Best Open Kitchen Restaurants in The Castro

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

ChinatownDaly CityDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / EmbarcaderoForest Hill / West PortalHaight

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

25 restaurants available nearby

1. Fable - SF

4.6

Exceptional(2209)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • The Castro

Booked 46 times today

Fable is the best garden patio restaurant in San Francisco. In the heart of the vibrant Castro neighborhood, our patio restaurant showcases seasonal California cuisine and the best brunch in town. Join us for dinner and brunch seven days a week in a unique, all-weather outdoor dining experience. Inside Fable, our open kitchen concept shows how fresh ingredients are used to create the finished product.

2. China Live

4.6

Exceptional(3286)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 98 times today

China Live, Eater's "Restaurant of the Year," features fresh, seasonal Chinese cuisine cooked from specialized stations that merge traditional Chinese and Western culinary equipment. Our main dining area, with views of our exhibition kitchens, plays centerpiece, appointed with chairs and tables all handcrafted in China from reclaimed Chinese elm. We also offer outside dining.

A photo of Nopa - San Francisco restaurant

3. Nopa - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(3579)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • North Panhandle / USF

Booked 94 times today

Nopa is a San Francisco gathering place north of the Panhandle, serving urban rustic food and specializing in organic wood-fired cuisine. We serve simple dishes created with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors.

4. Elena's

4.7

Exceptional(594)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Forest Hill / West Portal

Booked 163 times today

Welcome to Elena's -- a place where a family’s love for authentic Mexican food is celebrated and combined with California-inspired elements and signature Mexican-American dishes. We offer reservations for up to 8 guests via OpenTable. At the time of your reservation, we kindly request the entire party be present to be seated. Tables will be held for up to 10 minutes after the reservation time. For parties that arrive later, the table will be released but we will do our best to accommodate the reservation with the next available table. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Elena’s!

5. Dalida

4.6

Exceptional(971)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Presidio

Booked 84 times today

Beautiful Modern Mediterranean restaurant by Chefs Laura and Sayat (Star Chefs and San Francisco Chronicle Rising Stars) at the Main Parade Lawn in the heart of the Presidio National Park. The restaurant's menus feature Presidio-inspired seasonal craft cocktails, a progressive wine menu, and a cuisine that balances the comfort of familiar Mediterranean flavors with California sensibilities. In cohesion with the Presidio National Park, the design features soft, natural colors; repurposed furniture items from the Presidio; and a mural and a hand-drawn wall paper by Bay Area artist Emily Parkinson. Diners can enjoy a patio with a view of Alcatraz; an intimate private dining room; a lofty main dining room surrounded by windows on two sides; a cozy bar that is a local favorite; and an open-concept kitchen counter with counter seats and high tables.

6. Four Kings

4.7

Exceptional(151)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • Chinatown

Booked 19 times today

## Four Kings: A Nostalgic Journey Through Cantonese Cuisine Step into Four Kings and be transported to a vibrant world of nostalgia and flavor. This San Francisco gem, helmed by chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long, serves up a modern take on Cantonese cuisine, infused with the chefs' personal memories and a playful spirit. The atmosphere is electric, with 90s Cantopop tunes filling the air and retro Hong Kong memorabilia adorning the walls. The open kitchen allows you to witness the culinary artistry firsthand, as chefs prepare dishes like the signature **fried squab** and the innovative **mapo spaghetti**. The menu is a celebration of bold flavors and unexpected combinations. Start with the **XO escargot with milk bread**, a decadent treat that will leave you wanting more. For a taste of tradition, try the **Hong Kong black peppered steak**, cooked to perfection and bursting with savory notes. Vegetarians will delight in the **garlic pea shoots**, a simple yet flavorful dish that showcases the freshest ingredients. Four Kings is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a place to gather with friends, share delicious food, and reminisce about the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. So come hungry, come curious,

7. Octavia

4.7

Exceptional(2650)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Pacific Heights

Booked 28 times today

Octavia is the sister restaurant of Frances, helmed by award-winning Chef Owner Melissa Perello. Octavia serves dinner five nights a week in an elegant and relaxed neighborhood setting. Beautifully defined flavors and seasonally driven cuisine are the cornerstones of Octavia’s menu. Leveraging longstanding relationships with the region’s top purveyors and farms, Octavia's daily evolving selections spotlight Chef Perello's commitment to sustainability and the Bay Area’s wealth of agricultural resources.

