San Francisco, often referred to as The City by the Bay, is a vibrant metropolis nestled on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California. Renowned for its iconic landmarks, diverse culture, and innovative spirit, San Francisco is a city that captivates residents and visitors alike The city is known for its diverse culinary scene, influenced by a variety of cultures and reflecting the city's rich history. Here are some aspects of San Francisco cuisine, including staples, desserts, and a brief culinary history.
San Francisco boasts a rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Influenced by waves of immigration and the counterculture movements of the 20th century, the city is a melting pot of ethnicities, beliefs, and lifestyles. Neighborhoods like Chinatown, the Mission District, and Haight-Ashbury each tell a different story of the city's history.
Find the Best Dining Places in The City Of Bay
Dalida Mediterranean Restaurant
Welcome to Dalida, We built Dalida on the hospitality, culture, fresh
ingredients and familiar flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our food is
best enjoyed shared across the table. The legacy of Istanbul, once
Constantinople, is greater than meets the eye. It's a little Turkish, a
little Greek, Armenian, Jewish, Arabic and Persian. From the Eastern-most to
the Western-most point of the Western world, we tell a story of an Istanbul
that could have been, a story of the Eastern Mediterranean that manifests
itself in San Francisco, a city also built on seven hills, one that
welcomes, empowers and celebrates all that want to be here.
Boulevard Restaurant
Located in the historic Audiffred building,
Boulevard
is a celebrated San Francisco restaurant on the Embarcadero
waterfront. First opened by Chef and Owner Nancy Oakes in 1993,
Boulevard has continuously received high praise and a dedicated
following. Quintessentially Californian, our menu seamlessly
incorporates the regional seasonal bounty with studied classic and modern
technique.
We have recently undergone an exciting refresh to our space. While
preserving the artisanal mosaics, iron work & hand blown glass intrinsic
to Boulevard, we have enriched and updated just about everything else from
our private dining room and wine vault to our beloved bar.
Hazie’s Restaurant
Hazie’s is a
Hayes Valley bar and kitchen serving contemporary handcrafted California
cooking, featuring the best ingredients, thoughtfully prepared. The engaging
and eclectic menu, developed by local celebrity chef Joey Altman, features
small and large plates, great for sharing with friends and family, and zero
pretension. Composed of a selection of snacks, a wealth of small plates,
salads, sides, a few entrees, sandwiches and desserts, the approachable menu
has something for everyone.
Waterfront Restaurant
A mile from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California,
Waterfront Restaurant
boasts a view that far surpasses the tourist hubs. Opened in 1969, we soon
became a favorite among local politicians and business people, and in time
locals and foreign visitors were drawn to the breathtaking bayscape,
farm-to-table produce, and sustainable seafood.
HARBORVIEW Bar & Restaurant
WELCOME TO HARBORVIEW. We proudly serve Cantonese Chinese Cuisine in a sophisticated yet
unpretentious setting with a stunning view of San Francisco Bay. Our
extensive menu is dedicated to fresh seafood, dim sum and dinner with
banquet tastings. We also offer signature cocktails, local draught beer and
daily happy hour specials in our bar & lounge. Between traditional
dishes and new chef-innovated creations, there is something for everyone
here!
PROSPECT Restaurant
WELCOME TO PROSPECT.
Prospect is a collaboration of Chef Nancy Oakes, Pam Mazzola, and Kathy
King. Located at the base of the Infinity Towers, we host a warm and modern
urban environment, with high service standards and exceptional cuisine.
We’re proud to offer seasonal menus, and craft cocktails, sourcing local,
sustainable, and organic ingredients, along with an award winning wine list.
Barrio Latin Restaurant
Barrio
is an agave bar and Latin kitchen, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. With
an expansive patio and rotunda dining room with floor to ceiling windows,
delivering an incredible view, Barrio is the perfect place to gather with
family and friends. Enjoy seasonal craft cocktails, local beer, and
Latin-inspired cuisine featuring tacos with housemade heirloom blue corn
tortillas, ceviche, salads, burritos, and more! We look forward to hosting
locals and tourists for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch in our large and
festive space in the iconic Ghirardelli Square.
COPRA Indian Restaurant
WELCOME TO COPRA
Our Concept pays homage to the Southernmost part of India and the
neighboring island of Srilanka. Two countries are separated by the Park
Strait, a narrow strait that separates the state of Tamil Nadu in India from
the Jaffna district of the island nation of Srilanka . Similarities and differences are to be
celebrated and that is what Copra aims to do through its cuisine and
design. The single most important link in the cuisine of these two
seaside nations is the underlying ingredient of Coconut, which is deeply
valued in all regions and forms the base of many dishes. is the dried
coconut kernel used to extract coconut oil.
