highly advised.
Since formal wear is expected, make sure you dress to wow when visiting; leave your phone in your pocket or bag to really appreciate the ambiance.
Chinese Chinatown
San Francisco's Chinatown is a fantastic site to visit and features elaborate pagoda-style building. One of our favorite eateries in the city also resides there.
George Chen's Eight Tables
At Eight Tables by George Chen, embark on a gastronomic adventure to China's ancient eating style known as "Si Fang Cai," (private chateau cuisine). Just getting to the doors of the restaurant is an event in itself.
Before you discover the two Fee-Dog guards next to the entrance, calling you ahead into a sophisticated dining room, you must pass through a wrought-iron gate into an alley.
With Chen's family photographs placed around the atrium foyer, it's meant to inspire thoughts of visiting the chef in their house.
The restaurant contains just eight tables, as the name suggests, hence making plans is absolutely necessary. Meals are presented in omakase style with often changing, very seasonal menus.
District of Missions
The Mission District is really beautiful. Local painters' murals turn plain building surfaces into canvases with magical works of art. Among the shopping, tree-lined lanes, and historical sites are many of restaurants—many of which specialize in Mexican cuisine.
Fishermen's Wharf
You're thinking about Fisherman's Wharf if the idea of San Francisco makes you picture cable cars and seafood. Among the most well-known tourist attractions in the city this area has are boat trips to Alcatraz and the Aquarium of the Bay. Visit one of our preferred eateries while in this area.
Palace Tea House
At Palette Tea House, taste real, contemporary Cantonese food. At this restaurant, dishes are more of a visual feast than they are of taste sensation. The presentation of every plate matches the amazing inside design.
Richmond Outers
Two of the oldest theaters in the city and the Sutro Baths are among the amazing features found in this waterfront community. It's also a great place for dining; we particularly enjoy a Michelin-starred restaurant here.
Read Also: 11 Must-Try Dim Sum Restaurants in San Francisco
Different San Francisco locations
San Francisco is composed of many districts, and all across the city you will find restaurants featuring creative cuisines. These are some of our favorites you really shouldn't miss.
The advancement (Fillmore Street)
Expanding on the menu with fresh, local foods, the second restaurant run by individuals in charge of the State Bird Provisions next door is The Progress. Entering the restaurant finds a modern-rustic atmosphere with a full bar for walk-ins.
Guinea bird, pork schnitzel, and seaweed noodles presented alongside oyster mushrooms and a twist on dashi prepared with tomato and kale create tantalizing selections. Strongly advised are reservations, which last up to 30 days ahead.
Medcalito
Mezcalito on Polk Street is one of those venues where one stays for food and beverages. Though at first glance the menus seem odd—combining traditional Mexican cuisine with other bar food options—this adds to the appeal and ranks it among the entertaining dining establishments to visit.
On the menu, tacos and ceviche complement burgers and salads; yet, people usually visit here for the mezcal. There are no bookings so be ready for a wait on the weekends.
Dumming Time
Dumpling Time, of the Omakase Restaurant Group, has you covered if you want a taste of dim sum without the festivity. Traditional choices like pork soup dumplings abound on the menu alongside more creative variations on dishes like shellfish gyoza or shrimp toast using Chinese donuts rather than bread.
Dining for Every Occasion San Francisco
San Francisco has upscale restaurants as well as something more laid-back for your taste.
We appreciate how these eateries layer flavors and styles to take the dishes to whole new heights, therefore turning food into art. Like many of these eateries, we want to improve our presentations.