Best Authentic Restaurants in South San Francisco

182 restaurants available nearby

1. Andiamo In Banca

4.6

Exceptional(490)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • South San Francisco

Booked 3 times today

Located in the heart of downtown South San Francisco owner John Akkaya and Executive Chef, Angelo bring together a taste of Italy with a Mediterranean twist. Akkaya has been in the restaurant world for over 30 years with two additional Bay Area restaurants, Cafe Figaro in Burlingame and Don Giovanni in Mountain View. As he says himself, Andiamo In Banca is how he is celebrating years of experience in industry by combining the authentic Italian taste with hearty ingredients without losing the cozy experience.

2. Buon Gusto

4.5

Awesome(955)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • South San Francisco

Good News! We will be open Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and New Years Day. More Good News! Buon Gusto has also reduced its menu prices in the spirit of being a good neighbor of the community.We are an authentic Old School Italian restaurant serving the Bay Area for the past 35+ years. We offer an excellent Wine list, a Full Bar, Background Music and a professional but relaxed and Friendly Atmosphere to create an Enjoyable Dining Experience.We cater to travelers, families, romantic couples, and our many loyal local patrons. Ask about our special banquet menu. Let us work with you to plan a memorable event featuring great food and wine hosted in one of our private rooms—ideal for business or family gatherings of any kind.

3. Gintei

4.5

Awesome(500)

Price: Moderate

• Sushi • San Bruno

Booked 14 times today

GINTEI is an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant waiting to delight you with fresh fish from Japan's esteemed Tsukiji market, elegant ambiance, and attentive service.

4. La Collina

4.7

Exceptional(303)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Millbrae

Booked 9 times today

La Collina serves delicious, authentic regional Italian cuisine, in a casually elegant and comfortable setting. At La Collina’s, we strive to give each of our guests an outstanding dining experience, whether you’re here on a romantic date, or family and friends gathering. La Collina Restaurant serves delicious, authentic regional Italian cuisine, in a casually elegant and comfortable setting. La Collina Italian restaurant is a family run restaurant since 1996. It`s is an upscale Italian restaurant with a full bar specializing in authentic Italian cuisine. At La Collina Restaurant, you will enjoy Authentic Northern Italian food, including exquisite seafood dishes, pasta, veal, organic salads.

5. Elena's

4.7

Exceptional(422)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Forest Hill / West Portal

Booked 101 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. Reservation requests via phone or email are not available at this time. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Elena’s!

A photo of Kokkari Estiatorio restaurant

6. Kokkari Estiatorio

4.9

Exceptional(9088)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 111 times today

Kokkari (pronounced “Ko-Kar-ee”) is a small fishing village located on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea, whose name is derived from the small onions that were once produced in the nearby fields. Its fertile soil and Mediterranean climate translated into an abundance of fresh produce as well as treasured seafood and game. Legend tells that Kokkari is the site where Orion, a mighty hunter and a young man of gigantic stature and great beauty, fell in love with the daughter of the king of Chios. For the love of her, Orion forged the island for wild game and seafood to prepare elaborate banquets in celebration of their love. Today, we hope you will enjoy your own celebration as you dine at Kokkari Estiatorio on food “fit for the Gods” prepared with an Aegean palate and the style of innovative California fare.

A photo of Original Joe's Westlake restaurant

7. Original Joe's Westlake

4.8

Exceptional(4825)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Daly City

Booked 103 times today

After a two-year closure, Original Joe's, San Francisco’s quintessential Italian-American dining destination, revitalized iconic Daly City institution Joe’s of Westlake, and reintroduced it into the community as Original Joe’s Westlake. An anchor of Daly City from 1956 to 2014, Original Joe’s Westlake underwent an extensive two-year renovation, complete with a front-to-back interior remodel, including the kitchen and all dining spaces, and an exterior and landscaping overhaul. Following the Original Joe’s tradition, Westlake continues to prepare unpretentious, old-school Italian-American fare in an open kitchen for all to see. The menu is carefully crafted to reflect a past-meets-present hybrid of what Joe’s of Westlake used to be and what Original Joe’s Westlake is today.

