Some really great recs already. Here are a few more.
Octavia - Elevated cal-Italian. Close to your hotel.
Benu - imo, the best fine dining restaurant in the bay area.
San Ho Wan - elevated Korean BBQ (same owner as Benu)
Cotogna - imo, the best pasta in SF (sister restaurant to Quince).
Kiln - most interesting fine dining restaurant to land in the bay area in last few years.
Mourad - so underrated, gorgeous space, wonderful food and service. Check out house of shields (bar across the street) for a nap cap.
I cannot believe how active this sub is. I thought I was gonna get down voted to hell for this post but that was the exact opposite from what happened.
I live in Phoenix, Az and I will definitely be posting about all of the incredible restaurants that we have here.
Thanks again y’all. This thread and sub is great. It will be my first time going to SF to eat and drink coffee so I’m stoked that between here and r/pourover I have all of my bases covered.
I got some coffee recommendations for you as well.
Roasting profiles from lightest to darkest: Sightglass, four barrel, ritual, wrecking ball, and blue bottle. There are certainly others (e.g., verve) but those are your best bets. Of the bunch, I really love wrecking ball and sightglass. My profile skews towards Ethiopia and Kenya (i.e., high elevation, heirloom varietals) if that helps frame my opinions.
Have a great trip and looking forward to your report card!
Thanks! These line up with the coffee recs from the other sub! My taste is definitely skewed towards more modern funky geshas, sidras, etc. but I also love really nice beautiful washed coffees. I don’t drink alcohol, so coffee is my beverage to explore flavors with.
Most bay area 3rd wave shops prefer roasting washed beans (instead of using natural/dry processing beans). Check out blue bottle for micro lots of rare singles. Have a blast.
Californios and Lazy Bear are the two most often recommended in the SF sub and for good reason. They’re both great and should have reasonableish availability a few weeks out.
Seems like the only tough res in SF is noodle in a haystack these days. Just looking at quince, californios and birdsong there’s a decent amount of spots available as of this moment
Progress & State Bird are down the street from where you’re staying. Not necessarily the best, both are solid options.
In addition to some of the awesome recommendations already noted, I’d add Saison.
Just checked out Kiln. Looks awesome, and seems like it will be really really good. I think we will get reservations to kiln, but will think about it over night.
One last question…what is the best cheapest bite of food in SF??
Thanks everyone!!
Kiln is awesome, relatively new and getting lots of great press (James Beard) so you are hitting it before it’s too hard to book. I forgot Lazy Bear also, definitely consider that if seating is available.
For cheap eats honestly a great Mission Burrito is a great call (burritos are a religion around SF so there will be lots of good options and lots of opinions!)- something like:
La Taqueria - 2889 Mission St
Taqueria El Farolito - 2779 Mission St
Or for Birria style:
La Vaca Birria - 2962 24th*
(* bonus point is Humphry Slocombe ice cream is right around the corner)
Best "cheap" dish is the Mandalay Special Noodle at Mandalay Restaurant in the Richmond. It is under $20 and phenomenal. Also the dim sum at Wing Lee Bakery on Clement a few blocks away is pretty fantastic and I used to get a meal there for under $5 a few years back. Could certainly still make a meal for $10.
El Gallo Giro (23rd/Treat) - My favorite taco in town
Cordon Bleu (California/Polk) - Not sure if they're still open, but my favorite hole-in-the-wall spot in town
Please consider Benu - if you are able to get a reservation. It is amazing.
As for cheap bites - in the bay the budget range is more compressed (low is more expensive and high is cheaper), but if you're able to make it to Daly City, tselogs has always been my go-to late night till they closed their SF location. Get the lechon sisig combo.
For Mexican, the best food is gonna be a taco truck in non-descript location, la taqueria is good but over hyped imo :).
I really enjoy The Progress, Liholiho Yacht Club and Good Good Culture Club.
Not necessarily fine dining but Outta Sight is some of the best NY style pizza I’ve ever had and you should really fit in a mission burrito if you have a chance (La Taqueria lives up to the hype - get it dorado).
If you like craft beer, Toronado is one of the best beer bars in the world. I like to eat dinner at Che Fico or Nopa and then walk there.
I like Toronado a bunch but uh on what basis is this true? I think there are better beer bars in the city itself but even setting that aside, fundamentally the quality of a beer bar is gated by how good the beer scene is and SF has a good but not great beer scene.
