50 Best American Restaurants in San Francisco

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

“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.“

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

“Great food and ambience here!“

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

“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!“

“Absolutely phenomenal dining experience for my husband and I. Misters Pollo (Graham and Will) were wonderful hosts and took great care of us. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavours and the ingredients are all sourced locally (Chef Graham hits up the farmers market multiple times a week). We had a savoury panna cotta to start, followed by a pasta, then braised pork, and finished with a peach sorbet. We were beyond full by the end! We sat the bar which was a treat to watch the food being prepared and learn more about what goes on behind the scene. Highly highly recommend!“

“Always a superior fine American dining experience at Spruce. This place needs its Michelin star back...maybe add another. Our server, Michael, was incredible, and the tasting menu, from the Parker House rolls to the desserts was perfect.

We went for the supplements, which I recommend as an actual additional course, rather than a substitute, as the tasting menu itself is so thoughtfully curated that you don't want to miss out on the chefs rhythm.

Decor remains relaxing and peaceful....my only quibble (and this is of ALL san Francisco restaurants) is that the pacing can feel a wee bit rushed, between courses, especially if you're used to fine dining in other cities, such as New York. But in terms of service, food, and atmosphere...
.no notes....just go!“

“Affordable price, great taste“

“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.“

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

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

“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🍸🍹“

“I love this place! It's a must for me now, any time I can make it work logistically when visiting from Fresno. The propieter, John, is a wonderful host, and his food is fantastic! I've been twice now, and both experiences were amazing. The curtains for each table give a very uniquely intimate dining experience. And I highly recommend doing the wine pairing. This is a unique dining gem of San Francisco!“

“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.“

“Amazing dining experience. Worth the price“

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

“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!!!!“

“Best dining experience I’ve had since I moved here. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. My new favorite restaurant 💚💚💚“

“I I have been going to the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco since 1965. It is still the same wonderful place for the people from all over the world and the best Irish coffee you could ever want and a view of the bay. I love that place and all the people that work there and the food is good also“

“🌟 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 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!“

“Amazing food and service. Love this place!“

“My server Darko was excellent. I had a 10 hour delay and a bad shoulder - he found me a very comfortable seat despite a crowded atmosphere. Also gave me great recommendations on what to see in Singapore. The hostess Jada K was also fantastic. Burger was excellent this is not typical airport food. Lettuce crisp and green, tomato fresh, pickles made in house. Fries were great. Highly recommend this place. It was suggested to me by a United Club worker when I said I was hunting for good eats before a long flight - he was right. Five stars“

“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.“

“Millen was a goddess: beautiful inside and out. A star in her profession— treated my friend and I wonderfully! The food was very fresh and delicious. The salmon melted in our mouths. The vibe in the restaurant as well as the whole building was elegant & luxurious. We absolutely loved the decor. We recommend this place to everyone!“

“The server Gina is the 5-star service! Top tier! Her beefy, her smile, she checks up on you, her food recommandation pleasantly surprised me, I hesitated between regular egg breakfast and the salmon. She said to try to salmon and described the meal in a way that piques your curiosity. I’m so happy I did! It was DELICIOUS!!! I had to tell my mama we have to find a way to recreate that meal! Thank you Gina!!“

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

“味道很不错值得尝试一下！😁😁😁“

“Celebrated my husband’s birthday at the Chocolate Factory Dinner. Really fun, interactive, very tasty and sooo inventive. Loved the food and wine pairing. We will be back!“

“Yuong, the owner, is super friendly! He greets every guest with warmth/laughter; the place should definitely be more popular. Other info: the restaurant readily takes cash, has a very relaxed atmosphere, their menu is large and while the restaurant doesn’t specialize in any given diet Yuong gave me lots of recommendations for dishes!“

“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!“

“Loved the decor and the vibe，great place to hang out with friends.The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on.If you're in the area, this place is a must-try!“

“They’re kind of expensive.. 20$ for a two piece and a side if crazy, we can get the same at a gas station.. but the chicken was very flavorful, the yams were good and I got Kool aid which was good.. the best thing was the caramel cake.. very flavorful and most“

“Never disappointed when you go to Heritage… Tonight I tried the New York steak absolutely delicious… Carrot soup absolutely delicious… And of course too and with chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven and coffewith a dollop of Cardamom whipping cream …Yum! Oh and great Manhattans with Basil Hayden bourbon 🥂🎄🙏🏼❤️😘“

“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.“

“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.“

“Fun experience here. We sat at the bar, and I overheard many customers asking who’s working or customers greeting the staff. Definitely felt like the staff is well known in this neighborhood and has a lot of regular customers. Great to see.

The menu is awesome. Very cool and caught me by surprise as I grew up as a wrestling fan. It felt nostalgic and made it fun to choose a drink.

It seemed like a seasonal or rotating menu since I heard the bartender say this was our new menu. The Andre the Giant drink was the best of the three we ordered (Roddy Rowdy Piper and Rey Mysterio).

The charred cabbage was great. Never thought I would order a cabbage dish, but the description made it appetizing.

They also played great classic hip hop music.“

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

“Overall A: exceptional Michelin-starred, flavorful, warm, attentive. Weekday supper of charcuterie platter: duck liver mousse, duck rillette, spicy headcheese, Pâté de campagne, rabbit terrine, jagerwurst, pepperoni, chorizo, salami, prosciutto, and whiskey cocktails. Good pricing, though stingy on the carb accompaniment.“

“I’ve been wanting to eat here for a while. I’m a big Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives fan. I saw this place on the show so I planned a dinner to take my clients to. This place was amazing. Everyone raved about every bite of food we had. Kevin, the owner, was very appreciative of us being there. Such a warm and enjoyable space coupled with great food made our night perfect. You have to try this place.“

“My favorite food is everything on the menu“

“great food and cocktails, bread to die for“

“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.“

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

“Food was good! Atmosphere was fun!“

“Amazing!! A San Francisco must.“