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  3. Editor’s Choice: 12 favorite restaurants in San Francisco

Editor’s Choice: 12 favorite restaurants in San Francisco

A photo of Red logo
by Tanay Warerkar
Updated May 09, 2024

San Francisco and its food has captivated me since I was a teen. On my first trip as a 19-year-old, I returned to the same Chinese restaurant three nights in a row.

In the years since, as I visited my college boyfriend (now husband)’s home in the Bay Area, I meticulously planned our restaurant visits. I looked at the way the cuisines of immigrants—like myself—have made the dining scene here so dynamic while working at a local food truck market. And as an editor at the San Francisco Chronicle and OpenTable, I shouted out the hottest restaurants I’ve tried.

I’m obsessed with the warm bread salad from a city legend, Turkish breakfast in the fog-encased Richmond District, and a Sardinan-inspired Noe Valley favorite. These spots deliver truly top-notch meals, whether it’s a weeknight escape or an all-out celebration. Read on for 12 SF restaurants I keep going back to.

A photo of China Live restaurant
4.7
4.7 (3213)
$30 and under
Chinese
Chinatown
About the restaurant

Choosing a Chinese restaurant in SF is a tall order—the city is, after all, home to some of the most legendary Chinese destinations in the country. But China Live is where you’re guaranteed to have an outstanding meal that’s ideal for bringing out-of-towners because the food and the lively space are just always that good. Grab a seat by the window to people-watch along Broadway, then dig into plates of pan-fried pork dumplings, Peking duck pockets, and salt-and-pepper crab.


Top review
Caroline
Dined 1 day ago
It’s a fun spot with tasty food at a moderately premium price. There is better Chinese food to be had in San Francisco, but the vibe here makes it worth the occasional trip. We had the chrysanthemum salad, which was very tasty and fresh though I didn’t much care for the dressing. It seemed a little bland to me. We had the xiao long bao, which I usually love. These were very tasty, but nothing special. The fat noodles were great. The sauce was a little sweet to my taste. The winner for me was the tofu clay pot with minced pork. Wonderfully spicy and full of interesting flavors, offset by the creamy creamy tofu. Really beautifully prepared.
A photo of La Ciccia restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2715)
$30 and under
Italian
Noe Valley
About the restaurant

Few meals are as transportive as a dinner at this cozy Noe Valley restaurant. The dishes genuinely feel like they appeared straight from Sardinia’s coast. You’ll feel that over and over again as you dig into plates of garlicky, just-al-dente-enough spaghetti with fish roe; spicy octopus stew that’s warm enough for chilly SF nights; and creamy fusilli with tuna. Date night in the backyard under the heat lamps is one for the books.


Top review
Randy
Dined on Dec 11, 2024
Opened the door with a warm welcome. Wine and food unique delesious and beautiful.
A photo of State Bird Provisions restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3238)
$50 and over
Californian
Western Addition
About the restaurant

Eating at a MICHELIN-star restaurant can sometimes feel like a serious event, but that’s never the case at State Bird Provisions. The hardest part about eating here is just sticking to your order—you’ll find yourself craning your neck each time a dim sum cart passes by with plates of duck croquettes, broiled oysters, and steamed tofu, wishing it were on your table (and it can be, if you just ask). Either way, you’ll leave wanting to try more of the ever-changing menu next time.


Top review
Mandana
Dined today
Fantastic food and value! And a great way to celebrate my mom’s 60th birthday!
A photo of Mr. Digby's restaurant
4.6
4.6 (463)
$31 to $50
American
Noe Valley
About the restaurant

Yes, Mr. Digby’s has rightfully earned its rep as a drinks hotspot for doing some of the best cocktails in the city—the dirty martini and the spicy, mezcal-based Snake Eyes are seriously on point. But not enough is said about the rich comfort food here. There’s cheesy-yet-crispy pull-apart spinach bread, a luxurious chicken pot pie with a flaky top, and deviled eggs you’ll have to stop yourself from eating too quickly. TL;DR: Mr Digby’s is meant for lingering.


Top review
LindaVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Friendly, neighborhood restaurant. Great cocktails. Well- prepared food but I miss the old menu which had deviled eggs, fritters for happy hour menu and meatloaf. A while back there was the most delicious pork chop with a creamy mushroom sauce. I still think about it. Nicely decorated with beautiful, lit wreaths for the holidays. The staff go out of their way to check in with you for drinks, etc
A photo of Octavia restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2621)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Pacific Heights
About the restaurant

Octavia is the kind of elegant, effortlessly cool place you go to impress your in-laws or parents. Chef Melissa Perello and her team put in a ton of work to source the freshest ingredients from nearby farms in their small plates, pastas, and larger entrees. The tasting menu with the wine pairing is especially worthwhile because the wine selection will knock your socks off. So will dessert—which could include pavlova with salted caramel espuma or blood orange with crème fraîche ice cream.


