Peter’s San Francisco Restaurant Guide
The city by the bay has no shortage of amazing food, in fact the Bay Area is the origin of what we call local seasonal cuisine, thanks to the legendary Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse in Berkeley. While this list could’ve included all of the Bay Area, I’ve focused on San Francisco proper— where even just in the city alone the myriad of options are dazzling. San Francisco is a food town, period. From Chinese to Mexican to French Fusion, from diner to Michelin-starred, SF has got you covered. My top 20 list for my hometown is a combination of restaurants I’ve grown up eating at, vibrant newcomers, and places my Mom insisted be on the list. And well, ya’ gotta listen to your mother. So here’s my (and Mom’s) list of my (ok, our) favorite San Francisco restaurants.
1. Cotogna
Cotogna gets it all right— atmosphere, lighting, service, and of course the food. Their seasonal take on Italian is bright, fresh and intelligently indulgent. Their signature raviolo— pillowy soft ricotta cradling a soft egg yolk, all encased in tender pasta and glistening in brown butter— is a must, as are their thin crust pizzas, featuring locally-sourced toppings such as nduja with red onion and artichoke and taggiasca olives. Cotogna has captured the best of Italy for the city by the bay. One bite and you’ll swear you’re sitting at a restaurant in Florence, living your best dolce vita.
Photo Courtesy of Cotogna
4. Rich Table
5. Quince
The Ferry Terminal outpost of Hog Island allows panoramic lunchtime views of the bay while eating, but you might be too focused on their famed Grilled Cheese— ooey and gooey with three local cheeses, or maybe you’ll be busy slurping up their Classic New England Clam Chowder, laden with manila clams, bacon and cream. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll be marveling at the freshest, briniest oysters served on the half shell and their hand-crafted cocktails. Whatever the case may be, Hog Island Oyster Co will send you home smiling, and perhaps with a bag of fresh seafood from their market to cook at home.
Photo Courtesy of Hog Island Oyster Co
10. Tadich Grill
When you want to do it old-school, Tadich is where you go. Since 1849, Tadich’s fresh fish and classic cocktails have drawn the crowds— you can feel the history the moment you walk in the door, with the dark wood décor and brass fixtures. Try for a table in their cozy wood paneled alcoves and feast on Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp Louie and Crab a la Newburg and wash it all down with a crisp gimlet.
Photo Courtesy of Tadich Grill
11. Akiko's Restaurant
12. Zuni Cafe
13. La Taqueria
14. Nopa
15. R&G Lounge
If there’s one go-to for Chinese food for our family it’s R&G. Smack dab in Chinatown, this SF mainstay serves Cantonese classics using the freshest ingredients. Perfect for a table of 2 or a banquet of 40 (of which I’ve been to many), some R&G favorites are their Abalone with Mustard Greens, Soy Sauce Chicken and Dried Scallop and Egg White Fried Rice. My mom raves about their super fresh steamed fish with ginger and scallion as well as the beef brisket and turnips in clay pot. Mom has spoken, whatcha waitin’ for?
Photo Courtesy of R&G Lounge
16. Le Soleil
17. Seven Hills
20. Wildseed
Seasonal vegan cuisine that’s served in a warm casual environment. Delicious for eaters of all stripes, Wildseed’s plant-based dishes pack a flavor punch with their California-inspired fusion. Favorite dishes include the Roasted Beet Tostada with Sikil Pak, Black Beans and Pickled Jalapeño, the Spicy Yellow Curry with Forbidden Rice, while yours truly could eat their Caponatina Pizza all day long. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, Wildseed is the perfect go-to for locals and travelers alike.
Photo Courtesy of Wildseed