A photo of Che Fico San Francisco restaurant

8. Che Fico San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(1849)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Panhandle / USF

Booked 89 times today

Che Fico, is a California Italian restaurant from Chefs David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer in San Francisco's NOPA neighborhood. The food focuses on Italian cuisine through the lens of California. It’s our vision of Northern California as if it is a region in Italy, our connection to the region, and our love for Italian culinary practices. The rustic, market-driven menu features handmade pasta, pizzas, antipasti, housemade salumi, meat, and fish plus dishes from the Jewish-Roman heritage known as “Cucina Ebraica.” The beverage program focuses heavily on both Italian and Californian wines with a cocktail program that utilizes a variety of spirits, amaros, and seasonal ingredients. Che Fico is a place to gather with friends and enjoy warm hospitality, food, and drink, through an approachable menu and convivial ambiance.

9. Trestle

4.8

Exceptional(2746)

Price: Expensive

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 23 times today

Hi Neighbor!At Trestle, we remember a time, not too long ago, where people took pause to enjoy a meal in the presence of great company, giving it the reverence and respect deserved. We provide a dining experience served in courses, with the satisfaction and warmth found at a family gathering, creating the foundation to a proper meal. Every day we feature a changing 3 course prix fixe menu with choices on each course for $45/person. We will have an optional additional pasta course for $12/person. Unfortunately, we do not offer ala-carte options.We are able to accommodate vegetarian options nightly. We do our best to accommodate other allergies/restrictions based on the menu for that evening. Due to our limited spacing, we can accommodate parties of 8 or less only.

10. Wayfare Tavern

4.6

Exceptional(7769)

Price: Moderate

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 93 times today

Wayfare Tavern is a true American tavern in the heart of San Francisco, offering an authentic dining experience. Its menu, crafted by Chef Tyler Florence, features traditional American dishes and a selection of locally sourced wines. The restaurant's design, inspired by Victorian-era parlor and an Edwardian men's club, adds to its authenticity. Reviewers frequently mention the restaurant's 'well-executed' food, 'comfortable' ambience, and 'seamless' service. One reviewer even noted the vibe of the restaurant as 'classic'.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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From verified diners like you

PH
PamH
San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was delicious and service was great.
More info
La CollinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Millbrae
•
4.7
A
Alson
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Upscale Mexican food in the sunset district. Authentic taste and flavors but spice level is scaled down for clientele. Nothing very spicy. Still, food was tasty! Good ambience, excellent service. Clean throughout. This is definitely not the mission district experience, if that’s what you’re looking for. But very good authentic food in a clean, upscale pleasant environment. Not a taqueria!
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Elena'sPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Forest Hill / West Portal
•
4.7
C
Corinna
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Friendly service and delicious food! Our waitress was very kind, patient and helpful. Our party of four very much enjoyed dinner. It was not that crowded on a Friday night at 6pm, so the restaurant was pretty quiet and it was a relaxed atmosphere. The first thing that was said after dinner was, “Let’s come back here again for lunch!”
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Andiamo In BancaPrice: Moderate• Italian• South San Francisco
•
4.6
K
Karla
San Francisco Bay Area •14 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 7, 2024
Delicious food and gracious service. They were also helpful in letting me know which menu items are gluten free .
More info
GinteiPrice: Moderate• Sushi• San Bruno
•
4.5
JE
JefferyE
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on Jul 27, 2024
Waitress was very attentive, didn't miss a thing! I love the decor and ambience. Good classic Italian fare, not over-priced.
More info
Buon GustoPrice: Expensive• Italian• South San Francisco
•
4.5

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South San Francisco

Best Authentic Restaurants in South San Francisco

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182 restaurants available nearby

1. Andiamo In Banca

2. Buon Gusto

3. Gintei

4. La Collina

5. Elena's

6. Kokkari Estiatorio

7. Original Joe's Westlake

8. Che Fico San Francisco

9. Trestle

10. Wayfare Tavern

See what locals rave about

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