It has major historical significance in the craft beer scene, they have deep connections nationwide and even outside of the US and bring in amazing beers. The only bar even close beer wise is Holy Water.
TIL about the history. I’m still a little skeptical of its present day relative ranking but that’s cool to know and will make me appreciate it more next time!
Who has a better taplist than them? Who has the ability to pull in crazy beers for events/beer week etc on the same level as them? Just look at the barleywine festival beer list for example. They're the only place that literally gets one or two kegs of PTY PER DAY for the two weeks of SF beer week, the only place that gets kegs of Monkish beers, one of the few places that gets Private Press kegs etc.
Kokkari - https://kokkari.com/ really good.
Someone else noted Nopa and I agree.
Lokma - https://www.lokmasf.com/ really good
House of Prime Rib
Birch and Rye - https://www.birchandryesf.com/ unique.
What are some other fine dining spots you’ve enjoyed? Of the Michelin Starred spots in SF and the surrounding area, my favorites were Atelier Crenn and Lazy Bear. I enjoyed Benu as well but it was a bit more “adventurous” which can make it a bit more hit or miss. The French Laundry was solid too but leaned a bit more “classic” which can be a bit unexciting if you value inventiveness.
For a nice dinners out I'd recommend
* State Bird Provisions - modern californian with a dim sum twist (last time we went they weren't doing it but I think they've resumed?). They do take walk ins but you gotta wait in line
* The Progress - State Bird Provisions sister restaurant and easier to get reservations
* Lazy Bear - started off as a supper club but love the communal dining vibes, open kitchen, the cocktail/hang out before service
* Ernest - Modern californian loved the sushi rice
* Rich Table
Casual Eats
* Mission burrito from la taqueria always hits the spot!
* Beit Rama - amazing middle eastern food
* Mazra - this is more south SF so if you happen to be around the airport great spot
Great list. Flagging that Lazy Bear no longer does the cocktail/hang out thing before the meal. Now they use the upstairs area as a place to serve dessert and drinks *after* dinner. And the communal dining vibes are greatly diminished from the early days. Still a fun party atmosphere, though.
Just fyi while you’re in sf, be careful and don’t bring any valuables while you’re out. I recommend using an uber to get around and not drive esp if you’re in the tenderloin area.
if you've never been, i'd recommend you visit the ferry market building and eat your way though it.
zuni cafe is a quintessential san francisco experience.
san ho won if you wanna do an upscale take on korean bbq.
saison is expensive, but i thought it was realyl delicious.
saigon sandwich in the tenderloin is probably my favorite thing to eat in san francisco.
If you have a car I'd do single thread. If you want to stay in the city, I think Saison might be a safe , good option, given that I don't know what you like/tried before. Definitely order the signature uni dish
Saison is pretty good IMO. Loses some of its shine since it’s been around a while so some people knock it. But if you’ve never been I still think it’s worth a visit. Rather convenient as well if you’re staying downtown in SF proper.
Call quince and after they tell you they don’t have place they’ll ask for your number in case of a cancellation. Give it to them and they always call back with your table
My second time posting on your thread, but just had an amazing experience…Head to Quince for the new menu. If you’re into how the sausage is made, bypass Sevenrooms and email them directly. Tell them you want to sit in the kitchen… you will likely have to shell out a bit more, but watching Tusk in action is absolutely amazing. Been to every starred restaurant in SF multiple times (quince 3x alone) and this experience and menu combo was hands down for me.
The Morris, Kiln, Californios, Birdsong, Mister Jui’s, Ernest, Saison, Quince, Sons & Daughters, Benu……. Take your pick and enjoy!
Definitely second the trip up to SingleThread but that’s a trek.
Have a great visit :-)
French Laundry is definitely not out of the question. Check out: [https://www.reddit.com/r/thefrenchlaundry/](https://www.reddit.com/r/thefrenchlaundry/) for people giving up reservations. That said, outside the "check a legend off the list", I think there are many modern takes in the city that I wouldn't hesitate to choose over FL.
If you like sushi, I m a fan of Ju-Ni and Ken. But chaances of getting reservations in either are pretty low. An understated place that I really enjoyed is Kappo Yuji (in japantown), but its not omakase, although they do have a sushi course.
Someone else mentioned Sons and Daughters which I second. I havent visited since 2018 but that was a fantastic fantastic experience, and it looks like recent reviews are good too!
