Ingredients

Honestly, this place wasn't even on my radar -- it took a business dinner to get me through the…read moredoor, and I'm so glad it did. The format is a fixed daily menu with two choices per course across four courses. I went with the cured salmon salad, gulf shrimp risotto, seared branzino, and milk chocolate panna cotta. Every single dish landed. The salmon was a refined, clean opener; the risotto was rich without being heavy; the branzino was perfectly seared; and the panna cotta was a quietly elegant finish. A heads up: portions are on the smaller side, but that's by design -- this is a meal meant to be savored, not rushed. Lean into it. Service was attentive and polished from start to finish, exactly what you'd hope for at this level. If a business dinner is what it takes to discover a gem like this, book more business dinners.

Came here for the $52 4-course prix fixe menu and thought it was decent overall, but not somewhere…read moreI'd rush back to. The food and drinks were mostly mid for me -- the flavors leaned overly sweet. The clam pasta was the standout because it finally introduced some acidity and balance. Service was attentive throughout, and the staff handled a blackout during dinner impressively well. Ambiance was fine. The pricing initially feels reasonable at $52/person, but note there's also a 20% gratuity plus a 6% living wage surcharge, so the real total ends up closer to $66 before any extra drinks. Overall: probably a 3/5 for the food itself, closer to a 3.5 when factoring in service and value.

3.3 mi•Financial District

Inside

Cod with potato and cabbage

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Pickle beer

Sisterita

4.5(1.1k reviews)

Locally sourced ingredients

Casual dining

Excellent service! My only advice is to come and see for yourself. When we called to ask about a…read morewait, they mentioned there was not wait... part of the reason they do that is because they don't keep a list. You either have reservations or you're a walk in and you stand in line until a table is available for you. At first this was strange, but I think it makes for a better experience. The team was incredible, they were so kind on a day that can be stressful for a small restaurant. We had incredible food. I was so happy to get my Eggs Royale and my husband said the French toast was the best he's ever had. (Even comparing it to French toast in Paris) No notes. This will be our Mother's Day place going forward next time with reservations.

Sisterita may be a cozy brunch spot, but it delivers an unforgettable experience from start to…read morefinish. The atmosphere is warm, creative, and full of charm -- almost like stepping into a whimsical tea-party dream. Between the stylish décor, welcoming service, and amazing food, every detail makes the visit feel special. The cocktail menu adds the perfect touch, featuring everything from comforting classics like a White Russian to fun signature drinks inspired by Harry Potter. The food was just as impressive. Whether you order the crispy fried chicken, the flavorful Eggs Benedict, or the Alcatraz Escape omelette, every dish is packed with flavor and made to satisfy. If you're looking for a unique brunch spot to enjoy with friends, good vibes, and great food, this place is definitely worth adding to your list.

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Ernest

4.3(642 reviews)

1.3 mi•Mission

Came here with a group of 6 adults & 1 baby and were lucky to be seated in the private dining room…read more It's a lovely space & plenty of room for the group we had. We made our reservation about a month ago on OpenTable & they do require a credit card to hold your reservation. They have a 48 hour cancellation policy at $50/person so pretty rigid. We typically do the "Let the Kitchen Cook for You" but decided to do à la carte this time because we had someone with a raw fish allergy. Favorites include the beef tartare dish, and the duck entree but you honestly can't go wrong. The desserts are a must (we got one of each - ice cream with hazelnut/chocolate, shaved ice & basque cheesecake). Service here was top notch. We were seated right away and Oscar was a fantastic server. Very attentive, love the crumbing in between meals & cutlery changes + beverage refills were frequent. Would highly recommend & will be back!

Ernest will always be our family's go-to celebration restaurant. We've been over 10 times and have…read morenever been disappointed. This most recent visit was one of the best, perhaps we can thank the new chef de cuisine! Vibes are always immaculate, the tucked away private room is perfect for big groups. Staff is always on top of the service! Food was delightful. The classics hit, and there were some new dishes like the banana bread caviar and asparagus that were lovely. My only minor critique is the cocktail list has never changed! I recommend ordering classic cocktails like whisky sours!

Open kitchen

Shaved ice

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Onion rings

Marlowe

4.0(2.9k reviews)

2.6 mi•Mission Bay

Food- beef tartare with bone marrow, fantastic. Steak with…read morechimichuri perfectly cooked. My go to - the creamy polenta with mushroom & poached egg- is like a warm hug. The service is on point & attentive.

Great service! Waitstaff was lovely. Excellent wine and…read morecocktail selection Horrible horrible food Table of 6, work friends with very different palettes, we all had different plates, and we were all dissatisfied (not just unsatisfied). Half of us went to the Taco Bell around the corner

Clean and inviting bar

Marlowe Burger with side of fries

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Brunch cocktails

Nopa

4.2(5.7k reviews)

1.8 mi•Alamo Square

Amazing food and cocktails! Morgan and Josiah were fantastic servers, super friendly and attentive!read more

This is the burger that San Francisco chefs love to talk about. And it makes sense. They grind the…read moremeat in house. The brioche buns are baked fresh daily. The produce is sourced from a tight network of local farms. But it's not as exceptional as it used to be. The San Francisco burger scene has caught up, and Nopa's burger has lost its specialness...but that doesn't mean Nopa has. Nopa opened in 2006 inside a converted bank - high ceilings, a massive bar, a communal table, just - awesome vibes. From day one it became an industry restaurant - One of the few spots in the city where you could show up late night, order off a menu that changes daily, and know the food is going to be dialed in. They specialize in wood-fired cooking, which is why their thick cut, brined pork chop with baked beans is so popular - and...it's good, but their fried chicken is quickly becoming their best seller and THAT, was PERFECT. Crispy skin, juicy underneath, seasoned beautifully. But the dish that so perfectly encapsulates what Nopa is...was this salad. Just trout, and whatever was good at the farm that week. That's Nopa. A neighborhood kitchen, cooking what's in season, for the people who live down the street, on a menu that's always changing. Twenty years in, it's still full every night. And that could have been my entire review right there.