Top review
RyanVIP
Dined 6 days ago
We have been meaning to come here for awhile, so had the opportunity right before the holidays and enjoyed an amazing meal. We did the tasting menu for 2 of us (friend's dinner) and was not disappointed. Almost everything that came out was delightful with a couple of personal preferences that we didn't care for as much but still tasty. The desserts were amazing. The chocolate pavlova and the kiwi jelly is something that i'll remember and go back for again if they still have it.
A photo of The Anchovy Bar restaurant
4.8
4.8 (838)
$50 and over
Seafood
Western Addition
About the restaurant

For when you really can’t be bothered to commit to just one dish, come to The Anchovy Bar. Better, yet, bring friends so you can maximize on the menu’s fishy goodness with anchovies, focaccia, and green garlic yogurt butter, broiled oysters, and trout gravlax—or go all out on the seafood tower. All of it goes down well with a glass of bubbly, like the riesling. On warmer SF days, angle for one of the precious outdoor seats.


Top review
SethVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Food was delicious -- can't beat the Anchovy Toast. Rose champagne was a great complement to the food. We sat outside, and the restaurant has a new completely covered outdoor parklet, and nice warm fire heaters -- really pleasant seating area. All staff were friendly and helpful. We will definitely go back.
A photo of Bansang restaurant
4.5
4.5 (316)
$31 to $50
Contemporary Korean
Western Addition
About the restaurant

Bansang is where you go for a fine-dining style experience—but dressing up is totally optional. The hit Daeho team builds on its casual Korean restaurant a few blocks away with showstopping creations like uni on crispy, buttermilk bread; thinly sliced fish in a slightly spicy broth with noodles; and crispy rice cakes with chorizo and roasted gochujang. The service here is extra-attentive, which will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy when dinner ends.


Top review
Tina
Dined 1 day ago
We went for my daughter’s birthday and had an excellent dinner. The food was exceptional and the service was top notch. Looking forward to coming back.
A photo of Burma Love Downtown restaurant
4.7
4.7 (550)
$31 to $50
Burmese
SOMA
About the restaurant

Lines at Burma Superstar are often long, but those in the know head to its sibling restaurant Burma Love for soulful Burmese food that’s just as good. Plus, the sleek wooden finishes and the double-height ceiling make this an ideal post-work dinner downtown (service is quick, so this is just as good if you want to suggest an impressive office lunch). You can’t really go wrong on the menu, but the tea-leaf salad and the flaky platha with a coconutty chicken sauce are musts.


Top review
SteveVIP
Dined 3 days ago
You visit Burma Love for the food but the service is friendly and very helpful. We always enjoy the meal and the people.
A photo of Lokma restaurant
4.8
4.8 (808)
$30 and under
Turkish
Richmond District
About the restaurant

Lokma does some of the best Mediterranean food in SF, but the go-to move here is to grab a spot outside for Turkish brunch so you can watch the fog lift in the Richmond. Choose from hearty plates of scrambled eggs with sweet peppers and feta; a fluffy omelet topped with tzatziki that you can dunk crispy potatoes in; and Greek yogurt pancakes with fresh fruit. Warm up with a cup of Turkish coffee or tea until the sky clears up.


Top review
Janet
Dined 5 days ago
Love this neighborhood restaurant. The staff is so accommodating to anyone’s dietary needs. I have been there for lunch and dinner and will definitely return.
A photo of Miller & Lux restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1167)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Mission Bay / South Beach
About the restaurant

A Caesar salad that’s literally harvested tableside, elegantly plated desserts that arrive on carts, and some of the best steak in the city—if the name didn’t give it away already, there’s nothing quite like a decadent, over-the-top dinner at celebrity chef Tyler Florence’s Miller & Lux. The Bay views from the floor-to-ceiling windows and the semi-circular leather booths make any night here feel extra glamorous.


Top review
NancyVIP
Dined today
Oh if you only have one night Yo live… spend it at Miller and Lux.. Every detail stunning… food unbelievable, service immaculate Big bill but worth every cent…. The most special occasion ever..
A photo of Dancing Yak restaurant
4.8
4.8 (418)
$30 and under
Southeast Asian
Mission District
About the restaurant

Nepali food rarely gets the kind of showy treatment it deserves. Which is one reason to come to Dancing Yak, where the massive dining room has pops of yellow, blue, and purple and intricate murals on the wall. SF’s year-round mild weather means you’ll always want to order plates of steaming-hot momos, and there are three kinds to choose from here. Dip them into the creamy sauce in the middle and keep building on a meal of Nepali staples like sekuwa (grilled meats) and shapale (meat pies).


Top review
Sara
Dined on Dec 16, 2024
Food is delicious and I appreciate all the vegan options! It can get very noisy.
A photo of Zuni Cafe restaurant
4.6
4.6 (7844)
$31 to $50
Modern European
Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
About the restaurant

From the moment you first try the warm bread salad at Zuni, you’ll be hooked. That’s no shade to the roast chicken on top—the late Judy Rodgers’s California cooking made Zuni definition San Francisco for a reason. But the salad, moist from the chicken and with large chunks of bread, chewy-sweet currants, and pine nuts, is in a league of its own. The menu is seasonal, so expect exciting changes, but just remember that epic salad—and shoestring fries—are non-negotiables.


Top review
DaleVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent service Cocktails excellent Do not care for aioli on fish so ordered risotto which was very good, but normally order fish
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