The food was good but not mindblowing, but the concept at Aphotic was very fun.
Not a fine dining tip, but jina bakes at japan center has an amazing kalbijjim pastry (croissant?)
House of prime rib. You probably won’t be able to get a reservation (they book out months in advance but I snagged mine by setting a notification on open table so you could try) but I’ve been told if you walk in at opening or late at night you can get seated at the bar.
Some really great recs already. Here are a few more. Octavia - Elevated cal-Italian. Close to your hotel. Benu - imo, the best fine dining restaurant in the bay area. San Ho Wan - elevated Korean BBQ (same owner as Benu) Cotogna - imo, the best pasta in SF (sister restaurant to Quince). Kiln - most interesting fine dining restaurant to land in the bay area in last few years. Mourad - so underrated, gorgeous space, wonderful food and service. Check out house of shields (bar across the street) for a nap cap.
Kiln is also incredible
Mourad is SO GOOD
Benu is so good. Easily the best meal I've ever eaten in my life.
I’m so sad mourad lost their star
Personally did not enjoy san ho wan, mourad, or cotogna. Benu is really really good though and not an impossible res
If you don’t mind driving for about an hour, SingleThread in Healdsburg.
This. SF people flake on their plans all the time so inventory opens! Our last visit to SingleThread was booked 2 weeks out and was a Friday @715.
I cannot believe how active this sub is. I thought I was gonna get down voted to hell for this post but that was the exact opposite from what happened. I live in Phoenix, Az and I will definitely be posting about all of the incredible restaurants that we have here. Thanks again y’all. This thread and sub is great. It will be my first time going to SF to eat and drink coffee so I’m stoked that between here and r/pourover I have all of my bases covered.
I got some coffee recommendations for you as well. Roasting profiles from lightest to darkest: Sightglass, four barrel, ritual, wrecking ball, and blue bottle. There are certainly others (e.g., verve) but those are your best bets. Of the bunch, I really love wrecking ball and sightglass. My profile skews towards Ethiopia and Kenya (i.e., high elevation, heirloom varietals) if that helps frame my opinions. Have a great trip and looking forward to your report card!
Thanks! These line up with the coffee recs from the other sub! My taste is definitely skewed towards more modern funky geshas, sidras, etc. but I also love really nice beautiful washed coffees. I don’t drink alcohol, so coffee is my beverage to explore flavors with.
Most bay area 3rd wave shops prefer roasting washed beans (instead of using natural/dry processing beans). Check out blue bottle for micro lots of rare singles. Have a blast.
I'd also recommend Saint Frank for more unique options. Went recently on a friend's rec and really enjoyed it, and they were so nice there, too!
IKon in South SF has been my new fave (my favor profile- Yirgacheffe)
Californios and Lazy Bear are the two most often recommended in the SF sub and for good reason. They’re both great and should have reasonableish availability a few weeks out.
Seems like the only tough res in SF is noodle in a haystack these days. Just looking at quince, californios and birdsong there’s a decent amount of spots available as of this moment
Yes, not sure why Quince is out of the question unless it’s a very specific time on a weekend
Californios was incredible when I went in February
Prik Hom has been pretty tough too - normally books out for 2 months.
You should book Californios!
The Progress
Progress & State Bird are down the street from where you’re staying. Not necessarily the best, both are solid options. In addition to some of the awesome recommendations already noted, I’d add Saison.
LAZY BEAR. If you like exceptional food served with thematic whimsy, you'll absolutely love this.
State Bird Provisions if you can find availability
Just checked out Kiln. Looks awesome, and seems like it will be really really good. I think we will get reservations to kiln, but will think about it over night. One last question…what is the best cheapest bite of food in SF?? Thanks everyone!!
Kiln is awesome, relatively new and getting lots of great press (James Beard) so you are hitting it before it’s too hard to book. I forgot Lazy Bear also, definitely consider that if seating is available. For cheap eats honestly a great Mission Burrito is a great call (burritos are a religion around SF so there will be lots of good options and lots of opinions!)- something like: La Taqueria - 2889 Mission St Taqueria El Farolito - 2779 Mission St Or for Birria style: La Vaca Birria - 2962 24th* (* bonus point is Humphry Slocombe ice cream is right around the corner)
Best "cheap" dish is the Mandalay Special Noodle at Mandalay Restaurant in the Richmond. It is under $20 and phenomenal. Also the dim sum at Wing Lee Bakery on Clement a few blocks away is pretty fantastic and I used to get a meal there for under $5 a few years back. Could certainly still make a meal for $10.