Scoma’s Seafood Restaurant
Early in the morning local fishermen bring their catch to
Scoma’s pier. Our chef then selects the very best seafood for our pier to plate menu.
The Best Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco. SERVING THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD
SINCE 1965. Iconic Waterfront Dining in Fisherman's Wharf Complimentary
Valet Parking. For the last 58 years, Scoma’s has set out to illustrate its
story with its ever-evolving pier-to-plate menu. Our famous clam chowder was
called one of the best clam chowder recipes in the country by Newsweek
Magazine. The Lazy Man’s Cioppino, Scoma’s original take on the classic
seafood stew, and the ever-popular crab cakes are also among diner’s
favorites.
Starbelly Restaurant
A neighborhood restaurant.
Starbelly
is a casual and friendly neighborhood restaurant in San Francisco’s lively
Castro District. With a menu of forward-thinking California comfort food,
supplemented by seasonal craft cocktails, beer and wine, Starbelly offers
something delicious for everyone.
3rd Cousin Californian Restaurant
3rd Cousin
was created in late 2015 with the support of the loyal community and built
through Kinfolk pop-up series. Lutes presents a globally inspired and
elegant take on California cuisine from the open kitchen of his
40-seat debut restaurant, creating a cozy atmosphere that will make you feel
like a treasured guest at a dinner party. At a young age, Lutes fell in love
with cooking in his 350-person farm community of Malden,
Illinois, where farm-to-table was a normal daily way of life. He graduated
from Kendall College and was quickly on a fast track to take him to the
kitchens of some of the country's top restaurants, including Daniel in NYC
and Everest in Chicago.
TADICH GRILL Restaurant
WELCOME TO TADICH GRILL. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District, Tadich Grill
is the oldest, continuously run restaurant in California, and third oldest
in the United States. We prefer to keep it simple. For your convenience we
now take reservations for half of our seating and the remaining half will be
available on a first come, first serve basis. If there is a wait, enjoy a
beverage or appetizer at the bar – always fun! We are easily accessible via
BART, Cable Car, Ferry Boat, and Bus, but if you must drive, valet service
after 5pm or nearby parking lots are available. Casual to dressy casual is
the norm for dress, however often times business attire is worn.
Heritage Restaurant & Bar
In the heart of the Richmond District,
Heritage Restaurant & Bar
interior keeps with the original structure of the building from 1908, while
bringing its own modern flare. The atmosphere is very inviting where
families, friends, or co-workers come for a great meal and/or drink to
unwind. Cameron Lewark, owner/chef, started his career in the culinary world
when he was 19 years old, working for Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group.
During Cameron's tenure, Wolfgang Puck has become one of the world leaders
in the culinary world, opening 28 restaurants worldwide. Cameron apprenticed
in total 20 years under James Beard Award winning Chef Lee Hefter at Puck's
Granita restaurant in Mailbu, Spago Beverly Hills and in 2001 opened Spago
at the Four Seasons, Maui.
Zuni Café
Zuni Café was founded in 1979, by Billy West – “with a huge heart and exactly ten
thousand dollars.” In its early days, the restaurant occupied only one narrow
storefront of the triangular 1913 building it fills today. The dramatic corner
storefront was home to the eye-catching Red Desert cactus store, with giant
saguaros in the twelve-foot windows and sand on the floor. Billy appropriated
the southwestern theme: He plastered his interior to look like adobe and named
the new café after the Zuni, one of the indigenous Pueblo peoples of Arizona
and New Mexico. Zuni Café’s earliest menus were inspired by the cookbooks of
Billy’s culinary idols, Diana Kennedy and Elizabeth David; but they were
limited by a kitchen that consisted of little more than a toaster oven, an
espresso machine that doubled as an egg-cooker, and a kettle grill in the back
alley.
Hillstone Restaurant San Francisco
WELCOME TO HILLSTONE. If you happen to be in Manhattan, San Francisco, Santa Monica, or any
other city home to a Hillstone restaurant, you will find our spaces match
the unique and sophisticated settings that surround them. We look forward to
seeing you! We prefer to host experiences based on smaller, more intimate
parties of two. If a reservation is not available for three or more guests,
we may not be able to accommodate you. Walk-ins are welcome for parties of
two. While we do offer selective take home service, its availability is
limited because we choose to focus on the magic of the in person dining
experience.
Restaurant Gary Danko
Twenty-four years after opening its doors in San Francisco’s iconic
Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood,
Restaurant Gary Danko
continues to refine its award-winning combination of classic French cooking,
thoughtful and inventive use of local ingredients and personable yet
impeccable service. “You don’t just open a great restaurant,” says Chef Gary
Danko, “it’s a constant work in progress.”This commitment to excellence and
innovation has earned Restaurant Gary Danko its twelfth Five Diamond rating
from AAA as well as a coveted Relais & Châteaux designation.
