50 Best American Restaurants in San Francisco

“It was our first time and we were definitely pleased. Everything was delicious!“

“We had dinner there and the food was delicious…. The fried quail was the star. The starters were excellent. Very recommended restaurant“

“We walked in on NYE without a reservation and they graciously found us a spot in the bar area. Service was on point and staff were festively dressed! I love a crafty cocktail but most are too sweet. I had the Smokey mezcal cocktail 🍹. Perfection. Appetizers were delish as well. Perfect way to start our NYE celebrations.“

“The food in this restaurant is delicious, I hope you have time to try it.“

“Great food and ambience here!“

“Great breakfast and fast service Thank you ♥️♥️“

“What an amazing culinary experience! We had a three course meal. The waiter was very helpful, friendly and had great recommendations! I highly recommend this place if you're in San Francisco!“

“My friend, Mike, who lives nearby with his wife, raved about it so much that my BF and I decided to come after a short trip to Marin. It was everything that he described and more. It was fantastic! Excellent food and atmosphere. Will definitely add to my list of favorites and will recommend to my Palo Alto friends!“

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

“I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. I am a business owner a few doors down and I wandered in with a friend after work one night about a month ago. We were met with such incredible warmth from the staff and the environment itself, even without a reservation. We sat at the bar and were greeted by Josh, only to find out later that he is the owner. He made excellent recommendations on everything from our drinks to dessert. The bar didn’t feel isolated from the rest of the restaurant and guests, but rather was lively hub frequented by kitchen and serving staff and warmed by a smoldering wood fire. The coziest. We swooned for the poke appetizer, complete with house-made toasted, but not crisp, blue corn tortillas. The pork shoulder tacos—also to die for. I have to say though, that the star on the sidelines was the beans. I honestly didn’t know I could feel this way about beans…but I digress. Josh bounced around from table to table all night, never letting a single ball drop, making every guest feel like *his* guest. A pot de crème sealed the evening in perfect bliss. I’m back a month later with the same friend, eating different and somehow even more incredible entrees: ribeye, halibut and a rhubarb crisp for dessert. I scarcely ever take the time to write a review as I prefer to vote with my $ and my feet, but I simply couldn’t eat here again without taking the time to sing it’s praises. Eat here.“

“Holy Schnike!!! The food is incredibly delicious, the non-seafood versions I am getting are the most amazing tastes. The Wines paired with the dishes are inspired and spot on.“

“Leurs salades Le service Le PATIO a l’arrière 👍👍“

“味道很不错值得尝试一下！😁😁😁“

“Amazing dining experience. Worth the price“

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

“Holy moly, this place was great! The food is tasty & beautifully served. The service was great & Hannah made terrific suggestions. Really well done!“

“Really nice place. Highly recommended“

“great food and cocktails, bread to die for“

“Affordable price, great taste“

“Needed a splurge by myself. Sat at the bar and ordered off the full menu. Bartenders were knowledgeable and friendly. Went with their wine suggestions since I was drinking by the glass, and both wines were delicious and well suited to the food.

The food, by the way, was excellent. Had the buckwheat tartine, lots of interesting flavors! The two-way duck was tasty in two preparations, one more tender and the other a bit more spiced.“

“It was a nice spot to just eat and chill for a bit. Me and my brother just came off a roller coaster of flight and emotions. So we were pretty hungry. Wanted breakfast so this was our only good looking option. It did not disappoint with the food being delicious and our server Gloria was the best. She made sure we had our condiments before our food came out and made sure everything was good for us. She was very attentive towards us and was such a sweet lady. Would recommend if you’re at the airport.“

“First time at this restaurant- we have been to RH Rooftop Marin before. We had a reservation for 2 people and showed up a few min early. The hostess who helped us (there were 2 other hosts walking back and forth) was neutral, not warm or friendly. She asked us to wait in the waiting area for our table (empty except for a couple having drinks there from the bar). We waited for about 10 min, and noticed a party of 2 walked up and were seated right away. When another party of 2 did the same, my husband went up to ask how long our wait would be, and she said she could seat us. She brought us to a table immediately behind the hostess podium (which had been empty since we got there). I asked if there was another table available (I wanted to feel more like I was inside the restaurant) and her body language clearly showed that she was annoyed- shoulders slumped, sighed - and she brought us to another table. The restaurant was much louder than I expected, which made it seem less elegant than the photos showed when I booked. Our waiter was professional and nice, and we appreciated that. The food was mostly excellent- especially the Hamachi caviar carpaccio- amazing! My husband's Chilean sea bass was overcooked and rubbery. The Delice de Bourgogne board was fantastic (we've had this in the Marin restaurant). I don't know that I would come here again for a special dinner- I might come just for a casual meal. I did feel overdressed, as I tried following the dress code, but saw people in tennis shoes and athleisure clothes. There were a few people dressed up (large table for a birthday, etc) but if we go there again, I will definitely dress down. Overall, the food and service at our table were great, but the ambiance and service at the host stand were not. I really wanted to love this restaurant, but in my experience it did not live up to the beautiful photos online.“