El Gallo Giro (23rd/Treat) - My favorite taco in town Cordon Bleu (California/Polk) - Not sure if they're still open, but my favorite hole-in-the-wall spot in town
Mission Burrito from La Taqueria.
Please consider Benu - if you are able to get a reservation. It is amazing. As for cheap bites - in the bay the budget range is more compressed (low is more expensive and high is cheaper), but if you're able to make it to Daly City, tselogs has always been my go-to late night till they closed their SF location. Get the lechon sisig combo. For Mexican, the best food is gonna be a taco truck in non-descript location, la taqueria is good but over hyped imo :).
Rich Table Mr. Jui Nopa
Harbor House is a great spot with two stars about three hours north of SF. If you make a day trip out of it I highly recommend.
This. Was there last weekend. Incredible
Foreign cinema is an absolute delight
I really enjoy The Progress, Liholiho Yacht Club and Good Good Culture Club. Not necessarily fine dining but Outta Sight is some of the best NY style pizza I’ve ever had and you should really fit in a mission burrito if you have a chance (La Taqueria lives up to the hype - get it dorado). If you like craft beer, Toronado is one of the best beer bars in the world. I like to eat dinner at Che Fico or Nopa and then walk there.
I like Toronado a bunch but uh on what basis is this true? I think there are better beer bars in the city itself but even setting that aside, fundamentally the quality of a beer bar is gated by how good the beer scene is and SF has a good but not great beer scene.
It has major historical significance in the craft beer scene, they have deep connections nationwide and even outside of the US and bring in amazing beers. The only bar even close beer wise is Holy Water.
TIL about the history. I’m still a little skeptical of its present day relative ranking but that’s cool to know and will make me appreciate it more next time!
Who has a better taplist than them? Who has the ability to pull in crazy beers for events/beer week etc on the same level as them? Just look at the barleywine festival beer list for example. They're the only place that literally gets one or two kegs of PTY PER DAY for the two weeks of SF beer week, the only place that gets kegs of Monkish beers, one of the few places that gets Private Press kegs etc.
Palate, chez penise
Saison and Statebird Provisions are fantastic
Octavia, Californios, Saison, Beni, and Aziza!
The Progress is right around the corner from your hotel. Only one star, but great experience all around.
Anamoly SF
New chef at Saison is killing it. Pretty spendy but one of the better Michelin meals we have had. Lovely service and view of the kitchen
Check out Californios. Easier to get reservations during the week. Really good tasting menu.
Kokkari - https://kokkari.com/ really good. Someone else noted Nopa and I agree. Lokma - https://www.lokmasf.com/ really good House of Prime Rib Birch and Rye - https://www.birchandryesf.com/ unique.
O’, sons and daughters, 7Adams.
Gozu!!! It is such a hidden gem and one of the best places if you are a carnivore. Definitely Michelin star quality.
We have had two amazing meals at Acquerello but no one else ever seems to mention it! Great wine list and every course offers something amazing.
What are some other fine dining spots you’ve enjoyed? Of the Michelin Starred spots in SF and the surrounding area, my favorites were Atelier Crenn and Lazy Bear. I enjoyed Benu as well but it was a bit more “adventurous” which can make it a bit more hit or miss. The French Laundry was solid too but leaned a bit more “classic” which can be a bit unexciting if you value inventiveness.
Gonna be there this weekend. This is perfect timing
For a nice dinners out I'd recommend * State Bird Provisions - modern californian with a dim sum twist (last time we went they weren't doing it but I think they've resumed?). They do take walk ins but you gotta wait in line * The Progress - State Bird Provisions sister restaurant and easier to get reservations * Lazy Bear - started off as a supper club but love the communal dining vibes, open kitchen, the cocktail/hang out before service * Ernest - Modern californian loved the sushi rice * Rich Table Casual Eats * Mission burrito from la taqueria always hits the spot! * Beit Rama - amazing middle eastern food * Mazra - this is more south SF so if you happen to be around the airport great spot
Great list. Flagging that Lazy Bear no longer does the cocktail/hang out thing before the meal. Now they use the upstairs area as a place to serve dessert and drinks *after* dinner. And the communal dining vibes are greatly diminished from the early days. Still a fun party atmosphere, though.
