The Tastiest New American in San Francisco

Lazy Bear

★★★★★ 4.5 (850) • $$$$

"My partner brought me here for an anniversary dinner and I was delighted with my experience. THEIR STORY:The story of Lazy Bear is incredible, and if you haven't heard it... TL;DR self taught chef gets laid off from attorney job and starts hosting dinner parties in his apartment under Lazy Bear, an anagram of his name. And now it's a 2 Michelin star resto. MY STORY:I've been wanting to go here ever since I subscribed to their newsletter in 2013 (fun fact: the prices were $140 per head then! Now it's $295). They've changed up their community seating to be more intimate, which I actually prefer. SERVICE/AMBIANCE:The service is unparalleled and I feel like everyone serving us truly embodied the friendly San Francisco spirit. It was a nice nod to the restaurant's history of communal experiences. I also fully enjoyed the holiday theme, bear/scouts theme (decor sprinkled throughout the restaurant and even in the bathroom), and little booklet they gave us to take notes on each dish! What a creative take on a regular menu. We were also treated with a jaunt upstairs for our dessert, which was fun! FOOD:Fantastic. I was wowed by the whole experience, and I loved how they used foods that were in season. In particular, their use of mushrooms in many of the dishes (including the tea in the beginning) pushed the boundaries of how many different flavor profiles and use cases there were for the little fungi. OVERALL:What a magnificent dinner. We felt transported, which was exactly the experience I was looking for. Thanks David Barzelay and staff for a magical meal."

Sisterita

★★★★★ 4.6 (761) • $$

"We saw this on yelp and wanted to support a local business. It is a block from the Hilton Financial District and near Chinatown. It is off a small side street and is worth a visit if you are in the area. We walked from our hotel. There was no line at 8:30 on a holiday so we were immediately sat. The service was attentive and helpful. The decor is so cute and upscale. We loved the French toast, it is was moist flavorful and an absolute must get! Yum!"

The Richmond

★★★★★ 4.5 (793) • $$$

"I stumbled upon this place on Yelp, so my husband and I decided to come here for our 3rd wedding anniversary. It was a rare date night out without our baby.We were able to make reservations day of, for a Wednesday evening. We got seated by the window. The long curtains made us feel like we were the only ones dining there! It was very intimate.We actually didn't know it was a prix fixe menu, but I was pleasantly surprised because it saved us from having to decide what to eat (I've been getting decision fatigue lately haha). $79 per person is a very reasonable price. You can also do $60 for wine pairing, but we decided to get a bottle instead. We got the calipaso cab sauv and it was excellent.There are four tasting menus per year. When we went during May, we got to try:-Cardamom Carrot & Beet Salad, goat cheese wrapped in phyllo -Potato and Crab Croquette, tomato bouillabaisse-Catch of the Day, pea purée, fresh peas, baby carrot & carrot sauce (we got halibut)-Petite Lamb Chop & Risotto, mushrooms and arugula-Toasted Pound Cake & Fresh berries, lemon curd and lemon creamWe also got asparagus caesar, bread & butter, and ice cream with shaved brittle. Every dish was delicious!! Sometimes lamb can be too gamy for me but that was not the case here. It was so tender and flavorful. The potato & crab croquette was my husband's favorite. I'm all about pastries and desserts so the phyllo, pound cake, and bread & butter were my favorites. I was especially blown away by the bread & butter. The bread was sooo warm and buttery and the three different flavored butters were unique.John, the owner, said that on busy days, he's at the restaurant until 2am! You can truly see his love and passion for what he does, through the food and the service he provides. What a treat to be served by the owner himself. I would love to go back to try some of the other tasting menus."

Aliment

★★★★☆ 4 (942) • $$

"Didn't get to visit Aliment but we had them cater for an event at a different location and they brought their sliders- SO GOOD.There was a good variety of sliders, with juicy patties, and a bun to match. After getting to try them, they are definitely on my list of places to visit on my next visit to SF!"

