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!“

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

“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!“

“Affordable price, great taste“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“Truly outstanding food for an airport. You absolutely pay a premium for it (prepare to sell a kidney) but it’s the best food I’ve had while in airport transit in a long time.

Liked the look of the Salmon BLT from the pics and it did not disappoint, highly recommend!“

“Spruce is Michelin-Star-worthy. Absolutely fantastic in every way. My server Michael T was so kind, knowledgeable, attentive as were the other staff. The Alaska gin/yellow chartreuse/orange bitters cocktail was unique and flavorful, and I received excellent advice on choice of wines (was even allowed two half glasses of two wines with the duck since I couldn't decide after tastings!). I had the agnolotti primavera, duck two ways, and pastel de maiz if I recall correctly; on the dessert. Everything was perfectly cooked, flavorful, seasoned well, delectable. Corn infused sauce with the dessert was incredibly unique, sweet, creamy, and so tasty. Amuse Bouche, Parker rolls, chocolate tray all amazing and server kindly offered me small caviar tastes since I had mentioned interest but was worried I would get too full. Beautiful ambiance. I just had a wonderful meal and time there. Thank you Spruce team!“

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

“味道很不错值得尝试一下！😁😁😁“

“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“

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

“Visited her back in September of last year after my brother got married. Best Wagyu Steak i have ever had, the way it just melted in my mouth, the flavors were immaculate. Their Caesar salad was also super delicious, i am planning of coming back soon...Especially for that wagyu steak“

“Amazing food and service. Love this place!“

“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…😟“

“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.“

“great food and cocktails, bread to die for“

“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.“

“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🍸🍹“

“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.“

“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!!!!“

“🌟 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“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

“Good service and good food😋“

“Came in for a couple drinks and ended up staying a lot longer than we planned to, spent more money than we thought we were gonna spend because of our server AB, she knew what was up! She had a great vibe and was the nicest person I have ever met! Super helpful and very attentive. Go to eater bar the crew are incredible“

“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. ☹“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“What an amazing hidden gem! This spot is a whole vibe, including bar seating, a patio and a room with board games and a TV.
Offering inexpensive craft cocktails and affordable meals, it's definitely worth checking out!
Must trys:
-Clam and crab chowder
-Crispy wings
-Tomato soup w/grilled cheese
Ethan is amazing and I can tell he knows his guests on a personal level...kinda like Cheers! It's definitely a good vibe!
Only regret...not getting photos to show off!!!“