50 Best American Restaurants near Pacifica

“Here on vacation, saw the reviews of this place, and so glad we stopped by to try. It's take out only, owned and operated by a nice couple. Family of 4 was only $58. The food was hot, tasty, and enough of a portion size to fill you up. We will definately come back next time we are in town.“

“This restaurant deserves 10 stars! It is the best Chinese restaurant in the Bay area.“

“I've been dining at this restaurant for club events for several years. Our club receives a varied menu: prime rib, Chicken Cordon Bleu, salmon or surf and turf. The price of our meals include wine, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and gratuity. That's pretty reasonable given today's expensive eateries. The staff is friendly, personable and professional. Food is prepared quickly and efficiently. I recommend this restaurant for small parties/groups. 😊“

“Cute place, friendly service, nice atmosphere, great white hot chocolate.“

“My son took me here for lunch - we’d been meaning to try it. We were very pleased - amazing view with tiered tables so other guests aren’t blocking the view. The service was exceptional and the food was delicious and nicely presented. As a nice addition, there was a pianist playing while we dined which added to the ambience. We will come back because it was such a nice treat. One of those places that makes me love living in California!“

“Breaker’s is a great comfortable place to get a broad variety of “comfort food” at a reasonable price. Staff are very welcoming and attentive. Portions are definitely biased towards large. Our favorites are Crab Panini, Patty Melt, and Monte Christo. Definitely an affordable casual good quality restaurant close to picturesque scenery with numerous hiking trails.“

“Love this place. Great beer selection, basic menu that punches above its weight and a super friendly and helpful staff made this an easy review. Match all that with a fantastic indoor and outdoor atmosphere and you get one of the best breweries in the area. We will definitely be back!“

“This small cafe is a local family owned and operated business. During busy days, you can tell they keep providing the best service possible. Nancy is kind and friendly, usually the only waittress. It's a nice small place and they do rearrange a couple of tables for bigger parties. We've tried various plates from here, but the following 2 are top favorites (there was a 3rd but forgot to take a picture). The following is the Maya Burger ( added bacon and egg) highly recommended and is available after 11 AM. The other is a banana French toast that was superior in taste compared to many other places in the Bay Area. Lastly, the Dollar size pancakes are ones that you should try. During all of our visits, here have always been a 5 out of 5 for the food and service, even during busy hours, and we understand that is extremely difficult for a small business to do every day. Yes, they open every day, and the shopping center has various places to check out after a nice meal.“

“A great way to experience a four course meal at an affordable price, with delicious food. We will definitely be back.“

“just lovely! vegan friendly but the fried chicken was tops!“

“Great airport spot. What I care about the most when traveling is an attentive server, an attentive server, and an attentive server. Keep an eye out for Vital - he’s exactly this. He has a spidey sense for traveler’s needs and flight schedules. Love this guy“

“Great entertainment and hosts!!!“

“Wow. What a Great addition to the neighborhood. A lively pub with great American Classic menu items. Movies on the wall for kids. Live music. Back patio. Fantastic friendly and competent service. Great local beers. Best burger I’ve had in a long time (disclaimer: I live in Mexico now).“

“Eat here once and you’re coming back. Eat here twice and you’re family. Best atmosphere in SF, incredible interesting wine list, service that is knowledgeable AND fun/grounded/ entertaining and the food, my god the food! This place just celebrated 23 years in business, they deserve At least 23 more!!!!“

“This place is great!! Love the Lamb Chops or New York Steak, Bartender Christine top notch, Area Mgr. Samantha always treats me like gold. Mgr. Alexa Luv her so dedicated, Mgr Edgar always on top of things, Can't forget Bartender Alberto! Or Mgr. Gia“