8. Wayfare Tavern

4.6

Exceptional(7860)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 74 times today

Chef Tyler Florence brings his passion for high quality and style to San Francisco with his new flagship restaurant, Wayfare Tavern. A classic San Francisco Tavern featuring authentic American dishes inspired by local cuisine at the turn of the 20th century, the menu ranges from classic comforts to rustic delicacies. The beverage menu features locally-sourced wines including a selection of Florence's own label, quality draft beers and organic root beer as well as classic Victorian-era cocktails.All three floors of the restaurant have been designed keeping historical accuracy in mind making Wayfare Tavern reminiscent of a Victorian parlor and an Edwardian men's club, where anything goes from black-tie to blue jeans. Pull up a stool to the Chef's Counter at the open kitchen and look on as Chef prepares your lunch or head to the Library and Billiard Room for a game of pool. Wayfare Tavern is a truly unparalleled dining experience translated from a century ago. Photo: John Lee.

A photo of Alexander's Steakhouse - SF restaurant

9. Alexander's Steakhouse - SF

4.7

Exceptional(2512)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 4 times today

Located on the third floor of ONE65, Alexander's Steakhouse in San Francisco offers a fine dining interpretation of a Modern American Steakhouse with hints of Japanese influences throughout our menu. Featuring classic cuts such as Ribeye, Bone-In New York and Filet Mignon, to sustainable seafood, our signature Hamachi Shot and one of the largest variety of Wagyu Steak in the U.S. We also highlight dry-aged steaks and offer the finest and most luxurious products available.

A photo of Angler San Francisco restaurant

10. Angler San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(283)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 60 times today

Angler is a seafood-focused Saison Hospitality Group restaurant with one Michelin star on the Embarcadero waterfront, featuring views of our expansive wood burning hearth and the San Francisco Bay, where each dish is touched by fire and intended to be shared.Our sourcing is deliberate and our menus closely follow the seasons of Northern California. Chef de Cuisine, Joe Hou

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

P
PatVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •22 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
First visit to China Live and what a delight! The perfect execution of the Dim Sum dishes made it a memorable eating experience.
More info
China LivePrice: Moderate• Chinese• Chinatown
•
4.6
J
JudyVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Elena’s has never let me down! Always friendly, always a good time! The calamari frito is a MUST order! It’s tender, light yet crispy all at the same time. All the drinks are top notch but my favorite is the mezcal drink with passionfruit - such a perfect pairing!
More info
Elena'sPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Forest Hill / West Portal
•
4.7
T
Tim
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Date night from out of town. Made reservations and walked in and were seated promptly. Service was spot on. Food was as advertised and portions were large. Enjoyed the evening. Would recommend to others.
More info
Nopa - San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Californian• North Panhandle / USF
•
4.7
S
Steve
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We will always return to this legendary hidden gem garden patio for special event brunches just as we did decades ago as young gay men to compare notes with our best friends after scandalous nights of clubbing! I only wish the new management would bring back the fishbowl mimosas that calmed our nerves in those crazy days :-)
More info
Fable - SFPrice: Moderate• Californian• The Castro
•
4.6
G
George Ann
San Francisco Bay Area •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Laura and Sayat have done something really special here. The attention to detail is evident in every dish, beverage, service and decor. There really is no other restaurant In SF I can compare it to. Bravo!
More info
DalidaPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Presidio
•
4.6

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