It's Italia

★★★★☆ 3.8 (965) • $$$

"This place was absolutely amazing. It closes at 8 on Sundays; our reservation was for 8pm. We walked in and they seated us right on time. The ambiance was perfect, romantic and intimate yet not overdone. The service was fantastic; quick but not rushed, and all the staff were extremely attentive. My better half had originally ordered gnocchi but they happened to be out at the end of the night. He went with the pumpkin gnocchi instead, and was pleasantly surprised. I tried a bite as well, and liked it enough to order again. The lemon caper salmon and mashed potatoes with greens was fantastic, and I am definitively picky when it comes to how my salmon is cooked... Hats off to the chef and kitchen staff; between the wine and the amazing dinner were were too full for dessert . We did not leave until well after closing, and were not rushed out at all. In fact quite the opposite. We asked if they would take our picture together; I attempted to dress up and put on cute shoes for the evening but as someone with a mobility disorder I am admittedly slow when it comes to standing and walking lol. They were so kind, patient and accommodating, and more than happy to take the camera and get some good shots before we left. I am truly impressed and do not have a thing to speak poorly of. We would most definitely return when we are in the area again!"

Per Diem - Financial District

★★★★☆ 3.9 (886) • $$

"This pasta was tasty! I added chicken for it to be extra filling which was perfect, I was pretty hungry :)It was a little oilier at the bottom so it was hard to eat but otherwise it has a good cheese flavor which was very delicious!There's quite a lot of searing especially for big parties, there's a bar downstairs I believe.Our waiter was super kind and attentive to our needs."

Octavia

★★★★☆ 4.1 (720) • $$$

"Another stellar meal, Octavia never fails to impress.We got:Sourdough bread - Fluffy as always.Polenta hush puppies, preserved Meyer lemon & mint - These were a group favorite, the polenta was nice and creamy without being heavy and the outside was perfectly crispy.Grilled stone fruit, hass avocado, spiced almonds, miriam's greens - Simple and light but delcious.Heirloom tomatoes, buttermilk sauce, pangrattato, medium farm basils - Tomatoes were juicy and fresh, although probably the weakest starter for me personally.Agnolotti del plin, sweetwater ranch pork, shasta porcini - These were fun small parcels. I liked that the dish felt light (no heavy creams or sauces) and the porcinis was a nice touch, but somehow I didn't love this pasta and the filling.Brentwood corn lasagna, fonduta, shishito peppers, chive oil - Excellent as always.Liberty farm duck breast, pole beans, leek flower capers, cranberry beans - Excellent duck with a great crispy skin. Perhaps my boyfriend's favorite non-Asian duck dish in the city.Pavlova, tahitian vanilla crème légère, miriam's mulberry granita, pistachios - Octavia's pavlova always makes me reconsider my aversion to pavlova. Somehow here, it's always delicious and light and flavorful. So good.Coffee opera cake, chocolate chiffon, whiskey whipped ganache, cocoa nibs - This is a denser dessert than the pavlova, with good flavor and rich coffee and chocolate flavor."

Cracked & Battered - Marina

★★★★★ 4.6 (567) • $$

"Great service, food and seating options. We chose to eat outside because we brought our pup and it was great. We ordered right away using the QR menu and paid seamlessly online. The servers were all friendly and pleasant.Food:Chicken & Waffles: chicken was not too salty. It was seasoned well. The waffles had that soft side but crispy edges (just the way I like it). Tater tots: I would have been satisfied eating this by itself. So bad but so good!! I'll definitely be having the tots every time I'm here!I've been to the Potrero Hill location which is just as good! I'll be back for sure!"