“Amazing food and service. Love this place!“

“The view is comfortable and the dishes are exquisite. It is highly recommended.“

“I was celebrating my 75th birthday on June 23rd 2026 had the privilege of eating your food delicious we ordered chicken yams greens mac and cheese and he had oxtails falling off the bone remind me at home me and my five year old Grand and Grandpa was just delighted thank you for sharing I do hope that I pray that I'll be able to return at some point to San Francisco“

“Had afternoon tea here twice; the first time for 2 persons, the second time for 3. Tea selection and the atmosphere was outstanding, service was ok.
During my first visit, the food for 2 was nicely presented on a tiered platter, beautiful and appetizing.
However on my second visit, I was very disappointed with the food presentation; a 2-person tiered platter was used to hold food for a party of 3. As a result, the food was literally piled on to the platter on each tier. This must be a presentation mistake which compromised our dining experience. The visual appeal was lost and somehow the food did not taste as good as the first time…😟“

“Get there early if you want a seat. Their Whiskey Sour is absolutely perfect And they have actual food if you like that kind of stuff🍸🍹“

“Fab bar with a great range of booze and really friendly and helpful staff. Took the time to discuss UK vs USA measures and jiggers with me - fascinating!“

“When we turned the corner and saw the sign, we were so happy to get a nice going away taste of home before we flew to Canada. We usually frequent the Union St location, and this spot was a pleasant find! Vicky V was exceptional and very helpful. The staff was courteous and efficient.“

“Absolutely delicious. The staff was awesome. Consuelo couldn't have been more friendly! Great experience. Highly recommend 😋😋“

“Last Saturday we ordered a lot of food from the melt. The whole crew was working overtime and we all ordered multiple items and the crew absolutely killed it. Lady working the cashier was absolutely amazing. Sweetest lady ever. The cooks were amazing and they have a very good crew working. The only names I received were Mar, Janeka, Dom and Tone but everyone was incredible and we definitely will be back.“

“This place should have a line out the door every day. Incredible value. Excellent service. Delicious food. Warm and friendly staff. They greeted all their regulars by name like old friends. I can't wait to become a regular myself. I can't recommend enough. Coming back as often as I can.“

“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!!!!“

“Another brilliant visit to Sorrel and Alex Hong continues to reign as my current favorite Chef! 🤘🏼If you haven’t been to Sorrel, go. Total genius.“

“🌟 NOPA San Francisco: A Bucket List Culinary Triumph! 🌟 Review by: The Bucket List Coach Webshow. I recently had the distinct pleasure of crossing a major culinary destination off my bucket list: NOPA San Francisco. My dining experience on December 12, 2025, was not just a meal; it was an absolute masterclass in hospitality and farm-to-table excellence. Exceptional Service: A Shoutout to Zach! From the moment we sat down, the experience was elevated by our server, Zach. He truly went above and beyond, anticipating needs and offering spot-on recommendations, making the dining experience feel incredibly special and seamless. A massive shoutout to Zach, as well as the entire Culinary team, Management team, and staff—the level of coordination and passion was palpable. Appetizers and Beverages: Instant Classics The meal kicked off with the Date and Pear appetizer, which was absolutely fantastic—a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and texture. And for the beer lovers out there, you must try the Honey Beer 🍺. I'm officially adding this to my personal "Beer Bucket List!" I will absolutely be recommending it to all my followers on my podcast and through my travel agency. Thanks to Woods Beer and Wine Company! The Entrée: Perfection on a Plate For the main course, I opted for the Duck, and it was cooked to perfection. Seriously, melt in the mouth- tender meat was phenomenal. The plate presentation was stunning, far exceeding my expectations—it was a true work of art. The side of Grapefruit and Vinaigrette Salad was the perfect accompaniment. It was one of the best salads I have ever had in San Francisco; the brightness of the grapefruit cut through the richness of the duck beautifully. Desserts: Celebrating National Cocoa Day! To celebrate National Cocoa Day Dec. 13th-I couldn't resist. I highly suggest partaking in the Hot Chocolate for a decadent dessert item—it was rich, velvety, and a perfect holiday treat. And if you still have room, the Cheesecake with Brown Sugar is another truly fantastic dessert that offers a wonderful, comforting finish to the meal. NOPA is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination. The ambiance, the incredible staff like Zach, and the impeccable, thoughtful food quality solidify NOPA as a must-visit spot in San Francisco. It earns its place on any serious foodie's bucket list Cindy Lee Podcast Host at Bucket List Coach Web Show & Founder of Bucket List Coach Travel Tours“

