Best Restaurants in San Francisco

House of Prime Rib

A 1949 throwback steakhouse where prime rib is carved tableside from gleaming silver carts, complete with spinning salad bowls and Yorkshire pudding. Go for the theatrical, retro supper-club atmosphere and a genuinely generous slab of beef. Practical note: dinner only and extremely popular, so book well ahead; it's a hearty, meat-focused meal best for big appetites.

Restaurants

La Taqueria

A James Beard America's Classics-awarded taqueria that many consider the standard-bearer for the Mission-style burrito. Go for the carne asada burrito (notably made without rice) and crisp-edged tacos in a no-frills, order-at-the-counter setting. Practical note: cash-friendly and often busy at lunch; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Restaurants

Mister Jiu's

A Michelin-starred restaurant in a historic Chinatown banquet hall where chef Brandon Jew reinvents Cantonese cooking with California ingredients. Go for refined, modern Chinese cooking and a beautiful dining room that honors the neighborhood's history. Practical note: reservations are essential, dinner only, and it's closed Sundays and Mondays.

Restaurants

Nopa

A buzzy, communal corner restaurant that anchors the neighborhood it's named for, serving organic, wood-fired California cooking like its famous grilled pork chop and rotisserie chicken. Go for the lively late-night energy and consistently excellent seasonal cooking. Practical note: dinner only and very popular, so reserve ahead or try a seat at the bar; the kitchen serves late.

Restaurants

Swan Oyster Depot

A 1912-vintage seafood counter with just 18 stools, beloved by chefs and locals for impeccably fresh oysters, crab, and clam chowder served over a marble bar. Go for the no-frills, old-San-Francisco experience as much as the seafood. Practical note: cash only, no reservations, and it only opens for lunch (roughly 8 am to 2:30 pm, weekdays) so arrive early or expect a line.

Restaurants

Tadich Grill

Founded in 1849, this is California's oldest continuously operating restaurant, a Financial District landmark with white-jacketed waiters and old-school wooden booths. Go for the cioppino (San Francisco's signature seafood stew), grilled fish, and a classic martini at the bar. Practical note: no reservations for small parties, so arrive early; closed Sundays.

Restaurants

Tartine Bakery

The Mission bakery that helped define modern American bread baking, famous for its country sourdough, morning buns, and pastries. Go for a casual pastry-and-coffee stop while exploring the Mission's murals and cafes. Practical note: lines can be long at peak times and bread bakes come out in the afternoon, so time your visit accordingly.

Restaurants

Tony's Pizza Napoletana

World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani's North Beach pizzeria turning out numerous styles, from a strictly limited daily run of Margheritas to Detroit, New York, and coal-fired pies. Go for the breadth and quality of the pizza in the heart of the historic Italian quarter. Practical note: only a set number of the wood-fired Margheritas are made each day, so come early if that's your goal; expect a wait at peak times.

Restaurants

Yank Sing

A third-generation, family-run dim sum institution since 1958, serving over 100 rotating dishes from traditional pushcarts in a contemporary dining room. Go for the juicy Shanghai dumplings, Peking duck, and the fun of choosing dishes as carts roll by. Practical note: it's pricier than neighborhood dim sum and serves daytime hours only, so plan a lunch visit.

Restaurants

Zuni Café

An enduring San Francisco institution on Market Street known for its wood-fired brick-oven roast chicken with bread salad, a dish so iconic it remains a benchmark for the city. The airy, light-filled corner space and raw bar make it equally good for a leisurely lunch or dinner. Practical note: the signature chicken is for two and takes about an hour, so order it as soon as you sit; closed Mondays.