“posole crispy tacos tres leches guacamole chips“

“JC Bruno is more than a restaurant, it’s a relationship. It’s now my #1 spot, and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone looking for great food, genuine people, and unforgettable service! If you’re looking for a go-to restaurant that feels like your favorite local spot and your second home, JC Bruno is it. I truly mean when I say that Marcela, the owner, is the soul of this place, and she has completely redefined what true hospitality means in today’s world. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted not just by a friendly staff, but by people who genuinely care. Marcela herself is always around, and what makes her so special is that she doesn’t act like a distant owner, but rather you feel like you’re planning something with a longtime friend. She’ll chat with you, laugh with you, and most importantly, she stands by you to help plan your perfect experience, whether you’re organizing a small dinner or a full-blown celebration. What blew me away most was how flexible she is. JC Bruno’s menu is already this amazing fusion of European, Mediterranean, and other international flavors, but if there’s something special you want that’s not listed? Just ask. Marcela will go out of her way to make it happen. That kind of flexibility is almost unheard of these days. I’ve worked with many restaurants for events and special dinners, but working with Marcela is different because she treats you like a partner, not a transaction. She’ll talk through your vision, offer smart suggestions, and help you figure out the best possible setup for your group. The way she collaborates with you makes it fun and stress-free. It’s rare to find a place where the owner is this involved and down-to-earth.“

“Banana Foster French toast and their freshly squeezed orange juice.“

“The best restaurant you’ve never been to in SF. Every time i have friends in town I take them here. Service is wonderful, food is delicious and well priced, atmosphere is cozy and vibey. Great selection of wine and vermouth. Probably my current favorite in the city. Cheers!“

“Great celebratory dinner, our first time here. We all had the 5-course tasting menu, and added on extras (focaccia - deelish; A5 dumplings, okay) They accommodated my wifes allium allergy incredibly - although they said they would just not sauce her plates...they actually subbed in two dishes completely, to her great enjoyment as the replacements were right up her fresh vegetable alley. Pastas were really really really good. Great flavor but not overpowering. Sea bass sublime. Desserts were straightforward but excellent. Wine pairings were really really solid - with the GSM and muscato our favorites. Our server was gracious but started out a bit preoccupied. They forgot to bring our our uni creme brulee, but were very gracious in comping it later (a must order) and comping sparkling wine and extra end of the night dessert wine, which was amazing. So in the end the service really came through - overall a memorable and super fun dinner in a casually elegant atmosphere in a really interesting location!“

“Watermelon and arugula salad. It was a large portion, and excellent. The dinner was served with bread and butter for the table. The menu looks a little pricey at first, but the portions match. Service was top notch. Extremely scenic surroundings right on the beach, and live piano music.“

“good eats 😎..............“

“Made to order deli sandwiches. I really enjoyed my Embarcadero chicken sandwich and chips combo. There was a huge line so I scanned the QR code and ordered online. My food was ready well before the time it would have taken for me to get to the front of the line.

Generous amount of cheese in the sandwich.“

“Always a wonderful time and great service“

“Healthy options, great service. Joe is the real deal. �“

“I'm a sucker for old-fashioned diners, the ones that seem stuck in time, stubbornly holding on to nostalgia when it was king in its glory days, back before chain restaurants and cookie-cutter decor and brands.

They hold a special allure when you're traveling down the byways where they still thrive, but they're especially precious when you find them in urban areas where they compete with fast-food conglomerates.

So I don't take places like Gunter's for granted, an old establishment (South San Francisco) in the midst of urban blandness of homogeneity. They're still places where old men gather swapping tall tales and spar politics over Farmer Brothers coffee brand to while their time away.

This genre seems to be a fleeting gem of Americana as I see many of them boarded up and closed down even along the blue highways. So in your travels, take a moment to patronize these places before too many of them disappear as victims of people's preference for national brands and indifference.“

“BG is a gorgeous restaurant, with well prepared food, and live music/jazz, most days of the week. Owners are very personable and hands-on, which is rare, amongst restaurants. Great place for special occasions or just a night out with your favorite person/people. Share a great experience, without a shocking price tag!“

“Excellent food, excellent service, excellent ambiance!“

“Customer Service is good and delicious foods.“

“Awesome shakes and heavenly garlic fries 👍“

“This place is by far one of the best breakfast/ brunch spots in the area. I made a visit here with my previous girlfriend, since we were craving for some good brunch and we were in the area. Upon arrival, their was a bit of a wait, but I did not mind since I am a very patient person. When we were called, the staffs gave us an option to dine inside or at one of their outdoor tables. We chose outdoor since it was a warm and beautiful day. Their menu consists of breakfast platters, sandwiches, shareable items, special dishes, drinks and much more. It was our first meal of the day, so we ordered basically whatever sounded good. Everything was made to order which is always a plus because freshness matters. When our food arrived, it was more than we expected and it was enough for a second meal. The staffs were welcoming, well trained and understanding which made our visit a satisfying one. I recommend this place to all breakfast lovers, if you are looking for a quick bite in the morning or if you just want to try something new. I definitely will be back to tryout the other delicious options they have to offer.“