HARD ROCK CAFE SAN FRANCISCO
Casual Dining In San Francisco. Established September 10, 1984
Hard Rock Cafe
on Pier #39 is here to make your trip rock! The Cafe is located next to the
Bay’s waterfront, is full of rock-n-roll memorabilia and features a savory
menu as the cherry on top. We are conveniently located at the entrance to
Pier 39, directly across from the F-Line trolley, Uber/Lyft/Taxi zone, bus
loading zone and Pier 39 parking garage. Let us welcome you to Pier 39 by
stopping for a quick bite before or after your adventures. Hard Rock is so
much more than just a cafe!
BIX San Francisco
BIX A Destination, On an enticing alley in San Francisco's historic Jackson
Square, a lone neon sign leads into a soaring room of fluted columns,
mahogany paneling, plush banquettes, and distinguished artwork. White
jacketed bartenders hold forth behind a gently curved bar, mixing what many
have called the city’s best classic cocktails. Variously described as a
civilized speakeasy, a supper club and an elegant saloon, BIX offers modern
American cuisine served in a soaring two-story dining room to the strains of
live jazz nightly.
NOVY Greek gyro Restaurant
NOVY is a Greek
restaurant in the San Francisco Noe Valley district. We are a family-owned
and woman-run business. NOVY is our nickname for Noe Valley. In 1977, John Gianaras purchased the L&F Corner Market and
turned it into a casual dining restaurant named Panos’ (after his father.)
In 1988, newlyweds John and Vi expanded and remodeled the space into a
fine-dining Greek restaurant. They operated the ever-popular Panos' for a
total of 20 years. All of our beer & wine is on tap to do our part in
eliminating waste. NOVY, our nickname for Noe Valley, is again a
family-owned and woman-owned business that strives to provide a personal and
delicious dining experience in a polished setting.
Quince Restaurant
Quince
is an award-winning fine dining restaurant situated in San Francisco’s
historic Jackson Square Neighborhood. Founded in 2003, it most recently
underwent a year-long renovation and redesign. Changing nightly, Quince
offers two menus in the dining room, four course and ten course menu
composed of ingredients that best highlight the season. Guests can also
visit the Quince bar and salon for a more abbreviated a la carte menu, light
snacks, or simply for a cocktail or glass of wine.
John's Grill Steaks & Seafood
Historic John's Grill
- Since 1908. John's Grill, which Esquire magazine called one of America's
top 10 restaurants, is as much a historic fixture of San Francisco as the
Golden Gate bridge and the cable cars. Come for lunch or dinner and you’re
likely to rub shoulders with the mayor, a police chief or two, a movie star
or a huddle of technology titans.
PIER 23 CAFE
On San Francisco’s waterfront.
Pier 23 Café
Restaurant & Bar attracts locals and tourists from around the world
looking for Classic San Francisco. Family owned and operated since 1985, we
offer an innovative approach to San Francisco’s traditional seafood cuisine.
An establishment with a strong history and a solid reputation, Pier 23 Café
captures the essence of San Francisco through food, service and a
picturesque bay views.
Routier restaurant San Francisco
WELCOME TO ROUTIER. Routier is a casual “frenchish” restaurant co-owned by Chef John Paul
Carmona, Pastry Chef Belinda Leong and Michel Suas. JP and Belinda met
years ago while they worked in one of the Bay Area’s fine dining
restaurants. Belinda and Michel are owners of the wildly popular B
Patisserie. What is a traditional routier you ask? “A regional restaurant
serving simple and delicious food where the service is prompt and
informal.
THE BUENA VISTA CAFE
The historic venture
Buena Vista
started on the night of November the 10th in 1952. Jack Koeppler,
then-owner of the Buena Vista, challenged international travel writer
Stanton Delaplane to help re-create a highly touted "Irish Coffee" served
at Shannon Airport in Ireland. Intrigued, Stan Accepted Jack’s invitation,
and the pair began to experiment immediately. Throughout the night the two
of them stirred and sipped judiciously and eventually acknowledged two
recurring problems. The taste was "not quite right," and the cream would
not float. Stan’s hopes sank like the cream, but Jack was undaunted. The
restaurateur pursued the elusive elixir with religious fervor, even making
a pilgrimage overseas to Shannon Airport.
Boulevard San Francisco Restaurant
Located in the historic Audiffred building,
Boulevard
is a celebrated San Francisco restaurant on the Embarcadero
waterfront. First opened by Chef and Owner Nancy Oakes in 1993,
Boulevard has continuously received high praise and a dedicated
following. Quintessentially Californian, our menu seamlessly
incorporates the regional seasonal bounty with studied classic and
modern technique. We have recently undergone an exciting refresh to our
space. While preserving the artisanal mosaics, iron work &
hand blown glass intrinsic to Boulevard, we have enriched and updated
just about everything else from our private dining room and wine vault
to our beloved bar.