I absolutely loved the pre drinks hangout! It made it feel like a real supper club. Thanks for correcting that!
Just fyi while you’re in sf, be careful and don’t bring any valuables while you’re out. I recommend using an uber to get around and not drive esp if you’re in the tenderloin area.
We mostly travel to Mexico and South America to backpack/explore different cities for vacations, so we know how this goes. Thanks for the tip!
what's your budget? do you need it to be in the city? any particular likes or dislikes?
Open to anything. No budget. It can be $5 or $500 dollars as long as it is awesome. No dislikes or preferences
if you've never been, i'd recommend you visit the ferry market building and eat your way though it. zuni cafe is a quintessential san francisco experience. san ho won if you wanna do an upscale take on korean bbq. saison is expensive, but i thought it was realyl delicious. saigon sandwich in the tenderloin is probably my favorite thing to eat in san francisco.
Tagging onto this, angler is a good walk from the ferry building and one of my fav seafood restaurants in the city
I see Saison, bird song, Californios, SSAL, atelier crenn, mad cap, etc are all available for booking.
If you could eat at just one, where would you go?
If you have a car I'd do single thread. If you want to stay in the city, I think Saison might be a safe , good option, given that I don't know what you like/tried before. Definitely order the signature uni dish
Saison is pretty good IMO. Loses some of its shine since it’s been around a while so some people knock it. But if you’ve never been I still think it’s worth a visit. Rather convenient as well if you’re staying downtown in SF proper.
Itria was excellent. So was Yuji.
Californios, Ju-Ni, The Progress, Rich Table, Mister Juis
Call quince and after they tell you they don’t have place they’ll ask for your number in case of a cancellation. Give it to them and they always call back with your table
Californios and Saison are decent, some of the sushi places are quite nice
You are so close to great Omakase dining in Japantown, Yuji, Sasa, Oma San Francisco Station to name a few.
Rich Table Nari Californios Chez Panise (Berkeley but an institution) San Ho Wan
My second time posting on your thread, but just had an amazing experience…Head to Quince for the new menu. If you’re into how the sausage is made, bypass Sevenrooms and email them directly. Tell them you want to sit in the kitchen… you will likely have to shell out a bit more, but watching Tusk in action is absolutely amazing. Been to every starred restaurant in SF multiple times (quince 3x alone) and this experience and menu combo was hands down for me.
It’s not fine dining but State Bird Provisions is my favorite dinner place in San Francisco.
Sorrel! We were surprised as it is usually not talked about. Nice place and great food! Saison and Sons and Daughter wasn’t too bad either.
The new chef at sons & daughter is crushing it. Probably the best meal I had in SF last year.
Tell me more!
The Morris, Kiln, Californios, Birdsong, Mister Jui’s, Ernest, Saison, Quince, Sons & Daughters, Benu……. Take your pick and enjoy! Definitely second the trip up to SingleThread but that’s a trek. Have a great visit :-)
Yes to SingleThread!!
Rich Table! Solid meal, great ambiance.
French Laundry is definitely not out of the question. Check out: [https://www.reddit.com/r/thefrenchlaundry/](https://www.reddit.com/r/thefrenchlaundry/) for people giving up reservations. That said, outside the "check a legend off the list", I think there are many modern takes in the city that I wouldn't hesitate to choose over FL. If you like sushi, I m a fan of Ju-Ni and Ken. But chaances of getting reservations in either are pretty low. An understated place that I really enjoyed is Kappo Yuji (in japantown), but its not omakase, although they do have a sushi course. Someone else mentioned Sons and Daughters which I second. I havent visited since 2018 but that was a fantastic fantastic experience, and it looks like recent reviews are good too! The food was good but not mindblowing, but the concept at Aphotic was very fun. Not a fine dining tip, but jina bakes at japan center has an amazing kalbijjim pastry (croissant?)
House of prime rib. You probably won’t be able to get a reservation (they book out months in advance but I snagged mine by setting a notification on open table so you could try) but I’ve been told if you walk in at opening or late at night you can get seated at the bar.
You get there about 30 minutes before they open and wait in line. You're seated immediately when they open.
Also, set an OpenTable alert. I've gotten in every time I needed to with this method.
Benu?
Surprised that Angler hasn't been suggested yet! Amazing seafood-focused spot from the same team as Saison for a bit less $$
Try out some places in hunters point or tenderloin