San Francisco

There's simply no equal for Zuni's signature Caesar salad and brick-oven roasted chicken for two. — Time Out

Over thirty years young and still thriving, locals and tourists alike remain drawn to this renowned favorite, famous for its laid-back Cali vibe and great, locally sourced eats. — Michelin Guide

Star chef Judy Rodgers’ baby is a sparkler all right. — BlackBook

An institution... and there's so much more than the sublime roasted chicken. — Not For Tourists

Zuni is f*cking legendary. Three things make it so: the food, the room, and the vibe. — The Infatuation

The restaurant’s ability to deliver sublime cuisine and impeccable service has made it the gold standard for San Francisco fine dining. Reservations accepted in advance; walk-ins are... — Where

In spite of the exorbitant prices, Gary Danko has remained one of the favored restaurants in the city for its New American prix-fixes. — DK Eyewitness

Walking into Gary Danko is like stepping into an alternate universe of San Francisco. There are gilded plates and roses on every table, shiny parquet floors, big mirrors, and extravagant... — The Infatuation

The best of the big names. Sophisticated California cuisine. — Not For Tourists

Whether you're seated in the "elegant" dining room or at the bar, "everything about" the place is "sublime." — Zagat

The clam chowder is considered the best in the city by many, but all the seafood here is fresh. — DK Eyewitness

Founded in 1912, this seafood market and oyster bar is a San Francisco institution. There's almost always a wait at this intimate, 18-stool oyster bar, but you’ll be rewarded with a pint... — Where

Swan's downside is an inevitable wait for the few stools at the vintage lunch counter, but the upside of high turnover is incredibly fresh seafood. — Lonely Planet

Half fish market and half diner, this small, slim, family-run seafood operation, open since 1912, has no tables, just a narrow marble counter with about a dozen-and-a-half stools. — Fodor's

For such a small place -- only 18 seats at the counter -- this oyster bar and retail shop has a mega reputation, being named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation. — San Francisco Chronicle

This "innovative" Alamo Square bi-level boîte "always impresses" with its "locally sourced", "wood-fired" Californian dishes and "delicious artisanal cocktails." — Zagat

Pseudo blue-collar joint in warm warehouse/loft setting with ceiling fans, split-level seating, and ginormous windows. — BlackBook

While the name sounds exotic, Nopa is actually short for North of the Panhandle, a nod to the neighborhood in which this bustling restaurant is rooted. — Gayot

Much of the food comes from the grill, including a juicy grass-fed hamburger, or from the wood-burning oven that produces smoke-tinged calamari with cabbage, olives and aioli. — San Francisco Chronicle

Located near Alamo Square inside a simple building with a tile roof, Nopa is a favorite after-work hangout of Bay Area chefs. — Travel + Leisure

Dim sum with a Michelin twist—don't miss the signature quail. — Bon Appétit

Nicole Krasinski describes the novel concept of her restaurant State Bird Provisions as “dim sum and a great hors d’oeuvre party morphed into one experience&=&. She and her husband, chef... — Afar Magazine

Who says dim sum-style dining is just for Chinese food? Not the folks behind State Bird Provisions. — Michelin Guide

State Bird references the main ingredient of the restaurant's signature dish: crispy fried quail, one of a small selection of items available on a printed menu. — Gayot

The fooderati's current “it” restaurant, Michelin-starred State Bird Provisions has garnered such a cult following, it has foodie hackers trying to game the online reservation system. — Time Out

Chef/owner Craig Stoll favors simplicity over whimsy, and tradition over fashion. Yet his food is never ordinary. — Time Out

Exceptional Italian. If we ever get in we'll like it. — Not For Tourists

“Solid” is probably the best word to describe most dishes at Delfina. — The Infatuation

When concocting the short, seasonal menu at this Mission District restaurant, chef and co-owner Craig Stoll and his partner, Anne, take their cues from simple, regional Italian dishes. — Gayot

Craig and Anne Stoll's "local favorite" in the Mission is "still the best place in town" for "sublime" pasta and other "simple" Northern Italian "slow food." — Zagat

Moroccan fine-dining destination with opulent decor, a superb wine list and fun touches like a rosewater-filled pewter basin presented for pre-meal hand-washing. — Rough Guide

This one Michelin star restaurant serves Moroccan cuisine with modern California flair. Dark colors, dim lighting, several archways and electronic music creates a hip feel. D (nightly),... — Where

Chef Mourad Lahlou's inspiration is Moroccan and his ingredients organic Californian, but the flavors are out of this world. — Lonely Planet

