San Francisco, with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, historic cable cars, and bustling waterfront scenery, is not just a feast for the eyes but also a paradise for food enthusiasts. The city's culinary scene is as energetic and dynamic as its population, offering everything from Michelin-starred fine dining to innovative street food.
Whether you're craving the freshest seafood, authentic global cuisine, or farm-to-table fare, San Francisco's restaurants deliver with flair and flavor. Read on for a culinary journey through the best restaurants San Francisco has to offer.
The Michelin Stars: Culinary Excellence
San Francisco boasts an impressive array of Michelin-starred restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience that showcases the pinnacle of culinary excellence.
Three-Michelin-Star Restaurants
The following three dining spots have received the highly coveted three-Michlin-star designation as per the latest Michelin guide, lauding them as offering “exceptional cuisine.”
Quince
470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Located in the historic Jackson Square neighborhood and founded in 2003, Quince celebrates contemporary Californian cuisine with Italian influences. Chef Michael Tusk's farm-driven menu features the freshest seasonal ingredients, beautifully presented in an elegant setting. With three Michelin stars to its name, Quince offers an unforgettable dining experience that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. Try the four-course menu and a creative cocktail to pair with your meal.
Located in the historic Jackson Square neighborhood and founded in 2003, Quince celebrates contemporary Californian cuisine with Italian influences. Chef Michael Tusk's farm-driven menu features the freshest seasonal ingredients, beautifully presented in an elegant setting. With three Michelin stars to its name, Quince offers an unforgettable dining experience that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. Try the four-course menu and a creative cocktail to pair with your meal.
Atelier Crenn
3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Dominique Crenn's Atelier Crenn, nestled in the Marina District, is more than just a restaurant — it's a poetic homage to the art of cooking. The first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, Crenn blends outstanding French techniques with Northern California's bounty, creating a menu that's as unforgettable as it is sustainable. Each dish tells a story, inviting diners on a culinary journey that is both personal and profound.
Dominique Crenn's Atelier Crenn, nestled in the Marina District, is more than just a restaurant — it's a poetic homage to the art of cooking. The first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, Crenn blends outstanding French techniques with Northern California's bounty, creating a menu that's as unforgettable as it is sustainable. Each dish tells a story, inviting diners on a culinary journey that is both personal and profound.
Benu
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105
In the heart of San Francisco's vibrant SoMa district, Benu stands as a beacon of culinary innovation and excellence. Under the guidance of acclaimed chef Corey Lee, Benu has earned three Michelin stars, a testament to its standout cuisine, meticulous attention to detail, and unparalleled dining experience. The restaurant offers a unique fusion of Eastern and Western culinary traditions in an ultra-posh setting, resulting in dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
In the heart of San Francisco's vibrant SoMa district, Benu stands as a beacon of culinary innovation and excellence. Under the guidance of acclaimed chef Corey Lee, Benu has earned three Michelin stars, a testament to its standout cuisine, meticulous attention to detail, and unparalleled dining experience. The restaurant offers a unique fusion of Eastern and Western culinary traditions in an ultra-posh setting, resulting in dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Two-Michelin-Star Restaurants
In addition to the three above, San Francisco is home to a number of other incredible restaurants that have been applause for their excellent service and top-notch menus.
Birdsong
1085 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Birdsong, a restaurant that seeks to explore the roots of American cuisine through exciting ingredients and traditional cooking methods, has earned two Michelin stars by offering a unique dining experience that pays homage to the Pacific Northwest. With a focus on wild game, seafood, and aged meats, Birdsong's tasting menu focuses on nature's bounty, inviting diners to embark on a journey through the flavors that define the American culinary landscape.
Birdsong, a restaurant that seeks to explore the roots of American cuisine through exciting ingredients and traditional cooking methods, has earned two Michelin stars by offering a unique dining experience that pays homage to the Pacific Northwest. With a focus on wild game, seafood, and aged meats, Birdsong's tasting menu focuses on nature's bounty, inviting diners to embark on a journey through the flavors that define the American culinary landscape.
Californios
355 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Californios, an intimate and luxuriously designed space in the Mission District, provides a modern interpretation of Mexican cuisine, earning it two Michelin stars. Chef Val M. Cantu's tasting menu is an ode to the rich culinary story of Mexico, reimagined with innovative techniques and the freshest of local ingredients. Each dish at Californios is a work of art, offering a symphony of flavors that delights the palate.
Californios, an intimate and luxuriously designed space in the Mission District, provides a modern interpretation of Mexican cuisine, earning it two Michelin stars. Chef Val M. Cantu's tasting menu is an ode to the rich culinary story of Mexico, reimagined with innovative techniques and the freshest of local ingredients. Each dish at Californios is a work of art, offering a symphony of flavors that delights the palate.
Acquerello
1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Acquerello, a gem in the Nob Hill neighborhood, has been a bastion of Italian fine dining in San Francisco for over three decades. Awarded two Michelin stars, Acquerello combines the sophistication of Italian dishes with the innovation of modern cuisine. Chef Suzette Gresham's extraordinary menu is a tribute to the traditions of Italian cooking, reinterpreted with a contemporary flair and a focus on Northern California's seasonal produce.
Acquerello, a gem in the Nob Hill neighborhood, has been a bastion of Italian fine dining in San Francisco for over three decades. Awarded two Michelin stars, Acquerello combines the sophistication of Italian dishes with the innovation of modern cuisine. Chef Suzette Gresham's extraordinary menu is a tribute to the traditions of Italian cooking, reinterpreted with a contemporary flair and a focus on Northern California's seasonal produce.
Saison
178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107
At Saison, the dining experience is a journey through the elemental flavors of land and sea, masterfully crafted with a focus on seasonality and fire. The restaurant's philosophy centers on the purity of ingredients sourced locally to ensure that each dish tells a story of unparalleled provenance and quality. Not only that, but this modern American eatery boasts an extensive wine list.
At Saison, the dining experience is a journey through the elemental flavors of land and sea, masterfully crafted with a focus on seasonality and fire. The restaurant's philosophy centers on the purity of ingredients sourced locally to ensure that each dish tells a story of unparalleled provenance and quality. Not only that, but this modern American eatery boasts an extensive wine list.
Lazy Bear
3416 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
In the Mission District, Lazy Bear offers an unconventional dining experience that blurs the lines between a dinner party and a restaurant. This two-Michelin-starred establishment, led by Chef David Barzelay, invites guests to share not just a meal but an immersive culinary adventure. Lazy Bear's multi-course menu is a dynamic exploration of American craft cooking, showcasing meticulously sourced ingredients through inventive dishes that change with the seasons.
In San Francisco, dining out is an adventure and a chance to explore new worlds of flavor and creativity. If this sounds like the perfect fit, find a beautiful new home in San Francisco today with Novo Real Estate by your side.
In the Mission District, Lazy Bear offers an unconventional dining experience that blurs the lines between a dinner party and a restaurant. This two-Michelin-starred establishment, led by Chef David Barzelay, invites guests to share not just a meal but an immersive culinary adventure. Lazy Bear's multi-course menu is a dynamic exploration of American craft cooking, showcasing meticulously sourced ingredients through inventive dishes that change with the seasons.
In San Francisco, dining out is an adventure and a chance to explore new worlds of flavor and creativity. If this sounds like the perfect fit, find a beautiful new home in San Francisco today with Novo Real Estate by your side.