Fog City

★★★★☆ 3.5 (952) • $$

"Fog City dinner is a taste of San Francisco's hospitality and character, just a stones throw away from The Embarcadero. We ran in as the rain started to pour on a winter morning, and Fog City had everything that a solid diner could imagine to have. Wonderful seating variety with great views, immediate seating, incredibly friendly staff with recommendations galore, nice restrooms, and cocktails served at the prime time of 11 am. You will see a myriad of San Franciscans enjoying their time at the diner, from men reading newspapers with their morning coffee, to a date for two old lovers, to even massive family gathering that take up 3+ tabletops. All are going on at the same time, but sound is nicely distributed around the dining area that you see the liveliness and don't hear the chaos (and can hear your own party)! The entire journey at Fog City honestly felt like being in a sitcom episode. We settled on having a lightly boozy brunch with a few selected drinks and a simple cheese wood fired pizza. After we ordered, the hostess brought us a glass bottle of water and cups without request which felt very homey. I cannot stress the attention to the dining experience this establishment had for a streetside diner with the wood platter that accompanies the pizza, presentation of drinks and food, and the obvious care that was put into the preparation of each component. The pizza is actually so so good. The cheese had a perfect melt, the tomato didn't overpower, the basil was just the perfect garnish. Then, the drinks were strong but still kept to their described flavors."

Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie

★★★★☆ 4.2 (632) • $$

"We came rather late but there was no wait or line. We were seated right away. I had the pomagranate fizz non-alcoholic drink and hubs had the henhouse beer. He never drinks or likes beer but said it was surprisingly good! My drink was refreshing and delish!We had the back ribs pizza and the cheese was super good. My other half said it tasted like feta (slightly gamey) but I tasted none of that. I really enjoyed the fresh cheese and it reminded of queso fresco. We also got a Margherita with Italian fennel sausage to go for the kiddos and that was also tasty! Love the thin crust. Reminds me of new York"

The Garden Club

★★★★☆ 3.7 (797) • $$

"If you want an amazing dining experience with old world charm this is the place. It been a while since I have been here still the same great food . Will definitely be back . Thank you Garden club for an outstanding meal"

Street Restaurant and Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (673) • $$

"Fabulous food and service. Serious kudos to the staff - just wonderful people and positive attitude. I was constantly impressed with the service.The mushroom ravioli was the best - flavor, filling, all of it. The crab cakes were good, the add on around them very good. Sangria wasn't too sweet or filled with other liquors. Simple and good. They take their wine seriously here too."

Horsefeather

★★★★☆ 4 (672) • $$

"Came here with a friend for brunch in late December and really enjoyed dining at Horsefeather during this very quiet time in San Francisco.The atrium was light-filled though it was a rainy day and service was attentive.The food was very good--the double cheeseburger hit the spot and my friend helped me eat my pile of fries. Would love to return for dinner and drinks!"

Balboa Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (841) • $$

"Love the service here!!!!!Best espresso martini in the city by far. I usually do not like espresso martinis, but I do really enjoy it here. Also have tried a cosmopolitan, hugo spritz and gin and tonic here which all were great. They play fun music and have a large interior and exterior where it is great to catch up with friends. I have not tried their food, but it is on my bucket list to come here for dinner! This is an iconic SF spot that is a must try."

Morning Due Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (623) • $$

"Great place & amazing customer service. The food was awesome, we got breakfast & their coffee was super fresh. I got the breakfast sandwich and was able to share it. The place is a decent size, your typical SF restaurant, they do accommodate big parties- and you are able to sit outside. They also hooked us up on the mimosa!"

B Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (738) • $$

"The happy hour is straight BANGIN', mmkay?! First, they hit me with $1 oysters. Now, you know I can't say no to oysters... especially when they're only a dolla! HOLLA! And, then they hit me with the $6 happy hour dranks! YAAAASSS! The drinks are on point and their Moscow Mule is the bidness! You must try it. But, that ambiance though! The atmosphere is truly amazing here. Very low-key with an eye catching setup. It's hard to believe that this bar is tucked away behind the Metreon. It could easily go unnoticed if you aren't actually looking for it. I stopped here before meeting up with some friends to see a movie. I was not about to spend an arm and a leg on expensive ass movie fare and I had a little bit of time to kill before the movie started. So I thought... why not? You walk up a few flights of stairs from behind the Metreon, turn left, and then BOOM! This gorgeous little beauty will be right at your feet! Their patio is beautiful! It overlooks the ever so stunning Yerba Buena Gardens. One a warm city day, you can't beat the views here. I came on a weekday during happy hour and the place was busy but not overly packed. I really think that this has something to do with its' hidden location, but hey... I ain't complainin' about it. Despite this, the bartender who was holding down the bar that evening appeared to be a bit overwhelmed. The wait wasn't too long but there definitely was a wait. I ordered a dozen oysters, truffle fries, a Sangria, and a Moscow Mule. Everything tasted wonderful! The oysters were a on the smaller side, but they were fresh. They rotate the type of oysters that they offer pretty frequently, but I guess I came on an itty bitty oyster day. Their drinks are very tasty! I enjoyed their sangria, but I was most impressed with their rendition of a Moscow Mule. It was missing the cute mug that I'm used to and the color was unusual, but damn was it good! And, those TRUFFLE FRIES! Just PERF! They were served piping hot and perfectly seasoned. The dipping sauces were legit! This would probably be a go-to item for me if I frequented this spot on the regular. They also have a restaurant menu if you're looking for more than just appetizers. Happy hour is from 4-6:30 every dayum DAY! Yes, you heard me right! This bar has one of the best happy hours that I've been to FiDi! If you're looking for a great little happy hour spot in the city, then look no further and check out B."

Heirloom Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (526) • $$$

"Snagged a last minute reservation at the bar for dinner before Día de los Muertos. Bacon and onion tart arrived promptly and quite tasty (sweet/salty) on a soft pastry base but was slightly undersized.Gnocchi (with sausage, chives, kale) were pillowy, charred with melt-in-the-mouth goodness.Duck confit very thoughtfully prepared: juicy, unexpectedly tender, well-portioned duck meat (perhaps intentionally under-salted) dusted with crispness on top (sans skin). The presence of maitake mushrooms, pole beans and sweet mission figs presented a delectable dilemma: how best to create a forkful of contrasting taste.Dessert: chocolate pot de creme consisted of crisp wafer crumbling on a sea of luxuriant chocolate custard under softly whipped cream.Bresca Dorada (vermouth) has an unusual golden hue, infused with herbal freshness, an unmistakable bitterness, almost like a subtly mixed drink.Service was prompt and unpretentious."

Last Drop Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.1 (543) • $$

"Bangers and Mash.Shepard's Pie.Caesar Salad.A large array of libations and beer choices. The hazy IPA was delightful. Friendly service. Great prices. They easily accommodated the request to place the Caesar dressing on the side. Easy ordering. Fast arrival of food. And, honestly, we ended up at this location because it was close to our hotel and open late. After a long day of sightseeing, we just didn't want to go too far. And I'm glad this place was so close because it had all the right vibes at exactly the right time. I'll also say that I was very thankful to step off into this place from the uphill stroll, and windy conditions, when we did. Just a stroll away from the Chancellor Hotel or an easy walk after jumping off the trolley!"

Mo'z Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (632) • $$

"Great place. Everything is fresh and delicious and the service is friendly. Worth the trek to 5th St for a great breakfast or lunch."

