There is no shortage of places to dine out in San Francisco, really — the most recent tally puts the number of restaurants in the city at 4,415. This figure has definitely dropped since the pandemic, but regardless, the amount of options are crippling.
If you’re looking for a meal that’s upwards of $300, that exists. Or if you’re looking for amazing dim sum that clocks in below $3, you can find that, as well.
Our methodology was to find a sweet spot, places that could do it all. Somewhere with superb food, first off, but also restaurants that could work for friend outings, dates, work meals, and more. That said, these are our San Francisco Best Dinner winners for 2023, selected by our editors — look for our readers’ choice winner, selected by our audience.
SF Dinner Map
Abacá
2700 Jones Street, San Francisco
415.486.0788
Located inside the Kimpton Alton Hotel, Abacá serves as a love letter to husband-and-wife co-owners Francis and Dian Ang’s Filipino roots. Francis, named a Rising Star Chef by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2018, divided the menu into four sections that showcase a range of Filipino- and California-influenced flavors: skewered, grilled bites like curried shrimp with beet relish; small plates like a pork lumpia salad; rice and noodle dishes, including fried rice with chicharron, poached egg and pickled onion; and larger plates such as black cod in coconut and pine broth with maitake mushrooms and purple daikon radish. The beverage program includes a tightly focused wine list that pairs perfectly with the food, along with creative cocktails like the lavender-hued Ube-Colada, a blend of Bacardi Cuatro, pineapple and ube-coconut cream. Dinner hours are Monday through Saturday 5pm to 9pm. Brunch hours are Saturday through Sunday 8am to 1pm. Breakfast hours are Monday through Friday 7am to 10am. restaurantabaca.com
Aziza
5800 Geary Boulevard, Outer Richmond
415.682.4196
After a three-year closure, Chef Mourad Lahlou reopened Aziza at the end of 2019 to the delight of foodies everywhere. With a stunning new look and refreshed menu that paid homage to what made the Michelin-star restaurant a stand out, the culinary team concocted a fresh take on Morroccan spices and flavors. Not to be missed: the kefta meatballs with grape, cucumber, za’atar and black sesame, and the braised lamb shank with farro verde, grilled green onion, prunes and herb salad. Dinner hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm to 10pm. azizasf.com
Delarosa
2175 Chestnut Street, The Marina
415.673.7100
A hit that hasn’t waned since it opened in the neighborhood in 2010, crowds flock to Delarosa — there’s always at least a 20-minute wait — for the Roman-style pizza, easily shareable small plates like the burrata bruschetta and consistently great wines. It’s proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge makes it a popular spot with tourists, but you’re bound to see plenty of locals and their designer pups at the tables outside. Hours are 12pm to 10pm, Monday through Thursday, 12pm to 11pm on Friday, 11am to 11pm on Saturday, and 11am to 10pm Sunday. delarosasf.com
Ernest
1890 Bryant Street, Suite 100, The Mission
415.829.2961
It’s said that we’re a mosaic of everyone we’ve loved, and truthfully, also of everywhere we’ve ever worked. For Chef Brandon Rice, the mosaic is about as vast and esteemed as it gets. After stints overseas at Noma — that’s widely accepted as one of the world’s best restaurants — and stateside at Coi (RIP) and Michelin-starred Rich Table, Rice struck out to helm his own restaurant, Ernest. Living up to his credo of thinking globally but cooking locally, Rice elevates humble ingredients like corn, featuring the surprising versatile vegetable in the form of mustard-hued reduction and individually-fried tempura kernels. Guests will encounter thoughtfulness and innovation throughout the entire dining experience, making the restaurant’s presence of countless “best-of” lists easily understood. Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 5pm to 9:30pm. ernestsf.com
Liholiho Yacht Club
3560 18th Street, The Mission
415.589.7266
Hawaiian-born Ravi Kapur named the restaurant Liholiho Yacht Club to honor his uncle’s beach pop-up on Maui that had great local food, music, and fun with Ohana — which means “family” in Hawaiian. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind dishes like fat rice noodles with bacon, cabbage, fermented black bean sauce, and the delectables coconut turmeric fried chicken with fermented cabbage salt. The drinks are all winners, but our money is on the Okinawan Sour. Hours are 4pm to 8pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday through Tuesday. lycsf.com
Good Good Culture Club
3560 18th Street, San Francisco
One step inside colorful Good Good Culture Club, helmed in the kitchen by Liholiho Yacht Club chef Ravi Kapur and a diverse and talented team, and you know you’re in for a treat. The scent of aromatic and inventive dishes that take a cue from all over Asia fills the room, like catfish, manilla clams, kohlrabi, blue lake beans and cilantro bathed in house-made green curry, or ribeye “yakitori” smothered in five-spice glaze with pickled red onion, bean sprouts and Thai basil. There are plenty of choices here that are gluten-free, veg, vegan and dairy-free, too though, like the crispy rice salad with delicata squash, red curry vinaigrette, sunflower seeds and dill. Order one of the beautifully executed tropical cocktails infused with ingredients like yuzu liqueur, guava and sour plum to accompany your meal, and save room for the tres leches cake made with coconut milk and embellished with kabocha mousse, citrus marmalade, five-spice honeycomb and pepitas. The lush rooftop garden is an added perk. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 5pm to 9pm (last seating). goodgoodcultureclub.com
La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
Pier 1 1/2 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
415.397.8880
With a beautiful waterfront location and an emphasis on fresh seafood, La Mar Cebicheria Peruana takes a deep dive into Peruvian cebiches, tiraditos and nigiris (Peruvian-style sushi). There are so many tempting choices: classic cebiche made with the fresh catch of the day in leche de tigre with red onion, habanero, corn and sweet potatoes; ahi tuna nigiri; a flavorful mix of prawns, octopus, scallops, the catch of the day and potatoes; and even four different types of empanadas. Can’t decide? Go for the tasting menu, served family style, and don’t forget to order a pisco sour. Dinner hours are Sunday through Thursday 5pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm to 9:30pm. Lunch hour are Monday through Sunday 11:30am to 2:30pm. Happy hour is Monday through Friday 3pm to 5pm. lamarsf.com
Mister Jiu's
28 Waverly Place, Chinatown
415.857.9688
Now that you can walk into Mister Jiu’s — indoor resumed when the entire staff was vaccinated — do it, because it is an electrifying experience. Tucked away in a Chinatown alley, the restaurant has the vibe of a posh club with traditional Chinese flair, i.e. modern lazy-Susans. But about the food. Light and teeming with flavor, opt for the chilled beef tendon with Stemple Creek Beef Chow Fun garlic chives, scallions, bean sprouts and horseradish. If the hour-long prep time isn’t a turn off, the Liberty Farm roast duck will (lovingly) haunt you in your dreams. Hours are 5pm to 8:30pm Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. misterjius.com
Pearl 6101
6101 California Street, San Francisco
415.592.9777
With a menu that celebrates California cooking and Mediterranean flavors, Pearl 6101 changes things up regularly, often introducing new dishes to keep diners coming back. Starters may include the chicory caesar with crispy prosciutto, or a roasted Cauliflower with black tahini hummus, while pastas and mains on offer have included handkerchief pasta with white bolognese and seared scallops served with butter bean and spinach ragout. Finish off your meal with deserts like the irresistible sticky date cake accompanied with vanilla bean ice cream, compressed pears and toffee sauce. Drinks to match hail from many local producers. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday 5pm to 9:15pm. pearl6101.com
More Local Favorites in San Francisco
Who’s writing these?
Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
