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 and beverage space, we continually find ourselves recommending restaurants here to clients, colleagues and friends from all over the world. We began memorializing and updating these recommendations a few years ago. So, here we are, deep into 2018, and I am refreshing our list. What’s hot, where’s the best value, best views, great bars, my own personal favorites, best pizza, and what restaurants define the City more than any others? Enjoy.

The Hotlist

  • China Live
  • SPQR
  • La Ciccia
  • Mourad
  • Delfina
  • International Smoke
  • Outerlands
  • Tartine Manufactory
  • State Bird Provisions
  • Liholiho Yacht Club
  • Leo’s Oyster Bar

 Leo’s Oyster Bar- Courtesy of Krescent Carasso

Money is No Object

  • Benu
  • Saison
  • Atelier Crenn
  • Quince
  • Campton Place
  • Acquerello

Courtesy of Acquerello

Best Views While Having Good Food

  • Cliff House
  • Waterbar
  • Scoma’s Sausalito
  • Americano
  • Pier 23
  • Claremont Hotel
  • La Mar Cebicheria
  • El Techo de Lolinda
  • Greens

Courtesy of Waterbar

Best in the Mission

  • True Laurel
  • Locanda
  • Delfina
  • Bar Agricole
  • Frances
  • Foreign Cinema
  • Al’s Place
  • Limon
  • Commonwealth

Courtesy of Commonwealth

Best in North Beach

  • Venticello
  • Tosca
  • Park Tavern
  • The House
  • Piccolo Forno

Courtesy of Park Tavern

My Personal Favorites

  • Burma Superstar
  • International Smoke
  • Coqueta
  • Kokkari Estiatorio
  • The Progress
  • Boulevard
  • Nopa
  • Slanted Door

Courtesy of Kokkari Estiatorio

Best Chinese

  • Mister Jiu’s
  • Yank Sing
  • House of Nanking
  • Hakkasan
  • R&G Lounge
  • Ton Kiang

Courtesy of Hakkasan

Mexican/Latino

  • Californios
  • Flores
  • Padrecito
  • Don Pisto’s
  • Nopalito
  • Limon
  • Tacolicious

Courtesy of Californios

Good Value, Good Time, Good Food, Good Bar (Top 10)

  • A16
  • Park Tavern
  • Scala’s
  • Wayfare Tavern
  • Perbacco/Barbacco
  • Delarosa
  • Outerlands
  • Town Hall
  • Tosca
  • Belden Alley

Courtesy Wayfare Tavern

Best Wine Country Recommendations

  • French Laundry
  • Mustard’s
  • Bouchon (and bakery next door)
  • Morimoto’s
  • La Toque
  • Solbar
  • Redd
  • Bistro Don Giovanni
  • Ad Hoc
  • Bistro Jeanty
  • Torc

Courtesy of Bouchon

Best Pizza

  • Tommaso’s
  • Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
  • IL Casaro
  • Golden Boy Pizza
  • Del Popolo
  • Pauline’s

Courtesy of Del Popolo

Worth the Short Trek or Bridge Crossing

  • Scoma’s (Sausalito)
  • Mountain Home Inn (Mill Valley)
  • Chez Panisse (Berkeley)
  • Evvia (Palo Alto)
  • Everett & Jones BBQ (Oakland)
  • Vivace (Belmont)
  • Molina (Mill Valley)
  • Sushi Ran (Sausalito)
  • Terrapin Crossroads (San Rafael)
  • La Note (Berkeley)
  • Pier 15 (San Rafael)

Scoma’s- Courtesy of Fiveprime

Must Stop Shops

  • The Fatted Calf Butchery (Hayes)
  • Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe (North Beach)
  • Lucca Delicatessen (Marina)
  • Bi Rite Market (multiple locations)
  • Saint Frank Coffee (Russian Hill)
  • Ferry Building (Embarcadero)
  • Limoncello Delicatessen (Lower Pacific Heights)
  • Local Mission Market

Courtesy of Fatted Calf

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

 Courtesy of Boulevard