San Francisco’s dining scene is vivacious and abundantly diverse. You can eat nearly every type of cuisine nestled in restaurants categorised as cheap eats and fine Michelin dining. San Francisco is the idyllic playground for foodies and aspiring chefs to indulge in the art of food and beverages simply because the city is abundant with local produce, cultural diversity and creativity.
Every corner of San Francisco boasts a blend of one-of-a-kind dining experiences. Here are the top San Francisco restaurants worth checking out, offering Western and Asian delights.
Top San Francisco Restaurants
7 Adams
The one Michelin-starred restaurant, 7 Adams is named after the street address of the childhood home where Chef David Fisher grew up. The restaurant’s philosophy derives from the idea that time is best spent in the company of loved ones around a table full of food in a warm and inviting setting and a calibrated level of excellent service. 7 Adams is known for highlighting Californian simplicity, featuring solid technique and thoughtful flavour combinations allowing quality seasonal ingredients to shine.”
Instagram: @7adamsrestaurant
Nisei
Behind Nisei restaurant is chef David Yoshimura, a second-generation Japanese American who embraces his Japanese heritage with his American upbringing through the art of gastronomy. Hence, he named his restaurant “nisei”, which means children born in a new country to Japanese-born immigrants. This one Michelin-star restaurant allows diners to engage in cultural fusion and culinary innovation, with a twist of California’s finest seasonal ingredients.
Instagram: @nisei_sf
Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine
Trash pie isn’t something you’ll eat every day. Shuggie’s is on a roll to fight food waste and climate change by utilising discarded ingredients and upcycling them into lusciousness. Pizzas might contain a carrot-top pesto or mushrooms you’d consider tossing away, onto extremely thin and crispy rectangular pies. Wine pairing is advised here, nonetheless.
Instagram: @shuggiespizza
Bodega SF
Matt Ho is experienced in offering Vietnamese cuisine to San Francisco with his family’s Bodega Bistro (running until 2017). Ho opened Bodega SF as a sit-down restaurant with modern takes on Northern Vietnamese cuisine. Lobster curry, whole branzino, tamarind tiger prawns, and bo tai chanh are featured on the menu, as well as a tasty range of Asian-inspired cocktails.
Instagram: @bodega_sf
El Buen Comer
Mexico-born chef Isabel Caudillo defines authentic Chilango cuisine in a bright, casual eatery, El Buen Comer. Housemade tortillas, beans, and rice complement a variety of guisados. From slow-cooked stews such as tinga (pulled chicken simmered in tomato, onion, and chipotle) and albondigas, to a variety of tacos and tostadas, the Mexican flare alternate over time. But the salsa verde, rajas con crema, and papas con chorizo don’t.
Instagram: @elbuencomer_sf
Dalida
Husband-and-wife chef duo Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz previously worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the US. With the elegant yet relaxing Dilda, their Middle Eastern restaurant features a vast menu with innovative dishes inspired by North African, Persian, Greek, and Turkish flavours of the Ottoman Empire. The braised lamb, chubby pita with spreads, pasta and fresh seafood are all unique at Dilda.
Instagram: @dalidasf
Hilda and Jesse
Hilda and Jesse in North Beach has a lively atmosphere. The co-owners, Richel Sillcocks and chef Kristina Liedags Compton, are reconsidering the idea of luxury and fine dining by incorporating exciting dining experiences. For instance, their seasonally changing Chef’s Adventure menu offers over five courses starting with bites and then continuing to a small plate like hamachi with a bright citrus gelee. The main would be a meaty plate of pork schnitzel with mushroom curry, before finishing with a stack of pancakes for dessert.
Instagram: @hildaandjessesf
1601 Bar & Kitchen
Specialising in Californian cuisine dashed in Sri Lankan influences, 1601 Bar & Kitchen sources produce from farmers' markets in the city and use them throughout the seasonal changing menu curated by Brian Fernando. Some delicacies to try are tomato chutney ice with finger limes and chicken curry with sweet Brentwood corn.
Instagram: @1601sf
Blue Whale Restaurant & Lounge
Malaysia-born chef Ho Chee Boon opened another restaurant that features pan-Asian delicacies inspired by his Cantonese training while incorporating influence from Malaysia, Singapore, and other cuisines. The crispy duck salad, for example, showcases servers tossing tableside the beloved roast duck from his Chinatown restaurant, Empress, with crispy lotus root, pomelo, pomegranate, and a plum duck sauce.
Instagram: @bluewhalesf
Ofena
Tan Truong opened Ofena on Ocean Ave in Lakeside Village. Together with executive chef Tim Humphrey, sandwiches and fried mozzarella carozza served with a side of spicy marinara sauce have become lunchtime favourites. For dinner, an array of pastas such as gnocchi carbonara with duck prosciutto and crispy duck skin, as well as large meaty mains like pork bistecca Fiorentina are recommended.
Instagram: @ofenasf