Best Restaurants in San Francisco

This is my favorite part of beautiful San Francisco.  This city may be renowned for many things, but it excels beyond all others in its fine dining restaurants.  Whether you are looking for french cuisine or lavish steakhouses with the best cuts of beef in the world, SF has what you are looking for.  Below are the ten best dining experiences in San Francisco:

1. Farallon

415-956-6969
450 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Opened in 1997 by Chef Mark Franz and restaurateur and designer Pat Kuleto in one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the Union Square area. Built in 1924 for the Elk’s Club, it now houses the Farallon restaurant, Kensington Park Hotel and the Post Street Theater. This building was featured in a ten-page article in the inaugural issue of Architectural Digest. Kuleto has designed this restaurant resembling a beautiful underwater fantasy that has proven to be the ideal setting for the sophisticated “coastal cuisine” menu created by Chef Franz. This coastal cuisine may include Seared Atlantic Diver Scallops, Cast Iron Roasted Maryland Striped Bass, or Grilled Hawaiian Hebi; the menus are updated regularly as Farallon supports farms, ranches and fisheries guided by principles of sustainability.

2. The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton

415-296-7465
603 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94108

“Iron Chef” Ron Siegel ‘s menu is steeped in the classic French technique born from his classical French training in the kitchens of Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Michael Mina. The unmistakable touches of Japanese sensibilities and specialty ingredients – the delicate infusions, sauces, emulsions, and oils that match and mingle with many specialty spices and salts – result in an everlasting and incomparable epicurean experience. Director of Wine Stephane Lacroix guides guests through his extensive and award-winning wine list to select the perfect wine to enhance Chef Ron Siegel’s daily creations and provide guests with an unforgettable food & wine experience.

3. Acquerello

415-567-5432
1722 Sacramento St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Named for its original watercolors, it envelops guests in a warm and gracious atmosphere the moment they arrive. A recent renovation of the 17-year old restaurant, led by designer John Wheatman, highlights the former chapel, graced with arches and a rustic wood-beamed vaulted ceiling, with warm Mediterranean colors of gold and terracotta. The 50 seat dining room is softly illuminated with light from polished brass lamps which dances off an extensive collection of crystal decanters and a large floral bouquet greeting guests as they enter. Co-owners Giancarlo Paterlini and Suzette Gresham-Tognetti work together to provide an unparallel Italian dining experience. Acquerello has received countless awards, including a Michelin star in the first-ever 2007 Bay Area guide.

4. La Folie

415-776-5577
2316 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109

A charming, family run restaurant with cotton-candy clouds painted on sky-blue walls, Chef Roland Passot serves generous portions of astoundingly good food. You simply can’t err when you order from Passot’s exuberant but disciplined menu. The owner’s roots surface in the decidedly Franco-California wine list. Choose from deep selection of excellent reds from Bordeaux or opt for one of the “discovery wines” from lesser-known wine regions of Australia and Chile. To accommodate the growing number of vegetarians, Passot has thoughtfully included a separate Vegetable Lover’s Menu. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

5. Gary Danko

415-749-2060
800 N Point St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Gary Danko, the award-winning chef, has come to epitomize sophisticated contemporary cuisine. His 75-seat restaurant, located in the heart of one of San Francisco’s most prominent residential districts, is the culmination of his dream to create one of America’s great restaurants. Each evening the cheese carts at Restaurant Gary Danko offer between sixteen and twenty selections of cheese from around the world and their wine cellar contains over twelve hundred selections from fifteen different countries and vintages spanning three centuries.

6. Harris’ Restaurant

415-673-1888
2100 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94109

For nearly a century, the landmark address of 2100 Van Ness Avenue has hosted some of the finest meals on the West Coast. When Harris’ Restaurant opened in 1984, it continued the rich tradition of luxurious dining in a comfortable sophisticated environment. In fact, Harris’ was ranked as one of the nation’s Top 10 Steak houses by the Wine Spectator. Their butcher counter offers aged, Mid-western, corn-fed steak in a variety of cuts including Boneless New York Strip, Ribeye, Harris Steak (bone-in New York), Porterhouse, Filet Mignon and an entire Filet Strip. Large orders of Prime Rib can also be prepared upon request. They also serve Lamb, Chicken and North Atlanta Salmon.

7. Masa’s

415-989-7154
648 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94108

On Nob Hill in downtown San Francisco near Union Square, at the Executive Hotel Vintage Court, the internationally acclaimed Masa’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Masa’s Restaurant is one of San Francisco’s most beloved and highly esteemed fine dining restaurants. Masa’s provides renowned service and exquisite French cuisine.  Executive Chef Gregory Short develops dishes that combine French techniques with a Californian flair for originality and seasonality. With the tremendous breadth and variety of fresh ingredients, Gregory Short insists on only the best.

8. Top of The Mark

415-616-6916
InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
999 California St
San Francisco, CA 94108

A place where many come from near and far to rendezvous, celebrate, and enjoy good times. Located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, the world-renowned sky-bar affords a near 360 degree vista of San Francisco including views of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz. Famed for its 100 Martinis menu, the Top Of The Mark has been rated as one of the 26 “World’s Best Hotel Bars” by Forbes.com two years consecutively. The Top Of The Mark accepts dinner reservations on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm. A three-course prix-fixe dinner is offered and includes an amuse-bouche, choice of starter and entrée, and dessert. Option for wine-pairing is also available. The Top Of The Mark is open for cocktails and dancing throughout the evening, featuring the Black Market Jazz Orchestra from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am.

9. HIME

415-931-7900
2353 Lombard St
San Francisco, CA 94123

HIME was named after a Japanese word meaning “princess”. They offer their guests new Japanese experience through the combination of traditional and fusion cuisines from sushi, sashimi to tapas style dishes in a modern Japanese ambiance. Located near the Golden Gate Bridge HIME is one of the most beautiful Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area.

10. Maharani Restaurant

415-775-1988
1122 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Maharani is a poetic word for “Empress” and for millions of Indians; it signifies the loved one, the sweetheart, or someone close to the heart. The creation and success of this beautiful restaurant is a tribute to women all over the world, who have made our lives richer, more beautiful, wholesome and balanced. Now in our fifteenth year, Maharani continues to signify a tradition in fine dining. We are humbled by the many honors we have received to date, and our goal remains to push the boundaries of authentic Indian cuisine – without compromise. They are committed to bringing you the finest and freshest meals, in a beautiful surrounding, accompanied by personable service.