Best Restaurants in San Francisco

A trendsetter in every way possible, San Francisco is a city hellbent on reinventing itself every few decades. A reason why it so successfully manages to do that, time and again, is the city’s openness towards people from different backgrounds. Individuals who then immerse themselves into the vibrant spirit of the Golden City, add to its already eccentric character. 

The culinary map of San Francisco reflects the city’s dynamic persona. Thus, gourmands searching for the best restaurants in San Francisco have ample choices across many world cuisines.

From Michelin star fine-dining experiences to mom-and-pop eateries in business for decades, San Francisco guarantees gastronomic escapades packed with deliciousness and discoveries.   

Zuni Cafe

Tourists wishing to experience old-world San Francisco should make a beeline for Zuni Café. The split-level eatery that started as a Mexican restraint in 1979 is a chic and contemporary space with an alluringly vintage feel today. 

The transformation of Zuni Café over decades wasn’t limited to the interiors, but also its menu that now features dishes with a classic Italian and French influence. 

Besides being one of the best restaurants in San Francisco, Zuni is also among the most romantic spots in the city. Its daily-changing menu suits epicureans who relish fresh produce. However, the familiarity of flavours that continues from one season to another makes the dishes exceedingly palatable.

Every first-time diner at Zuni Café ought to order one or both of their hot sellers. The chicken for two is a succulent meaty delight prepared in the restaurant’s wood-fired brick oven. At the same time, the Catalan-style noodles with mussels and Manila clams promise a quick and delectable ride to seafood heaven. 

AL’s Place

A compact 30-seater eatery on Valencia Street with an unmissable bright blue façade, AL’s Place is among the best restaurants in San Francisco for vegetarians. 

Even though it is a one Michelin star awardee, AL’s is a casual joint with lively interiors that create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Chef and owner Aaron London’s menu highlight seasonal vegetables. It is, nevertheless, pescatarian in nature, offering seafood and even meats as starters.

Try the brine pickled French fries, pork belly, yellow eye bean stew, or the spicy mayo burrata when dining at AL’s. If in a large group, go for their special family-style dining option that includes shared dishes and wine pairing for a fixed price.       

Photo credit to https://www.bonappetit.com/

Ju-Ni

Ju-Ni translates to 12. That’s the number of counter seats at the minimalistic sushi bar on Fulton Street. 

But Ju-Ni is unlike other Japanese restaurants in San Francisco. It’s an establishment that takes pride in honouring authentic Japanese techniques and plates some of the best sushi in the city. 

Exclusivity is second nature at Ju-Ni. Most of their ingredients come from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market. The omakase menu here consists of 14 delicately prepared items. However, should the customer want, they can add more to this train of tasty delights that one gets to savour ever so slowly. 

If the atmosphere at Ju-Ni wasn’t already intimate, the fact that there is one chef to every four customers makes it an even more personal experience. Of course, with counter seating comes the joy of watching the chefs prepare the food from scratch, a chance to admire the talent that goes into creating that perfect sushi.       

Sam’s Pizza and Burgers

The late Anthony Bourdain was so in love with the city that you can still feel his presence across San Francisco’s gastronomic scene. One of the places he helped promote was the hole-in-the-wall establishment Sam’s Pizza and Burgers. 

The 20-seater eatery was, however, a much-adored late-night eating joint from long before Bourdain “discovered” it. In fact, operational since 1966, it recently received the status of a San Francisco Legendary Business. 

Located in Chinatown, Sam’s is as casual as one can get while dining outside. There’s isn’t much space to sit, and the food comes on paper plates. You can eat here in your gym clothes or a business suit, and no one will bat an eyelid. 

The menu, consisting of Polish sausages, fried shrimp, and pizza, favours the carnivores. Of course, the must-eat at Sam’s is their burgers, of which Sam’s hamburger and Anthony Bourdain double cheeseburger are must-eats.

Further placing Sam’s Pizza and Burgers safely among the best restaurants in San Francisco is its celebrity clientele. Drop by late at night, and you just might bump into Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, or Dave Chappelle. 

Photo credit to https://atlanta.eater.com/

Swan Oyster Depot

A local favourite for over a century, Swan Oyster Depot gained international fame after Anthony Bourdain featured it in his travels around the city. Not only that, but when asked why he likes to visit the restaurant repeatedly, he stated that “true love cannot be denied.” 

A straightforward seafood restaurant without any razzmatazz, Swan Oyster Depot has limited counter seating. As a result, customers usually end up waiting outside for up to an hour, or sometimes even more. The counter, though, and the stools, are the same since the restaurant’s refurbishment in 1912. 

The menu of the family-run depot consists of fresh shrimp, prawns, crab, and oysters. The restaurant apparently has a secret menu for their regulars and celebrity guests who have, in the past, included Francis Ford Coppola, James Beard, Bono, and Julia Child.

Photo credit to https://www.bonappetit.com/

Sam Wo

Reopened at a new location in 2015, Sam Wo has been a San Francisco culinary institution since first opening its door in Chinatown in 1908. 

Among the city’s oldest restaurants, Sam Wo achieved legendary status for serving mouthwatering Chinese delicacies that honour traditional recipes and cooking techniques.

The family-owned establishment has a no-frills setup catering to people from all walks of life. Locals come here daily from across the city to devour their noodle rolls, fish jook (rice porridge), dry duck noodles, won ton soup, and barbeque pork. The service here has forever been quick with prices that suit all budgets.

Sam Wo is also famous for being one of the more eccentric restaurants in San Francisco, particularly for being the employer of the now-deceased Edsel Ford Fong. Fong, you see, was at one time recognised as the “world’s rudest waiter.”

Photo credit to https://samworestaurant.com/