Exotic Moroccan specialties, from a fragrant couscous to quail with huckleberry, are brought to the table, as diners lounge on luxurious cushioned seats. — DK Eyewitness

If you're looking for something really different -- or a festive spot for a large party -- head deep into the Avenues for an exotic taste of Morocco. — Frommer's

This is one of the few truly French restaurants that has never bowed to the whims of fashion. — Time Out

La Folie is a serious restaurant, discreet and smart, that puts forth a sense of happy romance as timeless and pleasing as the popping of a champagne cork. — Michelin Guide

La Folie means “madness,” and you shouldn’t visit unless you’re ready to lose your head a little. — Forbes Travel Guide

This small, très Parisian establishment has long been a favorite of Francophiles. — Fodor's

Magnificent Provencal food served without attitude or pretension. — Rough Guide

Tantalizing signature starters like marrow bones with herb salad and savory bread pudding. — Frommer's

An offshoot of the cultlike Tartine Bakery, this restaurant provides one way you can get a taste of their famed (and always sold-out) country loaf. — Fodor's

Bake Chad Robertson sees his restaurant... as less a static institution and more an evolving theater for showcasing the creativity of his staff, visiting chefs. — Travel + Leisure

One of the most beloved brunch temples in town. — BlackBook

Nick Balla and Cortney Burns make food that sounds improbable--Hungarian dishes with Japanese influences--but tastes remarkable. Bonus: They make pickles, spices, sodas, cured meats and... — Tasting Table

The 70s-retreat-inspired decor belies the freshness of the constantly changing seasonal menu and adventurous wine pairings. — Lonely Planet

Without a whiff of gimmicky experimentation, Daniel Patterson's Coi reimagines California cuisine, acknowledging the sanctified emphasis on ingredients that many area chefs embrace. — Gayot

This intimate beacon of refinery on bawdy Broadway offers one of the city’s best and most famous iterations dedicated to haute cuisine with molecular gastronomy influence. — Frommer's

Pronounced “kwa,” no relation to LA and NYC’s Koi, except that it’s equally as exceptional. — BlackBook

Local ingredients, skilled preparation, and impeccable presentation come together at this elegant Michelin-starred restaurant to produce superlative, innovative California cuisine. — DK Eyewitness

It's rarely easy to get a table here, but it's always worth the wait, particularly when you pair delicious entrées with an artisinal cocktail. — Condé Nast Traveler

Beretta is an industry favorite in the Mission. — On the Grid

One of the first restaurants in the city to base its menu around its (outstanding) cocktail program, Beretta is always packed—and for good reason. Besides its libations, this Mission hot... — Where

The inventive cocktails will keep you happy while you wait for a table at this popular Mission hot spot. — DK Eyewitness

Share a bunch of the very good Italian small plates, down probably four cocktails, skip the pizza, and try to get one of the outdoor tables on a nice night. — The Infatuation

Savor chef Michael Tusk's nightly changing Italian-inspired menu. Simple food that honors a few high-quality, just-picked organic ingredients. — Frommer's

Chef Michael and Lindsay Tusk's fine dining enclave, formerly located in Pacific Heights, reopened in an historic, brick building in Jackson Square. — Gayot

Elegant without being stuffy, this intimate two Michelin star restaurant with a superb wine list serves sophisticated Italian fare, such as a silky ricotta-filled ravioli in butter sauce. — Where

Chef-owner Michael Tusk uses only the finest local ingredients to turn out his Italian-inspired cuisine. — Fodor's

Pastas are handmade, and just about everything else is culled from nearby farms. — Condé Nast Traveler

Sleek and stylish California cuisine and movies outside! — Not For Tourists

This place is so chic and well hidden that it eludes me every time I drive past it on Mission Street. (Hint: Look for the valet stand.). — Frommer's

If you imagine a Venn diagram encompassing “unique dining experiences” and “classic SF establishments,” Foreign Cinema sits squarely in the center. — The Infatuation

The "inventive", locally sourced Cal-Med dinners (and "amazing" brunches) get a "standing ovation." — Zagat

Classic foreign films (think Fellini) and independent features are screened nightly in an expansive, elegant restaurant courtyard. — Gayot

Outerlands is an Outer Sunset institution. — Afar Magazine

Outerlands --- so named because it'€™s on the outer edge of the Sunset District --- is a tiny, wood-timbered cafe with a short menu focused on rustic foods that warm and comfort. — Gayot

Brett Cooper, the chef, arrived here via the more rarefied kitchens of Coi and Saison. The vibe is homey, the organic levain bread is delicious, and you sort of do want to stay all day. — Travel + Leisure

