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