The 20 Best Restaurants in San Francisco

La Taqueria in the Mission is one of the most celebrated taquerias in America, a James Beard and Michelin-recognized spot famous for its no-rice burritos and crisped, griddled tortillas. It's the real Mission-style deal. Cash-friendly, often a line, and closed Monday and Tuesday. Order the carnitas.

House of Prime Rib is San Francisco's temple to prime rib, open since 1949 and carving slabs tableside from those iconic silver rolling carts. It's a full-on old-school experience with spinning salad and creamed spinach. Reservations are famously hard; book weeks ahead. A genuine SF institution worth the effort.

Golden Boy is North Beach's beloved slice shop, serving thick, focaccia-style Sicilian squares since 1978. It's cheap, unpretentious, and exactly what you want after a night out or a walk through the neighborhood. Grab the clam and garlic or a pesto square. Cash-friendly, counter service, no frills.

Tommy's Joynt is a classic San Francisco Hofbrau-style restaurant serving traditional American comfort food at budget prices. Order the hot pastrami sandwich, roast beef with mashed potatoes, or corned beef—portions are generous and the Irish Coffee rivals the famous original. The vintage decor with red-checkered tablecloths and dark wood booths feels like eating at your grandma's house, though the atmosphere can get moderately noisy during busy times.

Brenda's French Soul Food blends French and New Orleans cuisine in an unassuming, affordable spot on Polk Street. Must-tries include the fried chicken, French toast (especially the Butter Pecan), crawfish beignets, and Eggs Poutine—all consistently praised for bold flavors and generous portions. The place gets very busy and noisy, especially during peak times, so expect a lively atmosphere.

A historic San Francisco steakhouse with old-school charm, famous for being mentioned in The Maltese Falcon. Order the ribeye (regular or aged), lamb chops, or Chicken Milanese—all consistently well-prepared—along with sides like Parmesan potatoes, mashed potatoes, or fresh green beans. Fair warning: it's a tight space that gets very crowded and noisy, especially on weekend nights, and there's no validated parking despite a garage across the street.

Tadich Grill is a classic San Francisco seafood restaurant with old-school wood-paneled charm and counter seating, known for impeccably fresh Dungeness crab cakes, petrale sole, calamari steak, and clam chowder. Service is attentive and well-paced, and the cheesecake is exceptional. Book ahead for weekend reservations, as it fills up quickly.

Swan Oyster Depot is a tiny, cash-only seafood counter on Polk Street, open since 1912 and run by the same family. Eighteen stools, no reservations, no tables, just impeccably fresh oysters, crab, and clam chowder. The line is legendary and so is the experience. Come early, bring cash, and be patient.

A historic San Francisco pub famous for Irish Coffee, located at the end of the cable car line near Fisherman's Wharf. Order the Irish Coffee, bread pudding, or steak—the bar serves drinks only while food requires table seating. Expect a 10-minute wait during busy times and a lively, packed atmosphere.

A beloved Castro institution and LGBTQ+ landmark serving classic diner comfort food 24 hours a day. Order breakfast items like huevos rancheros, veggie omelets, or pancakes—reviewers rave about the home-cooked quality and generous portions. The main caveat: expect a wait during peak times, especially holidays and weekends, though service moves quickly once you're seated.

Alice Waters' legendary restaurant in Berkeley is the birthplace of California cuisine and still one of the most important restaurants in American culinary history. The prix-fixe dinner menu changes nightly and showcases the finest local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Worth the BART trip from SF; book weeks in advance for the downstairs dining room or try the more casual upstairs café.

A classic San Francisco seafood restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf that's been serving the same elegant space for decades. Order the oysters Rockefeller or oysters à la Scoma, fresh fish of the day, or the lazy man's cioppino—reviewers consistently praise the quality and freshness. Make a reservation, as the restaurant gets very busy and walk-ins may face long waits.

Kokkari Estiatorio is an upscale Greek restaurant in Jackson Square known for rustic Mediterranean elegance and impeccable service. Reviewers consistently praise the Greek salad, lamb chops, smelt appetizers, and rabbit stew with orzo. Book well in advance—even Monday evenings require planning weeks ahead, and tables are hard to secure.

The larger sibling of the legendary Tartine Bakery, this all-day café and restaurant serves exceptional pastries, open-faced sandwiches, grain bowls, and wood-fired dishes in a stunning industrial space. The morning buns and country bread are iconic, but the lunch and dinner menus are equally serious. Expect a long wait on weekends, and the space can get very loud.

Michael Tusk's more casual Italian sibling to Quince, serving rustic wood-fired Italian food in a warm, convivial setting. The rotisserie meats, handmade pastas, and wood-oven pizzas are outstanding. It is significantly more approachable in price and atmosphere than Quince while still delivering serious culinary quality.

A James Beard Award-winning restaurant that pioneered the dim sum-style service of California small plates, with servers rolling carts of inventive dishes through the dining room. The state bird (quail) with provisions is the signature dish, but everything on the menu is worth trying. Reservations are extremely competitive; book the moment they open or try for walk-in spots at the bar.

A historic San Francisco seafood institution since 1861 with vintage charm, SF sports memorabilia, and a fun pirate-themed decor. Order the mussels, clam chowder, oysters, or lobster roll—all praised for freshness and generous portions. Note that there's only indoor seating and street parking can be tight in this Bayshore location.

Elevated American comfort food in the Financial District with impeccable service and a polished dining room that handles both intimate dinners and larger groups. Must-tries include the famous herb-infused fried chicken with Meyer lemon, popovers, and clam chowder. Note that it can get loud at larger tables, and reservations are essential, especially for special occasions.

Yamo is a small, family-owned Burmese restaurant hidden on 18th Street that draws lines out the door despite minimal signage. Order the house garlic noodles—reviewers are unanimous about them—and expect a no-frills counter service experience with tight seating by the open kitchen. Be prepared for waits on weekends and note that service can be inconsistent, with some staff interactions reported as curt.

Chef couple Evan and Sarah Rich run this inventive California restaurant known for playful, ingredient-driven dishes that feel both creative and comforting. The sardine chips with crème fraîche and the porcini doughnuts are legendary starters. Reservations book up fast, but the bar area sometimes has walk-in availability.