2.5 mi•Union Square, Tenderloin

Interior

Complimentary mint chip ice cream and espresso

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Panhandle punch was delicious

Rise Over Run

3.9(247 reviews)

Super cute rooftop bar and restaurant. Fantastic views of the city and the greenhouse structure is…read moregorgeous. Regardless of the weather you'll enjoy it. There's indoor seating, and the outdoor seating includes blankets and heaters. I've been a few times now and the service is always good/attentive too. Previous visits I was there for dinner, but at my most recent visit I was there for brunch so I ordered the Veggie Breakfast Hash. It was delicious (perfectly poached egg and nicely seasoned) - only thing missing was a sprinkle of cheese or sour cream lol. Bartender wasn't present so the only drink options that morning were a mimosa or a bloody mary, but if you're there when the bartender is then definitely give their cocktails a try. They're good!

This place is on the roof of the Timbri Hotel. (Enter the lobby, pass the front desk, veer right to…read morethe elevators, press 13 on the screen.) The hotel is unfortunately across from the shady tenderloin, but once you enter the lobby everything feels high end. Once on the rooftop we had a great spot with a great view. The service was spotty but the food was great. Especially the fried chicken. Order it! We hit this spot before a concert at the Warfield. The line for the Warfield wraps the block all the way to the front of the hotel. As we finished dinner we got right in line.

View of the indoor seating area

Royale with cheese $16.00

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View from outside

Wildseed

4.5(1.8k reviews)

3.3 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow

To say I loved this restaurant would be the understatement of the year. I was visiting San…read moreFrancisco from Seattle for the weekend and ended up eating at this gem three times during my stay. The service was excellent--warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly--and the food was outstanding. I loved seeing a vegan restaurant full of people who genuinely care about what they're eating. I'll be back next month and already can't wait to re-order that citrus almond cake. Now if only you'd open a location in the PNW!

Overall very tasty! I really enjoyed the Mushroom Bao - definitely my favorite dish we ordered. The…read morebao was warm, the mushroom was crispy, and I enjoyed the pickled toppings. It was a bit spicy. The beet poke was an interesting combination - I'm impressed they were able to capture the essence of poke! The spicy sauce pizza was good - you can't tell it's vegan at all. The restaurant was very cozy and intimate. The staff were all really friendly! The food came out pretty quickly.

3.6 mi•Embarcadero, Financial District, SoMa

Restaurant inside

Heirloom tomato bruschetta

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Caprese girl

Terrene

4.1(202 reviews)

Ambiance and food were excellent. It seems I am being made to add more characters but that is the…read morebasic.

The food is very good - we've been here twice and had great food all around…read more Our first visit we had some trouble with the service, feeling rushed thru for what is a pretty expensive dinner, but the team there contacted us after (we had a reservation so they had our email) and they made it right by inviting us back as guest of Rob, the Bev Mgr. The 2nd visit the service was impeccable, everything went exactly as we had hoped. We will be back. We can recommend the scallops and the Salmon, the chicken was very tasty. Also, for the food, I recommend the dips and the fresh pitas, so good. We'll be back just for that. Reminds me of the old Berkeley restaurant years ago, Holy Land (IYKYK). Mmmm. Thanks!

Terrene Lounge

Steak and eggs

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Seared scallops

Birba

4.4(225 reviews)

1.9 mi•Hayes Valley

Food is kind of one note (what I was able to get by myself without spending a fortune). The…read morebocquerones had too much lemon, they really would've benefited from a fresh herb (parsley? Cilantro?thyme?) or some arugula, something to balance it out. Would be best to come with someone else (if you have someone to go with you, I didn't) and share more dishes, I think. The marinated artichokes were good, not amazing, but a large portion and pleasant enough. I wish they had more veggies or a salad option. The seats are not comfortable, this is not a place to come and relax with a book. The parklet seating is nicely sheltered from the breeze, but can be noisy. The music, outdoor setting, and service are all good. Flatbread was lovely and soft when hot, hardens to a crispy cracker when it cools. The Woody's sparkling N.A. rosé was a bit flat (flavor wise). I've had better ones (especially for the price). I'd definitely come back with a friend or a date. It was a depressing spot for dining solo, and it would be hard to come here with a bigger group.

Update! Came here for the front patio…read more My server was friendly, quick, and helpful. I enjoyed my wine but didn't get any food. The outdoor parklet was the perfect synthesis of indoor and outdoor. I'll definitely be back to try their "cheeky" hour with select discounted bites and drinks.

3.6 mi•Russian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill

Inside

Smoked Salmon Dip

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Hibiscus quencher (red) and Birba Spritz (clear)

Bodega

4.4(349 reviews)

Perfect spot for a night cap. Seating can be a bit tricky but that all part of the experience. The…read morefood was great and smelled amazing. I accidentally ordered the wrong drink and the staff were super cool about it and took it off our tab, which was much appreciated. Great place and great staff!

I'm leaving this review as the wine bar, I think it's overpriced for what it is and I don't really…read morelove their wine selection. Also the music is way too loud. Now the breakfast burritos are amazing. I'd rate this 4 stars if it were just for the breakfast burritos.