“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.“

“Absolutely loved dinner at Heirloom Cafe in the Mission. One of those rare San Francisco spots that still feels deeply personal, warm, and genuinely neighborhood-driven. The atmosphere is intimate and understated, but the food and wine program are world class.

The burger is still one of the best in SF. Rich, perfectly cooked, layered with incredible flavor, and somehow even better paired with a bold red from their beautifully curated wine list. The staff clearly knows wine and actually cares about helping you find the right pairing instead of just pushing expensive bottles. We ended up with an amazing Hungarian recommendation that elevated the entire meal. The desert wine and champagne even slap.

Huge credit to Wisconsin born Josh DeClercq and the team in the kitchen for keeping the food simple, seasonal, and dialed. You can feel the consistency and attention to detail in every dish. The whole place has that timeless California French bistro energy that’s getting harder and harder to find in San Francisco.

If you want a real SF dinner experience with exceptional wine, incredible hospitality, and food that feels thoughtful without trying too hard, this place is special. Perfect date night spot. We’ll absolutely be back.“

“Had San Francisco Cioppino (Mussels. Clams, Crab, Cod, Prawns, Scallops and Garlic Bread that was the bomb). Only giving 2 thumbs up as I only have 2. Great food, great service!“

“Fantastic food - reasonably priced and great service! Tasha was amazing!“

“Good service and good food😋“

“Food was good! Atmosphere was fun!“

“I ordered a sandwich with two sides of gravy through Uber Eats for pickup. When I arrived, the chefs said my order had already been taken and refused to remake it, even though I showed my receipt. The manager came out and was very rude, despite me explaining I’m a regular customer who even picked up my annual Thanksgiving meal the day before. After accusing me of “screaming” (though I was speaking calmly over the loud music), they finally remade the order but shoved it at me and pushed me out. I live a block away and may give them another chance, but beware online pickup orders can get mishandled here.“

“I must say i had high hopes but the meal was tasteless but my friends had too much salt. I wanted to like it. Wont return, wont recommend. ☹“

“Great entertainment and hosts!!!“

“Good food, excellent service“

“A great burger. From my first year in the bay area there was something special about Nation's Giant Burgers, scattered around the East Bay. A juicy patty, cheese, with the fixings a nice clump of lettuce, onions and tomato, thick slab of cheese and pickles. Great thick fries, and pies.. seriously the best pie I ever had was at a Nation's. Their Strawberry Tart only offered when in season, is just large strawberries, a tasty almost shortbread crust and whipped cream. The one I had in 2001, days after 9/11, the strawberries were bursting with juice, almost like a jam, the skin barely holding, and. not too sweet, not too tart... In Plant City, Florida they have amazing strawberries.. previously the best I had ever tasted, but these, from a California Farm is what they said, are always going to be the best. �Other than their Strawberry Tart, I like their Banana Split, Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream, Pecan, Blueberry... well.. all of them. Never a bad choice. How I like my burger. Cheese, no dressing, grilled onions, light lettuce. Then I get hash browns and ham on the side (sometimes one egg also) and add them to the burger. Anyway. yes. 👍 more, again.“

“tasting menu was amazing. service was top notch.“

“Really nice place with some great food. The charteruie board was great, the duck was fantastic and the drinks were great.

Unfortunately another guest got really drunk and started puking outside. I don't blame that on the restaurant or the staff, but just unlucky I guess.“

“Love The Halfway Club!! Great food and drinks and super friendly staff here. It’s also extremely dog friendly! There’s an outdoor patio that’s great for dogs.

The food is truly delicious. I was a big fan of their new menu with the miso maple brussel sprouts. Their chicken sando and grilled cheese are also fantastic. They have excellent drinks as well. Staff here are super nice and welcoming. Love that the excelsior has this place.“

“The food was great, the service was amazing and staff very kind! Clean restrooms are a plus too! Thank you for the great food and great service!“