“I recently visited Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery in San Francisco for a quick breakfast, and I was thoroughly impressed. The cafe features Peet’s Coffee, which makes for a perfect start to the day. I opted for takeout and ordered a Cafe Mocha and the spinach mushroom sandwich, both of which were delicious and fresh. The self-checkout system was incredibly convenient, making the ordering process seamless. The indoor seating area is comfortable, with a great ambiance for both quick stops and longer visits. If you have time, the walk around the bay just outside is absolutely stunning, offering a peaceful escape with beautiful views. A fantastic spot for a quick bite or to linger longer—highly recommend!“

“An intimate place to love ❤️ live music.“

“Friendly, elegantly set up, and good service - what's not to like? Early lunch on a weekday with a professional connection. It was almost empty (some folks came for takeout). We appreciated the flexibility on beverages, and the great flavors on both our sandwiches.“

“Great classic American diner - good food, friendly and warm service, and overall good vibes here. Breakfast foods were on point, and the portions are just right. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a good brunch place.“

“The food here is absolutely delicious and the staff is so friendly and accommodating. I can't recommend this little gem in the Lakeside neighborhood enough. Reasonable prices as well as many menu choices. Do yourself a favor and go there and sample everything, you will be very glad you did.“

“Always a great burger after a day at the beach.“

“Dinner at El Jacal after a Little League game with my son, his teammate, and his dad was a total win. The food was fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Everyone at the table left full and happy.

What really stood out, though, was the hospitality. When the staff heard we were celebrating a game, they brought out a complimentary dessert without us even asking. It was a thoughtful gesture that made the evening feel special.

El Jacal is more than just a great local restaurant—it’s the kind of place that reminds you why supporting family-owned spots matters.“

“My fiancé and I found your restaurant Saturday afternoon while sightseeing the city. We were so impressed with the atmosphere and hospitality. This place is the best for nice afternoon seafood lunch! Thank you so much for the delicious meal.“

“The food was delicious 😋 my first time eating there. I always pass it up but this time. I had to have it....“

“One of my favorite Sunday brunch places in the city. The food is always amazing, often with an unique flair. The service is always on point with very friendly staff making it even that much better of an experience.“

“Small latin eatery between 23rd and 24th Mission street. Metered parking or hourly parking in nearby neighborhood. Very casual and friendly environment and staff. Freshly made food and freshly squeezed orange juice! I ordered the "Central American Special". It had fried plantains(sweet tasting flavor), fried cheese, eggs, toast, rice and beans and Bacon. The dish itself tasted great all around, would recommend. I also ordered a side of Garlic bread (did not have any taste of garlic this time though).“

“Exceeded expectations. Extensive menu. Highly recommended!“

“Cypress Grill is tucked inside Harding Park’s golf course, overlooking the serene Lake Merced. The views are stunning—majestic cypress trees and the calm shimmer of the lake make for a peaceful dining experience.

Breakfast portions are generous, pricing is fair, and the staff? Exceptionally friendly and efficient. It’s rare to find a quiet spot like this where you can truly unwind while enjoying good food and great service.

Afterward, I took a leisurely stroll along the nearby path, passing vibrant yellow night primrose, lush gardens, and spotting plenty of birds along the way. It was truly relaxing—magical, even. This place has quickly become one of my new favorite hidden gems.“

“We had a wonderful experience at Flights Restaurant in San Francisco! The food was delicious, the service was friendly and prompt, and the atmosphere was great. We went for a large customer dinner and everyone loved it. The quality of the food and the service couldn't be faulted. I would recommend Flights Restaurant to anyone looking for a unique dining experience in San Francisco (especially those who love a restaurant with an aviation vibe).“

“Beautiful scenery, great little hike to lighthouse..“

“The best vegan food Best ever service-our family go to for family events and every day dining ❤️“

“Both eating here and working here were one of the highlights of my time in the Culinary Program.“

“Las hamburgesas estan perronas fire😋“

“Both eating here and working here were one of the highlights of my time in the Culinary Program.“