The Morris

★★★★★ 4.5 (441) • $$$

"Date: Friday. May 17, 2024Time: 7:30pmParty of: 3Meal: DinnerReservations Made: via Resy a few days prior*Flor de Piedad: mezcal . hibiscus . lime . tonic ($17)*Pisco Punch: pisco . lemon . pineapple ($17)*Hunky-Dory: bourbon . douglas fir . fernet ($17)*Charcuterie: Duck liver mousse, Mortadella, Spicy headcheese, Duck rillette, Pâté de campagne ($50 for Five)*Smoked duck: root vegetables ($80 Half duck)*Grass fed New York steak: asparagus . lobster béarnaise ($68)*Fries: garlic aioli ($8)*2019 Galouchey, RIGHT BANK BLEND: 'VDJ' . Bordeaux FR ($92 bottle)*2019 Arretxea, TANNAT/CABERNET SAUVIGNON: 'Cuvee Haitza' . Irouleguy France ($110 bottle)*Espresso ($4)*Buckwheat donuts: whiskey anglaise ($12)*1996 Moulin Touchais, CHENIN BLANC: Coteaux de Layon FR ($16 glass)*Healthy SF Surcharge: 6% ($29.46)Met up the boys for dinner at the Morris. It had been a while since we got together, so decided to indulge and order whatever we wanted. I had heard great things about the duck, so that was my pick. It was tender and delicious. And that au jus was so flavorful. The charcuterie was plentiful and we had a good amount of variety. The only thing I didn't really care for was the steak since it was covered in bearnaise. But the temp on it was nice.Drinks wise, I'd skip the cocktails since they were just okay. We were happy with our two bottles of wine tho. We really weren't familiar with the wine list offerings so they said they'd send over the sommelier. For some reason, he wasn't showing up, so the server sent over three of their Chicken nuggets . caviar ranch. That ranch was delish! The sommelier eventually showed up and we made our selections.Fun spot to have a nice somewhat elaborate meal. Their portions are rather big, so better if you go in a bigger group. Otherwise, your bill will add up quickly.REVIEW #3423"

Dirty Habit

★★★★☆ 3.6 (689) • $$$

"I loved the rooftop garden at Dirty Habit! It's super cute and there's an abundance of heatlamps and firepits to keep you warm. Their drink selection is pretty vast and I loved their food menu as well. The milkbread, seared scallops with ikura, and Japanese gnocchi stood out to me as the best dishes. I couldn't get enough of the milkbread with kaya butter!! The scallops were seared perfectly and I loved the ikura on top to add some saltiness and brine. The Japanese gnocchi sauce was to die for. Portions are a little small.I'd definitely come back for after-work drinks & snacks with the girls!"

Central Park Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.9 (587) • $$

"Happy birthday Alex! We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. Strangely we were the only party here this whole time. Our food came pretty quickly after we ordered. So hard to choose! Everything on the menu looks delicious. +1 service was great! Came to refill our waters regularly +1 food came out quick! +1 good portion sizes! Only keeping it a 4 stars because the appetizers I was not too impressed. Calamari was cold and too salty, poke was not bad but the chips to poke ratio was quite stingy lol Allen and I got the paella and lobster pasta, and both were so filling. Lunch has lunch combos too. Overall, I would come here again for a fancy occasion. I can see the vibes being nice at night time!"

Ziggy's Burgers

★★★★☆ 3.6 (677) • $$

"Was staying at the hotel across the street and needed a quick bite, so a burger fit the bill. I went with a standard cheeseburger, fries, and can of coke. The burger itself was good, good bun, and fresh veggies. The sauce and some extra mayo saved the burger for me, although it was a juicy burger. Definitely grab napkins. The fries reminded me of a better version of in n out fries, but definitely need to salt to taste. I spent $25 for a burger, fries, and coke after tax, fees, and tip. I think it's a serviceable burger and will satisfy the burger fix, especially if it's walking distance and in need of a quick meal."

Pinoy BBQ ATBP

★★★★☆ 3.9 (535) • $$

"I was passing by for a daily routine and noticed this place took over the previous Vietnamese food joint?It's been a while since I saw another Filipino food place so I figured there is no harm in coming by.I only ordered one pork skewer to give it a try, and just enjoyed it. Taste wise it's about as good as it gets, Filipino food at fair prices is respected regardless."

Etcetera Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (480) • $$

"This wine bar has great quality wines and really excellent service. Service is always kind and helpful.. My only complaint is that seats at the indoor tables are really low and for tall people and it can be difficult getting out of the booths. It's are however still a 5 star review for the quality of wine, food and service."