RICH TABLE
RICH TABLE, Is the culinary vision of Chefs Evan and Sarah Rich. With over three
decades of combined experience in San Francisco and New York high-end
restaurants, the team brings with them a wealth of talent, knowledge of
quality foods and wine, and connections with the best farms and
purveyors.
WATERBAR Seafood Restaurant
WELCOME TO WATERBAR! Regarded as San Francisco's foremost seafood restaurant, Waterbar
continues to set new standards of sustainability, variety, and
excellence. Waterbar is situated in a prime location on the waterfront
of San Francisco’s Embarcadero, just south of the “Cupid's Span"
sculpture, featuring panoramic views of the bay, Bay Bridge, Treasure
Island, and the San Francisco skyline.
Cotogna is an Italian Restaurant
A Celebration Of Italian Cuisine. Located on the corner of Montgomery
and Pacific Avenues in San Francisco’s historic Jackson Square,
Cotogna
is an Italian restaurant known for housemade pastas, spit-roasted and
grilled meats, and seafood roasted in the restaurant’s wood-burning
oven. The word ‘cotogna’ is Italian for ‘quince.’ The restaurant is a
more casual and convivial counterpart to Chef Michael and Lindsay Tusk’s
decorated fine dining restaurant next door. The menu changes daily
according to what’s growing at local farms, including Fresh Run in
Bolinas.
Ernest San Francisco Restaurant
Ernest restaurant
is located San Francisco’s Mission District. Experience a market-driven
menu with intense global flavors that reflects the way that Chef Brandon
Rice loves to eat — fun and approachable, yet refined with elegant layers
of familiar flavors done in a new way. Grab a beer and a snack at the bar
or taste your way through our menu in a relaxed, fun environment.
Balboa Cafe
Balboa Cafe
is a local favorite serving up the classics, including the famous Balboa
Burger that sits on many lists as one of the best burgers in San
Francisco. IT’S TINI TIME By now you’ve heard of (and probably drank)
the Balboa Espressotini, brewed with Balboa’s proprietary espresso-bean
blend, and, well, we’re not giving away the recipe. When the COVID-19
pandemic hit, we had to get creative with our on-draft tini’s – the
people demanded it! We began offering tini’s to-go in mason jars as a
temporary solution until… the canned espressotini was born.
Octavia Restaurant
Octavia
is the second restaurant from award-winning chef, Melissa Perello.
Beautifully defined flavors and seasonally driven cuisine are the
cornerstones of Octavia's menu- all in an elegant yet relaxed
neighborhood setting. MELISSA PERELLO, CHEF OWNER Melissa Perello's
daily evolving selections spotlight her commitment to sustainability
and the Bay Area's wealth of agricultural resources. Combined with
her natural ability in the kitchen, the result is simple and
expertly crafted dishes that reflect her fine-dining pedigree and
down-to-earth personality.
The Cavalier British-themed Brasserie
The Cavalier is a London-inspired brasserie, located adjacent to Hotel Zetta in San
Francisco’s SoMA neighborhood. The upscale British influenced restaurant
is brought to you by Executive Chef Jennifer Puccio and award-winning
San Francisco designer, Ken Fulk. The 135-seat restaurant is divided
into four unique, intimate spaces: the Blue Bar, Main Dining Room, Wine
Stables, and Rail Car. The interior is designed with deep leather
banquettes, polished brass, zinc and white marble, lending a posh and
sultry feel.
The city is home to iconic landmarks that have become synonymous with
San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge, with its distinctive orange hue,
spans the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz Island, once a
notorious federal prison, is now a popular tourist destination. The
historic cable cars traverse the city's steep streets, offering both
transportation and a scenic experience. San Francisco's culinary
scene is a celebration of diverse flavors and fresh, locally sourced
ingredients. From seafood delicacies to renowned sourdough bread, the
city's restaurants reflect a commitment to innovation and
sustainability. The Ferry Building Marketplace is a hub for artisanal
food vendors, showcasing the best of the Bay Area's culinary offerings.
San Francisco has long been a center of technological innovation, with
Silicon Valley located just south of the city. The tech industry's
influence is evident in the numerous startups, co-working spaces, and
the bustling tech community that contributes to the city's dynamic
atmosphere. Whether exploring its historic neighborhoods, indulging
in its culinary delights, or marveling at its iconic landmarks, visitors
and residents alike are sure to find something enchanting in this
diverse and dynamic city.
