Coming to San Francisco for business or pleasure? We have a restaurant mecca here. As a public relations pro, particularly one who works in the food, wine, beverage space, and recommending restaurants here to clients and colleagues from all over the world, I am asked all the time where to go for dinner. What’s hot, where’s the best value, best views, dining with great bars, and what restaurants define the City more than most others?
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Here’s my list of San Francisco faves:
The hotties (as of today)
- State Bird Provisions
- Liholiho Yacht Club
- Leo’s Oyster Bar
- Alba Ray’s
- In Situ at SFMOMA
- Tartine Manufactuary
- Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
They define the City
- Park Tavern
- Swan Oyster Depot
- Slanted Door
- Boulevard
- Zuni
- Elite Café
- Gary Danko
- House of Prime Rib
- Yank Sing
- Hayes Street Grill
- The Ramp
- Mission Rock Resort
- Tadich Grill
- Sam’s Grill & Seafood
Money is no object
- Saison
- Michael Mina
- Gary Danko
- Acquerello
- Campton Place
Best views (while having good food)
- Waterbar
- La Mar Cebicheria
- Cliff House
- Beach Chalet
- McCormick & Kulteto’s
- Pier 23
- Scoma’s Sausalito
- Claremont Club & Spa (Berkeley)
- Skates on the Bay (Berkeley)
- Americano
- Mountain Home Inn (Mill Valley)
Best in Hip Mission District
- Locanda
- Limon
- Delfina
- Frances
- Flour + Water
- Bar Agricole
- Foreign Cinema
- Central Kitchen
- Al’s Place
Best in North Beach
- Park Tavern
- Tosca
- Venticello
My Personal Favorites
- Slanted Door
- Coqueta
- Kokkari
- La Mar Cebicheria
- The Progress
- Roy’s
- Boulevard
- Nopa
Best Chinese
- Hakkasan
- House of Nanking
- Z&Y Restaurant
- R&G Lounge
- Ton Kiang
Mexican/Latino
- Nopalito
- Limon
- Tacolicious
- La Mar Cebicheria
- El Techo
Good value, good time, good food, good bar (top 10)
- Park Tavern
- Tosca
- Scala’s
- Wayfare Tavern
- Perbacco/Barbacco
- Town Hall
- Nopa
- Bluestem Brasserie
- Delarosa
- Outerlands
Best recommendations from my Millenial staff
- Fresca (Peruvian, less costly than La Mar (see above)
- Slice House (best pizza. It’s Tony’s, but quicker.)
- B44 (best Spanish)
- Hai Ky Mi Gia (best noodle soup)
- El Techo de Lolinda (great Mexican, view, brunch, Mission District)
- Seven Hills (best date night)
- Chubby Noodle (Asian fusion)
- Test Kitchen (Michael Mina, hot-hot-hot)
- Nick’s Crispy Tacos
- Bar Crudo
- Lazy Bear (fancy date night)
- M.Y. China
Best wine country recommendations (top 10)
- French Laundry (obligatory to include, but good luck getting in)
- Mustard’s
- Bouchon
- Redd
- Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen
- La Toque
- Ad Hoc
- Bistro Don Giovanni
- Torc
- Solbar
Worth the short trek or bridge crossing
- Chez Panisse (Berkeley)
- Buckeye (Sausalito)
- Mountain Home Inn (above Mill Valley)
- Scoma’s (Sausalito)
- Everett & Jones Barbeque (Oakland)
- Pathos (Berkeley)
- Evvia (Palo Alto)
- Positano (San Carlos)
- Vivace (Belmont)