Scopo Divino

★★★★☆ 4.4 (411) • $$

"A wine bar/café that also serves some beer that has sort of an old-timey European café vibe to it. I came here during happy hour and sat at the bar. I thought their happy hour specials were good and the service from the bartender was great. Great oyster specials too! I came here when my parents and I were in the area cause I just wanted to grab a beer and have a seat for a little bit. I looked over their menu and ordered some oysters along with one of the local craft beers. Really enjoyed my limited time here.I even found out that they were really known for their brunch here on the weekends. I would totally love to come back and experience that. The food from the other pictures look amazing at this place, but we just limited our visit to a few oysters and a beer (we had a big meal not too long prior to this visit)."

Mistral Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (604) • $$$

"$25 for the Chef's Appetizer special, which was seared ahi tuna on a bed of soba noodles. It came with shrimp-like crackers but maybe they're just crispy rice crackers. Loved all the textures in this dish. It wasn't too heavy and was perfect as an entree for one or as an appetizer to share.They currently have a few specials for $31 in celebration of their 31st anniversary, which included surf and turf (shrimp and steak with scalloped potatoes and veggies). Most of my party ordered this and all seemed very pleased. Service was friendly and took the time to take pictures of our big group at different angles. I went at night and faced the patio with the water but it was dark so there wasn't much to look at. It's a shame they no longer serve lunch to get the daytime view...I may need to come back when the days are longer."

Drakes

★★★★☆ 4 (486) • $$

"Service is goodAmbiance is goodCocktails are MiddlingFood is not good. Edible, but not good"

Chowder Hut Fresh Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (706) • $$

"Hamburger was very good, service was good. Loud but not so loud you couldn't hold a conversation"

The Snug

★★★★☆ 4 (474) • $$

"What may I say.... go see Maxwell. Does not disappoint. If the marker/goal post is wherever you put it... he will not only exceed but excel and surprise. The hostess was very busy during this holiday season. GIVE GRACE. And you'll get a welcome back. 8.25/10 and I just adore handing out a 10 in this economy"

Mars Bar & Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (495) • $$

"Came here after work with a group of coworkers for a happy hour. Divided into three sections, Mars Bar consists of the main bar area, a dance floor, and an outdoor patio dining area. Due to the rain, we pretty much stayed in the bar area the entire time. There are plenty of both table and bar seating options available in the bar area, and both staff and bartenders were quick to take our orders. There is a pretty good selection of bar appetizers to choose from, and everything that we ordered was sizable and enjoyable.The bathroom situation here is a bit oddly constructed. There is a women's restroom inside. But the men's restroom is a separate addition that can only be accessed from the outside."

Radio Africa Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (365) • $$

"Updates: based on the great RAK food we had at the MOAD, we asked Chef Aseged to cater a party for us. It was a joy to have him in our home and the food was phenomenal. Everything was prepared perfectly, professionally done, and everyone raved about the food. Thank you Chef and staff!"

Hi Tops - San Francisco

★★★★☆ 3.8 (480) • $$

"Great spot with surprisingly delicious food. The pretzel is excellent, and I love that they serve it with a nice spicy house made mustard. I've been twice and gotten the slushy both times, which have been delish. My girlfriend likes the corn dog, although it could use a thicker batter. Recently I tried the Bacon Beef burger (aioli, onion jam, wild arugula, gruyere) which was scrumptious. Cooked to perfection with the right amount of sauce and toppings (two nice slices of bacon that were perfectly cooked). Pretty decent prices for the serving sizes (burger comes with fries and a pickle). The staff are friendly and there's lots of seating both inside and outside."

Mayes Oyster House

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (717) • $$

"Love coming here to start a bar crawl. It's always a great time and even though the drinks are overpriced, the music is always good!My friend has gotten their phone stolen outside of the bar so keep your processions close to you when you're waiting in line."

Park & Howard Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (366) • $$$

"Decided to check out Park & Howard Bistro for dessert and drinks and it was phenomenal. It was pretty chill and lowkey for a Saturday, which we greatly appreciated. The service was also superb and very attentive. We never felt forgotten and hardly had to wait at all. My wife ordered the Chocolate Lava Cake and I ordered the Bread Pudding and Eggnog Espresso Martini. Everything was absolutely delectable! Can't wait to go back. Highly recommend for a date night away from the kids."