Done up in "weather-beaten-chic" style, this all-day Outer Sunset New American rolls out “delicious”, “affordable” fare served by a "nice-as-pie" team. — Zagat

A warm oasis of bread and soup. — Not For Tourists

Run by local big-name chef Traci des Jardins, this two-storey brick space caters to a pre-opera/ballet crowd with valet parking and plenty of pomp. — Rough Guide

Jardinière is the epitome of fine dining, San Francisco-style: polished in front, organic-sustainable in back. — Condé Nast Traveler

A favorite with the symphony and politico crowd, but cool enough for young hipsters with good credit. — BlackBook

Jardinière is a pre- and post-symphony favorite, and it also happens to be the perfect setting for enjoying a cocktail with your significant other. — Frommer's

A special anniversary? An important business dinner? A fat tax refund? These are the reasons you book a table at Jardinière. — Fodor's

This "jewel of the Embarcadero" "continues to be a legend", boasting an "amazing view of the Bay Bridge"as a backdrop for "superb" locavore American meals. — Zagat

Since 1993, this Belle Epoque restaurant has been a consistent favorite: From the service to the cooking, there's seldom a misstep. — Time Out

Boulevard makes its home in the late 19th-century Audiffred Building along San Francisco’s Embarcadero. — Travel + Leisure

This impressive space, with its wrought-iron lamps and brick ceiling, is the grand setting for local celebrity chef Nancy Oakes' classic American cuisine. — Rough Guide

The menu changes seasonally, but count on standout appetizers and generous portions of dishes like Maine lobster ravioli. — Fodor's

This is one Greek restaurant where you'll want to lick your plate instead of break it, with starters like grilled octopus with a zing of lemon and oregano, and a signature lamb. — Lonely Planet

Kokkari serves some of the best Mediterranean food in San Francisco in a massive space that doubles as a fancy living-room-cum-hunting-lodge. — The Infatuation

Kokkari serves “Hellenic cuisine”—essentially an inventive and seasonal update of traditional Greek—that may indeed qualify as “food of the gods” as it's described. — Time Out

Named for a small fishing village on the Aegean Sea, Kokkari is owned by the same partnership that runs Evvia Estiatorio in Palo Alto. — Gayot

The funny thing is, I've been to Athens, and the food there wasn't nearly as good as what they're serving at Kokkari (Ko-kar-ee), one of my favorite restaurants in the city. — Frommer's

A perfect special-occasion restaurant, this hidden gem offers the city’s most delicious, refined contemporary Italian fare. — Frommer's

This true San Francisco dining gem is worth every penny. — Fodor's

A converted chapel is a fitting location for a meal that'll turn Italian culinary purists into true believers in Cal-Italian cuisine. — Lonely Planet

Serving Italian fare unlike anything you'll find over the hill in North Beach, this celebrated, terracotta-toned restaurant welcomes polished crowds into its wood-beamed dining room. — Rough Guide

But most impressive is the cooking. Flavors positively sprawl across the palate in such dishes as Parmesan budino, a custardy Italian-style soufflé served with a seasonal garnish. — Condé Nast Traveler

Flour + Water may have wanted to be a neighborhoody Mission restaurant, but the caliber of its cuisine quickly made it a citywide destination. — Gayot

These days it's the pasta that holds court, merging beautifully with chef Thomas McNaughton's whole animal sensibilities. — Fodor's

Diners "fall in love at first bite" at this "quirky" Italian "treasure" in the Mission. — Zagat

The restaurant serves an ever-changing menu of delectable pastas and some of the best pizza and Italian-inspired desserts in the city. — San Francisco Chronicle

Set in a restored, Mission-district Victorian house, Flour + Water focuses chef Thomas McNaughton's energy on regionally authentic Italian pasta and thin-crust pizza. — Travel + Leisure

This “trendy” haunt nestled between SoMa nightclubs boasts a "cool vibe" and ace bartenders “unmatched” for their “spectacular” “handcrafted” libations. — Zagat

With roots in agriculture, Bar Agricole (Farm Bar) is a contemporary tavern serving ingredient-driven dishes, excellent wines and some of the best artisan cocktails around. Nose-to-tail... — Where

If their New American–style brunch and dinner menus don’t tempt you to Bar Agricole, in SOMA, maybe their recent James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Bar Program will. Cocktails... — Afar Magazine

It's clear an exceptional team is in place - it showed in the care taken in the 80-seat dining room, in the attentive service and, most important, in Reitz's food. — San Francisco Chronicle

It feels perfect for more occasions than almost anywhere we can think of: specialty cocktails, date night, late night, Bootie pre-grame... — The Infatuation